Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   RSPAB 9/10/99

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.45

                                              CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS OMITTED AND
                                            FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES
                                                        AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
                                                     ASTERISKS DENOTE OMISSIONS.

As of August 16, 1999

Ms. Kathryn Creech
President and CEO
VitaminShoppe.com
4700 West Side Ave.
North Bergen, NJ  07407

Dear Kathryn:

This letter provides an understanding of the scope of the services (the
"Services") to be performed by Sapient Corporation ("Sapient") solely during the
Concept and Design phase (the "Concept and Design Phase") of Sapient's
performance of designing and developing the VitaminShoppe.com and
VitaminBuzz.com Web sites (the "Project") for VitaminShoppe.com, Inc.
("VitaminShoppe.com"). The Concept and Design Phase of the Project shall
commence on Monday August 9, 1999 and end on Friday October 22, 1999, unless
extended by Sapient and VitaminShoppe.com.

The deliverables (the "Deliverables") to be delivered by Sapient to
VitaminShoppe.com during and by the end of the Concept and Design Phase are set
forth on Schedule A attached hereto. For the Services VitaminShoppe.com shall
pay Sapient $[*****](the "Concept and Design Phase Fee"), plus reasonable
actual out-of-pocket expenses. The Concept and Design Phase Fee will be paid
according to the following schedule:

8/23/99                     [*****]%                      $[*****]
9/20/99                     [*****]%                      $[*****]
11/1/99                     [*****]%                      $[*****]

Such out-of-pocket expenses will be billed at the end of the Concept Phase and
again at the end of the Design Phase with payment due 30 days from receipt of
invoice by VitaminShoppe.com. Sapient will not bill VitaminShoppe.com for travel
and lodging expenses incurred by resources dedicated solely to the back end
integration team.

Within three business days of the last day of the Concept and Design Phase,
Sapient shall deliver to VitaminShoppe.com a good faith estimate for the cost of
the Project. Within 10 days following the receipt of such estimate,
VitaminShoppe.com shall deliver written notice to Sapient which notice shall
state whether VitaminShoppe.com wishes to continue with the Project or not to
continue with the Project. If VitaminShoppe.com decides to continue with the
Project at such time, the parties shall enter into a Web Site Development
Agreement to set forth the
<PAGE>   2

                                              CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS OMITTED AND
                                            FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES
                                                        AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
                                                     ASTERISKS DENOTE OMISSIONS.

terms and conditions for the balance of the Project, and the Concept and Design
Phase Fee, together with the $[*****] already paid by VitaminShopppe.com to
Sapient in connection with the Project, shall be credited towards the total fee
for the Project. If VitaminShoppe.com decides not to continue with the Project
at such time, Sapient shall have no further obligation to provide additional
services to VitaminShoppe.com in connection with the Project beyond the Services
and VitaminShoppe.com shall have no further obligation to pay Sapient any
consideration in connection with the Project beyond the Concept and Design Phase
Fee and the out-of-pocket expenses set forth herein, provided, however, that
each party shall remain bound by the terms and conditions of the confidentiality
provisions and its representations, warranties and covenants contained in this
letter agreement.

Each party agrees to hold in confidence and not disclose (except on a
confidential basis to its employees or agents who are working on the Project and
who are bound to preserve the confidentiality thereof) any Proprietary
Information of the other to any third party. "Proprietary Information" shall
mean all information, knowledge and data possessed by either party, including
without limitation trade secrets, information designated as confidential which
is not publicly available, methodologies, systems, processes, inventions,
algorithms, procedures, techniques, work approaches and tangible manifestations
of Proprietary Information (including the reports to be delivered to
VitaminShoppe.com by Sapient at the conclusion of the Concept and Design Phase),
as well as any information VitaminShoppe.com obtains regarding any of Sapient's
clients. Without in any way limiting the foregoing, all information delivered by
VitaminShoppe.com to Sapient during the Concept and Design Phase, or otherwise
in connection with the Project, shall be deemed "Proprietary Information" under,
and shall be subject to, the terms and conditions of the Confidential Disclosure
Agreement dated as of July 12, 1999 between VitaminShoppe.com and Sapient, the
terms and conditions of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The Sapient team will be defined during the later stages of the Concept and
Design Phase, provided, however, that the following Sapient staff will be
allocated to the Project:

Jon Frey - Delivery Director (part time)
Lindsey Mosby - User Experience Team Lead (part time)
Mark Berler - Director of Architecture (part time)
Casey Hanback - Project Manager
Ram Prabhala - Lead Technical Architect

Sapient may not re-assign any of the above, or any of the other Sapient team
members working on the Project, from the Project without the written consent of
VitaminShoppe.com. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

Sapient and VitaminShoppe.com each agree and represent that Sapient is an
independent contractor and is not VitaminShoppe.com's agent, legal
representative, joint venturer, partner or

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
                                              CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS OMITTED AND
                                            FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES
                                                        AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
                                                     ASTERISKS DEMOTE OMISSIONS.

employee for state or federal tax purposes or for any other purposes whatsoever
(and will not hold itself out as such), except in connection with providing the
Services in accordance with the terms of this letter agreement, and that Sapient
and its employees are not entitled to any VitaminShoppe.com employee benefits.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary which may be set forth or implied
herein, Sapient has no authority to make or enter into any obligations, express
or implied, on behalf of VitaminShoppe.com or enter into contracts on behalf of,
bind or otherwise obligate VitaminShoppe.com in any manner whatsoever. Sapient
shall be responsible for all withholding and taxes by any government authority
on the compensation paid to Sapient by VitaminShoppe.com. Sapient shall make
clear in all agreements with its employees and independent contractors that they
are being employed directly by Sapient, and that Sapient is acting individually
and not as agent of VitaminShoppe.com in its employment of these individuals.

VitaminShoppe.com is retaining Sapient in reliance upon Sapient's
representations that it will use its best efforts, skills, judgment and
abilities to provide the Services in a professional manner consistent with
VitaminShoppe.com policies, as set forth in VitaminShoppe.com's policy manuals
and/or handbooks, if any, written copies of which have been provided to Sapient,
or such other policies as may be conveyed in writing by VitaminShoppe.com to
Sapient, and shall devote such time as is reasonably necessary to such duties.

Sapient acknowledges and agrees that all deliverables ("Work Product") created,
developed or provided by Sapient to VitaminShoppe.com during the Concept and
Design Phase, or otherwise in connection with the Project, shall be deemed "work
made for hire" for the benefit of VitaminShoppe.com. All rights, title and
interest to all Work Product, including all copyrights and all intellectual
property rights pertaining thereto, shall be held by VitaminShoppe.com.

To the extent that title to any such Work Product may not, by operation of law,
vest in VitaminShoppe.com or such Work Product may not be considered "works made
for hire," all right, title and interest therein are hereby irrevocably assigned
by Sapient to VitaminShoppe.com. Sapient agrees to execute all necessary
documentation for the assignment or registration of copyright to secure
VitaminShoppe.com's rights to any and all Work Product. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Sapient shall retain all rights, title and interest to any
methodologies, concepts, work approaches, know-how and techniques, software
programs, user interface (UI) conventions, UI design patterns and any other
consulting, design or development tools which Sapient either developed prior to
the commencement of the Project or which Sapient develops during the course of
the Project but which are developed either at Sapient's cost or not in
connection with the Project (collectively, the "Sapient Materials"). Sapient
hereby grants VitaminShoppe.com a perpetual, worldwide, royalty free right and
license to use the Sapient Materials in connection with the use and operation of
the VitaminShoppe.com and VitaminBuzz.com web sites, which license may be
transferred to any entity which purchases substantially all of the business
and/or assets of VitaminShoppe.com or which purchases either the
VitaminShoppe.com or VitaminBuzz.com Web sites. Sapient shall be free to use for
any purpose the Residuals resulting from its work on the Project. The term
"Residuals" means

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
                                              CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS OMITTED AND
                                            FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES
                                                        AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
                                                     ASTERISKS DEMOTE OMISSIONS.

information in intangible form, which may be retained by persons working on the
engagement, including ideas, concepts, know-how, and techniques contained
therein and which do not contain and of VitaminShoppe.com's proprietary
information.

Sapient agrees that upon termination of this Agreement any materials provided by
VitaminShoppe.com to Sapient shall remain VitaminShoppe.com property and any
Work Product that is in progress and not complete shall be transferred to
VitaminShoppe.com, and Sapient shall return all such materials to
VitaminShoppe.com.

Each party represents and warrants that it has the authority to enter into this
letter and to perform its obligations hereunder, and Sapient represents and
warrants that its original Work Product produced in connection with the Services
performed hereunder and the Work Product hereunder shall not violate any rights
of any person, including but not limited to trademark, copyright, privacy, or
proprietary rights, provided that Sapient shall have no liability to
VitaminShoppe.com under this Agreement to the extent that any infringement or
claim thereof is based upon (i) the combination, operation or use of a
Deliverable in combination with equipment or software not supplied, approved or
recommended by Sapient hereunder where the Deliverable would not itself be
infringing, (ii) compliance with designs, specifications or instructions
provided to Sapient by VitaminShoppe.com, (iii) use of a Deliverable in an
application or environment for which it was not designed or not contemplated
under this Agreement, or (iv) modifications of a Deliverable by anyone other
than Sapient or not approved by Sapient where the unmodified version of the
Deliverable would not be infringing.

THE FOREGOING REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE CONCERNING
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NO REPRESENTATION OR
STATEMENT NOT EXPRESSLY CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY WORK STATEMENT WILL
BE BINDING ON SAPIENT AS A WARRANTY.

This letter agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of law
principles thereof. This letter agreement constitutes the entire agreement of
the parties hereto with respect to the Concept and Design Phase of the Project
and supersedes any and all prior agreement, written and oral, with respect
thereto. No change, amendment or modification of any provision hereof shall be
valid unless set forth in a written instrument signed by both parties. This
letter agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original and together which shall constitute one and the same
instrument. This letter agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and
their successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither party
may assign its rights or obligations hereunder, in whole or in part, without the
other party's written consent, except that a party's rights and obligation
hereunder may be transferred to a successor of all or substantially all of the
business and assets of the party regardless of how the transaction or series

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

                                              CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS OMITTED AND
                                            FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES
                                                        AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
                                                     ASTERISKS DENOTE OMISSIONS.

of related transactions is structured, provided, that the successor party agrees
to be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof.

To the extent that the terms and conditions set forth in Schedule A contradict
those set forth in this letter agreement, the terms and conditions of this
letter agreement shall govern.

If you are in agreement with these arrangements, please sign one copy of this
letter agreement and return it to us in the enclosed stamped self-addressed
envelope. We very much appreciate the opportunity to serve VitaminShoppe.com.

 Best Regards,

Alex Kormushoff
Vice President

Agreed:

VITAMINSHOPPE.COM, INC.

By:/S/ KATHRYN H. CREECH
   ______________________
   Name:   KATHRYN H. CREECH
   Title:  PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

                                              CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS OMITTED AND
                                            FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES
                                                        AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
                                                     ASTERISKS DENOTE OMISSIONS.

[*****]

VISUAL DESIGN CONCEPTS

-         [*****]
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE CONCEPTS

-         [*****]
CONTENT STRATEGY CONCEPTS

-         [*****]
INTERACTIVITY AND USABILITY MODELS

-         [*****]
BRAND STRATEGY

-         [*****]
-         [*****]
-         [*****]
[*****]
TEST, STAGING AND PRODUCTION SYSTEM CONFIGURATION SPECIFICATION

-         [*****]
-         [*****]
DEVELOPMENT MEDIUM ( SCRIPTING, LANGUAGE, ETC.) RECOMMENDATIONS

LEGACY INTERFACE DESIGN

HOSTING OPTIONS

SCOPE REFINEMENT

[*****]
INTEGRATED PROTOTYPE

-        [*****]
[*****]
SYSTEM AND PACKAGE INTERFACE SPECIFICATION

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
                                              CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS OMITTED AND
                                            FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES
                                                        AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
                                                     ASTERISKS DENOTE OMISSIONS.

FRONT END  - TO MIDDLE TIER INTERFACE

MIDDLE-TIER TO BACK-END INTERFACE

BACK-END TO LEGACY INTERFACES

DRILL DOWN INTERFACES FOR EACH OF THE COMPONENTS IN THE THREE TIERS

ARCHITECTURE MODELS AND DOCUMENTATION ( MID LEVEL DETAIL)

CLASS DIAGRAMS

OBJECT DIAGRAMS

INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

DATA MODEL

USE CASES AND SCENARIOS FOR THE VARIOUS PROCESSES

TEST PLANS

IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT PLAN

                                      -7-<PAGE>   1
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

         THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of December 29, 1999, is between IRI
INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"), and BANK ONE,
TEXAS, N.A., a national banking association ("Lender").

                                R E C I T A L S:

         Borrower has requested Lender to extend credit to Borrower in the form
of commercial and standby letters of credit and bank guarantees not to exceed
an aggregate principal amount of Ten Million and No/100 Dollars
($10,000,000.00) at any time outstanding. Lender is willing to make such
extensions of credit to Borrower upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth.

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  Definitions

         Section 1.1       Definitions.  As used in this Agreement, the
following terms have the following meanings:

                 "Advance" means a funding of a Bank Guarantee or a Letter of
         Credit, as applicable, pursuant to Article III.

                 "Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person (i) that
         directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls
         or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person;
         (ii) that directly or indirectly beneficially owns or holds five
         percent (5%) or more of any class of voting stock of such Person; or
         (iii) five percent (5%) or more of the voting stock of which is
         directly or indirectly beneficially owned or held by the Person in
         question. The term "control" means the possession, directly or
         indirectly, of the power to direct or cause direction of the
         management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of
         voting securities, by contract, or otherwise; provided, however, in no
         event shall Lender be deemed an Affiliate of Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries.

                 "Bank Guarantee Application" means an application for a bank
         guarantee and reimbursement agreement, in a form acceptable to Lender,
         properly completed and signed by Borrower.

                 "Bank Guarantee Liabilities" means, at any time, the aggregate
         face amount of all outstanding Bank Guarantees.

                 "Bank Guarantee" means a Guaranty provided by the Lender or a
         Lending Installation for the benefit of Borrower pursuant to Article
         II.

<PAGE>   2

                 "Business Day" means any day on which commercial banks are not
         authorized or required to close in Houston, Texas.

                 "Capitalization" means, at any particular time, all amounts
         which, in conformity with GAAP, would be included as debt and equity
         on a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

                 "Chinese Petroleum Corp. Letter of Credit" means that certain
         letter of credit issued by Lender to Chinese Petroleum Corp. in the
         amount of $48,781.00, expiring September, 2001.

                 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
         and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

                 "Commercial Letter of Credit" means a commercial letter of
         credit issued by Lender for the account of Borrower pursuant to
         Article II.

                 "Commitment" means the obligation of Lender to issue Letters
         of Credit and provide Bank Guarantees hereunder in an aggregate
         principal amount at any time outstanding up to but not exceeding Ten
         Million and No/100 Dollars ($10,000,000.00).

                 "Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" means, at any particular
         time, all amounts which, in conformity with GAAP, would be included as
         stockholders' equity on a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and
         the Subsidiaries; provided, however, there shall be subtracted
         therefrom: (i) any amount at which shares of capital stock of Borrower
         appear as an asset on Borrower's balance sheet, (ii) goodwill,
         including any amounts, however designated, that represent the excess
         of the purchase price paid for assets or stock over the value assigned
         thereto, (iii) patents, trademarks, trade names, and copyrights, (iv)
         deferred expenses, (v) loans and advances to any stockholder,
         director, officer, or employee of Borrower or any Subsidiary or any
         Affiliate, and (vi) all other assets which are properly classified as
         intangible assets.

                 "Debt" means as to any Person at any time (without
         duplication): (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money,
         (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, notes,
         debentures, or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of
         such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or
         services, except trade accounts payable of such Person arising in the
         ordinary course of business which are not past due by more than ninety
         (90) days unless such trade accounts payable are being contested in
         good faith by appropriate proceedings, (iv) all obligations of such
         Person under any lease which, in conformity with GAAP, is required to
         be capitalized for balance sheet purposes, (v) all obligations of such
         Person under guaranties, endorsements (other than for collection or
         deposit in the ordinary course of business), assumptions or other
         contingent obligations, in respect of, or to purchase or otherwise
         acquire, any Debt,

                                      -2-

<PAGE>   3

         (vi) all obligations secured by a Lien existing on property owned by
         such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been
         assumed by such Person or are non-recourse to the credit of such
         Person, (vii) all reimbursement obligations of such Person (whether
         contingent or otherwise) in respect of letters of credit, bankers'
         acceptances, surety or other bonds and similar instruments, and (viii)
         the Commitment.

                 "Default Rate" means the lesser of (a) the Maximum Rate or,
         (b) the sum of the Prime Rate in effect from day to day plus one and
         one-half percent (1-1/2 %).

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

                 "Environmental Laws" means any and all federal, state, and
         local laws, regulations, and requirements pertaining to health,
         safety, or the environment, including, without limitation, the
         Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
         of 1980, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq., the Resource Conservation and
         Recovery Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq., the Occupational
         Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 651 et seq., the Clean Air
         Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq., the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C.
         Section 1251 et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C.
         Section 2601 et seq., and all similar laws, regulations, and
         requirements of any governmental authority or agency having
         jurisdiction over Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their
         respective properties or assets, as such laws, regulations, and
         requirements may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

                 "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
         1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations and published
         interpretations thereunder.

                 "ERISA Affiliate" means any corporation or trade or business
         which is a member of the same controlled group of corporations (within
         the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code) as Borrower or is under
         common control (within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code) with
         Borrower.

                 "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.

                 "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles, applied
         on a consistent basis, as set forth in Opinions of the Accounting
         Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public
         Accountants and/or in statements of the Financial Accounting Standards
         Board and/or their respective successors and which are applicable in
         the circumstances as of the date in question. Accounting principles
         are applied on a "consistent basis" when the accounting principles
         observed in a current period are comparable in all material respects
         to those accounting principles applied in a preceding period (other
         than any change in accounting principles required or suggested in
         Opinions of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute
         of Certified Public Accountants and/or in statements of the Financial
         Accounting Standards Board and/or

                                      -3-

<PAGE>   4

         their respective successors and which are applicable in the
         circumstances as of the date in question.)

                 "Hazardous Substance" means any substance, product, waste,
         pollutant, material, chemical, contaminant, constituent, or other
         material which is or becomes listed, regulated, or addressed under any
         Environmental Law, including, without limitation, asbestos, petroleum,
         and polychlorinated biphenyls.

                 "Lending Installation" means the office, branch, subsidiary or
         affiliate of Lender selected by Lender pursuant to Section 2.6.

                 "Letter of Credit" means any Commercial Letter of Credit or
         Standby Letter of Credit.

                 "Letter of Credit Liabilities" means, at any time, the
         aggregate face amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit.

                 "Letter of Credit Master Agreement" means the Standby Letter
         of Credit Master Agreement and the Commercial Letter of Credit Master
         Agreement from time to time entered into by the Borrower and the
         Lender, each substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "C"
         and Exhibit "D," except as modified by Section 11.4 hereof.

                 "Letter of Credit Request Form" means a certificate, in
         substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto, properly completed and
         signed by Borrower requesting issuance of a Letter of Credit, together
         with such applications and agreements as Lender shall customarily use
         in connection with issuance of letters of credit.

                 "Lien" means any lien, mortgage, security interest, tax lien,
         financing statement, pledge, charge, hypothecation, assignment,
         preference, priority, or other encumbrance of any kind or nature
         whatsoever (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or
         title retention agreement), whether arising by contract, operation of
         law, or otherwise.

                 "Loan Documents" means this Agreement and all promissory
         notes, security agreements, deeds of trust, assignments, bank
         guarantees, letters of credit, guaranties, and other instruments,
         documents, and agreements executed and delivered pursuant to or in
         connection with this Agreement, as such instruments, documents, and
         agreements may be amended, modified, renewed, extended, or
         supplemented from time to time.

                 "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect (i)
         on the consolidated business operations, financial condition or
         properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and
         (ii) on the ability of Borrower to pay and perform its obligations
         under the Loan Documents to which it is a party.

                 "Maximum Rate" means the maximum rate of nonusurious interest
         permitted from day to day by applicable law, including as to Chapter
         346 of the Texas Finance

                                      -4-

<PAGE>   5

         Code (and as the same may be incorporated by reference in other Texas
         statutes), but otherwise without limitation, that rate based upon the
         "indicated rate ceiling" and calculated after taking into account any
         and all relevant fees, payments, and other charges in respect of the
         Loan Documents which are deemed to be interest under applicable law.

                 "Multiemployer Plan" means a multiemployer plan defined as
         such in Section 3(37) of ERISA to which contributions have been made
         by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and which is covered by Title IV of
         ERISA.

                 "Note" means the promissory note of Borrower payable to the
         order of Lender, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, and
         all extensions, renewals and modifications thereof.

                 "Obligated Party" means or any Person who is or becomes a
         party to any agreement that guarantees or secures payment and
         performance of the Obligations or any part thereof.

                 "Obligations" means all obligations, indebtedness, and
         liabilities of Borrower to Lender, now existing or hereafter arising,
         whether direct, indirect, related, unrelated, fixed, contingent,
         liquidated, unliquidated, joint, several, or joint and several,
         arising under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including,
         without limitation, Borrower's contingent reimbursement obligations in
         respect of Bank Guarantees and Letters of Credit), and all interest
         accruing thereon and all attorneys' fees and other expenses incurred
         in the enforcement or collection thereof.

                 "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any
         entity succeeding to all or any of its functions under ERISA.

                 "Person" means any individual, corporation, business trust,
         association, company, partnership, joint venture, governmental
         authority, or other entity.

                 "Plan" means any employee benefit or other plan established or
         maintained by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and which is covered by
         Title IV of ERISA.

                 "Prime Rate" means a rate per annum equal to the prime rate of
         interest announced from time to time by Lender or its parent (which is
         not necessarily the lowest rate charged to any customer), changing
         when and as said prime rate changes.

                 "Prohibited Transaction" means any transaction set forth in
         Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

                 "Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in
         Section 4043 of ERISA.

                 "Regulatory Change" means, with respect to Lender, any change
         after the date of this Agreement in United States federal, state, or
         foreign laws or regulations (including

                                      -5-

<PAGE>   6

         Regulation D) or the adoption or making after such date of any
         interpretations, directives, or requests applying to a class of banks
         including Lender of or under any United States federal or state, or
         any foreign, laws or regulations (whether or not having the force of
         law) by any court or governmental or monetary authority charged with
         the interpretation or administration thereof.

                 "Regulation D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of
         the Federal Reserve System as the same may be amended or supplemented
         from time to time.

                 "RICO" means the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization
         Act of 1970, as amended from time to time.

                 "Standby Letter of Credit" means standby letters of credit
         issued by Lender for the account of Borrower pursuant to Article II.

                 "Subsidiary" means any corporation or entity of which more
         than fifty percent (50%) of (i) the issued and outstanding securities
         having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of
         directors, or (ii) in the case of an entity that is not a corporation,
         of the equity interests is owned or controlled, directly or
         indirectly, by Borrower, by Borrower and one or more other
         Subsidiaries, or by one or more other Subsidiaries.

                 "Termination Date" means 11:00 A.M. Houston, Texas time on
         December 29, 2000, or such earlier date on which the Commitment
         terminates as provided in this Agreement.

         Section 1.2      Other Definitional Provisions. All definitions
contained in this Agreement are equally applicable to the singular and plural
forms of the terms defined. The words "hereof," "herein," and "hereunder" and
words of similar import referring to this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. Unless otherwise
specified, all Article and Section references pertain to this Agreement. All
accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in
accordance with GAAP. Terms used herein that are defined in the Uniform
Commercial Code as adopted by the State of Texas, unless otherwise defined
herein, shall have the meanings specified in the Uniform Commercial Code as
adopted by the State of Texas.

                                   ARTICLE II

                     Bank Guarantees and Letters of Credit

         Section 2.1      Bank Guarantees and Letters of Credits.

                 (a)      Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
         Lender agrees to issue one or more Letters of Credit and agrees to
         cause a Lending Installation to issue one or more Bank Guarantees for
         the account of Borrower from time to time from the

                                      -6-

<PAGE>   7

         date hereof to and including the Termination Date; provided, however,
         that the aggregate amount of the outstanding Bank Guarantee
         Liabilities and the Letter of Credit Liabilities shall not at any time
         exceed an amount equal to the Commitment.

                (b)    Each Commercial Letter of Credit shall have an expiration
         date not to exceed one year and each Standby Letter of Credit shall
         have an expiration date not to exceed one and a half years, no Letter
         of Credit shall have an expiration date beyond six months after the
         Termination Date (except for the Chinese Petroleum Corp. Letter of
         Credit), must support a transaction that is entered into in the
         ordinary course of Borrower's business, must otherwise be satisfactory
         in form and substance to Lender, and shall be issued pursuant to such
         documents and instruments (including, without limitation, Lender's
         standard application for issuance of letters of credit as then in
         effect) as Lender may require. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Letters
         of Credit in the aggregate of up to $500,000 may be issued with
         expiration dates later than six months beyond the Termination Date,
         with customary evergreen provisions, provided however that such
         Letters of Credit shall be cash collateralized as of the Termination
         Date.

                 (c)   Each Bank Guarantee shall have an expiration date not to
         exceed one year, shall not have an expiration date beyond six months
         after the Termination Date must support a transaction that is entered
         into in the ordinary course of Borrower's business, must otherwise be
         satisfactory in form and substance to the applicable Lending
         Installation, and shall be issued pursuant to such documents and
         instruments (including, without limitation, the applicable Lending
         Installation's standard application for issuance of bank guarantees as
         then in effect) as the applicable Lending Installation may require.

         Section 2.2   Procedure for Issuing Bank Guarantees and Letters of
Credit. Each Bank Guarantee and Letter of Credit shall be issued on at least
three Business Days' prior notice from Borrower to Lender by means of a Bank
Guarantee Application or Letter of Credit Request Form, as applicable,
describing the transaction proposed to be supported thereby and specifying (a)
the date on which such Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit, as applicable, is to
be issued (which shall be a Business Day) and the face amount thereof, (b) the
name and address of the beneficiary, (c) the expiration date of such Bank
Guarantee or Letter of Credit and (d) and if a Letter of Credit, (i) whether
such Letter of Credit shall permit a single drawing or multiple drawings, (ii)
the conditions permitting the drawing or drawings thereunder, (iii) whether the
draft thereunder shall be a sight or time draft and, if the latter, the date
when the draft shall be payable, and (iv) the form of the draft and any other
documents required to be presented at the time of any drawing (such notice to
set forth the exact wording of such documents or to attach copies thereof).
Lender at its option may accept telephonic requests for Bank Guarantees or
Letters of Credit, provided that such acceptance shall not constitute a waiver
of Lender's right to require delivery of a Bank Guarantee Application or Letter
of Credit Request Form, as applicable, in connection with subsequent Bank
Guarantees or Letters of Credit provided hereunder. Any telephonic request for
a Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit by Borrower shall be promptly confirmed by
submission of a properly completed Bank Guarantee Application or Letter of
Credit Request Form, as applicable, to Lender. Upon fulfillment of the
applicable

                                      -7-

<PAGE>   8

conditions precedent in Article VI, Lender shall make, or shall cause a Lending
Installation to make, if applicable, the applicable Bank Guarantee or Letter of
Credit available to Borrower or, if so requested by Borrower, to the
beneficiary of such Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit.

         Section 2.3      Fees.

                 (a)      Bank Guarantee and Commercial Letter of Credit Fees.
         Borrower shall pay to Lender a Bank Guarantee fee or Commercial Letter
         of Credit fee equal to the greater of (i) $250; or (ii) an amount
         equal to seventy-five hundredths of one percent (.75%) per annum of
         the stated amount of such Bank Guarantee or Commercial Letter of
         Credit, for the period during which such Bank Guarantee or Commercial
         Letter of Credit will remain outstanding, based on a 365 day year and
         the actual number of days elapsed, plus all expenses incurred by the
         Lender arising from the issuance thereunder. Said fees shall be
         payable quarterly in arrears on the 29th day of each March, June,
         September and December during the term hereof.

                 (b)      Standby Letter of Credit Fee. Borrower shall pay to
         Lender a Standby Letter of Credit fee equal to the greater of (i) $300;
         or (ii) an amount equal to seventy-five hundredths of one percent
         (.75%) per annum of the stated amount of such Standby Letter of Credit,
         for the period during which such Standby Letter of Credit will remain
         outstanding, based on a 365 day year and the actual number of days
         elapsed, plus all expenses incurred by the Lender arising from the
         issuance thereunder. Said fees shall be payable quarterly in arrears
         on the 29th day of each March, June, September and December during the
         term hereof.

                 (c)      Customary Fees and Expenses. Borrower shall pay to
         Lender all customary fees and expenses incurred by the Lender or a
         Lending Installation, as applicable, related to the issuance and/or
         Advance of all Bank Guarantees and Letters of Credit, which fees and
         expenses shall be billed by Lender to Borrower quarterly, and due
         within 30 days of receipt thereof.

         Section 2.4      Obligations Absolute. The obligations of Borrower
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including without limitation
the obligation of Borrower to reimburse Lender for draws under any Bank
Guarantee or Letter of Credit) shall be absolute, unconditional, and
irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents under all circumstances whatsoever,
including without limitation the following circumstances:

                 (a)      Any lack of validity or enforceability of any Bank
         Guarantee or Letter of Credit or any other Loan Document;

                 (b)      Any amendment or waiver of or any consent to
         departure from any Loan Document;

                                      -8-

<PAGE>   9
                 (c)     The existence of any claim, set-off, counterclaim,
         defense or other rights which Borrower, any Obligated Party, or any
         other Person may have at any time against any beneficiary of any Bank
         Guarantee or Letter of Credit, Lender, or any other Person, whether in
         connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any
         unrelated transaction;

                 (d)     Any statement, draft, or other document presented
         under any Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit proving to be forged,
         fraudulent, invalid, or insufficient in any respect or any statement
         therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect whatsoever;

                 (e)     Payment by Lender under any Bank Guarantee or Letter
         of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document which does
         not comply with the terms of such Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit;
         or

                 (f)     Any other circumstance or happening whatsoever,
         whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

         Section 2.5     Limitation of Liability. Borrower assumes all risks of
the acts or omissions of any beneficiary of any Bank Guarantee or Letter of
Credit with respect to its use of such Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit.
Neither Lender nor a Lending Installation nor any of their officers or
directors shall have any responsibility or liability to Borrower or any other
Person for: (a) the failure of any draft to bear any reference or adequate
reference to any Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit, or the failure of any
documents to accompany any draft at negotiation, or the failure of any Person
to surrender or to take up any Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit or to send
documents apart from drafts as required by the terms of any Bank Guarantee or
Letter of Credit, or the failure of any Person to note the amount of any
instrument on any Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit, each of which
requirements, if contained in any Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit itself, it
is agreed may be waived by Lender or a Lending Installation, as applicable, (b)
errors, omissions, interruptions, or delays in transmission or delivery of any
messages, (c) the validity, sufficiency, or genuineness of any draft or other
document, or any endorsement(s) thereon, even if any such draft, document or
endorsement should in fact prove to be in any and all respects invalid,
insufficient, fraudulent, or forged or any statement therein is untrue or
inaccurate in any respect, (d) the payment by the Lender or a Lending
Installation, as applicable, to the beneficiary of any Bank Guarantee or Letter
of Credit against presentation of any draft or other document that does not
comply with the terms of the Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit, or (e) any
other circumstance whatsoever in making or failing to make any payment under a
Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit. Borrower shall have a claim against Lender
or a Lending Installation, as applicable, and Lender or a Lending Installation,
as applicable, shall be liable to Borrower, to the extent of any direct, but
not consequential, damages suffered by Borrower which Borrower proves in a
final nonappealable judgment were caused by (i) Lender's or a Lending
Installation's, as applicable, willful misconduct or gross negligence in
determining whether documents presented under any Bank Guarantee or Letter of
Credit complied with the terms thereof or (ii) Lender's or a Lending

                                      -9-

<PAGE>   10

Installation's, as applicable, willful failure to pay under any Bank Guarantee
or Letter of Credit or after presentation to it of documents strictly complying
with the terms and conditions of such Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit.
Lender or a Lending Installation, as applicable, may accept documents that
appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further
investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary.

         Section 2.6    Lending Installations. Lender may book any Bank
Guarantees and Letters of Credit at any Lending Installation selected by Lender
and change its Lending Installations from time to time. All terms of this
Agreement shall apply to any such Lending Installation and the Bank Guarantees,
Letters of Credit, and the Note shall be held by the Lender for the benefit of
the Lending Installation, as applicable. Lender may designate replacement or
additional Lending Installations through which Bank Guarantees or Letters of
Credit may be issued and for whose accounts payments on Advances with respect to
such Bank Guarantees or Letters of Credit are to be made.

         Section 2.7    Account with Lender. During the term of this Agreement,
Borrower shall maintain its primary deposit accounts and cash management
services with Lender.

                                  ARTICLE III

                                    Advances

         Section 3.1    Advances. (a) Each payment by Lender pursuant to a
drawing under a Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit shall constitute and be
deemed an Advance by Lender to Borrower under the Note and this Agreement as of
the day and time such payment is made by Lender and in the amount of such
payment.

        (b)      Borrower will be deemed to have made an Advance if at the
Termination Date there are any Letters of Credit or Bank Guarantees outstanding
that have an expiration beyond the Termination Date and that have not been cash
collateralized.

        (c)      Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement,
Borrower may borrow (by way of Advances pursuant to subsections (a) and (b)
above), repay, and reborrow (by way of Advances pursuant to subsections (a) and
(b) above) hereunder.

        Section 3.2     Repayment of Advances.  Borrower shall repay the unpaid
principal amount of all Advances on demand, and if not demanded by the Lender,
at the Termination Date

         Section 3.3    Interest. The unpaid principal amount of the Advances
shall bear interest prior to maturity at a varying rate per annum equal from
day to day to the lesser of (a) the Maximum Rate, or (b) the Prime Rate, each
such change in the rate of interest charged on the Advances to become
effective, without notice to Borrower, on the effective date of each change in
the Prime Rate or the Maximum Rate, as the case may be; provided, however, if
at any time the rate of interest specified in clause (b) preceding shall exceed
the Maximum Rate, thereby

                                       -10-

<PAGE>   11

causing the interest on the Advances to be limited to the Maximum Rate, then
any subsequent reduction in the Prime Rate shall not reduce the rate of
interest on the Advances below the Maximum Rate until the aggregate amount of
interest accrued on the Advances equals the aggregate amount of interest which
would have accrued on the Advances if the interest rate specified in clause (b)
preceding had at all times been in effect. If repayment of any Advance is not
made within 10 days of the demand therefor pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof, the
unpaid principal amount of such Advance shall bear interest at the Default
Rate.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    Payments

         Section 4.1      Method of Payment. All payments of principal,
interest, and other amounts to be made by Borrower under this Agreement, the
Note, and the other Loan Documents shall be made to Lender at its office at
Bank One Center, 910 Travis, Houston, Texas 77002, without setoff, deduction,
or counterclaim, in Dollars and in immediately available funds. Borrower shall,
at the time of making each such payment, specify to Lender the sums payable by
Borrower under this Agreement, the Note, or other Loan Document to which such
payment is to be applied (and in the event Borrower fails to so specify, or if
an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Lender may apply such
payment to the Obligations in such order and manner as it may elect in its sole
discretion). Whenever any payment under this Agreement, the Note, or any other
Loan Document shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day,
such payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such
extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of the
payment of interest and commitment fee, as the case may be.

         Section 4.2      Computation of Interest. Interest on the indebtedness
evidenced by the Note shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days and
the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the
last day) unless such calculation would result in a usurious rate, in which
case interest shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as
the case may be.

         Section 4.3      Capital Adequacy. If, after the date hereof, Lender
shall have determined that the adoption of any applicable law, rule or
regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein, or any change in
the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority,
central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof, or compliance by Lender (or its parent) with any
request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the
force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or
would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on Lender's (or its
parent's) capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder or the
transactions contemplated hereby to a level below that which Lender (or its
parent) could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking
into consideration Lender's policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an
amount deemed by Lender to be material, then from time to time, within ten (10)
Business Days after demand by Lender, Borrower shall pay to Lender such

                                      -11-

<PAGE>   12

additional amount or amounts as will compensate Lender (or its parent) for such
reduction. A certificate of Lender claiming compensation under this Section and
setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder shall
be conclusive, provided that the determination thereof is made on a reasonable
basis. In determining such amount or amounts, Lender may use any reasonable
averaging and attribution methods.

         Section 4.4      Additional Costs in Respect of Letters of Credit. If
as a result of any Regulatory Change there shall be imposed, modified, or
deemed applicable any tax, reserve, special deposit, or similar requirement
against or with respect to or measured by reference to Letters of Credit issued
or to be issued hereunder or Lender's Commitment to issue Letters of Credit
hereunder, and the result shall be to increase the cost to Lender of issuing or
maintaining any Letter of Credit or its Commitment to issue Letters of Credit
hereunder or reduce any amount receivable by Lender hereunder in respect of any
Letter of Credit (which increase in cost, or reduction in amount receivable,
shall be the result of Lender's reasonable allocation of the aggregate of such
increases or reductions resulting from such event), then, upon demand by
Lender, Borrower agrees to pay Lender, from time to time as specified by
Lender, such additional amounts as shall be sufficient to compensate Lender for
such increased costs or reductions in amount. A statement as to such increased
costs or reductions in amount incurred by Lender, submitted by Lender to
Borrower, shall be conclusive as to the amount thereof, provided that the
determination thereof is made on a reasonable basis.

                                   ARTICLE V

                              Conditions Precedent

         Section 5.1      Initial Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit. The
obligation of Lender to provide an initial Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit
is subject to the condition precedent that Lender shall have received on or
before the day of such Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit, all of the
following, each dated (unless otherwise indicated) the date hereof, in form and
substance satisfactory to Lender:

                 (a)      Resolutions. Resolutions of the Board of Directors of
         Borrower certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary which
         authorize the execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower of this
         Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is or is to
         be a party;

                 (b)      Incumbency Certificate. A certificate of incumbency
         certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Borrower
         certifying the names of the officers of Borrower authorized to sign
         this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which Borrower
         is or is to be a party (including the certificates contemplated
         herein) together with specimen signatures of such officers;

                 (c)      Articles of Incorporation. The articles of
         incorporation of Borrower certified by the Secretary of State of state
         of incorporation of Borrower and dated within

                                      -12-

<PAGE>   13

         ten (10) days prior to the date of such initial Bank Guarantee or
         Letter of Credit.

                 (d)      Bylaws. The bylaws of Borrower certified by the
         Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Borrower;

                 (e)      Governmental Certificates.  Certificates of the
         appropriate government officials of the state of incorporation of
         Borrower as to the existence and good standing of Borrower, each dated
         within 10 days prior to the date of the initial Advance;

                 (f)      Note.  The Note executed by Borrower;

                 (g)      UCC Search. The results of a Uniform Commercial Code
         search showing all financing statements and other documents or
         instruments on file against Borrower in the office of the Secretary of
         State of Delaware and the Secretary of State of Texas, such search to
         be as of a date no more than ten (10) days prior to the date of the
         initial Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit; and

                 (h)      Attorneys' Fees and Expenses. Evidence that the costs
         and expenses (including attorneys' fees) referred to in Section 11.1,
         to the extent incurred, shall have been paid in full by Borrower.

         Section 5.2      All Bank Guarantees or Letters of Credit. The
obligation of Lender to provide any Bank Guarantee or issue any Letter of
Credit, (including the initial Bank Guarantee and the initial Letter of Credit)
is subject to the following additional conditions precedent:

                 (a)      Request for Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit.
         Lender shall have received in accordance with Section 2.2, a Bank
         Guarantee Application or Letter of Credit Request Form, dated the date
         of such Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit, and executed by an
         authorized officer of Borrower, all of the statements in which shall
         be true and correct on and as of such date; and

                 (b)      Additional Documentation. Lender shall have received
         such additional approvals, opinions, or documents as Lender or its
         legal counsel, Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C., may request.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                         Representations and Warranties

         To induce Lender to enter into this Agreement, Borrower represents and
warrants to Lender that:

         Section 6.1      Corporate Existence. Borrower and each Subsidiary (a)
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its

                                      -13-

<PAGE>   14

incorporation; (b) has all requisite corporate power and authority to own its
assets and carry on its business as now being or as proposed to be conducted;
and (c) is qualified to do business in all jurisdictions in which the nature of
its business makes such qualification necessary and where failure to so qualify
would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower has
the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is or
may become a party.

         Section 6.2      Financial Statements. Borrower has delivered to
Lender audited consolidated financial statements of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, and
unaudited consolidated financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries
for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999. Such financial statements
are true and correct, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as
disclosed therein), and fairly and accurately present, on a consolidated basis,
the financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the respective
dates indicated therein and the results of operations for the respective
periods indicated therein. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
material contingent liabilities, liabilities for taxes, material forward or
long-term commitments, or unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable
commitments not reflected in such financial statements. There has been no
material adverse change in the business, condition (financial or otherwise),
operations, prospects, or properties of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
since the effective date of the most recent financial statements referred to in
this Section.

         Section 6.3      Corporate Action; No Breach. The execution, delivery,
and performance by Borrower of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to
which Borrower is or may become a party have been duly authorized by all
requisite action on the part of Borrower and do not and will not violate or
conflict with the articles of incorporation or bylaws of Borrower or any law,
rule, or regulation or any order, writ, injunction, or decree of any court,
governmental authority, or arbitrator, and do not and will not conflict with,
result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation
or imposition of any Lien upon any of the revenues or assets of Borrower or any
Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of any indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, security agreement, franchise, permit, license, or other instrument or
agreement by which Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective
properties is bound, except for violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults
which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 6.4      Operation of Business. Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries possess all licenses, permits, franchises, patents, copyrights,
trademarks, and trade names, or rights thereto, to conduct their respective
businesses substantially as now conducted and as presently proposed to be
conducted except where failure to have such licenses, permits, franchises,
patents, copyrights, trademarks and tradenames and rights thereto would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and Borrower and each
of its Subsidiaries are not in violation of any valid rights of others with
respect to any of the foregoing, except where such violation would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                      -14-

<PAGE>   15

         Section 6.5      Litigation and Judgments. Except as disclosed on
Schedule 1 hereto, there is no action, suit, investigation, or proceeding
before or by any court, governmental authority, or arbitrator pending or, to
the knowledge of Borrower, threatened against or affecting Borrower or any
Subsidiary, that would, if adversely determined (taking into account the
probable nature and scope of the remedy therein), be reasonably expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no outstanding judgments against
Borrower or any Subsidiary.

         Section 6.6      Rights in Properties; Liens. Borrower and each
Subsidiary have good and indefeasible title to or valid leasehold interests in
their respective properties and assets, real and personal, including the
properties, assets, and leasehold interests reflected in the financial
statements described in Section 6.2, except for encumbrances including
covenants, restrictions, rights, easements and minor irregularities in title
which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and
none of the properties, assets, or leasehold interests of Borrower or any
Subsidiary is subject to any Lien that is prohibited by Section 8.1.

         Section 6.7      Enforceability. This Agreement constitutes, and the
other Loan Documents to which Borrower is party, when delivered, shall
constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations of Borrower, enforceable
against Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, except as limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency, or other laws of general application relating to the
enforcement of creditors' rights.

         Section 6.8      Approvals. No authorization, approval, or consent of,
and no filing or registration with, any court, governmental authority, or third
party is or will be necessary for the execution, delivery, or performance by
Borrower of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is or
may become a party or the validity or enforceability thereof.

         Section 6.9      Debt.  Borrower and its Subsidiaries have no Debt,
except as disclosed on Schedule 2 hereto.

         Section 6.10     Taxes. (a) Borrower and each Subsidiary have filed
all tax returns (federal, state, and local) required to be filed, including all
income, franchise, employment, property, and sales taxes, and have paid all of
their respective liabilities for taxes, assessments, governmental charges, and
other levies that are due and payable, and (b) Borrower knows of no pending
investigation of Borrower or any Subsidiary by any taxing authority or of any
pending but unassessed tax liability of Borrower or any Subsidiary except where
failure to file such returns, pay such liabilities or where such pending
investigation (taking into account the probable nature and scope of the
remedy), would result in a pending unassessed tax liability, the amount of
which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The
federal income tax liability of Borrower and its Subsidiaries has been audited
by the Internal Revenue Service and has been finally determined and satisfied
for all taxable years up to and including the taxable year ending December 31,
1998.

         Section 6.11     Use of Proceeds; Margin Securities. Neither Borrower
nor any Subsidiary is engaged principally, or as one of its important
activities, in the business of extending credit for

                                      -15-

<PAGE>   16

the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of
Regulations T, U, or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System), and no part of the proceeds of any extension of credit under this
Agreement will be used to purchase or carry any such margin stock or to extend
credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock.

         Section 6.12     ERISA. Borrower and each Subsidiary have complied
with all applicable minimum funding requirements and all other applicable and
material requirements of ERISA and there are no existing conditions that would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Reportable Event
has occurred in connection with any Plan that might constitute grounds for the
termination thereof by the PBGC or for the appointment by the appropriate
United States District Court of a trustee to administer such Plan.

         Section 6.13     Disclosure. No statement, information, report,
representation, or warranty made by Borrower in this Agreement or in any other
Loan Document or furnished to Lender in writing in connection with this
Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby contains any untrue statement
of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements herein or therein not misleading.

         Section 6.14     Subsidiaries. Borrower has no Subsidiaries other than
those listed on Schedule 3 hereto, and Schedule 3 sets forth the jurisdiction
of incorporation of each Subsidiary and the percentage of Borrower's ownership
of the outstanding voting stock of each Subsidiary. All of the outstanding
capital stock of each Subsidiary has been validly issued, is fully paid, and is
nonassessable.

         Section 6.15     Agreements. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary is a
party to any indenture, loan, or credit agreement, or to any lease or other
agreement or instrument, or subject to any charter or corporate restriction
which could have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary
is in default in any respect in the performance, observance, or fulfillment of
any of the obligations, covenants, or conditions contained in any agreement or
instrument material to its business to which it is a party where such default
would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 6.16     Compliance with Laws. Neither Borrower nor any
Subsidiary is in violation in any material respect of any law, rule,
regulation, order, or decree of any court, governmental authority, or
arbitrator where such violation would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         Section 6.17     Investment Company Act.  Neither Borrower nor any
Subsidiary is an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.

         Section 6.18     Public Utility Holding Company Act. Neither Borrower
nor any Subsidiary is a "holding company" or a "subsidiary company" of a
"holding company" or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or a "public
utility" within the meaning of the Public Utility

                                      -16-

<PAGE>   17

Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

         Section 6.19     Environmental Matters.

                 (a)      To the best of the Borrower's knowledge, Borrower,
         each Subsidiary, and all of their respective properties, assets, and
         operations are in full compliance with all Environmental Laws except
         where such compliance would not reasonably be expected to have a
         Material Adverse Effect. Borrower is not aware of, nor has Borrower
         received notice of, any past, present, or future conditions, events,
         activities, practices, or incidents which may interfere with or
         prevent the compliance or continued compliance of Borrower and the
         Subsidiaries with all Environmental Laws.

                 (b)      Borrower and each Subsidiary have obtained all
         permits, licenses, and authorizations which are required under
         Environmental Laws and the failure to obtain which would reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                 (c)      No Hazardous Substances exist on, about, or within or
         have been used, generated, stored, transported, disposed of on, or
         released from any of the properties or assets of Borrower or any
         Subsidiary in violation of any Environmental Law if such violation
         would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The
         use which Borrower and the Subsidiaries make and intend to make of
         their respective properties and assets will not result in the use,
         generation, storage, transportation, accumulation, disposal, or
         release of any Hazardous Substance on, in, or from any such properties
         or assets in violation of any Environmental Law if such violation
         would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                 (d)      There is no action, suit, proceeding, investigation,
         or inquiry before any court, administrative agency, or other
         governmental authority pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower,
         threatened against Borrower or any Subsidiary relating in any way to
         any Environmental Law. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary has (i) any
         liability for remedial action under any Environmental Law, (ii)
         received any request for information by any governmental authority
         with respect to the condition, use, or operation of any of its
         properties or assets, or (iii) received any notice from any
         governmental authority or other Person with respect to any violation
         of or liability under any Environmental Law.

                  (e)     No Lien arising under any Environmental Law has
         attached to any of the properties or assets of Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries.

         Section 6.20     Year 2000 Provisions. Borrower represents and
warrants as follows to Lender that: (i) as of the date of any request for a
Letter of Credit or a Bank Guarantee hereunder; (ii) as of the date of any
renewal, extension or modification of this Agreement; and (iii) at all times
this Agreement or Lender's commitment to make Advances under this Agreement is
outstanding:

                                      -17-

<PAGE>   18

                 (a)      All devices, systems, machinery, information
         technology, computer software and hardware, and other date sensitive
         technology (jointly and severally the "Systems") necessary for
         Borrower to carry on its business as presently conducted and as
         contemplated to be conducted in the future are Year 2000 Compliant or
         will be Year 2000 Compliant within a period of time reasonably
         expected to result in no material disruption of any of Borrower's
         business operations. For purposes of these provisions, "Year 2000
         Compliant" means that such Systems are designed to be used prior to,
         during and after the Gregorian calendar year 2000 A.D. and will
         operate during each such time period without error relating to date
         data, specifically including any error relating to, or the product of,
         date data which represents or references different centuries or more
         than one century.

                 (b)      Borrower has: (1) undertaken a detailed inventory,
         review, and assessment of all areas within its business and operations
         that could be materially adversely affected by the failure of Borrower
         to be Year 2000 Compliant on a timely basis; (2) developed a detailed
         plan and time line for becoming Year 2000 Compliant on a timely basis,
         and (3) to date, implemented that plan in accordance with that
         timetable in all material respects.

                 (c)      Borrower has made written inquiry of each of its key
         suppliers, vendors, and customers, as to whether such persons have
         initiated programs to become Year 2000 Compliant and on the basis of
         such inquiries, Borrower reasonably believes that all such persons
         will be or become so compliant. For purposes hereof, "key suppliers,
         vendors, and customers" refers to those suppliers, vendors, and
         customers of Borrower whose business failure would reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this
         paragraph, Lender, as a lender of funds under the terms of this
         Agreement, confirms to Borrower that Lender has initiated its own
         corporate-wide Year 2000 program with respect to its lending
         activities.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                               Positive Covenants

         Borrower covenants and agrees that, as long as the Obligations or any
part thereof are outstanding or Lender has any Commitment hereunder, Borrower
will perform and observe the following positive covenants, unless Lender shall
otherwise consent in writing:

         Section 7.1      Reporting Requirements.  Borrower will furnish to
Lender:

                 (a)     Annual Financial Statements. (i) As soon as available,
         and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of
         Borrower, beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999, a
         copy of the Form 10-K Annual Report of Borrower and the Subsidiaries
         for such fiscal year; (ii) as soon as available, and in any event
         within 45 days after the end of each of the quarters of each fiscal
         year of Borrower, a copy of the

                                      -18-

<PAGE>   19

         Form 10-Q of Borrower and the Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal
         quarter and for the portion of the fiscal year then ended; and (iii) as
         soon as available, one copy of any other financial statement, report,
         notice or proxy statement sent by Borrower or any Subsidiary to its
         stockholders generally and one copy of any other regular, periodic or
         special report, registration statement, or prospectus filed by Borrower
         or any Subsidiary with any securities exchange or the Securities and
         Exchange Commission or any successor agency.

                 (b)      Annual Projections. By December 31 of each year,
         annual projections of Borrower for the subsequent fiscal year.

                 (c)      Management Letters. Promptly upon receipt thereof, a
         copy of any management letter or written report submitted to Borrower
         or any Subsidiary by independent certified public accountants with
         respect to the business, condition (financial or otherwise),
         operations, or properties of Borrower or any Subsidiary;

                 (d)      Notice of Litigation. Promptly after the commencement
         thereof, notice of all actions, suits, and proceedings before any
         court or governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency,
         or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, affecting Borrower or any
         Subsidiary which, if determined adversely to Borrower or such
         Subsidiary, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect;

                 (e)      Notice of Default. As soon as possible and in any
         event within five days after the occurrence of each Event of Default
         and each event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or
         both, would constitute an Event of Default, a written notice setting
         forth the details of such Event of Default or event and the action
         which Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;

                 (f)      ERISA Reports. Promptly after the filing or receipt
         thereof, copies of all reports, including annual reports, and notices
         which Borrower or any Subsidiary files with or receives from the PBGC
         or the U.S. Department of Labor under ERISA; and as soon as possible
         and in any event within five days after Borrower or any Subsidiary
         knows or has reason to know that any Reportable Event or Prohibited
         Transaction has occurred with respect to any Plan or that the PBGC or
         Borrower or any Subsidiary has instituted or will institute
         proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Plan, a
         certificate of the chief financial officer of Borrower setting forth
         the details as to such Reportable Event or Prohibited Transaction or
         Plan termination and the action that Borrower proposes to take with
         respect thereto;

                 (g)      Reports to Other Creditors. Promptly after the
         furnishing thereof, copies of any statement or report furnished to any
         other party pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan, or credit or
         similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to Lender
         pursuant to any other clause of this Section;

                                      -19-

<PAGE>   20

                 (h)      Notice of Environmental Law Violation. As soon as
         possible and in any event within five days after the occurrence
         thereof, written notice of any violation of any Environmental Law that
         Borrower or any Subsidiary reports or is required to report to any
         governmental authority;

                 (i)      Notice of Material Adverse Effect. As soon as
         possible and in any event within five days after the occurrence
         thereof, written notice of any matter that would reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                 (j)      General Information. Promptly, such other information
         concerning Borrower or any Subsidiary as Lender may from time to time
         reasonably request.

         Section 7.2      Maintenance of Existence; Conduct of Business. Except
for mergers, consolidations, liquidations or amalgamations not otherwise
prohibited by this Agreement, Borrower will preserve and maintain, and, will
cause each Subsidiary to preserve and maintain, its corporate existence and all
of its leases, privileges, licenses, permits, franchises, qualifications and
rights that are necessary or desirable in the ordinary conduct of its business,
and conduct, and cause each Subsidiary to conduct, its business as presently
conducted in an orderly and efficient manner in accordance with good business
practices.

         Section 7.3      Maintenance of Properties. Borrower will maintain,
keep, and preserve, and cause each Subsidiary to maintain, keep, and preserve,
all of its properties (tangible and intangible) necessary or useful in the
proper conduct of its business in good working order and condition, except
where the failure to so maintain, keep or preserve would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 7.4      Taxes and Claims. Borrower will pay or discharge, and
will cause each Subsidiary to pay or discharge, at or before maturity or before
becoming delinquent (i) all material taxes, levies, assessments, and
governmental charges imposed on it or its income or profits or any of its
property, and (ii) all lawful claims for labor, material, and supplies, which,
if unpaid, might become a Lien prohibited by Section 8.1 upon any of its
property; provided, however, that neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall be
required to pay or discharge any tax, levy, assessment, or governmental charge
which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently
pursued, and for which adequate reserves have been established.

         Section 7.5      Insurance. Borrower will maintain, and will cause
each Subsidiary to maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance
companies workmen's compensation insurance, liability insurance, and insurance
on its property, assets, and business at least in such amounts and against such
risks as are usually insured against by Persons engaged in similar businesses.

         Section 7.6      Inspection Rights. At any reasonable time and from
time to time, Borrower will permit, and will cause each Subsidiary to permit,
representatives of Lender to examine and make copies of the books and records
of, and visit and inspect the properties of

                                      -20-

<PAGE>   21

Borrower and any Subsidiary, and to discuss the business, operations, and
financial condition of Borrower and the Subsidiaries with their respective
officers and employees and with their independent certified public accountants.

         Section 7.7      Keeping Books and Records. Borrower will maintain,
and will cause each Subsidiary to maintain, proper books of record and account
in which full, true, and correct entries in conformity with GAAP shall be made
of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities.

         Section 7.8      Compliance with Laws. Borrower will comply, and will
cause each Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all applicable
laws, rules, regulations, and orders of any court, governmental authority, or
arbitrator, including, without limitation, any directives or regulations issued
by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, except
where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         The Borrower shall not serve under or enter into any contract with, a
Person included within the definition of (i) "national" of a "designated
foreign country," or "specially designated national" of a "designated foreign
county," in the Foreign Assets Control Regulations or the Cuban Assets Control
Regulations of the United States Treasury Department, 31 C.F.R. Parts 500 and
515, in each case as amended, (ii) "Government of Libya," "entity of the
Government of Libya" or "Libyan entity" in the Libyan Sanctions Regulations of
the United States Treasury Department, 31 C.F.R Part 550, as amended, or
(iii)"Government of Iraq," "entity of the Government of Iraq" or "Iraqi
Government entity" in the Iraqi Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R Part 575, as
amended, all within the meaning of said Regulations or of any regulations,
interpretations or rulings issued thereunder, or engage in any transaction that
violates any provision of said Regulations or that violates any provision of
the Iranian Transactions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 560, as amended, the
Transaction Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 505, as amended, the Foreign
Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 500, as amended, or Executive Orders
12810 and 12831; provided however that to the extent any of the foregoing
regulations are repealed and not replaced by similar regulations, restrictions
or sanctions, the prohibitions herein shall not apply as they pertain to such
regulations.

         Section 7.9      Compliance with Agreements. Borrower will comply, and
will cause each Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all
contracts, agreements, and instruments binding on it or affecting its
properties or business, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 7.10     Further Assurances. Borrower will execute and
deliver, and will cause each Subsidiary to execute and deliver, such further
instruments as may be requested by Lender to carry out the provisions and
purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

         Section 7.11     ERISA. Borrower will comply, and will cause each
Subsidiary to comply, with all minimum funding requirements, and all other
material requirements, of ERISA, except

                                      -21-

<PAGE>   22

where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         Section 7.12     Year 2000 Compliance. Borrower covenants and agrees
with Lender that, while any Letter of Credit or Bank Guarantee is in effect,
Borrower will:

                 (a)      At all times prior to January 1, 2000, furnish such
         additional information, statements and other reports with respect to
         Borrower's activities, course of action and progress towards becoming
         Year 2000 Compliant as Lender may request from time to time.

                 (b)      In the event of any change in circumstances that
         causes or will likely cause any of Borrower's representations and
         warranties with respect to its being or becoming Year 2000 Compliant
         to no longer be true (hereinafter, referred to as a "Change in
         Circumstances") then Borrower shall promptly, and in any event within
         ten days of receipt of information regarding a Change in
         Circumstances, provide Lender with written notice (the "Notice") that
         describes in reasonable detail the Change in Circumstances and how
         such Change in Circumstances caused or will likely cause Borrower's
         representations and warranties with respect to being or becoming Year
         2000 Compliant to no longer be true. Borrower shall, within 10 days of
         a request, also provide Lender with any additional information Lender
         requests of Borrower in connection with the Notice and/or a Change in
         Circumstances.

                 (c)      Give any representative of Lender access during all
         business hours, upon reasonable prior notice to Borrower, to, and
         permit such representative to examine, copy or make excerpts from, any
         and all books, records and documents in the possession of Borrower and
         relating to its affairs, and to inspect any of the properties and
         Systems of Borrower, all at the sole cost and expense of Lender.

         Section 7.13     Accounts with Lender. Borrower shall transfer all of
its primary operating accounts and treasury management to Lender by March 31,
2000.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               Negative Covenants

         Borrower covenants and agrees that, as long as the Obligations or any
part thereof are outstanding or Lender has any Commitment hereunder, Borrower
will perform and observe the following negative covenants, unless Lender shall
otherwise consent in writing:

         Section 8.1       Limitation on Liens. Borrower will not incur,
create, assume, or permit to exist, and will not permit any Subsidiary to
incur, create, assume, or permit to exist, any Lien upon any of its accounts,
accounts receivable, inventory or related general intangibles, whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, unless Lender has entered into an intercreditor
agreement with the prospective holder of the Lien, in form and substance
acceptable to Lender.

                                      -22-

<PAGE>   23

         Nothing in the foregoing section shall prohibit:

         (a)      Liens on equipment or inventory of Borrower created by a
                  purchase money security interest;

         (b)      undetermined or inchoate liens arising or potentially arising
                  under statutory provisions that have not at the time been
                  filed or registered in accordance with applicable law or of
                  that written notice has not been duly given in accordance
                  with applicable law or that, although filed or registered,
                  relate to obligations not due or delinquent;

         (c)      Liens (i) of landlords and carriers, warehousemen, mechanics,
                  suppliers, sellers, materialmen or repairmen, or other
                  similar Liens arising by operation of law, and (ii) Liens
                  that have not been registered in accordance with applicable
                  law, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business
                  and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or that are
                  being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
                  diligently pursued and diligently conducted and for which
                  adequate reserves have been established;

         (d)      Liens on a property of a Person which Liens are existing at
                  the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the
                  Borrower and Liens on property existing at the time of
                  acquisition thereof by the Borrower; provided that such Liens
                  were not placed on such property in contemplation of the
                  consummation of such merger, consolidation or acquisition and
                  do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person
                  merged into or consolidated with the Borrower, or the
                  property so acquired, and proceeds and products of any of the
                  foregoing;

         (e)      Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as
                  a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in
                  connection with the importation of goods;

         (f)      Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention,
                  consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods
                  entered into by the Borrower in the ordinary course of
                  business of the Borrower;

         (g)      Liens extending, renewing or replacing any of the foregoing
                  Liens, provided that the principal amount of the indebtedness
                  or other obligation secured by such Lien is not increased or
                  the maturity thereof shortened and such Lien is not extended
                  to cover any additional indebtedness, obligations or
                  property, other than like obligations and the substitution of
                  like property (or categories of property to the extent the
                  terms of the Lien being extended, renewed or replaced,
                  extended to or covered such categories of property) or the
                  proceeds or products of the property subject thereto; and

                                      -23-

<PAGE>   24

         (h)      Liens on any proceeds (including, without limitation,
                  insurance, condemnation and eminent domain proceeds) or
                  products of any collateral a Lien over which is permitted by
                  clauses (a) to and including (g) above.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                               Financial Covenants

         Borrower covenants and agrees that, as long as the Obligations or any
part thereof are outstanding or Lender has any Commitment hereunder, Borrower
will observe and perform the following financial covenants, unless Lender shall
otherwise consent in writing:

         Section 9.1      Debt to Capitalization Ratio.  Borrower will at all
times maintain a ratio Debt to Capitalization of at least 1.0 to 4.0.

         Section 9.2      Consolidated Tangible Net Worth. Borrower will at all
times maintain Consolidated Tangible Net Worth in an amount not less than One
Hundred Eighty-One Million and No/100 Dollars ($181,000,000.00).

                                    ARTICLE X

                                     Default

         Section 10.1     Events of Default.  Without in any manner impairing
the demand nature of the Note, each of the following shall be deemed an "Event
of Default":

                 (a)      Borrower shall fail to pay when due the principal on
         any Advances or any part thereof, or the Borrower shall fail to pay
         within 5 Business Days when due any other monetary obligation
         hereunder other than principal on Advances.

                 (b)      Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by
         Borrower or any Obligated Party (or any of their respective officers)
         in any Loan Document or in any certificate, report, notice, or
         financial statement furnished at any time in connection with this
         Agreement shall be false, misleading, or erroneous in any material
         respect when made or deemed to have been made.

                 (c)      Borrower or any Obligated Party shall fail to
         perform, observe, or comply with any covenant, agreement, or term
         contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

                 (d)      Borrower, any Subsidiary, or any Obligated Party
         shall commence a voluntary proceeding seeking liquidation,
         reorganization, or other relief with respect to itself or its debts
         under any bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar law now or
         hereafter

                                      -24-

<PAGE>   25
         in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
         liquidator, custodian, or other similar official of it or a
         substantial part of its property or shall consent to any such relief
         or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in
         an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it or shall
         make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or shall
         generally fail to pay its debts as they become due or shall take any
         corporate action to authorize any of the foregoing.

                 (e)      An involuntary proceeding shall be commenced against
         Borrower, any Subsidiary, or any Obligated Party seeking liquidation,
         reorganization, or other relief with respect to it or its debts under
         any bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar law now or hereafter in
         effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator,
         custodian or other similar official for it or a substantial part of
         its property, and such involuntary proceeding shall remain undismissed
         and unstayed for a period of 30 days.

                 (f)      Borrower, any Subsidiary, or any Obligated Party
         shall fail to discharge within a period of 30 days after the
         commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar
         proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess
         $1,000,000 against any of its assets or properties.

                 (g)      Borrower, any Subsidiary, or any Obligated Party
         shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments
         against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess
         of $1,000,000.

                 (h)      Borrower, any Subsidiary, or any Obligated Party
         shall fail to pay when due any principal of or interest on any Debt
         (other than the Obligations) in an aggregate amount in excess of
         $1,000,000, or the maturity of any such Debt shall have been
         accelerated, or any such Debt shall have been required to be prepaid
         prior to the stated maturity thereof, or any event shall have occurred
         that permits (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both,
         would permit) any holder or holders of such Debt or any Person acting
         on behalf of such holder or holders to accelerate the maturity thereof
         or require any such prepayment.

                 (i)      This Agreement or any other Loan Document shall cease
         to be in full force and effect or shall be declared null and void or
         the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested or
         challenged by Borrower, any Subsidiary, any Obligated Party or any of
         their respective shareholders, or Borrower or any Obligated Party
         shall deny that it has any further liability or obligation under any
         of the Loan Documents.

                 (j)      Any of the following events shall occur or exist with
         respect to Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate: (i) any Prohibited
         Transaction involving any Plan; (ii) any Reportable Event with respect
         to any Plan; (iii) the filing under Section 4041 of ERISA of a notice
         of intent to terminate any Plan or the termination of any Plan; (iv)
         any event or circumstance that might constitute grounds entitling the
         PBGC to institute proceedings under Section 4042 of ERISA for the
         termination of, or for the appointment of a trustee

                                      -25-
<PAGE>   26

         to administer, any Plan, or the institution by the PBGC of any such
         proceedings; (v) complete or partial withdrawal under Section 4201 or
         4204 of ERISA from a Multiemployer Plan or the reorganization,
         insolvency, or termination of any Multiemployer Plan; and in each case
         above, such event or condition, together with all other events or
         conditions, if any, have subjected or could in the reasonable opinion
         of Lender subject Borrower to any tax, penalty, or other liability to
         a Plan, a Multiemployer Plan, the PBGC, or otherwise (or any
         combination thereof) which in the aggregate exceed or could reasonably
         be expected to exceed $500,000.

                 (k)      Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Obligated
         Party, or any of their respective properties, revenues, or assets,
         shall become subject to an order of forfeiture, seizure, or
         divestiture (whether under RICO or otherwise) and the same shall not
         have been discharged within 30 days from the date of entry thereof.

         Section 10.2     Remedies Upon Default. If any Event of Default shall
occur, Lender may without notice terminate its Commitment to make Advances,
issue Letters of Credit, and create Acceptances hereunder and declare the
Obligations or any part thereof to be immediately due and payable, and the same
shall thereupon become immediately due and payable, without notice, demand,
presentment, notice of dishonor, notice of acceleration, notice of intent to
accelerate, notice of intent to demand, protest, or other formalities of any
kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower; provided, however,
that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(d) or
Section 10.1(e), the Commitment of Lender to make Advances, issue Letters of
Credit, and create Acceptances shall automatically terminate, and the
Obligations shall become immediately due and payable without notice, demand,
presentment, notice of dishonor, notice of acceleration, notice of intent to
accelerate, notice of intent to demand, protest, or other formalities of any
kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower. If any Event of
Default shall occur, Lender may exercise all rights and remedies available to
it in law or in equity, under the Loan Documents, or otherwise.

         Section 10.3     Bank Guarantees and Letters of Credit. If the
Termination Date or any Event of Default shall occur, Borrower shall, if
requested by Lender or otherwise required by the terms of this Agreement,
immediately deposit with and pledge to Lender cash or cash equivalent
investments in an amount equal to the outstanding Bank Guarantees and Letter of
Credit Liabilities as security for the Obligations.

         Section 10.4     Performance by Lender. If Borrower shall fail to
perform any covenant, duty, or agreement contained in any of the Loan
Documents, Lender may perform or attempt to perform such covenant, duty, or
agreement on behalf of Borrower. In such event, Borrower shall, at the request
of Lender, promptly pay any amount expended by Lender in such performance or
attempted performance to Lender, together with interest thereon at the Default
Rate from the date of such expenditure until paid. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, it is expressly agreed that Lender shall not have any liability or
responsibility for the performance of any obligation of Borrower under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document.

                                      -26-

<PAGE>   27

                                   ARTICLE XI

                                 Miscellaneous

         Section 11.1     Expenses of Lender. Borrower hereby agrees to pay
Lender on demand: (i) all costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection
with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents and any and all amendments, modifications, renewals,
extensions, and supplements thereof and thereto, including, without limitation,
the fees and expenses of Lender's legal counsel, (ii) all costs and expenses
incurred by Lender in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of
Lender's legal counsel, and (iii) all other costs and expenses incurred by
Lender in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including,
without limitation, all costs, expenses, taxes, assessments, filing fees, and
other charges levied by a governmental authority or otherwise payable in
respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

         Section 11.2     INDEMNIFICATION. BORROWER HEREBY INDEMNIFIES LENDER
AND EACH AFFILIATE THEREOF AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES,
ATTORNEYS AND AGENTS (EACH AN "INDEMNIFIED PERSON") FROM, AND HOLDS EACH OF
THEM HARMLESS AGAINST, ANY AND ALL LOSSES, LIABILITIES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES,
PENALTIES, JUDGMENTS, DISBURSEMENTS, COSTS, AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS'
FEES) ("LOSSES") TO WHICH ANY OF THEM MAY BECOME SUBJECT IN CONNECTION WITH ANY
CLAIM, INVESTIGATION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING (OR THE PREPARATION OF ANY
DEFENSE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH) (COLLECTIVELY "PROCEEDINGS") (WHETHER OR NOT
SUCH INDEMNIFIED PERSON IS A PARTY THERETO) INSOFAR AS SUCH LOSSES DIRECTLY
ARISE OUT OF OR RELATE TO OR RESULT FROM, WHICH DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISE
FROM OR RELATE TO (I) THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION, DELIVERY, PERFORMANCE,
ADMINISTRATION, OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, (II) ANY OF THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, (III) ANY BREACH BY BORROWER
OF ANY REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY, COVENANT, OR OTHER AGREEMENT CONTAINED IN ANY
OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, (IV) THE PRESENCE, RELEASE, THREATENED RELEASE,
DISPOSAL, REMOVAL, OR CLEANUP OF ANY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE LOCATED ON, ABOUT,
WITHIN, OR AFFECTING ANY OF THE PROPERTIES OR ASSETS OF BORROWER OR ANY
SUBSIDIARY, (V) THE USE OR PROPOSED USE OF ANY LETTER OF CREDIT, ISSUED
PURSUANT HERETO (VI) ANY AND ALL TAXES, LEVIES, DEDUCTIONS, AND CHARGES IMPOSED
ON LENDER OR ANY OF LENDER'S CORRESPONDENTS IN RESPECT OF ANY LETTER OF CREDIT
ISSUED PURSUANT HERETO, OR (VII) ANY INVESTIGATION, LITIGATION, OR OTHER
PROCEEDING RELATING TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING AND ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING RELATING
TO ANY COURT ORDER, INJUNCTION, OR OTHER PROCESS OR DECREE RESTRAINING OR
SEEKING TO RESTRAIN LENDER OR ANY OF LENDER'S CORRESPONDENTS FROM PAYING ANY

                                      -27-

<PAGE>   28

AMOUNT UNDER ANY LETTER OF CREDIT ISSUED PURSUANT HERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY
PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR OF ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, IT IS THE EXPRESS
INTENTION OF THE PARTIES HERETO THAT EACH PERSON TO BE INDEMNIFIED UNDER THIS
SECTION SHALL BE INDEMNIFIED FROM AND HELD HARMLESS AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES,
LIABILITIES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, JUDGMENTS, DISBURSEMENTS, COSTS, AND
EXPENSES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS' FEES) ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING FROM THE SOLE
OR CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE OF THE PERSON TO BE INDEMNIFIED BUT NOT FROM THE
GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILFULL MISCONDUCT OF SUCH PERSON.

         Promptly after receipt by any Indemnified Person of notice of its
involvement in any pending or threatened Proceeding as to which, or related to
or arising out of any matter for which indemnification may be sought hereunder
(an "Indemnified Proceeding"), such Indemnified Person shall, if a claim in
respect thereof is to be made against Borrower under the Loan Documents, notify
Borrower in writing of such involvement; provided, however, that the failure by
such Indemnified Person to so notify Borrower shall not relieve Borrower from
the obligation to indemnify or any other liability hereunder or otherwise
except to the extent that such failure to provide notice prejudices Borrower in
any material respect. In case any Indemnified Person's involvement in such
Indemnified Proceeding shall be in any capacity other than as a witness,
Borrower and its counsel shall be entitled to participate therein with such
Indemnified Person and its counsel. To the extent Borrower wishes, Borrower
also shall be entitled to assume the defense of any Indemnified Proceeding with
counsel of Borrower's choice that is reasonably acceptable to the relevant
Indemnified Person and after notice from Borrower to such Indemnified Person of
Borrower's election so to assume the defense thereof, Borrower will not be
liable to such Indemnified Person for the cost of defense thereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall not be entitled to assume the
defense of any Indemnified Proceeding, and the limitations in the preceding
sentence on Borrower's liability to any Indemnified Person shall not apply, if
counsel to any Indemnified Person reasonably determines, and Borrower
reasonable concurs, that there are actual or potential conflicts of interest
between such Indemnified Person and Borrower or that defenses available to such
Indemnified Person may not be asserted by Borrower on the behalf of such
Indemnified Person. In any event, notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall
not be required to indemnify any Indemnified Person for the settlement of any
Indemnified Proceeding entered into without Borrower's prior written consent.
If Borrower assumes the defense of any Indemnified Proceeding as provided
above, Borrower shall not settle or compromise any such Indemnified Proceeding
without the relevant Indemnified Person's prior written consent if the
settlement or compromise involves performance by, or adverse admission of, such
Indemnified Person.

         Only one counsel shall be retained by all Indemnified Persons with
respect to any Indemnified Proceeding, unless counsel to any Indemnified Person
reasonably determines, and the Borrower reasonably concurs, that there are
actual or potential conflicts of interest between such Indemnified Person and
other Indemnified Persons, in which case such Indemnified Person may retain
separate counsel together with all other Indemnified Person subject to the same

                                      -28-

<PAGE>   29

conflict of interest.

         Section 11.3     Limitation of Liability. Neither Lender nor any
Affiliate, officer, director, employee, attorney, or agent of Lender shall have
any liability with respect to, and Borrower hereby waives, releases, and agrees
not to sue any of them upon, any claim for any special, indirect, incidental,
or consequential damages suffered or incurred by Borrower in connection with,
arising out of, or in any way related to, this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents, or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
any of the other Loan Documents. Borrower hereby waives, releases, and agrees
not to sue Lender or any of Lender's Affiliates, officers, directors,
employees, attorneys, or agents for punitive damages in respect of any claim in
connection with, arising out of, or in any way related to, this Agreement or
any of the other Loan Documents, or any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

         Section 11.4     Modification to Letter of Credit Master Agreements.
The following modifications are hereby made to the Letter of Credit Master
Agreements provided by Lender to the Borrower (and to the extent there are any
discrepancies between such Letter of Credit Master Agreements and this
Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail):

         (a)     Section 2 thereto is deleted in its entirety and replaced by
the following:

                 "Applicant agrees to pay such fees and interest as set forth
                 in the Loan Agreement between Issuer and Applicant dated as of
                 December 29, 1999 (hereinafter referred to as the "Loan
                 Agreement")";

         (b)     Section 4(i) thereto is deleted in its entirety and replaced
by the following:

                 "Applicant is a corporation organized under the laws of the
                 State of Delware";

         (c)     Section 4(iii) thereto is amended by adding the following
clause at the beginning of said subsection:

                 "To the best of Applicant's knowledge";

         (d)     Section 4(v) thereto is deleted in its entirety;

         (e)     Section 5 thereto is deleted in its entirety;

         (f)     Section 10 thereto is amended by adding the following clause
at the beginning of said section:

                 "During the continuance of an Event of Default,";

         (g)     Section 11(c) thereto is amended by deleting "three percentage
points" and

                                      -29-

<PAGE>   30

replacing it with "one and one-half percentage points" and by
deleting "Base Rate" and replacing it with "Prime Rate, as defined
in the Loan Agreement";

         (h)     Section 13 thereto is deleted in its entirety;

         (i)     Section 14 thereto is amended by deleting the first clause of
the first sentence to remove the reference to the deleted Section 13; and

         (j)     Section 16 thereto is deleted in its entirety.

         Section 11.5     No Duty. All attorneys, accountants, appraisers, and
other professional Persons and consultants retained by Lender shall have the
right to act exclusively in the interest of Lender and shall have no duty of
disclosure, duty of loyalty, duty of care, or other duty or obligation of any
type or nature whatsoever to Borrower or any of Borrower's shareholders or any
other Person.

         Section 11.6     Lender Not Fiduciary. The relationship between
Borrower and Lender is solely that of debtor and creditor, and Lender has no
fiduciary or other special relationship with Borrower, and no term or condition
of any of the Loan Documents shall be construed so as to deem the relationship
between Borrower and Lender to be other than that of debtor and creditor.

         Section 11.7     Equitable Relief. Borrower recognizes that in the
event Borrower fails to pay, perform, observe, or discharge any or all of the
Obligations, any remedy at law may prove to be inadequate relief to Lender.
Borrower therefore agrees that Lender, if Lender so requests, shall be entitled
to temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the
necessity of proving actual damages.

         Section 11.8     No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure on the
part of Lender to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing
with respect to, any right, power, or privilege under this Agreement shall
operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
right, power, or privilege under this Agreement preclude any other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, or privilege. The
rights and remedies provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights and remedies provided by law.

         Section 11.9     Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of Lender and Borrower and their respective
successors and assigns, except that Borrower may not assign or transfer any of
its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written
consent of Lender.

         Section 11.10    Survival. All representations and warranties made in
this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any document, statement, or
certificate furnished in connection with this Agreement shall survive the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and no
investigation by Lender or any closing shall affect the representations and
warranties or the right of Lender to rely upon them. Without prejudice to the
survival of any

                                      -30-

<PAGE>   31

other obligation of Borrower hereunder, the obligations of Borrower under
Sections11.1, and 11.2 shall survive repayment of the Note and termination of
the Commitment and the Letters of Credit.

         Section 11.1      ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT.  THIS AGREEMENT, THE
NOTE, AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO HEREIN EMBODY THE FINAL, ENTIRE
AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO AND SUPERSEDE ANY AND ALL PRIOR COMMITMENTS,
AGREEMENTS, REPRESENTATIONS, AND UNDERSTANDINGS, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL,
RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED OR VARIED BY
EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OR
DISCUSSIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO. THERE ARE NO ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE
PARTIES HERETO. The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
to which Borrower is a party may be amended or waived only by an instrument in
writing signed by the parties hereto.

         Section 11.12     Maximum Interest Rate. No provision of this
Agreement or of any other Loan Document shall require the payment or the
collection of interest in excess of the maximum permitted by applicable law. If
any excess of interest in such respect is hereby provided for, or shall be
adjudicated to be so provided, in any Loan Document or otherwise in connection
with this loan transaction, the provisions of this Section shall govern and
prevail and neither Borrower nor the sureties, guarantors, successors, or
assigns of Borrower shall be obligated to pay the excess amount of such
interest or any other excess sum paid for the use, forbearance, or detention of
sums loaned pursuant hereto. In the event Lender ever receives, collects, or
applies as interest any such sum, such amount which would be in excess of the
maximum amount permitted by applicable law shall be applied as a payment and
reduction of the principal of the indebtedness evidenced by the Note; and, if
the principal of the Note has been paid in full, any remaining excess shall
forthwith be paid to Borrower. In determining whether or not the interest paid
or payable exceeds the Maximum Rate, Borrower and Lender shall, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, (i) characterize any non-principal payment as an
expense, fee, or premium rather than as interest, (ii) exclude voluntary
prepayments and the effects thereof, and (iii) amortize, prorate, allocate, and
spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the
entire contemplated term of the indebtedness evidenced by the Note so that
interest for the entire term does not exceed the Maximum Rate.

         Section 11.13     Notices. All notices and other communications
provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower
is a party shall be given or made by telex, telegraph, telecopy, cable, or in
writing and telexed, telecopied, telegraphed, cabled, mailed by certified mail
return receipt requested, or delivered to the intended recipient at the
"Address for Notices" specified below its name on the signature pages hereof;
or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party
in a notice to the other party given in accordance with this Section. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, all such communications shall be deemed
to have been duly given when transmitted by telex or telecopy, subject to
telephone confirmation of receipt, or delivered to the telegraph or cable
office, subject

                                      -31-

<PAGE>   32

to telephone confirmation of receipt, or when personally delivered or, in the
case of a mailed notice, when duly deposited in the mails, in each case given
or addressed as aforesaid; provided, however, notices to Lender pursuant to
Articles II, III, and IV shall not be effective until received by Lender.

         Section 11.14     Applicable Law; Venue; Service of Process. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Texas and the applicable laws of the United States of America. This
Agreement has been entered into in Harris County, Texas, and it shall be
performable for all purposes in Harris County, Texas. Any action or proceeding
against Borrower under or in connection with any of the Loan Documents may be
brought in any state or federal court in Harris County, Texas. Borrower hereby
irrevocably (i) submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts, and
(ii) waives any objection it may now or hereafter have as to the venue of any
such action or proceeding brought in any such court or that any such court is
an inconvenient forum. Borrower agrees that service of process upon it may be
made by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, at its address
specified or determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.13.
Nothing herein or in any of the other Loan Documents shall affect the right of
Lender to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the
right of Lender to bring any action or proceeding against Borrower or with
respect to any of its property in courts in other jurisdictions. Any action or
proceeding by Borrower against Lender shall be brought only in a court located
in Harris County, Texas.

         Section 11.15     Demand Nature. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, Borrower's obligation
to repay outstanding Advances and to pay accrued interest thereon shall at all
times be a demand obligation, and Lender need not rely on or prove the
existence of an Event of Default before making demand for the payment of any or
all outstanding Advances and accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

         Section 11.16     Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one
or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         Section 11.17     Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held
by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable shall not
impair or invalidate the remainder of this Agreement and the effect thereof
shall be confined to the provision held to be invalid or illegal.

         Section 11.18     Headings.  The headings, captions, and arrangements
used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the
interpretation of this Agreement.

         Section 11.19     Non-Application of Chapter 303 of Texas Credit Code.
The provisions of Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code are specifically
declared by the parties hereto not to be applicable to this Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents or to the transactions contemplated hereby.

                                      -32-

<PAGE>   33

         Section 11.20     Participations. Lender shall have the right at any
time and from time to time to grant participations in the Note and any other
Loan Documents. Each actual or proposed participant shall be entitled to
receive all information received by Lender regarding the creditworthiness of
Borrower, including, without limitation, information required to be disclosed
to a participant pursuant to Banking Circular 181 (Rev., August 2, 1984),
issued by the Comptroller of the Currency (whether the actual or proposed
participant is subject to the circular or not).

         Section 11.21     Construction. Borrower and Lender acknowledge that
each of them has had the benefit of legal counsel of its own choice and has
been afforded an opportunity to review this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents with its legal counsel and that this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents shall be construed as if jointly drafted by Borrower and Lender.

         Section 11.22     Arbitration. Any controversy or claim between or
among the parties hereto including but not limited to those arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or any related agreements or instruments, including
any claim based on or arising from an alleged tort, shall be determined by
binding arbitration in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act (or if not
applicable, the applicable state law), the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the
American Arbitration Association ("AAA"), and the "Special Rules" set forth
below. In the event of any inconsistency, the Special Rules shall control.
Judgment upon any arbitration award may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction. Any part to this Agreement may bring an action, including a
summary or expedited proceeding, to compel arbitration of any controversy or
claim to which this agreement applies in any court having jurisdiction over the
action.

                 (a)    Special Rules. The arbitration shall be conducted in
         Houston, Texas and presided over by an arbitrator provided at the
         nearest location of Judicial Arbitration & Mediation Services ("JAMS")
         office, or if JAMS is not able or is legally precluded from providing
         an arbitrator, then the AAA. All arbitration will be commenced within
         120 days of the demand for arbitration and the decision/award rendered
         within 30 days thereafter; further, the arbitrator shall only, upon
         showing of cause, be permitted to extend the commencement period of an
         additional 60 days.

                 (b)    Reservation of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall
         be deemed to (i) limit the applicability of any otherwise applicable
         statutes of limitation or repose and any waivers contained in this
         Agreement; or (ii) be a waiver by the Lender of the protection
         afforded to it by 12 U.S.C. Sec. 91 or any substantially equivalent
         state law; or (iii) limit the right of any party hereto (A) to
         exercise self help remedies such as (but not limited to) setoff, or
         (B) to foreclose against any real or personal property collateral, or
         (C) to obtain from a court provisional or ancillary remedies such as
         (but not limited to) injunctive relief or the appointment of a
         receiver. Any party may exercise such self help rights, foreclose upon
         such property, or obtain such provisional or ancillary remedies
         before, during or after the pendency of any arbitration proceeding
         brought pursuant to this Agreement. Neither exercise of self help
         remedies nor the institution or maintenance of an action for
         provisional or ancillary remedies shall constitute a waiver of the
         right of

                                      -33-

<PAGE>   34

         any party, including the claimant in any such action, to arbitrate the
         merits of the controversy or claim occasioning resort to such
         remedies.

         Section 11.23    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES
ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, OR COUNTERCLAIM
(WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY OR THE
ACTIONS OF LENDER IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                              BORROWER:

                              IRI INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION,
                              a Delaware corporation

                                                                 By:

                                      Robert Hargrave
                                      Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer

                              Address for Notices:
                              2400 Crockett
                              Houston, Texas 77007

                              Fax No.:                     (713) 651-1526
                              Telephone No.:               (713) 651-8002

                              Attention:                   Mr. Robert Hargrave

                              LENDER:

                              BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.,
                              a national banking association

                                                                 By:

                                      Karen Shouse
                                      First Vice President

                                      -34-

<PAGE>   35

                               Address for Notices:
                               910 Travis, 7th Floor
                               Houston, Texas 77002

                                                   Fax No.:      (713) 751-6177
                               Telephone No.:    (713) 751-3640

                               Attention:        Ms. Karen Shouse

                                      -35-

<PAGE>   36

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   Exhibit              Description of Exhibit                                                                          Section
   -------              ----------------------                                                                          -------
<S>                     <C>                                                                                             <C>
     "A"                Note                                                                                            2.2
     "B"                Letter of Credit Request Form                                                                   3.2
     "C"                Standy Letter of Credit Master Agreement                                                        1.1
     "D"                Commercial Letter of Credit Master Agreement                                                    1.1

                               INDEX TO SCHEDULES

<CAPTION>
  Schedule              Description of Schedule                                                                         Section
  --------              -----------------------                                                                         -------
<S>                     <C>                                                                                             <C>
      1                 Existing Litigation                                                                             7.5
      2                 Existing Debt                                                                                   7.9
      3                 List of Subsidiaries                                                                            7.14
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   37

                                   SCHEDULE 1

                              Existing Litigation

                                     None.

<PAGE>   38

                                   SCHEDULE 2

                                 Existing Debt

         Master Lease Agreement No. 127 by and between Borrower and Data
General Corporation dated December 26, 1995, with Lease Schedule attached dated
February 1, 1996.

<PAGE>   39

                                   SCHEDULE 3

                              List of Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=====================================================================================================================
                                                                                               PERCENTAGE OF
           NAME OF                                    JURISDICTION OF                       VOTING STOCK OWNED
         SUBSIDIARY                                    INCORPORATION                            BY BORROWER
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>                                          <C>
Bowen Mexicana, S.A. de                        Mexico                                       100%
C.V.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bowen Tools, Ltd.                              Canada                                       100%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cardwell International, Ltd.                   Kansas                                       100%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cardwell Manufacturing                         Canada                                       100%
Company, Ltd.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cardwell Exports, Ltd.                         U.S. Virgin Islands                          100%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IRI Energy Services                            Barbados                                     100%
(Barbados) Limited
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

=====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   40

 ******************************************************************************

                         IRI INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                         Dated as of December 29, 1999

                                  $10,000,000

                             BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.

 ******************************************************************************

<PAGE>   41

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Page
                                                                                                                ----
<S>                                <C>                                                                          <C>
ARTICLE I
            Definitions.........................................................................................   1
            -----------                                                                                            -
            Section 1.1             Definitions.................................................................   1
                                    -----------                                                                    -
            Section 1.2             Other Definitional Provisions...............................................   6
                                    -----------------------------                                                  -
ARTICLE II
            Bank Guarantees and Letters of Credit...............................................................   6
            -------------------------------------                                                                  -
            Section 2.1             Bank Guarantees and Letters of Credits......................................   6
                                    --------------------------------------                                         -
            Section 2.2             Procedure for Issuing Bank Guarantees and Letters of Credit.................   7
                                    -----------------------------------------------------------                    -
            Section 2.3             Fees........................................................................   8
                                    ----                                                                           -
            Section 2.4             Obligations Absolute........................................................   8
                                    --------------------                                                           -
            Section 2.5             Limitation of Liability.....................................................   9
                                    -----------------------                                                        -
            Section 2.6             Lending Installations.......................................................  10
                                    ---------------------                                                         --
            Section 2.7             Account with Lender.........................................................  10
                                    -------------------                                                           --
ARTICLE III
            Advances............................................................................................  10
            --------                                                                                              --
            Section 3.2             Repayment of Advances.......................................................  10
                                    ---------------------                                                         --
            Section 3.3             Interest....................................................................  10
                                    --------                                                                      --
ARTICLE IV
            Payments............................................................................................  11
            --------                                                                                              --
            Section 4.1             Method of Payment...........................................................  11
                                    -----------------                                                             --
            Section 4.2             Computation of Interest.....................................................  11
                                    -----------------------                                                       --
            Section 4.3             Capital Adequacy............................................................  11
                                    ----------------                                                              --
            Section 4.4             Additional Costs in Respect of Letters of Credit............................  12
                                    ------------------------------------------------                              --
ARTICLE V
            Conditions Precedent................................................................................  12
            --------------------                                                                                  --
            Section 5.1             Initial Bank Guarantee or  Letter of Credi..................................  12
                                    ------------------------------------------                                    --
            Section 5.2             All Bank Guarantees or Letters of Credit....................................  13
                                    ----------------------------------------                                      --
ARTICLE VI
            Representations and Warranties......................................................................  14
            ------------------------------                                                                        --
            Section 6.1             Corporate Existence.........................................................  14
                                    -------------------                                                           --
            Section 6.2             Financial Statements........................................................  14
                                    --------------------                                                          --
            Section 6.3             Corporate Action; No Breach.................................................  14
                                    ---------------------------                                                   --
            Section 6.4             Operation of Business.......................................................  15
                                    ---------------------                                                         --
            Section 6.5             Litigation and Judgments....................................................  15
                                    ------------------------                                                      --
            Section 6.6             Rights in Properties; Liens.................................................  15
                                    ---------------------------                                                   --
            Section 6.7             Enforceability..............................................................  15
                                    --------------                                                                --
            Section 6.8             Approvals...................................................................  15
                                    ---------                                                                     --
            Section 6.9             Debt........................................................................  15
                                    ----                                                                          --
            Section 6.10            Taxes.......................................................................  15
                                    -----                                                                         --
            Section 6.11            Use of Proceeds; Margin Securities..........................................  16
                                    ----------------------------------                                            --
            Section 6.12            ERISA.......................................................................  16
                                    -----                                                                         --
</TABLE>

                                      -41-

<PAGE>   42
`

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Page
                                                                                                                ----
<S>                                <C>                                                                          <C>
            Section 6.13            Disclosure..................................................................  16
                                    ----------                                                                    --
            Section 6.14            Subsidiaries................................................................  16
                                    ------------                                                                  --
            Section 6.15            Agreements..................................................................  16
                                    ----------                                                                    --
            Section 6.16            Compliance with Laws........................................................  17
                                    --------------------                                                          --
            Section 6.17            Investment Company Act......................................................  17
                                    ----------------------                                                        --
            Section 6.18            Public Utility Holding Company Act..........................................  17
                                    ----------------------------------                                            --
            Section 6.19            Environmental Matters.......................................................  17
                                    ---------------------                                                         --
            Section 6.20            Year 2000 Provisions........................................................  18
                                    --------------------                                                          --
ARTICLE VII
            Positive Covenants..................................................................................  19
            ------------------                                                                                    --
            Section 7.1             Reporting Requirements......................................................  19
                                    ----------------------                                                        --
            Section 7.2             Maintenance of Existence; Conduct of Business...............................  20
                                    ---------------------------------------------                                 --
            Section 7.3             Maintenance of Properties...................................................  20
                                    -------------------------                                                     --
            Section 7.4             Taxes and Claims............................................................  21
                                    ----------------                                                              --
            Section 7.5             Insurance...................................................................  21
                                    ---------                                                                     --
            Section 7.6             Inspection Rights...........................................................  21
                                    -----------------                                                             --
            Section 7.7             Keeping Books and Records...................................................  21
                                    -------------------------                                                     --
            Section 7.8             Compliance with Laws........................................................  21
                                    --------------------                                                          --
            Section 7.9             Compliance with Agreements..................................................  22
                                    --------------------------                                                    --
            Section 7.10            Further Assurances..........................................................  22
                                    ------------------                                                            --
            Section 7.11            ERISA.......................................................................  22
                                    -----                                                                         --
            Section 7.12            Year 2000 Compliance........................................................  22
                                    --------------------                                                          --
            Section 7.13            Accounts with Lender........................................................  23
                                    --------------------                                                          --

ARTICLE VIII
            Negative Covenants..................................................................................  23
            ------------------                                                                                    --
            Section 8.1             Limitation on Liens.........................................................  23
                                    -------------------                                                           --
ARTICLE IX
            Financial Covenants.................................................................................  24
            -------------------                                                                                   --
            Section 9.1             Debt to Capitalization Ratio................................................  24
                                    ----------------------------                                                  --
            Section 9.2             Consolidated Tangible Net Worth.............................................  24
                                    -------------------------------                                               --
ARTICLE X
            Default.............................................................................................  25
            -------                                                                                               --
            Section 10.1            Events of Default...........................................................  25
                                    -----------------                                                             --
            Section 10.2            Remedies Upon Default.......................................................  26
                                    ---------------------                                                         --
            Section 10.3            Bank Guarantees and Letters of Credit.......................................  27
                                    -------------------------------------                                         --
            Section 10.4            Performance by Lender.......................................................  27
                                    ---------------------                                                         --
ARTICLE XI
            Miscellaneous.......................................................................................  27
            -------------                                                                                         --
            Section 11.1            Expenses of Lender..........................................................  27
                                    ------------------                                                            --
</TABLE>

                                      -42-

<PAGE>   43

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Page
                                                                                                                ----
<S>                                <C>                                                                          <C>
            Section 11.2            Indemnification..............................................................  27
                                    ---------------                                                                --
            Section 11.3            Limitation of Liability......................................................  29
                                    -----------------------                                                        --
            Section 11.4            Modification to Letter of Credit Master Agreements...........................  29
                                    --------------------------------------------------                             --
            Section 11.5            No Duty......................................................................  30
                                    -------                                                                        --
            Section 11.6            Lender Not Fiduciary.........................................................  30
                                    --------------------                                                           --
            Section 11.7            Equitable Relief.............................................................  31
                                    ----------------                                                               --
            Section 11.8            No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies...............................................  31
                                    ------------------------------                                                 --
            Section 11.9            Successors and Assigns.......................................................  31
                                    ----------------------                                                         --
            Section 11.10           Survival.....................................................................  31
                                    --------                                                                       --
            Section 11.11           Entire Agreement; Amendment..................................................  31
                                    ---------------------------                                                    --
            Section 11.12           Maximum Interest Rate........................................................  31
                                    ---------------------                                                          --
            Section 11.13           Notices......................................................................  32
                                    -------                                                                        --
            Section 11.14           Applicable Law; Venue; Service of Process....................................  32
                                    -----------------------------------------                                      --
            Section 11.15           Demand Nature................................................................  33
                                    -------------                                                                  --
            Section 11.16           Counterparts.................................................................  33
                                    ------------                                                                   --
            Section 11.17           Severability.................................................................  33
                                    ------------                                                                   --
            Section 11.18           Headings.....................................................................  33
                                    --------                                                                       --
            Section 11.19           Non-Application of Chapter 303 of Texas Credit Code..........................  33
                                    ---------------------------------------------------                            --
            Section 11.20           Participations...............................................................  33
                                    --------------                                                                 --
            Section 11.21           Construction.................................................................  33
                                    ------------                                                                   --
            Section 11.23           WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.........................................................  34
                                    --------------------                                                           --
</TABLE>

                                      -43-

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