Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

          This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into this
1st day of January, 2000 by and between Bay View Capital Corporation (the
"Corporation"), a Delaware Corporation, and James A. Badame (the "Executive").

                               R E C I T A L S:

     A.   The parties desire to enter into this Agreement setting forth the
terms and conditions of the employment relationship between the Corporation and
the Executive.

     B.   The Board of Directors of the Corporation (or "Board") believes it is
in the best interests of the Corporation to enter into this Agreement with the
Executive in order to assure continuity of management of the Corporation, and
has approved and authorized the execution by the Corporation of this Agreement.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the
mutual promises herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

          1.   Executive's Title, Duty, Authority and Time Commitment.
               ------------------------------------------------------

               a.   Title. The Executive's position and title with the
                    -----
Corporation shall be that of President of Bay View Acceptance Corporation.

               b.   Duties and Authority. The Executive's duties and authority
                    --------------------
shall be consistent with those of President of Bay View Acceptance Corporation.
The Executive shall render such administrative and management services to the
Corporation as are customarily performed by persons employed in the banking and
financial services industry in a similar executive capacity. In addition, the
Executive shall perform such other duties as the Board, or its authorized
representative, may from time to time require. All duties performed by the
Executive hereunder shall be in accordance with such reasonable standards as are
established from time to time by the Board, or its authorized representative,
and performance evaluations shall be conducted by or under the direction of the
Board and reviewed with the Executive annually.

               c.   Time Commitment. During the "Term of this Agreement", as
                    ---------------
defined in Section 5 of this Agreement, unless the Executive has obtained the
prior written consent of the Board, or its authorized representative,
<PAGE>

                    (1)  The Executive shall render his full productive time and
services to the Corporation, keeping normal business hours, but is authorized to
engage in such banking trade association and related activities during normal
business hours which, in his judgment, with the concurrence of his immediate
supervisor, are in the business interests of the Corporation; and

                    (2)  The Executive shall not render personal services to any
other person or entity for compensation, either as an Executive, consultant,
director or officer, if such services would conflict with the Executive's duty
to the Corporation or adversely affect the Executive's judgment in the
performance of his responsibilities. Executive shall remain free to engage in
community, charitable, political and personal pursuits which do not interfere
with his performance under this Agreement.

          2.   Compensation. The Corporation agrees to pay the Executive during
               ------------
the Term of this Agreement a base salary as follows: $190,000 per annum, with
the salary to be reviewed annually on each July 1st during the Term of this
Agreement. Salary increases are not guaranteed or automatic. The salary provided
for in this Agreement shall be payable semi-monthly in accordance with the
practices of the Corporation.

          3.   Discretionary Bonuses. The Executive shall be entitled to
               ---------------------
participate in discretionary bonuses and incentive payments which are now or
become authorized and declared by the Board or its authorized representative.
Executive shall be entitled to an annual performance bonus of up to fifty
percent (50%) of base salary depending upon the achievement of specific goals
set by the Company's Board of Directors.

          4.   Additional Benefits.
               -------------------

               a.   Participation in Executive Benefit Plans. The Executive
                    ----------------------------------------
shall be entitled to participate in any plan of the Corporation, as such plan
may from time to time provide, relating to stock options, stock purchases,
pension, thrift, deferred profit sharing, group insurance coverage, education or
retirement or other supplemental Executive benefits that the Corporation has
adopted or adopts for the benefit of its Executives.

               b.   Fringe Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to
                    ---------------
participate in any other program which is or becomes applicable to the
Corporation's executives, as such program may from time to time provide
including a reasonable expense account, the payment of reasonable expenses for
attending educational seminars and annual and periodic meetings of trade
associations, and other benefits which are commensurate with the
responsibilities and functions to be performed by the Executive under this
Agreement.

          5.   Term.
               ----

               a.   Initial Term and Automatic Extension. The initial term of
                    ------------------------------------
employment under this Agreement shall be for a period commencing on January 1,
2000 and

                                       2.
<PAGE>

ending on December 31, 2000. On January 1, 2001 and on each January 1st
thereafter, the Term of this Agreement shall be extended automatically by one
additional year beyond the then current expiration date, unless either the
Corporation or the Executive gives contrary written notice to the other not less
than 45 days in advance of the date on which this Agreement would otherwise be
extended. Reference herein to the "Term of this Agreement" shall refer to the
term as so extended. Section 9, entitled "Change in Control," shall survive the
expiration of this Agreement for a period of one (1) year so long as Executive
is employed by the Corporation. If Executive is terminated by the Corporation
without cause pursuant to Section 7a(2), said Section 9 shall survive this
Agreement for a period of one (1) year from the date of termination of
employment.

               b.   Consequences of Non-Extension. If this Agreement is not
                    -----------------------------
extended, on the expiration of the Term of this Agreement, the Executive shall
be deemed to be employed by the Corporation for no specific term and the
Executive's rights as an Executive of the Corporation shall be no less than
those provided by the laws of the State of California and the laws of the United
States; provided, however, that such post expiration employment may be
terminated at any time by the Executive or by the Board, or its authorized
representative, with or without cause by delivery to the Executive of a written
notice (the "Termination Notice") of such termination.

          6.   Voluntary Absences. At such reasonable times as the Board, or its
               ------------------
authorized representative, shall in its discretion permit, the Executive shall
be entitled, without loss of pay, to absent himself voluntarily from the
performance of his employment under this Agreement. All such voluntary absences
shall count as holidays, vacation time, floating holidays, sick leave,
compensatory time or other paid time off as specified in Corporation policy,
provided that:

               a.   Vacation Entitlement. The Executive shall be entitled to
                    ---------------------
an annual paid vacation of 20 days per year in accordance with the Corporation's
vacation policy.

               b.   Timing of Vacation. Vacations shall be scheduled in a
                    ------------------
reasonable manner by the Executive and subject to the Corporation's needs,
except that the Executive shall take not less than ten (10) days vacation
consecutively in each calendar year.

          7.   Termination of Employment.
               -------------------------

               a.   Termination by Corporation. The Executive's employment under
                    --------------------------
this Agreement may be terminated, with or without cause, at any time by the
Board, or its authorized representative, by delivery to the Executive of a
written notice (the "Termination Notice") of such termination. The Termination
Notice shall state the effective date of such termination and whether such
termination is for "cause," as defined in Section 7a(1), or without cause
pursuant to Section 7a(2). Unless the Termination Notice states that the
termination is for cause and states with reasonable particularity the cause, the
termination shall be deemed to be without cause pursuant to Section 7a(2). In
the event an arbitrator appointed pursuant to Section 13 of this Agreement
determines that a purported termination for cause was in fact without proper

                                       3.
<PAGE>

cause, the termination shall nonetheless be effective, but the Executive shall
be entitled to the severance payment pursuant to Section 7a(2) hereof.

                    (1)  Termination by Corporation for Cause. The Executive's
                         ------------------------------------
employment under this Agreement may be terminated at any time by the Board, or
its authorized representative, for "cause," which shall include, but not be
limited to the following:

                         (a)  The commission by the Executive of an act of
misconduct (including, but not limited to, the violation of any law, rule,
regulation or cease and desist order applicable to the Executive or the
Corporation or its insured subsidiaries), or an act which constitutes a breach
of a fiduciary duty owed by the Executive involving personal profit;

                         (b)  The Executive's material breach of this Agreement,
dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, habitual unexcused absence from
work, intentional failure to perform duties, or gross negligence in the
performance of stated duties;

                         (c)  The Executive's becoming physically or mentally
incapable of performing the essential functions of his employment position, with
or without reasonable accommodation, for a period in excess of the applicable
leave entitlement mandated by Federal or State law; or

                         (d)  Any criminal conviction of the Executive (other
than for a minor traffic violation or similar offense), whether or not in the
line of duty.

In the event of termination for cause under this Section 7a(1), the Executive
shall have no right to receive compensation or other benefits under this
Agreement for any period after such termination.

                    (2)  Termination by Corporation Without Cause. The
                         ----------------------------------------
Executive's employment under this Agreement may be terminated at any time by the
Board, or its authorized representative, without cause; provided, however, that
unless the termination of this Agreement is for "cause," as set forth in Section
7a(1), or pursuant to Sections 7b, 7c, or 9, then, upon such termination, in
addition to any benefits that had accrued to the date of termination but in lieu
of any rights or benefits that would have accrued following such termination,
the Executive shall be entitled, upon execution of a Severance Agreement and
Release acceptable to the Board, to a lump sum severance payment of eighteen
(18) months salary.

               b.   Termination by the Executive. This Agreement may be
                    ----------------------------
terminated by the Executive at any time upon 30 days written notice to the
Corporation or upon such shorter period as may be agreed upon between the
Executive and the Board subject, however, to the provisions contained in Section
13.

               c.   Termination by Death. In the event of the death of the
                    --------------------
Executive during the Term of this Agreement, the Executive's estate, or such
person as the Executive may

                                       4.
<PAGE>

have previously designated in writing for group insurance purposes, shall be
entitled to receive the salary due the Executive through the last day of the
calendar month in which his death shall have occurred.

          8.   Disability. If the Executive shall become disabled or
               ----------
incapacitated to the extent that he is unable to perform the essential functions
of his employment position, with or without reasonable accommodation, he shall
be entitled to receive disability benefits of the type provided for other
employees of the Corporation. In such event, 90 days after the last day the
Executive worked, any rights of the Executive to receive the salary provided in
Section 2 of this Agreement shall be suspended until the Executive is able to
resume performance of his duties.

          9.   Change in Control. If during the Term of this Agreement, or
               -----------------
within one (1) year following the expiration of this Agreement and if Executive
is employed by the Corporation, there is a "change in control," of the
Corporation, as hereinafter defined, the Executive shall be entitled, upon
execution of a Severance Agreement and Release as provided in Exhibit A, to the
following:

     a.   Severance. A severance payment in the event the Executive's
          ---------
employment is terminated, other than for "cause" as set forth in Section 7a(1)
or pursuant to Sections 7b (except as provided below), or 7c, within twenty-four
(24) months after the change in control. The amount of this payment shall equal
two hundred percent (200%) of the sum of (1) the Executive's annual salary as of
the date of termination plus (2) the Executive's annual bonus percentage then in
effect multiplied by the annual base salary, provided that the bonus amount
provided in this paragraph 9(a)(2) shall be paid only in the event that the
Corporation is on track to achieve the performance criteria applicable for the
payment of such bonus at the time of the Change in Control. This payment shall
be in lieu of any severance payment that would be due Executive under Section
7a(2). Except as provided above, such termination or severance payment shall be
in addition to all other amounts payable to the Executive pursuant to this
Agreement. This termination or severance payment shall also be made in the case
of a termination of employment by the Executive pursuant to Section 7b of this
Agreement within twenty-four (24) months after a change in control because
during such twenty-four (24) month period there has been a material diminution
of or interference with the Executive's duties, responsibilities and benefits as
President of Bay View Acceptance Corporation. By way of example and not by way
of limitation, any of the following actions, if unreasonable or materially
adverse to the Executive, shall constitute such diminution or interference
unless consented to in writing by the Executive: (i) a change in the principal
workplace of the Executive to a location more than 25 highway miles from the
Executive's current office location; (ii) a reduction or adverse change in the
salary or benefits which had theretofore been provided to the Executive, other
than as part of an overall program applied uniformly and with equitable effect
to all members of senior management of the Corporation; or (iii) a change in
Executive's title.

          b.   Benefits. In the event of termination in accordance with this
               --------
Section 9, the Corporation shall maintain in full force and effect, for the
continued benefit of the Executive and the Executive's dependents for a period
terminating on the earlier of (1) two years

                                       5.
<PAGE>

following the termination and (2) the commencement date of equivalent benefits
from a new employer, all insured and self-insured employee health and welfare
benefit plans in which the Executive was entitled to participate immediately
prior to the Executive's termination date, provided that the Executive's
continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of
such plans (and any applicable funding media) and the Executive continues to pay
an amount equal to the contribution applicable to regular full-time employees of
the Corporation for participation in such plans.

          Any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or
otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with 12 U.S.C.
Section 1828(k) and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

          The term "change in control" as applied to the Corporation is defined
solely as any acquisition of control of the Corporation (other than pursuant to
the acquisition by a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an
Executive benefit plan of the Corporation), as defined in 12 C.F.R. Section
574.4, or any successor regulation, which would require the filing of an
application for acquisition of control or notice of change in control as set
forth in 12 C.F.R. Section 574.3, or any successor regulation.

          10.  Successors and Assigns. The terms, provisions, covenants, and
               ----------------------
conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided,
however, that the Executive may not sell, assign, pledge, hypothecate or
otherwise transfer this Agreement or any part thereof without the prior written
consent of the Corporation, which consent may be withheld by the Corporation for
any reason it deems appropriate. "Successors and assigns" shall mean, in the
case of the Corporation, any successor pursuant to a merger, consolidation or
sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation.

          11.  Indemnification. The Corporation hereby agrees that the
               ---------------
Corporation shall indemnify the Executive to the fullest extent permitted by the
Corporation's Bylaws and by Delaware corporate law.

          12.  Excise Taxes. In the event it shall be determined that any
               ------------
payment or distribution by the Corporation or its affiliates to or for the
benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of the Agreement or otherwise, but
determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section
12) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of
the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") or any interest or penalties are incurred
by the Executive with respect to such excise (such excise tax, together with any
such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the
Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect
to such taxes), including, without limitations, any income taxes (and any
interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon
the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up

                                       6.
<PAGE>

Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payment.

          13.  Confidential Information
               ------------------------

               a.   Non-Disclosure. Employee hereby agrees that, during the Term
                    ---------------
of this Agreement and thereafter, he will not disclose to any person, or
otherwise use or exploit any of the proprietary or confidential information or
knowledge, including without limitation, trade secrets, processes, records of
research, proposals, reports, methods, techniques, customer lists and customers,
computer software or programming, budgets or financial information, or other
confidential information and/or trade secrets, regarding the Corporation, its
businesses, properties or affairs obtained by him at any time prior to or
subsequent to the execution of this Agreement, except to the extent required by
his performance or assigned duties for the Corporation. Executive understands
that proprietary or confidential information does not include any of the
foregoing items which (i) have become publicly known or made generally available
through no wrongful act of Executive or of others who were under confidentiality
obligations as to the item or items involved, or (ii) are independently
developed by the Executive without the use of proprietary or confidential
information. In addition, Employee agrees not to divulge, publish or otherwise
reveal, during the Term of this Agreement or thereafter, either directly or
indirectly, or through another, to any person, firm or corporation, for
competitive purposes, any knowledge or information or any facts concerning the
methods and techniques used by the Corporation to conduct business, the names of
customers and others who have relationships with the Company, or other
confidential information and/or trade secrets used by the Corporation in the
operation of its business. During the Term of this Agreement: (i) Employee
agrees to disclose to the Corporation the identity and nature of any contacts
with any person or entity soliciting from Employee disclosure of any such
information or soliciting Employee's involvement in any business venture
competitive with the Corporation; and (ii) Employee shall not conceal from or
fail to disclose to the Corporation, or divert or exploit for his own personal
profit or that of others, any business opportunity or other opportunity to
acquire an interest in or a contractual relationship with any person or entity
where such person or entity is in the Corporation's line of business or where
such contractual relationship would be considered a feasible and advantageous
opportunity for the Corporation.

               b.   Return of Materials. Upon termination of employment,
                    --------------------
Employee will deliver to the Corporation all tangible displays and repositories
of process, records of research, proposals, reports, memoranda, computer
software and programming, budgets and other financial information, and other
materials or records or writings of any type (including any copies thereof)
made, used or obtained by Employee in connection with his employment by the
Corporation; provided, however, that documents relating to Employee's employment
arrangements with the Corporation or his personal affairs shall be excluded from
the provisions herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee will be entitled
to have reasonable access to such property as is necessary for and in order to
prosecute or defend any legal action or proceeding or to respond to a court or
arbitration order.

               c.   The Employee acknowledges that the restrictions contained in
the foregoing paragraphs of this Section 13, in view of the nature of the
businesses in which the

                                       7.
<PAGE>

Corporation is engaged, are reasonable and necessary in order to protect the
legitimate interests of the Corporation, and that any violation thereof would
result in irreparable and substantial harm to the Corporation for which the
Corporation does not have an adequate remedy at law, and the Employee therefore
acknowledges that, in the event of his actual or threatened violations of any of
these restrictions, the Corporation shall be entitled to obtain from any court
of competent jurisdiction temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief
as well as damages and equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other
benefits arising from such violation, which rights shall be cumulative and in
addition to any other rights or remedies to which the Corporation may be
entitled.

               d.   In the event that the Corporation believes that it is
entitled to relief under this Section 13, the Corporation will provide written
notice to Employee specifying the nature of any alleged breach of this section.
The Corporation shall be obligated to discuss with Employee in good faith
whether such breach has occurred and, if so, whether such breach can be cured.
If Employee cures such breach within fifteen (15) days from the date of such
notice, Employee shall not be deemed to be in breach of this Section 13.

          14.  Arbitration. The parties hereby agree that any controversy or
               -----------
dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be resolved pursuant
to this Section 14.

               a.   Agreement to Negotiate. Prior to submitting any controversy,
                    ----------------------
dispute or claim arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement to arbitration,
the parties hereto agree to observe the following procedures:

                    (1)  The party desiring to submit any such controversy,
dispute or claim to arbitration (the "claimant") first shall give written notice
thereof to the other party (the "recipient") setting forth in detail the
pertinent facts and circumstances relating to such controversy, dispute or
claim;

                    (2)  The recipient shall have a period of fifteen (15) days
after receipt of written notice in which to consider the controversy, dispute or
claim which is the subject of the notice and to furnish in writing to the
claimant a written statement of the recipient's position;

                    (3)  Within seven (7) days of claimant's receipt of
recipient's written statement, the parties shall meet in an effort to resolve
amicably any differences which may exist and, failing such resolution, either or
both of the parties shall have the right to submit the matter to arbitration.

               b.   Procedure for Arbitration.
                    -------------------------

                    (1)  The parties hereby agree that any controversy, dispute
or claim arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement, or breach of this
Agreement, including disputes concerning termination of this Agreement, shall be
settled by arbitration in San Mateo, California.

                                       8.
<PAGE>

This agreement to arbitrate shall be specifically enforceable. Judgment upon any
award rendered by an arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.

                    (2)  Any demand for arbitration must be served on the other
party within forty-five (45) days of the act or omission giving rise to the
controversy, dispute or claim.

                    (3)  There shall be one impartial arbitrator chosen by the
parties from a list procured from the California Mediation and Conciliation
Service.

                    (4)  The arbitrator shall not extend, modify or suspend any
of the terms of this Agreement.

                    (5)  The decision of the Arbitrator within the scope of the
submission shall be final and binding on all parties, and any right to judicial
action on any matter subject to arbitration hereunder is hereby waived (unless
otherwise provided by applicable law), except suit to enforce this arbitration
award.

                    (6)  Executive agrees that such arbitration shall be the
exclusive forum for any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or relating
to this Agreement, or breach or termination of this Agreement. Executive further
expressly agrees that in arbitration his exclusive remedy shall be a money award
not to exceed the amount of wages he would have earned under this Agreement but
for the alleged violation and the Executive shall not be entitled to any other
remedy, at law or in equity, including but not limited to reinstatement, other
money damages, punitive damages and/or injunctive relief.

                    (7)  Each party shall pay such party's own attorney or other
representative, and the expenses of such party's witnesses and all other
expenses connected with his case. Other costs of the arbitration, including the
cost of any record or transcript of the arbitration, administrative fees,
arbitrator's fees, and all other fees and costs, shall be borne by the
Corporation; provided, however, that at the discretion of the Arbitrator, and
upon a preponderance of the evidence that one of the parties has engaged in
malice, fraud or oppression relating to the termination of the Executive's
employment, reasonable attorney's fees and costs may be awarded to the other
party.

          15.  General Provisions.
               ------------------

               a.  Notices. Any notice, request, demand or other communication
                   -------
required or permitted hereunder shall be deemed to be properly given when
personally served in writing and when deposited in the United States mail,
registered or certified, postage prepaid, addressed to the party at the last
address supplied to the sending party by the addressed party.

               b.   Waiver. The waiver by any party of a breach of any provision
                    ------
of this Agreement by the other shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach of the same provision or any other provision of this
Agreement.

                                       9.
<PAGE>

               c.   Entire Agreement. Except as provided herein, this Agreement
                    ----------------
contains the entire agreement of the parties. It supersedes any and all other
agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties hereto with respect
to the employment of the Executive by the Corporation. Each party to this
Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises or
agreements, oral or otherwise, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on
behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein, and that no other agreement,
statement or promise not contained in this Agreement shall be valid and binding.

               d.   Amendments. No amendments or additions to this Agreement
                    ----------
shall be binding unless in writing and signed by both parties, except as herein
otherwise provided.

               e.   Paragraph Headings. The paragraph headings used in this
                    ------------------
Agreement are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used
in connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.

               f.   Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
                    ------------
deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

               g.   Governing Law. Except where federal law governs, this
                    -------------
Agreement is to be governed by and construed under the internal substantive laws
of the State of California (and not under conflict of law principles) as such
laws apply to contracts made and to be performed entirely in the State of
California.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the
day and year first hereinabove written.

                                BAY VIEW CAPITAL CORPORATION,

                                /s/ Edward H. Sondker
                                --------------------------------------
                                Edward H. Sondker
                                President and Chief Executive Officer

                                THE EXECUTIVE

                                /s/ James A. Badame
                                --------------------------------------
                                James A. Badame

                                       10.<PAGE>

                                 LOAN AGREEMENT

                          Dated as of October 26, 2000

                                  By and Among

                         ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.,

                                as the Borrower,

                         PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

                              as the Issuing Bank,

                         PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

                                  as the Agent,

                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,

                            as the Syndication Agent,

                                       and

                             THE BANKS PARTY HERETO

<PAGE>
                                 LOAN AGREEMENT

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
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<S>      <C>                                                                                          <C>

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS...................................................................................1
1.1      Definitions; Construction.......................................................................1

SECTION 2. LOANS........................................................................................13
2.1      Revolving Credit Loans.........................................................................13
2.2      Commitment Fee; Closing Fee....................................................................15
2.3      Limitations on Loans...........................................................................15
2.4      Mandatory Prepayments..........................................................................15
2.5      Interest Rate Options, Interest Payments and Certain Related Payments Pertaining to the Loans..15
2.6      Capital Adequacy Requirements..................................................................21
2.7      Time, Place and Manner of Payments.............................................................21
2.8      Loan Account...................................................................................21
2.9      Letter of Credit Subfacility...................................................................21

SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...............................................................26
3.1      Existence and Authority........................................................................26
3.2      Capitalization and Subsidiaries................................................................26
3.3      Rights, Titles and Interests...................................................................27
3.4      Financial Statements...........................................................................27
3.5      Litigation.....................................................................................28
3.6      Validity; Binding Effect; Enforceability; No Conflicts.........................................28
3.7      Permits........................................................................................28
3.8      Operation of the Pipeline......................................................................29
3.9      Public Utility Holding Company.................................................................29
3.10     ERISA..........................................................................................29
3.11     Regulation U, T and X..........................................................................29
3.12     Compliance with Law............................................................................29
3.13     Taxes..........................................................................................29
3.14     Relationship of Borrower and the Subsidiaries..................................................29
3.15     Environmental Matters..........................................................................30
3.16     Investment Company Act.........................................................................30
3.17     Disclosure.....................................................................................30
3.18     Updates to Schedules...........................................................................30
3.19     Solvency.......................................................................................30
3.20     Material Contracts.............................................................................30

SECTION 4. SECURITY.....................................................................................31
4.1      Security Documents.............................................................................31
4.2      Set-Off........................................................................................32
4.3      Additional Security - Generally................................................................32
4.4      Certain Additional Security....................................................................33
4.5      Operating Accounts.............................................................................33
4.6      Guaranties.....................................................................................33
4.7      Subordination of Indebtedness and Liens........................................................33
</TABLE>
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<S>      <C>                                                                                          <C>

SECTION 5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS........................................................................33
5.1      First Lien Undertakings........................................................................33
5.2      Protection of Rights, Titles and Interests.....................................................34
5.3      Operation and Maintenance......................................................................34
5.4      Permits........................................................................................34
5.5      Compliance with Law............................................................................34
5.6      Material Contracts.............................................................................34
5.7      Existence and Ownership........................................................................35
5.8      Reports, Certifications and Other Information..................................................35
5.9      Records and Access.............................................................................36
5.10     Payment of Taxes and Mechanics' Claims.........................................................36
5.11     Insurance......................................................................................37
5.12     Expenses, Fees and Disbursements...............................................................37
5.13     Assigned Payments..............................................................................37
5.14     Notification...................................................................................38
5.15     Leverage Ratio.................................................................................38
5.16     Interest Coverage Ratio........................................................................38
5.17     Minimum Tangible Net Worth.....................................................................39
5.18     Additional Documents...........................................................................39
5.19     Environmental Matters..........................................................................39

SECTION 6. NEGATIVE COVENANTS...........................................................................41
6.1      Alienation.....................................................................................41
6.2      Encumbrances...................................................................................41
6.3      Guaranty.......................................................................................41
6.4      Debt...........................................................................................42
6.5      Loans; Investments.............................................................................42
6.6      Business Activities............................................................................42
6.7      Consolidation or Merger; Change of Control.....................................................42
6.8      Acquisitions...................................................................................43
6.9      Reserved.......................................................................................43
6.10     Reserved.......................................................................................43
6.11     Leases.........................................................................................43
6.12     Negative Pledges...............................................................................43
6.13     Changes in Organizational Documents............................................................43
6.14     MLP Letter of Credit...........................................................................43
6.15     Senior Management..............................................................................44

SECTION 7. BORROWING REQUIREMENTS.......................................................................44
7.1      Conditions to Borrowing........................................................................44

SECTION 8. DISBURSEMENT.................................................................................45
8.1      Procedure......................................................................................45
8.2      Use of Proceeds................................................................................46
8.3      Charging Account...............................................................................46
</TABLE>
                                      -ii-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>      <C>                                                                                          <C>
SECTION 9. DEFAULTS.....................................................................................46

SECTION 10. REMEDIES....................................................................................49

SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS...............................................................................49
11.1     Waiver and Modification........................................................................49
11.2     Notices........................................................................................50
11.3     Certain Taxes..................................................................................52
11.4     Right to Cure..................................................................................52
11.5     Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial...................................................52
11.6     Applicable Law.................................................................................52
11.7     Severability...................................................................................52
11.8     Successors and Assigns.........................................................................53
11.9     Nature and Survival of Representations.........................................................54
11.10    Number and Gender..............................................................................54
11.11    Tax Withholding................................................................................54
11.12    Headings.......................................................................................55
11.13    Confidentiality................................................................................55

SECTION 12. AGREEMENT AMONG BANKS.......................................................................56
12.1     Appointment and Grant of Authority.............................................................56
12.2     Reliance by Agent on Banks for Funding.........................................................56
12.3     Non-Reliance on Agent..........................................................................56
12.4     Responsibility of Agent and Other Matters......................................................57
12.5     Action on Instructions.........................................................................57
12.6     Required Banks.................................................................................57
12.7     Action Upon Occurrence of an Event of Default..................................................58
12.8     Indemnification................................................................................58
12.9     Agent's Rights as a Bank.......................................................................58
12.10    Payment to Banks...............................................................................58
12.11    Pro Rata Sharing...............................................................................58
12.12    Successor Agent................................................................................59
12.13    Amendments and Waivers.........................................................................59
12.14    Agent's Fees...................................................................................60
12.15    Funding by Branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate.....................................................60
</TABLE>
                                     -iii-

<PAGE>

                                LIST OF EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A         -        Form of Revolving Credit Note
EXHIBIT B         -        Form of Request for/Confirmation of Loan
EXHIBIT C         -        Guaranty Agreement
EXHIBIT D         -        Mortgage
EXHIBIT E         -        Security Agreement
EXHIBIT F         -        Pledge Agreement
EXHIBIT G         -        Pledge Agreement (Atlas Operating)
EXHIBIT H         -        Pledge Agreement (General Partner)
EXHIBIT I         -        Collateral Assignment of Contract Rights
EXHIBIT J         -        Compliance Certificate
EXHIBIT K         -        Assignment and Assumption Agreement
EXHIBIT L         -        Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement

                                LIST OF SCHEDULES

                  SCHEDULE 3.2 - Ownership/Subsidiaries

SCHEDULE 3.5      -         Litigation
SCHEDULE 6.2      -         Existing Liens

                                      -iv-
<PAGE>
                                 LOAN AGREEMENT

                  This Loan Agreement dated as of this 26th day of October, 2000
(as more fully defined below, the "Agreement"), and made and entered into by and
among ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the
"Borrower"), the financial institutions listed on the signature pages hereto
(together with each other financial institution which hereafter becomes a party
hereunder in accordance with Section 11.8 below, collectively, the "Banks", and
each individually, a "Bank"), PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION as the issuer of
the Letters of Credit (in such capacity, the "Issuing Bank") and PNC BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, in its capacity as agent for the Banks (in such capacity,
the "Agent") and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, in its capacity as Syndication
Agent.

                                   WITNESSETH:

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to obtain a commitment from each
of the Banks pursuant to which Loans, in a maximum aggregate principal amount at
any one time outstanding not to exceed $10,000,000, will be made to the Borrower
from time to time prior to the Termination Date; and

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower also desires to provide for the
issuance, for the account of the Borrower, of Letters of Credit with an
aggregate stated amount not to exceed a sublimit of $3,000,000; and

                  WHEREAS, the Banks are willing, on the terms and subject to
the conditions hereinafter set forth, to extend such commitment and make such
Loans to the Borrower.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants
contained herein, and with the intent to be legally bound hereby, the parties
hereto hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

         1.1 Definitions; Construction.

         (a) Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following
terms shall have the following meanings:

         "Accounts" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8.1.

         "Adjusted Base Rate" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.5(b)(i).

         "Adjusted Euro-Rate" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.5(b)(ii).

         "Agent" shall mean PNC Bank, National Association, and its successors
and assigns.

         "Agreement" means this Loan Agreement dated as of October 26, 2000, by
and among the Borrower, the Banks a party hereto, from time to time, PNC Bank,
National Association, as Issuing Bank and as agent for the Banks, and First
Union National Bank, as Syndication Agent, together with all extensions,
renewals, amendments, substitutions and replacements hereof and all exhibits,
schedules and annexes thereto.

         "Aggregate Outstandings" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
Subsection 2.2(a).

<PAGE>
         "Applicable Margin" shall mean for Loans bearing interest at the
Euro-Rate Option, Loans bearing interest at the Base Rate Option, and the
Commitment Fee payable pursuant to Subsection 2.2(a) at any time, the rate per
annum based on the Borrower's Leverage Ratio as set forth under the relevant
column heading below:

                                 Euro-Rate         Base Rate         Commitment
Leverage Ratio                   Option            Option            Fee
--------------                   ------            ------            ---

Less than or equal to 1.5         1.50%             0.00%            .375%

Greater than 1.5 but less
than or equal to 2.5              1.75%             0.25%            .500%

Greater than 2.5                  2.00%             0.50%            .500%

The Applicable Margin and Commitment Fee for any date shall be determined by
reference to the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the fiscal quarter most
recently ended as of such date and for the four (4) fiscal quarters ended on
such last day (except as set forth below), and any change (x) shall become
effective upon the delivery to the Agent of a certificate of the Borrower (which
certificate may be delivered prior to delivery of the relevant financial
statements or may be incorporated in the certificate delivered pursuant to
Section 5.8) with respect to the financial statements to be delivered pursuant
to Section 5.8 for the most recently ended fiscal quarter (a) setting forth in
reasonable detail the calculation of the Leverage Ratio at the end of such
fiscal quarter and (b) stating that the signer has reviewed the terms of this
Agreement and other Loan Documents and has made, or caused to be made under his
or her supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and
condition of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during the subject
accounting period, and that the signer does not have knowledge of the existence
as at the date of such officer's certificate of any default under Section 9
hereof, and (y) shall apply (i) in the case of Loans bearing interest at the
Base Rate Option, to such Loans outstanding on such delivery date or made on and
after such delivery date and (ii) in the case of Loans bearing interest at the
Euro-Rate Option, to such Loans made on and after such delivery date. It is
understood that the foregoing certificate shall be permitted to be delivered
prior to, but in no event later than, the time of the actual delivery of the
financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.8.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to which the first certificate
is required to be delivered under Section 5.8 (or prior to the time a
certificate as described in this definition is first delivered to the Agent) the
Leverage Ratio shall be deemed, solely for the purposes of this definition, to
be greater than 1.5 but less than or equal to 2.5 until such time as the
Borrower shall deliver such certificate, and at any time during which the
Borrower has failed to deliver the certificate required under Section 5.8 with
respect to a fiscal quarter following the date the delivery thereof is due, the
Leverage Ratio shall be deemed, solely for the purposes of this definition, to
be greater than 2.5 until such time as Borrower shall deliver such certificate.
Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) for the fiscal period ending
September 30, 2000, the denominator used in the calculation of the Leverage
Ratio shall be the EBITDA of the Borrower for the two (2) fiscal quarters ended
on such date multiplied by two (2), and (ii) for the fiscal period ending
December 31, 2000, the denominator used in the calculation of the Leverage Ratio
shall be the EBITDA of the Borrower for the three (3) fiscal quarters ended on
such date multiplied by four-thirds (4/3).

                                                                               2
<PAGE>

         "Assignment and Assumption Agreement" shall mean an Assignment and
Assumption Agreement in the form of Exhibit "K" hereto.

         "Atlas" shall mean Atlas America, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and
successor in interest to Atlas America, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation.

         "Atlas Operating" shall mean Atlas Pipeline Operating Partnership,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

         "Authority" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.19.

         "Bank" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble to this
Agreement, and shall be deemed to include within its meaning the Issuing Bank
for the purposes of obtaining the benefit of any security, indemnification or
reimbursement provision contained herein or in any other Loan Document in favor
of the Banks.

         "Base Rate" means a rate per annum equal to the higher of (i) the Prime
Rate and (ii) the sum of (x) the Federal Funds Rate plus (y) fifty (50) basis
points (1/2 of 1%). The Base Rate shall be adjusted automatically from time to
time upon each change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate, as
applicable.

         "Base Rate Option" means the interest rate option described in item (i)
of Subsection 2.5(b).

         "Base Rate Portion" means a Loan or a portion thereof which bears, or
is to bear, interest at the Adjusted Base Rate.

         "Borrower" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble of
this Agreement.

         "Business Day" means a day on which the Agent's principal office is
open for the conduct of normal commercial banking business.

         "Change in Control" shall mean (i) any person or group of persons
(within the meaning of Subsections 13(d) or 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended) shall have acquired subsequent to the date hereof
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act) 25% or more of the voting
common units of the Borrower; (ii) within a period of twelve (12) consecutive
calendar months, individuals who were managing board members of the General
Partner on the first day of such period shall cease to constitute a majority of
the managing board members of the General Partner or (iii) the occurrence of any
of the following:

                                                                               3
<PAGE>
                  (a) the sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition
         (other than by way of a permitted merger or consolidation), in one or a
         series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the
         assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole
         to any "person" (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the
         Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended);

                  (b) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
         dissolution of the Borrower or the General Partner unless, in the case
         of the General Partner, the General Partner is replaced by an affiliate
         of Atlas acceptable to the Banks in their reasonable discretion, such
         acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld;

                  (c) such time as the General Partner ceases to own, directly
         or indirectly, all of the general partner interests of the Borrower or
         of Atlas Operating, or the General Partner ceases to serve as the only
         general partner of the Borrower or Atlas Operating unless, in the case
         of the General Partner, the General Partner is replaced by an affiliate
         of Atlas acceptable to the Banks in their reasonable discretion, such
         acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld; or

                  (d) all of the rights to payment associated with the general
         partner interests of the Borrower and Atlas Operating are not pledged
         to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks; or

                  (e) such time as Atlas and/or one or more of its directly or
         indirectly wholly-owned subsidiaries ceases to own 100% of the
         membership units of the General Partner.

         "Closing Fee" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Subsection
2.2(b).

         "Collateral Assignment" shall mean any Collateral Assignment of
Contract Rights in the form of Exhibit "I" hereto, together with all extensions,
renewals, amendments, supplements, substitutions and replacements thereof and
thereto.

         "Commitment Fee" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Subsection
2.2(a).

         "Commitment Fee Rate" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
Subsection 2.2(a).

         "Commitment Percentage" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
Subsection 2.1(a).

         "Distribution Agreement" shall mean that certain Distribution Support
Agreement by and among the Borrower, the General Partner, Atlas, REI and Viking
dated as of February 2, 2000, as such agreement may be amended, extended,
renewed or replaced from time to time.

                                                                               4
<PAGE>

         "Dollar(s)" or "$" means the legal tender of the United States of
America.

         "Draw" shall mean a payment of funds by the Issuing Bank or the Banks
pursuant to a request by the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit for funds in
accordance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

         "Drawing Date" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Subsection
2.9(b).

         "EBITDA" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.15.

         "ERISA" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.10.

         "Euro-Rate" means, with respect to Portions of the Loans to which the
Euro-Rate Option applies for any Euro-Rate Interest Period, the interest rate
per annum determined by the Agent by dividing (the resulting quotient rounded
upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1% per annum) (i) the rate of
interest determined by the Agent in accordance with its usual procedures (which
determination shall be conclusive, absent manifest error) to be the average of
the London interbank offered rates for U.S. Dollars quoted by the British
Bankers' Association as set forth on Dow Jones Markets Service (formerly known
as Telerate) display page 3750 (or appropriate successor or, if British Bankers'
Association or its successor ceases to provide such quotes, a comparable
replacement determined by the Agent), two (2) Business Days prior to the first
day of such Euro-Rate Interest Period for an amount comparable to such Loan and
having a borrowing date and a maturity comparable to such Euro-Rate Interest
Period by (ii) a number equal to 1.00 minus the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage.
The Euro-Rate may also be expressed by the following formula:

                              Average of London interbank offered rates on
                              Dow Jones Markets Service display page 3750
            Euro-Rate =       as quoted by BBA or appropriate successor
                              -------------------------------------------------
                              1.00 - Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage

The Euro-Rate shall be adjusted automatically with respect to any Euro-Rate
Portion outstanding on the effective date of any change in the Euro-Rate Reserve
Percentage, as of such effective date.

         "Euro-Rate Interest Period(s)" means any individual period of one (1),
two (2), three (3) or six (6) months selected by the Borrower commencing on the
borrowing, conversion date or renewal date of a Euro-Rate Portion to which such
period shall apply.

         "Euro-Rate Option" means the interest rate option described in item
(ii) of Subsection 2.5(b).

         "Euro-Rate Portion(s)" means a Loan or portion thereof which bears, or
is to bear, interest at the Adjusted Euro-Rate.

         "Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage" means the maximum effective percentage
(expressed as a decimal, rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%), as
determined in good faith by the Agent (which determination shall be conclusive),
which is in effect on such day as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the reserve
requirements (including, without limitation, supplemental, marginal and
emergency reserve requirements) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently
referred to as "Eurocurrency liabilities").

                                                                               5
<PAGE>
         "Federal Funds Rate" shall mean, for any day, (i) the interest rate
(rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) determined by the
Agent (such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) to be equal
to the weighted average of rates on federal funds transactions among members of
the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers at or about 9:00 am
(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania time) on such day; provided, however, that if such day
is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate
for such transactions on the immediately preceding Business Day or (ii) if no
such rate shall be quoted by Federal funds brokers at such time, such other rate
as determined by the Agent in accordance with its usual procedures (such
determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error).

         "Fee" shall mean any fee payable by the Borrower to the Agent, the
Banks or the Issuing Bank hereunder, or under any of the other Loan Documents,
including without limitation the Closing Fee, the Commitment Fee, and the Letter
of Credit Fee.

         "Financing Statements" shall mean any Uniform Commercial Code financing
statements executed and delivered in connection with any Security Document.

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

         "Gas and oil" or "oil and gas" shall mean gas, oil, casinghead gas,
drip gasoline, natural gasoline and all other liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons.

         "General Partner" shall mean Atlas Pipeline Partners GP, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company.

         "Governmental Person" means the government of the United States or the
government of any state or locality therein, any political subdivision or any
governmental, quasi-governmental, judicial, public or statutory instrumentality,
authority, body or entity, or other regulatory bureau, authority, body or entity
of the United States or any state or locality therein, including the Federal
Deposit Insurance Company, the Comptroller of the Currency or the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, any central bank or any comparable
authority.

         "Governmental Rule" means any law, statute, rule, regulation,
ordinance, order, judgment, guideline or decision of any Governmental Person.

         "Guarantor" shall mean the General Partner and each Restricted
Subsidiary of the Borrower in existence on the date hereof and each person which
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower on and after the date hereof.

         "Guaranty Agreement" shall mean any Guaranty Agreement in the form of
Exhibit "C" hereto, together with all extensions, renewals, amendments,
supplements, substitutions and replacements thereof and thereto.

                                                                               6
<PAGE>

         "Hazardous Substances" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.17.

         "Hedge Agreements" shall mean all interest rate swaps, caps or collar
agreements or similar arrangements dealing with interest rates or currency
exchange rates or the exchange of nominal interest obligations, either generally
or under specific contingencies.

         "Incurrence Limitation" shall mean, on any date of determination, the
product of (x) 3.00 multiplied by (y) the EBITDA of the Borrower for the four
(4) most recently completed fiscal quarters for which financial statements have
been delivered pursuant to Section 5.8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) from
the date hereof to the date on which the certificate of the Borrower is
delivered pursuant to Section 5.8 for the Borrower's fiscal quarter ending
September 30, 2000 (or, if earlier, the date on which the Borrower delivers a
certificate pursuant to clause (x) of the definition of "Applicable Margin" for
the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2000), the Incurrence Limitation shall
be the product of (i) 3.00 multiplied by (ii) the EBITDA of the Borrower for the
two (2) fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2000 multiplied by (iii) two, and
(y) from the date on which the certificate referred to in clause (x) above is
delivered to the date on which the certificate of the Borrower is delivered
pursuant to Section 5.8 for the Borrower's fiscal quarter ending December 31,
2000 (or, if earlier, the date on which the Borrower delivers a certificate
pursuant to clause (x) of the definition of "Applicable Margin" for the fiscal
quarter ending December 31, 2000), the Incurrence Limitation shall be the
product of (i) 3.00 multiplied by (ii) the EBITDA of the Borrower for the three
(3) fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2000 multiplied by (iii) four-thirds.

         "Indebtedness" shall mean, collectively, (i) all unpaid principal of,
and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Loans, (ii) all accrued and unpaid Fees,
(iii) any other amounts due hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents,
including any and all reimbursements, indemnities, Fees, costs, expenses,
prepayment premiums, break-funding costs and other obligations of the Borrower
to the Agent, the Banks, or the Issuing Bank, or any indemnified party hereunder
and thereunder, and (iv) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses
incurred by the Agent and the Banks, to the extent permitted herein, in
connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including but not
limited to the reasonable fees and expenses of the Agent's counsel, which the
Borrower is responsible to pay pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents.

         "Intercreditor Agreement" shall mean the Intercreditor and Collateral
Agency Agreement in the form of Exhibit "L" hereto, together with all
extensions, renewals, amendments, supplements, substitutions, and replacements
thereof and thereto.

         "Issuing Bank" shall mean PNC Bank, National Association, in its
capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.

         "Letter(s) of Credit" means any standby letter(s) of credit as to which
the account party, the Issuing Bank and the beneficiary contemplate that the
beneficiary will receive a direct payment from the account party and that the
beneficiary shall draw upon the Letter of Credit only if the account party fails
to honor its obligation to the beneficiary, including, but not limited to,
standby letters of credit issued by the Issuing Bank in accordance with Section
2.9 hereof.

                                                                               7
<PAGE>

         "Letter of Credit Borrowing" shall mean an extension of credit
resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which shall not have been
reimbursed on the date when made and shall not have been converted into a Loan
under Section 2.9.

         "Letter of Credit Fee" shall mean that fee described
in Subsection 2.9(i) hereof.

         "Leverage Ratio" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.15 below.

         "Lien" shall mean any encumbrance, mortgage, lien, charge, pledge,
security interest, priority payment, conditional sales agreement right, or other
title retention agreement right including but not limited to any right under a
capitalized lease, in, upon or against any asset of the affected Person.

         "Limited Partnership Agreement" shall mean that certain First Amended
and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P.
dated as of February 2, 2000, as such agreement may be amended, extended,
revised or replaced from time to time.

         "Loan" and "Loans" shall have the meanings ascribed to each in
Subsection 2.1(a).

         "Loan Account" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.8.

         "Loan Documents" shall mean any of this Agreement, the Notes, each
application for Letter of Credit, the Guaranty Agreements, the Security
Documents, any Hedge Agreements entered into between the Borrower and any Bank
(or any affiliate of any Bank) and all other agreements, documents and
instruments executed and delivered from time to time to govern, evidence or
secure the Indebtedness or any of the foregoing documents and instruments, and
the statements, reports, certificates and other documents required by, or
related to, any of the foregoing, together with all extensions, renewals,
amendments, substitutions and replacements to and of any of the foregoing.

         "Loan Party" shall mean the Borrower and each Guarantor.

         "Master Natural Gas Agreement" shall mean that certain Master Natural
Gas Gathering Agreement dated as of February 2, 2000, by and among Atlas, REI
and Viking and certain of their subsidiaries, the Borrower and Atlas Operating
relating to the transportation of gas and oil produced by Atlas, REI and Viking
and certain of their subsidiaries, as such agreement may be amended, extended,
renewed or replaced from time to time.

         "Material Contract" shall mean any of the Master Natural Gas Agreement,
the Distribution Agreement, or the Omnibus Agreement.

         "MLP Letter of Credit" shall mean that certain standby letter of credit
issued by PNC Bank, National Association for the account of the General Partner
and for the benefit of the Borrower in an initial stated amount of $7,560,000,
and having an expiration date of June 1, 2003, together with all extensions,
renewals and amendments thereto and thereof.

                                                                               8
<PAGE>

         "Mortgage" shall mean the open-end mortgage and security agreement in
the form of Exhibit "D" hereto, together with all extensions, renewals,
amendments, supplements, substitutions and replacements thereto and thereof.

         "Note" and "Notes" shall have the meanings ascribed to each in
Subsection 2.1(a).

         "Omnibus Agreement" shall mean that certain Omnibus Agreement by and
among the Borrower, Atlas, REI, Viking and Atlas Operating dated as of February
2, 2000, as such agreement may be amended, extended, renewed or replaced from
time to time.

         "Option(s)" means any one or more of the Base Rate Option or the
Euro-Rate Option.

         "Participation Advance" shall mean, with respect to any Bank, such
Bank's payment in respect of its participation in a Letter of Credit Borrowing
according to its Ratable Share pursuant to Section 2.9.

         "PBGC" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.10.

         "Permitted Acquisition" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 6.8.

         "Permitted Liens" shall mean with respect to any asset:

         (a) Liens securing the Indebtedness in favor of the Banks;

         (b) Minor defects in title which do not secure the payment of money and
otherwise have no material adverse effect on the value or operation of pipeline
properties, and so long as, with respect to any of the minor defects in title,
the same are minor defects which are customary and usual in the natural gas
gathering and transmission industry and which are customarily accepted by a
reasonably prudent pipeline operator dealing with its properties;

         (c) All rights to consent by, required notices to, filings with, or
other actions by, Governmental Persons in connection with the sale or conveyance
of oil and gas leases or interests therein if the Borrower (or its Subsidiaries,
if applicable) is entitled to such consent, the same are customarily obtained
subsequent to the sale or conveyance, and the appropriate Person is proceeding
diligently to obtain the consent, notice or filing;

         (d) Liens, claims, security interests or other encumbrances on the
Property described in the Borrower's Prospectus dated January 26, 2000;

         (e) All matters set forth in the documents conveying the Property to
the Restricted Subsidiaries; and

         (f) Any Lien existing on the date of this Agreement and described on
Schedule 6.2 hereto, provided that the principal amount secured thereby is not
hereafter increased.

                                                                               9
<PAGE>

         "Permitted Merger" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
6.7.

         "Person" shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, trust,
joint venture, unincorporated organization, association, limited liability
company, entity or Governmental Person.

         "Pipeline" shall mean the natural gas gathering systems and related
facilities owned and operated as private use gathering systems by the Borrower
and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

         "Plan" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.10.

         "Pledge Agreement" shall mean any Pledge Agreement in the form of
either Exhibit "F", Exhibit "G" or "Exhibit H" hereto, together with all
extensions, renewals, amendments, supplements, substitutions, and replacements
thereof and thereto.

         "Pledge Agreement (General Partner)" shall mean the Pledge Agreement
(General Partner) in the form of Exhibit "H" hereto, together with all
extensions, renewals, amendments, supplements, substitutions, and replacements
thereof and thereto.

         "Portion(s)" means any Base Rate Portion or Euro-Rate Portion, as the
case may be or both taken collectively.

         "Prime Rate" means the interest rate per annum announced from time to
time by the Agent as its prime rate, which rate may not be the lowest rate of
interest then being charged by the Agent.

         "Property" shall mean collectively, the real and personal property
(tangible and intangible) in which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has
granted to or will in the future grant to or for the benefit of the Agent (for
the benefit of the Banks) a security interest and lien to secure the payment of
the Indebtedness.

         "Quarterly Reports" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
5.8.

         "Ratable Share" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Subsection
2.1(a).

         "REI" shall mean Resource Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

         "Reimbursement Obligation" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
Subsection 2.9(b).

                           "Required Banks" shall have the meaning ascribed to
it in Section 12.6.

         "Restricted Subsidiary" shall mean (i) each Subsidiary of the Borrower
designated on Schedule 3.2 as a Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) each other
Subsidiary of the Borrower designated as a Restricted Subsidiary by the Borrower
from time to time.

         "Revolving Credit" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Subsection
2.1(a).

                                                                              10
<PAGE>

         "Revolving Credit Period" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
Subsection 2.1(a).

         "Security Agreement" shall mean any Security Agreement in the form of
Exhibit "E" hereto, together with all extensions, renewals, amendments,
supplements, substitutions and replacements thereof and thereto.

         "Security Documents" shall mean any or all of the Mortgages, the
Security Agreements, the Pledge Agreements, the Financing Statements and all
additional documents and instruments entered into from time to time for the
purpose of securing the Indebtedness and any and all ancillary documents and
instruments related to any of the foregoing.

         "Solvent" shall mean, with respect to any Person on a particular date,
that on such date (i) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater
than the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent
liabilities, of such Person, (ii) the present fair salable value of the assets
of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the
probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and
matured, (iii) such Person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts
and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they
mature in the normal course of business, (iv) such Person does not intend to,
and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such
Person's ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, and (v) such
Person is not engaged in business or transactions, and is not about to engage in
a business or a transaction, for which such Person's property would constitute
unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing
practice in the industry in which such Person is engaged. In computing the
amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such
liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and
circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably
be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

         "Stated Amount" shall mean the amount available to the beneficiaries of
the Letters of Credit for one or more drawings thereunder as such amount is
reduced and reinstated from time to time in accordance with the provisions of
the Letters of Credit.

         "Subsidiary" shall mean either any corporation or limited liability
company more than 25% of the outstanding voting securities of which shall at the
time be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower or one or
more Subsidiaries of the Borrower, or by the Borrower and one or more
Subsidiaries.

         "Tangible Net Worth" shall mean with respect to the Borrower, at a
particular date, (i) the aggregate amount of all assets of the Borrower on a
consolidated basis as may be properly classified as such in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied excluding such assets as are properly classified as
intangible assets under GAAP, less (ii) the aggregate amount of all liabilities
of the Borrower on a consolidated basis.

         "Termination Date" shall mean October 25, 2003, or, if such day is not
a Business Day, the Business Day next preceding such date.

                                                                              11
<PAGE>

         "Total Indebtedness" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
5.15.

         "UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted and in effect
from time to time in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, except when the
provisions of the UCC as adopted in another jurisdiction are applicable due to
the location of any collateral in such other jurisdiction.

         "Unrestricted Subsidiary" shall mean each Subsidiary of the Borrower
which is not a Restricted Subsidiary.

         "Viking" shall mean Viking Resources Corporation, a Pennsylvania
corporation.

         "Wells" shall mean the oil and gas wells owned or operated by Atlas,
REI, Viking or any of their respective subsidiaries which are now or hereafter
connected to the Pipeline and subject to the Master Natural Gas Agreement.

         (b) Construction. (i) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise
clearly requires, references to the plural include the singular, the singular
the plural and the part the whole, "or" has the inclusive meaning represented by
the phrase "and/or," and "including" has the meaning represented by the phrase
"including without limitation." References in this Agreement to "determination"
of or by the Agent or the Banks shall be deemed to include reasonable good faith
estimates by the Agent or the Banks (in the case of quantitative determinations)
and reasonable and good faith beliefs by the Agent or the Banks (in the case of
qualitative determinations). Whenever the Agent or the Banks are granted the
right herein to act in its or their sole discretion or to grant or withhold
consent such right shall be exercised reasonably and in good faith. The words
"hereof," "herein," "hereunder" and similar terms in this Agreement refer to
this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.
The article, section and other headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not control or affect the construction of this
Agreement or the interpretation thereof in any respect. Article, Section,
schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified. Except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in
this Agreement (i) to any Person, other than the Borrower, shall be deemed to
include such Person's successors and assigns, and (ii) to any Governmental Rule,
agreement or contract specifically defined or referred to in Agreement shall be
deemed references to such Governmental Rule, agreement or contract as the same
may be amended, supplemented, modified, extended, waived, consolidated, replaced
or renewed from time to time, but only to the extent permitted by, and effected
in accordance with, the terms thereof.

         (ii) For purposes of this Agreement, all terms used in Article 9 of the
UCC and not specifically defined in this Agreement shall herein have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the UCC as from time to time in effect in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

         (iii) References to "writing" include printing, typing, lithography and
other means of reproducing words in a tangible visible form. References to
"written" include "printed," "typed," "lithographed" and other adjectives
relating to words reproduced in a tangible visible form consistent with the
preceding sentence and also include electronic images and images stored on
computer disks, magnetic tape and like media.

                                                                              12
<PAGE>

         (c) Accounting Principles. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, all computations and determinations as to accounting or financial
matters and all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement
shall be made and prepared in accordance with GAAP (including principles of
consolidation where appropriate), and all accounting or financial terms shall
have the meanings ascribed to such terms by GAAP.

SECTION 2. LOANS.

         2.1 Revolving Credit Loans.

         (a) Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof (including but
not limited to the conditions contained in Section 8.1 hereof), and relying on
the representations and warranties herein contained, the Banks agree to, and
shall be obligated to, lend to the Borrower, from time to time and upon request
of the Borrower as provided in Section 8.1, during the period (the "Revolving
Credit Period") commencing on the date hereof and ending on the Termination
Date, an amount or amounts (the "Revolving Credit") not exceeding in the
aggregate at any one time outstanding Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000), subject
to the limitation set forth in Section 2.3 below.

         Each Bank agrees, for itself only, and subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, to make loans under the Revolving Credit to the
Borrower from time to time not to exceed an aggregate principal amount at any
one time outstanding equal to the amount of its Commitment Percentage of the
Revolving Credit, subject to the limitation set forth in Section 2.3 below. For
the purposes of this Agreement, the term "Commitment Percentage(s)" shall mean,
with respect to each Bank, its percentage commitment of the Revolving Credit
which shall be the percentage initially set forth opposite its name on the
signature page hereto signed by such Bank, and thereafter as shown on the most
recent Assignment and Assumption Agreement. The term "Ratable Share" shall mean
the proportion that a Bank's Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit bears
to the total Revolving Credit.

         The obligation of the Borrower to repay the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of the advances to the Borrower under the Revolving Credit (each such
advance under the Revolving Credit, a "Loan", and collectively the "Loans") by
each Bank, together with interest thereon, shall be evidenced by one or more
Revolving Credit Notes executed in favor of each Bank in the maximum amount of
that Bank's Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit and substantially in
the form of Exhibit "A" attached hereto and made a part hereof with appropriate
insertions (each, a "Note", and collectively, the "Notes"). Notwithstanding the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes as stated on the faces thereof in the
amount of Ten Million ($10,000,000) Dollars, the actual principal amount due
from the Borrower to each Bank on account of such Bank's Note, as of any date of
computation, shall be the sum of all advances then and theretofore made on
account thereof by such Bank less all payments of principal actually received by
such Bank in collected funds during the same period all as shown on such Bank's
Loan Account established pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof.

         Subject to the limitation set forth in Section 2.3 below, during the
Revolving Credit Period, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow funds under
the Revolving Credit, provided, however, that at no time shall the aggregate
unpaid principal balance outstanding under the Notes exceed Ten Million
($10,000,000) Dollars less the sum of (x) the aggregate Stated Amounts of
outstanding Letters of Credit and (y) the aggregate amount of unreimbursed Draws
under the Letters of Credit. The amount of any borrowing and reborrowing under
the Revolving Credit at the Base Rate Option shall be in the minimum aggregate
principal amount of One Hundred Thousand ($100,000) Dollars or an integral
multiple thereof. The amount of any borrowing or reborrowing under the Revolving
Credit of the Euro-Rate Option shall be subject to the limitations set forth in
Subsection 2.5(c) below. The Borrower may from time to time repay the Loans

                                                                              13
<PAGE>

outstanding upon compliance with the terms of this Subsection 2.1(a) and
Subsection 2.5(e) hereof. The Borrower shall not be permitted to repay any
Euro-Rate Portion of the Loans other than at the end of the relevant Euro-Rate
Interest Period, unless such payment is accompanied by the prepayment premium
provided for in Subsection 2.5(e). Except as set forth in the preceding sentence
and so long as each repayment is in a minimum amount of One Hundred Thousand
($100,000) Dollars or the outstanding principal balances of, and unpaid and
accrued interest on, the Notes, whichever is less, the Borrower, upon proper
notice as provided in Subsection 2.5(e), may repay, without premium or penalty,
(i) any Base Rate Portion of the Loans at any time, and (ii) any Euro-Rate
Portion of the Loans at the end of the Euro-Rate Interest Period therefor.

         (b) Interest. The principal balance outstanding under each Note shall
bear interest, on the actual unpaid principal amount thereof from time to time
outstanding, from the date thereof until payment in full, at the rates of
interest set forth in Section 2.5. The Borrower shall pay accrued interest on
the unpaid principal balance of each Note in arrears (i) with respect to each
Base Rate Portion, at the Adjusted Base Rate (A) on the last day (or, if such
day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) of each March,
June, September and December during the Revolving Credit Period commencing
December 31, 2000, (B) at maturity, whether by acceleration or otherwise, of
such Note, and (C) after maturity, on demand until paid in full, and (ii) with
respect to each Euro-Rate Portion, at the Adjusted Euro-Rate (A) on the last day
of each Euro-Rate Interest Period (provided, however, if the Euro-Rate Interest
Period chosen for a Euro-Rate Portion exceeds three (3) months, interest on that
Euro-Rate Portion shall be due and payable every three (3) months during such
Euro-Rate Interest Period and on the last day of such Euro-Rate Interest
Period), (B) at maturity, whether by acceleration or otherwise, of such Note,
and (C) after maturity, on demand until paid in full.

         (c) Repayment. All Indebtedness, including the entire principal balance
outstanding under the Notes, and all unpaid and accrued interest thereon on the
Termination Date, shall be due and payable on such date.

         (d) Voluntary Reductions. To the extent that the Borrower has
availability under the Revolving Credit, as it may be reduced pursuant to
Subsection 2.1(a), the Borrower may, by written notice to the Agent at least ten
(10) Business Days prior to the date on which such reduction is to become
effective, notify the Agent that the Borrower desires to reduce permanently all
or a portion of the Revolving Credit available hereunder [provided, however,
such reduction shall be in the amount of One Million ($1,000,000) Dollars or an
integral multiple thereof] and thereafter the Banks shall have no obligation
whatsoever to advance any funds (or to issue any Letters of Credit) hereunder to
the Borrower for the portion of the Revolving Credit that has been terminated.
The Commitment Fee for any such terminated portion of the Revolving Credit shall
not be payable for any period of time after such termination becomes effective.

                                                                              14
<PAGE>

         2.2 Commitment Fee; Closing Fee.

         (a) Commitment Fee. During and for the Revolving Credit Period, the
Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the ratable account of each Bank a
commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee") computed on the actual number of days
elapsed on the basis of a 360 day year and at the applicable Commitment Fee Rate
per annum on the average daily difference between (i) the lesser of (x) the
maximum amount of the Revolving Credit [as it may be reduced pursuant to
Subsection 2.1(d)] and (y) the then current Incurrence Limitation and (ii) the
sum of (w) the aggregate principal balances outstanding under the Notes plus (x)
the aggregate Stated Amount of Letters of Credit outstanding plus (y) the
aggregate amount of unreimbursed Draws under the Letters of Credit (the
"Aggregate Outstandings"). The Commitment Fee shall be due and payable
quarter-annually beginning on the last day (or, if such day is not a Business
Day, the next succeeding Business Day) of December, 2000 and on the last day
(or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) of
each December, March, June and September thereafter and on the Termination Date.
For the purposes of this section, the term "Commitment Fee Rate" shall mean a
rate per annum equal to the then Applicable Margin for the Commitment Fee as set
forth under the column heading "Commitment Fee."

         (b) Closing Fee. Upon the execution hereof, the Borrower shall pay to
the Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, a fee (the "Closing Fee") of $25,000,
which Closing Fee is to be allocated among the Banks pro rata in accordance with
each Bank's Commitment Percentage.

         2.3 Limitations on Loans. No requested Loan shall be made if the sum of
the Aggregate Outstandings (after giving effect to such requested Loan) would
exceed the lesser of (a) the maximum amount of the Revolving Credit [as it may
be reduced pursuant to Subsection 2.1(d)] or (b) the Incurrence Limitation then
in effect.

         2.4 Mandatory Prepayments. If on any date (including any date on which
a certificate of the Borrower is delivered pursuant to Section 5.8) the sum of
the Aggregate Outstandings exceeds the lesser of (i) the maximum amount of the
Revolving Credit [as it may be reduced pursuant to Subsection 2.1(d)] or (ii)
the then applicable Incurrence Limitation, then, without notice or demand, the
Borrower shall, no later than fifteen (15) days following such date, prepay the
Loans in an amount equal to such excess. The Borrower may, subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement (including without limitation the limitation
set forth in Section 2.3 above), reborrow the amount of any prepayment made
hereunder. Any mandatory prepayment made pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be
applied first to the Base Rate Portion of the Loans then outstanding, and then
to any Euro-Rate Portion of the Loans as the Borrower may direct. Each such
prepayment shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the date of prepayment on
the amount prepaid, plus any prepayment premium provided for in Subsection
2.5(e).

         2.5 Interest Rate Options, Interest Payments and Certain Related
Payments Pertaining to the Loans.

         (a) Interest. Each of the Notes shall bear interest, on the actual
unpaid principal amount thereof from time to time outstanding, from the date
thereof until payment in full, at the rates of interest set forth in this
Section 2.5. The Borrower may call the Agent to receive an indication of the
rates then in effect, but it is acknowledged that any such projection shall not
be binding on the Banks nor affect the rate of interest which thereafter is
actually in effect when the election is made. The Borrower shall pay accrued
interest on the unpaid principal balance of each Note in arrears as set forth in
Subsection 2.1(b). If at any time the designated rate applicable to the Loans
made by any Bank exceeds such Bank's highest lawful rate, the rate of interest
on the such Loans shall be limited to such Bank's highest lawful rate.

                                                                              15
<PAGE>

         (b) Interest Rate Options. The unpaid principal amount of the Loans
then outstanding shall bear interest, for each day until due, at one or more
rates selected, at any time or from time to time, by the Borrower from among the
Options set forth below subject to the provisions of Subsections 2.5(c) and
2.5(d) below; it being understood that, subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, the Borrower may select different Options, subject to the provisions
of Subsections 2.5(c) and 2.5(d) below, to apply simultaneously to different
Portions of the Loans, and may select different Euro-Rate Interest Periods to
apply simultaneously to different Portions of the Euro-Rate Portions of the
Loans.

             (i) Base Rate Option: A fluctuating rate per annum (computed upon
      the basis of a year of 365/366 days, and the actual number of days
      elapsed) equal to the sum of (I) the Base Rate, plus (II) the Applicable
      Margin (the "Adjusted Base Rate"), with respect to the Loans outstanding.
      The foregoing rate shall be adjusted automatically from time to time upon
      each change in the Base Rate and each change in the Applicable Margin.

             (ii) Euro-Rate Option: A rate per annum (computed upon the basis of
      a year of 360 days and the actual number of days elapsed) equal to the sum
      of (I) the Euro-Rate, plus (II) the Applicable Margin (the "Adjusted
      Euro-Rate"), with respect to the Loans outstanding. The foregoing rate
      shall be adjusted automatically, with respect to any Portion, from time to
      time upon each change in the Applicable Margin.

                  (c) Euro-Rate Interest Periods; Limitations on Elections. At
any time when the Borrower shall select, convert to or renew the Euro-Rate
Option to apply to all or any Portion of the outstanding Loans, it shall fix one
or more periods during which such Option shall apply, such periods to be one
(1), two (2), three (3), or six (6) months, in each case commencing on the
borrowing, conversion or renewal date. All of the foregoing, however, is subject
to the following:

             (i) any Euro-Rate Interest Period which would otherwise end on a
      day which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next Business Day
      unless such Business Day falls in the succeeding calendar month in which
      case such Euro-Rate Interest Period shall end on the next preceding
      Business Day;

             (ii) any Euro-Rate Interest Period which begins on the last day of
      a calendar month or on a day for which there is no numerically
      corresponding day in the subsequent calendar month during which such
      Euro-Rate Interest Period is to end shall end on the last Business Day of
      such subsequent month; and

             (iii) in the case of the renewal of a Euro-Rate Portion at the end
      of a Euro-Rate Interest Period, the first day of the new Euro-Rate
      Interest Period shall be the last day of the preceding Euro-Rate Interest
      Period, without duplication in payment of interest for such day.

         Elections by the Borrower of the Euro-Rate Option shall be subject to
the following further limitations:

                                                                              16
<PAGE>

             (i) The Euro-Rate Portion for each Euro-Rate Interest Period shall
      be in an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or more; provided,
      however, that each incremental unit in excess of $500,000 shall be
      $250,000 or an integral multiple thereof;

             (ii) No Euro-Rate Interest Period may be elected with regard to
      amounts outstanding under the Note which Euro-Rate Interest Period would
      end after the Termination Date;

             (iii) Upon the occurrence of any automatic default set forth in
      Section 9 hereof, or upon the declaration of any optional default pursuant
      to Section 9 hereof, the ability of the Borrower to elect the Euro-Rate
      Option shall cease; and

             (iv) At no time may there be more than six (6) Euro-Rate Interest
      Periods in effect.

         (d) Election, Conversion or Renewal of Euro-Rate and Base Rate Interest
Rate Options. Elections of or conversions to the Base Rate Option shall continue
in effect until converted as hereinafter provided. Elections of, conversions to
or renewals of the Euro-Rate Option shall expire as to each Euro-Rate Portion at
the expiration of the applicable Euro-Rate Interest Period.

         At any time with respect to the Base Rate Portion or at the expiration
of the applicable Euro-Rate Interest Period with respect to any Euro-Rate
Portion, the Borrower, subject to Subsection 2.5(c), may cause all or any part
of the principal amount of such Portion to be converted to and/or (in the case
of a Euro-Rate Portion) to be renewed under the Euro-Rate Option by notice to
the Agent as hereinafter provided. Such notice (i) shall be oral or in writing
and if oral immediately confirmed in writing to the Agent, (ii) shall be
irrevocable, (iii) shall be given not later than 11:00 A.M., Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania time not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed
effective date for conversion to or renewal of, either in whole or in part, the
Euro-Rate Option and (iv) shall set forth:

         (A) the effective date, which shall be a Business Day;

         (B) the new Euro-Rate Interest Period(s) selected; and

         (C) with respect to each such Euro-Rate Interest Period, the aggregate
     principal amount of the corresponding Euro-Rate Portion.

         At the expiration of each Euro-Rate Interest Period, any part
(including the whole) of the principal amount of the corresponding Euro-Rate
Portion, as to which no notice of conversion or renewal has been received as
provided above, shall automatically be converted to the Base Rate Option. The
Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Banks of any such automatic
conversion.

         (e) Repayments and Prepayments. The Borrower, upon (i) one (1) Business
Day's oral or written notice to the Agent, in the case of Loans bearing interest
at the Adjusted Base Rate or (ii) three (3) Business Days' oral or written
notice to the Agent, in the case of Loans bearing interest at the Adjusted
Euro-Rate, followed immediately thereafter by the Borrower's written
confirmation to the Agent of any oral notice, may repay, or prepay, as the case
may be, the outstanding amount of the Loans in whole or in part with accrued
interest, fees and other amounts then due and payable on the amount repaid or
prepaid, as the case may be, to the date of such repayment or prepayment, as the
case may be, all as set forth below.

                                                                              17
<PAGE>

         The Borrower may repay, or prepay, as the case may be, a Portion of the
Loans bearing interest at the Adjusted Base Rate without premium or penalty. If
the Borrower shall repay, or prepay, as the case may be, a Portion of the Loans
bearing interest at the Adjusted Euro-Rate prior to the end of the Euro-Rate
Interest Period relating to such Euro-Rate, the Borrower shall pay (in addition
to principal and interest) such additional amounts as may be necessary to
compensate each Bank for any loss and any direct or indirect costs, including
the cost of reemployment of funds so prepaid at rates lower than the cost to
such Bank of such funds. Such losses and costs shall be specified in writing
(setting forth the manner of calculation) to the Borrower by such Bank and,
absent manifest error in computation, shall be binding and conclusive on the
Borrower.

         (f) Yield Protection. If any Governmental Rule or the interpretation or
application thereof by any court or by any Governmental Person charged with the
administration thereof:

             (i) subjects any Bank to any tax, levy, impost, charge, fee,
      deduction or withholding of any kind hereunder (other than a tax imposed
      or based upon the income of such Bank) or changes the basis of taxation of
      any Bank with respect to the payments by the Borrower of principal or
      interest due hereunder (other than any change which affects, and to the
      extent that it affects, the taxation of the total net income of such
      Bank); or

             (ii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any reserve, special
      deposit or similar requirements against assets held by any Bank; or

             (iii) imposes upon any Bank any other condition with respect to
      this Agreement,

such Bank shall notify the Agent in writing as soon as practicable after such
Bank becomes aware thereof; and if the result of any of the foregoing is to
increase the cost to such Bank, reduce the income receivable by such Bank or
impose any expense upon such Bank, with regard to all or any portion of the
Loans bearing interest at the Adjusted Euro-Rate, by an amount determined by
such Bank in good faith and which such Bank in good faith deems material, such
Bank shall notify, from time to time, the Agent and the Borrower of the amount
determined by such Bank (which determination, absent manifest error in
computation, shall be conclusive) to be necessary to compensate it (on an
after-tax basis) for such increase in cost, reduction in income or additional
expense, setting forth the calculations and the reasons therefor. The Borrower
shall pay such amount to such Bank, as additional consideration hereunder,
within ten (10) days of the Borrower's receipt of such notice.

                                                                              18
<PAGE>

         (g) Euro-Rate Unascertainable.

             (i) If on any date on which a Euro-Rate would otherwise be
      determined, the Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be
      final and conclusive) that:

                  (a) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for
         ascertaining such Euro-Rate, or

                  (b) a contingency has occurred which materially and adversely
         affects the London interbank market relating to the Euro-Rate, or

             (ii) if at any time any Bank shall have determined (which
      determination shall be final and conclusive) that:

                  (a) the making, maintenance or funding of the Portion of the
         Loans to which a Euro-Rate Option applies has been made impracticable
         or unlawful by compliance by such Bank in good faith with any
         Governmental Rule or any interpretation or application thereof by any
         Governmental Person or with any request or directive of any such
         Governmental Person (whether or not having the force of law), or

                  (b) such Euro-Rate Option will not adequately and fairly
         reflect the cost to such Bank of the establishment or maintenance of
         the Portions of the Loans to which a Euro-Rate Option applies or

                  (c) after making all reasonable efforts that deposits of the
         relevant amount in Dollars for the relevant Euro-Rate Interest Period
         for the Loans to which a Euro-Rate Option applies, respectively, are
         not available to such Bank at the effective cost of funding a proposed
         Euro-Rate Interest Period, in the London interbank market,

then, in the case of any event specified in part (a) above, the Agent shall
promptly so notify the Borrower and the other Banks thereof; and in the case of
any event specified in part (b) above, the affected Bank shall promptly so
notify the Agent thereof, and the Agent shall send a copy of such notice to the
Borrower and the other Banks. Upon such date as shall be specified in such
notice (which shall not be earlier than the date such notice is given) the
obligation of the Banks to allow the Borrower to select, convert to or renew a
Euro-Rate Option shall be suspended until the Agent or such Bank (as the case
may be) shall have later notified the Borrower of the Bank's determination
(which determination shall be final and conclusive) that the circumstances
giving rise to such previous determination no longer exist. If at any time the
Agent or any Bank makes a determination under parts (a) or (b) of this
Subsection 2.5(g) and the Borrower has previously notified the Agent of the
Borrower's selection of, conversion to or renewal of a Euro-Rate Option and such
Option has not yet gone into effect, such notification shall be deemed to
provide for selection of, conversion to or renewal of the Base Rate Option
otherwise available with respect to the Portion of the Loans. On the date of the
occurrence of any event described in item (i) of part (b), the Loans bearing
interest at the Adjusted Euro-Rate then outstanding shall be automatically
converted to the Base Rate Option and the Borrower shall pay to the Banks the
accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans to (but not including) the date of such
conversion.

                                                                              19
<PAGE>

              The Borrower shall pay each Bank any additional amounts determined
by such Bank in good faith to be reasonably necessary to compensate such Bank
for any costs incurred by such Bank as a result of any conversion pursuant to
item (i) of part (b) above on a day other than the last day of the relevant
Euro-Rate Interest Period, including, but not limited to, any interest or fees
payable by such Bank to lenders of funds obtained by it to loan or maintain the
lending of the Loans so converted. The affected Bank shall furnish to the
Borrower a certificate as to the amount necessary to compensate such Bank for
such costs (which certificate shall set forth the calculation in reasonable
detail, and, absent manifest error in computation, shall be conclusive), and the
Borrower shall pay such amount to such Bank, as additional consideration
hereunder, within ten (10) days of the Borrower's receipt of such certificate.

         (h) Indemnity. The Borrower shall indemnify the Agent and each Bank
against all liabilities, losses or expenses (including loss of margin, any loss
or expense incurred in liquidating or employing deposits from third parties and
any loss or expense incurred in connection with funds acquired by a Bank to fund
or maintain Loans subject to the Euro-Rate Option) which any Bank sustains or
incurs as a consequence of any

              (a) payment, prepayment, conversion or renewal of the Loans to
                  which the Euro-Rate Option applies on a day other than the
                  last day of the corresponding Euro-Rate Interest Period
                  (whether or not such payment or prepayment is mandatory,
                  voluntary or automatic and whether or not such payment or
                  prepayment is then due),

              (b) attempt by the Borrower to revoke (expressly, by later
                  inconsistent notices or otherwise) in whole or part any notice
                  relating to the making, maintenance, renewal or conversion of
                  the Loans or any voluntary prepayments of the Loans, or

              (c) default by the Borrower in the payment of any principal of, or
                  interest on, the Loans when due (whether by acceleration or
                  otherwise).

              If any Bank sustains or incurs any such loss or expense it shall
from time to time notify the Borrower and the Agent of the amount determined in
good faith by such Bank (which determination shall be final and conclusive and
may include such assumptions, allocations of costs and expenses and averaging or
attribution methods as such Bank shall deem reasonable) to be necessary to
indemnify such Bank for such loss or expense. Such notice shall set forth in
reasonable detail the basis for such determination. Such amount shall be due and
payable by the Borrower to such Bank ten (10) Business Days after such notice is
given. In no event shall the indemnity payment provided for in this Subsection
2.5(h) require any payment to any Bank for a specific liability, loss or expense
incurred by such Bank by the Borrower which duplicates the reimbursement of such
Bank for any loss suffered by such Bank upon a voluntary prepayment of the Loans
for which the Borrower has paid the prepayment premium required by Subsection
2.5(e) hereof.

         (i) Interest After Default; Maturity. Upon the occurrence of and during
the continuance of a default under Section 9 hereof, and after the principal
amount of all or any part of the Loans shall have become due and payable,
whether by acceleration or otherwise, the Loans shall bear interest at a rate
per annum which shall be two hundred (200) basis points (2%) per annum above the
rate otherwise in effect under the Base Rate Option, such interest rate to
change automatically from time to time, effective as of the effective date of
each change in the Base Rate.

                                                                              20
<PAGE>

         2.6 Capital Adequacy Requirements. If any law or guideline or
interpretation or application thereof by any official body charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof or compliance with any request or
directive of any official body (whether or not having the force of law), now
existing or hereafter adopted or imposed, modifies or deems applicable any
capital adequacy, reserve requirements, special deposit or similar requirements
against assets (funded or contingent) of, or credits extended by or commitments
to extend credit by, any Bank and the result thereof is to have the effect of
reducing the rate of return on such Bank's capital as a consequence of its
obligations hereunder to make and continue the Loans or to issue or participate
in any Letter of Credit to a level below that which such Bank could have
achieved but for such adoption, imposition or modification, taking into
consideration such Bank's policies with respect to capital adequacy or reserve
requirements or special deposit or similar requirements, by an amount which such
Bank deems to be material, such Bank shall notify the Borrower of such events.
After such Bank notifies the Borrower of such events, such Bank shall promptly
deliver to the Borrower a statement of the amount necessary to compensate such
Bank for the reduction in the rate of return on its capital attributable to such
Bank's obligations hereunder to make and continue the Loans or to issue or
participate in any Letter of Credit. Such Bank shall determine the capital
compensation amount in good faith, using reasonable attribution and averaging
methods. Such Bank shall from time to time notify the Borrower of the amount so
determined and such amount shall be due and payable by the Borrower to such Bank
thirty (30) days after such notice is given; provided, however, that if the
Borrower pay the Loans in full (including principal and interest), cancel any
outstanding Letters of Credit, and terminate the Revolving Credit and the
commitment hereunder to issue Letters of Credit, within such thirty (30) day
period, the Borrower shall not be liable to such Bank to pay such amount
determined pursuant to this Section 2.6. All amounts determined in accordance
with this Section 2.6 shall be effective from the date on which such Bank first
gave notice to the Borrower of a reduction in such Bank's rate of return.

         2.7 Time, Place and Manner of Payments. All payments and prepayments to
be made by the Borrower hereunder or under any Note in respect of any principal,
interest, or fee shall be made to the Agent for the ratable accounts of the
Banks at the principal office of Agent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Such
payments shall be made in immediately available funds no later than 12:00 noon
(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania time) on the date such payment is due.

         2.8 Loan Account. Each Bank shall open and maintain on its books a loan
account (each, a "Loan Account") in the name of the Borrower, with respect to
advances made, payments and prepayments of principal, and the computations and
payments of interest and all other amounts due and sums paid to such Bank
hereunder or under its Note. Such Loan Account, absent manifest error, shall be
conclusive and binding on the Borrower as to the amount at any time due to such
Bank from the Borrower.

         2.9 Letter of Credit Subfacility.

         (a) Terms of Letter of Credit. The Issuing Bank shall issue, subject to
the terms and conditions hereof (including but not limited to the conditions
contained in Section 8.1 hereof) and at the request of the Borrower, Letters of
Credit for the account of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Borrower, all as more fully set forth in this Section 2.9.

                                                                              21
<PAGE>

              (i) No Letter of Credit shall be issued hereunder which has an
expiry date later than the earlier of (i) one (1) year after the date of
issuance thereof, or (ii) five (5) Business Days prior to the Termination Date;
provided, however, that any Letter of Credit with a one (1) year maturity may
provide for the renewal thereof for an additional one (1) year period, which
shall in no event extend beyond five (5) Business Days prior to the Termination
Date.

              (ii) Each Letter of Credit, whether now outstanding or hereafter
issued by the Issuing Bank upon written request received by the Issuing Bank not
less than five (5) Business Days prior to the proposed date of issuance pursuant
to this Section 2.9, has been or shall be issued in accordance with the Issuing
Bank's then current practices relating to the issuance by the Issuing Bank of
Letters of Credit, including but not limited to the execution and delivery by
the Borrower of an application for and/or confirmation of standby letter of
credit and the payment by the Borrower of the customary processing fees. Each
issuance or renewal of a Letter of Credit hereunder shall be conditioned on (and
be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower as to) the
following: that, at the time of such issuance or renewal, the representations
and warranties contained in this Agreement are true and correct and no default
set forth in Section 9 hereof shall have occurred and be continuing and no event
which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would become such a
default, shall have occurred or shall have failed to occur and be continuing.

              (iii) In no event shall the aggregate undrawn face amount of the
Letters of Credit plus any unreimbursed Draws exceed, at any one time, Three
Million ($3,000,000) Dollars. The Stated Amount of each Letter of Credit, while
the same is issued and outstanding, and any unreimbursed Draws under the Letters
of Credit, shall reduce the maximum amount otherwise available for Loans under
the Revolving Credit as set forth in Subsection 2.1(a) hereof. No Letters of
Credit may be issued hereunder to the extent that such issuance would cause the
Aggregate Outstandings to exceed the lesser of (a) the maximum amount of the
Revolving Credit then in effect or (b) the then current Incurrence Limitation.

         (b) Disbursements, Reimbursement.

              (i) Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each
Bank shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to,
purchase from the Issuing Bank a participation in such Letter of Credit and each
Draw thereunder in an amount equal to such Bank's Ratable Share of the maximum
amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit and the amount of such
Draw, respectively.

              (ii) In the event of any request for a Draw under a Letter of
Credit by the beneficiary or transferee thereof, the Issuing Bank will promptly
notify the Borrower and the Agent and the Borrower shall reimburse (such
obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall sometimes be referred to as a
"Reimbursement Obligation") the Issuing Bank prior to 12:00 noon, Pittsburgh
time on each date that an amount is paid by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of
Credit (each such date, a "Drawing Date") in an amount equal to the amount so
paid by the Issuing Bank. In the event the Borrower fails to reimburse the
Issuing Bank for the full amount of any drawing under any Letter of Credit by
12:00 noon, Pittsburgh time, on the Drawing Date, the Issuing Bank will promptly
notify the Agent and each Bank thereof, and the Borrower shall be deemed to have
requested that Loans be made by the Banks under the Base Rate Option to be
disbursed on the Drawing Date under such Letter of Credit, subject to the
conditions set forth in Section 8 below, other than any notice requirements. Any
notice given by the Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph may be oral if
immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate
confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such
notice.

                                                                              22
<PAGE>

              (iii) Each Bank shall upon any notice pursuant to paragraph (ii)
above make available to the Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank an amount
in immediately available funds equal to its Ratable Share of the amount of the
drawing, whereupon the participating Banks shall (subject to paragraph (iv)
below) each be deemed to have made a Loan under the Base Rate Option to the
Borrower in that amount. If any Bank so notified fails to make available to the
Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank the amount of such Bank's Ratable
Share of such amount by no later than 2:00 p.m., Pittsburgh time on the Drawing
Date, then interest shall accrue on such Bank's obligation to make such payment,
from the Drawing Date to the date on which such Bank makes such payment, (i) at
a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate in effect during the first
three days following the Drawing Date and (iii) at a rate per annum equal to the
rate applicable to Loans under the Base Rate Option on and after the fourth day
following the Drawing Date. The Issuing Bank will promptly give notice of the
occurrence of the Drawing Date, but failure of the Issuing Bank to give any such
notice on the Drawing Date or in sufficient time to enable any Bank to effect
such payment on such date shall not relieve such Bank from its obligation under
this paragraph.

              (iv) With respect to any unreimbursed Draw that is not converted
into a Loan under the Base Rate Option to the Borrower in whole or in part as
contemplated by paragraph (ii) above, the Borrower shall be deemed to have
incurred from the Issuing Bank a Letter of Credit Borrowing in the amount of
such Draw. Such Letter of Credit Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand
(together with interest) and shall bear interest at the rate per annum
applicable to the Loans under the Base Rate Option. Each Bank's payment to the
Issuing Bank pursuant to paragraph (iii) above, shall be deemed to be a payment
in respect of its participation in such Letter of Credit Borrowing and shall
constitute a Participation Advance from such Bank in satisfaction of its
participation obligation under this Section 2.9.

         (c) Repayment of Participation Advances.

              (i) Upon (and only upon) receipt by the Issuing Bank for its
account of immediately available funds from the Borrower (x) in reimbursement of
any payment made by the Issuing Bank under the Letter of Credit with respect to
which any Bank has made a Participation Advance to the Issuing Bank, or (y) in
payment of interest on such a payment made by the Issuing Bank under such a
Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank will pay to each Bank, in the same funds as
those received by the Issuing Bank, the amount of such Bank's Ratable Share of
such funds, except the Issuing Bank shall retain the amount of the Ratable Share
of such funds of any Bank that did not make a Participation Advance in respect
of such payment by Issuing Bank.

              (ii) If the Issuing Bank is required at any time to return to the
Borrower, or to a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian, or any official in
any insolvency or similar proceeding, any portion of the payments made by the
Borrower to the Issuing Bank pursuant to paragraph (i) immediately above in
reimbursement of a payment made under the Letter of Credit or interest or fee
thereon, each Bank shall, on demand of the Issuing Bank, forthwith return to the
Issuing Bank the amount of its Ratable Share of any amounts so returned by the
Issuing Bank plus interest thereon from the date such demand is made to the date
such amounts are returned by such Bank to the Issuing Bank, at a rate per annum
equal to the Federal Funds Rate in effect from time to time.

                                                                              23
<PAGE>

         (d) Documentation.

              The Borrower agrees to be bound by the terms of the Issuing Bank's
application and agreement for letters of credit and the Issuing Bank's written
regulations and customary practices relating to letters of credit, though such
interpretation may be different from the Borrower's own. In the event of a
conflict between such application or agreement and this Agreement, this
Agreement shall govern. It is understood and agreed that, except in the case of
gross negligence or willful misconduct, the Issuing Bank shall not be liable for
any error, negligence and/or mistakes, whether of omission or commission, in
following the Borrower's instructions or those contained in the Letters of
Credit or any modifications, amendments or supplements thereto.

         (e) Determinations to Honor Drawing Requests.

              In determining whether to honor any request for drawing under any
Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof, the Issuing Bank shall be
responsible only to determine that the documents and certificates required to be
delivered under such Letter of Credit have been delivered and that they comply
on their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit.

         (f) Nature of Participation and Reimbursement Obligations.

              Each Bank's obligation in accordance with this Agreement to make
the Loans or Participation Advances, as contemplated by Subsection 2.9(b), as a
result of a drawing under a Letter of Credit, and the obligations of the
Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Bank upon a draw under a Letter of Credit,
shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed
strictly in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.9 under all
circumstances, including the following circumstances:

              (i) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right
which such Bank may have against the Issuing Bank, the Borrower or any other
Person for any reason whatsoever;

              (ii) the failure of the Borrower or any other Person to comply, in
connection with a Letter of Credit Borrowing, with the conditions set forth in
Section 8.1 or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement for the making of a
Loan, it being acknowledged that such conditions are not required for the making
of a Letter of Credit Borrowing and the obligation of the Banks to make
Participation Advances under Subsection 2.9(b);

              (iii) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of
Credit;

              (iv) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right
which the Borrower or any Bank may have at any time against a beneficiary or any
transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such transferee
may be acting), the Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Bank or any other Person or,
whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated herein
or any unrelated transaction (including any underlying transaction between the
Borrower or any Subsidiary and the beneficiary for which any Letter of Credit
was procured);

                                                                              24
<PAGE>

              (v) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented
under any 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 even if the Issuing Bank has been notified thereof;

              (vi) payment by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit
against presentation of a demand, draft or certificate or other document which
does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, provided that such
payment shall not have constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct of the
Issuing Bank;

              (vii) any adverse change in the business, operations, properties,
assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary;

              (viii) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by
any party thereto;

              (ix) the occurrence or continuance of an insolvency or similar
proceeding with respect to the Borrower;

              (x) the fact that a default or event of default under Section 9
hereof shall have occurred and be continuing;

              (xi) the fact that the Termination Date shall have passed or this
Agreement or the commitments hereunder shall have been terminated; and

              (xii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or
not similar to any of the foregoing, not resulting from gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Issuing Bank.

         (g) Liability for Acts and Omissions.

              As between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank, the Borrower assumes
all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the Letters of Credit by,
the respective beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit. In furtherance and not
in limitation of the foregoing, the Issuing Bank shall not be responsible for:
(i) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of
any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for an
issuance of any such Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in
any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged
(even if the Issuing Bank shall have been notified thereof); (ii) the validity
or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to
transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits
thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be
invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) the failure of the beneficiary of
any such Letter of Credit, or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may
be transferred, to comply fully with any conditions required in order to draw
upon such Letter of Credit or any other claim of the Borrower against any
beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, or any such transferee, or any dispute

                                                                              25
<PAGE>

between or among the Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any
such transferee; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission
or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise,
whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in interpretation of technical
terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document
required in order to make a drawing under any such Letter of Credit or of the
proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the beneficiary of any such Letter
of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit; or (viii)
any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank,
including any action of any Governmental Person, and none of the above shall
affect or impair, or prevent the vesting of, any of the Issuing Bank's rights or
powers hereunder. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall relieve the Issuing
Bank from liability for the Issuing Bank's gross negligence or willful
misconduct in connection with actions or omissions described in such clauses (i)
through (viii) of such sentence.

              In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific
provisions set forth above, any action taken or omitted by the Issuing Bank
under or in connection with the Letters of Credit issued by it or any documents
and certificates delivered thereunder, if taken or omitted in good faith, shall
not put the Issuing Bank under any resulting liability to the Borrower or any
Bank.

         (h) Reimbursement for Charges and Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay or
cause to be paid to the Issuing Bank on demand, all normal and customary
transaction charges that the Issuing Bank may charge (i) for drawings under the
Letters of Credit, (ii) for transfers of each respective Letter of Credit in
accordance with its terms and (iii) for amendments of the Letters of Credit,
payable without any requirement of notice or demand by the Issuing Bank on the
day of such drawing, transfer or amendment.

         (i) Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the
ratable account of the Banks quarterly in arrears, on the last day of each
September, December, March and June, a commission (the "Letter of Credit Fee")
equal to the Applicable Margin for Loan bearing interest at the Euro-Rate Option
on the average daily aggregate Stated Amount of Letters of Credit outstanding
during the three month period ending on such date; provided, however, that upon
the occurrence of and during the continuance of an event of default under
Section 9 hereof, the foregoing fee shall automatically be increased by two
hundred (200) basis points (2%) per annum above the rate otherwise in effect.

SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

         To induce the Banks to enter into this Agreement and to make and
continue the loans and to issue and renew the Letters of Credit, each as herein
provided for, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Banks that:

         3.1 Existence and Authority. Each Loan Party is a corporation, limited
partnership or limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the state of its formation, and is duly
qualified to do business, and is in good standing as a foreign corporation,
limited partnership or limited liability company in all jurisdictions wherein
its ownership of property or the nature of its business requires such
qualification and in which the failure to be so qualified would materially
adversely affect its business or financial condition and has the right, power
and authority to own, and hold under lease, its properties and to carry on its
business as now being conducted.

                                                                              26
<PAGE>

         3.2 Capitalization and Subsidiaries. (a) The issued and outstanding
securities of the Borrower consist of One Million Five Hundred Thousand
(1,500,000) common units of limited partnership interest and One Million Six
Hundred Forty-One Thousand Twenty-Six (1,641,026) subordinated units of limited
partnership interest all of which have been validly issued and are fully paid
and nonassessable.

         (b) All issued and outstanding membership units of the General Partner
have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by
and issued to the persons shown on Schedule 3.2 attached hereto and made a part
hereof.

         (c) Except for the Subsidiaries and other investments in other Persons
set forth on Schedule 3.2, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the
Borrower owns directly or indirectly any capital stock of any other Person. The
Borrower, and each Subsidiary of the Borrower, has good and marketable title to
all the securities of the Subsidiaries issued to it, free and clear of all liens
and encumbrances, and all such securities have been duly and validly issued and
are fully paid and nonassessable. The authorized securities of the Subsidiaries
and the ownership thereof are as shown on Schedule 3.2 attached hereto and made
a part hereof.

         3.3 Rights, Titles and Interests. The Borrower and the Subsidiaries
have, and will have, good and marketable rights, titles and interests in and to
all of their properties including all the Property free and clear of all Liens,
except for Permitted Liens and any other Liens permitted under Section 6.2
below. The Borrower warrants that, at its expense it will, and will cause the
Subsidiaries to, defend generally their properties including the Property, and
the rights, titles and interests of the Banks therein and thereto, against the
claims and demands of all persons, corporations and any other entities
whatsoever. No defaults have occurred under any of the documents or instruments
pursuant to which, or establishing that, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries
acquired interests in their properties including the Property which have not
been cured or waived and such documents and instruments are in full force and
effect and they have not been modified or amended. The Atlas Pipeline Database
dated February 2000 and prepared by Andrews & Kurth, L.L.P. and delivered to the
Agent, together with the list delivered to the Agent of additional Pipeline
assets acquired by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries since February 2,
2000, describe substantially all of the Pipeline assets presently owned by the
Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

         3.4 Financial Statements. The financial statements described below in
this Section 3.4, together with the notes and reports thereto (copies of which
have been furnished to the Agent), are complete and correct, have been prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, practices and
procedures consistently applied and present fairly the financial positions of
the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as at the dates set forth below and the
results of their operations for the periods set forth below, subject only to
ordinary and usual year end audit adjustments:

              The balance sheets as of March 31, 2000 and June 30, 2000 and the
         related statements of income, changes in stockholder's equity and
         changes in financial position for the two (2) month and five (5) month
         periods, respectively, ended on such dates, prepared by the chief
         financial officer of the Borrower.

              Except as reflected or referred to in the above described
financial statements, neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries has any
contingent or disputed liabilities or unrealized or anticipated losses or
commitments which in the aggregate are material. Since the last date shown above
for the balance sheets of the Borrower, there has been no change in the
condition, business or prospects, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries as shown on the balance sheet as of such date and no change in the
aggregate value of the property owned by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
including the Property, except changes in the ordinary course of business.

                                                                              27
<PAGE>

         3.5 Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.5 attached hereto,
there is no material litigation or proceeding of any kind whatsoever pending,
nor to the knowledge of Borrower threatened, nor any judgment, order, writ,
injunction, decree or award outstanding, nor any material contingent
obligations, which could adversely affect the Borrower or the Subsidiaries or
the operation of any of their businesses, or their properties including the
Property, nor does the Borrower know or have reasonable grounds to know of any
basis for any such action or any governmental investigation or any claim
relating to the Borrower or the Subsidiaries or the operation of any of their
businesses, or their properties including the Property. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.5 attached hereto, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have each
complied with all material provisions of all agreements to which they are
parties or by which they are bound and are not in default under any of them or
in the payment of any of their obligations.

         3.6 Validity; Binding Effect; Enforceability; No Conflicts. The
execution and delivery of the Loan Documents to be executed and/or delivered by
any Loan Party, the borrowings under the Loan Documents, the performance by each
Loan Party of its obligations under the Loan Documents and the assignment of,
and the grant of the liens on and security interests in, the Loan Parties'
various rights, titles and interests, to the Agent (for the benefit of the
Banks) by the Loan Documents, do not, and will not, contravene any provision of
law, or of the articles or certificate of incorporation, partnership agreement,
operating agreement, by-laws or other organizational, formation or governing
document of any Loan Party, or of any agreement, instrument or other document or
of any judicial, arbitration or local, state or federal governmental requirement
or restriction to which any Loan Party is a party or by which it is bound, or
result in the creation or imposition of any lien or other encumbrance on any of
the property of any Loan Party including the Property except the liens and
security interests granted by the Loan Documents; and any and all consents or
approvals of any kind whatsoever, including approvals and consents of any local,
state or federal governmental unit, commission, authority, agency or other body,
required to be obtained in connection therewith have been obtained and are in
full force and effect. This Agreement constitutes, and the other Loan Documents
when duly executed will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of any
Loan Party enforceable in accordance with their respective terms. Each Loan
Party is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents to which it is a party; all action necessary and proper to
authorize the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents has occurred; and
each Loan Party is, and will continue to be, duly authorized, and has, and shall
continue to have, the right, power and authority, to execute and deliver the
Loan Documents and to make the assignment and grant the liens and security
interests pursuant to the Loan Documents as well as to borrow under the Loan
Documents to which it is a party and to perform all of the other terms and
conditions of the Loan Documents.

         3.7 Permits. The Borrower has obtained, or caused to be obtained, all
permissions, licenses, easements, rights-of-way, leasehold and fee interests and
all local, state and federal governmental approvals, authorizations, consents
and permits as well as all other rights, titles and interests necessary to the
ownership, development and operation of the properties of the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries (including the Property) and the conduct of their businesses
(except such of those which, if not obtained, would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Borrower or the Restricted
Subsidiaries), all of which are in full force and effect.

                                                                              28
<PAGE>

         3.8 Operation of the Pipeline. The statements relating to the
transportation of gas through the Pipeline for the period from January 28, 2000
through June 30, 2000 heretofore furnished by the Borrower to the Agent are
accurate; since June 30, 2000 there has been no damage, destruction or loss to
the Pipeline; the Pipeline is currently in operation and the monthly
transportation of gas through the Pipeline has not materially diminished.

         3.9 Public Utility Holding Company. Neither the Borrower, nor any
Subsidiary of the Borrower, is a holding company or a subsidiary of a holding
company or a public utility company as such terms are defined in the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.

         3.10 ERISA. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has received notice
that the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") has made a determination
that, with respect to any Plan (as hereinafter defined) of the Borrower, or any
Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Borrower, an event or condition has
occurred which constitutes grounds under the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA") for the termination of, or for the appointment
of a trustee to administer, any such Plan. As used herein, "Plan" shall be
defined as any employee benefit plan or other plan maintained for employees of
the Borrower, or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, covered by ERISA.

         3.11 Regulation U, T and X. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is
engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U, T or X of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), and no part of the proceeds of any
advance under the Loan Documents will be used to purchase or carry any margin
stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
any margin stock.

         3.12 Compliance with Law. Each Loan Party has complied with, and is in
compliance with, all applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and
regulations relating to all of its activities including, but not limited to, the
operation of the Pipeline and the offer and sale of securities.

         3.13 Taxes. All tax returns and reports of the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries required by law to be filed have been duly filed, and all taxes,
assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries or upon any of the property of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries
including the Property and upon any of the other assets, income or franchises of
the Borrower and the Subsidiaries which are due and payable have been paid,
except taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges being contested
in good faith as set forth in Section 5.10 hereof unless required to be paid as
set forth in such Section and subject to the reserve requirements set forth in
Section 5.10 hereof.

         3.14 Relationship of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries. The Borrower
and the Subsidiaries are engaged in related businesses operated as part of one
consolidated business entity, and the Borrower and each Subsidiary is directly
and indirectly dependent upon each other for and in connection with their
business activities and their financial resources; and the Borrower and each
Subsidiary has determined, reasonably and in good faith, that it will receive
substantial direct and indirect economic and financial benefits from the
borrowings made under this Agreement, and such borrowings are in its best
interests, having regard to all relevant facts and circumstances.

                                                                              29
<PAGE>

         3.15 Environmental Matters. To the best of the Borrower's knowledge,
(i) the Property is and has been in compliance, in all material respects, with
all applicable local, state and federal environmental laws, rules and
regulations, (ii) there have been no releases in violation of any environmental
law, rule or regulation of any chemical, material, substance or waste which is a
threat to the public health, safety or welfare or the environment or the health
of living organisms, or any hazardous, toxic, contaminating or polluting
substance as defined by any environmental law, rule or regulation (individually
and collectively "Hazardous Substances") and (iii) there is no basis for the
imposition of environmental liability against the Property or for the imposition
of any environmental liability against any former, present or future owner or
operator of the Property.

         3.16 Investment Company Act. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is
an "investment company" registered or required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, or a company under
the "control" of an "investment company," as those terms are defined in such
Act, and shall not become such an "investment company" or under such "control."

         3.17 Disclosure. No representation or warranty made by the Borrower in
this Agreement, or in any financial statement, report, certificate or any other
document furnished in connection herewith or therewith contains any untrue
statement of fact or omits to state any fact necessary to make the statements
herein or therein not misleading. There is no fact known to the Borrower or
which reasonably should be known to the Borrower which the Borrower has not
disclosed to Agent in writing with respect to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

         3.18 Updates to Schedules. Should any of the information or disclosures
provided on any of the schedules attached hereto or to any other Loan Document
become outdated or incorrect in any material respect, the affected Loan Party
shall promptly provide the Agent in writing with such revisions or updates to
such schedules as may be necessary or appropriate to update or correct same;
provided, however, that no schedule shall be deemed to have been amended,
modified or superseded by any such correction or update, nor shall any breach of
warranty or representation resulting from the inaccuracy or incompleteness of
any such schedule be deemed to have been cured thereby, unless and until the
Required Banks, in their sole and absolute discretion, shall have accepted in
writing such revisions or updates to such schedule.

         3.19 Solvency. On the date hereof, and as of the date of each advance
of a Loan and issuance or renewal of any Letter of Credit, as the case may be,
and after giving effect to such advance or the issuance or renewal of a Letter
of Credit, and after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, the Borrower is, and will be, Solvent.

         3.20 Material Contracts. Each Material Contract is in full force and
effect and there are no defaults thereunder, no event has occurred or is
occurring which after notice or lapse of time or both will result in such a
default, and no party to any Material Contract has terminated or attempted to
terminate such Material Contract.

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<PAGE>

SECTION 4. SECURITY.

         To secure the payment of principal of, and interest on, the Notes, all
reimbursement and other obligations relating to the Letters of Credit, and all
fees, costs, expenses and other charges to be paid or reimbursed by the Loan
Parties under the Loan Documents and all other Indebtedness and other
obligations of the Loan Parties to the Agent and the Banks under the Loan
Documents and the performance of the terms of the Loan Documents and all other
instruments and documents executed by any Loan Party in favor of, or for the
benefit of, the Agent and the Banks with respect thereto:

         4.1 Security Documents. The Borrower hereby agrees to execute and
deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Agent, on behalf of the
Banks, the following:

         A. One or more mortgages and security agreements (and/or amendments
thereto) substantially in the form of Exhibit "D" attached hereto and made a
part hereof, as one or more may be amended, modified or supplemented from time
to time, which shall assign to Agent, and grant to Agent, on behalf of the
Banks, a lien on and security interest in, all the property of the Borrower and
the Restricted Subsidiaries described in the Mortgages, including without
limitation the Pipeline.

         B. One or more security agreements substantially in the form of Exhibit
"E" attached hereto and made a part hereof, as one or more may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time, which shall assign to Agent, and
grant to Agent, on behalf of the Banks, a security interest in, all the property
of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries described in the Security
Agreements, including all rights, titles and interests of the Borrower and the
Restricted Subsidiaries in and to their accounts, general intangibles,
equipment, inventory and the proceeds and produce thereof.

         C. One or more pledge agreements substantially in the form of Exhibit
"F" attached hereto and made a part hereof, as one or more may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time, which assign to Agent, and grant to
Agent, on behalf of the Banks, a lien on and security interest in, all the
property of the Borrower described in such Pledge Agreement including all of the
Borrower's rights, titles and interest in and to the limited partnership
interest and common units Atlas Operating, together with undated stock powers
executed in blank.

         D. One or more pledge agreements substantially in the form of Exhibit
"G" attached hereto and made a part hereof, as one or more may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time, which assign to Agent, and grant to
Agent, on behalf of the Banks, a lien on and security interest in, all the
property of Atlas Operating described in such Pledge Agreement including all of
Atlas Operating's rights, titles and interest in and to the membership units of
Atlas Pipeline New York, LLC, Atlas Pipeline Ohio, LLC and Atlas Pipeline
Pennsylvania, LLC, together with undated stock powers executed in blank.

         E. One or more pledge agreements substantially in the form of Exhibit
"H" attached hereto and made a part hereto, as one or more may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time, which shall assign to Agent, and
grant to PNC Bank, National Association, as collateral agent for the Agent, on
behalf of the Banks, a lien on and security interest in, all of the property of
the General Partner described in such Pledge Agreement including all right,
title and interest of the General Partner in and to (i) the limited partner
interest and common units (subordinated or otherwise) of the Borrower and (ii)
all rights to payment or distributions of the General Partner from the Borrower
and Atlas Operating, together with undated stock powers executed in blank.

                                                                              31
<PAGE>

         F. One or more collateral assignments of contract rights substantially
in the form of Exhibit "I" attached hereto and made a part hereto, as one or
more may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, which shall
collaterally assign to Agent, and grant to Agent on behalf of the Banks, a
security interest in and to all right, title, interest of the Borrower and Atlas
Operating pursuant to the Material Contracts, together with the written consent
of the other parties to such contracts to such collateral assignment.

         G. All Financing Statements and all amendments and modifications
thereof and all supplements thereto and all notification and control agreements
required by Agent in connection with the liens and security interests granted
pursuant to the Mortgage, the Security Agreements, the Pledge Agreements and the
Collateral Assignments.

         H. An intercreditor and collateral agency agreement substantially in
the form of Exhibit "L" attached hereto and made a part hereof, which shall
provide for a shared lien on and security interest in the collateral described
in the Pledge Agreement (General Partner).

         4.2 Set-Off. The Borrower hereby gives to each Bank a lien on, and
security interest in, any and all property, credits, securities, monies and
claims of the Borrower which may at any time be delivered to, or be in the
possession of, or owed to the Borrower by, the Bank in any capacity whatsoever
including the balances of any and all accounts maintained by the Borrower with
such Bank. The Borrower authorizes each Bank in case of a default under Section
9 hereof, at such Bank's option, at any time and from time to time, to apply to
the payment of the Indebtedness any such property, credits, securities, monies
and claims. In the event that in the exercise of the rights set forth in this
Section 4.2, any Bank applies to the payment of the Indebtedness any property,
credits, securities, monies or claims which belong to a person, corporation or
entity other than the Borrower, such Bank shall promptly deliver such property,
credits, securities, monies or claims (or at the option of such Bank, an amount
of cash equivalent to the value thereof at the time such Bank makes such
application) to the persons, corporations or other entities entitled thereto, or
at the option of such Bank to the Borrower, upon being furnished with evidence
satisfactory to such Bank of such property, credits, securities, monies or
claims and the identity of the persons, corporations or other entities entitled
thereto.

         4.3 Additional Security - Generally. In the event that the Borrower or
any Restricted Subsidiary is to provide additional security for the payment of
the Indebtedness and the performance of the Loan Documents, such additional
security shall be of such kind, in such form and have such value as Agent shall
in its sole discretion require and shall be otherwise acceptable to Agent. The
Borrower shall execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered to
Agent, on behalf of the Banks, such new or amended Security Documents relating
to such additional collateral, as well as such other instruments, papers and
other documents, and take such further action in connection therewith, as the
Agent shall in its sole discretion require (including but not limited to
providing reports and opinions relating to matters concerning title to such
additional security and concerning the priority of the lien(s) and security
interest(s) granted by such new or amended mortgage and/or security agreement
and/or pledge agreement).

                                                                              32
<PAGE>

         4.4 Certain Additional Security. The Borrower hereby agrees to deliver,
or cause to be delivered, to the Agent, in connection with (i) the acquisition
or construction of any new Pipeline properties or interests with an aggregate
purchase price or construction cost of greater than $50,000 or (ii) any
Permitted Acquisition, such new or amended Security Documents necessary to grant
to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks a first priority perfected lien on and
security interest in substantially all of the interests of the Borrower and the
Restricted Subsidiaries in the pipeline assets and related contract rights and
other property so acquired, or in the equity interest in the Person so acquired,
as applicable, and further agrees to take, or cause to be taken, such other
action as required by Section 4.3 in accordance therewith.

         4.5 Operating Accounts. The Borrower agrees to maintain, or cause to be
maintained, all of the principal operating accounts of the Borrower and each
Restricted Subsidiary at the Agent, and agrees to deposit, or cause to be
deposited, in such accounts substantially all of its and their respective funds.

         4.6 Guaranties. The Borrower hereby agrees to cause to be delivered to
the Agent for the benefit of the Banks, one or more Guaranty Agreements executed
by the General Partner and by each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, each
substantially in the form of Exhibit "C" attached hereto and made a part hereof,
whereby the Guarantors shall guarantee, and be surety for, the prompt and
punctual payment of the Indebtedness and the prompt and punctual performance of
the other obligations of the Borrower under the Loan Documents. The Borrower
shall cause each Subsidiary which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the date
hereof (whether pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition or otherwise) to execute and
deliver to the Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, a Guaranty Agreement. Such
execution and delivery shall occur at the time that such Subsidiary becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary.

         4.7 Subordination of Indebtedness and Liens. Any intercompany loans or
advances of the Borrower now or hereafter owed to the Borrower by any other Loan
Party are hereby subordinated to the Indebtedness of such other Loan Party to
the Banks, and any document or instrument evidencing such loans or advances
shall contain a legend giving notice of such subordination. Any intercompany
loans or advances of any other Loan Party due to the Borrower, if an event of
default hereunder shall have occurred and the Agent so requests, shall be
collected, enforced and received by the Borrower as trustee for the Banks and be
paid over to the Agent for the account of the Banks on account of the
Indebtedness but without affecting in any manner the liability of the Borrower
under the other provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Any
Lien, claim, right or other encumbrance on any property of any Loan Party in
favor of the Borrower is hereby subordinated in all respects to the Liens
granted to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks.

SECTION 5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

         For so long as any Indebtedness remains unpaid, unless the Agent (with
the approval of the Required Banks) otherwise consents in writing, the Borrower
hereby agrees that:

                                                                              33
<PAGE>

         5.1 First Lien Undertakings. The Borrower shall obtain and deliver, or
cause to be obtained and delivered, to the Agent and the Banks such legal
opinions, title reports, representations, letters, acknowledgments, attornment
agreements, releases, disclaimers, subordinations of prior liens and security
interests, non-disturbance agreements, certificates of non-interference with
easements, rights-of-way or coal operations and such other documents as may be
requested by the Agent and the Banks from time to time, and shall take, or cause
to be taken, all steps, to satisfy all requirements of the Agent and the Banks
that the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have, and will have, good and marketable
rights, titles and interests in and to all of their properties (including the
Property), and that the liens and security interests described in Section 4
hereof are valid and perfected first liens and security interests, free and
clear of all liens and encumbrances except Permitted Liens.

         5.2 Protection of Rights, Titles and Interests. The Borrower will take,
or cause to be taken, all steps necessary and proper (i) to protect and enforce
its and the Subsidiaries' rights, titles and interests in and to all their
respective properties (including the Property) and in connection with their
respective businesses and (ii) to comply with all duties, terms and conditions
undertaken or assumed by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in connection with
their properties (including the Property) and their businesses.

         5.3 Operation and Maintenance. The Borrower will continuously operate,
or cause to be operated, its and the Subsidiaries' properties (including the
Property) in a good and workmanlike manner and in accordance with industry
practices for businesses of similar size and circumstances. The Borrower shall
maintain, or cause to be maintained, all of its and the Subsidiaries' properties
(including the Property) in good condition in accordance with industry practices
for business of similar size and circumstances and, shall make, or cause to be
made, all necessary renewals, repairs, replacements, additions, betterments and
improvements thereto.

         5.4 Permits. The Borrower will obtain and keep in full force and
effect, or shall cause to be obtained and kept in full force and effect, all
permissions, licenses, easements, rights-of-way, leasehold and fee interests and
all local, state and federal governmental approvals, authorizations, consents
and permits as well as all other rights, titles and interests necessary to the
ownership and operation of its and the Subsidiaries' properties (including the
Property) and to the conduct of their businesses, except such of those which, if
not obtained or maintained, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
material adverse effect on the Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

         5.5 Compliance with Law. The Borrower will comply with, or cause to be
complied with, all applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and
regulations relating to all of its and the Subsidiaries' activities including,
but not limited to, the operation of its and the Subsidiaries' properties
(including the Property) and the offer and sale of securities.

         5.6 Material Contracts.

              (i) The Borrower will perform and observe, or cause to be
performed and observed, all of the covenants and conditions required to be
performed by it (or any Subsidiary) under each Material Contract, will do all
things necessary to preserve unimpaired its rights thereunder, and will not
enter into any agreement modifying or amending any Material Contract or
releasing any third party from any obligations imposed upon it thereby.

                                                                              34
<PAGE>

              (ii) In no event shall the Borrower do or permit to be done, or
omit to do or permit the omission of, any act or thing, the doing of, or
omission to do, which would constitute grounds for the termination of any
Material Contract, or would entitle any third party to terminate any Material
Contract.

              (iii) The Borrower will promptly notify the Agent in writing of
any default by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the performance or observance
of any of the terms, covenants, or conditions on the part of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary to be performed or observed under any Material Contract. The Borrower
also will (a) promptly notify the Agent in writing of the receipt by the
Borrower of any notice (other than notices customarily sent on a regular
periodic basis) from any third party claiming any default by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary in the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants, or
conditions on the part of the Borrower to be performed or observed under any
Material Contract; (b) promptly notify the Agent in writing of the receipt by
the Borrower of any notice from any third party to the Borrower of the
termination of any Material Contract pursuant to the provisions of such Material
Contract; and (c) promptly cause a copy of each such notice received by the
Borrower from any third party to be delivered to the Agent.

              (iv) The Borrower will not, without the prior written consent of
the Required Banks, terminate, modify or surrender or suffer or permit any
termination, modification or surrender of any Material Contract during the
initial term thereof or any valid extension thereto.

         5.7 Existence and Ownership. The Borrower shall do, or cause to be
done, all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its and
the Subsidiaries' existences as limited partnerships, corporations or limited
liability companies, their good standing under the laws of the states of their
organization and their qualification to do business, and their good standing as
foreign corporations, in all jurisdictions wherein their ownership of property
or the nature of their businesses requires such qualification. Each of the
Borrower and Atlas Operating shall continue to be the legal and beneficial owner
of at least the percentages of the issued and outstanding securities of the
Subsidiaries which it owns currently plus all additional percentages of such
securities which it may acquire hereafter.

         5.8 Reports, Certifications and Other Information. Upon request of
Agent and the Banks, the Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to
Agent and the Banks, within sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal quarter
(and if a default as set forth in Section 9 hereof shall have occurred and be
continuing, within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar month), a
report of operating, management and administration fees paid by the Borrower or
any Subsidiary during such quarter or month, together with statements setting
forth the quantity of gas and oil transported through the Pipeline during such
quarter or month, the price paid or to be paid for the transportation and
compression of gas, and such other information as the Agent and the Banks may
reasonably request.

              Within fifty-five (55) days after the end of each fiscal quarter
of each fiscal year of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, the Borrower shall
furnish to Agent and each Bank such unaudited financial statements of the
Borrower and the Subsidiaries ("Quarterly Reports") as Agent and the Banks shall
request (consisting of at least a balance sheet as of the close of such quarter
and a profit and loss statement and a statement of cash flow for such quarter
and for the period from the beginning of the fiscal year to the close of such
quarter), which statements shall be in such detail as Agent shall require, shall
show the Borrower's and the Subsidiaries' financial conditions at the close of
such fiscal quarter and the results of their operations for the period then
ended (in each case prepared on a consolidated basis) and shall be prepared by
the chief financial officer of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied and certified by such officer, subject only to ordinary and usual year
end audit adjustments.

                                                                              35
<PAGE>

              Within one hundred (100) days after the end of each fiscal year of
the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, the Borrower shall furnish to Agent and the
Banks a copy of the annual audited financial statements of the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries prepared on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP
consistently applied by certified public accountants satisfactory to Agent and
the Banks and certified without qualification as to scope.

              The Borrower shall deliver to the Agent and the Banks, together
with each delivery of financial statements required by this Section 5.8, a
certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit "J" hereto, appropriately
completed, (A) stating that the signer has reviewed the terms of this Agreement
and of the other Loan Documents and has made, or caused to be made under his
supervision, a review of the transactions and condition of the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by such financial statements
and that such review has not disclosed the existence during such accounting
period, and that the signer does not have knowledge of the existence, as at the
date of such certificate, of any condition or event which constitutes a default
under Section 9 hereunder with respect to the covenants set forth in Sections
5.15, 5.16 and 5.17 hereof, or which, after notice or lapse of time or both,
would constitute a default with respect to the covenants set forth in Sections
5.15, 5.16 and 5.17 hereof, or, if any such condition or event existed or
exists, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action
the Borrower has taken or are taking or propose to take with respect thereto,
(B) demonstrating in reasonable detail compliance, as at the end of such
accounting period, with the restrictions contained in Sections 5.15, 5.16 and
5.17 hereof and (C) setting forth in reasonable detail the amount of any
management fees or similar advances made during the applicable accounting
period.

              The Borrower shall give to the Agent and the Banks prompt notice
in writing of the occurrence or existence of any default under Section 9 hereof,
or of any event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would
become such a default.

              At any time and from time to time, the Borrower will submit, or
cause to be submitted, to the Agent and the Banks promptly, in such form as
Agent and the Banks shall require, such other information relating to the
financial affairs of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, to the properties of the
Borrower and the Subsidiaries including the Property, to the businesses of the
Borrower and the Subsidiaries or otherwise as Agent and the Banks shall
reasonably request.

         5.9 Records and Access. The Borrower shall keep, or cause to be kept,
full and complete books and records in which correct and accurate entries will
be made of all of its and the Subsidiaries business transactions and their
properties including the Property and at any time and from time to time shall
give, or cause to be given, to the Agent or the Banks or their representatives
full access during normal business hours to examine and copy all of the
Borrower's and the Subsidiaries' properties including the Property and their
books, contracts and records.

                                                                              36
<PAGE>

         5.10 Payment of Taxes and Mechanics' Claims. The Borrower will pay, or
cause to be paid, all taxes, assessments, license fees and other governmental
charges and all claims of mechanics and materialmen to which it or any of the
Subsidiaries or any of their properties including the Property shall be subject,
and all other charges on or relating to any of their properties including the
Property, before such charges and claims become delinquent, except that no such
charge or claim need be paid for so long as its validity or amount shall be
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings duly prosecuted and the
Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall have set up in their books such reserves
with respect thereto as shall be dictated by sound accounting practices;
provided, however, that all such charges and claims shall be paid, subject to
refund proceedings, if failure to pay would adversely affect the rights or
titles of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries to any of their properties
including the Property.

         5.11 Insurance. The Borrower will keep, or cause to be kept, with
financially sound and reputable insurers, such insurance with respect to its and
the Subsidiaries' businesses and properties including the Property, in such
amounts and insuring against such risks, casualties and contingencies of such
types (including but not limited to insurance for loss or damage by fire and
other hazards and insurance for liability for damage to persons and property in
connection with their properties including the Property and the activities
conducted thereon or relating thereto) as is customary for persons, corporations
and other entities of established reputations engaged in the same or similar
businesses as the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and similarly situated, naming
Agent (for the benefit of the Banks) as mortgagee or lender loss payee or
additional insured as its interests may appear, and will keep, or cause to be
kept, such insurance as required by any applicable workmen's compensation laws,
and will furnish, or cause to be furnished, certificates of all such insurance
to Agent upon the execution hereof and within one hundred twenty (120) days
after the end of each of its fiscal years. All policies shall provide that they
may not be altered or cancelled except on thirty (30) days' prior written notice
to Agent.

         5.12 Expenses, Fees and Disbursements. The Borrower shall pay, or cause
to be paid, all reasonable expenses, fees and disbursements incurred in
connection with the recordation, filing, continuation, satisfaction and
termination of the Mortgage, the Financing Statements and any other Loan
Documents and any other instruments or documents relating thereto and the
reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of Agent's counsel in connection
with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and any other instruments or
documents relating thereto, their preparation, administration and enforcement as
well as the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of the Agent and its
counsel, and others (including but not limited to geologists and engineers)
engaged by Agent to provide information and advice in connection with this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other instruments or documents
relating thereto, their preparation, administration and enforcement. Upon and
after the occurrence of any default under Section 9 hereof, the Borrower shall
also pay, or cause to be paid, all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements
of the Banks and their counsel and others (including but not limited to,
geologists and engineers) engaged by the Banks in connection with the
enforcement, amendment, waiver or restructuring of this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents.

         5.13 Assigned Payments. In connection with any amounts due to any Loan
Party which are assigned to Agent (for the benefit of the Banks) pursuant to the
Mortgage, the Security Agreement and/or any other Loan Document, upon notice to
the payor thereof by Agent, such payments shall be made directly by the payor
thereof to Agent. Agent is, and/or its duly authorized agents are, hereby
authorized by the Borrower to endorse for and on the Borrower's behalf and
deposit all drafts and checks payable to the Borrower, and such authority shall
continue while any Indebtedness is outstanding. In the event that any such
assigned amounts paid to Agent consist of amounts belonging in whole or in part
to any person, corporation or entity other than a Loan Party, the Agent shall
promptly deliver such amounts or parts thereof to such persons, corporations or
entities, or at the option of Agent to the Borrower, upon being furnished with
evidence satisfactory to the Agent of such amounts or parts thereof and the
identity of such persons, corporations or other entities.

                                                                              37
<PAGE>

         5.14 Notification. Within ten (10) days after the Borrower or any
Subsidiary receives notice of any litigation or any judicial or administrative
proceeding pending or threatened against it which might result in the Borrower
or any Subsidiary being liable for the payment or performance of obligations in
excess of Fifty Thousand ($50,000) Dollars with respect to any single such
litigation or proceeding, or in excess of Three Hundred Thousand ($300,000)
Dollars in the aggregate with respect to all such litigations or proceedings,
the Borrower shall notify the Agent and the Banks, or cause the Agent and the
Banks to be notified, in writing of such litigation or proceeding.

         5.15 Leverage Ratio. The Total Indebtedness of the Borrower divided by
the EBITDA of the Borrower (calculated for the four (4) most recently completed
fiscal quarters, except as set forth below) (the "Leverage Ratio") shall at all
times be less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00.

              For the purposes of this Section 5.15 and of Section 5.16, (i) the
term "Total Indebtedness" shall mean total indebtedness of the Borrower on a
consolidated basis, including all indebtedness for money borrowed or credit
advanced, purchase price obligations, obligations evidenced by bonds, notes or
similar indentures, capitalized lease obligations, guaranties, obligations with
respect to letters of credit, net obligations under any commodity, interest or
currency swap, future, option or other similar agreement (except where such
swap, future, option or other similar agreement is matched by an offsetting
unencumbered asset owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary), and any liability
in the nature of any of the foregoing in its capacity as a general partner, and
(ii) the term "EBITDA" shall mean the sum of the Borrower's net income plus
interest expense plus income tax expense plus depreciation plus amortization
plus other noncash charges to income minus noncash credits to income (determined
in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis). Furthermore, notwithstanding
the foregoing, (i) for the fiscal period ending September 30, 2000, the
denominator used in the calculation of the Leverage Ratio shall be the EBITDA of
the Borrower for the two (2) fiscal quarters ended on such date multiplied by
two (2), and (ii) for the fiscal period ending December 31, 2000, the
denominator used in the calculation of the Leverage Ratio shall be the EBITDA of
the Borrower for the three (3) fiscal quarters ended on such date multiplied by
four-thirds (4/3).

         5.16 Interest Coverage Ratio. The EBITDA of the Borrower (calculated
for the four most recently completed fiscal quarters, except as set forth below)
divided by the interest expense of the Borrower (calculated for the four most
recently completed fiscal quarters, except as set forth below), shall at all
times be greater than 3.50 to 1.00.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) for the fiscal period ending September 30,
2000, (a) the numerator used in the calculation of this ratio shall be the
EBITDA of the Borrower for the two (2) fiscal quarters ended on such date
multiplied by two (2) and (b) the denominator used in the calculation of this
ratio shall be the interest expense of the Borrower for the two (2) fiscal
quarters ended on such date multiplied by two (2), and (ii) for the fiscal
period ending December 31, 2000, (a) the numerator used in the calculation of
this ratio shall be the EBITDA of the Borrower for the three (3) fiscal quarters
ended on such date multiplied by four-thirds (4/3) and (b) the denominator used
in the calculation of this ratio shall be the interest expense of the Borrower
for the three (3) fiscal quarters ended on such date multiplied by four-thirds
(4/3).

                                                                              38
<PAGE>

         5.17 Minimum Tangible Net Worth. The Tangible Net Worth of the Borrower
shall at all times exceed $14,000,000.

         5.18 Additional Documents. From time to time, at the Agent's and the
Required Banks' request, whether before or after any borrowings hereunder, the
Borrower at its sole expense will execute and deliver, or cause to be executed
and delivered, to Agent such instruments, papers and other documents and take,
or cause to be taken, such further action as Agent and the Required Banks
reasonably may require in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
including the enforcement of the Loan Documents.

         5.19 Environmental Matters. (a) The Borrower will ensure that the
Property remains in compliance, in all material respects, with all local, state
and federal environmental laws, rules and regulations, and will not place or
permit to be placed on the Property any Hazardous Substances, except as not
prohibited by applicable environmental laws, rules or regulations, or in such
quantities as to not constitute a hazard to the environment or subject the
Borrower or any Subsidiary to prosecution or liability in connection therewith.

         (b) The Borrower will employ, or cause to be employed, in connection
with the use of the Property, appropriate technology as the Borrower determines
reasonably necessary to maintain compliance with any applicable environmental
law, rule or regulation and dispose, or cause to be disposed, of any and all
Hazardous Substances generated at the Property only at facilities and with
carriers that maintain valid permits under applicable environmental laws, rules
and regulations.

         (c) In the event the Borrower or any Subsidiary obtains, gives or
receives notice of any release or threat of release of a reportable quantity of
any Hazardous Substances at the Property or receives any notice of violation,
request for information or notification that it is potentially responsible for
investigation or cleanup of environmental conditions at the Property, or any
demand letter, complaint, order, citation or other written notice with regard to
any Hazardous Substances or violation of any environmental law, rule or
regulation, affecting the Property from any person or entity, including any
state agency responsible in whole or in part for environmental matters in the
state in which the Property is located or the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (any such person or entity is hereinafter referred to as the
"Authority") which might result in the Borrower or any Subsidiary being liable
for the payment or performance of obligations in excess of Ten Thousand
($10,000) Dollars with respect to any such event or in excess of One Hundred
Thousand ($100,000) Dollars in the aggregate with respect to all such events,
then the Borrower shall, within five (5) days, give written notice of same to
the Agent detailing non-privileged and non-confidential facts and circumstances
of which the Borrower is aware in connection therewith. Such information is to
be provided to allow Agent to protect its security interest in the Property and
is not intended to create any obligation upon the Agent or the Banks with
respect thereto.

         (d) The Borrower shall promptly forward to the Agent and the Banks
copies of any request for information, notification of potential liability,
demand letter for information, notification of potential liability, demand
letter relating to potential responsibility with respect to the investigation or
cleanup of Hazardous Substances at the Property and shall continue to forward to
the Agent and the Banks copies of correspondence between the Borrower or any
Subsidiary and the Authority regarding such claims until the claims are settled.
The Borrower shall promptly forward to the Agent and the Banks copies of all
documents and reports concerning Hazardous Substances at the Property that the
Borrower or any Subsidiary is required to file under any environmental law, rule
or regulation. Such information is to be provided to allow the Agent and the
Banks to protect its security interest in the Property and is not intended to
create any obligation upon the Agent or the Banks with respect thereto.

                                                                              39
<PAGE>

         (e) If the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to comply, or cause to
be complied, with any of the requirements of any environmental law, rule or
regulation, the Agent may, at its election, but without the obligation to do so,
for the sole purpose of protecting its security interest in the Property, enter
onto the Property (or authorize third parties to enter onto the Property) and
take such actions as the Agent (or such third parties as directed by the Agent)
deems reasonably necessary or advisable, after consultation with the Borrower,
to comply with the requirements of such environmental laws, rules and
regulations including but not limited to cleaning up, removing, mitigating or
otherwise dealing with any release of Hazardous Substances. All reasonable costs
and expenses incurred by the Agent (or such third parties) in the exercise of
any such rights, including any sums paid in connection with any judicial or
administrative investigation or proceedings, fines and penalties, together with
interest thereon from the date expended at the highest lawful rate then payable
under the Notes then outstanding, shall be paid upon demand by the Borrower.

         (f) Promptly upon the written request of the Agent from time to time,
which written request may be made by the Agent only in the event of notice to
the Agent of discovery or occurrence of a release of Hazardous Substances at the
Property, the Borrower shall provide, or cause to be provided and addressed, to
Agent for the benefit of the Banks, at the Borrower's expense, with an
environmental site assessment or environmental audit report prepared by an
environmental engineering firm acceptable to the Agent in its reasonable
opinion, to assess with a reasonable degree of certainty the existence of a
release of Hazardous Substances and the potential costs in connection with the
abatement, cleanup and removal of any Hazardous Substances found on, under, or
within the Property. Any report or investigation of such release of Hazardous
Substances proposed and acceptable to an appropriate Authority that is charged
to oversee the cleanup of such release of Hazardous Substances shall be
acceptable to the Agent. If such estimates, individually or in the aggregate,
exceed One Hundred Thousand ($100,000) Dollars, the Agent shall have the right
to require the Borrower to post a bond, letter of credit or other security
reasonably satisfactory to the Agent to secure payment of these costs and
expenses.

         (g) The Borrower shall defend and indemnify the Agent and each Bank,
their respective directors, officers and employees and each legal entity, if
any, who controls the Agent or any Bank (the "Indemnified Parties") and hold
each Indemnified Party harmless from and against all loss, liability, damage and
expense, claims, costs, fines and penalties, including reasonable attorney's
fees, suffered or incurred by any Indemnified Party, whether as a mortgagee in
possession, or as successor-in-interest to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or
otherwise, under or on account of any environmental law, rule or regulation,
including the assertion of any lien thereunder, with respect to any release of
Hazardous Substances, the presence of any Hazardous Substances affecting the
Property, whether or not the same originates or emanates from the Property or
any contiguous real estate, including any loss of value of the Property as a
result of the foregoing so long as no such loss, liability, damage and expense
is attributable to any release of Hazardous Substances resulting from actions on
the part of such Indemnified Party. The Borrower's obligations under this
Section 5.19 shall arise upon the discovery of the presence of any Hazardous
Substances at the Property, whether or not any Authority has taken or threatened
any action in connection with the presence of any Hazardous Substances. The
Borrower's obligations and the indemnification hereunder shall survive the
payment in full of the indebtedness secured hereby and the satisfaction in full
of the other obligations secured hereby.

                                                                              40
<PAGE>

SECTION 6. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

         For so long as any Indebtedness remains unpaid, the Borrower hereby
agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of the Agent (with
the approval of the Required Banks):

         6.1 Alienation. Sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of or
alienate any of its property including the Property, or permit the sale, lease,
transfer or other disposition or alienation of any of the property of any
Subsidiary or any Partnership, except (i) the sale, lease, transfer or other
disposition or alienation for fair consideration in the ordinary course of
business of its and the Subsidiaries' properties other than the Property, (ii)
the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition or alienation for fair
consideration other than in the ordinary course of business of its and the
Subsidiaries' properties other than the Property having a fair market value not
to exceed One Hundred Thousand ($100,000) Dollars in the aggregate in any twelve
(12) month period, (iii) the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition or
alienation for fair consideration of the Property having a fair market value not
to exceed Fifty Thousand ($50,000) Dollars in the aggregate in any twelve month
period, and (iv) the abandonment of any section of the Pipeline as the Wells
connected to that section cease to produce in economic quantities; provided,
that no Property may be sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of or
alienated pursuant to clauses (i) through (iii) above after the occurrence and
during the continuance of any default under Section 9 below.

         6.2 Encumbrances. Permit, create, assume or incur any mortgage, pledge,
charge, security interest, lien or encumbrance of any kind upon any of its or
any Subsidiary's properties (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) including
the Property, or commit any act or make any election which will require it or
any of the Subsidiaries to reassign any of their properties including the
Property, except encumbrances (i) created and granted in this Agreement or any
other Loan Document or otherwise created or granted in favor of the Agent for
the benefit of the Banks, (ii) relating to current taxes, assessments, license
fees and other governmental charges and claims of mechanics and materialmen not
delinquent, or if delinquent being contested in good faith as set forth in
Section 5.10 hereof unless required to be paid as set forth in such Section and
subject to the reserve requirements set forth in such Section, (iii) imposed in
the normal course of business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in connection
with obtaining surety bonds, (iv) imposed in the normal course of business of
the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on properties of the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries hereafter acquired by them (other than Pipeline), provided that
such liens and encumbrances are imposed in connection with the financing of the
acquisition of such properties and are imposed only on the properties acquired
on a nonrecourse basis and (v) the Permitted Liens.

         6.3 Guaranty. Become or be, or permit any Subsidiary to become or be, a
guarantor or endorser of, or surety for, or responsible in any manner whatsoever
with respect to, the payment or performance of any indebtedness, obligation or
undertaking of any other person, corporation or other entity, (i) except in
favor of the Banks in connection with the payment and/or performance of any such
indebtedness, obligation or undertaking, (ii) except by the endorsement of
negotiable instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of
business, and (iii) except the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
arising in the ordinary course of business in such party's capacity as a general
partner of any partnership; provided that the obligations guaranteed pursuant to
Subsection 6.3(iii) shall not exceed Twenty-Five Thousand ($25,000) Dollars at
any one time.

                                                                              41
<PAGE>

         6.4 Debt. Create, assume, incur or permit to exist, any indebtedness or
obligation for the payment or repayment of money, whether borrowed by, or
advanced to or for the benefit of, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or otherwise,
except (i) the borrowings under the Loan Documents and any other indebtedness or
obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the Banks thereunder, (ii)
indebtedness with respect to the intercompany advances described in Subsection
6.5(v) hereof or pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, (iii) indebtedness
secured by liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.2, (iv) loans or advances from
Atlas for operating expenses in the ordinary course of business, and (v) other
indebtedness, other than in favor of the Banks, not exceeding Twenty-Five
Thousand ($25,000) Dollars in the aggregate at any one time outstanding.

         6.5 Loans; Investments. Make, or permit any Subsidiary to make, any
loan or advance to any person, corporation or other entity, or purchase or
otherwise acquire, or permit any such Subsidiary to purchase or otherwise
acquire, any capital stock, assets, obligations or other securities of, make any
capital contribution to, or otherwise invest in, or acquire any interest in, any
person, corporation or other entity, except: (i) direct obligations of the
United States of America or any agency thereof with maturities of one year or
less from the date of acquisition; (ii) commercial paper of a domestic issuer
rated at least "A-1" by Standard & Poor's Corporation or "P-1" by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc.; (iii) certificates of deposit with maturities of one
year or less from the date of acquisition issued by any Bank or any commercial
bank operating within the United States of America having capital and surplus in
excess of $500,000,000; (iv) for stock, obligations or securities received in
settlement of debts (created in the ordinary course of business) owing to the
Borrower or any such Subsidiary; (v) loans from the Borrower or Restricted
Subsidiary to another Borrower or Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the Banks
shall have been granted a first perfected lien in such indebtedness, (vi) the
stock and other equity interests held by the Borrower on the date hereof as
described in Section 3.2 hereof, (vii) pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition,
(viii) loans permitted by Section 6.4, and (ix) other loans not exceeding
Twenty-Five Thousand ($25,000) in the aggregate at any one time outstanding.

         6.6 Business Activities. Engage in, or permit any Subsidiary to engage
in, any business other than the transportation of energy and services and
activities related thereto.

         6.7 Consolidation or Merger, Change in Control. (a) Consolidate with or
merge into, or permit any Subsidiary to consolidate with or merge into, any
Person or permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into the Borrower or
any Subsidiary, except for the merger of the Borrower and any Subsidiary or any
Subsidiary with any other Subsidiary provided that, if the Borrower is a party
to any such merger, the Borrower is the surviving entity of such merger, and if
any Restricted Subsidiary is a party to any such merger with an Unrestricted
Subsidiary, the Restricted Subsidiary is the surviving entity of such merger
(each, a "Permitted Merger").

                                                                              42
<PAGE>

         (b) Permit any Change in Control.

         6.8 Acquisitions. Except as otherwise permitted or required in this
Agreement, purchase or otherwise acquire, or permit any Subsidiary to purchase
or acquire, any obligations or stock of, or any other interest in, or all or
substantially all of the assets of, any Person whatsoever, other than (i)
pursuant to a Permitted Merger or (ii) other non-hostile acquisitions of equity
securities of, or assets constituting a business unit of, any Person, provided
that (a) immediately prior to and after giving effect to any such acquisition,
no default under Section 9 hereof shall have occurred or be continuing or will
result therefrom, (b) such acquisition is consummated in accordance with
applicable law, (c) if such acquisition is of equity securities of a Person,
such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, (d) such Person is principally
engaged in the same business as the Borrower, (e) the Borrower shall be in pro
forma compliance with the covenants set forth in Sections 5.15, 5.16 and 5.17
after giving effect to such acquisition, (f) such acquired Person or assets
shall not be subject to any material liabilities except as permitted by this
Agreement, and (g) a first priority perfected lien and security interest shall
be granted to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks in such acquired Person or
assets in accordance with Section 4.4 above. A transaction meeting the
requirements of clause (ii) above shall be referred to herein as a "Permitted
Acquisition".

         6.9 Reserved.

         6.10 Reserved.

         6.11 Leases. Become, or permit any Subsidiary to become, lessee under
any lease of any real or personal property, except interests under gas and oil
leases or rights of way acquired in the ordinary courses of their businesses
solely with respect to the rights to maintain flow or gathering or sales lines
across the real estate subject thereto, and except such other leases entered
into in the ordinary courses of their businesses so long as the aggregate
payments to be made by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in connection with such
other leases in any fiscal year of the Borrower do not exceed One Million
($1,000,000) Dollars.

         6.12 Negative Pledges. Directly or indirectly enter into or assume, or
permit any Subsidiary to enter into or assume, any agreement (other than this
Agreement) prohibiting the creation or assumption of any lien or encumbrance
upon any of the Borrower's or Subsidiaries' properties (including, without
limitation, the Property), whether now owned or hereafter created or acquired,
or otherwise prohibiting or restricting any transaction contemplated hereby.

         6.13 Changes in Organizational Documents. Permit or suffer to exist any
amendment or modification in any respect of its Limited Partnership Agreement or
any other Loan Party's certificate of incorporation (including any provisions or
resolutions relating to capital stock), by-laws, certificate of limited
partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of formation, limited liability
company agreement or other organizational documents without providing at least
thirty (30) calendar days' prior written notice to the Agent and the Banks and,
in the event such change would be adverse to the Banks as determined by the
Agent in its sole discretion, obtaining the prior written consent of the Banks.

         6.14 MLP Letter of Credit. Permit the MLP Letter of Credit to be
terminated or cancelled, or amended or modified in any way, at any time that the
Borrower continues to be required to make the Minimum Quarterly Distributions
(as such term is defined in the Limited Partnership Agreement), or to permit the
amount available to be drawn under the MLP Letter of Credit to be less than the
aggregate amount of the then remaining Minimum Quarterly Distribution amounts,
in each case without the prior written consent of the Banks.

                                                                              43
<PAGE>

         6.15 Senior Management. Cause or permit any change in both the
President and the Chief Operating Officer of the General Partner without the
prior written consent of the Banks, which will not be unreasonably withheld.

SECTION 7. BORROWING REQUIREMENTS.

         7.1 Conditions to Borrowing. Unless otherwise agreed to by the Agent
and the Banks and subject to the performance by the Loan Parties of their other
obligations under the Loan Documents, the Banks shall have no obligation to
advance any funds to the Borrower or to issue or renew any Letter of Credit
until all legal matters incident to the transactions contemplated by the Loan
Documents are resolved in a manner satisfactory to Agent and the Banks and until
the Borrower shall have provided Agent with the following:

         A. This Agreement, the Notes, Mortgage, Guaranty Agreements, Security
Agreements, Pledge Agreement, Financing Statements and other Loan Documents duly
executed by the appropriate Loan Parties and all in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent and the Banks.

         B. Evidence satisfactory to Agent and the Banks authorizing the
execution and delivery by each Loan Party of this Agreement, the Notes, the
Mortgage, the Guaranty Agreements, the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement,
the Financing Statements and the other Loan Documents.

         C. Opinions of counsel for the Loan Parties, addressed to Agent and the
Banks, satisfactory to Agent's counsel, relating to such matters as the Agent
may reasonably require.

         D. Certificates executed by the Borrower stating that no defaults have
occurred which are unremedied or unwaived under any agreement, lease, assignment
or other document or instrument by or through which the Borrower or Subsidiary
has any rights, titles or interests in connection with the Property.

         E. Evidence satisfactory to Agent and the Banks that there has been
recorded in the appropriate offices documents and instruments establishing that
the Borrower and the Subsidiary have good and marketable rights, titles and
interests in and to the Property and delivery to the Banks of copies of all the
documents and instruments pursuant to which, or establishing that, the Borrower
and the Subsidiaries have acquired such rights, titles and interests.

         F. Evidence satisfactory to Agent and the Banks of the recordation and
filing of the Mortgage, the Financing Statements and any other Loan Document as
soon as possible after the date hereof, but in any event no later than ten (10)
days after the date hereof.

         G. Delivery to the Agent of all original certificates of stock or
membership units of all Restricted Subsidiaries of the Borrower, together with
duly executed undated stock powers in blank.

                                                                              44
<PAGE>

         H. Delivery to the Agent of all original executed intercompany notes,
if any, to be pledged in accordance with Subsection 6.5(v) hereof.

         I. A current certificate of good standing of each Loan Party and a
certificate of incumbency for each, together with certified resolutions of each
Loan Party's board of directors (or equivalent body) authorizing the execution
of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the performance by such Loan
Party pursuant thereto, and certified copies of each Loan Party's articles or
certificate of incorporation, partnership agreement, operating agreement,
by-laws, or other formation, organizational or governing documents, together
with all amendments thereto.

         J. Payment of the Fees provided for herein to be paid upon the
execution hereof.

         K. Lien searches covering the Borrower, the Restricted Subsidiaries and
the Property and satisfactory to Agent and the Banks.

         L. Evidence satisfactory to the Agent that the Borrower shall have
established certain accounts with the Agent as set forth in Section 4.5 hereof.

         M. Evidence of the Borrower's insurance satisfactory to the Agent and
the Banks and which in all other respects comply with the requirements of
Section 5.11 hereof.

         N. A closing certificate executed by the Borrower and certifying the
accuracy of the representations and warranties made to the Banks in the Loan
Documents, compliance with all agreements and covenants set forth therein and
that there exists no default under Section 9 hereof.

         O. Copies of each Material Contract, together with any amendments
thereof, certified by the Borrower to be true, correct and complete.

         P. The Intercreditor Agreement duly executed by each party thereto.

         Q. Such other documents and instruments, and evidence of the
performance by the Borrower of such other obligations, as the Banks may
reasonably request.

SECTION 8. DISBURSEMENT.

         8.1 Procedure. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Borrower may
request a borrowing or reborrowing hereunder by delivering to the Agent, not
later than 11:00 A.M. (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania time) (i) on the proposed
borrowing or reborrowing date with respect to Loans to which the Base Rate
Option applies and (ii) three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed borrowing
or reborrowing date with respect to Loans to which the Euro-Rate Option applies,
a written notice in the form of Exhibit "B" hereto requesting, and specifying
the date (if other than the date of such request), the amount of the applicable
interest rate Option (and, in the case of a borrowing or reborrowing for which
the Euro-Rate Option shall apply, the applicable Euro-Rate Interest Period), and

                                                                              45
<PAGE>

the manner of, each borrowing and reborrowing hereunder. Each request for a
borrowing or reborrowing to which the Euro-Rate Option shall apply shall be
irrevocable and shall be further subject to the provisions of Subsections 2.5(c)
and 2.5(d) hereof. Subject to Section 12.2 hereof, the Agent shall promptly
notify the Banks of each request for a borrowing or reborrowing on the same day
on which the Agent receives such a request, and each Bank shall make its
Commitment Percentage of the requested borrowing or reborrowing available to the
Borrower, in immediately available funds at the principal office of the Agent,
prior to 2:00 P.M. (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania time) on the date specified by the
Borrower in their request, and upon availability of such funds Agent shall, as
directed by the Borrower, credit one or more of the accounts of deposit (the
"Accounts") maintained by the Borrower at the Agent in the amount to be borrowed
or reborrowed. Each borrowing or reborrowing by the Borrower or issuance or
renewal of any Letter of Credit hereunder issuance or renewal shall be
conditioned on the following: that at the time of such borrowing, reborrowing
issuance or renewal the representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement are true and correct and no default set forth in Section 9 hereof
shall have occurred and be continuing and no event which, with giving of notice
or lapse of time or both would become such a default, shall have occurred or
shall have failed to occur and be continuing; and each such borrowing,
reborrowing, issuance or renewal shall be deemed to be a representation and
warranty by the Borrower that the foregoing conditions exist, and upon the
request of Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Agent a
certificate as to the existence of the foregoing conditions.

         8.2 Use of Proceeds. The Borrower represents, warrants and agrees that
all funds lent or advanced pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document
have been, and shall be, used only for the following purposes: (i) financing
natural gas compression, gathering, transportation and associated activities and
facilities by the Borrower or Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) to finance any
Permitted Acquisition, and (iii) for the purpose of funding other general
corporate activities of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries. No
proceeds of the Loans shall be (x) advanced to any Unrestricted Subsidiary or
(y) used to make any dividend or other distribution to the general or limited
partners of the Borrower.

         8.3 Charging Account. The Borrower agrees that each Bank and the Agent
may charge and is hereby authorized to charge any demand deposit account of the
Borrower maintained with the Agent or the Banks (including without limitation
the Accounts) for payment of principal of, or interest on, the Notes when due
and payable, reimbursement of Draws under the Letters of Credit and all other
charges set forth in the Loan Documents when due and payable including but not
limited to the Closing Fee, the Commitment Fee, any Letter of Credit Fee and the
charges set forth in Sections 5.12 and 11.3 hereof, but such authorization shall
not constitute a waiver of the Borrower's right to dispute any such amounts.

SECTION 9. DEFAULTS.

         If one or more of the following events occur:

         A. The Borrower or any Subsidiary or the General Partner makes an
assignment for the benefit of its creditors, becomes insolvent or admits in
writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due; or the Borrower or
any Subsidiary or the General Partner files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy
or files a petition or answer seeking for itself any reorganization,
arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar
relief under any present or future statute, law or regulation; or the Borrower
or any Subsidiary or the General Partner files an answer admitting or not
contesting the material allegations of any petition filed in any action
commenced against the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the General Partner in

                                                                              46
<PAGE>

bankruptcy or seeking the relief described above in this Subsection 9.A, or any
such action shall not have been dismissed within sixty (60) days after it is
commenced; or the Borrower or the General Partner or any Subsidiary, or any of
its partners, officers, directors or shareholders, takes any action looking to
the dissolution or liquidation of the Borrower or the General Partner or such
Subsidiary; or the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the General Partner applies
for, consents to, or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or
liquidator for itself or for any of its property or in the absence of such
application, consent or acquiescence such a trustee, receiver or liquidator is
appointed and is not discharged within thirty (30) days after being appointed;
or

         B. Any garnishment proceeding by attachment, levy or otherwise is
instituted against any deposit balance maintained, or any property deposited,
with any Bank by the Borrower, the General Partner or any Subsidiary in an
aggregate amount greater than Fifty Thousand ($50,000) Dollars:

then this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall immediately and
automatically be in default, any obligation of the Banks or the Agent under the
Loan Documents or otherwise to make any further advances to or for the benefit
of the Borrower shall immediately and automatically terminate and the principal
of, and interest on, the Notes and all other indebtedness of the Borrower and
the Subsidiaries to the Banks including, but not limited to all other
Indebtedness, shall immediately be due and payable without necessity of demand,
presentment, protest, notice of dishonor, notice of default or any other notice
whatsoever, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

         If one or more of the following events occur:

         C. Default by the Borrower (i) in the payment of interest on the Notes,
in the payment of any obligation with respect to any Letter of Credit, or in the
payment of any Fee or in the payment of items of expense or other charges to be
paid by the Borrower pursuant to the Loan Documents, including but not limited
to the times set forth in Section 5.12 or 11.3 hereof, when due and payable, and
continuance thereof for ten (10) days thereafter, or (ii) in any payment of any
principal of the Loans made hereunder or of any reimbursement obligation with
respect to any Letter of Credit when due and payable.

         D. One or more courts shall render a final judgment or judgments
against the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the General Partner in an aggregate
amount greater than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand ($250,000) Dollars in excess of
any insurance protecting against the liability on which such judgment or
judgments are based and such judgment or judgments shall not be satisfactorily
stayed, discharged, vacated or set aside within sixty (60) days after the entry
thereof, or, except as set forth in Subsection 9.B hereof, one or more
properties of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the General Partner shall be
liened or attached under a claim or claims in an aggregate amount greater than
Two Hundred Fifty Thousand ($250,000) Dollars in excess of any insurance
protecting against the liability on which such lien or attachment is based and
such lien or attachment shall not be released or provided for to the
satisfaction of the Agent within thirty (30) days after the property is liened
or attached;

         E. The Borrower or any Subsidiary or the General Partner shall fail to
take, or cause to be taken, corrective measures reasonably satisfactory to Agent
within thirty (30) days after notice to the Borrower or such Subsidiary with
respect to any litigation or any judicial or administrative proceedings pending
or threatened against the Borrower or such Subsidiary or the General Partner or
the Property, the outcome of which, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent,
would materially and adversely affect the financial condition of the Borrower or
such Subsidiary or the General Partner or the Property;

                                                                              47
<PAGE>

         F. The PBGC shall make a determination that there has occurred an event
or condition which constitutes grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or
for the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan;

         G. Default in the performance or observance of any negative covenant
contained in Section 6 hereof, or, the default in the performance or observance
of any other agreement, covenant or obligation of any Loan Party set forth in
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, which default does not constitute a
specific default set forth in this Section 9, and continuance thereof for thirty
(30) days;

         H. Default in the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant
or obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the General Partner in any
agreement between any Bank and the Borrower and/or such Subsidiary and/or the
General Partner in addition to any Loan Document, or the existence of any
misrepresentation in connection therewith or related thereto, and continuance
thereof for more than the permitted period of grace, if any;

         I. Except as set forth in Subsections 9.C, 9.G and 9.H hereof, default
in the payment or performance of any obligation for borrowed money for which the
Borrower or any Subsidiary or the General Partner is liable (directly, by
assumption, as guarantor, or otherwise) or in the payment or performance of any
obligation secured by any mortgage, pledge, charge, security interest or other
encumbrance with respect to any property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or
the General Partner;

         J. Any representation or warranty made by any Loan Party herein or in
any other Loan Document is untrue in any material respect or any certificate,
schedule, statement, report, notice or writing furnished or made to Agent or any
Bank in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents is
untrue in any material respect on the date as of which the facts set forth
therein are stated or certified;

         K. Any Loan Party shall terminate its existence, dissolve, liquidate
substantially all of its assets, cease to exist or permanently cease operations
except as specifically permitted herein;

         L. Any Change in Control;

         M. Any termination or cancellation (for any reason), or purported
termination or cancellation, of any Material Contract prior to its scheduled
termination, or any default occurs under any Material Contract which gives any
party thereto the right to terminate such Material Contract, or any such
Material Contract is amended or modified in any material respect (in the
reasonable opinion of the Required Banks) or terminated without the prior
written consent of the Banks;

         N. Any of Atlas, REI or Viking becomes insolvent, becomes the subject
to any action in bankruptcy, dissolves or terminates its existence other than
pursuant to a Permitted Merger;

                                                                              48
<PAGE>

         O. The General Partner withdraws or is removed as the general partner
of either the Borrower or Atlas Operating, without the prior written consent of
the Banks (which shall not be unreasonably withheld); or

         P. Any termination or cancellation (for any reason), or purported
termination or cancellation, of the Intercreditor Agreement prior to its
scheduled termination, or any default occurs under the Intercreditor Agreement
which gives any party thereto the right to terminate Intercreditor Agreement, or
the Intercreditor Agreement is amended, modified or terminated without the prior
written consent of the Banks.

then the Agent, upon the instruction or with the approval of the Required Banks,
at their option, may immediately declare this Agreement and/or the other Loan
Documents in default, may terminate any obligations of the Agent or the Banks or
the Issuing Bank under the Loan Documents or otherwise to make any further
advances to or for the benefit of the Borrower or issue or renew any Letter of
Credit and/or may declare the principal of, and interest on, the Notes and/or
all other indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries to the Agent, the
Banks and the Issuing Bank including but not limited to all other Indebtedness
immediately due and payable, whereupon all such indebtedness including but not
limited to the Indebtedness shall immediately become due and payable without
necessity of demand, presentment, protest, notice of dishonor, notice of default
or any other notice whatsoever, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the
Borrower.

SECTION 10. REMEDIES.

         The Agent (on behalf of the Banks) shall be entitled at the election of
the Required Banks, in their sole discretion, to exercise each and every remedy
accorded it by law and/or specifically set forth in the Loan Documents, which
remedies are specifically incorporated herein by reference. Such remedies may be
asserted concurrently, cumulatively, successively or independently from time to
time so long as any part of the Indebtedness remains unpaid. No delay on the
part of the Agent, the Banks and the Issuing Bank or failure by the Agents, the
Banks and the Issuing Bank to exercise any power, right or remedy under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any power, right, or remedy or any
abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right, power or remedy
preclude other or further exercises thereof, or the exercise of any other power,
right or remedy.

In addition to the remedies set forth above, upon the occurrence of any default
set forth above, (i) the Issuing Bank shall have the right to require the
Borrower to establish with the Issuing Bank and fund a cash collateral account
to cash collateralize the Stated Amount of each outstanding Letter of Credit,
and (ii) the Agent, the Banks and the Issuing Bank shall have all of the rights
and remedies granted to them under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
and all other rights and remedies granted by law to creditors.

SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS.

         11.1 Waiver and Modification. No waiver by Agent or the Banks of any
default shall operate as a waiver of any other default or of the same default on
a future occasion. No failure to exercise, and no delay in exercising, on the
part of Agent or the Banks, any power, remedy or right shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any power, remedy or right
preclude other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power,
remedy or right. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents contain the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to their subject matter and the terms,
conditions and covenants of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may only
be modified or waived by a written document executed by the Borrower and the
Agent.

                                                                              49
<PAGE>

         11.2 Notices. Any notice, request, demand, direction or other
communication (for purposes of this Section 11.2 only, a "Notice") to be given
to or made upon any party hereto under any provision of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document shall be given or made by telephone or in writing (which
includes by means of electronic transmission (i.e., "e-mail") or facsimile
transmission or by setting forth such Notice on a site on the World Wide Web (a
"Website Posting") if Notice of such Website Posting (including the information
necessary to access such site) has previously been delivered to the applicable
parties hereto by another means set forth in this Section 11.2) in accordance
with this Section 11.2. Any such Notice must be delivered to the applicable
parties hereto at the addresses and numbers set forth below or in accordance
with any subsequent unrevoked Notice from any such party that is given in
accordance with this Section 11.2. Any Notice shall be effective:

         (i) In the case of hand-delivery, when delivered;

         (ii) If given by mail, four days after such Notice is deposited with
the United States Postal Service, certified or registered mail postage prepaid,
return receipt requested;

         (iii) In the case of a telephonic Notice, when a party is contacted by
telephone, if delivery of such telephonic Notice is confirmed no later than the
next Business Day by hand delivery, a facsimile or electronic transmission, a
Website Posting or an overnight courier delivery of a confirmatory Notice
(received before the close of business on such next Business Day); (iv) In the
case of a facsimile transmission, when sent to the applicable party's facsimile
machines telephone number, if the party sending such Notice receives
confirmation of the delivery thereof from its own facsimile machine;

         (v) In the case of electronic transmission, when actually received;

         (vi) In the case of a Website Posting, upon delivery of a Notice of
such posting (including the information necessary to access such site) by
another means set forth in this Section 11.2; and

         (vii) If given by any other means (including by overnight courier),
when actually received.

Any Bank giving a Notice to the Borrower shall concurrently send a copy thereof
to the Agent, and the Agent shall promptly notify the other Banks of its receipt
of such Notice.

                                                                              50
<PAGE>

         (a) To the Borrower:

             c/o Atlas America, Inc.
             311 Rouser Road
             Coraopolis, Pennsylvania  15108

                              Attention: Tony C. Banks

                              President
                              William R. Seiler
                              Vice President and Controller
             Telephone:       (412) 262-2830
             Facsimile:       (412) 262-3927

             with a copy to:

             Atlas Pipeline Partners GP, LLC
             1521 Locust Street
             Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  19102
             Attention: Michael L. Staines

             with a copy to:

             Ledgewood Law Firm
             Ledgewood Law Firm Building
             1521 Locust Street
             Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  19101-3723
             Attention:       Lisa A. Ernst, Esquire
             Telephone:       (215) 731-9450
             Facsimile:       (215) 735-2513

         (b) To the Agent or the Issuing Bank:

             PNC Bank, National Association
             Agency Services
             One PNC Plaza - 22nd Floor
             249 Fifth Avenue

                              Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2707

             Attention:       Lisa M. Pierce
             Telephone:       (412) 762-6442
             Facsimile:       (412) 762-8672

             with a copy to:

             PNC Bank, National Association
             One PNC Plaza
             249 Fifth Avenue

                              Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222

                                                                              51
<PAGE>

             Attention:       Energy, Metals & Mining
             Telephone:       (412) 762-2431
             Facsimile:       (412) 762-2571

         (c) To the Banks:

             All notices to Banks shall be sent to the notice
             address of each Bank as set forth on such Bank's
             signature page to this Agreement or to its Assignment
             and Assumption Agreement.

         11.3 Certain Taxes. The Borrower agrees to pay, and save Agent and the
Banks harmless from, all liability for any federal or state documentary stamp or
other tax liability, together with any interest or penalty, which is payable or
determined to be payable with respect to the execution or delivery of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, which obligation of the Borrower shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.

         11.4 Right to Cure. In the event that the Borrower shall fail for any
reason to pay any fee, cost, expense or other charge to be paid or reimbursed by
the Borrower, Agent shall have the right but not the duty to make such payment
and if Agent makes such payment the amount thereof shall be added to the balance
of the Indebtedness secured by the Loan Documents, shall be payable on demand
and shall bear interest at the highest lawful rate of interest then payable
under the Notes then outstanding until paid.

         11.5 VENUE AND JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE PARTIES HERETO
AGREE THAT ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE COMMENCED IN THE COURT OF
COMMON PLEAS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA AND EACH PARTY AGREES THAT A
SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT COMMENCING AN ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH COURT SHALL BE
PROPERLY SERVED AND SHALL CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION IF SERVED PERSONALLY OR
BY CERTIFIED MAIL TO IT AT ITS ADDRESS DESIGNATED PURSUANT HERETO, OR AS
OTHERWISE PROVIDED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. THE
PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ANY CLAIM THAT PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA IS AN INCONVENIENT
FORUM AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT IN THE AFOREMENTIONED COURT
LACKS PROPER VENUE AND/OR JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER, THE AGENT AND THE BANKS
HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM OF
ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR
THE COLLATERAL PROVIDED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY
LAW.

         11.6 APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND
GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.

         11.7 Severability. In the event that any term or provision of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document is lawfully held or declared to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed deleted to the extent necessary
under the applicable law and the validity of the other terms and provisions
shall not be affected thereby.

                                                                              52
<PAGE>

         11.8 Successors and Assigns. (a) This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents shall be binding upon the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks and their
respective successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the
Borrower, the Agent and the Banks and the successors and assigns of the Agent
and the Banks (except that the Borrower shall have no right to assign,
voluntarily or by operation of law, any of their rights hereunder or under any
other Loan Document without Agent's prior written consent with the consent with
the Banks, and provided further that nothing herein is intended by any party
hereto to confer any rights upon any third party as a beneficiary hereof).

         (b) Subject to the remaining provisions of this Section 11.8, any Bank
(the "Transferor Bank") may at any time, in the ordinary course of its
commercial lending business, in accordance with applicable law, sell to one or
more financial institutions (each, a "Purchasing Bank") (which Purchasing Bank
may be an affiliate of the Transferor Bank), a portion of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement and the Notes then held by it, pursuant to an
Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit "K" and
satisfactory to the Agent, executed by the Transferor Bank, such Purchasing
Bank, the Agent and the Borrower; provided, however, that prior to the
occurrence of any default under Section 9 hereof, the Borrower and the Agent
must each give its prior consent to any such assignment (other than an
assignment made by a Bank to an affiliate of such Bank), which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld, and subsequent to any such default only the consent of
the Agent shall be required, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

              Upon the execution, delivery, acceptance and recording of any such
Assignment and Assumption Agreement, from and after the "Transfer Effective
Date," as defined and determined pursuant to such Assignment and Assumption
Agreement, and the payment by Purchasing Bank to Agent of an assignment service
fee of $3,000, (i) the Purchasing Bank thereunder shall be a party hereto as a
Bank and, to the extent provided in such Assignment and Assumption Agreement,
shall have the rights and obligations of a Bank hereunder with a Commitment
Percentage as set forth therein, and (ii) the Transferor Bank thereunder shall,
to the extent provided in such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, be released
from its obligations under this Agreement as a Bank. Such Assignment and
Assumption Agreement shall be deemed to amend this Agreement to the extent, and
only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of such Purchasing Bank as
a Bank and the resulting adjustment of Commitment Percentage and Ratable Share
arising from the purchase by such Purchasing Bank of all or a portion of the
rights and obligations of such Transferor Bank under this Agreement and the
Notes. On or prior to the Transfer Effective Date, the Borrower shall execute
and deliver to the Agent, in exchange for the surrendered Notes held by the
Transferor Bank, new Notes to the order of such Purchasing Bank in an amount
equal to the Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit and the Loans assumed
by it and purchased by it pursuant to such Assignment and Assumption Agreement,
and new Notes to the order of the Transferor Bank in an amount equal to the
Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit and the Loans retained by it
hereunder.

         (c) The Agent shall maintain at its address referred to in Section 11.2
a copy of each Assignment and Assumption Agreement delivered to it and a
register (the "Register") for the recordation of the names and addresses of the
Banks and the amount of the Loans owing to each Bank from time to time. The
entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error,
and the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks may treat each person whose name is
recorded in the Register as the owner of the Loans recorded therein for all
purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available at the office of the
Agent for inspection by the Borrower or any Bank at any reasonable time and from
time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

                                                                              53
<PAGE>

         (d) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, any Bank may
at any time pledge or grant a security interest in all or any portion of its
rights under this Agreement, its Notes and the other Loan Documents to any
Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the FRB or U.S. Treasury
Regulation 31 CFR Section 203.14 without notice to or consent of the Borrower or
the Agent. No such pledge or grant of a security interest shall release the
transferor Bank of its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

         11.9 Nature and Survival of Representations. All statements contained
in any certificate or other document or instrument of any kind whatsoever
delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant hereto or any other Loan
Document, or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby,
shall be deemed representations and warranties made by the Borrower in this
Agreement or other Loan Document, or pursuant hereto or thereto, and, together
with all representations and warranties contained herein or in any other Loan
Document, shall survive the execution and delivery thereof and of this Agreement
and any other Loan Document, the making of any loans under the Loan Documents,
and the making of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of Agent
and/or the Banks.

         11.10 Number and Gender. Whenever required by the context of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document the singular shall include the plural, and
vice-versa; and the neuter gender shall include the masculine and feminine
genders, and vice-versa.

         11.11 Tax Withholding. At least five (5) business days prior to the
first date on which interest or fees are payable hereunder for the account of
any Bank, each such Bank that is not incorporated under the laws of the United
States of America or a state thereof agrees that it will deliver to the Agent
and the Borrower two (2) duly completed copies of either (i) United States
Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, 1001 or 4224 or such other applicable form
prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States, certifying in
each case that such Bank is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement or
the Notes without deduction or withholding of United States federal income
taxes, or is subject to such tax at a reduced rate under an applicable tax
treaty or (ii) Form W-8 or such other applicable form prescribed by the Internal
Revenue Service of the United States or a certificate of such Bank indicating
that no such exemption or reduced rate of taxation is allowable with respect to
such payments. Each Bank which delivers a Form W-8, W-9, 4224 or 1001 further
undertakes to deliver to the Agent and the Borrower two (2) additional copies of
such form (or any successor form) on or before that form expires or becomes
obsolete or after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most
recent form so delivered by it, and such amendments thereto or extensions or
renewals thereof as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent,
either certifying that such Bank is entitled to receive payments under this
Agreement or its Note without deduction or withholding of any United States
federal income taxes or is subject to such tax at a reduced rate under an
applicable tax treaty or stating that no such exemption or reduced rate is
allowable. The Agent shall be entitled to withhold United States federal income
taxes at the full withholding rate unless each such Bank establishes an
exemption or at the applicable reduced rate established pursuant to the above
provisions.

                                                                              54
<PAGE>

         11.12 Headings. The headings of the Sections of this Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part
hereof.

         11.13 Confidentiality.

         (a) General. The Agent and the Banks each agree to keep confidential
all information obtained from the Borrower or its Subsidiaries which is
nonpublic and confidential or proprietary in nature (including any information
the Borrower specifically designate as confidential), except as provided below,
and to use such information only in connection with their respective capacities
under this Agreement and for the purposes contemplated hereby. The Agent and the
Banks shall be permitted to disclose such information (i) to outside legal
counsel, accountants and other professional advisors who need to know such
information in connection with the administration and enforcement of this
Agreement, subject to agreement of such Persons to maintain the confidentiality,
(ii) to assignees and participants as contemplated by Section 11.8, (iii) to the
extent requested by any bank regulatory authority or, with notice to the
Borrower, as otherwise required by applicable Governmental Rule or by any
subpoena or similar legal process, or in connection with any investigation or
proceeding arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iv)
if it becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this
Agreement or becomes available from a source not known to be subject to
confidentiality restrictions, or (v) if the Borrower shall have consented to
such disclosure.

         (b) Sharing Information With Affiliates of the Banks. The Borrower
acknowledges that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking and
other services may be offered or provided to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries
(in connection with this Agreement or otherwise) by any Bank or by one or more
subsidiaries or affiliates of such Bank and the Borrower hereby authorizes each
Bank to share any information delivered to such Bank by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement, or in connection with the decision of
such Bank to enter into this Agreement, to any such subsidiary or affiliate of
such Bank, it being understood that any such subsidiary or affiliate of any Bank
receiving such information shall be bound by the provisions of Section 11.13 as
if it were a Bank hereunder. Such authorization shall survive the repayment of
the Loans and other Indebtedness and the termination of any commitment to lend
or to issue Letters of Credit hereunder.

                                                                              55
<PAGE>

SECTION 12. AGREEMENT AMONG BANKS

         12.1 Appointment and Grant of Authority. The Banks hereby appoint PNC
Bank, National Association, and PNC Bank, National Association hereby agrees to
act as, Agent under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and Agent under
the Security Documents for the benefit of the Banks. The Agent shall have and
may exercise such powers under this Agreement as are specifically delegated to
it by the terms hereof or of the other Loan Documents, together with such other
powers as are incidental thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, the Agent, on
behalf of the Banks, is authorized to execute all of the Loan Documents (other
than this Agreement) and to accept all of the Loan Documents and all other
agreements, documents or instruments reasonably required to carry out the intent
of the parties to this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Agent, on
behalf of the Banks as secured parties, is authorized to execute and/or accept
the Mortgage, any Financing Statements, any other Loan Documents and all other
agreements, documents or instruments reasonably required to carry out the intent
of the parties to this Agreement.

         12.2 Reliance by Agent on Banks for Funding. Unless the Agent shall
have received notice from a Bank prior to a funding date that such Bank will not
make available to the Agent such Bank's portion of net disbursements of Loans,
the Agent may assume that such Bank has made such portion available to the Agent
in accordance with Section 8.1 above and the Agent may, in reliance upon such
assumption, make Loans to the Borrower. If and to the extent that such Bank has
not made such portion available to the Agent on or prior to any funding date,
such Bank and the Borrower severally agree to repay to the Agent immediately
upon demand, in immediately available funds, such unpaid amount, together with
interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate for each day from the applicable
funding date until such amount is repaid to the Agent. If such Bank shall repay
to the Agent such corresponding amount, such amount shall constitute a Loan made
by such Bank for purposes of this Agreement. The failure by any Bank to pay its
portion of a Loan made by the Agent shall not relieve any other Bank of its
obligation to pay its portion of net disbursements of Loans, but no Bank shall
be responsible for the failure of any other Bank to make its net share of Loans
to be made by such other Bank on such funding date.

         12.3 Non-Reliance on Agent. Each Bank agrees that it has, independently
and without reliance on the Agent, and based on such documents and information
as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of the Borrower and
decision to enter into this Agreement and that it will, independently and
without reliance upon the Agent, and based on such documents and information as
it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own analysis and
decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement. Except as
otherwise provided herein, the Agent shall have no duty to keep the Banks
informed as to the performance or observance by the Borrower of this Agreement
or any other document referred to or provided for herein or to inspect the
properties or books of the Borrower. The Agent, in the absence of gross
negligence or willful misconduct, shall not be liable to any Bank for its
failure to relay or furnish to the Bank any information. The preceding
provisions of this Section 12.3 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Agent shall
notify each of the Banks as soon as practicable after it receives notice of the
occurrence of any default hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

                                                                              56
<PAGE>

         12.4 Responsibility of Agent and Other Matters.

         (a) Ministerial Nature of Duties. As between the Banks and itself, the
Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set
forth in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, and those duties and
responsibilities shall be subject to the limitations and qualifications set
forth in this Section 12. The duties of the Agent shall be ministerial and
administrative in nature.

         (b) Limitation of Liability. As between the Banks and itself, neither
the Agent nor any of its respective directors, officers, employees or agents
shall be liable, except for gross negligence or willful misconduct, for any
action taken or omitted (whether or not such action taken or omitted is within
or without the Agent's responsibilities and duties expressly set forth in this
Agreement) under or in connection with this Agreement or any other instrument or
document in connection herewith. Without limiting the foregoing, neither the
Agent nor any of its directors, officers or employees, shall be responsible for,
or have any duty to examine (i) the genuineness, execution, validity,
effectiveness, enforceability, value or sufficiency of (A) this Agreement or any
of the other Loan Documents or (B) any other document or instrument furnished
pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement, (ii) the collectability of any
amounts owed by the Borrower to the Banks, (iii) the truthfulness of any
recitals or statements or representations or warranties made to the Agent or the
Banks in connection with this Agreement, (iv) any failure of any party to this
Agreement to receive any communication sent, including any telegram, telex,
teletype, telecopy, bank wire, cable, radiogram or telephone message or any
writing, application, notice, report, statement, certificate, resolution,
request, order, consent letter or other instrument or paper or communication
entrusted to the mails or to a delivery service, or (v) the assets or
liabilities or financial condition or results of operations or business or
creditworthiness of the Borrower.

         (c) Reliance. The Agent shall be entitled to act, and shall be fully
protected in acting upon, any telegram, telex, teletype, telecopy, bank wire,
cable or radiogram or any writing, application, notice, report, statement,
certificate, resolution, request, order, consent, letter or other instrument or
paper or communication believed by the Agent in good faith to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed or sent or made by a proper person. The Agent
may consult counsel and shall be entitled to act, and shall be fully protected
in any action taken in good faith, in accordance with advice given by counsel.
The Agent may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be liable for
the default or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by
the Agent with reasonable care. The Agent shall not be bound to ascertain or
inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions or
conditions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents on the part of
the Borrower or any other party thereto.

         12.5 Action on Instructions. The Agent shall be entitled to act or
refrain from acting, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from
acting, under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument
or document in connection herewith or therewith, in accordance with the
instructions of the Required Banks (as such term is defined in Section 12.6
below) or, in the case of the matters set forth in items (i) through (viii) of
Section 12.13, from all of the Banks.

                                                                              57
<PAGE>

         12.6 Required Banks. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term
"Required Banks" shall mean Banks with aggregate Commitment Percentages equal to
at least 66-2/3% of all Commitment Percentages.

         12.7 Action Upon Occurrence of an Event of Default. If an event of
default set forth in Section 9 hereof has occurred, the Banks shall immediately
consult with one another in an attempt to agree upon a mutually acceptable
course of conduct. Failing agreement upon a course of conduct and if the
Required Banks wish to declare an event of default and/or exercise their rights
hereunder, the Agent will exercise the rights of the Banks hereunder as directed
by the Required Banks.

         12.8 Indemnification. To the extent the Borrower does not reimburse and
save harmless the Agent according to the terms hereof for and from all costs,
expenses and disbursements in connection herewith, such costs, expenses and
disbursements, shall be borne by the Banks ratably in accordance with their
respective Commitment Percentages. Each Bank hereby agrees on such basis (i) to
reimburse the Agent for such Bank's pro rata share of all such reasonable costs,
expenses and disbursements on request and (ii) to the extent of each such Bank's
pro rata share, to indemnify and save harmless the Agent against and from any
and all losses, obligations, penalties, actions, judgments and suits and other
costs, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be
imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent, other than as a
consequence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Agent,
arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or
any other agreement, instrument or document in connection herewith or therewith,
or any request of the Required Banks, including without limitation the
reasonable costs, expenses and disbursements in connection with defending itself
against any claim or liability related to the exercise or performance of any of
its powers or duties under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, or any of
the other agreements, instruments or documents delivered in connection herewith
or the taking of any action under or in connection with any of the foregoing.

         12.9 Agent's Rights as a Bank. With respect to the commitments of the
Agent as a Bank hereunder, and any loans of the Agent to the Borrower under this
Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any other agreements, instruments and
documents delivered pursuant hereto, the Agent shall have the same rights and
powers, duties and obligations under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or
other agreement, instrument or document as any Bank and may exercise such rights
and powers and shall perform such duties and fulfill such obligations as though
it were not the Agent. The Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to, and
generally engage, and continue to engage, in any kind of business with the
Borrower as if it were not the Agent.

         12.10 Payment to Banks. Promptly after receipt from the Borrower of any
principal repayment of any Loan, any interest due thereunder, and any other
interest or fees or other amounts due under any of the Loan Documents, the Agent
shall distribute to each Bank in immediately available funds that Bank's
Commitment Percentage of the funds so received, provided that in the event
payments are received by 11:00 a.m., Pittsburgh time, by the Agent with respect
to the Loans and such payments are not distributed to the Banks on the same day
received by the Agent, the Agent shall pay the Banks the Federal Funds Rate with
respect to the amount of such payments for each day held by the Agent and not
distributed to the Banks.

         12.11 Pro Rata Sharing. All interest and principal payments on the
Notes, the Closing Fee, all Commitment Fees and all Letter of Credit Fees are to
be divided pro rata among the Banks in accordance with their respective Ratable
Share. Any sums obtained from any Loan Party by any Bank by reason of the
exercise of its rights of setoff or banker's lien shall be shared pro rata among
the Banks. Nothing in this Section 12.11 shall be deemed to require the sharing
among the Banks of collections specifically relating to any other indebtedness
of any Loan Party to any Bank.

                                                                              58
<PAGE>

         12.12 Successor Agent. The Agent may resign as Agent upon ninety (90)
days' notice to the Banks and the Borrower. If such notice shall be given, the
Banks shall appoint a successor agent for the Banks, during such ninety (90) day
period, which successor agent shall, if no default under Section 9 has occurred
and is continuing, be consented to by the Borrower (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld), to serve as agent hereunder and under the several
documents. Following the occurrence and continuance of any default under Section
9, Borrower's consent shall not be required for appointment of a successor
Agent. If at the end of such ninety (90) day period the Banks have not appointed
such a successor, the Agent shall procure a successor reasonably satisfactory to
the Banks and the Borrower, to serve as agent for the Banks hereunder and under
the several documents. Any such successor agent shall succeed to the rights,
powers and duties of the Agent. Upon the appointment of such successor agent or
upon the expiration of such ninety (90) day period (or any longer period to
which the Agent has agreed), the former Agent's rights, powers and duties as
Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part
of such former Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement. After any retiring
Agent's resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Section 12.12
shall inure to the benefit of such retiring Agent as to any actions taken or
omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement.

         12.13 Amendments and Waivers. The Required Banks, or the Agent with the
consent in writing of the Required Banks, and the Borrower may, subject to the
provisions of this Section 12.13, from time to time enter into written
supplemental agreements to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents for the
purpose of adding or deleting any provisions or otherwise changing, varying or
waiving in any manner the rights of the Banks, the Agent or the obligor
thereunder or the conditions, provisions or terms thereof or waiving any event
of default thereunder or consenting to an action of the Borrower, but only to
the extent specified in such written agreements; provided, however, that no such
supplemental agreement shall, without the consent of all the Banks:

         (i) waive any event of default by any Loan Party in any payment of
principal and/or interest due hereunder and under any of the Notes or any
Reimbursement Obligation or other amount due with respect to the Letters of
Credit;

         (ii) reduce the amount or extend the scheduled date of maturity of any
Note or of any installment thereof, or reduce the stated rate of interest or any
Fee payable hereunder or extend the scheduled date of any payment thereof or
increase the amount or extend the expiration date of any Bank's commitment to
lend hereunder, in each case without the consent of the Bank affected thereby;

         (iii) amend the provisions of Section 12.6 or the percentage specified
in the definition of "Required Banks";

                                                                              59
<PAGE>

         (iv) release any guarantor of the Indebtedness, any of the Property
from the Mortgage, any Security Agreement, any Pledge Agreement and/or any
Financing Statement or any other collateral described in any Security Document,
except as permitted in Section 6.1 above;

         (v) increase the maximum principal amount of the Revolving Credit;

         (vi) permit any Loan Party to assign its rights or duties hereunder or
under any of the other Loan Documents; or

         (vii) amend or waive the provisions of this Section 12.13;

Any such supplemental agreement shall apply equally to each of the Banks and
shall be binding upon the Borrower, the Banks, the Agent and all future holders
of the Notes. In the case of any waiver, the Borrower, the Banks and the Agent
shall be restored to their former positions and rights, and any event of default
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents waived shall be deemed to be cured
and not continuing, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
event of default hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, or impair any
right consequent thereon.

         12.14 Agent's Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Agent certain fees
under the terms of a letter between the Borrower and Agent, as amended from time
to time.

         12.15 Funding by Branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate.

         (a) Notional Funding. Each Bank shall have the right from time to time,
without notice to the Borrower, to deem any branch, subsidiary or affiliate
(which for the purposes of this Section 12.15 shall mean any corporation or
association which is directly or indirectly controlled by or is under direct or
indirect common control with any corporation or association which directly or
indirectly controls such Bank) of such Bank to have made, maintained or funded
any Loan to which the Euro-Rate Option applies at any time, provided that
immediately following (on the assumption that a payment were then due from the
Borrower to such other office), and as a result of such change, the Borrower
would not be under any greater financial obligation pursuant to Subsection
2.5(h) than they would have been in the absence of such change. Notional funding
offices may be selected by each Bank without regard to such Bank's actual
methods of making, maintaining or funding the Loans or any sources of funding
actually used by or available to such Bank.

         (b) Actual Funding. Each Bank shall have the right from time to time to
make or maintain any Loan by arranging for a branch, subsidiary or affiliate of
such Bank to make or maintain such Loan subject to the last sentence of this
Subsection 12.15(b). If any Bank causes a branch, subsidiary or affiliate to
make or maintain any part of the Loans hereunder, all terms and conditions of
this Agreement shall, except where the context clearly requires otherwise, be
applicable to such part of the Loans to the same extent as if such Loans were
made or maintained by such Bank, but in no event shall any Bank's use of such a
branch, subsidiary or affiliate to make or maintain any part of the Loans
hereunder cause such Bank or such branch, subsidiary or affiliate to incur any
cost or expenses payable by the Borrower hereunder or require the Borrower to
pay any other compensation to any Bank (including any expenses incurred or
payable pursuant to Subsection 2.5(h)) which would otherwise not be incurred.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                                                              60
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound
hereby, have caused this Loan Agreement to be executed by their respective
officers as of the date first written above.

ATTEST:                                   ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P., a
                                          Delaware limited partnership

                                          By:  ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS GP,
                                               LLC, a Delaware limited liability
                                               company, its general partner

By:_________________________(SEAL)        By:__________________________(SEAL)

Name:_______________________              Name:________________________

Title:______________________              Title:_______________________

                                          PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, in
                                          its capacity as the Agent and as the
                                          Issuing Bank hereunder

                                          By:________________________________
                                          Name:______________________________
                                          Title:_____________________________

                    [SIGNATURES CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

                                                                              61
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, intending to be legally bound hereby, the
undersigned Bank has caused this Agreement by and among ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS,
L.P., the Banks party hereto, the Issuing Bank, PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as the Agent to be executed by its duly authorized officers as of the date first
above written.

Initial Commitment: $5,000,000             PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Commitment Percentage:  50%
                                           By:________________________________
                                           Name:______________________________
                                           Title:_____________________________

Addresses for notice purposes:

PNC Bank, National Association
Agency Services
One PNC Plaza - 22nd Floor
249 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2707
Attention:        Lisa M. Pierce
Telephone:        (412) 762-9245
Telecopier:       (412) 762-8672

PNC Bank, National Association
Energy, Metals & Mining
One PNC Plaza - Third Floor
249 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
Attention:        Robert J. Tiskus
                  Assistant Vice President
Telephone:        (412) 762-9245
Telecopier:       (412) 762-2571

Address for Euro-Rate Loan Funding if different from above:

               N/A
------------------------------------

Telephone: _________________________
Telecopier: ________________________
Telex: _____________________________

                    [SIGNATURES CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

                                                                              62
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, intending to be legally bound hereby, the
undersigned Bank has caused this Agreement by and among ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS,
L.P., the Banks party hereto, the Issuing Bank, PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as the Agent to be executed by its duly authorized officers as of the date first
above written.

Initial Commitment: $5,000,000             FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

Commitment Percentage:  50%
                                           By:________________________________
                                           Name:______________________________
                                           Title:_____________________________

Addresses for notice purposes:

First Union National Bank
1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2255
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention:        Russell Clingman
Telephone:        (713) 346-2716
Telecopier:       (713) 650-6354

Address for Euro-Rate Loan Funding if different from above:

               N/A
------------------------------------

Telephone: _________________________
Telecopier: ________________________
Telex: _____________________________

                                                                              63
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                          Form of Revolving Credit Note

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                    Form of Request for/Confirmation of Loan

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT C

                               Guaranty Agreement

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT D

                                    Mortgage

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT E

                               Security Agreement

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT F

                                Pledge Agreement

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT G

                       Pledge Agreement (Atlas Operating)

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT H

                       Pledge Agreement (General Partner)

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT I

                    Collateral Assignment of Contract Rights

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT J

                             Compliance Certificate

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT K

                       Assignment and Assumption Agreement

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT L

                  Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 3.2

                             Ownership/Subsidiaries

        (Issued and Outstanding Membership Units of the General Partner)

Holder                       Percentage of Ownership
------                       -----------------------

AIC, Inc.                    33.40% member interest of Atlas Pipeline
                             Partners GP, LLC

Viking Resources Corp.       23.56% member interest of Atlas Pipeline Partners
                             GP, LLC

Resource Energy, Inc.        20.24% member interest of Atlas Pipeline Partners
                             GP, LLC

Atlas Energy Group, Inc.     10.21% member interest of Atlas Pipeline Partners
                             GP, LLC

REI - NY, Inc.               6.63% member interest of Atlas Pipeline Partners
                             GP, LLC

Atlas Resources, Inc.        5.96% member interest of Atlas Pipeline Partners
                             GP, LLC

            (Ownership of Authorized Securities of the Subsidiaries)

Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. owns a 98.9899% limited partner interest in Atlas
Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P.

Atlas Pipeline Partners GP, LLC owns a 1.0101% general partner interest in Atlas
Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P.

Atlas Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P. owns a 100% member interest in Atlas
Pipeline Ohio, LLC.

Atlas Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P. owns a 100% member interest in Atlas
Pipeline Pennsylvania, LLC.

Atlas Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P. owns a 100% member interest in Atlas
Pipeline New York, LLC.

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 3.5

                                   Litigation

                                      None.

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 6.2

                                 Existing Liens

                                      None.

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