Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                              WILLBROS GROUP, INC.,

                                   AS ISSUER,

                               WILLBROS USA, INC.,

                                  AS GUARANTOR,

                                       AND

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK,

                                   AS TRUSTEE

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

                  UP TO $84,500,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT

                                       OF

                     6.5% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES DUE 2012

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

                                    INDENTURE

                          DATED AS OF DECEMBER 23, 2005

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

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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<S>                                                                                                              <C>
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE..............................................................1
         Section 1.1.      Definitions............................................................................1
         Section 1.2.      Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.....................................15
         Section 1.3.      Rules of Construction.................................................................16
         Section 1.4.      Acts of Holders.......................................................................16

ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES........................................................................................17
         Section 2.1.      Form and Dating.......................................................................17
         Section 2.2.      Execution and Authentication..........................................................19
         Section 2.3.      Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent..........................................19
         Section 2.4.      Paying Agent to Hold Assets in Trust..................................................20
         Section 2.5.      Holder Lists..........................................................................20
         Section 2.6.      Transfer and Exchange.................................................................20
         Section 2.7.      Replacement Securities................................................................21
         Section 2.8.      Outstanding Securities; Determinations of Holders' Action.............................22
         Section 2.9.      Temporary Securities..................................................................23
         Section 2.10.     Cancellation..........................................................................23
         Section 2.11.     Persons Deemed Owners.................................................................24
         Section 2.12.     Additional Transfer and Exchange Requirements.........................................24
         Section 2.13.     CUSIP Numbers.........................................................................29

ARTICLE III NO OPTIONAL REDEMPTION...............................................................................29
         Section 3.1.      No Right to Redeem....................................................................29
         Section 3.2.      No Sinking Fund.......................................................................29

ARTICLE IV PURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS ON SPECIFIC DATES...................................................29
         Section 4.1.      Optional Put..........................................................................29
         Section 4.2.      Effect of Purchase Notice; Withdrawal of Purchase Notice..............................32
         Section 4.3.      Deposit of Purchase Price.............................................................33
         Section 4.4.      Certificated Securities Purchased in Part.............................................33
         Section 4.5.      Covenant to Comply With Securities Laws Upon Purchase of Securities...................33
         Section 4.6.      Repayment to the Company..............................................................34

ARTICLE V PURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS UPON A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE............................................34
         Section 5.1.      Fundamental Change Put................................................................34
         Section 5.2.      Effect of Fundamental Change Purchase Notice..........................................37
         Section 5.3.      Deposit of Fundamental Change Purchase Price..........................................38
         Section 5.4.      Certificated Securities Purchased in Part.............................................38
         Section 5.5.      Covenant to Comply With Securities Laws Upon Purchase of Notes........................38
         Section 5.6.      Repayment to the Company..............................................................39
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ARTICLE VI COVENANTS.............................................................................................39
         Section 6.1.      Payment of Notes......................................................................39
         Section 6.2.      SEC and Other Reports to the Trustee..................................................40
         Section 6.3.      Compliance Certificate................................................................41
         Section 6.4.      Further Instruments and Acts..........................................................41
         Section 6.5.      Maintenance of Office or Agency of the Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and
                           Conversion Agent......................................................................41
         Section 6.6.      Delivery of Information Required Under Rule 144A......................................42
         Section 6.7.      Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws...............................................42
         Section 6.8.      Statement by Officers as to Default...................................................42
         Section 6.9.      Payment of Additional Amounts.........................................................42
         Section 6.10.     Indemnification for Foreign Currency Judgments........................................44
         Section 6.11.     Maintenance of Corporate Existence....................................................44
         Section 6.12.     Additional Subsidiary Guarantees and Liens............................................45
         Section 6.13.     Limitation on Indebtedness............................................................45
         Section 6.14.     Limitations Relating to 2.75% Notes...................................................46

ARTICLE VII SUCCESSOR CORPORATION................................................................................46
         Section 7.1.      When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets.............................................46

ARTICLE VIII DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES...............................................................................47
         Section 8.1.      Events of Default.....................................................................47
         Section 8.2.      Acceleration..........................................................................49
         Section 8.3.      Other Remedies........................................................................50
         Section 8.4.      Waiver of Past Defaults...............................................................50
         Section 8.5.      Control by Majority...................................................................51
         Section 8.6.      Limitation on Suits...................................................................51
         Section 8.7.      Rights of Holders to Receive Payment or to Convert....................................51
         Section 8.8.      Collection Suit by Trustee............................................................52
         Section 8.9.      Trustee May File Proofs of Claim......................................................52
         Section 8.10.     Priorities............................................................................53
         Section 8.11.     Undertaking for Costs.................................................................53

ARTICLE IX TRUSTEE...............................................................................................53
         Section 9.1.      Duties of Trustee.....................................................................53
         Section 9.2.      Rights of Trustee.....................................................................54
         Section 9.3.      Individual Rights of Trustee..........................................................56
         Section 9.4.      Trustee's Disclaimer..................................................................56
         Section 9.5.      Notice of Defaults....................................................................56
         Section 9.6.      Reports by Trustee to Holders.........................................................57
         Section 9.7.      Compensation and Indemnity............................................................57
         Section 9.8.      Replacement of Trustee................................................................58
         Section 9.9.      Successor Trustee by Merger...........................................................59
         Section 9.10.     Eligibility; Disqualification.........................................................59
         Section 9.11.     Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.....................................59
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ARTICLE X DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.................................................................................59
         Section 10.1.     Discharge of Liability on Securities..................................................59
         Section 10.2.     Repayment to the Company..............................................................60

ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS............................................................................................60
         Section 11.1.     Without Consent of Holders of Notes...................................................60
         Section 11.2.     With Consent of Holders of Notes......................................................61
         Section 11.3.     Compliance with Trust Indenture Act...................................................62
         Section 11.4.     Revocation and Effect of Consents, Waivers and Actions................................62
         Section 11.5.     Notation on or Exchange of Securities.................................................63
         Section 11.6.     Trustee to Sign Supplemental Indentures...............................................63
         Section 11.7.     Effect of Supplemental Indentures.....................................................63

ARTICLE XII CONVERSION...........................................................................................63
         Section 12.1.     Conversion Right......................................................................63
         Section 12.2.     Conversion Procedures; Conversion Rate; Fractional Shares.............................64
         Section 12.3.     Adjustment of Conversion Rate.........................................................66
         Section 12.4.     Make-Whole Premium....................................................................75
         Section 12.5.     Consolidation or Merger of the Company................................................78
         Section 12.6.     Notice of Adjustment..................................................................80
         Section 12.7.     Notice in Certain Events..............................................................80
         Section 12.8.     Company to Reserve Stock; Registration; Listing.......................................81
         Section 12.9.     Taxes on Conversion...................................................................81
         Section 12.10.    Conversion After Regular Record Date..................................................82
         Section 12.11.    Company Determination Final...........................................................82
         Section 12.12.    Responsibility of Trustee for Conversion Provisions...................................83
         Section 12.13.    Unconditional Right of Holders to Convert.............................................83
         Section 12.14.    Option to Satisfy Conversion Obligation with Cash, Common Stock or Combination
                           Thereof...............................................................................83
         Section 12.15.    Limitation on Conversion..............................................................85

ARTICLE XIII SUBORDINATION.......................................................................................86
         Section 13.1.     Agreement To Subordinate..............................................................86
         Section 13.2.     Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy..................................................86
         Section 13.3.     Default on Credit Agreement Indebtedness..............................................86
         Section 13.4.     Acceleration of Payment...............................................................87
         Section 13.5.     When Payments Must Be Paid Over.......................................................87
         Section 13.6.     Subrogation...........................................................................87
         Section 13.7.     Relative Rights.......................................................................87
         Section 13.8.     Subordination May Not Be Impaired by the Company or the Guarantor.....................88
         Section 13.9.     Distribution or Notice to Representative..............................................88
         Section 13.10.    ARTICLE XIII Not To Limit Right To Accelerate.........................................88
         Section 13.11.    Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Credit Agreement Indebtedness....................88
         Section 13.12.    Reliance by Holders of Credit Agreement Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions......88
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<S>                                                                                                             <C>
ARTICLE XIV SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE.................................................................................88
         Section 14.1.     Guarantee.............................................................................88
         Section 14.2.     Subordination on Guarantor Liability..................................................90
         Section 14.3.     Guarantor May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.....................................90
         Section 14.4.     Release of the Subsidiary Guarantee...................................................90

ARTICLE XV MISCELLANEOUS.........................................................................................91
         Section 15.1.     Trust Indenture Act Controls..........................................................91
         Section 15.2.     Notices...............................................................................91
         Section 15.3.     Communication by Holders with Other Holders...........................................92
         Section 15.4.     Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent....................................92
         Section 15.5.     Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.........................................93
         Section 15.6.     Separability Clause...................................................................93
         Section 15.7.     Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Registrar...........................93
         Section 15.8.     Legal Holidays........................................................................93
         Section 15.9.     Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process.........................93
         Section 15.10.    No Recourse Against Others............................................................94
         Section 15.11.    Successors............................................................................94
         Section 15.12.    Multiple Originals....................................................................95
         Section 15.13.    Table of Contents, Headings, Etc......................................................95

EXHIBIT A         Form of Security
EXHIBIT B         Form of Certificate to be Delivered by Transferee in Connection with Transfers to Institutional
                  Accredited Investors
EXHIBIT C         Form of Restrictive Legend for Common Stock Issues Upon Conversion
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                  THIS INDENTURE, dated as of December 23, 2005, is between
Willbros Group, Inc., a Panamanian corporation (the "COMPANY"), Willbros USA,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "GUARANTOR"), and The Bank of New York, a New
York banking corporation, as Trustee (the "TRUSTEE").

                             RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

                  The Company has duly authorized the creation of an issue of
its 6.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2012 (the "NOTES") having the terms,
tenor, amount and other provisions hereinafter set forth, and, to provide
therefor, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture.

                  All things necessary to make the Securities, when the
Securities are duly issued and executed by the Company and duly authenticated
and delivered hereunder, the valid obligations of the Company, and to make this
Indenture a valid and binding agreement of the Company and the Guarantor, in
accordance with their and its terms, have been done.

                   NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

                  Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other
party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities:

                                   ARTICLE I
                   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.1.      Definitions.

                  "2.75% NOTES" means the 2.75% convertible senior notes due
2024 issued by the Company pursuant to that certain indenture dated as of March
12, 2004 by and between the Company and JP Morgan Chase Bank, as trustee (the
"2004 INDENTURE").

                  "ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.9.

                  "ADDITIONAL INTEREST" has the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.

                  "ADDITIONAL SHARES" has the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.

                  "AFFILIATE" of any specified person means any other person
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified person means the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person,
directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have
meanings correlative to the foregoing.

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                  "AGENT MEMBERS" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).

                  "AGREEMENT CURRENCY" has the meaning set forth in Section
6.10.

                  "APPLICABLE PROCEDURES" means, with respect to any transfer or
transaction involving a Global Security or beneficial interest therein, the
rules and procedures of the Depositary for such Security, in each case to the
extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.

                  "APPLICABLE STOCK" means (a) the Common Stock and/or (b) in
the event of a transaction referred to in Section 12.5 in which the Securities
become convertible into Equity Interests of another Person, such Equity
Interests or any other Equity Interests into which such Equity Interests shall
be reclassified or changed.

                  "BANKRUPTCY LAW" means Title 11, United States Code, or any
similar United States federal or state law or any similar foreign law for the
relief of debtors.

                  "BLOCKAGE NOTICE" has the meaning set forth in Section 13.3.

                  "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means either the board of directors of
the Company or any duly authorized committee of such board.

                  "BOARD RESOLUTION" means a resolution of the Board of
Directors.

                  "BUSINESS DAY" means each day of the year other than a
Saturday or a Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the City of
New York are required or authorized by law, regulation or executive order to
close.

                  "CALCULATION AGENT" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.4(e).

                  "CAPITAL STOCK" of any Person means any and all shares,
interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other
equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person,
including any Preferred Stock and limited liability company or partnership
interests (whether general or limited) but excluding any debt securities
convertible into such equity.

                  "CAPITALIZED LEASE OBLIGATIONS" means an obligation that is
required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease for financial
reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness
represented by such obligation will be the capitalized amount of such obligation
at the time any determination thereof is to be made as determined in accordance
with GAAP, and the stated maturity thereof will be the date of the last payment
of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date such
lease may be terminated without penalty.

                  The term "CASH" means such coin or currency of the United
States as at any time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and
private debts.

                  "CASH AMOUNT" has the meaning set forth in Section 12.14(a).

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                  "CASH EQUIVALENTS" means:

                  (a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or
insured by the United States Government or any agency or instrumentality of the
United States (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is
pledged in support thereof), having maturities of not more than one year from
the date of acquisition;

                  (b) marketable general obligations issued by any state of the
United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any
public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of
acquisition and, at the time of acquisition, having a credit rating of "A" or
better from either Standard & Poor's Ratings Services or Moody's Investors
Service, Inc.;

                  (c) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time
deposits, overnight bank deposits or bankers' acceptances having maturities of
not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any
commercial bank the long-term debt of which is rated at the time of acquisition
thereof at least "A" or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's Ratings
Services, or "A" or the equivalent thereof by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.,
and having combined capital and surplus in excess of $250 million;

                  (d) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven
days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (a), (b) and
(c) entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause
(c) above;

                  (e) commercial paper rated at the time of acquisition thereof
at least "A-2" or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
or "P-2" or the equivalent thereof by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or
carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both
of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of investments, and in
any case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition thereof; and

                  (f) interests in any investment company or money market fund
which invests 95% or more of its assets in instruments of the type specified in
clauses (a) through (e) above.

                  "CASH SETTLEMENT AVERAGING PERIOD" has the meaning set forth
in Section 12.14(a).

                  "CERTIFICATED NOTES" or "CERTIFICATED SECURITIES" means
Securities that are in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and
that do not include the information called for by footnote 1 thereof.

                  "CLOSING SALE PRICE" means with respect to a share of
Applicable Stock on any Trading Day, the closing sale price of a share of
Applicable Stock (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the
bid and ask prices or, if there is more than one bid or ask price, the average
of the average bid and the average ask prices) on such Trading Day (a) on the
U.S. principal national securities exchange on which the Applicable Stock is
listed or, (b) if the shares of Applicable Stock are not listed for trading on a
U.S. national securities exchange, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market. If
the Applicable Stock is not so listed or quoted, the "Closing Sale Price" shall
be the last quoted bid for the Applicable Stock in the over-the-counter market

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on the relevant date as reported by the Pink Sheets LLC or similar organization.
If the Applicable Stock is not so quoted, the "Closing Sale Price" shall be the
average of the midpoint of the last bid and ask prices for the Applicable Stock
on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized
independent investment banking firms selected by the Company for this purpose.

                  "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                  "COMMODITY AGREEMENT" means any commodity futures contract,
commodity option or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into by the
Company or any Subsidiary designed to protect the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries against fluctuations in the price of commodities actually used in
the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

                  "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock, $0.05 par value per
share, of the Company as that stock exists on the date of this Indenture or any
other Equity Interests of the Company into which such Common Stock shall be
reclassified or changed; provided, that after the consummation of any
transaction referred to in Section 12.5, all references to "Common Stock" shall,
to the extent necessary to protect the interests of the Holders of the
Securities, become references to "Applicable Stock."

                  "COMPANY REQUEST" or "COMPANY ORDER" means a written request
or order signed in the name of the Company by any two Officers, at least one of
whom is the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer.

                  "COMPANY" means the party named as the "Company" in the first
paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, means such successor.
The foregoing sentence shall likewise apply to any subsequent successor or
successors to such successors.

                  "COMPANY NOTICE" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b).

                  "CONSOLIDATED EBITDA" means, for the Company and its
Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis, as of any date of
determination, without duplication, the Consolidated Net Income for such period,
plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net
Income:

                  (a) Consolidated Interest Charges; plus

                  (b) the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income
taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries; plus

                  (c) consolidated depreciation expense of the Company and its
Subsidiaries; plus

                  (d) consolidated amortization expense or impairment charges of
the Company and its Subsidiaries recorded in connection with the application of
Financial Accounting Standard No. 142 "Goodwill and Other Intangibles" and
Financial Accounting Standard No. 144 "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal
of Long Lived Assets;" plus

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                  (e) other non-cash charges of the Company and its Subsidiaries
reducing Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such non-cash charge to the
extent it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future
period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period
not included in the calculation); less

                  (f) noncash items of the Company and its Subsidiaries
increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding any items which
represent the reversal of any accrual of, or reserve for, anticipated cash
charges made in any prior period).

                  "CONSOLIDATED FUNDED INDEBTEDNESS" means, for the Company and
its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis, as of any date of
determination, without duplication, the sum of: (a) the outstanding principal
amount of all obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, whether current
or long-term, for borrowed money and all obligations evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments; (b) all
purchase money Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (except as
provided in clause (c) below); (c) all obligations of the Company and its
Subsidiaries in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services
(other than trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business generally consistent with past practice); (d) all
Guarantees with respect to outstanding Indebtedness of the types specified in
clauses (a) through (c) above; and (e) all Indebtedness of the types referred to
in clauses (a) through (d) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than
a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in
which the Company or its Subsidiaries is a general partner or joint venturer,
unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to the Company or any
such Subsidiary but shall exclude the aggregate amount of all obligations of the
Company and Subsidiaries, whether current or long-term, related to or arising in
connection with letters of credit, Capitalized Lease Obligations (such exclusion
for Capitalized Lease Obligations not to exceed an aggregate amount of
$50,000,000) and financing of insurance premiums.

                  "CONSOLIDATED INTEREST CHARGES" means, for the Company and its
Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis, as of any date of
determination, without duplication, the sum of all interest, premium payments,
debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses of the Company and its
Subsidiaries in connection with Indebtedness (including capital interest) or in
connection with the deferred purchase price of assets purchased by the Company
and its Subsidiaries, in each case to the extent treated as interest in
accordance with GAAP, including the portion of rent expenses with respect to
such period under Capitalized Leases that is treated as interest in accordance
with GAAP.

                  "CONSOLIDATED LEVERAGE RATIO" means, as of any date of
determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness as of such date
to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive
fiscal quarters ending prior to the date of such determination.

                  "CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" means, for any period, the net
income (loss) of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries determined in
accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that there will not be included in such
Consolidated Net Income:

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                  (g) any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other
disposition of any property, plant or equipment of the Company or its
consolidated Subsidiaries which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the
ordinary course of business and any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other
disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person;

                  (h) any extraordinary gain or loss; and

                  (i) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principles.

                  "CONVERSION AGENT" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

                  "CONVERSION NOTICE" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.2(b).

                  "CONVERSION OBLIGATION" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.14(a).

                  "CONVERSION PRICE" means, at any time, $1,000 divided by the
Conversion Rate in effect at such time, rounded to two decimal places (rounded
up if the third decimal place thereof is 5 or more and otherwise rounded down).

                  "CONVERSION RATE" means the number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of each $1,000 of principal amount of Notes, which is
initially 56.9606 shares, subject to adjustments as set forth in this Indenture.

                  "CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE" means the principal office of the
Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, at which at any time its
corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof
is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W, New York, NY 10286, Attention:
Corporate Trust Administration, or such other address in the Borough of
Manhattan, New York City, as the Trustee may designate from time to time by
notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office
in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, of any successor Trustee (or such
other address as a successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice
to the Holders and the Company).

                  "CREDIT AGREEMENT" means the Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement dated as of March 12, 2004, as previously amended by the First
Amendment and Waiver dated as of August 6, 2004, the Second Amendment and Waiver
dated as of July 19, 2005, the Third Amendment and Waiver dated as of November
23, 2005 and the Fourth Amendment and Waiver dated as of December 21, 2005,
among the Company and the Subsidiaries and the financial institutions parties
thereto, as such is amended, restated, supplemented, replaced or refinanced from
time to time.

                  "CREDIT AGREEMENT INDEBTEDNESS" means all indebtedness,
obligations and other liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries, or any of
them, now or hereafter existing in favor of the Banks and the Agent (as defined
under the Credit Documents) or any parties replacing the Banks and/or the Agent
in connection with any refinancing of such Indebtedness, obligations and/or
other liabilities, whether for principal (including, without limitation,
protective advances), reimbursement obligations, interest (including interest
accruing subsequent to the filing of any petition initiating any bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, dissolution or liquidation, whether or not a claim
for such interest is allowed in any such proceeding), guaranteed

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obligations, fees, premiums, indemnities, costs, expenses (including, without
limitation, auditor, legal and other professional fees, costs and expenses), or
otherwise.

                  "CREDIT DOCUMENTS" means the Credit Agreement and the other
Credit Documents, as defined in the Credit Agreement, each as may be amended,
restated, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced from
time to time, and any replacement thereof in connection with any refinancing of
the Credit Agreement Indebtedness.

                  "CREDIT FACILITY" means the "Loans" and "Letters of Credit"
described in the Credit Agreement.

                  "CURRENCY AGREEMENT" means, in respect of a Person, any
foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option
contract or other similar agreement as to which such Person is a party or a
beneficiary.

                  "CURRENT MARKET PRICE" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.3(g).

                  "CUSTODIAN" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator,
custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

                  "DEFAULT" means, when used with respect to the Notes, any
event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of
Default.

                  "DEPOSITARY" means, with respect to any Global Securities, a
securities clearing agency that is registered as such under the Exchange Act and
is designated by the Company to act as Depositary for such Global Securities (or
any successor securities clearing agency so registered), which shall initially
be DTC.

                  The term "DISTRIBUTED ASSETS" has the meaning set forth in
Section 12.3(d)(A).

                  "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, a New York
corporation.

                  "EFFECTIVE DATE" has the meaning set forth in Section 12.4(a).

                  "EQUITY INTEREST" of any Person means any and all shares,
interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other
equivalents of or interests in (however designated) corporate stock or other
equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general or
limited, of such Person.

                  "EVENT OF DEFAULT" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.

                  "EXCHANGE ACT" means the United States Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended or any successor statute thereto.

                  "EXCESS AMOUNT" means, with respect to each $1,000 of
principal amount of a Security, as of any conversion date, a dollar amount equal
to the excess of (a) the product of (i) the Conversion Rate at such time
multiplied by (ii) the Closing Sale Price on the last Trading Day prior to such
conversion date over (b) $1,000, if any.

                                       7
<PAGE>

                  "EXCESS AMOUNT CONVERSION OBLIGATION" has the meaning set
forth in Section 12.14(a).

                  "EXCLUDED HOLDER" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.9.

                  "EXPIRATION TIME" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.3(f).

                  "FAIR MARKET VALUE" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.3(g).

                  "FINAL NOTICE DATE" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.14(a).

                  "FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE" means the occurrence of any of the
following events: (i) any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), is or becomes the "beneficial
owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that
a Person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all shares that such
Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately
or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of
the total outstanding Voting Stock of the Company; (ii) at any time after the
date hereof individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the
Board of Directors (together with any new directors whose election to such Board
of Directors or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the Company
was approved by a vote of at least 66-2/3% of the directors then still in office
who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or
nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to
constitute a majority of such Board of Directors then in office; (iii) the
Company consolidates with or merges with or into any Person or conveys,
transfers, sells or otherwise disposes of or leases all or substantially all of
its properties and assets to any Person, or any corporation consolidates with or
merges into or with the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in
which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is changed into or exchanged
for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where
the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is not changed or exchanged at all
(except to the extent necessary to reflect a change in the jurisdiction of
incorporation of the Company), or where (A) the outstanding Voting Stock of the
Company is changed into or exchanged for cash, securities and other property
(other than Equity Interests of the surviving corporation) and (B) the
stockholders of the Company immediately before such transaction own, directly or
indirectly, immediately following such transaction, more than 50% of the total
outstanding Voting Stock of the surviving corporation; (iv) the Company is
liquidated or dissolved or adopts a plan of liquidation or dissolution other
than in a transaction which complies with the provisions described under ARTICLE
VII; or (v) the Notes are no longer convertible into Applicable Stock that is
listed on the New York Stock Exchange or another established U.S. national
securities exchange or traded on an established automated over-the-counter
trading market in the United States.

                  A Fundamental Change shall not be deemed to have occurred if,
in the case of a merger or consolidation described in clause (iii) of the
definition of Fundamental Change, at least 95% of the consideration, excluding
cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments pursuant to dissenters'
approval rights, in the merger or consolidation constituting the Fundamental
Change, consists of common stock traded on a U.S. national securities exchange
or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market (or which shall be so traded or quoted
when issued or

                                       8
<PAGE>

exchanged in connection with such Fundamental Change) and as a result of such
transaction or transactions the Notes become convertible solely into such common
stock, excluding cash payments for fractional shares.

                  "FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE NOTICE" has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.1(b).

                  "FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE PURCHASE DATE" means the Effective Date
for a Fundamental Change; provided, however, that with respect to any Securities
for which a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice has been delivered after the
Effective Date and during the Fundamental Change Purchase/Conversion Period, the
Fundamental Change Purchase Date with respect to such Securities shall mean the
date that is three (3) Business Days following the end of the Fundamental Change
Purchase/Conversion Period.

                  "FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE PURCHASE NOTICE" has the meaning set forth
in Section 5.1(c).

                  "FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE PURCHASE/CONVERSION PERIOD" means a period
beginning on the date the Company or Trustee sends a Fundamental Change Notice
and ending 30 Trading Days after the Effective Date.

                  "FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE PURCHASE PRICE" has the meaning set forth
in Section 5.1(a).

                  "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America as in effect from time to time, including those set
forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of
the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other
statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the
accounting profession. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in
this Indenture will be computed in conformity with GAAP.

                  "GUARANTEE" means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of
negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business),
direct or indirect, of all or any part of any Indebtedness in any manner
including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters
of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof.

                  "GUARANTOR" means the party named as the "Guarantor" in the
first paragraph of this Indenture. The foregoing sentence shall likewise apply
to any subsequent successor or successors to such successors.

                  "GLOBAL SECURITIES" means Securities that are in substantially
the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and that include the information called
for by footnotes 1 and 3 thereof and that are deposited with the Depositary or
its custodian and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee.

                  "HEDGING OBLIGATIONS" of any Person means the obligations of
such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or
Commodity Agreement.

                                       9
<PAGE>

                  "HOLDER" means a person in whose name a Security, including
any Global Security, is registered on the Registrar's books.

                  "INCUR" means issue, create, assume, Guarantee, incur or
otherwise be or become liable for; and the terms "Incurred" and "Incurrence"
have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

                  "INDEBTEDNESS" means, with respect to any person,

                  (a) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such person
(i) for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the
whole of the assets of such person or only to a portion thereof), (ii) evidenced
by a note, debenture, bond or written instrument (including a purchase money
obligation), (iii) in respect of leases of such person required, in conformity
with GAAP, to be accounted for as capitalized lease obligations on the balance
sheet of such person, or (iv) in respect of letters of credit (including
reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), local guarantees or bankers'
acceptances;

                  (b) all obligations secured by a mortgage, pledge, lien,
encumbrance, charge or adverse claim affecting title or resulting in an
encumbrance to which the property or assets of such person are subject and as
are reflected as debt on the balance sheet of such person, whether or not the
obligations secured thereby shall have been assumed by or shall otherwise be
such person's legal liability;

                  (c) all obligations of such person under interest rate and
currency swap agreements, cap, floor and collar agreements, spot and forward
contracts and similar agreements and arrangements; and

                  (d) all obligations of others of the type described in clause
(a), (b) or (c) above assumed by or guaranteed in any manner by such person or
in effect guaranteed by such person through an agreement to purchase, contingent
or otherwise (and the obligations of such person under any such assumptions,
guarantees or other such arrangements).

                  "INDENTURE" means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented
from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, including the provisions
of the TIA that are explicitly incorporated in this Indenture by reference to
the TIA.

                  "INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR" means an institutional
investor that is an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3)
or (7) under the Securities Act.

                  "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE" has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A
attached hereto.

                  "INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT" means, with respect to any Person,
any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest
rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap
agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or
other similar agreement or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a
beneficiary.

                  "ISSUE DATE" means the first date on which the Notes are
issued under this Indenture.

                                       10
<PAGE>

                  "JUDGMENT CURRENCY" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10.

                  "LEGAL HOLIDAY" means any day other than a Business Day.

                  "MAKE-WHOLE PREMIUM" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.4(b).

                  "MAKE-WHOLE PREMIUM TABLE" has the meaning set forth in
Section 12.4(b).

                  "MARKET PRICE" means, as of any Purchase Date, the average of
the Closing Sale Prices of the Applicable Stock for the five Trading Day period
ending on the third Business Day prior to the applicable Purchase Date (if the
third Business Day prior to the applicable Purchase Date is a Trading Day or, if
it is not a Trading Day, then on the last Trading Day prior to such third
Business Day), appropriately adjusted to take into account the occurrence,
during the period commencing on the first of such Trading Days during such
period and ending on such Purchase Date, of any event that would result in an
adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 12.3 hereof.

                  "NOTES" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this
Indenture.

                  "OFFICER" means the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, or the Secretary
of the Company.

                  "OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" means a written certificate containing
the information specified in Section 15.4 and Section 15.5, signed in the name
of the Company by any two Officers, and delivered to the Trustee. An Officers'
Certificate given pursuant to Section 6.3 shall be signed by the principal
executive officer, principal financial officer or the principal accounting
officer of the Company.

                  "OPINION OF COUNSEL" means a written opinion containing the
information specified in Section 15.4 and Section 15.5, from legal counsel. The
counsel may be an employee of, or counsel to, the Company.

                  "PAYING AGENT" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

                  "PAYMENT BLOCKAGE PERIOD" has the meaning set forth in Section
13.3.

                  "PERMITTED AMENDMENT" has the meaning set forth in Section
6.14.

                  "PERMITTED INDEBTEDNESS" has the meaning set forth in Section
6.13.

                  "PERSON" or "PERSON" means any individual, corporation,
limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization, or government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof (and for purposes of the definition of
"Fundamental Change" shall also have the meaning set forth in such definition).

                  "PREFERRED STOCK" as applied to the Capital Stock of any
corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated)
which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of
assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or

                                       11
<PAGE>

dissolution of such corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class
of such corporation.

                  "PRINCIPAL CONVERSION SETTLEMENT ELECTION" has the meaning set
forth in Section 12.2(a).

                  "PUBLIC NOTICE" by the Company shall mean publication of a
notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of New York or through
such other public medium as the Company may use at that time and publication of
such information on the Company's corporate website.

                  "PURCHASE AGREEMENT" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.1(a).

                  "PURCHASE DATE" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a).

                  "PURCHASE NOTICE" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c).

                  "PURCHASE PRICE" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a).

                  "QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in
Rule 144A.

                  "RECORD DATE" has the meaning set forth in Section 12.3(g).

                  "REFERENCE PERIOD" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.3(d)(B).

                  "REGISTRAR" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

                  "REGISTER" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

                  "REGISTRATION DEFAULT PERIOD" has the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.

                  "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT" means the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated December 23, 2005, among the Company and the initial purchasers
party thereto.

                  "REGULAR RECORD DATE" has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A
attached hereto.

                  "RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means, when used with respect to the
Trustee, the officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee having
direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

                  "RESTRICTED CERTIFICATED SECURITY" means a Certificated
Security which is a Transfer Restricted Security.

                  "RESTRICTED GLOBAL SECURITY" means a Global Security that is a
Transfer Restricted Security.

                  "RESTRICTED SECURITY" means a Restricted Certificated Security
or a Restricted Global Security.

                                       12
<PAGE>

                  "RULE 144" means Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any
successor provision), as it may be amended from time to time.

                  "RULE 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act (or any
successor provision), as it may be amended from time to time.

                  "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission, or any successor thereto.

                  "SECURITIES" means the Notes.

                  "SECURITIES ACT" means the United States Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or any successor statute thereto.

                   "SETTLEMENT NOTICE PERIOD" has the meaning set forth in
Section 12.14(a).

                  "SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means any registration
statement to be filed by the Company covering resales by Holders of the Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes, as specified in the Registration
Rights Agreement.

                  "SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" means any existing or future, direct
or indirect, Subsidiary of the Company that would constitute a "significant
subsidiary" as such term is defined under Rule 1.02 of Regulation S-X.

                  "SPECIAL RECORD DATE" has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A
attached hereto.

                  "SPIN-OFF" has the meaning set forth in Section 12.3(d)(C).

                  "STATED MATURITY", when used with respect to any Note, means
December 15, 2012.

                  "STOCK PRICE" has the meaning set forth in Section 12.4(c).

                  "STOCK PRICE CAP" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.4(c).

                  "STOCK PRICE THRESHOLD" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.4(c).

                  "STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.3(f).

                  "SUBSIDIARY" means any person of which at least a majority of
the outstanding Voting Stock shall at the time directly or indirectly be owned
or controlled by the Company or by one or more Subsidiaries or by the Company
and one or more Subsidiaries.

                  "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE" means the Guarantee by the Guarantor of
the Company's payment obligations under this Indenture and on the Notes,
executed pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

                  "SURRENDERED SECURITY" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.2(a).

                                       13
<PAGE>

                  "TAXES" means any tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other
governmental charge of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of the
Government of Panama or by an authority or agency therein or thereof having the
power to tax, including any interest, penalties or other charges in respect
thereof.

                  "TERRITORY" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.9.

                  "TIA" means the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as
in effect on the date of this Indenture, provided, however, that in the event
the TIA is amended after such date, TIA means, to the extent required by any
such amendment, the TIA as so amended.

                  "TRADING DAY" means a day during which trading in securities
generally occurs on the principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the
Applicable Stock is then listed for trading or, if the Applicable Stock is not
listed on a U.S. national securities exchange, on the Nasdaq National Market
system or, if the Applicable Stock is not so listed for trading or quoted, on
the principal other market on which the Applicable Stock is then traded
(provided that no day on which trading of the Applicable Stock is suspended on
such exchange or other trading market will count as a Trading Day) (it being
understood that for purposes of this definition an exchange or market shall
include obtaining quotations or prices as provided in the last two sentences of
the definition of "Closing Sale Price," if applicable).

                  "TRANSFER CERTIFICATE" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.12(e).

                  "TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITY" has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.12(e).

                  "TRIGGER EVENT" has the meaning set forth in Section
12.3(d)(D).

                  "TRUSTEE" means the party named as the "Trustee" in the first
paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, shall mean such
successor. The foregoing sentence shall likewise apply to any subsequent such
successor or successors.

                  "UNDISRUPTED TRADING DAY" means a Trading Day on which the
Applicable Stock does not experience any of the following at any time during the
one-hour period ending at the conclusion of the regular Trading Day:

                  (a) any suspension of or limitation imposed on trading of the
Applicable Stock on any national securities exchange or association or
over-the-counter market;

                  (b) any event (other than an event listed in clause (c) below)
that disrupts or impairs the ability of market participants in general to (i)
effect transactions in or obtain market values for the Applicable Stock on any
relevant national securities exchange or association or over-the-counter market
or (ii) effect transactions in or obtain market values for, futures or options
contracts relating to the Applicable Stock on any relevant national securities
exchange or association or over-the-counter market; or

                  (c) any relevant national securities exchange or association
or over-the-counter market on which the Applicable Stock trades closes on any
exchange Trading Day prior to its

                                       14
<PAGE>

scheduled closing time unless such earlier closing time is announced by the
exchange at least one hour prior to the earlier of (i) the actual closing time
for the regular trading session on such exchange and (ii) the submission
deadline for orders to be entered into the exchange for execution on such
Trading Day.

                  "UNRESTRICTED CERTIFICATED SECURITY" means a Certificated
Security that is not a Transfer Restricted Security.

                  "UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL SECURITY" means a Global Security that is
not a Transfer Restricted Security.

                  "VOTING STOCK" of a person means the Equity Interest of such
person of the class or classes pursuant to which the holders thereof have the
general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority
of the board of directors, managers or trustees of such person (irrespective of
whether or not at the time the Equity Interest of any other class or classes
shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any
contingency).

                  "WEIGHTED AVERAGE PRICE" means, for any security as of any
date, the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the
principal U.S. national securities exchange or market on which such security is
listed during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York Time (or such other
time as such exchange or market publicly announces is the official open of
trading), and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York Time (or such other time as the
such exchange or market publicly announces is the official close of trading) as
reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets ("BLOOMBERG") through its "Volume at
Price" functions, or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar
volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on
the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at
9:30:01 a.m., New York Time (or such other time as such market publicly
announces is the official open of trading), and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York
Time (or such other time as such market publicly announces is the official close
of trading) as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average
price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of
the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the
market makers for such security as reported in the "pink sheets" by Pink Sheets
LLC (formerly the National Quotation Bureau, Inc.).

Section 1.2.      Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

                  Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the
provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The
following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

                  "INDENTURE SECURITIES" means the Securities;

                  "INDENTURE SECURITY HOLDER" means a Holder;

                  "INDENTURE TO BE QUALIFIED" means this Indenture;

                  "INDENTURE TRUSTEE" or "institutional trustee" means the
Trustee; and

                                       15
<PAGE>

                  "OBLIGOR" on the indenture securities means the Company.

                  All other TIA terms used but not defined in this Indenture
that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or
defined by SEC rule have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

Section 1.3.      Rules of Construction.  Unless the context otherwise requires:

                  (a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

                  (b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
assigned to it in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States as in effect from time to time;

                  (c) "or" is not exclusive;

                  (d) "including" means including, without limitation;

                  (e) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the
plural include the singular; and

                  (f) all references to "days" mean calendar days and not
Business Days.

Section 1.4.      Acts of Holders.

                  (a) Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders
of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities may
take action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any
direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact
that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified
percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any
number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in Person or by agent
or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor
thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with
procedures approved by the Trustee, (c) by a combination of such instrument or
instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders or (d) in the case
of Securities evidenced by a Global Security, by any electronic transmission or
other message, whether or not in written format, that complies with the
Depositary's Applicable Procedures. Such evidence (and the action embodied
therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "ACT" of
the relevant Holders. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing
appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture
and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner
provided in this Section 1.4.

                  (b) The fact and date of the execution by any person of any
such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such
execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by
law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing
such instrument or writing acknowledged to such officer the execution thereof.
Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than such
signer's individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also
constitute sufficient proof of such signer's authority, if it so states. The
fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or

                                       16
<PAGE>

the authority of the person executing the same, may also be proved in any other
manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

                  (c) The principal amount and serial number of any Security and
the record ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Register maintained by
the Registrar for the Securities.

                  (d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every
future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon
the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof
in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or
the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made
upon such Security.

                  (e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the
Company may, at its option, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance
a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the
Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act
may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at
the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the
purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of
outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for
that purpose the outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record
date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders
on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective
pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the
record date.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                 THE SECURITIES

Section 2.1.      Form and Dating.

                  (a) The Notes shall be designated as the "6.5% Convertible
Senior Notes due 2012" of the Company and are being offered and sold by the
Company pursuant to a Purchase Agreement dated December 22, 2005 (the "Purchase
Agreement") between the Company and the Purchasers thereunder, in transactions
exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities
Act. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not
exceed $65,000,000 (subject to increase by an additional aggregate principal
amount of up to $19,500,000 in the event the Purchasers (as defined in the
Purchase Agreement) exercise the right to purchase Additional Notes (as defined
in the Purchase Agreement) pursuant to the Purchase Agreement) except as
provided in Section 2.7. The Notes shall constitute senior general obligations
of the Company.

                  The Securities and the Trustee's certificate of authentication
shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, which is
incorporated in and made a part of this

                                       17
<PAGE>

Indenture. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required
by law, stock exchange rule or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or
endorsement required by usage is in a form acceptable to the Company). The
Company shall provide any such notations, legends or endorsements to the Trustee
in writing. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

                  (b) Restricted Global Securities. All of the Securities are
being initially offered and sold only to QIBs and shall be issued, initially in
the form of one or more Restricted Global Securities, which shall be deposited
with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, as custodian for the Depositary
and registered in the name of DTC or the nominee thereof, duly executed by the
Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. If any
Securities are resold to an Institutional Accredited Investor, the Company shall
duly execute and the Trustee shall duly authenticate and deliver, in accordance
with Section 2.2, one or more additional Restricted Global Securities, which
shall be deposited with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, as custodian
for the Depositary and registered in the name of DTC or the nominee thereof and
in which beneficial interests may be held by Institutional Accredited Investors
in accordance with the Applicable Procedures. Subject to Section 2.1(a), the
aggregate principal amount of the Restricted Global Securities may from time to
time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee
and the Depositary as hereinafter provided.

                  (c) Global Securities in General. Each Global Security shall
represent such of the outstanding Securities as shall be specified therein and
each shall provide that it shall initially represent the aggregate amount of
outstanding Securities stated thereon, but that the aggregate amount of
outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or
increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, repurchases and conversions of
such Securities.

                  Any adjustment of the aggregate principal amount of a Global
Security to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of
outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in
accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section
2.12 and shall be made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary.

                  Neither any members of, or participants in, the Depositary
(collectively, the "AGENT MEMBERS") nor any other persons on whose behalf Agent
Members may act may exercise any rights under this Indenture with respect to any
Global Security registered in the name of the Depositary or any nominee thereof,
or under any such Global Security, and the Depositary or such nominee, as the
case may be, may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the
Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner and holder of such Global Security
for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained
herein shall (A) prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or
the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other
authorization furnished by the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be,
or (B) impair, as between the Depositary, its Agent Members and any other person
on whose behalf an Agent Member may act, the operation of customary practices of
such Persons governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of any Security.

                  (d) Certificated Securities. Certificated Securities will be
issued only under the limited circumstances provided in Section 2.12(a)(i).

                                       18
<PAGE>

         Section 2.2. Execution and Authentication. The Securities shall be
executed on behalf of the Company by any Officer. The signature of the Officer
on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

                  A Security bearing the manual or facsimile signature of an
individual who was at the time of the execution of the Security an Officer shall
bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individual has ceased to hold such
office(s) prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not
hold such office(s) at the date of authentication of such Securities.

                  No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this
Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such
Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for
herein duly executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized
signatory, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence,
and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and
delivered hereunder.

                  The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver the Securities for
original issuance in an aggregate principal amount of up to $65,000,000 (subject
to increase by an additional aggregate principal amount of up to $19,500,000 in
the event the Purchasers (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) exercise the
right to purchase Additional Notes (as defined in the Purchase Agreement)
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement) upon one or more Company Orders without any
further action by the Company. The aggregate principal amount of the Securities
outstanding at any time may not exceed $65,000,000 (subject to increase by an
additional aggregate principal amount of up to $19,500,000 in the event the
Purchasers exercise the right to purchase Additional Notes pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement) except as provided in Section 2.7.

                  The Trustee shall act as the initial authenticating agent.
Thereafter, the Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the
Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate
Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to
authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.

                  The Securities shall be issued only in registered form without
coupons and only in denominations of $1,000 of principal amount and any integral
multiple thereof.

         Section 2.3. Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent. The Company
shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for
registration of transfer or for exchange ("REGISTRAR"), an office or agency
where Securities may be presented for repurchase or payment ("PAYING AGENT"), an
office or agency where Securities may be presented for conversion ("CONVERSION
AGENT") and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company
in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Registrar
shall keep a register of the Securities (the "REGISTER") and of their transfer
and exchange.

                  The Company may have one or more co-registrars, one or more
additional paying agents and one or more additional conversion agents. The term
Paying Agent includes any additional paying agent, including any named pursuant
to Section 6.5. The term Conversion Agent includes any additional conversion
agent, including any named pursuant to Section 6.5.

                                       19
<PAGE>

                  The Company shall enter into an appropriate limited agency
agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or co-registrar (in
each case, if such Registrar, agent or co-registrar is a Person other than the
Trustee). Each such agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture
that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and
address of any such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar, Paying
Agent or Conversion Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled
to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 9.7.

                  The Company hereby initially appoints the Trustee as
Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent at its Corporate Trust Office in
connection with the Securities.

         Section 2.4. Paying Agent to Hold Assets in Trust. Except as otherwise
provided herein, prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on each due date of
cash payments in respect of any Security, the Company shall deposit with the
Paying Agent, cash (in immediately available funds if deposited on the due date)
sufficient to make such payments when so becoming due. The Company shall require
each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying
Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all cash
held by the Paying Agent for the making of payments in respect of the Securities
and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such
payment. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all cash held
by it to the Trustee, and to account for any funds disbursed by it, and the
Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the
written request to the Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to forthwith pay
to the Trustee all cash so held in trust. Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall
have no further liability for the cash.

         Section 2.5. Holder Lists.

                  The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and
addresses of Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the
Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall cause to be furnished to the
Trustee on or before each semiannual Interest Payment Date and at such other
times as the Trustee may request in writing a list in such form and as of such
date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of
Holders.

         Section 2.6. Transfer and Exchange.

                  (a) Subject to compliance with any applicable additional
requirements contained in Section 2.12, when a Security is presented to the
Registrar with a request to register a transfer thereof or to exchange such
Security for an equal principal amount of Securities of other authorized
denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as
requested; provided, however, that every Security presented or surrendered for
registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by an
assignment form and, if applicable, a transfer certificate, each in the form
included in Exhibit A attached hereto and in form satisfactory to the Registrar
and each duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in
writing. To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, upon surrender of
any Security for registration of transfer or exchange at an office or agency
maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 2.3, the Company shall execute,
and the Trustee shall authenticate, Securities

                                       20
<PAGE>

of a like aggregate principal amount at the Registrar's request. Any transfer or
exchange shall be without charge, except that the Company or the Registrar may
require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other
governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with the transfer or
exchange of the Securities from the Holder requesting such transfer or exchange.

                  Neither the Company, the Registrar nor the Trustee shall be
required to exchange or register a transfer of (i) any Securities in respect of
which a Purchase Notice or a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice has been given
and not withdrawn by the Holder thereof in accordance with the terms of this
Indenture (except, in the case of Securities to be repurchased in part, the
portion thereof not to be repurchased), or (ii) any Securities surrendered for
conversion (except, in the case of Securities to be converted in part, the
portion thereof not to be converted).

                  All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt
and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

                  (b) Any Registrar appointed pursuant to Section 2.3 shall
provide to the Trustee such information as the Trustee may reasonably require in
connection with the delivery by such Registrar of Securities upon transfer or
exchange of Securities.

                  (c) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor,
determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed
under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any
interest in any Security between or among Agent Members or other beneficial
owners of interests in any Global Security other than to require delivery of
such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required
by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture,
and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the
express requirements hereof.

         Section 2.7. Replacement Securities.

                  If (a) any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Company,
the Registrar or the Trustee, or (b) the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee
receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any
Security, and there is delivered to the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee
such security or indemnity as may be requested by them to save each of them
harmless, then, in the absence of any notice to the Company, the Registrar or
the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser
(within the meaning of Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted
in the State of New York), the Company shall execute and upon its written
request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for any such
mutilated Security or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a
new Security of like tenor and principal amount, bearing a certificate number
not contemporaneously outstanding.

                  In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security
has become or is about to become due and payable, or is about to be repurchased
by the Company pursuant to ARTICLE IV or ARTICLE V, the Company in its
discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay or repurchase such
Security, as the case may be.

                                       21
<PAGE>

                  Upon the issuance of any new Securities under this Section
2.7, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax,
assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto
and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee or the
Registrar) connected therewith.

                  Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section 2.7 in lieu
of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an
original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the
destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone,
and shall be entitled to all benefits of this Indenture equally and
proportionately with any and all other Securities duly issued hereunder.

                  The provisions of this Section 2.7 are exclusive and shall
preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to
the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

         Section 2.8. Outstanding Securities; Determinations of Holders' Action.

                  Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities
authenticated by the Trustee, except for those cancelled by it, those delivered
to it for cancellation, and those described in this Section 2.8 as not
outstanding. If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.7, the replaced
Security ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory
to it that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser unaware that
such Security has been replaced.

                  A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the
Company or an Affiliate thereof holds the Security; provided, however, that in
determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities
have given or concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver, or other Act hereunder, Securities owned by the Company
or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such
other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except
that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
Act, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows
to be so owned shall be so disregarded; and, provided further, that Securities
that the Company or an Affiliate offers to purchase or acquires pursuant to an
offer, exchange offer, tender offer or otherwise shall not be deemed to be owned
by the Company or an Affiliate until legal title to such Notes passes to the
Company or such Affiliate, as the case may be. Subject to the foregoing, only
Securities outstanding at the time of determination shall be considered in any
such determination.

                  If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.7, the
replaced Security ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof
satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser
unaware that such Security has been replaced.

                  If the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with the terms of
this Indenture, prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on a Purchase Date, a
Fundamental Change Purchase Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, cash or
securities, if permitted hereunder, sufficient to pay Securities payable on that
date, then on such Purchase Date, Fundamental Change Purchase Date

                                       22
<PAGE>

or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, such Securities shall cease to be
outstanding and interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, on
such Securities shall cease to accrue.

                  If a Security is converted in accordance with ARTICLE XII,
then, from and after the time of conversion on the date of conversion, such
Security shall cease to be outstanding and interest, Additional Amounts and
Additional Interest, if any, on such Security shall cease to accrue.

         Section 2.9. Temporary Securities.

                  Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Company
may execute, and upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed
or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the
tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with
such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as
the Officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced
by their execution of such Securities.

                  If temporary Securities are issued, the Company shall cause
definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the
preparation of definitive Securities, the temporary Securities shall be
exchangeable for definitive Securities upon surrender of the temporary
Securities at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose
pursuant to Section 2.3, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for
cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities the Company shall execute
and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like
principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations. Until so
exchanged the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same
benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as definitive
Securities.

         Section 2.10. Cancellation.

                  All Securities surrendered for payment, repurchase by the
Company pursuant to ARTICLE IV or ARTICLE V, conversion or registration of
transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any person other than the Trustee,
be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it or, if
surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may
at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously
authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any
manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled
by the Trustee. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities
that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or that any Holder
has converted pursuant to ARTICLE XII. No Securities shall be authenticated in
lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section
2.10, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities
held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with the
Trustee's customary procedure.

                                       23
<PAGE>
          Section 2.11. Persons Deemed Owners.

                  Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of
such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, Purchase
Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price, and interest, Additional Amounts and
Additional Interest, if any, on, the Security, for the purpose of receiving cash
or Applicable Stock upon conversion and for all other purposes whatsoever,
whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee
nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

          Section 2.12. Additional Transfer and Exchange Requirements.

               (a)  Transfer and Exchange of Global Securities.

               (i) Certificated Securities shall be issued in exchange for
          interests in the Global Securities only if the Depositary notifies the
          Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for
          the Global Securities, the Depositary ceases to be a "clearing agency"
          registered under the Exchange Act, if so required by applicable law or
          regulation and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not
          appointed by the Company within 90 calendar days, or an Event of
          Default has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received
          a request from the Depositary requesting such exchange. In any such
          case, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt
          of a Company Order (which the Company agrees to deliver promptly),
          authenticate and deliver Certificated Securities in an aggregate
          principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global
          Securities in exchange therefor. Only Restricted Certificated
          Securities shall be issued in exchange for beneficial interests in
          Restricted Global Securities, and only Unrestricted Certificated
          Securities shall be issued in exchange for beneficial interests in
          Unrestricted Global Securities. Certificated Securities issued in
          exchange for beneficial interests in Global Securities shall be
          registered in such names and shall be in such authorized denominations
          as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or
          indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The
          Trustee shall deliver or cause to be delivered such Certificated
          Securities to the Persons in whose name such Securities are so
          registered. Such exchange shall be effected in accordance with the
          Applicable Procedures.

               (ii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture other
          than the provisions set forth in Section 2.12(a)(i), a Global Security
          may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a
          nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the
          Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary
          or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such
          successor Depositary.

                                       24
<PAGE>

         (b) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Securities. In the event that
Certificated Securities are issued in exchange for beneficial interests in
Global Securities in accordance with Section 2.12(a)(i), and, on or after such
event, Certificated Securities are presented by a Holder to the Registrar with a
request:

         (x) to register the transfer of the Certificated Securities to a person
  who will take delivery thereof in the form of Certificated Securities only; or

         (y) to exchange such Certificated Securities for an equal principal
  amount of Certificated Securities of other authorized denominations,

such Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested;
provided, however, that the Certificated Securities presented or surrendered for
register of transfer or exchange:

               (i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument
          of transfer in accordance with the proviso in the first paragraph of
          Section 2.6(a); and

               (ii) in the case of a Restricted Certificated Security, such
          request shall be accompanied by the following additional information
          and documents, as applicable:

                    (A) if such Restricted Certificated Security is being
               delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the
               name of such Holder, without transfer, or such Restricted
               Certificated Security is being transferred to the Company or a
               Subsidiary of the Company, a certification to that effect from
               such Holder (in substantially the form set forth in the Transfer
               Certificate);

                    (B) if such Restricted Certificated Security is being
               transferred to a person the Holder reasonably believes is a QIB
               in compliance with Rule 144A, pursuant to the exemption from the
               registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule
               144 (if available) or pursuant to an effective registration
               statement under the Securities Act, a certification to that
               effect from such Holder (in substantially the form set forth in
               the Transfer Certificate); or

                    (C) if such Restricted Certificated Security is being
               transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration
               requirements of the Securities Act to an Institutional Accredited
               Investor (other than to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A),
               that, prior to such transfer, furnishes to the Trustee a
               certificate containing certain representations and warranties by
               such Institutional Accredited Investor (in substantially the form
               set forth in Exhibit B), an Opinion of Counsel if required by the
               Company or the Trustee and a certification to that effect from
               the Holder (in substantially the form set forth in the Transfer
               Certificate).

             (c) Transfer of a Beneficial Interest in a Restricted Global
Security for a Beneficial Interest in an Unrestricted Global Security. Any
person having a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security may upon
request, subject to the Applicable Procedures, transfer such beneficial interest
to a person who is required or permitted to take delivery thereof in the form of
an Unrestricted Global Security. Upon receipt by the Trustee of written
instructions, or such other form of instructions as is customary for the
Depositary, from the Depositary or its nominee on

                                       25
<PAGE>

behalf of any person having a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global
Security and the following additional information and documents in such form as
is customary for the Depositary from the Depositary or its nominee on behalf of
the person having such beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Security
(all of which may be submitted by facsimile or electronically):

                    (i) if such beneficial interest is being transferred
               pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
               Securities Act, a certification to that effect from the Holder
               (in substantially the form set forth in the Transfer
               Certificate); or

                    (ii) if such beneficial interest is being transferred
               pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements of
               the Securities Act provided by Rule 144, a certification to that
               effect from the Holder (in substantially the form set forth in
               the Transfer Certificate),

         the Trustee, as the Registrar, shall reduce or cause to be reduced the
         aggregate principal amount of the Restricted Global Security by the
         appropriate principal amount and shall increase or cause to be
         increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global
         Security by a like principal amount. Such transfer shall otherwise be
         effected in accordance with the Applicable Procedures. If no
         Unrestricted Global Security is then outstanding, the Company shall
         execute and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order (which
         the Company agrees to deliver promptly), authenticate and deliver an
         Unrestricted Global Security.

                    (d) Transfers of Certificated Securities for Beneficial
Interests in Global Securities. In the event that Certificated Securities are
issued in exchange for beneficial interests in Global Securities and,
thereafter, the events or conditions specified in Section 2.12(a)(i) which
required such exchange shall cease to exist, the Company shall mail notice to
the Trustee and to the Holders stating that Holders may exchange Certificated
Securities for interests in Global Securities by complying with the procedures
set forth in this Indenture and briefly describing such procedures and the
events or circumstances requiring that such notice be given. Thereafter, if
Certificated Securities are presented by a Holder to a Registrar with a request:

                    (x) to register the transfer of such Certificated Securities
               to a person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a
               beneficial interest in a Global Security, which request shall
               specify whether such Global Security will be a Restricted Global
               Security or an Unrestricted Global Security, or

                    (y) to exchange such Certificated Securities for an equal
               principal amount of beneficial interests in a Global Security,
               which beneficial interests shall be owned by the Holder
               transferring such Certificated Securities (provided that in the
               case of such an exchange, Restricted Certificated Securities may
               be exchanged only for beneficial interests in Restricted Global
               Securities and Unrestricted Certificated Securities may be
               exchanged only for beneficial interests in Unrestricted Global
               Securities), the Registrar shall register the transfer or make
               the exchange as requested by canceling such Certificated Security
               and causing, or directing the Registrar to cause, the aggregate
               principal amount of the applicable Global Security to be
               increased accordingly and, if no such Global Security is then
               outstanding, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall,

                                       26
<PAGE>

               upon receipt of a Company Order (which the Company agrees to
               deliver promptly) authenticate and deliver a new Global Security;

provided, however, that the Certificated Securities presented or surrendered for
registration of transfer or exchange:

                         (1) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written
                    instrument of transfer in accordance with the proviso in the
                    first paragraph of Section 2.6(a);

                         (2) in the case of a Restricted Certificated Security
                    to be transferred for a beneficial interest in an
                    Unrestricted Global Security, such request shall be
                    accompanied by the following additional information and
                    documents, as applicable:

                         (i) if such Restricted Certificated Security is being
                    transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement
                    under the Securities Act, a certification to that effect
                    from such Holder (in substantially the form set forth in the
                    Transfer Certificate); or

                         (ii) if such Restricted Certificated Security is being
                    transferred pursuant to the exemption from the registration
                    requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 144, a
                    certification to that effect from such Holder (in
                    substantially the form set forth in the Transfer
                    Certificate);

                         (3) in the case of a Restricted Certificated Security
                    to be transferred or exchanged for a beneficial interest in
                    a Restricted Global Security, such request shall be
                    accompanied by a certification from such Holder (in
                    substantially the form set forth in the Transfer
                    Certificate) to the effect that such Restricted Certificated
                    Security is being transferred to a person the Holder
                    reasonably believes is a QIB (which, in the case of an
                    exchange, shall be such Holder) in compliance with Rule 144A
                    or, in the case of a transfer to an Institutional Accredited
                    Investor (other than to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A),
                    by a certificate containing certain representations and
                    warranties by such Institutional Accredited Investor (in
                    substantially the form set forth in Exhibit B), an Opinion
                    of Counsel if required by the Company or the Trustee and a
                    certification to that effect from the Holder (in
                    substantially the form set forth in the Transfer
                    Certificate); and

                         (4) in the case of an Unrestricted Certificated
                    Security to be transferred or exchanged for a beneficial
                    interest in an Unrestricted Global Security, such request
                    need not be accompanied by any additional information or
                    documents.

                                       27
<PAGE>

(e) Legends.

                         (1) Except as permitted by the following paragraphs
                    (2), (3) and (4), each Global Security and Certificated
                    Security (and all Securities issued in exchange therefor or
                    upon registration of transfer or replacement thereof) shall
                    bear a legend in substantially the form called for by
                    footnote 2 to Exhibit A (each a "TRANSFER RESTRICTED
                    SECURITY"), for so long as it is required by this Indenture
                    to bear such legend. Each Transfer Restricted Security shall
                    have attached thereto a certificate (a "TRANSFER
                    CERTIFICATE") in substantially the form called for by
                    footnote 4 to Exhibit A attached hereto.

                         (2) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted
                    Security (x) pursuant to Rule 144 or (y) pursuant to an
                    effective registration statement under the Securities Act:

                         (i) in the case of any Restricted Certificated
                    Security, any Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to
                    exchange such Restricted Certificated Security for an
                    Unrestricted Certificated Security, or (under the
                    circumstances described in Section 2.12(d)) to transfer such
                    Restricted Certificated Security to a transferee who shall
                    take such Security in the form of a beneficial interest in
                    an Unrestricted Global Security, and in each case shall
                    rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Security;
                    and

                         (ii) in the case of any beneficial interest in a
                    Restricted Global Security, the Trustee shall permit the
                    beneficial owner thereof to transfer such beneficial
                    interest to a transferee who shall take such interest in the
                    form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global
                    Security and shall rescind any restriction on transfer of
                    such beneficial interest; provided, that such Unrestricted
                    Global Security shall continue to be subject to the
                    provisions of Section 2.12(a)(ii).

                         (3) Upon the expiration of the holding period pursuant
                    to Rule 144(k) of the Securities Act, the Company shall
                    remove any restriction of transfer on such Security, and the
                    Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate
                    and deliver Securities that do not bear such legend and that
                    do not have a Transfer Certificate attached thereto.

                         (4) Until the expiration of the holding period
                    applicable to sales of the Securities under Rule 144(k) of
                    the Securities Act or a transfer of the Securities pursuant
                    to Rule 144 or pursuant to an effective registration
                    statement under the Securities Act, the Applicable Stock
                    issued upon conversion of the Securities shall bear the
                    legend in substantially the form called for by Exhibit C
                    attached hereto.

          (f) Transfers to the Company. Nothing contained in this Indenture or
in the Securities shall prohibit the sale or other transfer of any Securities
(including beneficial interests in

                                       28
<PAGE>

Global Securities) to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which Securities
shall thereupon be cancelled in accordance with Section 2.10.

          (g) Amendments to Rule 144(k). Notwithstanding any other provision in
this Indenture, if Rule 144(k) as promulgated under the Securities Act is
amended to shorten the two-year period under Rule 144(k), then the references to
"two years" in the restrictive legend of each Transfer Restricted Security shall
be deemed to refer to such shorter period, from and after receipt by the Trustee
of a Company Request; provided that, such legend shall not be deemed to refer to
such shorter period if to do so would be prohibited by, or would otherwise cause
a violation of, the U.S. federal securities laws applicable at the time. As soon
as practicable after a Responsible Officer of the Company receives notice of the
effectiveness of any such amendment to shorten the two-year period under Rule
144(k), unless causing the Transfer Restricted Securities to refer to such
shorter period would otherwise be prohibited by, or would otherwise cause a
violation of, the U.S. federal securities laws applicable at the time, the
Company will provide to the Trustee a Company Request respecting the
effectiveness of such amendment.

     Section 2.13. CUSIP Numbers.

          The Company may issue the Securities with one or more "CUSIP" numbers
(if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in
notices of repurchase as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice
may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers
either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a
repurchase and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification
numbers printed on the Securities, and any such repurchase shall not be affected
by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify
the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

                                  ARTICLE III

                             NO OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

     Section 3.1. No Right to Redeem.

          The Company shall not have the right to redeem the Notes.

     Section 3.2. No Sinking Fund.

          The Notes shall not have a sinking fund.

                                   ARTICLE IV

               PURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS ON SPECIFIC DATES

     Section 4.1. Optional Put.

          (a) Each Holder shall have the right, at the Holder's option, but
subject to the provisions of this Section 4.1, to require the Company to
purchase, and upon the exercise of such right, the Company shall purchase, all
of such Holder's Notes, or any portion of the principal

                                       29
<PAGE>

amount thereof that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, as
directed by such Holder pursuant to this Section 4.1, on December 15, 2010 (the
"PURCHASE DATE"). The Company shall be required to purchase such Notes at a
purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid
interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding,
the Purchase Date (the "PURCHASE PRICE"). In the event that a Purchase Date is a
date that is after any Regular Record Date but on or before the corresponding
Interest Payment Date, the Company shall be required to pay accrued and unpaid
interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, to the Holder of
the repurchased Note and not the Holder on the Regular Record Date.

          (b) The Company shall pay the Purchase Price with respect to Notes to
be purchased pursuant to this ARTICLE IV wholly in cash. No later than 22
Business Days prior to the Purchase Date, the Company shall mail a written
notice (the "COMPANY NOTICE") of the purchase right by first class mail to the
Trustee (and the Paying Agent if the Trustee is not then acting as a Paying
Agent) and to each Holder at its address shown in the Register of the Registrar,
and to beneficial owners as required by applicable law. The notice shall include
a form of Purchase Notice to be completed by the Holder and shall briefly state,
as applicable:

          (i) the date by which the Purchase Notice must be delivered to the
     Paying Agent in order for a Holder to exercise the purchase right pursuant
     to this Section 4.1;

          (ii) the Purchase Date;

          (iii) the Purchase Price;

          (iv) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion
     Agent;

          (v) the Conversion Rate and any adjustments thereto;

          (vi) that the Notes as to which a Purchase Notice has been given may
     be converted into Common Stock if they are otherwise convertible pursuant
     to ARTICLE XII of this Indenture only if the Purchase Notice has been
     withdrawn in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or if there shall
     be a Default in the payment of the Purchase Price;

          (vii) that the Notes must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to
     collect payment;

          (viii) that the Purchase Price for any Notes as to which a Purchase
     Notice has been duly given and not withdrawn shall be paid promptly
     following the later of the Purchase Date and the time of surrender of such
     Security as described in Section 4.1(b)(vii);

          (ix) the procedures the Holder must follow to exercise its rights
     under this Section 4.1 and a brief description of such rights;

          (x) briefly, the conversion rights of the Notes, if any, and that the
     Holder must satisfy the requirements set forth in the Indenture in order to
     convert the Notes;

                                       30
<PAGE>

          (xi) the procedures for withdrawing a Purchase Notice, including a
     form of notice of withdrawal;

          (xii) that, unless the Company defaults in making payment of such
     Purchase Price, interest (including any Additional Interest) and Additional
     Amounts, if any, on Notes surrendered for purchase by the Company shall
     cease to accrue on and after the Purchase Date; and

          (xiii) the CUSIP number(s) of the Notes.

          At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the Company Notice in
the Company's name and at the Company's expense; provided, however, that the
Company makes such request at least five Business Days (unless a shorter period
shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) prior to the date by which such Company
Notice must be given to the Holders in accordance with this Section 4.1(b);
provided, further, that the text of the Company Notice shall be prepared by the
Company.

          No failure of the Company to give the Company Notice shall limit any
Holder's right to exercise its rights to require the Company to purchase such
Holder's Securities pursuant to this ARTICLE IV.

          If any of the Notes is in the form of a Global Security, then the
Company shall modify such Company Notice to the extent necessary to accord with
the procedures of the Depositary applicable to the purchase of Global
Securities.

          Simultaneously with delivering the Company Notice pursuant to this
Section 4.1(b), the Company shall make a Public Notice containing all
information specified in such Company Notice.

          (c) A Holder may exercise its rights specified in clause (a) of this
Section 4.1 upon delivery of a written notice (which shall be in substantially
the form included on the reverse side of the Securities entitled "Option of
Holder to Elect Purchase" hereto and which may be delivered by letter, overnight
courier, hand delivery, facsimile transmission or in any other written form and,
in the case of Global Securities, may be delivered electronically or by other
means in accordance with the Depositary's customary procedures) of the exercise
of such rights (a "PURCHASE NOTICE") to the Paying Agent at any time from the
opening of business on the date that is 22 Business Days prior to the relevant
Purchase Date until the close of business on the second Business Day prior to
such Purchase Date.

          The Purchase Notice delivered by a Holder shall state (i) the Purchase
Date, (ii) if certificated Securities, the serial number or numbers of the Note
or Notes which the Holder shall deliver to be purchased (if not certificated,
the notice must comply with Applicable Procedures), (iii) the portion of the
principal amount of the Note which the Holder shall deliver to be purchased,
which portion must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, and (iv) that such
Note shall be purchased pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the
Securities and this Indenture.

                                       31
<PAGE>

          Delivery of a Note to the Paying Agent by book-entry transfer or
physical delivery prior to, on or after the applicable Purchase Date (together
with all necessary endorsements) at the offices of the Paying Agent is a
condition to receipt by the Holder of the Purchase Price therefor; provided,
however, that such Purchase Price shall be so paid pursuant to this Section 4.1
only if the Note so delivered to the Paying Agent shall conform in all respects
to the description thereof in the related Purchase Notice, as determined by the
Company.

          The Company shall purchase from the Holder thereof, pursuant to this
Section 4.1, a portion of a Note if the principal amount of such portion is
$1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply
to the purchase of all of a Note pursuant to Section 4.1 through 4.6 also apply
to the purchase of such portion of such Note.

          The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by
it of any Purchase Notice or written withdrawal thereof.

          Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the case of Global
Securities, any Purchase Notice may be delivered or withdrawn and such
Securities may be surrendered or delivered for purchase in accordance with the
Applicable Procedures as in effect from time to time.

     Section 4.2. Effect of Purchase Notice; Withdrawal of Purchase Notice.

          (a) Upon receipt by the Paying Agent of the Purchase Notice specified
in Section 4.1(c), the Holder of the Note in respect of which such Purchase
Notice was given shall (unless such Purchase Notice is withdrawn as specified in
the following paragraph) thereafter be entitled to receive solely the Purchase
Price with respect to such Note. Such Purchase Price shall be paid to such
Holder, subject to receipt of cash by the Paying Agent, promptly following the
later of (i) the Purchase Date with respect to such Note (provided the
conditions in Section 4.1(c) have been satisfied) and (ii) the time of
book-entry transfer or delivery of such Note to the Paying Agent by the Holder
thereof in the manner required by Section 4.1(c). Notes in respect of which a
Purchase Notice has been given by the Holder thereof may not be converted
pursuant to ARTICLE XII on or after the date of the delivery of such Purchase
Notice unless such Purchase Notice has first been validly withdrawn as specified
in the following paragraph.

          (b) A Purchase Notice may be withdrawn by means of a written notice
(which may be delivered by letter, overnight courier, hand delivery, facsimile
transmission or in any other written form and, in the case of Global Securities,
may be delivered electronically or by other means in accordance with the
Depositary's customary procedures) of withdrawal delivered by the Holder to the
Paying Agent at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day
immediately preceding the Purchase Date, specifying (i) the principal amount of
the Note or portion thereof (which must be a principal amount of $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof) with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is
being submitted, (ii) if certificated Securities have been issued, the serial
numbers of the withdrawn Notes, or if not certificated, such notice must comply
with Applicable Procedures, and (iii) the principal amount, if any, which
remains subject to the Purchase Notice. If a Purchase Notice has been properly
withdrawn pursuant to this Section 4.2(b) prior to the Purchase Date, the
Company shall not be obligated to purchase those Notes so identified in such
notice of withdrawal.

                                       32
<PAGE>

     Section 4.3. Deposit of Purchase Price.

          Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day next
succeeding the applicable Purchase Date, the Company shall irrevocably deposit
with the Paying Agent an amount of cash (in immediately available funds if
deposited on such Business Day) sufficient to pay the aggregate Purchase Price
of all the Notes or portions thereof which are to be purchased as of such
Purchase Date.

          If the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with the terms hereof, at
11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day next succeeding the
applicable Purchase Date, cash sufficient to pay the Purchase Price of any Notes
for which a Purchase Notice has been tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to
Section 4.2(b), then, as of such Purchase Date, such Notes shall cease to be
outstanding and interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, on
such Notes shall cease to accrue, whether or not such Notes are delivered to the
Paying Agent, and the rights of the Holders in respect thereof shall terminate
(other than the right to receive the Purchase Price upon delivery of such
Notes).

          The Company shall make a Public Notice of the aggregate principal
amount of Notes purchased on the applicable Purchase Date on such date or as
soon as practicable thereafter.

     Section 4.4. Certificated Securities Purchased in Part.

          Any Certificated Security which is to be purchased only in part shall
be surrendered at the office of the Paying Agent (with, if the Company or the
Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in
form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder
thereof or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing) and promptly after
the applicable Purchase Date the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Note, without charge, a new Note
or Notes, of any authorized denomination or denominations as may be requested by
such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the
portion of the principal amount of the Note so surrendered that is not
purchased.

     Section 4.5. Covenant to Comply With Securities Laws Upon Purchase of
                  Securities.

          When complying with the provisions of Section 4.1 hereof (provided
that such offer or purchase constitutes an "issuer tender offer" for purposes of
Rule 13e-4 (which term, as used herein, includes any successor provision
thereto) under the Exchange Act at the time of such offer or purchase), and
subject to any exemptions available under applicable law, the Company shall:

          (a) if applicable, comply with Rule 13e-4 and Rule 14e-1 (or any
successor provision) under the Exchange Act;

          (b) file the related Schedule TO (or any successor schedule, form or
report) if required under the Exchange Act; and

                                       33
<PAGE>

          (c) otherwise comply with all United States federal and state
securities laws so as to permit the rights and obligations under this ARTICLE IV
to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified therein.

     Section 4.6. Repayment to the Company.

          To the extent that the aggregate amount of cash deposited by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.3 exceeds the aggregate Purchase Price of the
Notes or portions thereof which the Company is obligated to purchase as of the
applicable Purchase Date, then, promptly after such Purchase Date, the Paying
Agent shall return any such excess to the Company, together with interest, if
any, on any such cash.

                                   ARTICLE V

                        PURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
                            UPON A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE

     Section 5.1. Fundamental Change Put.

          (a) In the event that a Fundamental Change shall occur at any time
prior to the Stated Maturity, each Holder shall have the right, at the Holder's
option, but subject to the provisions of this Section 5.1, to require the
Company to purchase (the "FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE PUT"), and upon the exercise of
such right, the Company shall purchase, all of such Holder's Notes, or any
portion of the principal amount thereof that is equal to $1,000 or an integral
multiple thereof, as directed by such Holder pursuant to this Section 5.1, on
the Fundamental Change Purchase Date. The Company shall be required to purchase
such Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 110% of the principal amount
upon the exercise of the Fundamental Change Put in connection with a Fundamental
Change occurring prior to December 31, 2006 and 100% of such principal amount
thereafter, in each case plus any accrued and unpaid interest, Additional
Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Fundamental
Change Purchase Date (the "FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE PURCHASE PRICE"). In the event
that a Fundamental Change Purchase Date is a date that is after any Regular
Record Date but on or before the corresponding Interest Payment Date, the
Company shall be required to pay accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Amounts
and Additional Interest, if any, to the Holder of the repurchased Note and not
the Holder on the Regular Record Date.

          (b) Within 10 Business Days after the Company knows or reasonably
should know that a Fundamental Change has or will occur (provided, however, in
no event prior to such time as the Company has publicly announced that such
Fundamental Change may occur), the Company shall mail a written notice of the
Fundamental Change (the "FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE NOTICE") by first class mail to the
Trustee (and the Paying Agent if the Trustee is not then acting as Paying Agent)
and to each Holder at its address shown in the Register of the Registrar, and to
beneficial owners as required by applicable law. The Fundamental Change Notice
shall include a form of Fundamental Change Purchase Notice to be completed by
the Holder and shall briefly state, as applicable:

                                       34
<PAGE>

          (i) the date of such Fundamental Change and, briefly, the events
     causing such Fundamental Change;

          (ii) the date by which the Fundamental Change Purchase Notice must be
     delivered to the Paying Agent in order for a Holder to exercise the
     purchase right pursuant to this Section 5.1;

          (iii) the Fundamental Change Purchase Date;

          (iv) the Fundamental Change Purchase Price;

          (v) the name and address of the Paying Agent and Conversion Agent;

          (vi) the Conversion Rate and any adjustments thereto;

          (vii) that the Notes as to which a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice
     has been given may be converted into Common Stock pursuant to ARTICLE XII
     of this Indenture only if the Fundamental Change Purchase Notice has been
     withdrawn in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or if there shall
     be a Default in the payment of the Fundamental Change Purchase Price;

          (viii) that the Notes must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to
     collect payment;

          (ix) that the Fundamental Change Purchase Price for any Note as to
     which a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice has been duly given and not
     withdrawn shall be paid promptly following the later of the Fundamental
     Change Purchase Date and the time of surrender of such Note as described in
     Section 5.1(b)(viii);

          (x) the procedures the Holder must follow to exercise rights under
     this Section 5.1 and a brief description of such rights;

          (xi) the conversion rights of the Notes, and that the Holder must
     satisfy the requirements set forth in the Indenture in order to convert the
     Securities;

          (xii) the procedures for withdrawing a Fundamental Change Purchase
     Notice, including a form of notice of withdrawal;

          (xiii) that, unless the Company defaults in making payment of such
     Fundamental Change Purchase Price, interest, Additional Amounts and
     Additional Interest, if any, on Notes surrendered for purchase by the
     Company shall cease to accrue on and after the Fundamental Change Purchase
     Date; and

          (xiv) the CUSIP number(s) of the Notes.

          At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the Fundamental
Change Notice in the Company's name and at the Company's expense; provided,
however, that the Company makes such request at least five Business Days (unless
a shorter period shall be satisfactory to

                                       35
<PAGE>

the Trustee) prior to the date by which such notice of purchase right must be
given to the Holders in accordance with this Section 5.1(b); provided, further,
that the text of the notice of purchase right shall be prepared by the Company.

          If any of the Notes is in the form of a Global Security, then the
Company shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord with the
procedures of the Depositary applicable to the purchase of Global Securities.

          Simultaneously with delivering Fundamental Change Notice, the Company
shall make a Public Notice containing all information specified in such written
notice.

          (c) A Holder may exercise its rights specified in clause (a) of this
Section 5.1 upon delivery of a written notice (which shall be in substantially
the form included on the reverse side of the Notes entitled "Option of Holder to
Elect Purchase" hereto and which may be delivered by letter, overnight courier,
hand delivery, facsimile transmission or in any other written form and, in the
case of Global Securities, may be delivered electronically or by other means in
accordance with the Applicable Procedures) of the exercise of such rights (a
"FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE PURCHASE NOTICE") to the Paying Agent at any time during the
Fundamental Change Purchase/Conversion Period.

          The Fundamental Change Purchase Notice delivered by a Holder shall
state (i) the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, (ii) if certificated Securities,
the serial number or numbers of the Note or Notes which the Holder shall deliver
to be purchased (if not certificated, the notice must comply with Applicable
Procedures), (iii) the portion of the principal amount of the Note which the
Holder shall deliver to be purchased, which portion must be $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof, and (iv) that such Note shall be purchased pursuant
to the terms and conditions specified in the Securities and this Indenture.

          Delivery of a Note (together with all necessary endorsements) to the
Paying Agent by book-entry transfer or physical delivery prior to, on or after
the Fundamental Change Purchase Date at the offices of the Paying Agent is a
condition to receipt by the Holder of the Fundamental Change Purchase Price
therefor; provided, however, that such Fundamental Change Purchase Price shall
be so paid pursuant to this Section 5.1 only if the Note so delivered to the
Paying Agent shall conform in all respects to the description thereof in the
related Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, as determined by the Company.

          The Company shall purchase from the Holder thereof, pursuant to this
Section 5.1, a portion of a Note if the principal amount of such portion is
$1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. Provisions of the Indenture that apply
to the purchase of all of a Note also apply to the purchase of such portion of
such Note.

          A Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it
of any Fundamental Change Purchase Notice or written withdrawal thereof.

                  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the case
of Global Securities, any Fundamental Change Purchase Notice may be delivered or
withdrawn and such Notes may be surrendered or delivered for purchase in
accordance with the Applicable Procedures as in effect from time to time.

                                       36
<PAGE>

          (d) Prior to the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, the Company shall
(i) obtain the consents under all existing indebtedness required to permit the
repurchase of the Notes pursuant to any Fundamental Change Purchase Notice or
(ii) repay in full all existing indebtedness and terminate all commitments under
all existing indebtedness, in each case the terms of which would prohibit the
purchase of the Notes pursuant to any Fundamental Change Purchase Notice.

     Section 5.2. Effect of Fundamental Change Purchase Notice.

          (a) Upon receipt by the Paying Agent of the Fundamental Change
Purchase Notice specified in Section 5.1(c), the Holder of the Note in respect
of which such Fundamental Change Purchase Notice was given shall (unless such
Fundamental Change Purchase Notice is withdrawn as specified in the following
paragraph) thereafter be entitled to receive the Fundamental Change Purchase
Price with respect to such Note. Such Fundamental Change Purchase Price shall be
paid to such Holder, subject to receipt of cash by the Paying Agent, promptly
following the later of (i) the Fundamental Change Purchase Date with respect to
such Note (provided the conditions in Section 5.1(c) have been satisfied) and
(ii) the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of such Note to the Paying
Agent by the Holder thereof in the manner required by Section 5.1(c). Notes in
respect of which a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice has been given by the
Holder thereof may not be converted pursuant to ARTICLE XII on or after the date
of the delivery of such Fundamental Change Purchase Notice unless such
Fundamental Change Purchase Notice has first been validly withdrawn as specified
in the following paragraph.

          (b) A Fundamental Change Purchase Notice may be withdrawn by means of
a written notice (which may be delivered by letter, overnight courier, hand
delivery, facsimile transmission or in any other written form and, in the case
of Global Securities, may be delivered electronically or by other means in
accordance with the Depositary's customary procedures) of withdrawal delivered
by the Holder to the Paying Agent at any time prior to the close of business on
the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Purchase Date,
specifying (i) the principal amount of the Note or portion thereof (which must
be a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) with respect to
which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, (ii) if certificated Notes
have been issued, the serial numbers of the withdrawn Notes, or if not
certificated, such notice must comply with Applicable Procedures, and (iii) the
principal amount, if any, which remains subject to the Fundamental Change
Purchase Notice. If a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice has been properly
withdrawn pursuant to this Section 5.2(b) prior to the Fundamental Change
Purchase Date, the Company shall not be obligated to purchase those Notes so
identified in such notice of withdrawal.

                                       37
<PAGE>

     Section 5.3. Deposit of Fundamental Change Purchase Price.

          Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day
immediately succeeding the applicable Fundamental Change Purchase Date, the
Company shall irrevocably deposit with the Paying Agent an amount of cash (in
immediately available funds if deposited on such Business Day) sufficient to pay
the aggregate Fundamental Change Purchase Price of all the Notes or portions
thereof which are to be purchased as of such Fundamental Change Purchase Date.

          If the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with the terms hereof, at
11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately succeeding the
applicable Fundamental Change Purchase Date, cash sufficient to pay the
Fundamental Change Purchase Price of any Notes for which a Fundamental Change
Purchase Notice has been tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to Section 5.2(b),
then, as of such Fundamental Change Purchase Date, such Notes shall cease to be
outstanding and interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, on
such Notes shall cease to accrue, whether or not such Notes are delivered to the
Paying Agent, and the rights of the Holders in respect thereof shall terminate
(other than the right to receive the Fundamental Change Purchase Price upon
delivery of such Notes).

          The Company shall make a Public Notice of the aggregate principal
amount of Notes purchased as a result of such Fundamental Change on or as soon
as practicable after the Fundamental Change Purchase Date.

     Section 5.4. Certificated Securities Purchased in Part.

          Any Certificated Security that is to be purchased only in part shall
be surrendered at the office of the Paying Agent (with, if the Company or the
Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in
form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder
thereof or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing) and promptly after
the Fundamental Change Purchase Date the Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Note, without charge, a new
Note or Notes, of any authorized denomination or denominations as may be
requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to, and in
exchange for, the portion of the principal amount of the Note so surrendered
that is not purchased.

     Section 5.5. Covenant to Comply With Securities Laws Upon Purchase of
                  Notes.

          When complying with the provisions of Section 5.1 hereof (provided
that such offer or purchase constitutes an "issuer tender offer" for purposes of
Rule 13e-4 (which term, as used herein, includes any successor provision
thereto) under the Exchange Act at the time of such offer or purchase), and
subject to any exemptions available under applicable law, the Company shall:

          (a) if applicable, comply with Rule 13e- 4 and Rule 14e-1 (or any
successor provision) under the Exchange Act;

          (b) file the related Schedule TO (or any successor schedule, form or
report) if required under the Exchange Act; and

                                       38
<PAGE>

          (c) otherwise comply with all United States federal and state
securities laws so as to permit the rights and obligations under this ARTICLE V
to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified therein.

     Section 5.6. Repayment to the Company.

          To the extent that the aggregate amount of cash deposited by the
Company pursuant to Section 5.3 exceeds the aggregate Fundamental Change
Purchase Price of the Notes or portions thereof which the Company is obligated
to purchase as of the Fundamental Change Purchase Date then, promptly after the
Fundamental Change Purchase Date, the Paying Agent shall return any such excess
to the Company together with interest, if any, thereon.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    COVENANTS

     Section 6.1. Payment of Notes.

          The Company shall pay interest on the Notes as provided in the Notes.
The Company shall promptly make all payments in respect of the Notes on the
dates and in the manner provided in the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture.
Principal Amount, Purchase Price and Fundamental Change Purchase Price and
accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any,
shall be considered paid on the applicable date due if by 11:00 a.m., New York
City time, on such date the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with this
Indenture, cash or securities, if permitted hereunder, sufficient to pay all
such amounts then due. The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, pay interest on overdue principal and overdue installments of interest,
Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, at the rate borne by the
Notes per annum plus 1%. All references in this Indenture or the Notes to
interest shall, without duplication, be deemed to include Additional Amounts and
Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights
Agreement.

          If at any time Additional Interest becomes payable by the Company
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall promptly
deliver to the Trustee a certificate to that effect and stating (i) the amount
of such Additional Interest that is payable and (ii) the date on which such
Additional Interest is payable pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights
Agreement. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives such a
certificate, the Trustee may assume without inquiry that no Additional Interest
is payable. If the Company has paid Additional Interest directly to the Persons
entitled to it, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate setting
forth the particulars of such payment.

          Each payment of the principal of and interest, Additional Amounts and
Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes due in cash shall be in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts.

          Subject to Section 4.1 and Section 5.1, the Company shall pay
interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes to
the Person in whose name the Notes are registered at the close of business on
the Regular Record Date next preceding the corresponding

                                       39
<PAGE>

Interest Payment Date. Any such interest, Additional Amounts and Additional
Interest, if any, not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith
cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may be paid
(a) to the Person in whose name the Notes are registered at the close of
business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such defaulted interest,
Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, to be fixed by the Trustee,
notice whereof shall be given to the Holders not less than 10 calendar days
prior to such Special Record Date or (b) at any time in any other lawful manner
not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the
Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange.

          The Holder must surrender the Notes to the Paying Agent to collect
payment of principal. Payment of cash interest, Additional Amounts and
Additional Interest, if any, on Certificated Securities in the aggregate
principal amount of $5,000,000 or less shall be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the Register,
and payment of cash interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if
any, on Certificated Securities in aggregate principal amount in excess of
$5,000,000 shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds at the
election of such Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the Notes are
registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee, all payments with respect
to the Notes shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
the account of the Depositary or its nominee. At the Stated Maturity, interest,
Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, on Certificated Securities
will be payable at the office or agency of the Company described in Section 6.5.

     Section 6.2. SEC and Other Reports to the Trustee.

          (a) The Company shall ensure delivery to the Trustee within 15
calendar days after it files such annual and quarterly reports with the SEC,
information, documents and other reports, copies of its annual report and of the
information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of
the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the
Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act in accordance with TIA Section 314(a). Solely with respect to the
period beginning on the date of this Indenture and ending on June 22, 2006, the
Company shall be deemed to have complied with this Section 6.2(a) as long as it
delivers to the Trustee the annual and quarterly reports, information, documents
and other reports referred to in this Section 6.2 within 15 days after they are
filed with the SEC and notwithstanding any new or continuing failure on the part
of the Company to file any such reports, information or documents with the SEC
on or before their respective due dates as set forth in the rules and
regulations of the SEC. In the event the Company is at any time no longer
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act, it shall continue to provide the Trustee with reports containing
substantially the same information as would have been required to be filed with
the SEC had the Company continued to have been subject to such reporting
requirements. In such event, such reports shall be provided at the times the
Company would have been required to provide reports had it continued to have
been subject to such reporting requirements. The Company also shall comply with
the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a). Delivery of such reports,
information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and
the Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any
information contained therein or determinable from information contained
therein, including the Company's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder
(as to

                                       40
<PAGE>

which the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on Officers' Certificates).
The Trustee shall have no duty or responsibility to review such reports,
information or documents.

          (b) The Company may deliver the reports referred to in paragraph (a)
above in this Section 6.2 by delivering copies to the Trustee in accordance with
the methods set forth in Section 15.2. Delivery of the reports, information and
documents to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 6.2(b) shall be solely for the
purposes of compliance with this Section 6.2(b) and with TIA Section 314(a). The
Trustee's receipt of such reports, information and documents shall not
constitute notice to it of the consent thereof or of any matter determinable
from the content thereof, including the Company's compliance with any of its
covenants hereunder, as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely upon Officers'
Certificates.

     Section 6.3. Compliance Certificate.

          The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 calendar days
after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, beginning with the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2005, an Officers' Certificate, one of the signors of which
shall be the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chief
Accounting Officer, stating whether or not to the knowledge of the signers
thereof, the Company is in compliance with all conditions and covenants under
this Indenture.

     Section 6.4. Further Instruments and Acts.

          Upon request of the Trustee, or as otherwise necessary, the Company
shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as
may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purposes
of this Indenture.

     Section 6.5. Maintenance of Office or Agency of the Trustee, Registrar,
                  Paying Agent and Conversion Agent.

          The Company shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New
York, an office or agency of the Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion
Agent where Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Notes may
be surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, repurchase or conversion
and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and
this Indenture may be served. The office of The Bank of New York located in New
York City at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W, New York, NY 10286, shall initially
be such office or agency for all of the aforesaid purposes. The Company shall
give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and of any change in
the location, of any such office or agency (other than a change in the location
of the office of the Trustee). If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain
any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the
address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made
or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 15.2.

          The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or
all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided,
however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the
Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of
Manhattan, New York, New York, for such purposes.

                                       41
<PAGE>

     Section 6.6. Delivery of Information Required Under Rule 144A.

          Upon the request of a Holder or any beneficial owner of Notes or
holder or beneficial owner of Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof, the
Company shall promptly furnish or cause to be furnished the information required
pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act to such Holder or any
beneficial owner of Securities or holder or beneficial owner of Common Stock, or
to a prospective purchaser of any such security designated by any such holder,
as the case may be, to the extent required to permit compliance by such Holder
or holder with Rule 144A under the Securities Act in connection with the resale
of any such security.

     Section 6.7. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.

          The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that
it shall not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever
claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any
usury or other law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force,
which would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of
the principal amount, Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price in
respect of Notes, or any interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest,
if any, on such amounts, as contemplated herein, or which may affect the
covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent
that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of
any such law, and covenants that it shall not hinder, delay or impede the
execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and
permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

     Section 6.8. Statement by Officers as to Default.

          The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as practicable and
in any event within five Business Days after the Company becomes aware of the
occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate setting
forth the details of such Default or Event of Default and the action which the
Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

     Section 6.9. Payment of Additional Amounts.

          Unless otherwise required by Panamanian law, the Company will not
deduct or withhold from payments made with respect to the Securities on account
of any present or future Taxes. In the event that the Company is required to
withhold or deduct on account of any Taxes due from any payment made under or
with respect to the Securities, the Company will pay such additional amounts
("ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS") as may be necessary so that the net amount received by
each Holder of Securities will equal the amount that the Holder would have
received if the Taxes had not been required to be withheld or deducted; provided
that no Additional Amounts will be payable with respect to a payment made to a
Holder (an "EXCLUDED HOLDER") to the extent: (i) that any Taxes would not have
been so imposed but for the existence of any present or former connection
between the Holder and the Republic of Panama, other than the mere receipt of
the payment, acquisition, ownership or disposition of such Securities or the
exercise or enforcement of rights under the Securities or this Indenture; (ii)
of any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer or personal property Taxes
imposed with respect to the Securities, except as described below or as
otherwise provided in this Indenture; (iii) that any

                                       42
<PAGE>

such Taxes would not have been imposed but for the presentation of the
Securities, where presentation is required, for payment on a date more than 30
days after the date on which the payment became due and payable or the date on
which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever is later, except to the
extent that the beneficiary or Holder thereof would have been entitled to
Additional Amounts had the Securities been presented for payment on any date
during such 30-day period; or (iv) that the Holder would not be liable or
subject to such withholding or deduction of Taxes but for the failure to make a
valid declaration of non-residence or other similar claim for exemption, if: (a)
the making of the declaration or claim is required or imposed by statute,
treaty, regulation, ruling or administrative practice of the relevant taxing
authority as a precondition to an exemption from, or reduction in, the relevant
Taxes; and (b) at least 60 days prior to the first payment date with respect to
which the Company shall apply this clause (iv), the Company shall have notified
all Holders of the Securities in writing that they shall be required to provide
this declaration or claim. In the event that the Company is required to withhold
or deduct on account of any Taxes due from any payment made under or with
respect to the Securities, the Company shall also (i) withhold or deduct such
Taxes as required in accordance with all applicable laws; (ii) remit the full
amount of Taxes deducted or withheld to the relevant taxing authority in
accordance with all applicable laws; (iii) use reasonable efforts to obtain from
each relevant taxing authority imposing the Taxes certified copies of tax
receipts evidencing the payment of any Taxes deducted or withheld and,
notwithstanding the Company's efforts to obtain the receipts, if the same are
not obtainable, other evidence of such payments; and (iv) upon request, make
available to the Holders of the Securities, within 60 days after the date the
payment of any Taxes deducted or withheld is due pursuant to applicable law,
certified copies of tax receipts evidencing such payment by the Company and,
notwithstanding the Company's efforts to obtain the receipts, if the same are
not obtainable, other evidence of such payments.

          In addition, the Company will pay any stamp, issue, registration,
documentary or other similar taxes and duties, including interest, penalties and
additional amounts with respect thereto, payable in the Republic of Panama or
the United States, or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in the
foregoing with respect to the creation, issue, offering, enforcement or
retirement of the Securities or enforcement of the Transaction Documents and
will use reasonable efforts to obtain from each relevant taxing authority
imposing such Taxes certified copies of tax receipts evidencing the payment of
any such Taxes and, notwithstanding the Company's efforts to obtain the
receipts, if the same are not obtainable, other evidence of such payments.

          At least 30 days prior to each date on which any payment under or with
respect to the Securities is due and payable, if the Company becomes obligated
to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such payment, the Company shall
deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating the fact that such
Additional Amounts will be payable, and the amounts so payable and will set
forth such other information as is necessary to enable the Trustee to pay such
Additional Amounts to the Holders on the payment date. Whenever in this
Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of principal or
interest (including Additional Interest and defaulted interest) or any other
amount payable on or with respect to any of the Securities, such mention shall
be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for
in this Section 6.9 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are,
were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 6.9 and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts in those
provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding

                                       43
<PAGE>

Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not
made (if applicable).

          If payments with respect to the Securities become subject generally to
the taxing jurisdiction of any Territory or any political subdivision or taxing
authority thereof or therein having power to tax, other than or in addition to
the Republic of Panama or any political subdivision or taxing authority therein
or thereof having power to tax, immediately upon becoming aware thereof the
Company shall notify the Trustee of such event, and thereupon the Company shall
be obligated to pay Additional Amounts in respect thereof on terms corresponding
to the terms of the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.9 with the
substitution for (or, as the case may be, in addition to) the references herein
to the Republic of Panama or any political subdivision or authority therein or
thereof having power to tax of references to that other or additional Territory
or any political subdivision or authority therein or thereof having power to tax
to whose taxing jurisdiction such payments shall have become subject as
aforesaid. The term "TERRITORY" means for this purpose any jurisdiction in which
the Company is incorporated or in which it has its place of central management
or central control.

          The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.9 shall survive
the termination of this Indenture and the payment of all amounts under or with
respect to this Indenture and the Securities.

     Section 6.10. Indemnification for Foreign Currency Judgments.

          The obligations of the Company to any Holder or the Trustee shall,
notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the "JUDGMENT CURRENCY") other than
United States Dollars (the "AGREEMENT CURRENCY"), be discharged only to the
extent that on the first Business Day following receipt by such Holder or the
Trustee, as the case may be, of any amount in the Judgment Currency, such Holder
or the Trustee may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the
Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency in the City of New York. If the
amount of the Agreement Currency that could be so purchased is less than the
amount originally to be paid to such Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be,
in the Agreement Currency, the Company agrees, as a separate obligation and
notwithstanding such judgment, to pay to such Holder or the Trustee, as the case
may be, the difference, and if the amount of the Agreement Currency that could
be so purchased exceeds the amount originally to be paid to such Holder or the
Trustee, as the case may be, such Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be,
shall pay to or for the account of the Company such excess, provided that such
Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be, shall not have any obligation to pay
any such excess as long as a Default in respect of the obligations of the
Company to pay when due any amounts due under this Indenture has occurred and is
continuing, in which case such excess may be applied by such Holder or the
Trustee, as the case may be, to such payment obligations.

     Section 6.11. Maintenance of Corporate Existence.

          Subject to ARTICLE VII, the Company will do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate
existence.

                                       44
<PAGE>

     Section 6.12. Additional Subsidiary Guarantees and Liens.

          If, after the Issue Date, any Subsidiary other than the Guarantor
(whether or not acquired or created by the Company or a Subsidiary after the
Issue Date) has outstanding or guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company or a
Subsidiary (other than any Permitted Indebtedness), then such Subsidiary will
become a guarantor hereunder to the same extent as the Guarantor by executing
and delivering a supplemental indenture to the Trustee within 180 days of the
date on which it incurred or guaranteed such Indebtedness. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, this Section 6.12 shall in no way be applicable to or otherwise
restrict or affect any Guarantee of the Company or any Subsidiary in connection
with the Credit Agreement or any new credit facility that replaces or refinances
the Credit Facility under such Credit Agreement.

     Section 6.13. Limitation on Indebtedness.

          The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
Incur any Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) (a) unless such
Indebtedness (other than Credit Agreement Indebtedness) (i) matures after the
Stated Maturity, (ii) is expressly subordinated to the Indebtedness evidenced by
the Securities in right of payment, whether in respect of payment of interest or
upon liquidation or dissolution or otherwise, upon commercially reasonable terms
that are no less favorable than the terms set forth in ARTICLE XIII hereof,
(iii) does not require or permit at any time for the prepayment, repayment,
repurchase or defeasance, directly or indirectly, of any principal or premium,
if any, thereon until ninety-one (91) days after the Stated Maturity or later,
and (iv) does not provide for total interest and fees in excess of 10.0% per
annum and (b) if the Incurrence of such Indebtedness (including, without
limitation, Credit Agreement Indebtedness) would cause of the Consolidated
Leverage Ratio to exceed 4.00:1.00. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section
6.13 shall not prohibit the Incurrence of the following Indebtedness
(collectively, "PERMITTED INDEBTEDNESS"):

          (a) Guarantees by the Company or any Subsidiary Incurred by the
Company or such Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture,
or Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit securing
performance, surety and similar bonds and completion and performance guarantees
provided by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

          (b) Indebtedness under Hedging Obligations that are Incurred in the
ordinary course of business (and not for speculative purposes) (i) for the
purpose of fixing or hedging interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness
Incurred without violation of this Indenture; (ii) for the purpose of fixing or
hedging currency exchange rate risk with respect to any currency exchanges; or
(iii) for the purpose of fixing or hedging commodity price risk with respect to
any commodities;

          (c) the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of
Indebtedness represented by Capitalized Lease Obligations, mortgage financings
or purchase money obligations with respect to assets other than Capital Stock,
in each case Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the
purchase price or cost of construction or improvements of property used in the
business of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

          (d) Indebtedness Incurred in respect of workers' compensation claims,
self-insurance obligations, financing of insurance premiums, performance, surety
and similar bonds

                                       45

<PAGE>

and completion guarantees provided by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business;

         (e) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or its
Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or
similar obligations, in each case, Incurred or assumed in connection with the
disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Subsidiary; provided
that the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall
at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company and its
Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition; and

         (f) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial
institution of a check, draft or similar instrument (except in the case of
daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of
business; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is extinguished promptly.

     Section 6.14. Limitations Relating to 2.75% Notes

         The Company will not, and will not cause or permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, purchase, defease, redeem, prepay or
otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to any scheduled final maturity,
the 2.75% Notes so long as any Securities are outstanding. Other than in
connection with a Permitted Amendment (as defined in this Section 6.14 below),
the Company shall not amend, supplement or otherwise modify the 2004 Indenture
or the 2.75% Notes to provide for (a) any change in the maturity of the
principal amount of 2.75% Notes, (b) any increase in the interest rate or
conversion rate or decrease in the conversion price of the 2.75% Notes, (c) any
modification of the dates of any purchase, redemption or prepayment of the 2.75%
Notes or (d) any guarantee of the obligations under the 2.75% Notes by any
Subsidiary of the Company. Prior to the first anniversary of the initial Issue
Date, the Company shall not effect any exchange of the 2.75% Notes in reliance
on Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act. Following the first anniversary of the
initial Issue Date, the Company may effect an exchange of the 2.75% Notes in
reliance on Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act provided that (i) the holders
of the 2.75% Notes receive solely Common Stock in any such exchange and (ii) the
number of shares issuable in such exchange shall not exceed an amount of shares
of Common Stock equal to the principal amount of the 2.75% Notes being exchanged
divided by the Conversion Price then in effect under this Indenture. For
purposes hereof, "PERMITTED AMENDMENT" means any increase in the interest rate
of the 2.75% Notes so long as the Company, contemporaneously with such increase,
makes a corresponding increase to the interest rate under this Indenture and the
Securities.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                             SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

     Section 7.1. When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets.

         The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any other
Person or convey, transfer, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, unless:

                                       46
<PAGE>

         (a) either(i) the Company shall be the continuing corporation or (ii)
the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into
which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance,
transfer, sale, lease or other disposition all or substantially all of the
properties and assets of the Company (1) shall be a corporation organized and
validly existing under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the
District of Columbia or Panama (even if a Subsidiary of another Person) and (2)
shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and
delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of
the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture and the
Registration Rights Agreement and, to the extent applicable, otherwise comply
with the provisions of Section 12.5;

         (b) immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction, no
Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

         (c) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation,
merger, conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or other disposition and, if a
supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such
supplemental indenture, comply with this ARTICLE VII and that all conditions
precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

         For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment, sale
or otherwise) of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries, which,
if such assets were owned by the Company, together with the assets of all of the
other Subsidiaries of the Company, would constitute all or substantially all of
the properties and assets of the Company, shall be deemed to be the transfer of
all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company unless such
transfer is to the Company or another Subsidiary.

         The successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or the successor Person to which such conveyance, transfer,
sale, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted
for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture
with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company herein;
and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the Company shall be discharged
from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture, the Notes and the
Registration Rights Agreement. Subject to Section 11.6, the Company, the Trustee
and the successor Person shall enter into a supplemental indenture to evidence
the succession and substitution of such successor Person and such discharge and
release of the Company.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                              DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     Section 8.1. Events of Default.

                                       47
<PAGE>

         So long as any Notes are outstanding, each of the following shall be an
"EVENT OF DEFAULT":

         (a) the failure by the Company to pay the principal of or premium, if
any, on any Note when the same becomes due and payable as therein provided or as
provided in this Indenture;

         (b) the failure by the Company to pay any accrued and unpaid interest,
Additional Amounts or Additional Interest, if any, on any Note, in each case,
when due and payable, and such default shall continue for a period of 30 days;

         (c) the failure by the Company to convert (or otherwise settle) any
portion of any Note following the exercise by the Holder of the right to convert
such Note into Common Stock (or cash or a combination of cash and Common Stock,
if the Company elects) pursuant to and in accordance with ARTICLE XII;

         (d) the failure by the Company to provide notice in the event of a
Fundamental Change in accordance with Section 5.1(b);

         (e) the failure by the Company to purchase any Note, or any portion
thereof, in accordance with ARTICLE IV or ARTICLE V, upon the exercise by the
Holder of such Holder's right to require the Company to purchase such Notes
pursuant thereto;

         (f) the failure on the part of the Company to duly observe and comply
with the limitations on Indebtedness set out in Section 6.13 and the limitations
relating to the 2.75% Notes set out in Section 6.14; provided that if the
Company fails to duly observe or comply with the limitations in Section 6.13 due
to any restatement of the Company's financial statements, then the Company shall
have a period of 60 days from the date of such failure to cure such failure;

         (g) the failure by the Company to perform or observe any other term,
covenant or agreement contained in the Securities or the Indenture (other than a
term, covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is
elsewhere in this Section 8.1 specifically dealt with) for a period of 60 days
after written notice of such failure has been given, by certified mail, (1) to
the Company by the Trustee or (2) to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders
of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then
outstanding;

         (h) there shall have occurred a default under any credit agreement,
mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which
there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries for money borrowed, whether such Indebtedness now exists, or is
created after the date of this Indenture, which default (i) involves the failure
to pay principal of or any premium or interest on such Indebtedness when such
Indebtedness becomes due and payable at the stated maturity thereof, and such
default shall continue after any applicable grace period or (ii) results in the
acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to the stated maturity thereof (without
such acceleration being rescinded or annulled) and, in each case, the principal
amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other
such Indebtedness so unpaid at its stated maturity or the stated maturity of
which has been so accelerated, aggregates $10,000,000 or more;

                                       48
<PAGE>

         (i) there shall be a failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to pay final judgments not covered by insurance aggregating in excess of
$7,500,000, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of
60 days;

         (j) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, or any group of two or
more Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant
Subsidiary, pursuant to or under or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

           (i) commences a voluntary case or proceeding;

           (ii) consents to the entry of any order for relief against it in an
     involuntary case or proceeding or the commencement of any case against it;

           (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any
     substantial part of its property;

           (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

           (v) files a petition in bankruptcy or answer or consent seeking
     reorganization or relief; or

           (vi) consents to the filing of such petition or the appointment of or
     taking possession by a Custodian; and

         (k) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under
any Bankruptcy Law that:

           (i) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
     or any group of two or more Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would
     constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case or proceeding,
     or adjudicates the Company, any such Significant Subsidiary or group of
     Subsidiaries insolvent or bankrupt;

           (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant
     Subsidiary or any group of two or more Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole,
     would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or for any substantial part of
     the property of the Company or any such Significant Subsidiary or group of
     Subsidiaries; or

           (iii) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any
     Significant Subsidiary or any group of two or more Subsidiaries that, taken
     as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, and the order of
     decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days.

     Section 8.2. Acceleration.

         If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
Section 8.1(j) or Section 8.1(k) with respect to the Company) occurs and is
continuing (including an Event of Default specified in Section 8.1(j) or Section
8.1(k) with respect to one or more Significant Subsidiaries), the Trustee by
notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate

                                       49
<PAGE>

principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding by notice to the Company
and the Trustee, may declare the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid
interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, on all the Notes
to be immediately due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such accelerated
amount shall be due and payable immediately.

         If an Event of Default specified in Section 8.1(j) or Section 8.1(k)
occurs with respect to the Company and is continuing, the principal amount plus
accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any,
on all the Notes shall become and be immediately due and payable without any
declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders.

         The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at
the time outstanding, by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and
its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or
decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and if all existing Events of
Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of the principal amount plus
accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any,
that have become due solely as a result of acceleration and if all amounts due
to the Trustee under Section 9.7 have been paid. No such rescission shall affect
any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

     Section 8.3. Other Remedies.

         If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may, but
shall not be obligated to, pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of
the principal plus accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Amounts and
Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any
provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

         The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if the Trustee does not
possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of the Notes in the proceeding.
A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or
remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of, or acquiescence in, the Event of Default. No remedy is
exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.

     Section 8.4. Waiver of Past Defaults.

         Subject to Section 8.7 and Section 11.2, the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, by notice to
the Trustee (and without notice to any other Holder), may waive an existing
Default and its consequences except:

         (a) a Default described in Section 8.1(a), Section 8.1(b) or Section
8.1(e);

         (b) a Default which constitutes a failure to convert any Note in
accordance with the terms of ARTICLE XII; or

         (c) a Default in respect of any provision of this Indenture or the
Notes, which, under Section 11.2, cannot be amended or modified without the
consent of each Holder affected thereby.

                                       50
<PAGE>

         When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall
extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right. This
Section 8.4 shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)1(B) of the TIA and such Section
316(a)1(B) is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture, as permitted by the
TIA.

     Section 8.5. Control by Majority.

         The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at
the time outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any
direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee
determines in good faith is prejudicial to the rights of other Holders or would
involve the Trustee in personal liability unless the Trustee is offered
indemnity satisfactory to it. This Section 8.5 shall be in lieu of Section
316(a)1(A) of the TIA and such Section 316(a)1(A) is hereby expressly excluded
from this Indenture, as permitted by the TIA.

     Section 8.6. Limitation on Suits.

         A Holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or
the Securities unless:

         (a) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating that an
Event of Default is continuing;

         (b) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes at the time outstanding make a written request to the Trustee to pursue
the remedy;

         (c) such Holder or Holders offered to the Trustee security or indemnity
satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

         (d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after
receipt of such notice, request and offer of security or indemnity; and

         (e) the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes at the time outstanding do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent
with the request during such 60-day period.

         A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of any
other Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over any other Holder.

     Section 8.7. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment or to Convert.

         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any
Holder to receive payment of the principal amount, Purchase Price, Fundamental
Change Purchase Price, interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if
any, in respect of the Notes held by such Holder, on or after the respective due
dates expressed in the Securities and in this Indenture, and to convert such
Notes in accordance with ARTICLE XII, or to bring suit for the enforcement of
any such payment on or after such respective dates or the right to convert, is
absolute and

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<PAGE>

unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected adversely without the
consent of such Holder.

     Section 8.8. Collection Suit by Trustee.

         If an Event of Default described in Section 8.1(a), Section 8.1(b) or
Section 8.1(e) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its
own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or another
obligor on the Notes for the whole amount owing with respect to the Securities
and the amounts provided for in Section 9.7.

     Section 8.9. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

         In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation,
bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other
judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes
or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the
Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal amount, Purchase Price,
Fundamental Change Purchase Price, interest, Additional Amounts or Additional
Interest, if any, in respect of the Notes shall then be due and payable as
therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the
Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any such
amount) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or
otherwise:

         (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal,
Purchase Price, Fundamental Change Purchase Price, interest, Additional Amounts
or Additional Interest, if any, and to file such other papers or documents as
may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee
(including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements
and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel or any other amounts due the
Trustee under Section 9.7) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial
proceeding, and

         (b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each
Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee
shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay the
Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 9.7.

         Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or
the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect
of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

                                       52

<PAGE>
     Section 8.10. Priorities.

         If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII, it
shall pay out the money in the following order:

         FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 9.7;

         SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities for the
principal amount, Purchase Price, Fundamental Change Purchase Price, interest,
Additional Amounts or Additional Interest, if any, as the case may be, ratably,
without preference or priority of any kind, according to such amounts due and
payable on the Notes; and

         THIRD: the balance, if any, to the Company.

         The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to
Holders pursuant to this Section 8.10. At least 10 days prior to such record
date, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder and the Company a notice that states
the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.

     Section 8.11. Undertaking for Costs.

         In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party
litigant (other than the Trustee) in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs
of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs,
including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in
the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or
defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 8.11 does not apply to a suit
by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 8.7 or a suit by Holders
of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time
outstanding. This Section 8.11 shall be in lieu of Section 315(e) of the TIA and
such Section 315(e) is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture, as
permitted by the TIA.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                     TRUSTEE

     Section 9.1. Duties of Trustee.

         (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the
same degree of care and skill in its exercise of those rights and powers as a
prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of
such person's own affairs.

         (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

           (i) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically
     set forth in this Indenture and no others; and

           (ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
     conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of
     the opinions expressed therein,

                                       53
<PAGE>

     upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to
     the requirements of this Indenture, but in the case of any such
     certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically
     required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the
     certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the
     requirements of this Indenture, but need not confirm or investigate the
     accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein.

         This Section 9.1(b) shall be in lieu of Section 315(a) of the TIA and
such Section 315(a) is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture, as
permitted by the TIA.

         (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful
misconduct, except that:

           (i) this clause (c) does not limit the effect of clause (b) of this
     Section 9.1;

           (ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made
     in good faith by a Responsible Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee
     was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

           (iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it
     takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
     received by it pursuant to Section 8.5 relating to the time, method and
     place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee,
     or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this
     Indenture; and

           (iv) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right
     or power or extend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial
     liability unless it receives indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it
     against any loss, liability or expense.

         (d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the
Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

         (e) Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee (acting in
any capacity hereunder) shall be under no liability for interest on any money
received by it hereunder unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

         (f) The Trustee shall comply with the reporting requirements set forth
in Section 313 of the TIA.

     Section 9.2. Rights of Trustee.

         Subject to its duties and responsibilities under the TIA and this
Indenture,

         (a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting
or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other

                                       54
<PAGE>

paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to
be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

         (b) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall
deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking,
suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence
be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part,
conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate;

         (c) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder;

         (d) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or
omitted to be taken by it in good faith which it reasonably believes to be
authorized or within its rights or powers conferred under this Indenture;

         (e) the Trustee may consult with counsel selected by it and any advice
or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith
and in reliance on such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

         (f) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or
direction of any of the Holders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture,
unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity
satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be
incurred therein or thereby;

         (g) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution
of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

         (h) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture,
note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the
Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into
such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to
make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the
books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney
at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional
liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

         (i) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or
Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual
knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a
default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee,
and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;

                                       55
<PAGE>

         (j) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given
to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are
extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities
hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other person employed to act
hereunder; and

         (k) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers'
Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers
authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture,
which Officers' Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an
Officers' Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any
such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

         (l) to the extent not prohibited by the TIA, in no event shall the
Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or
damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit)
irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such
loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

     Section 9.3. Individual Rights of Trustee.

         The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the
owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its
Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee; provided
that the Trustee must comply with Section 9.10 and Section 9.11. Any Paying
Agent, Registrar, Conversion Agent or co-registrar may do the same with like
rights.

     Section 9.4. Trustee's Disclaimer.

         The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company's
use or application of the proceeds from the Securities, it shall not be
responsible for any statement in any registration statement for the Securities
under the Securities Act or in any offering document for the Securities, this
Indenture or the Securities (other than its certificate of authentication), or
the determination as to which beneficial owners are entitled to receive any
notices hereunder.

     Section 9.5. Notice of Defaults.

         If a Default occurs and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee
shall give to each Holder notice of the Default within 30 days after it occurs
or, if later, within 15 days after it is known to the Trustee, unless such
Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except in the case of a Default
described in Section 8.1(a), Section 8.1(b) or Section 8.1(e), the Trustee may
withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in
good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the
Holders. The preceding sentence shall be in lieu of the proviso to Section
315(b) of the TIA and such proviso is hereby expressly excluded from this
Indenture, as permitted by the TIA.

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<PAGE>

     Section 9.6. Reports by Trustee to Holders.

         Within 60 days after each December 15 beginning with the December 15
following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a
brief report dated as of such December 15 that complies with TIA Section 313(a),
if required by such Section 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA
Section 313(b).

         Commencing at the time that this Indenture is qualified under the TIA,
a copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with
the SEC and each securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities are
listed. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee promptly whenever this
Indenture is qualified under the TIA and the Securities become listed on any
securities exchange and of any delisting thereof.

     Section 9.7. Compensation and Indemnity.

            The Company agrees to:

         (a) pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as the
Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing for all
services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited (to
the extent permitted by law) by any provision of law in regard to the
compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

         (b) reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all expenses,
disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with
any provision of this Indenture (including the compensation and the reasonable
expenses, advances and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such
expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its own gross
negligence or willful misconduct; and

         (c) fully indemnify the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and their
agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim,
liability, cost or expense (including attorney's fees and expenses, and taxes
(other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the
Trustee)) incurred without negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful
misconduct on their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending
themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or
any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of
any of the Trustee's powers or duties hereunder, or in connection with enforcing
the provisions of this Section 9.7.

         With regard to its indemnification rights under Section 9.7(c) where
the Company has assumed the defense in any action or proceeding, the Trustee
shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action or proceeding
and participate in the investigation and defense thereof, and the Company shall
pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel; provided,
however, that the Trustee may only employ separate counsel at the expense of the
Company if in the reasonable judgment of the Trustee (i) a conflict of interest
exists by reason of common representation or (ii) there are legal defenses
available to the Trustee that are different from or are in addition to those
available to the Company or if all parties commonly represented do not agree as
to the action (or inaction) of counsel.

         To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section 9.7, the
Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held
or collected by the Trustee,

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<PAGE>

except that held in trust to pay the principal amount, Purchase Price,
Fundamental Change Purchase Price, interest, Additional Amounts or Additional
Interest, if any, as the case may be, on particular Securities.

         The Company's payment obligations pursuant to this Section 9.7 shall
survive the discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the
Trustee. When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default
specified in Section 8.1(j) or Section 8.1(k), the expenses including the
reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel, are intended to constitute
expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

     Section 9.8. Replacement of Trustee.

         The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Company; provided, however,
that no such resignation shall be effective until a successor Trustee has
accepted its appointment pursuant to this Section 9.8. The Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding may
remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company
shall remove the Trustee if:

        (a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 9.10;

        (b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

        (c) a receiver or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its
property; or

        (d) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

         If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint, by Board
Resolution, a successor Trustee.

         A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company satisfactory in form and
substance to the retiring Trustee and the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or
removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor
Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this
Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to
Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as
Trustee to the successor Trustee, upon payment of all the retiring Trustee's
fees and expenses then due and payable and subject to the lien provided for in
Section 9.7.

         If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the
time outstanding may petition any court of competent jurisdiction at the expense
of the Company for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

         If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 9.10, any Holder may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and
the appointment of a successor Trustee.

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<PAGE>

     Section 9.9. Successor Trustee by Merger.

         If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers
all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another
corporation, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any
further act shall be the successor Trustee. As soon as practicable, the
successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the Company and the
Holders. Any such successor must nevertheless be eligible and qualified under
the provisions of Section 9.10 hereof.

     Section 9.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.

         The Trustee and any successor Trustee shall at all times satisfy the
requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1) and 310(b); provided, however, that there
shall be excluded from the operation of TIA Section 310(b)(1) any indenture or
indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest or
participation in other securities, of the Company are outstanding, if the
requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA Section 310(b)(1) are met.
Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the
application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of TIA Section 310(b).

         The Trustee (or its parent holding company) shall have a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent
published annual report of condition.

         If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 9.10, it shall resign immediately in the
manner and with the effect specified in this ARTICLE IX.

     Section 9.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

         The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any
creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned
or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated
therein.

                                   ARTICLE X

                             DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

     Section 10.1. Discharge of Liability on Securities.

         When (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Securities
(other than Securities replaced or repaid pursuant to Section 2.7) for
cancellation or (ii) all outstanding Securities have become due and payable
(whether at the Stated Maturity or upon acceleration, or on any Purchase Date or
Fundamental Change Purchase Date, or upon conversion) and the Company or the
Guarantor irrevocably deposits with the Paying Agent or Conversion Agent cash or
securities (as applicable under the terms of this Indenture) sufficient to pay
all amounts due and owing on all outstanding Securities (other than Securities
replaced pursuant to Section 2.7), and if in either case the Company or the
Guarantor pays all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this
Indenture shall, subject to Section 9.7, cease to be of further effect, subject
to

                                       59
<PAGE>

any extension required by Section 12.13 to effect settlement upon conversion of
the Notes. The Trustee shall join in the execution of a document prepared by the
Company or the Guarantor acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture on demand of the Company or the Guarantor accompanied by an Officers'
Certificate and Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company or
the Guarantor.

     Section 10.2. Repayment to the Company.

         The Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent shall return to
the Company upon written request any cash or securities held by them for the
payment of any amount with respect to the Securities that remains unclaimed for
two years, subject to applicable unclaimed property law. After return to the
Company, Holders entitled to the cash or securities must look to the Company for
payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law
designates another person and the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Conversion
Agent shall have no further liability to the Holders with respect to such cash
or securities for that period commencing after the return thereof.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                                   AMENDMENTS

     Section 11.1. Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

         The Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or
the Securities without the consent of any Holder to:

         (a) add to the covenants of the Company or the Guarantor for the
benefit of the Holders of Securities;

         (b) surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or
the Guarantor;

         (c) provide for conversion rights of Holders of Notes if any
reclassification or change of the Common Stock or any consolidation, merger or
disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's properties and assets
occurs;

         (d) provide for the assumption of the Company's obligations to the
Holders of Notes in the case of a merger, consolidation, conveyance, transfer,
sale, lease or other disposition pursuant to ARTICLE VII;

         (e) increase the Conversion Rate; provided, however, that such increase
in the Conversion Rate shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders
of Notes (after taking into account tax and other consequences of such
increase);

         (f) comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

                                       60
<PAGE>

         (g) to evidence the succession of another Person as the Guarantor
pursuant to Section 14.3 hereof and the assumption by any such successor of the
covenants and agreements of the Guarantor contained herein;

         (h) make any changes or modifications necessary in connection with the
registration of the Securities under the Securities Act as contemplated in the
Registration Rights Agreement; provided, however, that such action pursuant to
this clause (h) does not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of
Securities in any material respect;

         (i) cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision herein
which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein or which is otherwise
defective, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under this Indenture which the Company may deem necessary or desirable
and which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture;
provided, however, that such action pursuant to this clause (i) does not
adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities in any material
respect;

         (j) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company or any
other obligor upon the Notes, and the assumption by any such successor of the
covenants of the Company or such obligor herein and in the Notes, in each case
in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture;

         (k) to evidence and provide the acceptance of the appointment of a
successor trustee hereunder; or

         (l) to require the Company to settle its Conversion Obligation in cash
with respect to the principal amount of Notes surrendered for conversion.

     Section 11.2. With Consent of Holders of Notes.

         Except as provided below in this Section 11.2, this Indenture or the
Securities may be amended, and noncompliance in any particular instance with any
provision of this Indenture or the Securities may be waived, in each case with
the consent or affirmative vote of the Holders of at least a majority of the
principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding.

         Without the consent or the affirmative vote of each Holder of Notes
affected thereby (in addition to the consent or the affirmative vote of the
Holders of at least a majority of the principal amount of the Securities at the
time outstanding), an amendment or waiver under this Section 11.2 may not:

         (a) change the maturity of the principal amount of, or the payment date
of any installment of interest, Additional Amounts or Additional Interest, if
any, on, any Security;

         (b) reduce the principal amount of, or interest, Additional Amounts or
Additional Interest, if any, on, or the Purchase Price or Fundamental Change
Purchase Price of, any Note;

         (c) change the currency of payment of principal amount of, or interest,
Additional Amounts or Additional Interest, if any, on, or the Purchase Price or
Fundamental Change Purchase Price of, any Note from U.S. Dollars;

                                       61
<PAGE>

         (d) impair or adversely affect the manner of calculation or rate of
accrual of interest, Additional Amounts or Additional Interest, if any, on any
Note;

         (e) impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment or with respect to, or conversion of, any Note;

         (f) modify the Company's obligation to maintain a Registrar, Paying
Agent, Conversion Agent and an office or agency where notices and demands to or
upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served
in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City;

         (g) impair or adversely affect the conversion rights of the Holders of
the Notes as provided in ARTICLE XII;

         (h) impair or adversely affect the purchase rights of the Holders of
the Notes as provided in ARTICLE IV or ARTICLE V;

         (i) modify the redemption provisions of ARTICLE III in a manner adverse
to the Holders of Notes;

         (j) reduce the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Notes the consent or affirmative vote of whose Holders is required
for any such amendment;

         (k) reduce the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Notes the consent or affirmative vote of whose Holders is required
for any waiver of any past Default provided for in this Indenture; or

         (l) waive any matter set forth in Section 8.4(a), Section 8.4(b), or
Section 8.4(c).

         It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this
Section 11.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it
shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

         After an amendment under this Section 11.2 becomes effective, the
Company shall mail to each Holder a notice briefly describing the amendment.

     Section 11.3. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

         Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
comply with the TIA.

     Section 11.4. Revocation and Effect of Consents, Waivers and Actions.

         Until an amendment, waiver or other action by Holders becomes
effective, a consent thereto by a Holder of a Note hereunder is a continuing
consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of
the Note that evidences the same obligation as the consenting Holder's Note,
even if notation of the consent, waiver or action

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<PAGE>

is not made on the Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may
revoke the consent, waiver or action as to such Holder's Note or portion of the
Note if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the
amendment, waiver or action becomes effective. After an amendment, waiver or
action becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder.

     Section 11.5. Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

         Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to this ARTICLE XI may, and shall if required by
the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine,
new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the
Board of Directors, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in
exchange for outstanding Securities.

     Section 11.6. Trustee to Sign Supplemental Indentures.

         The Trustee shall sign any supplemental indenture authorized pursuant
to this ARTICLE XI if the amendment contained therein does not adversely affect
the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the
Trustee may, but need not, sign such supplemental indenture. In signing such
supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to the
provisions of Section 9.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment is
authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

     Section 11.7. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

         Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article,
this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby.

                                  ARTICLE XII

                                   CONVERSION

     Section 12.1. Conversion Right.

         (a) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this ARTICLE
XII, a Holder of a Note shall have the right, at such Holder's option, to
convert all or any portion (if the portion to be converted is $1,000 of the
principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) of such Note into, subject to
Section 12.14 and the provisions of this Section 12.1, a number of shares of
Common Stock equal to the product of (x) the Conversion Rate in effect on the
date of conversion times (y) the quotient of the principal amount of the Note or
portion thereof surrendered for conversion divided by 1,000.

         (b) With respect to any conversion of a Note during a Registration
Default Period, a Holder shall be entitled, subject to Section 12.14, to 103% of
the number of shares of Common Stock that the Holder would have otherwise been
entitled to upon conversion in respect of the

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<PAGE>

portion of the Conversion Obligation that the Company settles in Common Stock.

         (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Note in respect of which a Holder
has delivered a Purchase Notice or a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, as the
case may be, exercising such Holder's right to require the Company to repurchase
such Note may be converted only if such Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change
Purchase Notice is withdrawn in accordance with Section 4.2(b) or Section 5.2(b)
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately
preceding such Purchase Date or Fundamental Change Purchase Date.

     Section 12.2. Conversion Procedures; Conversion Rate; Fractional Shares.

         (a) Subject to Section 12.14, each Note shall be convertible at the
office of the Conversion Agent into fully paid and nonassessable shares of
Common Stock (calculated to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share).

         On the earlier to occur of (1) one Trading Day after the first such
date as the Closing Sale Price equals or exceeds the Conversion Price and (ii)
one Trading Day after the Company first receives a Conversion Notice, the
Company shall make an election (the "PRINCIPAL CONVERSION SETTLEMENT ELECTION")
and notify the Holders in writing whether a Holder who surrenders a Note (each,
a "SURRENDERED SECURITY") will be entitled to receive, in respect of the
principal amount of such Note upon surrender thereof, 100% Common Stock, 100%
cash or a combination of cash and Common Stock. If the Company elects to settle
the Conversion Obligation relating to the principal amount of such Note in a
combination of cash and Common Stock, the Company shall specify the percentage
of the principal amount to be satisfied in cash. This notification, once
provided to a Holder on the date the Notes first become convertible, is
irrevocable and legally binding with regard to any conversion of the Notes under
the circumstances described in Section 12.1.

         The Conversion Agent shall notify the Company when it receives a
Conversion Notice. Settlement of the conversion obligation relating to the
principal amount of any Surrendered Securities shall be in accordance with the
allocation set forth in the Principal Conversion Settlement Election. The
Company shall determine the Excess Amount, and shall set forth the method for
settling the Conversion Obligation in respect of the Excess Amount in accordance
with the procedure set forth in Section 12.13. If the Company elects to settle
in Common Stock only, a certificate for the number of full shares of Common
Stock into which the Notes are converted (and cash in lieu of fractional shares)
shall be delivered by the Company to such Holder, assuming all of the other
requirements have been satisfied by such Holder within three Trading Days after
the Company issues its notification of its chosen method of settlement in
accordance with Section 12.14. If the Company elects to settle in cash or a
combination of cash and Common Stock, the cash and, if applicable, a certificate
for the number of full shares of Common Stock into which the Notes are converted
(and cash in lieu of fractional shares) shall be paid and delivered to such
Holder, assuming all of the other requirements have been satisfied by such
Holder, in accordance with Section 12.14. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Company shall not be required to deliver certificates for Common Stock while the
stock transfer books for such stock or the security register are duly closed for
any purpose, but certificates for Common

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<PAGE>

Stock shall be issued and delivered as soon as practicable after the opening of
such books or security register.

         Except as described in Section 12.10, the Company will not make any
payment in cash or Common Stock or other adjustment for accrued and unpaid
interest, Additional Amounts or Additional Interest on any Notes when they are
converted. The Company's delivery to the Holder of the full number of shares of
Common Stock into which the Note is convertible (or, at the Company's option,
cash, or a combination of cash and Common Stock, in lieu thereof as provided in
Section 12.14), together with any cash payment for such Holder's fractional
shares, shall be deemed to satisfy the Company's obligation to pay the principal
amount of the Note and to satisfy its obligation to pay accrued and unpaid
interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any through the
conversion date. As a result, accrued interest, Additional Amounts and
Additional Interest are deemed paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished
or forfeited. Notwithstanding the foregoing, accrued interest, Additional
Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, will be payable in cash upon any
conversion of Notes made concurrently with or after acceleration of the Notes
following an Event of Default.

         If a Holder has exercised its right to require the Company to purchase
its Notes pursuant to ARTICLE IV or ARTICLE V, such Holder's conversion rights
on the Notes so subject to purchase shall expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Business Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date or Fundamental
Change Purchase Date, as the case may be, unless the Company shall default in
its payment obligation to such Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Note in
respect of which a Holder has delivered a Purchase Notice or a Fundamental
Change Purchase Notice, as the case may be, exercising such Holder's right to
require the Company to purchase such Note may be converted only if such Purchase
Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice is withdrawn in accordance with
Section 4.2(b) or Section 5.2(b) prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Business Day immediately preceding such Purchase Date or Fundamental Change
Purchase Date.

         (b) Before any Holder shall be entitled to convert any Notes into
Common Stock, such Holder shall, in the case of Global Securities, comply with
the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary in effect at that time, and in the
case of Certificated Securities, surrender such Securities, duly endorsed to the
Company or in blank if required by the Conversion Agent, at the office of the
Conversion Agent, and shall give written notice to the Company at said office or
place in the form of the Conversion Notice attached to the Note (the "CONVERSION
NOTICE") that such Holder elects to convert the same and shall state in writing
therein the principal amount of Notes to be converted (in whole or in part so
long as the principal amount to be converted is in multiples of $1,000) and the
name or names (with addresses) in which such Holder wishes the certificate or
certificates for Common Stock to be issued.

         Before any such conversion, a Holder also shall pay all funds required,
if any, relating to interest, Additional Amounts or Additional Interest, if any,
on the Notes, as provided in Section 12.10, and all taxes or duties, if any, as
provided in Section 12.9.

         If more than one Note shall be surrendered for conversion at one time
by the same Holder, the number of full shares of Common Stock that shall be
deliverable upon conversion

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<PAGE>

shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes
(or specified portions thereof to the extent permitted thereby) so surrendered.

         If shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of a Restricted
Security are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the Holder of such
Restricted Security, such Holder shall deliver to the Conversion Agent a
certification in substantially the form set forth in a Transfer Certificate
dated the date of surrender of such Restricted Security and signed by such
Holder, as to compliance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to such
Restricted Security. The Company shall not be required to issue Common Stock
upon conversion of any such Restricted Security to a Person other than the
Holder if such Restricted Security is not so accompanied by a properly completed
certification, and the Registrar shall not be required to register Common Stock
upon conversion of any such Restricted Security in the name of a Person other
than the Holder if such Restricted Security is not so accompanied by a properly
completed certification.

         (c) A Note shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date on which all of the conversion
requirements set forth in Section 12.2(b) have been satisfied, and the person or
persons entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall
be treated for all purposes as the record Holder or Holders of such Common Stock
as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on such date

         (d) In case any Certificated Security shall be surrendered for partial
conversion, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to or upon the written order of the Holder of the Security so
surrendered, without charge to such Holder (subject to the provisions of Section
12.9), a new Note or Notes in authorized denominations in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the unconverted portion of the surrendered Certificated
Securities.

     Section 12.3. Adjustment of Conversion Rate.

         The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time as follows:

         (a) In case the Company shall, at any time or from time to time after
the initial Issue Date while any of the Notes are outstanding, pay a dividend or
make a distribution in Common Stock to all or substantially all holders of its
outstanding Common Stock, then the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior
to the close of business on the Record Date fixed for the determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution shall be
increased so that the Holder of any Note thereafter surrendered for conversion
shall be entitled to receive that number of shares of Common Stock which it
would have received had such Note been converted immediately prior to the
happening of such event as well as such additional shares it would have received
as a result of such event. Such increase shall become effective immediately
prior to the opening of business on the day following the Record Date fixed for
such determination. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in
this Section 12.3(a) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate
shall again be adjusted to the Conversion Rate which would then be in effect if
such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

         (b) In case the Company shall, at any time or from time to time after
the initial Issue Date while any of the Notes are outstanding, subdivide its
outstanding shares of Common

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<PAGE>

Stock into a greater number of Common Stock or combine its outstanding shares of
Common Stock into a smaller number of Common Stock, then the Conversion Rate in
effect immediately prior to the close of business on the day upon which such
subdivision or combination becomes effective shall be adjusted so that the
Holder of any Note thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to
receive that number of shares of Common Stock which it would have received had
such Note been converted immediately prior to the happening of such event as
well as such additional shares as it would have received as a result of such
event. Such adjustment shall become effective immediately prior to the opening
of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision or
combination becomes effective.

         (c) In case the Company shall, at any time or from time to time after
the initial Issue Date while any of the Notes are outstanding, issue rights,
options or warrants for a period expiring within 60 days (other than any rights,
options or warrants referred to in Section 12.3(d)) to all or substantially all
holders of its outstanding Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or
purchase Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for Common Stock), at a price per share of Common Stock (or having a
conversion, exchange or exercise price per share of Common Stock) less than the
Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding
the date of announcement of such issuance (treating the conversion, exchange or
exercise price per share of Common Stock of the securities convertible,
exchangeable or exercisable into Common Stock as equal to (x) the sum of (i) the
price for a unit of the security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
for Common Stock and (ii) any additional consideration initially payable upon
the conversion of or exchange or exercise for such security into Common Stock
divided by (y) the number of shares of Common Stock initially underlying such
convertible, exchangeable or exercisable security), then the Conversion Rate
shall be increased by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect at the opening
of business on the date after such date of announcement by a fraction:

           (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common
     Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date of announcement,
     plus the total number of additional shares of Common Stock so offered for
     subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible, exchangeable or
     exercisable securities so offered are convertible, exchangeable or
     exercisable); and

           (ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common
     Stock outstanding on the close of business on the date of announcement,
     plus the number of shares of Common Stock (or convertible, exchangeable or
     exercisable securities) which the aggregate offering price of the total
     number of shares of Common Stock (or convertible, exchangeable or
     exercisable securities) so offered for subscription or purchase (or the
     aggregate conversion, exchange or exercise price of the convertible,
     exchangeable or exercisable securities so offered) would purchase at such
     Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock.

         Such increase shall become effective immediately prior to the opening
of business on the day following the Record Date for such determination. To the
extent that shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible, exchangeable or
exercisable into shares of Common Stock) are not delivered pursuant to such
rights, options or warrants, upon the expiration or termination of such rights,
options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the

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<PAGE>

Conversion Rate which would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the
issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of the
delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock (or securities
convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into shares of Common Stock) actually
delivered. In the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued,
the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate which
would then be in effect if the Record Date fixed for the determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such rights, options or warrants had not been
fixed. In determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the
holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than such
Closing Sale Price, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such
shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration
received for such rights, options or warrants, the value of such consideration
if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.

         (d) (A) In case the Company shall, at any time or from time to time
after the initial Issue Date while any of the Notes are outstanding, by dividend
or otherwise, distribute to all or substantially all holders of its outstanding
shares of Common Stock (including any such distribution made in connection with
a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation and
the shares of Common Stock are not changed or exchanged), shares, evidences of
its Indebtedness or other assets, including securities, but excluding (i)
dividends or distributions of Common Stock referred to in Section 12.3(a), (ii)
any rights, options or warrants referred to in Section 12.3(c), (iii) dividends
and distributions paid exclusively in cash referred to in Section 12.3(e) and
(iv) dividends and distributions of stock, securities or other property or
assets (including cash) in connection with the reclassification, change, merger,
consolidation, statutory share exchange, combination, sale or conveyance to
which Section 12.5 applies (such shares, evidence of its indebtedness, other
assets or securities being distributed hereinafter in this Section 12.3(d)
called the "DISTRIBUTED ASSETS"), then, in each such case, subject to paragraphs
(D) and (E) of this Section 12.3(d), the Conversion Rate shall be increased by
multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of
business on the Record Date with respect to such distribution by a fraction:

           (i) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price; and

           (ii) the denominator of which shall be such Current Market Price of
     the Common Stock, less the Fair Market Value on such date of the portion of
     the distributed assets so distributed applicable to one share of Common
     Stock (determined on the basis of the number of shares of Common Stock
     outstanding on the Record Date) on such date.

         Such increase shall become effective immediately prior to the opening
of business on the day following the Record Date for such distribution. In the
event that such dividend or distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion
Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate which would then be in
effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

         (B) If the Board of Directors determines the Fair Market Value of any
distribution for purposes of this Section 12.3(d) by reference to the actual or
when issued trading market for any distributed assets comprising all or part of
such distribution, it must in doing so consider the prices in such market over
the same period (the "REFERENCE PERIOD") used in

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<PAGE>

computing the Current Market Price pursuant to Section 12.3(g) below to the
extent possible, unless the Board of Directors determines in good faith that
determining the Fair Market Value during the Reference Period would not be in
the best interests of the Holders.

         (C) In the event any such distribution consists of shares, or similar
Equity Interests in, one or more of the Company's Subsidiaries (a "SPIN-OFF"),
the Fair Market Value of the securities to be distributed shall equal the
average of the Closing Sale Prices of such securities on the principal
securities market on which such securities are traded for the five consecutive
Trading Days commencing on and including the sixth Trading Day of those
securities after the effectiveness of the Spin-Off, and the Current Market Price
shall be measured for the same period. In the event, however, that an
underwritten initial public offering of the securities in the Spin-Off occurs
simultaneously with the Spin-Off, Fair Market Value of the securities
distributed in the Spin-Off shall mean the initial public offering price of such
securities and the Current Market Price shall mean the Closing Sale Price for
the Common Stock on the same Trading Day.

         (D) Rights, options or warrants distributed by the Company to all
holders of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitling them to subscribe
for or purchase Equity Interests of the Company (either initially or under
certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence
of a specified event or events ("TRIGGER EVENT"), (x) are deemed to be
transferred with such shares of Common Stock, (y) are not exercisable and (z)
are also issued in respect of future issuances of shares of Common Stock shall
be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 12.3(d) (and
no adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 12.3(d) shall be
required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event. If such right,
option or warrant is subject to subsequent events, upon the occurrence of which
such right, option or warrant shall become exercisable to purchase different
distributed assets, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, or entitle the
holder to purchase a different number or amount of the foregoing or to purchase
any of the foregoing at a different purchase price, then the occurrence of each
such event shall be deemed to be the date of issuance and Record Date with
respect to a new right, option or warrant (and a termination or expiration of
the existing right, option or warrant without exercise by the holder thereof).
In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of
rights, options or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type
described in the preceding sentence) with respect thereto, that resulted in an
adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 12.3(d):

           (i) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants which shall
     all have been repurchased without exercise by any holders thereof, the
     Conversion Rate shall be readjusted upon such final repurchase to give
     effect to such distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though
     it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share repurchase price
     received by a holder of shares of Common Stock with respect to such rights,
     options or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights, options
     or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such
     repurchase; and

           (ii) in the case of such rights, options or warrants which shall have
     expired or been terminated or redeemed without exercise, the Conversion
     Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options and warrants had never
     been issued.

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<PAGE>

         (E) For purposes of this Section 12.3(d) and Section 12.3(a), Section
12.3(b) and Section 12.3(c), any dividend or distribution to which this Section
12.3(d) is applicable that also includes (x) shares of Common Stock, (y) a
subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock to which Section 12.3(b)
applies or (z) rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares
of Common Stock to which Section 12.3(c) applies (or any combination thereof),
shall be deemed instead to be:

           (i) a dividend or distribution of the evidences of indebtedness,
     assets, shares of, right, options or warrants, other than such shares of
     Common Stock, such subdivision or combination or such rights, options or
     warrants to which Section 12.3(a), Section 12.3(b) and Section 12.3(c)
     apply, respectively (and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by this
     Section 12.3(d) with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be
     made), immediately followed by

           (ii) a dividend or distribution of such shares of Common Stock, such
     subdivision or combination or such rights, options or warrants (and any
     further Conversion Rate increase required by Section 12.3(a), Section
     12.3(b) and Section 12.3(c) with respect to such dividend or distribution
     shall then be made), except:

               (1) the Record Date of such dividend or distribution shall be
           substituted as (i) "the date fixed for the determination of
           stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other
           distribution," "Record Date fixed for such determinations" and
           "Record Date" within the meaning of Section 12.3(a), (ii) "the day
           upon which such subdivision or combination becomes effective" within
           the meaning of Section 12.3(b), and (iii) as "the Record Date fixed
           for the determination of the stockholders entitled to receive such
           rights, options or warrants" and such "Record Date" within the
           meaning of Section 12.3(c); and

               (2) any reduction or increase in the number of shares of Common
           Stock resulting from such subdivision or combination shall be
           disregarded in connection with such dividend or distribution.

         (e) In case the Company shall, at any time or from time to time after
the initial Issue Date while any of the Notes are outstanding, by dividend or
otherwise, distribute to all or substantially all holders of its outstanding
shares of Common Stock, cash (including any quarterly cash dividends, but
excluding any cash that is distributed upon a reclassification, change, merger,
consolidation, statutory share exchange, combination, sale or conveyance to
which Section 12.5 applies or as part of a distribution referred to in Section
12.3(d)), then, and in each case, immediately after the close of business on
such date, the Conversion Rate shall be increased by multiplying the Conversion
Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business of such Record Date by
a fraction:

           (A) the numerator of which shall be equal to the Current Market Price
         on such date; and

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<PAGE>

           (B) the denominator of which shall be equal to the Current Market
         Price on the Record Date, less an amount equal to the quotient of (x)
         the aggregate amount of such cash distribution and (y) the number of
         shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date.

         Such increase shall become effective immediately prior to the opening
of business on the day following the Record Date for such distribution. In the
event that such distribution is not so made, the Conversion Rate shall again be
adjusted to be the Conversion Rate which would then be in effect if such
distribution had not been declared.

         (f) In case a tender offer or exchange offer (other than as part of a
stock option exchange offer) made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for
all or any portion of the Common Stock shall expire, then and in each such case,
immediately prior to the opening of business on the day after the date of the
last time (the "EXPIRATION TIME") tenders or exchanges could have been made
pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer, the Conversion Rate shall be
increased so that the same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying the
Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date
of the Expiration Time by a fraction:

            (A) the numerator of which shall be the sum of (x) the product of
         (i) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (excluding any
         tendered or exchanged shares) at the Expiration Time and (ii) the
         Current Market Price of the Common Stock at the Expiration Time, and
         (y) the Fair Market Value of the aggregate consideration payable to
         stockholders based on acceptance (up to any maximum specified in the
         terms of the tender offer or exchange offer) of all shares validly
         tendered and not withdrawn as of the Expiration Time; and

            (B) the denominator of which shall be the product of the number of
         shares of Common Stock outstanding (including any tendered or exchanged
         shares) at the Expiration Time and the Current Market Price of the
         Common Stock at the Expiration Time.

         Such increase (if any) shall become effective immediately prior to the
opening of business on the day following the Expiration Time. In the event that
the Company is obligated to purchase shares pursuant to any such tender offer or
exchange offer, but the Company is permanently prevented by applicable law from
effecting any such purchases or all or a portion of such purchases are
rescinded, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate
which would then be in effect if such (or such portion of the) tender offer or
exchange offer had not been made. If the application of this Section 12.3(f) to
any tender offer or exchange offer would result in a decrease in the Conversion
Rate, no adjustment shall be made for such tender offer or exchange offer under
this Section 12.3(f).

         If the rights provided for in the Company's Rights Agreement dated as
of April 1, 1999 (the "STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN"), have separated from the Common
Stock in accordance with the provisions of the Stockholder Rights Plan so that
the Holders of the Notes would not be entitled to receive any rights in respect
of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes, the Conversion Rate will
be adjusted as provided in paragraph (d)(D) above, subject to

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<PAGE>

readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of the
rights. In lieu of any such adjustment, the Company may amend the Stockholder
Rights Plan to provide that upon conversion of the Notes the Holders will
receive, in addition to the cash and Common Stock issuable upon such conversion,
the rights which would have attached to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Notes solely into Common Stock at the then applicable
Conversion Rate if the rights had not become separated from the Common Stock
under the Stockholder Rights Plan. To the extent that the Company adopts any
future rights plan, upon conversion of the Notes, Holders will receive, in
addition to the cash and Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, the rights
under the future rights plan in respect of the shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of the Notes solely into Common Stock at the then applicable
Conversion Price, whether or not the rights have separated from the Common Stock
at the time of conversion, and no adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made
in connection with any distribution of rights thereunder.

         (g) For purposes of this ARTICLE XII, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:

         "CURRENT MARKET PRICE" on any date means the arithmetic average of the
daily Closing Sale Prices per share of Common Stock for the ten consecutive
Trading Days immediately prior to such date; provided, however, that if:

         (i) the "ex" date (as hereinafter defined) for any event (other than
     the issuance or distribution requiring such computation) that requires an
     adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 12.3(a), Section
     12.3(b), Section 12.3(c), Section 12.3(d), Section 12.3(e) or Section
     12.3(f) occurs during such ten consecutive Trading Days, the Closing Sale
     Price for each Trading Day prior to the "ex" date for such other event
     shall be adjusted by multiplying such Closing Sale Price by the same
     fraction by which the Conversion Rate is so required to be adjusted as a
     result of such other event;

         (ii) the "ex" date for any event (other than the issuance or
     distribution requiring such computation) that requires an adjustment to the
     Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 12.3(a), Section 12.3(b), Section
     12.3(c), Section 12.3(d), Section 12.3(e) or Section 12.3(f) occurs on or
     after the "ex" date for the issuance or distribution requiring such
     computation and prior to the day in question, the Closing Sale Price for
     each Trading Day on and after the "ex" date for such other event shall be
     adjusted by multiplying such Closing Sale Price by the reciprocal of the
     fraction by which the Conversion Rate is so required to be adjusted as a
     result of such other event; and

         (iii) the "ex" date for the issuance or distribution requiring such
     computation is prior to the day in question, after taking into account any
     adjustment required pursuant to clause (1) or (2) of this proviso, the
     Closing Sale Price for each Trading Day on or after such "ex" date shall be
     adjusted by adding thereto the amount of any cash and the Fair Market Value
     (as determined by the Board of Directors in a manner consistent with any
     determination of such value for purposes of Section 12.3(d), Section
     12.3(e) or Section 12.3(f)) of the evidences of Indebtedness, shares or
     assets being distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock as of the
     close of business on the day before such "ex" date.

                                       72
<PAGE>

For purposes of any computation under Section 12.3(f), if the "ex" date for any
event (other than the tender offer requiring such computation) that requires an
adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 12.3(a), Section 12.3(b),
Section 12.3(c), Section 12.3(d), Section 12.3(e) or Section 12.3(f) occurs on
or after the Expiration Time for the tender or exchange offer requiring such
computation and prior to the day in question, the Closing Sale Price for each
Trading Day on and after the "ex" date for such other event shall be adjusted by
multiplying such Closing Sale Price by the reciprocal of the fraction by which
the Conversion Rate is so required to be adjusted as a result of such other
event. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "ex" date, when used:

                  (i) with respect to any issuance or distribution, means the
         first date on which the Common Stock trade regular way on the relevant
         exchange or in the relevant market from which the Closing Sale Price
         was obtained without the right to receive such issuance or
         distribution;

                  (ii) with respect to any subdivision or combination of Common
         Stock, means the first date on which the Common Stock trade regular way
         on such exchange or in such market after the time at which such
         subdivision or combination becomes effective; and

                  (iii) with respect to any tender offer or exchange offer,
         means the first date on which the Common Stock trade regular way on
         such exchange or in such market after the Expiration Time of such offer
         (as may be amended or extended).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever successive adjustments to the Conversion
Rate are called for pursuant to this Section 12.3, such adjustments shall be
made to the Current Market Price as may be necessary or appropriate to
effectuate the intent of this Section 12.3 and to avoid unjust or inequitable
results as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

         "FAIR MARKET  VALUE" means the amount which a willing buyer would pay a
willing  seller in an arm's length  transaction  (as  determined by the Board of
Directors,  whose determination shall be made in good faith and, absent manifest
error, shall be final and binding on Holders of the Securities).

         "RECORD DATE" means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or
other transaction or event in which the holders of Common Stock have the right
to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock
(or other applicable security) is exchanged for or converted into any
combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for
determination of stockholders entitled to receive such cash, securities or other
property (whether such date is fixed by the Board of Directors or by statute,
contract or otherwise).

         (h) The Company shall be entitled to make such additional increases in
the Conversion Rate, in addition to those required by Section 12.3(a), Section
12.3(b), Section 12.3(c), Section 12.3(d), Section 12.3(e) or Section 12.3(f) if
the Board of Directors determines that it is advisable in order that any
dividend or distribution of Common Stock, any subdivision, reclassification or
combination of Common Stock or any issuance of rights, options or warrants
referred to above shall not be taxable to the holders of Common Stock for United
States federal income tax purposes.

                                       73
<PAGE>

         (i) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company may, from
time to time, increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for any period of time
if such period is at least 20 calendar days, the increase is irrevocable during
the period and the Board of Directors determine that such increase would be in
the best interests of the Company. Any such determination shall be conclusive,
absent manifest error. Whenever the Conversion Rate is increased pursuant to the
preceding sentence or clause (h) above, the Company shall mail to the Trustee
and each Holder at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Register, at
least 15 calendar days prior to the date the increased Conversion Rate takes
effect, a notice of the increase stating the increased Conversion Rate and the
period during which it shall be in effect.

         (j) In any case in which this Section 12.3 shall require that any
adjustment be made effective as of or retroactively immediately following a
Record Date, the Company may elect to defer (but only for five Trading Days
following the filing of the notice referred to in Section 12.6) issuing to the
Holder of any Securities converted after such Record Date the Common Stock
issuable upon such conversion over and above the Common Stock issuable upon such
conversion on the basis of the Conversion Rate prior to adjustment; provided,
however, that the Company shall deliver to such Holder a due bill or other
appropriate instrument evidencing such Holder's right to receive such additional
Common Stock upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

         (k) All calculations under this Section 12.3 shall be made to the
nearest cent or one-hundredth of a share, with one-half cent and 0.005 of a
share, respectively, being rounded upward. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Section 12.3, the Company shall not be required to make any adjustment
of the Conversion Rate unless such adjustment would require an increase or
decrease of at least 1% in the Conversion Rate as last adjusted. Any lesser
adjustment shall be carried forward and shall be made at the time of and
together with the next subsequent adjustment which, together with any adjustment
or adjustments so carried forward, shall amount to an increase or decrease of at
least 1% in the Conversion Rate as last adjusted. Any adjustments under this
Section 12.3 shall be made successively whenever an event requiring such an
adjustment occurs.

         (l) In the event that at any time, as a result of an adjustment made
pursuant to this Section 12.3, the Holder of any Securities thereafter
surrendered for conversion shall become entitled to receive any shares of
Applicable Stock of the Company other than Common Stock into which the
Securities originally were convertible, the Conversion Rate of such other shares
so receivable upon conversion of any such Note shall be subject to adjustment
from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable
to the provisions with respect to Common Stock contained in subparagraphs (a)
through (k) of this Section 12.3, and the provisions of Section 12.1, Section
12.2 and Section 12.5 through Section 12.10 with respect to the Common Stock
shall apply on like or similar terms to any such other shares (including,
without limitation, the determination of whether the conditions to conversion
provided in Section 12.1 have been satisfied). In the event that the Conversion
Rate is required to be adjusted pursuant to this Section 12.3 during any Cash
Settlement Averaging Period, the Closing Sale Price for each Trading Day during
such period shall, to the extent necessary, be adjusted to reflect the effects
of such adjustment to this Section 12.3.

                                       74
<PAGE>

         (m) No adjustment shall be made pursuant to this Section 12.3 if the
effect thereof would be to reduce the Conversion Price below the par value (if
any) of the Common Stock.

     Section 12.4. Make-Whole Premium.

         (a) In the event of a Fundamental Change, the Company shall pay the
Make-Whole Premium (as defined in Section 12.4(b) below) to Holders of the
Securities who convert their Securities in connection with the Fundamental
Change pursuant to this Article XII at any time during the Fundamental Change
Purchase/Conversion Period. The Make-Whole Premium shall be paid on the date the
Fundamental Change becomes effective (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") (or, in the event
the Securities are converted after the Effective Date but during the Fundamental
Change Purchase/Conversion Period, on the third Business Day following the end
of the Fundamental Change Purchase/Conversion Period) and shall be paid solely
in shares of Common Stock (other than cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) or
in the same form of consideration into which all or substantially all of the
shares of Common Stock have been converted or exchanged in connection with the
Fundamental Change. The Make-Whole Premium shall be equal to an additional
number of shares of Common Stock calculated in accordance with Sections 12.4(b)
and 12.4(c) hereof. The Make-Whole Premium will be in addition to, and not in
substitution for, any cash, securities or other assets otherwise due to Holders
of Securities upon conversion as described in this Indenture.

         (b) The "MAKE-WHOLE PREMIUM" shall be equal to the principal amount of
the Securities to be converted divided by $1,000 and multiplied by the
applicable number of shares of Common Stock determined by reference to the table
below (the "MAKE-WHOLE PREMIUM TABLE") and is based on the Effective Date and
the Stock Price (as defined in Section 12.4(c) below).

                                       75
<PAGE>

                            MAKE-WHOLE PREMIUM TABLE

                  (NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   STOCK PRICE ON EFFECTIVE DATE
EFFECTIVE DATE   $14.00  $16.00   $20.00   $24.00  $28.00  $32.00  $36.00  $40.00  $44.00  $48.00  $52.00  $56.00  $60.00  $64.00
--------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
<S>             <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
12/23/2005      16.6137  13.8058  10.2361  8.0742  6.6225  5.5760  4.7828  4.1590  3.6547  3.2380  2.8877  2.5891  2.3316  2.1074
12/23/2006      15.9444  13.0569   9.5011  7.4235  6.0626  5.0973  4.3729  3.8067  3.3503  2.9739  2.6577  2.3882  2.1557  1.9530
12/23/2007      15.4635  12.2224   8.6239  6.6314  5.3743  4.5045  3.8617  3.3637  2.9644  2.6360  2.3605  2.1257  1.9230  1.7463
12/23/2008      15.7035  11.6396   7.5929  5.6849  4.5498  3.7941  3.2484  2.8310  2.4987  2.2263  1.9980  1.8035  1.6356  1.4891
12/23/2009      16.3959  11.2936   6.5174  4.5607  3.5540  2.9355  2.5070  2.1858  1.9323  1.7252  1.5518  1.4040  1.2763  1.1648
12/23/2010      13.7001   9.2356   4.8576  3.1251  2.3353  1.9025  1.6217  1.4166  1.2557  1.1241  1.0136  0.9193  0.8377  0.7663
12/23/2011      14.1921   8.2107   2.8383  1.2880  0.8415  0.6737  0.5785  0.5089  0.4530  0.4066  0.3674  0.3337  0.3046  0.2791
12/23/2012      17.8823   8.5138   0.0000  0.0000  0.0000  0.0000  0.0000  0.0000  0.0000  0.0000  0.0000  0.0000  0.0000  0.0000
</TABLE>

                                       76
<PAGE>

The exact Stock Price and Effective Date may not be set forth on the Make-Whole
Premium Table, in which case, if the Stock Price is between two Stock Prices on
the Make-Whole Premium Table or the Effective Date is between two Effective
Dates on the Make-Whole Premium Table, the Make-Whole Premium shall be
determined by straight-line interpolation between Make-Whole Premium amounts set
forth for the higher and lower Stock Prices and the two Effective Dates, as
applicable, based on a 365-day year (or a 366-day year if the Effective Date
occurs in a leap year). The Stock Prices set forth in the column headers are
subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 12.4(e).

         (c) "STOCK PRICE" means the price paid per share of Common Stock in the
transaction constituting the Fundamental Change, determined as follows: (i) if
holders of Common Stock receive only cash in the transaction constituting the
Fundamental Change, the Stock Price shall equal the cash amount paid per share
of Common Stock; and (ii) in all other cases, the Stock Price shall equal the
arithmetic average of the Closing Sale Prices of a share of Common Stock over
the five Trading Day period ending on the fifth Trading Day immediately
preceding the Effective Date multiplied by 95%. If the Stock Price is less than
or equal to $13.99 (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 12.4(h), the
"STOCK PRICE THRESHOLD"), the Make-Whole Premium shall be equal to zero shares
of Common Stock. If the Stock Price is equal to or greater than $64.01 (subject
to adjustment pursuant to Section 12.4(h) the "STOCK PRICE CAP"), the Make-Whole
Premium shall be equal to zero shares of Common Stock.

         (d) The Company shall pay the Make-Whole Premium solely in shares of
Common Stock (other than cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) or in the same
form of consideration into which all or substantially all of the shares of
Common Stock have been converted or exchanged in connection with the Fundamental
Change. If holders of the Common Stock receive or have the right to receive more
than one form of consideration in connection with such Fundamental Change, then,
for purposes of the foregoing, the forms of consideration in which the
Make-Whole Premium shall be paid shall be in proportion to the different forms
of consideration paid to holders of Common Stock in connection with such
Fundamental Change.

         (e) The Company shall, from time to time, appoint an independent
nationally recognized investment bank to serve as calculation agent with respect
to calculation of the Make-Whole Premium (the "CALCULATION Agent"). The
Calculation Agent shall, on behalf of and on request by the Company, calculate
(i) the Stock Price and (ii) the Make-Whole Premium with respect to such Stock
Price, based on the Effective Date specified by the Company, and shall deliver
its calculation of the Stock Price and Make-Whole Premium to the Company and the
Trustee within three Business Days of the request by the Company or the Trustee.
The Company or, at the Company's request, the Trustee, in the name and at the
expense of the Company, (x) shall notify the Holders of the Stock Price and
Make-Whole Premium with respect to a Fundamental Change as part of the
Fundamental Change Notice and (y) shall notify the Holders, promptly upon the
opening of business on the Effective Date of the number of shares of Common
Stock (or such other securities, assets or property (including cash) into which
all or substantially all of the shares of Common Stock have been converted as of
the Effective Date as described above) to be paid in respect of the Make-Whole
Premium in connection with such Fundamental

                                       77
<PAGE>

Change in the manner provided in this Indenture. The Company shall verify, in
writing, all calculations made by the Calculation Agent pursuant to this Section
12.4(d).

         (f) On or prior to the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, the Company
shall deposit with the Trustee or with one or more Paying Agents (or, if the
Company or an Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Company is acting as the Paying
Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust) a number of shares of Common
Stock (or, in the case of a Fundamental Change in which all or substantially all
of the shares of Common Stock have been, as of the Effective Date, converted
into or exchanged for the right to receive securities or other assets or
property (including cash), an amount of such other securities or other assets or
property (including cash)) sufficient to pay the Make-Whole Premium with respect
to all the Securities converted in connection with such Fundamental Change;
provided, that, if such payment is made on the Fundamental Change Purchase Date,
it must be received by the Trustee or Paying Agent, as the case may be, by 11:00
a.m., New York City time, on such date. Payment of the Make-Whole Premium for
Securities surrendered for conversion during the Fundamental Change
Purchase/Conversion Period shall be made promptly on the Fundamental Change
Purchase Date by mailing checks in respect of cash and otherwise delivering
entitlements to securities, other assets or property for the amount payable to
the Holders of such Securities entitled thereto as they shall appear in the
register kept by the Registrar.

         (g) Promptly after determination of the actual number of shares of
Common Stock to be issued in respect of the Make-Whole Premium, the Company
shall publish a notice containing this information in a newspaper published in
the English language, customarily published each Business Day and of general
circulation in the City of New York or publish such information on the Company's
website or through such other public medium as the Company may use at that time.

         (h) Whenever the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time by
the Company pursuant to Section 12.3, the Stock Price Threshold and the Stock
Price Cap shall be adjusted and each of the Stock Prices set forth in the
Make-Whole Premium Table shall be adjusted. The adjusted Stock Price Threshold,
Stock Price Cap and Stock Prices set forth in the Make-Whole Premium Table shall
equal the Stock Price Threshold, Stock Price Cap and such Stock Prices, as the
case may be, immediately prior to such adjustment multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the Conversion Rate immediately prior to the adjustment
giving rise to such adjustment and the denominator of which is the Conversion
Rate as so adjusted. Each of the share amounts set forth in the body of the
Make-Whole Premium Table shall also be adjusted in the same manner and at the
same time.

     Section 12.5. Consolidation or Merger of the Company.

         If any of the following events occurs, namely:

         (a) any reclassification or change of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or
from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination);

                                       78
<PAGE>

         (b) any merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or combination
of the Company with another Person as a result of which holders of Common Stock
shall be entitled to receive securities, cash or other property with respect to
or in exchange for such Common Stock; or

         (c) any sale or conveyance of all or substantially all of the
properties and assets of the Company to any other Person as a result of which
holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive securities, cash or other
property with respect to or in exchange for such Common Stock;

the Company or the successor or purchasing Person, as the case may be, shall
execute with the Trustee a supplemental indenture (which shall comply with the
TIA as in force at the date of execution of such supplemental indenture, if such
supplemental indenture is then required to so comply) providing that the Notes
shall be convertible into the kind and amount of securities, cash or other
property which a Holder would have been entitled to receive upon such
reclassification, change, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange,
combination, sale or conveyance had such Notes been converted into Common Stock
immediately prior to such reclassification, change, merger, consolidation,
statutory share exchange, combination, sale or conveyance assuming such Holder
of Securities had elected with a majority of the holders of Common Stock as to
the kind or amount of securities, cash or other property receivable upon such
merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, combination, sale or
conveyance. Such supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which
shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided
for in this ARTICLE XII and, to the extent applicable, reflect the other types
of adjustments provided for in Section 12.3(l). If, in the case of any such
reclassification, change, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange,
combination, sale or conveyance, the securities or property receivable thereupon
by a holder of Common Stock includes shares of stock or other securities or
property of a Person other than the successor or purchasing Person, as the case
may be, in such reclassification, change, merger, consolidation, statutory share
exchange, combination, sale or conveyance, then such supplemental indenture
shall also be executed by such other Person and shall contain such additional
provisions to protect the interests of the Holders of the Notes as the Board of
Directors shall reasonably consider necessary by reason of the foregoing
including the provisions providing for the purchase rights set forth in ARTICLE
IV and ARTICLE V.

         The Company shall cause notice of the execution of such supplemental
indenture to be mailed to each Holder, at the address of such Holder as it
appears on the Register, within 20 days after execution thereof. Failure to
deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such
supplemental indenture.

         The above provisions of this Section 12.5 shall similarly apply to
successive reclassifications, changes, mergers, consolidations, statutory share
exchanges, combinations, sales and conveyances.

         If this Section 12.5 applies to any event or occurrence, Section 12.3
shall not apply.

                                       79
<PAGE>

     Section 12.6. Notice of Adjustment.

         Whenever an adjustment in the Conversion Rate with respect to the
Securities is required:

         (a) the Company shall forthwith place on file with the Trustee and any
Conversion Agent for such securities a certificate of the Chief Financial
Officer of the Company, stating the adjusted Conversion Rate determined as
provided herein and setting forth in reasonable detail such facts as shall be
necessary to show the reason for and the manner of computing such adjustment;
and

         (b) a notice stating that the Conversion Rate has been adjusted and
setting forth the adjusted Conversion Rate shall forthwith be given by the
Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the
expense of the Company, to each Holder in the manner provided in Section 15.2.
Any notice so given shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given,
whether or not the Holder receives such notice.

     Section 12.7. Notice in Certain Events.

         In case of:

         (a) a consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party and for
which approval of any stockholders of the Company is required, or of the sale or
conveyance to another Person or group of Persons acting in concert as a
partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group (within the meaning
of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of all or substantially all of the
property and assets of the Company; or

         (b) the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up
of the Company; or

         (c) any action triggering an adjustment of the Conversion Rate referred
to in clauses (x) or (y) below;

then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee and the
Conversion Agent, and shall cause to be given, to the Holders of the Securities
in the manner provided in Section 15.2, at least 15 days prior to the applicable
date hereinafter specified, a notice stating:

                  (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose
         of any distribution or grant of rights, options or warrants triggering
         an adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to this ARTICLE XII, or,
         if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of
         record of Common Stock entitled to such distribution, rights, options
         or warrants are to be determined; or

                  (y) the date on which any reclassification, consolidation,
         merger, sale, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or winding up
         triggering an adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to this
         ARTICLE XII is expected to become effective, and the date as of which
         it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled
         to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities or other
         property deliverable

                                       80
<PAGE>

         upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance,
         dissolution, liquidation or winding up.

         Failure to give such notice or any defect therein shall not
affect the legality or validity of the proceedings described in Section
12.7(a), Section 12.7(b) or Section 12.7(c).

     Section 12.8. Company to Reserve Stock; Registration; Listing.

         (a) The Company shall, prior to issuance of any Securities hereunder,
and from time to time as may be necessary, reserve and keep available, free from
preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, for the
purpose of effecting the conversion of the Securities, such number of its duly
authorized Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the
conversion of all Securities (including after taking into account any
adjustments to the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 12.3) then outstanding
into such Common Stock at any time (assuming that, at the time of the
computation of such number of Common Stock, all such Securities would be held by
a single Holder). The Company covenants that all Common Stock which may be
issued upon conversion of Securities shall upon issue be fully paid and
nonassessable and free from all liens and charges and, except as provided in
Section 12.9, taxes with respect to the issue thereof.

         (b) If any shares of Applicable Stock which would be issuable upon
conversion of Securities hereunder (including, without limitation, in connection
with any transaction referred to in Section 12.4) require registration with or
approval of any governmental authority before such shares may be issued upon
such conversion, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such
shares to be duly registered or approved, as the case may be. In addition, in
connection with any transaction referred to in Section 12.4, the Company and any
parent company of the Company required to issue Applicable Stock upon conversion
of a Note shall take such actions as are required to entitle the Company or such
parent company, as the case may be, to rely on Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities
Act in connection with conversion of the Securities without extending any
holding periods under Rule 144 or otherwise permit such Applicable Stock issued
upon conversion of the Securities to be resold without requiring registration
thereof under the Securities Act.

         (c) The Company further covenants that so long as the Common Stock
shall be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts, if permitted by the rules of the New York Stock
Exchange, to keep so listed all Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Securities, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to list or
obtain approval for the quotation of the Common Stock to be delivered upon
conversion of the Securities prior to such delivery upon any other national
securities exchange or quotation system upon which the outstanding Common Stock
is listed or quoted at the time of such delivery.

     Section 12.9. Taxes on Conversion.

         The issue of stock certificates on conversion of Securities shall be
made without charge to the converting Holder for any documentary, stamp or
similar issue or transfer taxes in respect of the issue thereof, and the Company
shall pay any and all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes that
may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of Common Stock on conversion
of Securities pursuant hereto. The Company shall not, however, be required

                                       81
<PAGE>

to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the
issue or delivery of Common Stock or the portion, if any, of the Securities
which are not so converted in a name other than that in which the Securities so
converted were registered, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless
and until the Person requesting such issue has paid to the Company the amount of
such tax or has established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has
been paid.

     Section 12.10. Conversion After Regular Record Date.

         Except as provided in the succeeding paragraph, upon conversion, the
Holder of Securities shall not be entitled to receive any accrued and unpaid
interest, Additional Amounts or Additional Interest, if any.

         If any Securities are surrendered for conversion subsequent to the
close of business on any Regular Record Date but prior to the opening of
business on the corresponding Interest Payment Date, the Holder of such
Securities at the close of business on such Regular Record Date shall receive
the interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, payable on
such Securities on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion
thereof. Securities surrendered for conversion during the period from the close
of business on any Regular Record Date to the opening of business on the
corresponding Interest Payment Date (except in the case of Securities
surrendered for conversion after acceleration of the Securities) shall be
accompanied by payment by Holders, for the account of the Company, in New York
Clearing House funds or other funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal
to the interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, payable on
such interest payment date on the Securities being surrendered for conversion.

         Except as described in Section 12.2(a) and this Section 12.10, the
Company will not make any payment in cash or Common Stock or other adjustment
for accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Amounts or Additional interest on
any Securities when they are converted.

     Section 12.11. Company Determination Final.

         Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, the Company
or its agents shall be responsible for making all calculations required under
the terms of this ARTICLE XII. Any determination that the Company or the Board
of Directors must make pursuant to this ARTICLE XII shall be made in good faith
and, absent manifest error, shall be final and binding on holders of the
Securities. The Company or its agents shall be required to deliver to the
Trustee a schedule of its calculations and the Trustee shall be entitled to
conclusively rely upon the accuracy of such calculations without independent
verification.

                                       82
<PAGE>

     Section 12.12. Responsibility of Trustee for Conversion Provisions.

         The Trustee has no duty to determine when an adjustment under this
ARTICLE XII should be made, how it should be made or what it should be. The
Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or value of any securities or
assets issued upon conversion of Securities. The Trustee shall not be
responsible for any failure of the Company to comply with this ARTICLE XII. Each
Conversion Agent other than the Company shall have the same protection under
this Section 12.12 as the Trustee.

         The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to
the Trustee under this Indenture including, without limitation, its rights to be
indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, other than the
Company, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each Paying Agent,
Registrar or Conversion Agent, other than the Company, acting hereunder.

     Section 12.13. Unconditional Right of Holders to Convert.

         Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of
any Note shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to convert
its Note in accordance with this ARTICLE XII and to bring an action against the
Company for the enforcement of any such right to convert, and such rights shall
not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

         Section 12.14. Option to Satisfy Conversion Obligation with Cash,
Common Stock or Combination Thereof. If the Company receives any Holder's
Conversion Notice on or prior to the day that is 31 Trading Days prior to the
Stated Maturity (the "FINAL NOTICE DATE"), then (i) as to the principal amount
of the Security, the method for settlement shall be in accordance with the
Principal Conversion Settlement Election and (ii) as to the Excess Amount, the
Company shall notify the Holder through the Trustee, at any time on or before
the date that is three Trading Days following receipt of the Conversion Notice
required pursuant to Section 12.2 (such period, the "SETTLEMENT NOTICE PERIOD")
of the method the Company elects to settle its obligation upon conversion of the
Excess Amount (the "EXCESS AMOUNT CONVERSION OBLIGATION", which together with
the obligation upon conversion in respect of principal, constitutes the
"CONVERSION OBLIGATION"). Specifically, the Company shall notify the Holders
through the Trustee whether a Holder submitting a Conversion Notice is entitled
to receive, in respect of the Excess Amount Conversion Obligation, 100% cash,
100% Common Stock, or a combination of cash and Common Stock. If the Company
elects to settle the Excess Amount Conversion Obligation in a combination of
cash and Common Stock, the Company will specify the percentage of each
obligation to be settled in cash. The Company shall treat all Holders converting
on the same Trading Day in the same manner, and the Company shall not have any
obligation to settle Excess Amount Conversion Obligations arising on different
Trading Days in the same manner.

         Settlement of the Company's entire Conversion Obligation in Common
Stock only shall occur in accordance with Section 12.2(a). Settlement in cash or
in a combination of cash and Common Stock shall, subject to Section 12.14(c),
occur on the third Trading Day following the final Trading Day of the 20 Trading
Day period beginning on the final Trading Day of the Settlement Notice Period
(the "CASH SETTLEMENT AVERAGING PERIOD").

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         Settlement amounts shall be computed as follows:

         (i) if the Company elects to satisfy its entire Conversion Obligation,
including principal amount and Excess Amount, in shares of Common Stock (other
than with respect to fractional shares), the Company shall deliver to a Holder a
number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (1) the aggregate
principal amount of the Securities to be converted divided by 1,000, multiplied
by (2) the applicable Conversion Rate;

         (ii) if the Company elects to satisfy its entire Conversion Obligation
in cash, including principal amounts of the Securities and the Excess Amount,
the Company shall deliver to a Holder cash in an amount equal to the product of
(1) the product of (x) the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be
converted divided by 1,000, multiplied by (y) the applicable Conversion Rate
multiplied by (2) the arithmetic average of the Weighted Average Price of the
Common Stock on each Trading Day during the Cash Settlement Averaging Period;

         (iii) if the Company elects to satisfy its Conversion Obligation,
including principal amount and Excess Amount, in a combination of cash and
Common Stock, the Company shall deliver to a Holder:

                           (1) a cash amount (the "CASH AMOUNT") (excluding any
                  cash in lieu of fractional shares) equal to the product of:

                              (A) the percentage of the Conversion Obligation to
                  be satisfied in cash, multiplied by

                              (B) the amount of cash that would be paid pursuant
                  to clause (ii) immediately above;

                           (2) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the
                  remainder of:

                              (A) the number of shares of Common Stock that
                  would be issued pursuant to clause (i) immediately above,
                  minus

                              (B) the number of shares of Common Stock equal to
                  the quotient of (x) the Cash Amount divided by (y) the
                  arithmetic average of the Weighted Average Price of the Common
                  Stock on each Trading Day during the Cash Settlement Averaging
                  Period.

         (b) The Company shall settle all of its Conversion Obligations arising
after the Final Notice Date in the same manner. Settlement of the Conversion
Obligation relating to the principal amount of the Securities shall be according
to the Principal Conversion Settlement Election. On or prior to the Final Notice
Date, the Company shall notify the Holders through the Trustee of the method it
chooses to settle any Excess Amount Conversion Obligations arising after the
Final Notice Date.

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<PAGE>

         Settlement of Conversion Obligations arising after the Final Notice
Date in Common Stock only shall be made in accordance with Section 12.2(a).
Subject to Section 12.14(c), settlement of Conversion Obligations arising after
the Final Notice Date in cash or in a combination of cash and Common Stock shall
be made on the third Trading Day following the final Trading Day of the Cash
Settlement Averaging Period described in the following sentence. The settlement
amount of Common Stock, cash or combination of cash and Common Stock in
satisfaction of Conversion Obligations arising after the Final Notice Date shall
be computed in the same manner as set forth in Section 12.14(a), except that the
"Cash Settlement Averaging Period" shall be the 20 Trading Day period beginning
on the date that is the 23rd Trading Day prior to the Stated Maturity.

         (c) If any Trading Day during a Cash Settlement Averaging Period is not
an Undisrupted Trading Day, then determination of the price for that day will be
delayed until the next Undisrupted Trading Day on which a pricing is not
otherwise observed and such day will not count as one of the 20 Trading Days
that constitute the Cash Settlement Averaging Period. If this results in a price
being observed later than the eighth Trading Day after the last of the original
20 Trading Days in the Cash Settlement Averaging Period, then the Company shall
determine all prices for all delayed and undetermined prices on that eighth
Trading Day based on its good faith estimate of the value of the Common Stock on
that date. In the event that any Trading Day during the Cash Settlement
Averaging Period beginning on the date that is the 23rd Trading Day prior to the
Stated Maturity is not an Undisrupted Trading Day, settlement will occur after
the Stated Maturity.

         Section 12.15. Limitation on Conversion. The Company shall not effect
any conversion of a Security, and no Holder or any holder of an interest in a
Security shall have the right to convert any portion of such Security, to the
extent that after giving effect to such conversion, such Holder or holder
(together with such Holder's or holder's Affiliates) would beneficially own in
excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
after giving effect to such conversion (the "CONVERSION LIMITATION"). For
purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by such Holder or holder of an interest in a Security and its
Affiliates shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of a Security with respect to which the determination of such
sentence is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock
which would be issuable upon (A) conversion of the remaining, nonconverted
portion of any Security beneficially owned by such Holder or holder or any of
its Affiliates and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted
portion of any other securities of the Company subject to a limitation on
conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially
owned by such Holder or holder or any of its Affiliates. Except as set forth in
the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section, beneficial ownership shall
be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act. For purposes
of this Section 12.15, in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common
Stock, such Holder or holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of
Common Stock as reflected in (x) the Company's most recent annual, quarterly or
current report on Form 10-K, 10-Q or Form 8-K, respectively, as the case may be;
(y) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (z) any other notice by
the Company setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. For
any reason at any time, upon the written or oral request of a Holder or a holder
of an interest in a Security, the Company shall within two Business Days confirm
orally and in writing to such Holder or

                                       85
<PAGE>

holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the
number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving
effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including any
Security, by such Holder or holder or its Affiliates since the date as of which
such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. By written
notice to the Company, any Holder or holder of an interest in a Security may
increase or decrease the Conversion Limitation to any other percentage not in
excess of 9.99% specified in such notice; provided, that (i) any such increase
will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the
Company, and (ii) any such increase or decrease will apply only to the Holder or
holder sending such notice and not to any other Holder or holder of Securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Conversion Limitation shall not be applicable
(i) on any of the ten Trading Days up to and including the Stated Maturity, or
(ii) during the Fundamental Change Purchase/Conversion Period.

                           ARTICLE XIII SUBORDINATION

         Section 13.1. Agreement To Subordinate. Each of the Company and the
Guarantor agrees, and each Holder by accepting a Security agrees, that the
Indebtedness evidenced by the Subsidiary Guarantee is subordinated in right of
payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this ARTICLE XIII, to the
prior payment of all Credit Agreement Indebtedness, and that such subordination
is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of Credit Agreement
Indebtedness. Only Indebtedness of the Company which is Credit Agreement
Indebtedness shall rank senior to the Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with
the provisions set forth herein.

         Section 13.2. Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any payment or
distribution of the assets of the Company to creditors upon a total or partial
liquidation or a total or partial dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy,
reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the
Company or its respective properties: (1) holders of Credit Agreement
Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of the Credit
Agreement Indebtedness before the Holders of Securities shall be entitled to
receive any payment with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee; and (2) until the
Credit Agreement Indebtedness is paid in full, any payment to which the Holders
of Securities would be entitled with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee but for
this ARTICLE XIII shall be made to holders of Credit Agreement Indebtedness as
their interests may appear.

         Section 13.3. Default on Credit Agreement Indebtedness. The Guarantor
may not make any payment with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee if (i) any
Credit Agreement Indebtedness is not paid when due or (ii) any other default on
Credit Agreement Indebtedness occurs and the maturity of such Credit Agreement
Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement
unless, in either case, (x) the default has been cured or waived and any such
acceleration has been rescinded or (y) such Credit Agreement Indebtedness has
been paid in full; provided, however, that the Guarantor may make payments with
respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee without regard to the foregoing if the
Guarantor receives written notice approving such payment from the
representatives of the Credit Agreement Indebtedness with respect to which
either of the events set forth in clause (i) or (ii) of the immediately
preceding sentence has occurred or is continuing. During the continuance of any
default (other than a default described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding
sentence) with respect to any Credit Agreement Indebtedness, pursuant to which
the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without

                                       86
<PAGE>

further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such
acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Guarantor
may not make a payment in connection with the Subsidiary Guarantee for a period
(a "PAYMENT BLOCKAGE PERIOD") commencing upon the receipt by the Guarantor of
written notice (a "BLOCKAGE NOTICE") of such default from the representative of
such Credit Agreement Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment
Blockage Period and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Payment
Blockage Period is terminated (i) by written notice to the Guarantor from the
Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice, (ii) by repayment in full of
such Credit Agreement Indebtedness, or (iii) because the default giving rise to
such Blockage Notice is no longer continuing). Notwithstanding the provisions
described in the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions
contained in the first sentence of this Section), unless the holders of such
Credit Agreement Indebtedness or the representative of such holders shall have
accelerated the maturity of such Credit Agreement Indebtedness, the Guarantor
may make payments in connection with the Subsidiary Guarantee after such Payment
Blockage Period. Not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any
consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect
to Credit Agreement Indebtedness during such period.

         Section 13.4. Acceleration of Payment. If any payment with respect to
the Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company or the
Trustee shall promptly notify the holders of the Credit Agreement Indebtedness
(or their representatives) of the acceleration. If any Credit Agreement
Indebtedness is outstanding, the Guarantor may not make any payment with respect
to the Subsidiary Guarantee until five Business Days after representatives of
the Credit Agreement Indebtedness receive notice of such acceleration and,
thereafter, may make payments with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee only if
this ARTICLE XIII otherwise permits payments at that time.

         Section 13.5. When Payments Must Be Paid Over. If a payment is made to
the Holders of the Securities by the Guarantor that because of this ARTICLE XIII
should not have been made, the Holders of Securities who receive any such
payment shall hold it in trust for holders of Credit Agreement Indebtedness and
pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

         Section 13.6. Subrogation. After all Credit Agreement Indebtedness is
paid in full and until the Securities are paid in full, the Holders' rights with
respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee shall be subrogated to the rights of holders
of Credit Agreement Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Credit
Agreement Indebtedness. A distribution made under this ARTICLE XIII to holders
of Credit Agreement Indebtedness which otherwise would have been made to Holders
of Securities with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee is not, as between the
Company and Holders of Securities, a payment by the Company on Credit Agreement
Indebtedness.

         Section 13.7. Relative Rights. This ARTICLE XIII defines the relative
rights of Holders of Securities with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee and
holders of Credit Agreement Indebtedness. Nothing in this Indenture shall: (1)
impair, as between the Company and Holders of Securities, the obligation of the
Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of and interest
on the Securities in accordance with their terms; or (2) prevent the Trustee or
any Holder of Securities from exercising its available remedies upon an Event of

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<PAGE>

Default, subject to the rights of holders of Credit Agreement Indebtedness to
receive a payment with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee otherwise payable to
Holders of Securities.

         Section 13.8. Subordination May Not Be Impaired by the Company or the
Guarantor. No right of any holder of Credit Agreement Indebtedness to enforce
the subordination of the obligations evidenced by the Subsidiary Guarantee shall
be impaired by any act or failure to act by the Company or the Guarantor or by
the failure of the Company or the Guarantor to comply with this Indenture.

         Section 13.9. Distribution or Notice to Representative. Whenever a
distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Credit Agreement
Indebtedness, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their
representatives (if any).

         Section 13.10. ARTICLE XIII Not To Limit Right To Accelerate. Nothing
in this ARTICLE XIII shall have any effect on the right of the Holders of
Securities or the Trustee to accelerate the maturity of the Securities.

         Section 13.11. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Credit Agreement
Indebtedness. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the
holders of Credit Agreement Indebtedness and shall not be liable to any such
holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Securities,
the Company, or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders of Credit
Agreement Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this ARTICLE XIII or
otherwise.

         Section 13.12. Reliance by Holders of Credit Agreement Indebtedness on
Subordination Provisions. Each Holder of Securities by accepting a Security
acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are
intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Credit
Agreement Indebtedness whether such Credit Agreement Indebtedness was created or
acquired before or after the issuance of the Securities, to acquire and continue
to hold, or to continue to hold, such Credit Agreement Indebtedness and such
holder of Credit Agreement Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have
relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or
in continuing to hold, such Credit Agreement Indebtedness.

                                  ARTICLE XIV

                              SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE

         Section 14.1. Guarantee. Subject to ARTICLE XIII and this ARTICLE XIV,
the Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to each Holder
of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its
successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this
Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder,
that:

               (a) the principal, and premium if any, plus interest, Additional
Amounts and Additional Interest if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in
full when due, whether at

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<PAGE>

maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal
premium, if any and interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if
applicable on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the
Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly
paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof;
and

               (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any
Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full
when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal,
whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

               Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any
   performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantor shall obligated
   to pay the same immediately. The Guarantor agrees that this Subsidiary
   Guarantee is a general unsecured obligation of such Guarantor and it is a
   guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

               The Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall
   be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability
   of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the
   same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any
   provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the
   Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might
   otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a
   guarantor. The Guarantor hereby waives diligence, resentment, demand of
   payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or
   bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against
   the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that
   this Subsidiary Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete
   performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

               If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or
   otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantor or any custodian, trustee,
   liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company
   or the Guarantor, any amount paid by the Company or the Guarantor either to
   the Trustee or such Holder, this Subsidiary Guarantee, to the extent
   theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

               The Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right
   of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations
   guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.
   The Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one
   hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of
   the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in ARTICLE
   VIII hereof for the purposes of this Subsidiary Guarantee, notwithstanding
   any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in
   respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any
   declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in ARTICLE VIII
   hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith
   become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purpose of this Subsidiary
   Guarantee.

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<PAGE>

         Section 14.2. Subordination on Guarantor Liability. The Guarantor, and
by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the
intention of all such parties that the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor
not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy
Law or federal and state laws relating to fraudulent conveyances or transfers or
the insolvency of debtors the extent applicable to the Subsidiary Guarantee. To
effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantor
hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of the Guarantor will be limited
to such maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and
all other contingent and fixed liabilities of the Guarantor that are relevant
under such laws, result in the obligations of the Guarantor under the Subsidiary
Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

         Section 14.3. Guarantor May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. The
Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its
assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such
Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than the Company,
unless:

               (a) immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no
Default exists; and

               (b) the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or
disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or
merger (if other than the Company) assumes all the obligations of the Guarantor
under the Notes, this Indenture (including the Subsidiary Guarantee) and the
Registration Rights Agreement on the terms set forth herein or therein pursuant
to a supplemental indenture.

               In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or other
   disposition and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental
   indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, of the Subsidiary Guarantee
   and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions
   of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person
   shall succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as
   if it had been named herein as the Guarantor. The Subsidiary Guarantee so
   issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this
   Indenture as the Subsidiary Guarantees theretofore issued in accordance with
   the terms of this Indenture as though such Subsidiary Guarantee had been
   issued at the date of the execution hereof.

               Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Guarantor may
   merge with another Subsidiary that has no significant assets or liabilities
   and was incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Guarantor
   in another jurisdiction so long as the amount of the Company's Indebtedness
   and the Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries is not increased as a result of the
   merger.

         Section 14.4. Release of the Subsidiary Guarantee. The Subsidiary
Guarantee of the Guarantor will be released and the Guarantor will be relieved
of any obligations under the Notes, this Indenture and the Registration Rights
Agreement:

               (a) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Guarantor (including by way of merger or
consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to
such transaction) a Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition
complies with ARTICLE VII;

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<PAGE>

               (b) in connection with any sale of such amount of as would result
in such Guarantor no longer being a Subsidiary to a Person that is not (either
before or after giving effect to such transaction) a Subsidiary of the Company,
if the sale complies with ARTICLE VII; or

               (c) upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to
Section 10.1.

               Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers'
   Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel together to the effect that a condition
   precedent set forth in this Section 14.4 to the release of the Subsidiary
   Guarantee of the Guarantor has been satisfied, the Trustee shall execute any
   documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of the
   Guarantor from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantee.

                                   ARTICLE XV

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         Section 15.1. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this
Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section
318(c) of the TIA, such section of the TIA shall control. If any provision of
this Indenture expressly modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA that may
be so modified or excluded under the TIA, the Indenture provision so modifying
or excluding such provision of the TIA shall be deemed to apply.

         Section 15.2. Notices. Any request, demand, authorization, notice,
waiver, consent or communication shall be in writing, in the English language
and delivered in person (including by commercial courier services) or mailed by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows or transmitted by
facsimile transmission (confirmed by guaranteed overnight courier) to the
following facsimile numbers:

         if to the Company:

         WILLBROS GROUP, INC.
         c/o Willbros USA, Inc.
         4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 1000
         Houston, Texas 77027
         Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
         Facsimile No.: (713) 403-8010

         if to the Guarantor:

         Willbros USA, Inc.
         4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 1000
         Houston, Texas 77027
         Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
         Facsimile No.:  (713) 403-8010

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<PAGE>

         if to the Trustee:

         The Bank of New York
         101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W
         New York, NY 10286
         Attention:  Corporate Trust Administration
         Facsimile No.: (212) 815-5707

               The Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee by notice given to the
   other in the manner provided above may designate additional or different
   addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

               Any notice or communication given to a Holder shall be mailed to
   the Holder, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at the Holder's address as
   it appears on the Register and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed
   within the time prescribed.

               Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any
   defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
   If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above and
   within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not received by the
   addressee.

               If the Company mails a notice or communication to the Holders, it
   shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion
   Agent or co-registrar.

     Section 15.3. Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

               Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA
   with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the
   Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar, the Paying Agent, the
   Conversion Agent and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section
   312(c).

     Section 15.4. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

               Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to
   take any action under this Indenture (except in connection with the original
   issuance of Securities), the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

               (a) an Officers' Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the
signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture
relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

               (b) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such
counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

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<PAGE>

     Section 15.5. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

               Each Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel with respect to
   compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall
   include:

               (a) a statement that each person making such Officers'
Certificate or Opinion of Counsel has read such covenant or condition;

               (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in
such Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel are based;

               (c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, he has
made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such person to
express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has
been complied with; and

               (d) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, such
covenant or condition has been complied with.

               In giving such Opinion of Counsel, counsel may rely as to factual
   matters on an Officers' Certificate or on certificates of public officials.

     Section 15.6. Separability Clause.

               In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities
   shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
   enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected
   or impaired thereby.

     Section 15.7. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Registrar.

               The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting
   of Holders. The Registrar, the Conversion Agent and the Paying Agent may make
   reasonable rules for their functions.

     Section 15.8. Legal Holidays.

               If any specified date (including a date for giving notice) is a
   Legal Holiday, the action shall be taken on the next succeeding day that is
   not a Legal Holiday, and, if the action to be taken on such date is a payment
   in respect of the Securities, no interest, if any, shall accrue for the
   intervening period.

     Section 15.9. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of
Process.

               This Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
   with, the laws of the State of New York.

               The Company and the Guarantor submits to the non-exclusive
   jurisdiction of the competent courts of the State of New York and the courts
   of the United States of America, in

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<PAGE>

   each case located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York over any
   suit, action or proceeding arising under or in connection with this Indenture
   or the transactions contemplated hereby or the Securities. The Company and
   the Guarantor waive any objection that it may have to the venue of any suit,
   action or proceeding arising under or in connection with this Indenture or
   the transactions contemplated hereby or the Securities in the courts of the
   State of New York or the courts of the United States of America, in each case
   located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York, or that such suit,
   action or proceeding brought in the courts of the State of New York or the
   courts of the United States of America, in each case located in the Borough
   of Manhattan, New York, New York, was brought in an inconvenient court and
   agrees not to plead or claim the same. In furtherance of the foregoing, the
   Company and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably designate and appoint CT
   Corporation, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011, as the agent of the
   Company and the Guarantor to receive service of all process brought against
   the Company and/or the Guarantor with respect to any such suit, action or
   proceeding in any such court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York,
   such service being hereby acknowledged by the Company and the Guarantor to be
   effective and binding service in every respect. Copies of any such process so
   served shall also be given to the Company and the Guarantor in accordance
   with Section 15.2 hereof, but the failure of the Company or the Guarantor to
   receive such copies shall not affect in any way the service of such process
   as aforesaid. On the Issue Date, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee a
   consent of CT Corporation agreeing to act hereunder. If for any reason CT
   Corporation shall resign or otherwise cease to act as such agent, the Company
   and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree to (i) immediately designate and
   appoint a new agent reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to serve in such
   capacity and, in such event, such new agent shall be deemed to be substituted
   for CT Corporation for all purposes hereof and (ii) promptly deliver to the
   Trustee the written consent (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
   the Trustee) of such new agent agreeing to serve in such capacity.

               Nothing in this Section 15.9 shall limit the right of the Trustee
   or any Holder to bring proceedings against the Company and/or the Guarantor
   in the courts of any other jurisdiction or to serve process in any other
   manner permitted by law.

     Section 15.10. No Recourse Against Others.

               No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement
   contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any
   indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as
   such, or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer or
   director, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or
   through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or
   constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any
   legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being
   expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the
   Holders and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

     Section 15.11. Successors.

               All agreements of the Company and the Guarantor in this Indenture
   and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in
   this Indenture shall bind its successor.

                                       94
<PAGE>

     Section 15.12. Multiple Originals.

               The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each
   signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same
   agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture.

     Section 15.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

               The Table of Contents and the headings of the Articles or
   Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference
   only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way
   modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

                                     * * * *

                                       95
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized, have
executed this Indenture on behalf of the respective parties hereto as of the
date first above written.

                                     WILLBROS GROUP, INC.

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

                                     WILLBROS USA, INC.

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

                                     THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

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

\
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                             [FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

                  [UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT
HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE
OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE
THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN. THIS SECURITY
IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO
AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS
SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER
THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED
IN THE INDENTURE AND, UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR
SECURITIES IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS
A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE
DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.](1)

                  [THIS SECURITY AND THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON
CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER
THIS SECURITY, THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS
SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD,
ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE
ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT
SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED
THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A
THEREUNDER.] (2)

----------
(1) This legend should be included only if the Note is a Global Security.

(2) This legend should be included only if the Note is a Transfer
    Restricted Security.

<PAGE>

                  NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED
IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING
ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES.

                  [THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES
TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE
"RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH WILLBROS GROUP, INC. OR
ANY AFFILIATE OF WILLBROS GROUP, INC. WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY
PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO WILLBROS GROUP, INC. OR ANY PARENT OR
SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE
PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT
PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
BUYER TO WHICH NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON
RULE 144A, (C) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED
EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO
WILLBROS GROUP, INC.'S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT
TO CLAUSE (D) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION
AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IT. THIS LEGEND WILL BE
REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION
DATE.] (3)

                  THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY IS ENTITLED TO THE BENEFITS OF A
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT AND, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES TO BE BOUND
BY AND TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.

----------
(3) This legend should be included only if the Note is a Transfer Restricted
    Security.

<PAGE>

                              WILLBROS GROUP, INC.

                      6.5% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTE DUE 2012

                                                                $_______________

No. __                                                          CUSIP: _________

         WILLBROS GROUP, INC., a Panamanian corporation (the "Company", which
term shall include any successor Person under the Indenture referred to on the
reverse hereof), for value received, promises to pay to______________, or
registered assigns, on December 15, 2012, the principal amount of __________
Dollars ($____________), or such greater or lesser principal amount as is
indicated in the records of the Trustee and the Depositary.

         In addition, for value received, the Company hereby promises to pay to
the Holder of this Note, or registered assigns, from December 23, 2005, or from
the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or
provided for, to, but not including, December 15, 2012, interest at an annual
rate of 6.5% of the principal amount of this Note. Interest on this Note is
payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 in each year
(each, an "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE"), with the first Interest Payment Date being
June 15, 2006. Each payment of interest on this Note will include interest
accrued through the day before the applicable Interest Payment Date.

         The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on
any Interest Payment Date shall, except as provided in the Indenture, be paid to
the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is
registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such
interest, which shall be the June 1 or December 1 (whether or not a Business
Day), as the case may be, next preceding the corresponding Interest Payment Date
(a "REGULAR RECORD DATE"). Any such interest, Additional Amounts and Additional
Interest, not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to
be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may be paid (a) to the
Person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered
at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such
defaulted interest to be fixed by the Trustee (a "SPECIAL RECORD DATE"), notice
whereof shall be given to Holders not less than 10 days prior to such Special
Record Date, or (b) at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with
the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed,
and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully
provided in the Indenture.

         Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set
forth on the reverse side of this Note, which further provisions shall for all
purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to
be duly executed.

                                                   WILLBROS GROUP, INC.

                                                   By: _________________________
                                                   Name: _______________________
                                                   Title: ______________________

<PAGE>

                     TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

    This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:  _______________                     THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                                            as Trustee

                                            By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Authorized Signatory

<PAGE>

                            [FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

                      6.5% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTE DUE 2012

                  This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of 6.5%
Convertible Senior Notes due 2012 (the "Notes") of WILLBROS GROUP, INC., a
Panamanian corporation (including any successor corporation under the Indenture
hereinafter referred to, the "Company"), issued under an Indenture, dated as of
December 23, 2005 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and THE BANK OF NEW
YORK, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). The terms of
the Note include those stated in the Indenture, those made part of the Indenture
by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended ("TIA"), and those
set forth in this Note. This Note is subject to all such terms, and Holders are
referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of all such terms.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to them
in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.

         1. Interest.

                  Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

                  If the Holder elects to require the Company to purchase this
Note pursuant to Section 5 of this Note, on a date that is after the Regular
Record Date and on or before the corresponding Interest Payment Date, interest,
Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, accrued and unpaid hereon
to, but excluding, the applicable Purchase Date or Fundamental Change Purchase
Date shall be paid to the same Holder to whom the Company pays the principal of
this Note. Interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, accrued
and unpaid hereon at the Stated Maturity also shall be paid to the same Holder
to whom the Company pays the principal of this Note.

                  Interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any,
on Notes converted after the close of business on a Regular Record Date but
prior to the opening of business on the corresponding Interest Payment Date
shall be paid to the Holder of the Notes on the Regular Record Date but, upon
conversion, the Holder must pay the Company an amount equal to the interest,
Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, which has accrued and shall
be paid on such Interest Payment Date. No such payment need be made with respect
to Notes converted after a Regular Record Date and prior to the corresponding
Interest Payment Date upon acceleration.

                  All references herein to interest accrued or payable as of any
date shall, without duplication, be deemed to include Additional Amounts and
Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights
Agreement.

         2. Method of Payment.

                  All payments of cash due on the Notes shall be in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and

<PAGE>

private debts. The Holder must surrender the Notes to the Paying Agent to
collect payment of principal. Payment of interest on Certificated Securities in
the aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or less shall be made by check
mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in
the Register, and payment of interest on Certificated Securities in aggregate
principal amount in excess of $5,000,000 shall be made by wire transfer in
immediately available funds at the election of such Holder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, so long as the Notes are registered in the name of a Depositary or
its nominee, all cash payments with respect to the Notes shall be made by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its
nominee. At the Stated Maturity, interest, Additional Amounts and Additional
Interest, if any, on Certificated Securities will be payable at the office or
agency of the Company described in the Indenture.

         3. Paying Agent, Registrar, Conversion Agent.

                  Initially, The Bank of New York shall act as Paying Agent,
Registrar and Conversion Agent. The Company may appoint and change any Paying
Agent, Registrar and Conversion Agent without notice, other than notice to the
Trustee; provided that the Company shall maintain at least one Paying Agent,
Registrar and Conversion Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York,
which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

         4. Indenture.

                  The Notes are general senior obligations of the Company
limited to up to $65,000,000 aggregate principal amount (subject to increase by
an additional aggregate principal amount of up to $19,500,000 in the event the
Purchasers (as defined in Purchase Agreement dated December 22, 2005 (the
"Purchase Agreement") between the Company and the Purchasers thereunder)
exercise the right to purchase Additional Notes (as defined in the Purchase
Agreement) pursuant to the Purchase Agreement). The Indenture does not limit
other indebtedness of the Company, secured or unsecured.

         5. Purchase by the Company at the Option of the Holder on Specific
Dates; Purchase at the Option of the Holder Upon a Fundamental Change.

                  Each Holder shall have the right, at the Holder's option, but
subject to the provisions of the Indenture, to require the Company to purchase
all of such Holder's Notes, or any portion of the principal amount thereof that
is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, on December 15, 2010. The
Company shall be required to purchase such Notes at a purchase price in cash
equal to 100% of the principal amount (or 110% of the principal amount upon the
exercise of the put in connection with a Fundamental Change occurring prior to
December 31, 2006) plus accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Amounts and
Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Purchase Date. To exercise
such right, a Holder shall deliver a Purchase Notice to the Paying Agent at any
time from the opening of business on the date that is 22 Business Days prior to
the relevant Purchase Date until the close of business on the second Business
Day prior to such Purchase Date.

<PAGE>

                  In the event that a Fundamental Change shall occur at any time
prior to the Stated Maturity, each Holder shall have the right, at the Holder's
option, but subject to the provisions of the Indenture, to require the Company
to purchase all of such Holder's Notes, or any portion of the principal amount
thereof that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. The Company
shall be required to purchase such Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to
100% of the principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest, Additional
Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Fundamental
Change Purchase Date. To exercise such right, a Holder shall deliver a
Fundamental Change Purchase Notice to the Paying Agent at any time during the
Fundamental Change Purchase/Conversion Period.

                  Holders have the right to withdraw any Purchase Notice or
Fundamental Change Purchase Notice by delivering to the Paying Agent a written
notice of withdrawal in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

                  If the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with the terms
hereof, at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately
succeeding applicable Purchase Date or Fundamental Change Purchase Date, cash
sufficient to irrevocably pay the Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase
Price, as the case may be, of any Notes for which a Purchase Price or
Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, as the case may be, has been tendered and
not withdrawn pursuant to the Indenture, then, as of such Purchase Date or
Fundamental Change Purchase Date, as the case may be, such Notes shall cease to
be outstanding and interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any,
on such Notes shall cease to accrue, whether or not such Notes are delivered to
the Paying Agent, and the rights of the Holders in respect thereof shall
terminate (other than the right to receive the Purchase Price or Fundamental
Change Purchase Price, as the case may be, upon delivery of such Notes).

         6. Conversion.

                  Subject to and in compliance with the provisions of the
Indenture (including, without limitation, the conditions to conversion of this
Note set forth in Section 12.1 thereof), the Holder of this Note is entitled, at
such Holder's option, to convert this Note (or any portion of the principal
amount hereof that is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof), into fully paid
and non-assessable shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Rate in effect on
the date of conversion. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of each $1,000 of principal amount of Notes is initially 56.9606
shares of Common Stock, and this Conversion Rate is subject to adjustment in
certain events as set forth in the Indenture.

                  Upon conversion, the Company shall have the right to deliver,
in lieu of shares of Common Stock, cash or a combination of cash and shares of
Common Stock as provided in the Indenture.

                  On the earlier to occur of (i) one Trading Day after the first
such date as the Closing Sale Price equals or exceeds the Conversion Price and
(ii) one Trading Day after the Company first receives a Conversion Notice, the
Company shall notify Holders in writing of its Principal Conversion Settlement
Election. This notification once provided to a Holder on the first conversion
date, regardless of a Holder's decision to convert, is irrevocable and legally

<PAGE>

binding with regard to any subsequent conversion of the Notes. Until the Notes
are surrendered for conversion, however, the Company shall not be required to
notify Holders of its method for settling its Excess Amount Conversion
Obligation.

                  With respect to any conversion of this Note during a
Registration Default Period, the Holder shall be entitled, subject to the
Indenture, to 103% of the number of shares of Common Stock that the Holder would
have otherwise been entitled to upon conversion in respect of the portion of the
Conversion Obligation that the Company settles in Common Stock.

                  A Note in respect of which a Holder has delivered a Purchase
Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, as the case may be, exercising the
right of such Holder to require the Company to purchase such Note may be
converted only if such Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice is
withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

                  Except as described in Section 12.10 of the Indenture, the
Company will not make any payment in cash or Common Stock or other adjustment
for accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Amounts or Additional interest on
any Notes when they are converted. The Company's delivery to the Holder of the
full number of shares of Common Stock into which this Note is convertible (or,
at the Company's option, cash, or a combination of cash and Common Stock, in
lieu thereof as provided in the Indenture), together with any cash payment for
such Holder's fractional shares, shall be deemed to satisfy the Company's
obligation to pay the principal amount of this Note and to satisfy its
obligation to pay accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Amounts and Additional
Interest, if any through the conversion date. As a result, accrued interest,
Additional Amounts and Additional Interest are deemed paid in full rather than
cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. Notwithstanding the foregoing, accrued
interest, Additional Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, will be payable in
cash upon any conversion of Notes made concurrently with or after acceleration
of the Notes following an Event of Default.

                  Before any Holder shall be entitled to convert any Notes into
Common Stock, such Holder shall, in the case of Global Securities, comply with
the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary in effect at that time, and in the
case of Certificated Securities, surrender such Securities, duly endorsed to the
Company or in blank if required by the Conversion Agent, at the office of the
Conversion Agent, and shall give written notice to the Company at said office or
place in the form of the Conversion Notice attached to this Note that such
Holder elects to convert the same and shall state in writing therein the
principal amount of Notes to be converted (in whole or in part so long as the
principal amount to be converted is in multiples of $1,000) and the name or
names (with addresses) in which such Holder wishes the certificate or
certificates for Common Stock to be issued. Before any such conversion, a Holder
also shall pay all funds required, if any, relating to interest, Additional
Amounts or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes, as provided in Section
12.10 of the Indenture, and all taxes or duties, if any, as provided in Section
12.9 of the Indenture.

                  If the Company (i) reclassifies or changes the Common Stock,
(ii) is a party to a consolidation, merger, statutory share exchange or
combination or (iii) sells or conveys all or substantially all of its properties
and assets to any Person, the right to convert a Note into shares

<PAGE>

of Common Stock may be changed into a right to convert it into securities, cash
or other property of the Company or the successor or purchasing Person, in each
case in accordance with Section 12.5 of the Indenture.

         7. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange.

                  The Notes shall be issued in fully registered form, without
coupons, in denominations of $1,000 of principal amount and integral multiples
thereof. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the
Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish
appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees
required by law or permitted by the Indenture. Neither the Company, the
Registrar nor the Trustee shall be required to exchange or register a transfer
of (i) any Notes in respect of which a Purchase Notice or a Fundamental Change
Purchase Notice has been given and not withdrawn by the Holder thereof in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture (except, in the case of Notes to be
repurchased in part, the portion thereof not to be repurchased), or (ii) any
Notes surrendered for conversion (except, in the case of Notes to be converted
in part, the portion thereof not to be converted).

         8. Persons Deemed Owners.

                  The registered holder of this Note may be treated as the owner
of this Note for all purposes.

         9. Unclaimed Money or Securities.

                  The Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent shall
return to the Company upon written request any cash or securities held by them
for the payment of any amount with respect to the Notes that remains unclaimed
for two years, subject to applicable unclaimed property law. After return to the
Company, Holders entitled to the money or securities must look to the Company
for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law
designates another person.

         10. Amendment; Waiver.

                  Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i)
the Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the written consent or
affirmative vote of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Notes and (ii) certain Defaults may be waived with the
written consent or affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

                  The Company and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the
Notes without the consent of any Holder to (a) add to the covenants of the
Company for the benefit of the Holders of Notes; (b) surrender any right or
power herein conferred upon the Company or the Guarantor; (c) provide for
conversion rights of Holders of Notes if any reclassification or change of the
Common Stock or any consolidation, merger or disposition of all or substantially
all of the Company's properties and assets occurs; (d) provide for the
assumption of the Company's

<PAGE>

obligations to the Holders of Notes in the case of a merger, consolidation,
conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or other disposition pursuant to Article VII
of the Indenture; (e) increase the Conversion Rate; provided, however, that such
increase in the Conversion Rate shall not adversely affect the interests of the
Holders of Notes (after taking into account tax and other consequences of such
increase); (f) comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; (g) to evidence the
succession of another Person as the Guarantor pursuant to Section 14.3 hereof
and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants and agreements of the
Guarantor contained herein; (h) make any changes or modifications necessary in
connection with the registration of the Notes under the Securities Act as
contemplated in the Registration Rights Agreement; provided, however, that such
action pursuant to this clause (h) does not adversely affect the interests of
the Holders of Notes in any material respect; (i) cure any ambiguity, correct or
supplement any provision in the Indenture which may be inconsistent with any
other provision therein or which is otherwise defective, or to make any other
provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Indenture
which the Company may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not be
inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture; provided, however, that such
action pursuant to this clause (i) does not adversely affect the interests of
the Holders of Notes in any material respect; (j) to evidence the succession of
another Person to the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes, and the
assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company or such obligor
in the Indenture and in the Notes, in each case in compliance with the
provisions of the Indenture; (k) to evidence and provide the acceptance of the
appointment of a successor Trustee; or (l) to require the Company to settle its
Conversion Obligation in cash with respect to the principal amount of Notes
surrendered for conversion.

         11. Defaults and Remedies.

                  If any Event of Default, other than as a result of certain
events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company as specified
in the Indenture, occurs and is continuing, the principal amount of all the
Notes may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided
in the Indenture. If an Event of Default occurs as a result of certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company as provided in the
Indenture, the principal amount of all the Notes shall become due and payable
immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or
any Holder, all as and to the extent provided in the Indenture.

         12. Trustee Dealings with the Company.

                  Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee
under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the
owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations
owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the
Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not
Trustee.

<PAGE>

         13. Calculations in Respect of Notes.

                  The Company or its agents shall be responsible for making all
calculations called for under ARTICLE XII of the Indenture, including, but not
limited to, determination of the Closing Sale Price of Applicable Stock, the
number of shares of Common Stock or other Applicable Stock and/or the amount of
cash issuable or payable upon conversion and the amounts of interest, Additional
Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes. Any calculations made in
good faith and without manifest error shall be final and binding on Holders of
the Notes. The Company or its agents shall be required to deliver to the Trustee
a schedule of its calculations and the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively
rely upon the accuracy of such calculations without independent verification.

         14. No Recourse Against Others.

                  No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or
agreement contained in this Indenture or in any Note, or because of any
indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such,
or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer or director, as
such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company
or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or
by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or
otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the
acceptance of the Notes by the Holders and as part of the consideration for the
issue of the Notes.

         15. Guarantee.

                  Payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, Additional
Amounts and Additional Interest, if any, (including interest on overdue
principal amounts, premium if any, interest, Additional Amounts and Additional
Interest, if applicable, if lawful) is unconditionally guaranteed by the
Guarantor pursuant to ARTICLE XIV of the Indenture.

         16. Authentication.

                  This Note shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or a duly authorized
authentication agent) signs the Trustee's Certificate of Authentication on the
other side of this Note.

<PAGE>

         17. Abbreviations.

                  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or
an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors
Act).

         18. INDENTURE TO CONTROL; GOVERNING LAW.

                  IN THE CASE OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
NOTE AND THE INDENTURE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE
PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE SHALL CONTROL. THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK.

         19. Registration Rights.

                  The Holders of the Notes are entitled to the benefits of a
Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 23, 2005, among the Company and
the initial purchasers party thereto, as amended, modified or supplemented in
accordance therewith, including the receipt of Additional Interest upon a
Registration Default (as defined in such agreement).

         20. Copies of Indenture and Registration Rights Agreement.

                  The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request
and without charge a copy of the Indenture and a copy of the Registration Rights
Agreement. Requests may be made to:

                  WILLBROS GROUP, INC.
                  c/o Willbros USA, Inc.
                  4400 Post Oak Parkway
                  Suite 1000
                  Houston, Texas 77027
                  Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
                  Facsimile No.:  (713) 403-8010

<PAGE>

                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Note to

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax ID no.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint ____________________________ agent to transfer this Note
on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

                                                     Your Signature(s):

Date:
     ---------------------------                     ---------------------------
                                                     (Sign exactly as your
                                                     name(s) appears on the
                                                     other side of this Note)

Signature Guaranteed

-------------------------------------
Participant in a Recognized Signature
Guarantee Medallion Program

By:
    ------------------------------------------------
         Authorized Signatory

<PAGE>

                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to ARTICLE IV
(Purchase at the Option of Holders on Specific Dates) or ARTICLE V (Purchase at
the Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change) of the Indenture, check the
box: ARTICLE IV [ ] ARTICLE V [ ].

If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to
ARTICLE IV or ARTICLE V of the Indenture, as applicable, state the amount (in
principal amount): $ ______________.

If certificated, the serial numbers of the Notes to be delivered for purchase
are:

_________________.

                  Any purchase of Notes pursuant hereto shall be pursuant to the
terms and conditions specified in the Indenture.

                                                 Your Signature(s):

Date:
     ---------------------------                 -------------------------------
                                                (Sign exactly as your name(s)
                                                appears on the other side
                                                of this Note)

Signature Guaranteed

-------------------------------------
Participant in a Recognized Signature
Guarantee Medallion Program

By:
     ------------------------------------------------
            Authorized Signatory

<PAGE>

                                CONVERSION NOTICE

To convert this Note into Common Stock of the Company (or cash or a combination
of Common Stock and cash, if the Company so elects), check the box [ ].

To convert only part of this Note, state the principal amount to be converted
(which must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof):____________.

If you want the stock certificate made out in another person's name fill in the
form below:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Insert the other person's soc. sec. or tax ID no.)

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

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Print or type the other person's name, address and zip code)

                                                     Your Signature(s):

Date:
     ---------------------------                     ---------------------------
                                                     (Sign exactly as your
                                                     name(s) appears on the
                                                     other side of this Note)
Signature Guaranteed

-------------------------------------
Participant in a Recognized Signature
Guarantee Medallion Program

By:
   ------------------------------------------------
           Authorized Signatory

<PAGE>

                            TRANSFER CERTIFICATE(4)

                   Re: 6.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2012
              (the "Notes") of Willbros Group, Inc. (the "Company")

                  This certificate relates to $_______ principal amount of Notes
owned in (check applicable box)

                  [ ] book-entry    [ ] definitive form by ______________
(the "Transferor").

                  The Transferor has requested a Registrar or the Trustee to
exchange or register the transfer of such Notes.

                  In connection with such request and in respect of each such
Note, the Transferor does hereby certify that the Transferor is familiar with
transfer restrictions relating to the Notes as provided in Section 2.6 and
Section 2.12 of the Indenture dated as of December 23, 2005 between the Company
and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (the "Indenture"), and the transfer of such
Note is being made pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") (check applicable box)
or the transfer or exchange, as the case may be, of such Note does not require
registration under the Securities Act because (check applicable box):

                  [ ]      Such Note is being acquired for the Transferor's own
                           account, without transfer; or

                  [ ]      Such Note is being transferred to the Company or a
                           Subsidiary; or

                  [ ]      Such Note is being transferred to a person that the
                           Transferor reasonably believes is a "qualified
                           institutional buyer," as defined in, and in
                           compliance with, Rule 144A under the Securities Act;
                           or

                  [ ]      Such Note is being transferred pursuant to the
                           exemption from the registration requirements of the
                           Securities Act under Rule 144 (or any successor
                           thereto) ("Rule 144") under the Securities Act; or

                  [ ]      Such Note is being transferred pursuant to an
                           effective registration statement under the Securities
                           Act; or

                  [ ]      Such Note is being transferred pursuant to an
                           exemption from the registration requirements of the
                           Securities Act to an institutional investor that is
                           an "accredited investor" (as defined in Rule
                           501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the
                           Securities Act) that, prior to the transfer,
                           furnishes to the Trustee such certifications and
                           opinion of counsel required by the Company or the
                           Trustee.

----------
(4) This certificate should only be included if this Security is a Transfer
Restricted Security.

<PAGE>

                  The Transferor acknowledges and agrees that, if the transferee
will hold any such Notes in the form of beneficial interests in a global Note
that is a "restricted security" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, then such transfer can be made only pursuant to Rule 144A under
the Securities Act and such transferee must be a "qualified institutional
buyer," as defined in Rule 144A, or an institutional investor that is an
"accredited investor" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of
Regulation D under the Securities Act).

                                    --------------------------------------------
                  Date:                     Signature(s) of Transferor

(If the registered owner is a corporation, partnership or fiduciary, the title
of the person signing on behalf of such registered owner must be stated.)

Signature Guaranteed

-------------------------------------
Participant in a Recognized Signature
Guarantee Medallion Program

By:
   ---------------------------------------
          Authorized Signatory

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                     [FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED BY
                     TRANSFEREE IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS
                     TO INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTORS]

                                     [Date]

The Bank of New York, as Trustee
101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W
New York, NY 10286
Attention:  Corporate Trust Administration
Facsimile No.: (646) 835-8465

                            Re: Willbros Group, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  In connection with the undersigned's proposed purchase of
$____________ aggregate principal amount of 6.5% Convertible Senior Notes due
2012 (the "Notes") of Willbros Group, Inc. (the "Company") or _____________
shares of Common Stock of the Company issued upon conversion of the Notes, par
value $.05 per share (the "Common Stock," and together with the Notes, the
"Securities"), the undersigned confirms, represents and warrants that:

                           (1) The undersigned is an institutional "accredited
                  investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or
                  (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
                  "Securities Act") (an "Institutional Accredited Investor").

                           (2) (A) Any purchase of the Securities by the
                  undersigned will be for the undersigned's own account or for
                  the account of one or more other Institutional Accredited
                  Investors or as fiduciary for the account of one or more
                  trusts, each of which is an "accredited investor" within the
                  meaning of Rule 501(a)(7) under the Securities Act and for
                  each of which the undersigned exercises sole investment
                  discretion or (B) the undersigned is a "bank", within the
                  meaning of Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or a
                  "savings and loan association" or other institution described
                  in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act that is acquiring
                  the Securities as fiduciary for the account of one or more
                  institutions for which the undersigned exercises sold
                  investment discretion.

                           (3) The undersigned has such knowledge and experience
                  in financial and business matters that the undersigned is
                  capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment
                  in the Securities, and the undersigned and any accounts for
                  which it is acting is each able to bear the economic risk of
                  its or their investment.

<PAGE>

                           (4) The undersigned has been given an opportunity to
                  ask questions and receive answers concerning the terms and
                  conditions of the Securities and to obtain any additional
                  information which the Company possesses or can acquire without
                  reasonable effort or expense that is necessary to verify the
                  accuracy of the information furnished.

                           (5) The undersigned is not acquiring the Securities
                  with a view to distribution thereof or with any present
                  intention of offering or selling any Securities, except as
                  permitted below; provided that the disposition of the
                  undersigned's property and the property of any accounts for
                  which the undersigned is acting as fiduciary will remain at
                  all times within the undersigned's control.

                           (6) The undersigned understands that the Securities
                  have not been registered under the Securities Act or any
                  applicable state securities laws.

                           (7) The undersigned agrees, on its own behalf and on
                  behalf of each account for which the undersigned acquires any
                  Securities, that if in the future the undersigned decides to
                  resell or otherwise transfer such Securities within two years
                  after the latest date of the original issuance of the Notes,
                  such Securities may be resold or otherwise transferred only:

                           (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof;

                           (B) with respect to Notes only, to a person which is
                  a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A
                  under the Securities Act) and otherwise in compliance with
                  Rule 144A under the Securities Act;

                           (C) pursuant to the exemption from registration
                  provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act (if available);

                           (D) pursuant to an exemption from the registration
                  requirements under the Securities Act to a person whom the
                  purchaser reasonably believes is an Institutional Accredited
                  Investor that prior to such transfer, furnishes to you (and
                  the Trustee or the Transfer Agent, as the case may be) a
                  signed letter substantially in the form of this letter, a
                  transfer certificate substantially in the form provided in the
                  Indenture and an opinion of counsel; or

                           (E) pursuant to a registration statement which has
                  been declared effective under the Securities Act and continues
                  to be effective at the time of such transfer.

                  The undersigned further agrees to provide to any person
                  purchasing any of the Securities from us (other than a
                  purchaser described in clause (A), (C) or (E) above) a written
                  notice advising such purchaser that resales of the Securities
                  are restricted as stated herein.

<PAGE>

                           (8) The undersigned understands that, on any proposed
                  resale of any Securities, the undersigned shall be required to
                  furnish to the Trustee or the Transfer Agent, as the case may
                  be, and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and
                  other information as you and the Company may reasonably
                  require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the
                  foregoing restrictions. The undersigned further understands
                  that the Securities purchased by the undersigned will bear a
                  legend to the foregoing effect.

                  Each of the Company, the Trustee or the Transfer Agent, as the
case may be, and the initial purchasers of the Securities is entitled to rely
upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy
hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or
official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

                                                 Very truly yours,

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

<PAGE>
                                                                               1

                                    EXHIBIT C

                         [FORM OF RESTRICTIVE LEGEND FOR
                      COMMON STOCK ISSUED UPON CONVERSION]

                  THE SECURITY EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAS NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT OF
1933"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT AS
SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER:

                           (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED
         INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
         OF 1933 OR (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR THAT IS AN "ACCREDITED
         INVESTOR" AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3), OR (7) UNDER THE
         SECURITIES ACT (AN "INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR");

                           (2) AGREES THAT IT SHALL NOT, WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER
         THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITY UPON THE CONVERSION OF WHICH THE
         SHARES OF COMMON STOCK EVIDENCED HEREBY WERE ISSUED, RESELL OR
         OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY EXCEPT (A) TO THE
         WILLBROS GROUP, INC. OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO THE
         EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF
         1933 PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (C)
         TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, TO A PERSON THAT THE HOLDER
         REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" AS DEFINED IN,
         AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH, RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, (D)
         PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
         SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (IF AVAILABLE) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED
         INVESTOR THAT PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO MELLON INVESTOR
         SERVICES LLC, AS TRANSFER AGENT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR TRANSFER AGENT, AS
         APPLICABLE), SUCH CERTIFICATIONS AND OPINION OF COUNSEL REQUIRED BY THE
         COMPANY OR TRANSFER AGENT OR (E) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT
         THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND
         THAT CONTINUES TO BE EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH TRANSFER; AND

                           (3) AGREES THAT IT SHALL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO
         WHOM THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED (OTHER THAN A
         TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 2(A), 2(B) OR 2(E) ABOVE), A NOTICE
         SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.

<PAGE>

                                                                               2

         NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN
         CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING
         ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THIS SECURITY.

         THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY IS ENTITLED TO THE BENEFITS OF A
         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE
         REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF) AND, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF,
         AGREES TO BE BOUND BY AND TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH
         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         THIS PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is made as of December 22,
2005 by and among Willbros Group, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws
of the Republic of Panama (the "COMPANY"), Willbros USA, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("WUSA")and the purchasers set forth on Schedule I hereto (each a
"PURCHASER" and collectively, the "PURCHASERS").

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, the Company has authorized the issuance and sale of up to
$84.5 million in aggregate principal amount of its 6.50% Senior Convertible
Notes due 2012 (the "NOTES");

         WHEREAS, the Company proposes, subject to the terms and conditions
stated herein, to issue and sell on the Closing Date (as defined below)
$65,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes to the Purchasers in the
respective amounts set forth opposite each Purchaser's name in column (1) on
Schedule I hereto (the "FIRM NOTES");

         WHEREAS, the Company also proposes to issue and sell to the Purchasers
up to an additional $19,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes (the
"ADDITIONAL NOTES") in the respective principal amounts set forth opposite each
Purchaser's name in column (2) on Schedule I hereto, if and to the extent that
the Purchasers shall have determined to exercise the right to purchase such
Additional Notes granted to the Purchasers in Section 1(b) below;

         WHEREAS, the Firm Notes and the Additional Notes will be issued
pursuant to an indenture substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto
(the "INDENTURE") to be dated as of the Closing Date by and among the Company,
as issuer, WUSA, and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as
Trustee (the "TRUSTEE"), and the Notes will be convertible into shares (the
"UNDERLYING SECURITIES") of common stock of the Company, par value $0.05 per
share (the "COMMON STOCK"), and WUSA will guaranty the Company's obligations
under the Firm Notes and the Additional Notes in accordance with the Subsidiary
Guarantee (as defined in the Indenture), all on the terms, and subject to the
conditions, set forth in the Indenture;

         WHEREAS, the Firm Notes, the Additional Notes and the Underlying
Securities, collectively, are referred to herein as the "SECURITIES."

         WHEREAS, the offer and sale of the Securities will not be registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (together with the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, the "SECURITIES ACT"), in reliance on an
exemption therefrom; and

<PAGE>

         WHEREAS, the Purchasers will be entitled to the benefits of a
Registration Rights Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B
hereto covering the Underlying Securities to be dated as of the Closing Date by
and among the Company and the Purchasers (the "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT"
and, together with this Agreement, the Indenture, the Firm Notes and the
Additional Notes, the "TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS").

                                    AGREEMENT

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the mutual
promises and covenants set forth herein and certain other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties agree as follows:

         1. Agreement to Sell and Purchase.

                  (a) Firm Notes. On the basis of the representations and
warranties contained in this Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, the Company agrees to issue and sell to each Purchaser the
respective principal amounts of Firm Notes set forth opposite such Purchaser's
name in column (1) on Schedule I hereto, and each Purchaser, upon the basis of
the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the
conditions hereinafter stated, severally and not jointly agrees to purchase from
the Company such respective principal amount of the Firm Notes at a purchase
price of one hundred percent (100%) of the principal amount of the Firm Notes to
be purchased by each such Purchaser hereunder (the "PURCHASE PRICE").

                  (b) Additional Notes. On the basis of the representations and
warranties contained in this Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell to each Purchaser, and each
Purchaser shall have the right to purchase, up to the principal amount of the
Additional Notes set forth opposite such Purchaser's name in column (2) on
Schedule I hereto, with respect to each Purchaser (the "OPTION"). If purchased
by a Purchaser, the Additional Notes shall be sold at the Purchase Price plus
accrued interest, if any, from the Closing Date to the date of payment and
delivery. To exercise the Option, a Purchaser must so notify the Company in
writing (the "OPTION EXERCISE NOTICE") on or before the ninetieth (90th) day
after the Closing Date (the "OPTION EXPIRATION DATE") which Option Exercise
Notice shall specify the principal amount of the Additional Notes such Purchaser
is purchasing pursuant to the Option and the date on which the Additional Notes
are to be purchased. Such date may be the same as the Closing Date but not
earlier than the Closing Date. If such date is not the Closing Date, such date
may not be earlier than three (3) business days following the date of receipt by
the Company of such Option Exercise Notice nor later than five (5) business days
following the date of receipt by the Company of such Option Exercise Notice.

         2. Closing.

2

<PAGE>

                  (a) Firm Notes. Payment for the Firm Notes shall be made
severally by the Purchasers to the Company to an account specified in writing by
the Company to the Purchasers on or prior to the date hereof in United States
dollars in cash or other funds immediately available in New York City against
delivery to each Purchaser of the Firm Notes purchased by such Purchaser at
10:00 a.m., New York City time, on December 23, 2005, or at such other time on
the same or such other date as shall be mutually agreed upon by the Company and
the Purchasers purchasing more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate
principal amount of the Firm Notes to be purchased hereunder. The time and date
of such payment and delivery are hereinafter referred to as the "CLOSING DATE."

                  (b) Additional Notes. Payment for the Additional Notes to be
purchased pursuant to any exercise of the Option shall be made by the
Purchaser(s) purchasing the Additional Notes to the Company by wire transfer of
United States dollars in cash or other funds immediately available in New York
City, to an account previously specified in writing by the Company to such
Purchaser(s) at least one (1) Business Day prior to the Option Closing Date (as
defined below), against delivery of such Additional Notes in the form specified
by the applicable Purchaser(s) in the applicable Option Exercise Notice at 10:00
a.m., New York City time, on the date set forth in the Option Exercise Notice,
or at such other time on the same or on such other date, as may be mutually
agreed upon by the Company and such Purchaser(s). The time and date of each such
payment and delivery are hereinafter referred to as an "OPTION CLOSING DATE."

         3. Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrant
to the Purchasers as of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, the
following:

                  (a) Exchange Act Documents. The Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (the "2004 10-K") and all
other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder (collectively, the "EXCHANGE ACT")
since January 1, 2004 (as amended or supplemented from time to time prior to the
date hereof, including the exhibits thereto, the "EXCHANGE ACT DOCUMENTS"), when
taken together, do not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

                  (b) Financial Statements. Except as disclosed in the Exchange
Act Documents, (i) the financial statements included in the Exchange Act
Documents present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates
indicated and the results of their operations and the changes in their
consolidated cash flows for the periods specified therein and (ii) said
financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles and practices ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis,
except as indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited
statements, as permitted by Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

3

<PAGE>

                  (c) Absence of Material Adverse Effect. Since the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 filed with the
SEC on November 22, 2005 (the "LATEST 10-Q"), there has not been any Material
Adverse Change. As used in this Agreement, "MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE" or
"MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means any change or effect that would be materially
adverse to the business, properties, condition (financial or otherwise) or
results of operations of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries
considered as a single enterprise, or to the ability or authority of the Company
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Transaction
Documents on the terms set forth herein or therein, provided, that any reduction
in the market price or trading volume of the Company's publicly traded common
stock shall not, in any event, be deemed to constitute a Material Adverse Change
or a Material Adverse Effect (it being understood that the foregoing shall not
prevent a person from asserting that any underlying cause of such reduction
independently constitutes such a Material Adverse Change or Material Adverse
Effect).

                  (d) Absence of Certain Changes. Since the Latest 10-Q, there
has not been any (i) material change in the capital stock or long-term debt of
the Company, other than borrowings under the Company's Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2004, by and among the Company, the
financial institutions parties thereto and Calyon New York Branch, as
administrative agent (the "AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT"), that will be
repaid with a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes or (ii)
issuance of any options or warrants for the purchase of capital stock of the
Company, securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for capital
stock of the Company or rights to purchase capital stock of the Company, except
for changes or issuances occurring in the ordinary course of business and
changes in outstanding Common Stock resulting from grants of Common Stock made
pursuant to the Company's 401(k) Plan and to give effect to grants of restricted
stock and stock option awards under the Company's employee benefit plans and the
exercise of options to purchase Common Stock granted under the Company's
employee benefit plans, in each case in existence on the date hereof. Since the
Latest 10-Q, the Company has not entered into any transaction or agreement that
has or would be reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect. Since the Latest 10-Q, the Company has not declared or
paid any dividends or made any distribution of any kind with respect to its
capital stock. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has taken any
steps to seek protection pursuant to any bankruptcy law nor does the Company
have knowledge that its creditors or its subsidiaries' creditors intend to
initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings or knowledge of any fact which would
reasonably lead a creditor to do so. The Company is not as of the date hereof,
and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby will not be,
Insolvent (as defined below). For purposes of this Section 3(d), "Insolvent"
means (i) the present fair saleable value of the Company's assets is less than
the amount required to pay the Company's known liabilities and identified
contingent liabilities, (ii) the Company is unable to pay its debts and
liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and
liabilities become absolute and matured or (iii) the Company has unreasonably
small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such
business is now conducted.

4

<PAGE>

                  (e) Organization and Qualification. The Company has been duly
incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
laws of the Republic of Panama, with corporate power and authority to own or
lease its properties and conduct its business as described in the Exchange Act
Documents, and has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the
transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other
jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties, or conducts its business in
a manner or to an extent that would require such qualification, other than such
failures to be so qualified or in good standing as, individually or in the
aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (f) Subsidiaries. Each Subsidiary of the Company has been duly
organized and is validly existing as a corporation, partnership or limited
liability company in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which
it is chartered or organized with full power and authority to own or lease, as
the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as
currently operated and conducted, and is duly qualified to do business as a
foreign corporation, partnership or limited liability company and is in good
standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification,
except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not,
individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; all the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of or other ownership interests
in each such Subsidiary have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully
paid and non-assessable and are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.
As used herein, "SUBSIDIARY" means any entity of which the Company (either alone
or through or together with one or more of its Subsidiaries) owns or holds,
directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, more than 50% of the
stock or other equity interests of such entity, (B) any entity of which stock or
other equity interests having the power to elect a majority of that entity's
board of directors or similar governing body, or otherwise having the power to
direct the business and policies of such entity, are held or owned, directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, by the Company (either alone or
through or together with one or more of its Subsidiaries), or (C) any entity,
the operations of which are consolidated or combined with the Company, pursuant
to GAAP, for financial reporting purposes.

                  (g) Authorization; Enforcement; Validity. The Company has full
corporate power and authority to enter into the Transaction Documents and to
perform and discharge its obligations thereunder, including, without limitation,
issuance of the Firm Notes and the Additional Notes and the reservation for
issuance and the issuance of the Underlying Securities; each Transaction
Document has been duly authorized by the Company's Board of Directors, and no
further consent or authorization is required by the Company, its board of
directors or its stockholders, other than such consents or authorizations as
have been obtained prior to the execution of this Agreement; each Transaction
Document has been duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable
against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, reorganization, moratorium and
similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally, and to general
principles of equity, including principles of materiality, commercial
reasonableness, good faith

5

<PAGE>

and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at
law or in equity) and except that rights to indemnification and contribution
thereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws or public policy
relating thereto that have not been previously waived. WUSA has full corporate
power and authority to enter into the Transaction Documents to which it is a
party and to perform and discharge its obligations thereunder; each Transaction
Document to which it is a party has been duly authorized by WUSA's Board of
Directors, and no further consent or authorization is required by the Company,
its board of directors or its stockholders, other than such consents or
authorizations as have been obtained prior to the execution of this Agreement;
each Transaction Document to which it is a party has been duly executed and
delivered by or on behalf of the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and
binding obligations of WUSA, enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or
transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors'
rights and remedies generally, and to general principles of equity, including
principles of materiality, commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair
dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or
in equity) and except that rights to indemnification and contribution thereunder
may be limited by federal or state securities laws or public policy relating
thereto that have not been previously waived.

                  (h) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding
capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Latest 10-Q, except as such
outstanding capital stock may be increased to give effect to grants of Common
Stock made pursuant to the Company's 401(k) Plan and to give effect to grants of
restricted stock and stock option awards under the Company's employee benefit
plans and the exercise of options to purchase Common Stock granted under the
Company's employee benefit plans, in each case in existence on the date hereof.
Except for (i) that certain registration rights agreement dated April 9, 1992,
by and among the Company and the parties set forth on the signature pages
thereto, (ii) that certain registration rights agreement dated March 15, 2004
(the "2004 RRA") by and among the Company and the initial purchasers of the
Company's 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 (the "2.75% NOTES"), and (iii)
this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement or stock purchase plans,
there are no contracts, commitments, agreements, arrangements, understandings or
undertakings of any kind to which the Company is a party, or by which it is
bound, granting to any person the right to require the Company to file a
registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the Common Stock
or requiring the Company to include any Common Stock with the Underlying
Securities registered pursuant to any registration statement that have not been
previously waived. The 2004 RRA does not grant to any of the holders of the
2.75% Notes the right to require the Company to include any Common Stock
underlying such notes in any registration statement to be filed with respect to
the Underlying Securities. The shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date
hereof have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.

                  (i) Issuance of Firm Notes and Additional Notes. The Firm
Notes and the Additional Notes have been duly authorized by the Company, and
when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as provided in the
Indenture and the other Transaction Documents (assuming due authentication of
the Firm Notes and the Additional Notes by the

6

<PAGE>

Trustee) and paid for as provided herein and therein will be free from all
taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance thereof and will
constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable
against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, reorganization, moratorium and
similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally, and to general
principles of equity, including principles of materiality, commercial
reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement
is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

                  (j) Issuance of Underlying Securities. Upon issuance and
delivery of the Firm Notes and the Additional Notes in accordance with this
Agreement and the Indenture, the Firm Notes and the Additional Notes will be
convertible at the option of the holder thereof into the Underlying Securities
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; the Underlying Securities
initially issuable upon conversion of the Notes have been duly authorized and
reserved for issuance and, when issued upon conversion of the Notes in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture, will be validly issued, fully paid
and non assessable, and the issuance of the Underlying Securities will not be
subject to any preemptive or similar rights and will be free from all taxes,
liens or charges with respect to the issuance thereof.

                  (k) No Conflicts. The issuance and sale of the Firm Notes and
the Additional Notes and the issuance by the Company of the Underlying
Securities upon conversion of the Securities, the execution and delivery by the
Company of the Transaction Documents and the performance by the Company of all
its obligations and the consummation of the transactions herein and therein
contemplated, will not (i) result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions
of, constitute a default (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of
time or otherwise) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company under, any
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or
to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject except, in each
case, for such conflicts, breaches, defaults, liens, charges or encumbrances
which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions
of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or the
Restated Bylaws of the Company, each as in effect on the date hereof, or (iii)
result in any violation of any material applicable law or statute or any order,
rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or of any self-regulatory
agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties;
and no consent, approval, authorization, order, license, registration or
qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or of any
self-regulatory agency or body is required for the issuance and sale of the
Securities or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
by any of the Transaction Documents, except such consents, approvals,
authorizations, orders, licenses, registrations or qualifications as may be
required under (A) state securities or Blue Sky Laws in connection with the
purchase of and any distribution of the Securities by the Purchasers, (B) the
Securities Act with respect to the registration of the Underlying Securities
pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement and (C) the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"), with respect to the qualification
of the Indenture. The issuance of the Subsidiary

7

<PAGE>

Guarantee (as defined in the Indenture), the execution and delivery by WUSA of
the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the performance by WUSA of
all its obligations and the consummation of the transactions herein and therein
contemplated, will not (i) result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions
of, constitute a default (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of
time or otherwise) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of WUSA under, any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to
which WUSA is a party or by which WUSA is bound or to which any of the property
or assets of WUSA is subject except, in each case, for such conflicts, breaches,
defaults, liens, charges or encumbrances which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) result
in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or the
Bylaws of WUSA, each as in effect on the date hereof, or (iii) result in any
violation of any material applicable law or statute or any order, rule or
regulation of any court or governmental agency or of any self-regulatory agency
or body having jurisdiction over WUSA or any of its properties; and no consent,
approval, authorization, order, license, registration or qualification of or
with any such court or governmental agency or of any self-regulatory agency or
body is required for the issuance of the Subsidiary Guarantee or the
consummation by WUSA of the transactions contemplated by any of the Transaction
Documents to which its is a party.

                  (l) Absence of Litigation. Except as described in Item 3,
"Legal Proceedings" of the 2004 10-K and Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements in Item 1 of Part I of the Latest 10-Q, there are no legal
or governmental investigations, actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the
Company's knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Company, its
Subsidiaries or any of its properties or to which the Company or its
Subsidiaries is or may be a party or to which any property of the Company is or
may be the subject that, if determined adversely to the Company, would,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

                  (m) No Integrated Offering. Neither the Company, nor any
affiliate (as defined in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D under the Securities Act)
of the Company or any person acting on its or their behalf, has directly, or
through any agent, sold, offered for sale, solicited offers to buy, or otherwise
approached or negotiated with, any person in respect of, any security (as
defined in the Securities Act) that is or will be integrated with the sale of
the Securities in a manner that would require (i) the registration under the
Securities Act of the issuance of any of the Securities contemplated hereby or
(ii) the approval of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange (the "PRINCIPAL MARKET").

                  (n) No General Solicitation. None of the Company, any
affiliate of the Company or any person acting on its or their behalf has offered
or sold any of the Securities by means of any general solicitation or general
advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the Securities Act,
including (i) any advertisement, article, notice or other communication
published in any newspaper, magazine or similar medium or broadcast over
television or radio,

8

<PAGE>

or (ii) any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general
solicitation or general advertising in the United States.

                  (o) Securities Act and Trust Indenture Act. Assuming the
accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchasers contained in
Section 4 hereof and the Purchasers' compliance with the agreements set forth
therein, it is not necessary in connection with the offer, issuance, sale and
delivery of the Securities in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the
other Transaction Documents to register the offer or initial sale of any of the
Securities to the Purchasers under the Securities Act or to qualify the
Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

                  (p) Placement Agent. Except for its engagement letter with
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. dated November 28, 2005, neither the Company nor its
subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any
person that would reasonably be expected to give rise to a valid claim against
the Company or the Purchasers for a brokerage commission, finder's fee or like
payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities.

                  (q) Manipulation of Price. Neither the Company, nor any of its
subsidiaries nor any of their officers or directors or any of their affiliates
has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed or intended
to stabilize or manipulate the price of any security of the Company, or that
caused or resulted in, or that might in the future reasonably be expected to
cause or result in, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security
of the Company in violation of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other
applicable securities laws.

                  (r) Listing. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is listed on the Principal Market, and the
Company has not taken any action designed to or reasonably likely to result in
the termination of the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act
or delisting of the Common Stock from the Principal Market. Since August 15,
1996 (i) the Common Stock has been designated for quotation on the Principal
Market, (ii) trading in the Common Stock has not been suspended by the SEC or
the Principal Market, other than temporary trading halts effected by the
Principal Market following the Company's public release of material news and
(iii) except with respect to the Company's failure to timely file the 2004 10-K,
no executive officer of the Company has received any communication, written or
oral, from the SEC or the Principal Market threatening the suspension or
delisting of the Common Stock from the Principal Market.

                  (s) Tax Status. Except as described in Note 2 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2004 10-K, each of the Company and the
Subsidiaries has accurately prepared and timely filed all material federal,
state, foreign and other tax returns that are required to be filed by it and has
paid or made provision for the payment of all taxes, assessments, governmental
or other similar charges that are material in amount, with respect to the
periods covered by such tax returns (whether or not such amounts are shown as
due on any tax return) and there is no tax deficiency in any material amount
which has been or, to the

9

<PAGE>

Company's knowledge, might reasonably be expected to be asserted or threatened
against the Company and the Company is not aware of any reasonable basis for any
such claim.

                  (t) Labor Relations. (i) No labor disputes exist with
employees of the Company except for such disputes as would not, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and
the Company is not aware that any key employee or significant group of employees
of the Company plans to terminate employment with the Company and (ii) the
Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with all federal, state, local
and foreign laws and regulations respecting labor, employment and employment
practices and benefits, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours,
except where failure to be in compliance would not, either individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (u) Environmental Laws. To the Company's knowledge, the
Company is in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and
local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health or the
environment or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning any
Hazardous Material (collectively, "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS"), except where such
non-compliance with Environmental Laws would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The term
"HAZARDOUS MATERIAL" means (1) any "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE" as defined by the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended, (2) any "HAZARDOUS WASTE" as defined by the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, as amended, (3) any petroleum or petroleum product, (4) any
polychlorinated biphenyl, and (5) any pollutant or contaminant or hazardous,
dangerous, or toxic chemical, material, waste or substance regulated under or
within the meaning of any other Environmental Law.

                  (v) Intellectual Property. (i) The Company or its subsidiaries
own or possess the right to use the patents, patent licenses, trademarks,
service marks, trade names, copyrights and know-how (including trade secrets and
other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information,
systems or procedures) (collectively, the "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY") reasonably
necessary to carry on the business conducted by the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as described in the Exchange Act Documents,
except to the extent that the failure to own or possess the right to use such
Intellectual Property would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) all of such patents, registered
trademarks and registered copyrights owned by the Company or its subsidiaries
have been duly registered in, filed in or issued by the United States Patent and
Trademark Office, the United States Registrar of Copyrights or the corresponding
offices of other jurisdictions, except where the failure to do so would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) all material
licenses or other material agreements under which (1) the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is granted rights in Intellectual Property, other than Intellectual
Property generally available on commercial terms from other sources, and (2) the
Company or any of its subsidiaries has granted rights to others in Intellectual
Property owned or licensed by the Company, are in full force and effect and
there is no default by the Company or its subsidiaries or, to the Company's
knowledge, the other parties thereto, except for such

10

<PAGE>

failures to be in full force and effect and such defaults as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect, (iv) the Company has not received any notice of infringement of
or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual
Property, except for notices the content of which if accurate would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect and (v) the Company and its subsidiaries do not have and, to the
Company's knowledge, none of its and their employees have any agreements or
arrangements with any persons other than the Company or its subsidiaries related
to confidential information or trade secrets of such persons other than such
agreements that would not restrict the Company and its subsidiaries from
conducting their business as described in the Exchange Act Documents to an
extent that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (w) Permits. The Company and each of its subsidiaries, taken
together, have (i) made all filings, applications and submissions required by,
and possesses all approvals, licenses, certificates, clearances, consents,
exemptions, orders, permits and other authorizations required to be issued by,
the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities (collectively,
"PERMITS") in order for the Company and its subsidiaries to conduct their
business, except for such Permits for which the failure to obtain would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and are in compliance
in all material respects with the terms and conditions of all such Permits; all
such Permits held by the Company and its subsidiaries are valid and in full
force and effect; there is no pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened
action, suit, claim or proceeding that may cause any such Permit to be limited,
revoked, cancelled, suspended, modified or not renewed and neither the Company
nor its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the
limitation, revocation, cancellation, suspension, modification or non-renewal of
any such Permit that, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an
unfavorable decision, ruling or finding would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect and (ii) such licenses, franchises, permits,
authorizations, approvals and orders of and from governmental and regulatory
officials and bodies as are, to the Company's knowledge, reasonably necessary to
own or lease and operate the properties and conduct the business of the Company
and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, on the date hereof, except for such
licenses, franchises, permits, authorizations, approvals and orders for which
the failure to obtain would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

                  (x) Title. (i) The Company has good and marketable title in
fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal
property owned by it that is material to the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and
defects, except for liens and encumbrances which secure the Company's
obligations under its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement or such as do not
materially affect the value of such property, do not materially interfere with
the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its
subsidiaries or would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (ii) any real property and
buildings held under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by it
under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as do not
interfere with the use made and

11

<PAGE>

proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company or as would
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

                  (y) ERISA. (i) The Company is in compliance with all presently
applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder
("ERISA"), except where the failure to be in such compliance would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect; (ii) no "reportable event" (as defined in ERISA) has occurred
with respect to any "pension plan" (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company
is required to provide notice under Section 4043 of ERISA and would have any
liability, except where such liability would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii)
except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) with respect to any "pension
plan" (other than a "multiemployer plan" (as defined in ERISA)), the Company has
not incurred and does not expect to incur liability under Title IV of ERISA with
respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, such "pension plan," or under
Section 412 or 4971 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including
the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the "CODE"), and (b)
with respect to any "pension plan" that is a "multiemployer plan," the Company
has not received notice that the Company has incurred liability under Title IV
of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, such "pension
plan," or under Section 412 or 4971 of the Code; (iv) except where the failure
to be in such compliance would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each "pension plan" (other than a
"multiemployer plan") for which the Company would have any liability that is
intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all
material respects and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to
act, which would reasonably be expected cause the loss of such qualification;
and (v) except where the failure to be in such compliance would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, no non-exempt "prohibited transaction" (as defined in Section
406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or "accumulated funding deficiency"
(as defined in section 302 of ERISA) has occurred with respect to any "pension
plan" (other than a "multiemployer plan") for which the Company would have any
liability.

                  (z) OSHA. To the Company's knowledge, the Company and each of
its subsidiaries is in compliance with any and all applicable Occupational
Safety and Health Administration standards and requirements (the "OSHA LAWS"),
except where such non-compliance with OSHA Laws would not, individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (aa) Investment Company. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries is, and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the
Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof, will not be, required to
register as an "investment company" or an entity controlled by an investment
company as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.

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<PAGE>

                  (bb) Regulation U. The Company does not own, and has no
present intention to acquire, and the proceeds of the sale of the Securities
will not be used to buy or carry, any margin stock (as defined in Regulation U
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 207).

                  (cc) Independent Accountants. KPMG LLP ("KPMG"), who have
audited the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31,
2004, is an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of
the Securities Act. As described in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on November 17, 2005 (the "NOVEMBER 8-K"), effective upon the completion
of the audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements as of and for
the year ended December 31, 2004, and the issuance of their report thereon, and
the filing of the Company's Form 10-Q's for the three-month period ended March
31, 2005 and the six-month period ended June 30, 2005, KPMG resigned as the
Company's independent auditors, and, as of the date of this Agreement, the
Company has not yet engaged a replacement independent registered public
accounting firm. As described in the November 8-K, in connection with the audit
of the 2003 and 2004 fiscal years and the subsequent interim period through
November 10, 2005, there were no disagreements with KPMG on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing
scope or procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of
KPMG, would have caused KPMG to make reference to the subject matter of the
disagreements in connection with its report on the financial statements for such
years.

                  (dd) Internal Controls. Except as described under Item 9A
"Controls and Procedures" of the 2004 10-K and under Part I, Item 4 of the
Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31 and
June 30, 2005, the Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain a system of
internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that
(A) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or
specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (C) access to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with
existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with
respect to any differences, and the Company maintains a system of "disclosure
controls and procedures" (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the
Exchange Act).

                  (ee) Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company and its executive
officers and directors, in their capacities as such, are in compliance in all
material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to
certifications.

                  (ff) Ranking of Firm Notes and Additional Notes. None of the
existing indebtedness of the Company for borrowed money is or will rank senior
to the Firm Notes or the Additional Notes in right of payment, whether in
respect of payment of interest or upon liquidation or dissolution or otherwise.
None of the existing indebtedness of the Company for

13

<PAGE>

borrowed money is or will rank pari passu to the Firm Notes or the Additional
Notes in right of payment, whether in respect of payment of interest or upon
liquidation or dissolution or otherwise, except (i) for the 2.75% Notes and (ii)
to the extent that the Notes will be pari passu to the obligations of the
Company owing pursuant (A) to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as the
same may be amended, refinanced and/or extended from time to time, (B) capital
leases and (C) the financing of insurance premiums, except to the extent that
such obligations are secured by certain assets of the Company.

                  (gg) Rule 144A. The Notes satisfy the requirements set forth
in Rule 144A(d)(3) under the Securities Act.

                  (hh) Rights Agreement. Except for (i) that certain Rights
Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1999, between the Company and Mellon Investor
Services LLC (the "RIGHTS AGREEMENT"), and (ii) provisions in the Company's
articles of incorporation on the transfer of any shares of Common Stock in order
to prevent the Company from becoming a "controlled foreign corporation" under
United States tax law (the "CFC PROVISIONS"), the Company has not adopted a
stockholder rights plan or similar arrangement relating to accumulations of
beneficial ownership of Common Stock or a change in control of the Company. The
purchase of Notes and the subsequent conversion of Notes into Common Stock by
the Purchasers in accordance with and subject to the terms and limitations set
forth in Transaction Documents (x) will not cause any provision of the Rights
Agreement to be triggered and (y) will not subject any Purchaser to the
restrictions on transfer set forth in the CFC Provisions.

                  (ii) Insurance. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are
insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses
and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company believes to be
prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and its
subsidiaries are engaged, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably
be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect. Neither the Company nor any such subsidiary believes that it will not be
able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires
or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to
continue its business at a cost that would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (jj) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Since at least December
21, 2000 and until June 30, 2005, except as described in the 2004 10-K, neither
the Company, nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent,
employee or other Person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, has, in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of, the
Company, violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, except to the extent such violations
would not have or would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in
the aggregate a Material Adverse Effect. Since at least July 1, 2005, neither
the Company, nor any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the Company's knowledge, any
director, officer, agent, employee or other Person acting on behalf of the

14

<PAGE>

Company or any of its subsidiaries, has, in the course of its actions for, or on
behalf of, the Company, violated or is in violation of, in any material respect,
any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

                  (kk) No General Solicitation in the Republic of Panama. None
of the Company, any affiliate of the Company or any person acting on its or
their behalf has offered or sold any of the Securities publicly or by means of
any general solicitation or general advertising (including but not limited to
any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any
newspaper, magazine or similar medium or broadcast over television or radio) in
the Republic of Panama or to persons domiciled in the Republic of Panama. The
Securities are to be offered or sold outside the Republic of Panama or to
persons domiciled outside the Republic of Panama.

                  (ll) PATRIOT Act/OFAC. Since at least December 21, 2000 and
except for the potentially improper facilitation and export activities reported
to the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC")
as described in Item 1, "Business" of the 2004 10-K under the caption "Risk
Factors--Governmental investigations into the activities of the Company, J.
Kenneth Tillery, the former President of our principal international subsidiary,
and other current and former employees of the Company could adversely affect
us," neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries (i) is a Person whose
property or interest in property is blocked or subject to blocking pursuant to
Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 Blocking Property and
Prohibiting Transactions with Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support
Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)), ("EXECUTIVE ORDER 13224") (ii) to the
Company's knowledge, engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by
Section 2 of such Executive Order 13224, or is otherwise associated with any
such Person in any manner violative of Section 2 of Executive Order 13224, (iii)
is a Person on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List
administered by OFAC, or (iv) has failed to comply, in any material respects,
with the (a) Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the rules,
regulations and Executive Orders administered by OFAC (including but not limited
to 31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation
or executive order relating thereto, and (b) Uniting and Strengthening America
by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA
Patriot Act of 2001).

                  (mm) Controlled Foreign Corporation. As of the date hereof,
the Company is not a "controlled foreign corporation" for U.S. federal income
tax purposes under Section 957 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

Each Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Company has not made and does
not make any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in this Section 3.

         4. Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers. Each Purchaser
severally represents and warrants to the Company only as to itself, as of the
Closing Date and each Option Closing Date for such Purchaser, the following:

15

<PAGE>

                  (a) Accredited Investor Status. Such Purchaser is
knowledgeable, sophisticated and experienced in business and financial matters
and qualifies as an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a) of
Regulation D and as a "qualified institutional buyer" under Regulation 144A.
Such Purchaser is experienced in evaluating investments in companies such as the
Company.

                  (b) Information. Such Purchaser has been afforded access to
information about the Company and the financial condition, results of
operations, business, property and management of the Company sufficient to
enable it to evaluate its investment in the Securities; such Purchaser and its
advisors, if any, have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the
Company; such Purchaser has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it
has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to
its acquisition of the Securities. Neither such inquiries nor any other due
diligence investigations conducted by such Purchaser, its advisors or
representatives, if any, shall modify, amend or affect such Purchaser's right to
rely on the Company's representations and warranties contained herein.

                  (c) Investment Risk. Such Purchaser understands that its
investment in the Securities involves a high degree of risk. Such Purchaser is
able to bear the economic risk of its investment in the Securities for an
indefinite period of time, and is presently able to afford the complete loss of
such investment.

                  (d) No Public Sale or Distribution. Such Purchaser is
acquiring the Securities in the ordinary course of business solely for its own
account and not as a nominee or agent for any other person and not with a view
to any distribution thereof that violates the Securities Act or the securities
laws of any State of the United States or any applicable jurisdiction; provided,
however, that by making the representations herein, such Purchaser does not
agree to hold any of the Securities for any minimum or other specific term and
reserves the right to dispose of the Securities at any time in accordance with
or pursuant to a registration statement or an exemption under the Securities
Act. Such Purchaser does not presently have any intention, or any agreement or
understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person, to distribute any of the
Securities.

                  (e) Validity; Enforcement. Such Purchaser was duly organized
or formed and is a validly existing organization in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of organization, with power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and perform its
obligations hereunder and thereunder; and this Agreement and the Registration
Rights Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been
duly authorized by such Purchaser. Assuming due authorization, execution and
delivery by the Company, each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights
Agreement constitutes a legally valid and binding agreement of such Purchaser,
enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or transfer,
reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors' rights and
remedies generally, and to general principles of equity, including principles of
materiality,

16

<PAGE>

commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether
enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

                  (f) Residency. Such Purchaser is a resident of that
jurisdiction specified in its address for notices set forth below the signature
of the Purchaser where it appears on the signature page of this Agreement. Such
Purchaser was not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Securities.

                  (g) Source of Funds. Such Purchaser is not acquiring the
Securities with assets of any "employee benefit plan" (within the meaning of
Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of
the Code.

                  (h) Beneficial Ownership. Assuming the capitalization of the
Company set forth in its most recent Exchange Act Document, such Purchaser,
together with its "affiliates" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Securities Act), is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act) of not more than 4.99% of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock immediately after the purchase of the Securities hereunder.

                  (i) Broker/Dealer Status. Such Purchaser is not a registered
broker-dealer under Section 15 of the Exchange Act.

                  (j) Independent Evaluation. Such Purchaser has independently
evaluated the merits of its decision to purchase the Securities pursuant to the
Transaction Documents, and the Purchaser confirms that it has not relied on the
advice of any other Purchaser's business and/or legal counsel in making such
decision.

                  (k) No Short Sales. Such Purchaser has not purchased any
shares of Common Stock, engaged in any short selling of the Company's
securities, or established or increased any "put equivalent position" as defined
in Rule 16(a)-1(h) under the Exchange Act, with respect to the Common Stock
(collectively, a "SHORT SALE"), since the date and time that it was contacted by
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. with respect to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. Such Purchaser agrees that it will not effect any Short Sale
until the 8-K Filing (as defined below) has been made.

                  (l) Financing. Such Purchaser has, and will have at Closing,
immediately available funds in U.S. dollars (through cash or cash equivalents
and existing committed credit arrangements) sufficient to pay the Purchase Price
for the Firm Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser and any other amounts
payable pursuant to this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated by, and otherwise satisfy the obligations of such Purchaser under,
this Agreement.

                  (m) Certain Exemptions. Such Purchaser understands that the
Securities are being offered and sold to it in reliance upon specific exemptions
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and state securities
and Blue Sky laws and that the

17

<PAGE>

Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of, and such Purchaser's
compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgements
and understandings of such Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the
availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of such Purchaser to acquire
the Securities.

                  (n) Legends. Such Purchaser understands that the certificates
or other instruments representing the Notes and, until such time as the resale
of the Underlying Securities has been registered under the Securities Act as
contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, the stock certificates
representing the Underlying Securities, except as set forth below, shall bear
any legend as required by the "blue sky" laws of any state and a restrictive
legend in substantially the following form (and a stop-transfer order may be
placed against transfer of such stock certificates, certificates or other
instruments):

         THIS SECURITY [AND THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION]
         OF THIS SECURITY [HAVE/HAS] NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
         ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
         LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY[, THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON
         CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY] NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN
         MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR
         OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS
         SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION. EACH
         PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS
         SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION
         5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
         NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN
         CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING
         ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES.

         THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES TO OFFER,
         SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE
         "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE
         LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH
         WILLBROS GROUP, INC. OR ANY AFFILIATE OF WILLBROS GROUP, INC. WAS THE
         OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) ONLY (A)
         TO WILLBROS GROUP, INC. OR ANY PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) FOR SO
         LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A,
         TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER"
         AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE

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<PAGE>

         SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF
         A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHICH NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE
         TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) PURSUANT TO A
         REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE
         SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE
         REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO WILLBROS
         GROUP, INC.'S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT
         TO CLAUSE (D) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL,
         CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IT.
         THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE
         RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.

         THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY IS ENTITLED TO THE BENEFITS OF A
         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT AND, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES TO
         BE BOUND BY AND TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH REGISTRATION
         RIGHTS AGREEMENT.

The legend set forth above shall be removed and the Company shall issue a
certificate without such legend to the holder of the Securities upon which it is
stamped, unless otherwise required by state securities laws, (i) while a
registration statement covering the resale of such Securities under the
Securities Act is effective, (ii) in connection with a sale, assignment or other
transfer, provided such holder provides the Company with an opinion of counsel,
reasonably acceptable to the Company, the form and substance of which shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such sale, assignment
or transfer of the Securities may be made without registration under the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act , (iii) if such holder provides
the Company with reasonable assurance that the Securities can be sold, assigned
or transferred pursuant to paragraph (k) of Rule 144 or (iv) following any sale
of such Securities pursuant to Rule 144.

                  (o) No Brokers. Such Purchaser is not a party to any contract,
agreement or understanding with any person that would reasonably be expected to
give rise to a valid claim against the Company or the Purchasers for a brokerage
commission, finder's fee or like payment in connection with the offering and
sale of the Securities.

The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Purchasers have not made, and do
not make, any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in this Section 4.

         5. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with the
Purchasers as follows:

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<PAGE>

                  (a) Listing. The Company shall promptly secure the listing of
all of the Underlying Securities upon each national securities exchange and
automated quotation system, if any, upon which the Common Stock is then listed
(subject to official notice of issuance) and shall maintain such listing of all
Underlying Securities from time to time issuable under the terms of the
Transaction Documents. The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to maintain
the Common Stock's authorization for quotation on the Principal Market. Neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall take any action which would be
reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock
on the Principal Market.

                  (b) Blue Sky. The Company shall qualify the Securities for
offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states as any
Purchaser may reasonably designate and will continue such qualifications in
effect so long as required for the resale of the Securities; provided that the
Company will not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or file a
general consent to service of process in any such state.

                  (c) Fees and Expenses. Whether or not the transactions
contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated,
the Company shall pay or cause to be paid all fees, costs and expenses incident
to the performance of its obligations hereunder, including without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, all fees, costs and expenses (i) incident to the
preparation, issuance, execution, authentication and delivery of the Securities,
including any expenses of the Trustee, (ii) payable to rating agencies in
connection with any rating of the Notes, (iii) incurred in connection with the
qualification of the Securities for sale under state securities laws, (iv) in
connection with the approval of the Underlying Securities for listing on the
Principal Market, (v) in connection with the admission for trading of the Notes
on any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system (as well as in
connection with the admission of the Notes for trading in the Private Offering,
Resales and Trading through Automatic Linkages ("PORTAL") system of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") or any appropriate market
system), (vi) related to any filing with the Principal Market and (vii) in
connection with satisfying its obligations under Section 5(a). In addition to
the foregoing, the Company agrees to reimburse certain Purchasers for the
expenses of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, which amount may be withheld by such
Purchaser(s) from its Purchase Price at the Closing. Except as expressly set
forth in Section 8 hereof, the Company shall have no obligation to pay any costs
and expenses of the Purchasers (except as set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement).

                  (d) Regulation M. The Company shall not take any action
prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act in connection with the
issuance of the Securities contemplated hereby.

                  (e) General Solicitation. None of the Company, any of its
affiliates (as defined in Rule 501(b) under the Securities Act) or any person
acting on behalf of the Company or such affiliate will solicit any offer to buy
or offer or sell the Securities by means of any form of general solicitation or
general advertising within the meaning of Regulation D, including: (i) any
advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any

20

<PAGE>

newspaper, magazine or similar medium or broadcast over television or radio; and
(ii) any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general
solicitation or general advertising.

                  (f) Integration. None of the Company, any of its affiliates
(as defined in Rule 501(b) under the Securities Act) or any person acting on
behalf of the Company or such affiliate will sell, offer for sale or solicit
offers to buy, or otherwise approach or negotiate with, any person in respect of
any security (as defined in the Securities Act) which will be integrated with
the sale of the Securities in a manner which would require the registration
under the Securities Act of the Securities or require stockholder approval under
the rules and regulations of the Principal Market, and the Company will take all
action that is appropriate or necessary to assure that its offerings of other
securities will not be integrated for purposes of the Securities Act or the
rules and regulations of the Principal Market with the issuance of Securities
contemplated hereby.

                  (g) Reservation of Shares. The Company shall reserve and keep
available at all times, free of pre-emptive rights, a sufficient number of
shares of Common Stock for the purpose of enabling the Company to satisfy all
obligations to issue the Underlying Securities upon conversion of the Firm Notes
or the Additional Notes, as applicable.

                  (h) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds from
the sale of the Securities for working capital purposes, including the repayment
of outstanding indebtedness of the Company. No part of the proceeds from the
sale of the Securities hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for the
purpose of buying or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation
U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 207), or for
the purpose of buying or carrying or trading in any securities under such
circumstances as to involve the Company in a violation of Regulation X of said
Board (12 CFR 224) or to involve any broker or dealer in a violation of
Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220). As used in this Section, the terms
"margin stock" and "purpose of buying or carrying" shall have the meanings
assigned to them in said Regulation U. No part of the proceeds from the sale of
the Notes will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to: (a) any
person, entity or country on the SDN List or the Blocked Persons List
administered by the OFAC and/or any other similar lists administered by OFAC
pursuant to any authorizing statute, Executive Order or regulation; (b) the
government of any country currently subject to an OFAC Sanctions Program; or (c)
any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political
party, candidate for political office, anyone else acting in an official
capacity, or any agent of any such individual or entity, in order to obtain,
retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the
United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

                  (i) Disclosure of Transactions and Other Material Information.
The Company shall file a current report on Form 8-K (the "8-K FILING") on or
before 8:30 a.m., New York City time, on the first business day following the
date hereof, in the form required by the Exchange Act, relating to the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and attaching the
material Transaction Documents, or forms thereof, as exhibits to such filing. At
the

21

<PAGE>

time of the 8-K Filing, the Company shall not have provided any Purchaser with
any material, nonpublic information that is not disclosed in the 8-K Filing.

                  (j) Material Non Public Information. Other than as set forth
in the 8-K Filing, the Company covenants and agrees that neither it nor any
other person or entity acting on its behalf has provided or will provide any
Purchaser or its agents or counsel with any information that constitutes
material non-public information, unless prior thereto such Purchaser shall have
executed a written agreement regarding the confidentiality and use of such
information. The Company understands and confirms that the Purchasers shall be
relying on the foregoing representations in effecting transactions in securities
of the Company.

                  (k) Listing. The Company agrees that (i) if the Company
applies to have the Common Stock traded on any other national or regional
securities exchange other than the Principal Market (a "TRADING MARKET"), it
will include in such application the Underlying Securities and will take such
other action as is necessary or desirable to cause the Underlying Securities to
be listed on such other Trading Market as promptly as possible, and (ii) it will
take all action reasonably necessary to continue the listing and trading of its
Common Stock on a Trading Market and will use its reasonable best efforts to
comply in all material respects with the Company's reporting, filing and other
obligations under the bylaws or rules of the Trading Market.

                  (l) PORTAL. The Company will cause the Notes to be eligible
for trading on PORTAL.

                  (m) Certified Copy of Articles. Within ten (10) business days
after the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to the Purchasers (i) a true,
correct and complete copy of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
Company and all amendments thereto certified by an appropriate official of the
Republic of Panama together with an English translation thereof and (ii) a
certificate issued by the Public Registry Office of the Republic of Panama as of
a date within ten (10) business days of the Closing Date certifying the due
incorporation, formation or organization of the Company, its existence and that
it has not been dissolved.

                  (n) General Solicitation in the Republic of Panama. None of
the Company, any of its affiliates or any person acting on behalf of the Company
or such affiliate will solicit any offer to buy or offer or sell the Securities
publicly or by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising
(including but not limited to any advertisement, article, notice or other
communication published in any newspaper, magazine or similar medium or
broadcast over television or radio) in the Republic of Panama or to persons
domiciled in the Republic of Panama. The Company, any of its affiliates or any
person acting on behalf of the Company or such affiliate will exclusively offer
or sell the Securities outside the Republic of Panama or to persons domiciled
outside the Republic of Panama.

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<PAGE>

         6. Conditions to the Purchasers' Obligations. The obligation of each
Purchaser hereunder to purchase the Firm Notes on the Closing Date is subject to
the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following
additional conditions:

                  (a) the representations and warranties of the Company set
forth in Section 3 above are true and correct in all material respects (except
for those representations and warranties already qualified by materiality, which
such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects)
on and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date and the
Company shall have complied in all material respects with all agreements and all
conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the
Closing Date;

                  (b) the Purchasers shall have received on and as of the
Closing Date a certificate of an executive officer of the Company, with specific
knowledge about the Company's financial matters, reasonably satisfactory to the
Purchasers, to the effect set forth in Section 6(a) above and to the further
effect that except as disclosed in the Exchange Act Documents filed as of the
date hereof, there has not occurred any Material Adverse Change since the date
of the Latest 10-Q;

                  (c) Conner & Winters, LLP, counsel for the Company, shall have
furnished to the Purchasers their written opinion, dated the Closing Date, in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C;

                  (d) Arias, Fabrega & Fabrega, counsel for the Company, shall
have furnished to the Purchasers their written opinion, dated the Closing Date,
in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D;

                  (e) subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and prior to the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred any downgrading,
nor shall any public notice have been given of (i) any intended downgrading or
(ii) any review or possible change that does not indicate an improvement in the
rating accorded any securities of or guaranteed by the Company by any
"nationally recognized statistical rating organization," as such term is defined
for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act;

                  (f) subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and prior to the Closing Date, there shall have been no suspension or material
limitation of trading in the Common Stock on the Principal Market;

                  (g) the Company shall have duly executed each of the other
Transaction Documents;

                  (h) the Company shall have delivered to the Purchasers a true,
correct and complete copy of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
Company and all amendments thereto certified by the Company's Secretary as of
the Closing Date;

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<PAGE>

                  (i) the Company shall have delivered to the Purchasers
certificates of the Secretary of State of the state or jurisdiction of
incorporation, formation or organization of each of the Company's significant
subsidiaries (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X)
incorporated, formed or organized in the United States certifying the due
incorporation, formation or organization and the good standing of such entities
as of a date within ten (10) business days of the Closing Date;

                  (j) the Notes shall have been approved for trading on PORTAL,
subject only to notice of issuance at or prior to the time of purchase;

                  (k) the Company shall have obtained all governmental,
regulatory or third-party consents and approvals, if any, necessary to be
obtained prior to the Closing Date for the sale of the Securities;

                  (l) the Company shall have delivered to the Purchaser such
other documents relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as
the Purchaser or its counsel may reasonably request;

                  (m) each other Purchaser shall have purchased from the Company
the Firm Notes in the aggregate principal amounts set forth opposite each such
Purchaser's name in column (1) on Schedule I hereto; and

                  (n) the Company shall have delivered to such Purchasers a
certificate, executed by the Secretary of the Company dated as of the Closing
Date, as to (i) the resolutions consistent with Section 3(g) as adopted by the
Company's Board of Directors in a form reasonably acceptable to such Purchaser,
(ii) the Restated Articles of Incorporation, as in effect at the Closing, and
(iii) the Bylaws, as in effect at the Closing.

If it elects to exercise the Option, the obligation of a Purchaser to purchase
the Additional Notes hereunder on an Option Closing Date is subject to the same
conditions as are set forth above in clauses (a)-(n) with respect to the Firm
Notes, provided that each reference to the Closing Date in this Section 6 shall,
with respect to the closing of the sale of any of the Additional Notes, be
deemed to be a reference to the applicable Option Closing Date.

         7. Conditions to the Company's Obligations. The obligations of the
Company hereunder to issue and sell the Firm Notes to each Purchaser on the
Closing Date, or the Additional Notes to any Purchaser on its Option Closing
Date, as applicable, are subject to the performance by the Purchasers of all of
their obligations hereunder, the accuracy in all material respects of the
representations and warranties of the Purchasers contained herein on and as of
the Closing Date, or such Option Closing Date, as applicable, as if made on and
as of the Closing Date, or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, and the due
execution by the Purchasers of all other Transaction Documents to which the
Purchasers are parties.

         8. Indemnity and Contribution. The Company and WUSA jointly and
severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Purchaser and each of their
respective

24

<PAGE>

directors, officers, employees, members, representatives and agents and each
person, if any, who controls each Purchaser within the meaning of either Section
15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, an
"INDEMNIFIED PERSON"), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages,
penalties, fees and liabilities (collectively, "LOSSES"), as incurred,
including, without limitation, the reasonable legal fees and other reasonable
expenses of one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) incurred
(irrespective of whether any such Indemnified Person is a party to the action
for which indemnification hereunder is sought) in connection with any suit,
action or proceeding or any claim, as incurred, as a result of, or arising out
of or relating to (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or
warranty made by the Company in the Transaction Documents, (b) any breach of any
covenant, agreement or obligation of the Company contained in the Transaction
Documents or (c) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such
Indemnified Person by a third party (including for these purposes a derivative
action brought on behalf of the Company) and arising out of or resulting from
the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of the Transaction
Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby
or thereby; provided that the Company and WUSA shall not be required to
indemnify any of the Indemnified Persons to the extent Losses arise or result
from a material misrepresentation or material breach of any representation or
warranty made by such Purchaser or Indemnified Person contained in the
Transaction Documents, or a material breach of any covenant, agreement or
obligation by such Purchaser or Indemnified Person contained in the Transaction
Documents.

         If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against
any Indemnified Person, such Indemnified Person shall promptly notify the person
or persons against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "INDEMNIFYING PERSON")
in writing, and the Indemnifying Person, upon request of the Indemnified Person,
shall retain one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and
any others the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall
pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding;
provided, however, that failure to so notify the Indemnifying Person shall not
relieve such Indemnifying Person from any liability hereunder except to the
extent the Indemnifying Person is prejudiced as a result thereof. In any such
proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of
such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified
Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary, (ii) the Indemnifying Person
has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to
the Indemnified Person or (iii) the named parties in any such proceeding
(including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the
Indemnified Person, the Indemnifying Person proposes to have the same counsel
represent it and the Indemnified Person, and representation of both parties by
the same counsel would, in the opinion of counsel, be inappropriate due to
actual or potential differing interests between them. In no event shall the
Indemnifying Person be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel
(in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all
indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or
related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general
allegations or circumstances. It is understood that the

25

<PAGE>

Indemnifying Person shall reimburse all such reasonable fees and expenses
actually incurred upon delivery to the Indemnifying Person of reasonable
documentation therefor setting forth such expenses in reasonable detail unless a
bona fide dispute exists with respect to such expenses. The Indemnifying Person
shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final,
non-appealable judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to
indemnify any Indemnified Person from and against any Losses by reason of such
settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the prior written
consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or
threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is a party,
unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified
Person from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such
proceeding and no admission of fault on the part of the Indemnified Person.

         Payments made by any Indemnifying Person under this Section 8 shall be
limited to the amount of any liability or damage that remains after deducting
therefrom any insurance proceeds and any indemnity, contribution or other
similar payment recovered by the Indemnified Person from any third party with
respect thereto.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, no
Indemnified Person shall be entitled to be indemnified pursuant to this Section
8 for any Loss to the extent such Loss arises as a result of the Indemnified
Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct; provided, however, that the
Indemnifying Person shall pay the expenses incurred by any such Indemnified
Person hereunder, as such expenses are incurred, in connection with any
proceeding in advance of the final disposition, so long as the Indemnifying
Person receives an undertaking by such Indemnified Person to repay the full
amount advanced if there is a final determination that such Indemnified Person
failed the standards set forth above or that such Indemnified Person is not
entitled to indemnification as provided herein for other reasons; and provided,
further, that the termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment,
order, settlement, conviction, or a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent,
shall not, of itself, create a presumption that such Indemnified Person was
either grossly negligent or engaged in willful misconduct.

         The remedies provided for in this Section 8 are not exclusive and shall
not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any
Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

         In circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in the
preceding paragraphs of this Section 8 is unavailable to, or insufficient to
hold harmless, an Indemnified Person in respect of any Losses, each Indemnifying
Person, in order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result
of such Losses, including reasonable legal or other expenses incurred, as
incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative
benefits received by the Indemnifying Person on the one hand and the Indemnified
Person on the other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the
allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable
law, not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the
Indemnifying

26

<PAGE>

Person on the one hand and the Indemnified Person on the other in connection
with the breach that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof). The relative fault of the parties shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, any equitable considerations
appropriate in the circumstances. The Company and the Purchasers agree that it
would not be equitable if the amount of such contribution were determined by pro
rata or per capita allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not
take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence
of this paragraph. For purposes of this paragraph, each person, if any, who
controls any of the Purchasers within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as such Purchaser. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.

         The indemnity agreements and contribution provisions contained in this
Section 8 and the representations and warranties of the Company, and the
Purchasers set forth in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force
and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any
investigation made by or on behalf of any Purchaser or any person controlling
any Purchaser or by or on behalf of the Company, its officers or directors or
any other person controlling the Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for
any of the Securities.

         9. Lock-Up. The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written
consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes
then outstanding ("MAJORITY HOLDERS"), it will not, (x) during the period ending
ninety (90) days after the initial Closing Date, (i) offer, pledge, sell,
contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option
or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or
otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common
Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Common Stock, or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to
another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of
the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii)
above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in
cash or otherwise, and (y) during the period ending on the later of the date
sixty (60) days after the Closing Date and the date the Shelf Registration
Statement (as defined in and required under the Registration Rights Agreement)
is initially filed, file with the SEC a registration statement under the
Securities Act relating to any additional shares of its Common Stock or
securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, any shares of
its Common Stock; provided, that the Company shall not cause any other
registration statement to be declared effective prior to the time that the Shelf
Registration Statement is declared effective. The foregoing sentence shall not
apply to the following issuances ("EXCLUDED ISSUANCES"), or to the filing and
declaration of effectiveness or automatic effectiveness of registration
statements with respect thereto: (i) the sale or issuance of the Securities
under the Transaction Documents; (ii) the grant by the Company of equity
issuances under its equity incentive and stock option plans, including any such
plans approved by the Company's Board of Directors and stockholders in the
future and any equity issuances in exchange for any existing employee stock

27

<PAGE>

options for the purpose of repricing such employee stock options; (iii) the
grant or issuance by the Company of Common Stock options or warrants as full or
partial payment of a customary advisory fee payable to a nationally recognized
bank or investment bank in connection with a strategic transaction or financing;
(iv) the issuance by the Company of any shares of Common Stock upon the exercise
of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security (including, for the
avoidance of doubt, the 2.75% Notes) outstanding on the date hereof (provided
that the terms of such options or warrants or securities are not amended or
modified in any manner after the date hereof) or an option or warrant issued or
granted in compliance with this paragraph; (v) shares issued pursuant to the
Company's employee stock plans or 401(k) plan, including any such plans approved
by the Company's Board of Directors and stockholders in the future; (vi) shares
of Common Stock issued in connection with any stock split or subdivision, stock
dividend or recapitalization of the Company; (vii) shares of Common Stock or
warrants issued in connection with acquisitions by or of the Company, whether by
merger, consolidation, sale of assets, sale or exchange of stock or otherwise,
occurring after the Closing Date, the primary purpose of which is not to raise
capital; and (viii) shares of Common Stock or warrants issued in connection with
a joint venture, strategic alliance or other commercial relationship, the
primary purpose of which is not to raise capital.

         In addition, the Company agrees to use its best efforts during the
period ending ninety (90) days after the Closing Date to prevent its executive
officers and directors, in the aggregate, from taking any of the actions set
forth in clauses (i) and (ii) in the immediately preceding paragraph with
respect to in excess of 250,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate for all
executive officers and directors without the prior written consent of the
Majority Holders; provided, however, that the foregoing covenant shall not apply
to (i) any bona fide gift and (ii) sales of shares by such persons of Common
Stock purchased under the Company's employee stock plans and 401(k) plan
approved by the Company's Board of Directors and stockholders now or in the
future.

         10. Termination. The Purchasers may terminate this Agreement by notice
given to the Company executed by the Purchasers purchasing more than fifty
percent (50%) of the aggregate principal amount of the Firm Notes hereunder as
set forth on Schedule I hereto, (except in the case of clauses (i) and (v),
which termination right may be exercised by each Purchaser as to itself but not
the other Purchasers), if prior to the Closing Date (i) in the sole discretion
of a Purchaser a Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred between the date
hereof and the Closing Date, (ii) trading in any securities of or guaranteed by
the Company or securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. shall
have been suspended or materially limited, (iii) a material disruption in
securities settlement, payment or clearance services in the United States shall
have occurred, (iv) any moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have
been declared by United States or New York State authorities, (v) there shall
have been (A) an outbreak or escalation of hostilities between the United States
and any foreign power, or (B) an outbreak or escalation of any other
insurrection or armed conflict involving the United States or any other national
or international calamity or emergency, or (C) any material change in the
financial markets of the United States which, in the case of (A), (B) or (C)
above and in the sole judgment of a Purchaser, makes it impracticable or
inadvisable to proceed with the transactions

28

<PAGE>

contemplated by this Agreement or (vi) the failure of the Company to satisfy the
conditions set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement on or before the date that
is ten (10) calendar days after the date of this Agreement; provided, in each
case, that the party seeking to terminate this Agreement is not then in material
breach of this Agreement.

         11. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective upon the
execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

         12. Parties. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Company and the Purchasers, any controlling persons referred to
herein and their respective successors and, with respect to the Purchasers,
their Permitted Assigns. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is
intended or shall be construed to give any other person, firm or corporation any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement
or any provision herein contained. No purchaser of Securities from the
Purchasers shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase,
and rights under this Agreement may be assigned by the Purchasers only to
Permitted Assigns. For purposes of this Section 12, "PERMITTED ASSIGNS" shall
mean: (i) an "affiliate" (as defined in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D) of the
Purchaser to whom Securities are assigned and (ii) a pledgee (or a transferee of
such pledgee) that succeeds to the Securities in connection with a bona fide
margin account or other loan or financing arrangement secured by the Securities.

         13. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or otherwise
delivered by hand or by messenger or by facsimile transmission.

         Notices to the Purchasers shall be given at the address as set forth on
         Schedule I hereto, with a copy to (solely for informational purposes):

                           Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
                           919 Third Avenue
                           New York, New York 10022
                           Telephone:  (212) 756-2000
                           Facsimile:  (212) 593-5955
                           Attention:  Eleazer Klein, Esq.

         Notices to the Company shall be given to the Company at:

                           Willbros Group, Inc.
                           c/o Willbros USA, Inc.
                           4400 Post Oak Parkway
                           Suite 1000
                           Houston, Texas 77027
                           Attention: General Counsel
                           Telephone: (713) 403-8000
                           Facsimile: (713) 403-8068

29

<PAGE>

                           with a copy to (solely for informational purposes):

                           Conner & Winters, LLP
                           4000 One Williams Center
                           Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172
                           Telephone: (918) 586-5711
                           Facsimile: (918) 586-8548
                           Attention:  Mark D. Berman, Esq.

         14. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. To the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, the Company hereby irrevocably submits to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or Federal court sitting
in the County of New York in respect of any suit, action or proceeding arising
out of or relating to the provisions of this Agreement and irrevocably agree
that all claims in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding may be heard
and determined in any such court. The parties hereto hereby waive, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection that they may now or
hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding
brought in any such court, and any claim that any such suit, action or
proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE
ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF
THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

         15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of
which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and
the same instrument; provided that a signature provided by facsimile or other
electronic transmission shall be considered due execution and shall be binding
upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature
were an original, not a facsimile signature.

         16. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement becomes or is
declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or
void, portions of such provision, or such provision in its entirety, to the
extent necessary, shall be severed from this Agreement and the balance of this
Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

         17. Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this
Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in
construing or interpreting this Agreement.

         18. Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended,
modified or supplemented only with the written consent of the Company and the
Majority

30

<PAGE>

Holders. Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be waived, discharged or
terminated (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively) other than by a written instrument signed by the
party against whom enforcement of any such waiver, discharge or termination is
sought.

         19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents referenced
herein constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement among the
parties with regard to the subject matters hereof.

         20. Survival. The respective representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements of the Company and the Purchasers set forth in or made pursuant to
this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will survive delivery of
and payment for the Securities sold hereunder and any termination of this
Agreement.

         21. Independence of Purchasers. The obligations of each Purchaser under
any Transaction Document are several and not joint with the obligations of any
other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the
performance of the obligations of any other Purchaser under any Transaction
Document. Nothing contained herein or in any other Transaction Document, and no
action taken by the Purchasers pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to
constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or
any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Purchasers are in any
way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and the Company
acknowledges that the Purchasers are not acting in concert or as a group with
respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Documents. The Purchasers represent and warrant that they are not acting in
concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Documents and confirm that they have or legal
counsel has on their behalf independently participated in the negotiation of the
transaction contemplated hereby. Each Purchaser shall be entitled to
independently protect and enforce its rights, including, without limitation, the
rights arising out of this Agreement or out of any other Transaction Documents,
and it shall not be necessary for any Purchaser to be joined as an additional
party in any proceeding for such purpose.

         22. Transfers. Each Purchaser agrees to offer, sell or otherwise
transfer the Securities, prior to the date which is two (2) years after the
original issue date of the Securities, only (a) to the Company or any parent or
subsidiary thereof, (b) for so long as the Securities are eligible for resale
pursuant to Rule 144A, to a person it reasonably believes is a "Qualified
Institutional Buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A) that purchases for its own
account or for the account of a Qualified Institutional Buyer to which notice is
given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (c) pursuant to
a registration statement which has been declared effective under the Securities
Act or (d) pursuant to another available exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act, subject to the Company's and the Trustee's
right prior to any such offer, sale or transfer pursuant to clause (d) to
require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certification and/or other
information reasonably satisfactory to each of them, and in

31

<PAGE>

each of the foregoing cases, a certificate of transfer in the form specified in
the Indenture and the Notes is completed and delivered by the transferor to the
Trustee.

         23. Submission to Jurisdiction; Appointment of Agent for Service.Each
party hereto submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of
the State of New York and the courts of the United States of America, in each
case located in The City of New York, New York over any suit, action or
proceeding arising under or in connection with this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby. Each party hereto waives any objection that it
may have to the venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising under or in
connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in the
courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States of America,
in each case located in The City of New York, New York, or that such suit,
action or proceeding brought in the courts of the State of New York or the
courts of the United States of America, in each case located in The City of New
York, New York, was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or
claim the same. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company hereby irrevocably
designates and appoints CT Corporation, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York
10011, as the agent of the Company to receive service of all process brought
against the Company with respect to any such suit, action or proceeding in any
such court in The City of New York, New York, such service being hereby
acknowledged by the Company to be effective and binding service in every
respect. Copies of any such process so served shall also be given to the Company
in accordance with Section 13 hereof, but the failure of the Company to receive
such copies shall not affect in any way the service of such process as
aforesaid. If for any reason CT Corporation shall resign or otherwise cease to
act as such agent, the Company hereby irrevocably agrees to promptly designate
and appoint a new agent.

         24. Judgment Currency. The Company agrees to pay the Purchasers for any
loss incurred, as incurred, as a result of any judgment or award in connection
with this Agreement being expressed in a currency (the "JUDGMENT CURRENCY")
other than the currency in which such loss or damage is denominated or in which
the Purchasers' obligation is denominated, as the case may be (the "OBLIGATION
CURRENCY") and as a result of any variations as between (i) the spot rate of
exchange in New York at which the Judgment Currency could have been converted
into the Obligation Currency as of the date such judgment or award is entered
and (ii) the spot rate of exchange in New York on the date on which such
judgment or award is paid. The foregoing agreement shall constitute a separate
and independent obligation of the Company and shall continue in full force and
effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term "spot
rate of exchange" shall include any premiums and costs of exchange payable in
connection with the purchase of, or conversion into, the relevant currency.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

32

<PAGE>

      If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return four counterparts hereof.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    WILLBROS GROUP, INC.

                                    By: /s/ WARREN L. WILLIAMS
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Warren L. Williams
                                       Title: Senior Vice President,
                                              Chief Financial Officer and
                                              Treasurer

                                    WILLBROS USA, INC.

                                    By: /s/ WARREN L. WILLIAMS
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Warren L. Williams
                                       Title: Senior Vice President,
                                              Chief Financial Officer and
                                              Treasurer

<PAGE>

                                    PURCHASERS:

                                    HIGHBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL LLC

                                    By: HIGHBRIDGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

                                    By: /s/ ADAM J. CHILL
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name: Adam J. Chill
                                       Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>

                                    PURCHASERS:

                                    PORTSIDE GROWTH & OPPORTUNITY FUND

                                    By: /s/ JEFFREY SOLOMON
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name: Jeffrey Solomon
                                       Title:   Managing Member

<PAGE>

                                    PURCHASERS:

                                    SHEPHERD INVESTMENTS INTERNATIONAL, LTD.

                                    By:  Stark Offshore Management, LLC

                                    Its:  Investment Manager

                                    By: /s/ MICHAEL A. ROTH
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name: Michael A. Roth
                                       Title: Managing Member

<PAGE>

                                    PURCHASERS:

                                    KAMUNTING STREET MASTER FUND

                                    By:  /s/ GEORGE MARINOPOULOS
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name: George Marinopoulos
                                       Title: Director

<PAGE>

                              PURCHASERS:

                              CITADEL EQUITY FUND, LTD.
                              By: Citadel Limited Partnership, Portfolio Manager
                              By: Citadel Investment Group, L.L.C., its General
                                  Partner

                              By:  /s/ ADAM C. COOPER
                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                 Name: Adam C. Cooper
                                 Title: Senior Managing Director
                                        & General Counsel

<PAGE>

                                    PURCHASERS:

                                    SUTTONBROOK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP

                                    By:  /s/ BRETT SPECTOR
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name: Brett Spector
                                       Title: Chief Operating Officer

<PAGE>

                                    PURCHASERS:

                                    KINGS ROAD INVESTMENTS LTD.

                                    By: /s/ ERIK M. W. CASPERSEN
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name: Erik M. W. Caspersen
                                       Title: Authorized Signatory

<PAGE>

                                    PURCHASERS:

                                    CAPITAL VENTURES INTERNATIONAL
                                    By: Heights Capital Management, Inc.,
                                        its authorized agent

                                    By: /s/ MARTIN KOBINGER
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name: Martin Kobinger
                                       Title: Investment Manager

<PAGE>

                                   Schedule I
                             Schedule of Purchasers
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               (1)                 (2)               (3)                     (4)
       NAME AND ADDRESS OF                  PRINCIPAL           PRINCIPAL          PURCHASE         LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE'S
           PURCHASER                         AMOUNT             AMOUNT OF           PRICE             NAME, ADDRESS AND
                                             OF FIRM            ADDITIONAL                            FACSIMILE NUMBER
                                              NOTES               NOTES
<S>                                        <C>                  <C>               <C>             <C>
Portside Growth & Opportunity Fund         $15,000,000          $4,500,000        $15,000,000     Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP,
c/o Ramius Capital Group, L.L.C.                                                                  919 Third Avenue,
666 Third Avenue, 26th Flr.                                                                       New York, NY 10022
New York, NY  10017                                                                               Telephone: (212) 756-2000
Attention: Jeffrey Smith                                                                          Facsimile: (212) 593-5955
           Owen Littman                                                                           Attention: Eleazer Klein, Esq.
Facsimile  (212) 845-7999
Telephone: (212) 845-7955
Residence: Cayman Islands

Highbridge International LLC               $15,000,000          $4,500,000        $15,000,000     Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP,
c/o Highbridge Capital Management, LLC                                                            919 Third Avenue,
9 West 57th Street, 27th Floor                                                                    New York, NY 10022
New York, NY  10019                                                                               Telephone: (212) 756-2000
Attention: Ari J. Storch                                                                          Facsimile: (212) 593-5955
           Adam J. Chill                                                                          Attention: Eleazer Klein, Esq.
Facsimile: (212) 751-0755
Telephone: (212) 287-4720
Residence: Cayman Islands

Kamunting Street Master Fund, Ltd.         $10,000,000          $3,000,000        $10,000,000
c/o Kamunting Street Capital, L.P.
140 East 45th Street, 15th Fl.
New York, NY 10017
Attention: Christopher Falsetta
           Joe Lu
Facsimile: (212) 490-4360
Telephone: (212) 490-4343
Residence: Cayman Islands

SuttonBrook Capital Management LP           $4,000,000          $1,200,000         $4,000,000
598 Madison Avenue, 6th Fl.
New York, NY 10022
Attention: Chris Casey
Facsimile: (212) 308-2597
Telephone: (212) 588-6646
Residence: Cayman Islands
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               (1)                 (2)               (3)                     (4)
       NAME AND ADDRESS OF                  PRINCIPAL           PRINCIPAL          PURCHASE         LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE'S
           PURCHASER                         AMOUNT             AMOUNT OF           PRICE             NAME, ADDRESS AND
                                             OF FIRM            ADDITIONAL                            FACSIMILE NUMBER
                                              NOTES               NOTES
<S>                                        <C>                  <C>               <C>             <C>
Citadel Equity Fund, Ltd.                  $10,000,000          $3,000,000         $10,000,000
c/o Citadel Limited Partnership
131 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60603
Attention: David Grossman
Facsimile: (312) 267-7745
Telephone: (212) 395-2632
Residence: Cayman Islands

Shepherd Investments International, Ltd.    $3,500,000          $1,050,000          $3,500,000
c/o Stark Offshore Management, LLC
3600 South Lake Drive
St. Francis, WI 53235
Attention: Brian Davidson
Facsimile: (414) 294-7700
Telephone: (414) 294-7000
Residence: British Virgin Islands

Capital Ventures International              $4,000,000          $1,200,000          $4,000,000
c/o Heights Capital Management, Inc.
101 California Street, Suite 3250
San Francisco, California 94111
Attention: Martin Kobinger
           Sam Winer
Facsimile: (413) 403-6525
Telephone: (413) 403-6500
Residence: Cayman Islands

Kings Road Investments                      $3,500,000          $1,050,000          $3,500,000
598 Madison Avenue
New York, New York  10022
Attn: Erik Caspersen and Brandon Jones
Telephone (212) 359-7300
Facsimile (212) 359-7303
Residence: Cayman Islands
                                      ----------------    ----------------    ----------------

                                           $65,000,000         $19,500,000         $65,000,000
                                      ================    ================    ================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                    Exhibit A

                                FORM OF INDENTURE

<PAGE>

                                    Exhibit B

                      FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

<PAGE>
                                   Exhibit C

                                FORM OF OPINION

                             CONNER & WINTERS, LLP
<PAGE>

                                    Exhibit D

                                 FORM OF OPINION

                            ARIAS, FABREGA & FABREGA

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