Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.14

                      INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TRANSFER AND

                               LICENSE AGREEMENT

                        CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN

              (1) SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.

                                      and

                     (2) SHELL EPOXY RESINS RESEARCH B.V.

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             INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TRANSFER AND LICENCE AGREEMENT

      ------------------------------------------------------------------
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<TABLE>
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CONTENTS                                                              PAGE
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<S>                                                                   <C>

1.    Definitions and Interpretation.................................    2

2.    Patent Rights..................................................   10

3.    Invention Disclosures..........................................   14

4.    Technical Information..........................................   16

5.    Intellectual Property Agreements...............................   18

6.    Technical Copyrights...........................................   19

7.    Confidentiality................................................   19

8.    Indemnities; Liabilities.......................................   22

9.    Export Control.................................................   23

10.   Miscellaneous..................................................   23
</TABLE>
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INDEX OF APPENDICES
-------------------

1.    Intellectual Property Agreements

2.    Patent Rights, Parts I-IV

3.    Invention Disclosures, Parts I-III

4.    Resins/Derivatives Technical Information

5.    Excluded Technical Information

6.    Shell Technical Information
<PAGE>

AN AGREEMENT made between

(1)   SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.

      a company incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands and having its
      registered office at 30 Carel van Bylandtlaan, The Hague, the Netherlands
      (hereinafter referred to as "SIRM")

and

(2)   SHELL EPOXY RESINS RESEARCH B.V.

      a company incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands and having an
office at 30 Carel van Bylandtlaaan, The Hague, the Netherlands (hereinafter
referred to as "SERR")
<PAGE>

RECITALS
--------

1.    SERR has been created to perform research, and certain Associates of SIRM
      have contributed to Associates of SERR certain manufacturing and marketing
      assets relating to the Resins/Derivatives Business (as defined in Clause
      1.1).

2.    SIRM now desires to contribute to SERR, by assignment or licence and
      subject to Third Party rights, certain patents, technology and associated
      agreements, which are owned or under the control of SIRM and which are
      related to the Resins/Derivatives Business, and SERR desires to receive a
      conveyance of the same from SIRM.

3.    SIRM and SERR now wish to set out in detail the manner in which such
      patents, technology and agreements will be licensed or assigned.

NOW THEREFORE IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

                   CLAUSE 1 - DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
                   -----------------------------------------

1.1   In this Agreement:

      "Associate" in relation to SERR means, through the Effective Date, Shell
       ---------
      Epoxy Resins, Inc. and Shell Epoxy Resins LLC, companies incorporated
      under the laws of Delaware, and, after the Effective Date, any company
      controlling, controlled by or under common control with SERR, provided,
      however, Associates in relation to SERR shall not include at any time SIRM
      or any of its Associates or SOC or any of its Associates or any portfolio
      companies of Apollo Management IV, L.P. and its affiliates other than
      Shell Epoxy Resins Inc. and subsidiaries of Shell Epoxy Resins Inc.

      "Associate" in relation to SIRM means N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche
       ---------
      Petroleum Maatschappij, a Netherlands company, The "Shell" Transport and
      Trading Company p.l.c., an English company and any company other than SIRM
      or SOC or an Associate of SOC or SERR or an Associate of SERR or SER or an
      Associate of SER, which is at the time in question directly or indirectly
      associated with these two companies or either of them.

      "Associate" in relation to SOC means any company which is at the time in
       ---------
      question directly or indirectly associated with SOC, provided that
      Associate shall not mean SERR or an Associate of SERR or SER or an
      Associate of SER.

                                       2
<PAGE>

      "Associate" in respect of SER means, through the Effective Date, Shell
       ---------
      Epoxy Resins, Inc. and Shell Epoxy Resins Research B.V., a company
      incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, and, after the Effective
      Date, any company controlling, controlled by or under common control with
      SER, provided, however, Associates in relation to SER shall not include at
      any time SOC or any of its Associates or SIRM or any of its Associates or
      any portfolio companies of Apollo Management IV, L.P. and its affiliates
      other than Shell Epoxy Resins Inc. and subsidiaries of Shell Epoxy Resins
      Inc.

            For the purposes of the above definitions, a particular company is:

            (i)  directly associated with a company or companies if the latter
                 holds/hold shares carrying more than fifty per cent (50%) of
                 the votes exercisable at a general meeting (or its equivalent)
                 of the particular company; and

            (ii) indirectly associated with a company or companies (hereinafter
                 called "the Parent Company or Companies") if a series of
                 companies can be specified, beginning with the Parent Company
                 or Companies and ending with the particular company, so related
                 that each company of the series, except the Parent Company or
                 Companies, is directly associated with one or more companies
                 earlier in the series.

      "Agreement" means this agreement, together with all appendices thereto.
       ---------

      "Conventional Resins Applications" means coatings and adhesives, provided,
       --------------------------------
      however, that this term shall not mean wood glue applications.

      "Effective Date" means November 1, 2000.
       --------------

      "Excluded Technical Information" means
       ------------------------------

      (a)   technical information of the types described in Appendix 5, without
            regard to its source or any prior usage by the Resins/Derivatives
            Business; and

      (b)   that technical information to which the Resins/Derivatives Business
            may have had access but which has not been used (whether for
            research, development or commercial purposes) by or in the
            Resins/Derivatives Business.

      "Intellectual Property Agreements" means the agreements listed in Appendix
       --------------------------------
      1 hereof and any other agreements existing on the Effective Date to which
      SIRM or an Associate of SIRM is a party and the exclusive purpose of which
      is either (a) the disclosure or receipt of confidential information
      exclusively for the purposes of the Resins/Derivatives Business, (b) the
      grant of material rights in respect of patents and/or technical
      information relating exclusively to the

                                       3
<PAGE>

      manufacture or sale of Products in the Resins/Derivatives Field, or (c)
      the grant of material rights in respect of patents and technical
      information which rights were acquired by SIRM exclusively for the
      purposes of the Resins/Derivatives Business.

      "Invention Disclosures" means those written disclosures, listed in
       ---------------------
      Appendix 3, which have been received prior to the Effective Date by the
      Intellectual Property Services organisations of SOC, Shell International
      Limited or Shell International B.V., of inventions for which no patent
      application has been filed prior to the Effective Date.

      "Invention Disclosure Rights" means the right to file patent applications
       ---------------------------
      outside the U.S. in respect of the Invention Disclosures disclosing
      inventions for which SIRM has a right to file patent applications as of
      the Effective Date, and all patent applications based thereon which may be
      subsequently filed in any country, and any and all patents, issuing in any
      country from such patent applications and any and all re-examinations,
      reissues and extensions of all such patents, in each case to the extent
      any of the claims thereof are directed to inventions which SIRM or its
      Associates has the right to license as of the Effective Date and which
      have been used in or which were developed or acquired for purposes of the
      Resins/Derivatives Business. For all purposes of this Agreement, a patent
      application is referred to as based on another patent application or a
      patent if the patent application in question claims priority from such
      other patent application or such patent.

      "Part I Patent Rights" means the Patent Rights listed in, or based on or
       --------------------
      issuing from those Patent Rights listed in, Part I of Appendix 2.

      "Part II Patent Rights" means the Patent Rights listed in, or based on or
       ---------------------
      issuing from those Patent Rights listed in, Part II of Appendix 2.

      "Part III Patent Rights" means the Patent Rights listed in, or based on or
       ----------------------
      issuing from those Patent Rights listed in, Part III of Appendix 2.

      "Part IV Patent Rights" means the Patent Rights listed in, or based on or
       ---------------------
      issuing from those Patent Rights listed in, Part IV of Appendix 2.

      "Part I Invention Disclosures" means the Invention Disclosures listed in
       ----------------------------
      Part I of Appendix 3.

      "Part II Invention Disclosures" means the Invention Disclosures listed in
       -----------------------------
      Part II of Appendix 3.

      "Part III Invention Disclosures" means the Invention Disclosures listed in
       ------------------------------
      Part III of Appendix 3.

      "Parties or Party" means as the context requires, both or each of SERR and
       ----------------
      SIRM.

                                       4
<PAGE>

      "Patent Rights" means:
       -------------

      (a)   the patents and patent applications listed in Appendix 2 hereof;

      (b)   any other patent applications which may later be filed based on (a)
            above in any country to the extent any of the claims thereof cover
            inventions which SIRM or an Associate of SIRM has a right to license
            as of the Effective Date and which have been used in the
            Resins/Derivatives Field or which were developed or acquired for
            purposes of the Resins/Derivatives Business;

      (c)   any patents issuing in any country from patent applications of (a)
            or (b) above; and

      (d)   any re-examinations, reissues and extensions of patents of (a) or
            (c) above.

      "Products" means:
       --------

      (a)   mono- or polyglycidyl ethers or esters having an epoxide content
            from 10 to 9000 mmol/kg and prepared from compounds bearing one or
            more optionally substituted or hydrogenated phenolic hydroxyl groups
            or aliphatic or cycloaliphatic mono- or polyalcohol or mono-or
            polycarboxylic acid, and epihalohydrin in the presence of an acid or
            a base catalyst, or from (bis)carbonate ester precursors or di-alpha
            glycol compound precursors; adducts and derivatives of such
            polyglycidyl ethers or esters; epoxidized vegetable oils prepared by
            peracid epoxidation; naturally occurring epoxidized oils; and
            epoxidized bis allylether of bisphenol acetone prepared by
            epoxidation via either peracid epoxidation or reaction with hydrogen
            peroxide.

      (b)   aqueous stabilized dispersions of any of mono- or polyglycidyl
            ethers and esters, adducts and derivatives thereof, liquid or
            semi-solid polyester oligomer, acrylics, polyurethanes, glycidated
            polyols and halogenated polyol adducts;

      (c)   epihalohydrin; allylhalide; inorganic byproducts of the reaction of
            propene and halogens, including halogenated mineral acids and
            calcium halides; and the direct organic byproducts of the reaction
            of propene and halogens;

      (d)   polyphenolic compounds, halogenated or hydrogenated derivatives
            thereof and alkyl-substituted polyphenolic compounds, derived from
            mono- and polynucleic phenols (or mono- or polynucleic
            alkyl-substituted phenols) and/or ketones, aldehydes, dicarbonyls or
            compounds containing two or more double or triple bonds;

                                       5
<PAGE>

      (e)   alpha-, alpha-branched tertiary mono- and poly-carboxylic acids
            having from 5 to 19 carbon atoms, prepared from CO, water and
            alkene, or CO and an alkanol; the glycidyl ester and vinyl ester
            derivatives respectively of said alpha-, alpha-branched tertiary
            mono- and poly-carboxylic acids, prepared from said acids with
            epihalohydrin in the presence of a base catalyst, or from said acids
            and acetylene in the presence of a catalyst; and the derivatives of
            said alpha-, alpha-branched tertiary mono- and poly-carboxylic acids
            prepared via modification of their acid function;

      (f)   polyesters prepared from a mono-, a di- and/or a tri-functional
            aliphatic, ethylenically unsaturated or cycloaliphatic carboxylic
            acid or anhydrides thereof, optionally mixed with a mono-, di-
            and/or tri-functional aromatic carboxylic acid or anhydrides
            thereof, and mono-, di-, tri- and/or tetra functional alcohol, and
            optionally a hydroxy-acid and/or a dihydroxy-acid, said polyester
            containing as functional groups mainly secondary and/or tertiary
            carboxylic groups or primary and/or secondary alcohols in pendant
            and/or terminal position, and the corresponding polyglycidyl esters
            or epoxidized esters thereof, and having a number average molecular
            weight of up to 10,000 g/mol;

      (g)   amine, acid (including acid anhydride) and/or phenol based curing
            agents for epoxy resins, which are compounds having two or more
            amine, acid and/or phenolic functionalities per molecule and which
            may be optionally end-capped or adducted or blended with acids,
            substituted phenols, epoxies, aldehydes, tertiary amines and/or
            phenols, and imidizoles, and aqueous stabilized dispersions of such
            amine, acid and/or imidazoles; excluding (i) any compounds derived
            from optionally hydrogenated polymers of one or more of isoprene,
            butadiene and styrene, having a total (or, in the case of radial or
            star polymers, arm) number average molecular weight between 1000 and
            35,000, as determined by gel permeation chromatography using
            polystyrene calibration standards, and (ii) alternating polymers of
            CO and olefinic monomers;

      (h)   polyamides having two or more amine groups produced by condensation
            of one or more mono- and/or polyfunctional acids or anhydrides
            thereof with a polyamine, which polyamides have a number average
            molecular weight of up to 10,000 g/mol;

      (i)   mono- or polyfunctional amines containing glycidyl groups
            substituted on nitrogen;

      (j)   blends of the polyglycidyl ether products of part (a) of this
            definition of Products or the polyamide products of part (g) with
            acrylates, methacrylates, polyacrylates and/or styrene;

      (k)   organic compounds containing two or more cyanate (-O-C=N) groups
                                                                  -
            within each molecule, linked to an aliphatic or aromatic structure
            containing more than 2 but not more than 200 carbon atoms, derived
            from polyphenolic compounds and cyanogen halides;

                                       6
<PAGE>

      (l)   compounds containing at least two acetylenic (-C=C-)groups per
                                                            -
            molecule and containing at least 10 but not more than 200 carbon
            atoms per molecule, derived from polyphenolic compounds and
            propargyl halides;

      (m)   dimers of an optionally halogenated cyclobutene compound having up
            to thirty (30) carbon atoms, in which the cyclobutene compound is
            fused with an aromatic or cycloaliphatic ring, which dimers are
            linked through at least one divalent linking group; esters or ethers
            of the reaction products of such an optionally halogenated
            cyclobutene compound with a product as described in parts (a) or (d)
            of this Products definition; and copolymer of one or more of such
            optionally halogenated cyclobutene compounds and one or more aryl
            compounds;

      (n)   [Intentionally left blank.]

      (o)   at least partly furanised linear CO/olefin polymer, as such or in
            combination with a maleimide crosslinking agent, in which furanised
            CO/olefin polymer monomer units originating from CO alternate with
            olefinic monomer units, for making or for use as a cross-linked
            resin which is thermo-reversible at a temperature above 50C,
            manufactured by furanising a low molecular weight polyketone, as
            described in part (p) below; and

      (p)   low molecular weight polyketone, which is a linear CO/olefin polymer
            in which monomer units originating from CO alternate with olefinic
            monomer units, said polymer being amorphous, having a crystalline
            melting point of less than 150C, and having a limiting viscosity
            number of less than 0.6 dl/g, measured in m-cresol at 60C.

      "Resins/Derivatives Business" means for purposes of this Intellectual
       ---------------------------
      Property Transfer and Licence Agreement that business carried out in the
      Resins/Derivatives Field by or for Shell Nederland Chemie B.V., Shell
      Chemicals U.K. Limited, Shell Epoxy Resins N.L., Shell Epoxy Resins GmbH
      and Shell Epoxy Resins UK Limited for the manufacture of Products and for
      the marketing and sale of Products so manufactured, together with research
      and development activities in the Resins/Derivatives Field in support
      thereof, in each case within two (2) years prior to the Effective Date.

      "Resins/Derivatives Field" means the manufacture, use or sale of Products,
       ------------------------
      including research and development in support thereof, provided, however,
      in respect of any and all Products, Resins/Derivatives Field excludes:

      (a)   use and/or sale of the Products of part (g) of the Products
            definition for any purpose other than as curing agents;

      (b)   use and/or sale of Products of part (p) of the Products definition
            for any purpose other than Conventional Resins Applications;

                                       7
<PAGE>

(c)  manufacture of Products of part (p) of the Products definition for all
     purposes other than as an intermediates in the preparation of Products of
     part (o) of that definition; and

(d)  combining any of the vinyl esters of part (e) of the definition of Products
     with a silicate in a composition intended for use as binder for polymer
     particles containing at least ninety percent (90%) by weight, based on
     weight of the particles, of a polymer containing at least 90% by weight of
     polymerised styrene, and to sell and use such combinations (and to conduct
     research and development in support thereof); and

(e)  manufacture, use and/or sale of (and research and development in support
     thereof for) any of the following:

     (i)  additive components alone or in combination ("Additives") intended for
          use in any one or more of the following applications:

          (A)  formulating finished lubricants or lubricant additive
               packages of any kind;

          (B)  formulating finished fuels or fuel additive packages of any
               kind;

          (C)  formulating hydraulic fluids;

          (D)  formulating power transmission fluids;

          (E)  dewaxing lube oil;

          (F)  transporting crude oil; and

     (ii) intermediates ultimately intended for use in manufacturing Additives
          for use in any one or more of the applications specified in part
          (e)(i) above.

This Resins/Derivatives Field further encompasses using Resins/Derivatives
Technical Information and Shell Technical Information for purposes of :

     (I)  upgrading the organic byproducts in part (c) of the Products
          definition, and

                                       8
<PAGE>

     (II) selling products resulting from (I) above other than as Additives or
          as intermediates ultimately intended for use in manufacturing
          Additives.

          "Resins/Derivatives Technical Information" means: i) information of
           ----------------------------------------
          the types described in Appendix 4, and ii) other technical know-how,
          data and information (including, without limitation, trade secrets) in
          which, in each case, SIRM or an Associate of SIRM has assignable
          rights in the Resins/Derivatives Field and which has been exclusively
          used (whether for research, development or commercial purposes) in the
          Resins/Derivatives Business; provided, however, that
          Resins/Derivatives Technical Information shall not include Excluded
          Technical Information or Shell Technical Information. For the
          avoidance of doubt, Resins/Derivatives Technical Information shall not
          include any technical know-how, data or information which has, in
          respect of either (i) or (ii), been received by or on behalf of SIRM
          or any of its Associates from a Third Party subject to obligations
          which prohibit its disclosure to SERR, unless and until such
          obligations terminate or disclosure to SERR is authorized pursuant to
          efforts under Clause 5.2 or otherwise.

          "Shell Technical Information" means all technical know-how, data and
           ---------------------------
          information (including without limitation, trade secrets) which has
          been used (whether for research, development or commercial purposes)
          by or in the Resins/Derivatives Business but which has not been
          exclusively used in the Resins/Derivatives Business. For all purposes
          of this Agreement, technical information acquired or developed for
          purposes of the Resins/Derivatives Business shall be considered to
          have been used in the Resins/Derivatives Business. Shell Technical
          Information includes but is not limited to information of the types
          described in Appendix 6. Shell Technical Information shall not include
          any Resins/Derivatives Technical Information or Excluded Technical
          Information. For the avoidance of doubt, Shell Technical Information
          shall not include any technical know-how, data or information which
          has been received by or on behalf of SIRM or any of its Associates
          from a Third Party subject to obligations which prohibit its
          disclosure to SERR, unless and until such obligations terminate or
          disclosure to SERR is authorized pursuant to efforts under Clause 5.2
          or otherwise.

          "SER" means Shell Epoxy Resins LLC, a company incorporated under the
           ---
          laws of Delaware and having an office at One Shell Plaza, 910
          Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas.

          "SOC" means Shell Oil Company, a company incorporated under the laws
           ---
          of Delaware and having an office at One Shell Plaza, 910 Louisiana
          Street, Houston, Texas.

          "Technical Copyrights" means all rights world-wide of copyright to the
           --------------------
          extent such rights are owned or controlled by SIRM in all documents,
          drawings, plans and other works (other than software) to the extent
          they recite, depict or describe Shell Technical Information.

          "Third Party" means any person other than SIRM or its Associates or
           -----------
          SERR.or its Associates. For avoidance of doubt, SOC and its Associates
          and SER and its Associates are Third Parties for purposes of this
          Agreement.

                                       9
<PAGE>

      "United States" or "U.S." means the United States of America and the
       -------------      ----
      states, commonwealths, territories and possessions thereof.

1.2   The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference
      only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other
      purpose.

1.3   Except where and to the extent that a contrary intention otherwise
      appears, words importing the singular number include the plural number and
      vice-versa and words importing any gender include all other genders.

1.4   References to Clauses and Appendices are references to Clauses and
      appendices of this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated.

                           CLAUSE 2 - PATENT RIGHTS
                           ------------------------

2.1   With effect from the Effective Date, and subject to the rights of Third
      Parties and Clause 2.7 hereof, SIRM hereby assigns to SERR all right,
      title and interest of SIRM and its Associates in and to the Part I Patent
      Rights, subject to the grant-back to SIRM of rights set out in Clause 2.3
      below.

2.2   With effect from the Effective Date, and subject to the rights of Third
      Parties and Clause 2.7 hereof, SIRM hereby assigns to SERR all right,
      title and interest of SIRM in and to the Part II Patent Rights, subject to
      the grant-back to SIRM of rights set out in Clause 2.3 below.

2.3    With effect from the Effective Date, and subject to the rights of Third
       Parties, SERR grants back to SIRM in respect of Part I and Part II
       non-U.S. Patent Rights assigned to SERR hereunder:

     (a)         an irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up, perpetual,
            non-exclusive licence, subject to the rights of Third Parties, with
            the right to grant sub-licences, to practise outside the
            Resins/Derivatives Field outside the U.S. the inventions claimed in
            such Part I non-U.S. Patent Rights and to conduct research and
            development in support thereof; and

     (b)         an irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up, perpetual,
            exclusive licence, subject to the rights of Third Parties, with all
            rights to grant sub-licences, to practise outside the
            Resins/Derivatives Field outside the U.S. the inventions claimed in
            such Part II non-U.S. Patent Rights and to conduct research and
            development in support thereof; and

                                      10
<PAGE>

     (c)         an irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up, perpetual,
            non-exclusive licence in the Resins/Derivatives Field outside the
            U.S. the inventions claimed in such Part I and Part II non-U.S.
            Patent Rights, with the right to grant sub-licences, to:

            (i)              manufacture, use and sell refinery products
                      including fuels, lubricants, bituminous compositions and
                      chemical feedstocks, and conduct research and development
                      in support thereof; and

             (ii)     use and sell Products in connection with operations for
                      the exploration for and production of oil, gas and other
                      minerals, and conduct research and development in support
                      thereof.

2.4   With effect from the Effective Date and subject to the rights of Third
      Parties, SIRM grants to SERR:

      (a)        an irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up, perpetual,
            exclusive (except as noted below in Clause 2.4(c)) licence, with all
            rights to grant sub-licences, to practise in the Resins/Derivatives
            Field outside the U.S. the inventions claimed in the Part III non-
            U.S. Patent Rights and to conduct research and development in
            support thereof;

      (b)        an irrevocable, fully paid-up, perpetual, non-exclusive
            licence, with the right to grant sub-licences but transferable only
            to an Associate of SERR or to a successor of substantially all of
            SERR's business in the Resins/Derivatives Field, to practise in the
            Resins/Derivatives Field outside the U.S. the inventions claimed in
            the Part IV non-U.S. Patent Rights and to conduct research and
            development in support thereof; and

      (c)        an irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up, perpetual, non-
            exclusive licences, with the right to grant sub-licences, to
            practise in the Resins/Derivatives Field outside the U.S. the
            inventions claimed in the Part III non-U.S. Patent Rights to:

            (i)    manufacture, use and sell refinery products including fuels,
                   lubricants, bituminous compositions and chemical feedstocks,
                   and conduct research and development in support thereof; and

            (ii)   use and sell Products in connection with operations for the
                   exploration for and production of oil, gas and other
                   minerals, and conduct research and development in support
                   thereof.

2.5   Responsibility for the further filing, prosecution, issuance, maintenance,
      defence and enforcement of the Part I and II Patent Rights assigned to
      SERR herein shall pass to SERR on the Effective Date. SIRM shall notify
      any attorneys and/or agents who act for SIRM in relation

                                      11
<PAGE>

      to such Part I and Part II Patent Rights of the assignment of these Patent
      Rights to SERR, and that from the Effective Date such attorneys and agents
      are to take their instructions from SERR and charge all fees and costs
      incurred after the Effective Date for filing, prosecuting, maintaining,
      defending and enforcing such Patent Rights to SERR (subject to the right
      of SERR, in its sole discretion to thereafter take action to terminate
      services of such attorneys and/or agents and appoint different counsel).
      Such attorneys and agents shall be requested promptly to send an invoice
      to SIRM for their fees in respect of services rendered up to the Effective
      Date in relation to the Part I and Part II Patent Rights. SIRM shall pay
      promptly for all such services identified as being rendered prior to the
      Effective Date. Case files (including but not limited to opposition and
      interference files) relating to the Part I and Part II Patent Rights will
      be transferred to SERR. SIRM undertakes to promptly forward to counsel
      designated by SERR all correspondence received from non U.S. patent
      authorities, during the six month period starting on the Effective Date,
      in respect of the Part I and Part II Patent Rights. SIRM agrees to co-
      operate with SERR to effect an orderly transition in respect of the
      subject matter set forth in this Clause 2.5 and further agrees to pay all
      patent maintenance renewal fees for Part I and II non-U.S. Patent Rights
      which are required to be paid within sixty (60) days after the Effective
      Date. In respect of such patent maintenance renewal fees, SIRM shall send
      an invoice to SERR and SERR shall promptly reimburse SIRM for all patent
      maintenance renewal fees paid by SIRM for Part I and II non-U.S. Patent
      Rights after the Effective Date.

2.6   Subject to Clauses 2.10, 2.11 and 2.12, each Party shall from the
      Effective Date have responsibility for prosecuting, maintaining, defending
      and enforcing those Patent Rights which it owns and under which licences
      are granted to the other Party pursuant to this Agreement. Except as
      expressly provided in Clauses 2.10, 2.11 and 2.12, neither Clause 2.5 nor
      Clause 2.6 nor any other provisions of this Agreement shall obligate
      either Party to further file, prosecute, issue, maintain, defend or
      enforce any of the Patent Rights.

2.7   To the extent that any non-U.S. Patent Rights are in the name of an
      Associate of SIRM or SOC or an Associate of SOC, SIRM shall procure that
      the holder assigns or licenses to SERR the Patent Right(s) as envisaged by
      this Clause 2, and that such holder shall comply with the terms of this
      Clause 2. SERR and SIRM acknowledge that any US Patent Rights which are in
      the name of an SIRM or an Associate of SIRM are to be assigned to SER
      pursuant to Clause 2.7 of an Intellectual Property Transfer and License
      Agreement between SOC and SER of even date herewith.

2.8   SIRM irrevocably waives in favour of SERR all rights of SIRM and SIRM's
      Associates to make, use and sell Products inside the Resins/Derivatives
      Field under the Part I, Part II and Part III Patent Rights, in each case
      for the United States, with the exception, in each case, of rights
      relating to:

             (i)   manufacture, use and sale of refinery products including
                   fuels, lubricants, bituminous compositions and chemical
                   feedstocks, and research and development in support thereof;
                   and

                                      12
<PAGE>

             (ii)  use and sale of Products in connection with operations for
                   the exploration for and production of oil, gas and other
                   minerals, and research and development in support thereof.

2.9   SERR shall be responsible for and shall bear all expenses, including but
      not limited to official fees, associated with recordal at the relevant
      patent offices, of the transfer to SERR hereunder of title in the Part I
      and Part II Patent Rights. SIRM agrees to co-operate with SERR in the
      recordal of such transfer by executing required documents in a form
      consistent with the grants under this Agreement, which shall be prepared
      by SERR. Upon written request from a Party, the other Party shall arrange
      for the execution and delivery of any other assignment documents or other
      instruments necessary to effectuate any aspects of the assignments or
      licences provided for in this Clause 2.

2.10  With effect from the Effective Date, each Party shall give written notice
      to the other Party upon becoming aware of any infringement or threatened
      or suspected infringement of, or of any challenge to, the Part II or Part
      III Patent Rights outside the U.S. and:

      (a)   SERR will have the right (but is not obligated) at its cost to bring
            proceedings to enforce such Part II and Part III non-U.S. Patent
            Rights against infringement in the Resins/Derivatives Field. SIRM
            will have the right (but is not obligated) at its cost to bring
            proceedings to enforce such Part II and Part III non-U.S. Patent
            Rights against infringement outside the Resins/Derivatives Field.
            Each Party shall have the right, at its own cost, to join in any
            suit brought by the other Party pursuant to this Clause 2.10 (a) to
            enforce, whether inside and/or outside of the Resins/Derivatives
            Field, such Part II and Part III non-U.S. Patent Rights and to
            participate in the defence of any challenge to such Part II and Part
            III non-U.S. Patent Rights.

      (b)   A Party not joining an enforcement or participating in a defence
            proceeding under this Clause 2.10 shall provide such assistance as
            may reasonably be required by and at the expense of the Party
            initiating or defending such proceeding and shall make no admission
            as to liability nor agree to any settlement or compromise.

      (c)   To the extent that damages, costs or other sums are recovered for
            infringement of such Part II or Part III non-U.S. Patent Rights in
            the Resins/Derivatives Field, they shall be for the account of SERR.
            To the extent that damages, costs or other sums are recovered for
            infringement of such Part II or Part III non-U.S. Patent Rights
            outside the Resins/Derivatives Field, they shall be for the account
            of SIRM.

2.11  SERR shall notify SIRM of each decision by SERR not to continue to
      prosecute or maintain any of the Part II non-U.S. Patent Rights. In
      respect of a decision not to continue to prosecute, such notice shall be
      given as soon as is practicable, and, if reasonable under the
      circumstances, at least sixty (60) days prior to the ordinary due date set
      for a response. In respect of a decision not to continue to maintain, such
      notice shall be given promptly but in any event no later than ninety (90)
      days prior to the date action is due to maintain the Patent Rights in
      question. SERR

                                      13
<PAGE>

      shall, at SIRM's request, assign to SIRM the rights of SERR in such of the
      Part II Patent Rights which it does not wish to prosecute or maintain, and
      SIRM shall grant back to SERR an irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up,
      perpetual, world-wide, non-exclusive licence, with the right to grant sub-
      licences, to practise in the Resins/Derivatives Field the inventions
      claimed in the Part II Patent Rights so assigned to SIRM.

2.12  SIRM shall notify SERR of each decision by SIRM not to continue to
      prosecute or maintain any of the Part III non-U.S. Patent Rights. In
      respect of a decision not to continue to prosecute, such notice shall be
      given as soon as it practicable and, if reasonable under the
      circumstances, at least sixty (60) days prior to the ordinary due date set
      for a response. In respect of a decision not to continue to maintain, such
      notice shall be given promptly but in any event no later than ninety (90)
      days prior to the date action is due to maintain the Patent Rights in
      question. SIRM shall, at SERR's request, assign to SERR the rights of SIRM
      in such of the Part III Patent Rights which it does not wish to prosecute
      or maintain, and SERR shall grant-back to SIRM an irrevocable,
      transferable, fully paid-up, perpetual, world-wide, non-exclusive licence,
      with the right to grant sub-licences, to practise outside the
      Resins/Derivatives Field the inventions claimed in the Part III Patent
      Rights so assigned to SERR , and also licences under the Part III Patent
      Rights so assigned to SERR which are equivalent to those set out in Clause
      2.3(c).

2.13  SIRM acknowledges that no right or licence, either express or implied, is
      granted to SIRM under any patent or other intellectual property right
      owned by SERR or its Associates, except as expressly provided by the terms
      of this Agreement.

2.14  SERR acknowledges that no right or licence, either express or implied, is
      granted to SERR under any patent or other intellectual property right
      owned by SIRM or its Associates, except as expressly provided by the terms
      of this Agreement.

2.15  As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, upon request by SERR,
      SIRM shall make available to legal counsel for SERR a copy of all final
      written opinions of legal counsel prepared for the Resins/Derivatives
      Business. The provisions of this Clause 2.15 are not intended and shall
      not be construed by either Party as a waiver of privilege and both Parties
      shall treat said opinions in a manner which is consistent with their
      common interest in maintaining privilege.

                        CLAUSE 3 - INVENTION DISCLOSURES
                        --------------------------------

3.1   With effect from the Effective Date, and subject to the rights of Third
      Parties, SIRM hereby assigns to SERR all right, title and interest of SIRM
      in and to the Invention Disclosure Rights for Part I Invention
      Disclosures, subject to the grant-backs to SIRM of rights set out in
      Clause 3.2.

3.2   With effect from the Effective Date, and subject to the rights of Third
      Parties, SERR grants back to SIRM under the Invention Disclosure Rights
      for Part I Invention Disclosures:

                                      14
<PAGE>

      (a)   an irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up, perpetual, exclusive
            licence, with all rights to grant sub-licences, outside the U.S.
            outside the Resins/Derivatives Field; and

      (b)   an irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up, perpetual, non-
            exclusive licences outside the U.S. in the Resins/Derivatives Field,
            with the right to grant sub-licences, to:

            (i)    manufacture, use and sell refinery products including fuels,
                   lubricants, bituminous compositions and chemical feedstocks,
                   and conduct research and development in support thereof; and

            (ii)   use and sell Products in connection with operations for the
                   exploration for and production of oil, gas and other
                   minerals, and conduct research and development in support
                   thereof.

3.3   With effect from the Effective Date, and subject to the rights of Third
      Parties, SIRM grants to SERR:

      (a)      an irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up, perpetual, exclusive
            (except as noted below in Clause 3.3(c)) licence under the Invention
            Disclosure Rights for Part II Invention Disclosures, with the right
            to grant sub-licences, in the Resins/Derivatives Field outside the
            U.S.;

      (b)      an irrevocable, fully paid-up, perpetual, non-exclusive licence
            in the Resins/Derivatives Field outside the U.S. under the Invention
            Disclosure Rights for Part III Invention Disclosures, with the right
            to grant sub-licences but transferable only to an Associate of SERR
            or to a successor of substantially all of SERR's business in the
            Resins/Derivatives Field; and

      (c)      an irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up, perpetual,
            non-exclusive licence under the Invention Disclosure Rights for Part
            II Invention Disclosures, with the right to grant sub-licences, in
            the Resins/Derivatives Field outside the U.S. to:

            (i)   manufacture, use and sell refinery products including fuels,
                  lubricants, bituminous compositions and chemical feedstocks,
                  and conduct research and development in support thereof; and

            (ii)  use and sell Products in connection with operations for the
                  exploration for and production of oil, gas and other minerals,
                  and conduct research and development in support thereof.

                                      15
<PAGE>

3.4   Upon written request from a Party, the other Party shall arrange for the
      execution and delivery of any assignment documents or other instruments
      necessary to effectuate any aspects of the assignments or licences
      provided for in this Clause 3.

3.5   To the extent that any Invention Disclosure Rights are controlled by an
      Associate of SIRM, SIRM shall procure that such Associate assigns or
      licenses to SERR the Invention Disclosure Rights as envisaged by this
      Clause 3.

3.6   In the event Part I Invention Disclosures result in issued patents, such
      patents shall thereafter be subject to the provisions of Clauses 2.10 and
      2.11, in the same respect as Part II Patent Rights.

3.7   In the event Part II Invention Disclosures result in issued patents, such
      patents shall thereafter be subject to the provisions of Clauses 2.10 and
      2.12, in the same respect as Part III Patent Rights.

3.8   Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Agreement does
      not give any Party any cause of action for breach of contract with respect
      to unpatented public domain subject matter.

3.9   Case files relating to the Part I Invention Disclosures will be promptly
      transferred to SERR.

                       CLAUSE 4 - TECHNICAL INFORMATION
                       --------------------------------

4.1   With effect from the Effective Date, subject to the rights of Third
      Parties, SIRM assigns to SERR all rights of SIRM and its Associates in and
      to the Resins/Derivatives Technical Information, including but not limited
      to the right to file patent applications therefor, copyrights (including
      but not limited to registered copyrights) therein and the right to enforce
      against misappropriation by Third Parties, in all cases subject to
      reservation by SIRM of irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up,
      perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive rights to use Resins/Derivatives
      Technical Information in the Resins/Derivatives Field, including the right
      to grant sub-licenses and the right to enforce against misappropriation by
      Third Parties, to:

          (i)       manufacture, use and sell refinery products including fuels,
                 lubricants, bituminous compositions and chemical feedstocks,
                 and conduct research and development in support thereof; and

                                      16
<PAGE>

          (ii)      use and sell Products in connection with operations for
                 the exploration for and production of oil, gas and other
                 minerals, and conduct research and development in support
                 thereof;

      and further subject to reservation by SIRM of irrevocable, transferable,
      fully paid-up, world-wide, perpetual, exclusive rights in respect of
      Resins/Derivatives Technical Information outside the Resins/Derivatives
      Field, including the right to grant sub-licenses and the right to enforce
      against misappropriation by Third Parties.

      The reservation of rights set forth in this Clause 4.1 shall further
      include irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up, world-wide, perpetual,
      exclusive rights outside the Resins/Derivatives Field, with all rights to
      grant sub-licenses, under any patents (other than Patent Rights and
      Invention Disclosure Rights) owned or controlled by SERR or any of its
      Associates claiming inventions that are Resins/Derivatives Technical
      Information prior to the Effective Date but for which patent claims are
      first filed after the Effective Date.

4.2   With effect from the Effective Date, SIRM grants to SERR:

      (a)       an irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up, perpetual, non-
            exclusive licence in the Resins/Derivatives Field outside the U.S.,
            with the right to grant sub-licences and the right to enforce
            against misappropriation, in respect of Shell Technical Information
            other than that identified in Part A of Appendix 6; and

      (b)       an irrevocable, fully paid-up, perpetual, non-exclusive licence
            in the Resins/Derivatives Field outside the U.S., without any right
            to grant sub-licenses and without the right to enforce against
            misappropriation, and transferable only to an Associate of SERR or a
            successor of all or substantially all of the business of SERR in the
            Resins/Derivatives Field, in respect of Shell Technical Information
            identified in Part A of Appendix 6.

      The license granted in (a) above shall further include an irrevocable,
      transferable, fully-paid, perpetual, non-exclusive license in the
      Resins/Derivatives Field, with the right to grant sub-licenses and with
      the right to enforce in the Resins/Derivatives Field, under any patents
      (other than Patent Rights and Invention Disclosure Rights) owned or
      controlled by SIRM or any of its Associates claiming inventions that are
      Shell Technical Information other than that identified in Part A of
      Appendix 6 developed or acquired prior to the Effective Date but for which
      patent claims are first filed after the Effective Date.

      The license granted in (b) above shall further include an irrevocable,
      fully-paid, perpetual, non-exclusive license for the use of Shell
      Technical Information in the Resins/Derivatives Field, without any right
      to grant sub-licenses and without the right to enforce against
      misappropriation,

                                      17
<PAGE>

      and transferable only to an Associate of SERR or a successor of all or
      substantially all of the business of SERR in the Resins/Derivatives Field,
      under any patents (other than Patent Rights and Invention Disclosure
      Rights) owned or controlled by SIRM or any of its Associates claiming
      inventions that are Shell Technical Information identified in Part A of
      Appendix 6 developed or acquired prior to the Effective Date but for which
      patent claims are first filed after the Effective Date.

4.3   At its own cost, SIRM shall use reasonable efforts to promptly provide to
      SERR Resins/Derivatives Technical Information assigned to SERR, and such
      Shell Technical Information licensed to SERR hereunder as SIRM believes is
      reasonably necessary for the normal conduct of the Resins/Derivatives
      Business, in each case to the extent that such information is as of the
      Effective Date in the possession of SIRM or Associates of SIRM engaged in
      the Resins/Derivatives Business in written or other tangible form. SIRM
      shall further use reasonable efforts to promptly provide to SERR, at
      SERR's request and cost, such other Shell Technical Information that is as
      of the Effective Date in the possession of SIRM or Associates of SIRM
      engaged in the Resins/Derivatives Business in written or other tangible
      form. The nature of the physical transfer to SERR of Shell Technical
      Information shall be consistent with the manner in which such Shell
      Technical Information has been available to the Resins/Derivatives
      Business. Details as to the implementation of this provision shall be
      agreed as circumstances reasonably require following the Effective Date

4.4   This Agreement shall not be construed to grant SERR any rights or licences
      in respect of Excluded Technical Information.

                   CLAUSE 5 - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGREEMENTS
                   -------------------------------------------

5.1   SIRM shall assign, or shall cause the assignment, and SERR agrees to
      accept assignment, of those Intellectual Property Agreements that SIRM or
      the SIRM Associate which is a party to the Intellectual Property Agreement
      has authority to assign, so that SERR shall be entitled to the benefit and
      shall be subject to the burden thereof as of the Effective Date. SERR
      shall carry out, perform and complete all obligations and liabilities to
      be discharged under such Intellectual Property Agreements on or after the
      Effective Date, and shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless SIRM and its
      Associates and SOC and its Associates and their respective officers,
      directors, employees and agents from and against any claim in respect of
      failure on the part of SERR to carry out, perform and complete such
      obligations and liabilities. SIRM shall indemnify, defend and hold
      harmless SERR and its Associates and SER and its Associates and their
      respective officers, directors, employees and agents against any claim in
      respect of failure on the part of SIRM and/or its Associates to carry out,
      perform and complete all obligations or liabilities to be discharged under
      the Intellectual Property Agreements prior to the Effective Date.

5.2   From the Effective Date, insofar as the benefit or burden of any of the
      Intellectual Property Agreements cannot effectively be assigned to SERR
      except by an agreement for novation or with consent to the assignment from
      a Third Party, at the request of SERR, SIRM shall, and shall cause its
      Associates that are parties to such Intellectual Property

                                      18
<PAGE>

      Agreements to, use commercially reasonable efforts (including
      participating in joint letters to such Third Parties, responding to
      inquiries from such Third Parties, and executing novation documents) to
      assist SERR in pursuing novation or consent for assignment of any
      Intellectual Property Agreement material to the Resins/Derivatives
      Business, provided, however, that such cooperation shall not include any
      requirement of SIRM or any of its Associates to pay money (not otherwise
      due or payable by SIRM) to the other party to the Intellectual Property
      Agreement, commence or participate in any litigation or offer or grant any
      accommodation (financial or otherwise) to any Third Party. No
      representation or warranty has been given or can be given that the other
      parties to the Intellectual Property Agreements will agree to the
      assignment or novation thereof in favour of SERR. From the Effective Date,
      and until any necessary Third Party consent to the assignment of an
      Intellectual Property Agreement may be obtained, a novation agreement may
      be entered into or other arrangements may be effected, if it is
      permissible under the Intellectual Property Agreement in question, SIRM
      shall grant, or cause the relevant Associate of SIRM to grant, to SERR a
      sub-licence under the Intellectual Property Agreement, and SERR shall,
      without limitation to Clause 5.1, be liable for any royalties or other
      costs associated with such sub-licence. Any technical information which is
      subject to an Intellectual Property Agreement and can only be made
      available to SERR upon novation, receipt of consent or grant of such a
      sub-licence, shall after such novation, consent or grant promptly be
      provided to SERR, provided that nothing in this Agreement shall require
      SIRM to retain copies of any technical information past the second
      anniversary of Closing or through the termination of good faith efforts to
      obtain novation, consent or grant of a sub-license, whichever is later.

                        CLAUSE 6 - TECHNICAL COPYRIGHTS
                        -------------------------------

      With effect from the Effective Date and subject to Clause 7 and the rights
      of Third Parties existing at the Effective Date, SIRM grants to SERR an
      irrevocable, transferable, non-exclusive, fully paid-up, perpetual license
      in the Resins/Derivatives Field under its Technical Copyrights, with the
      right to grant sub-licenses, and with the right to enforce the Technical
      Copyrights against Third Parties other than SIRM or Associates of SIRM.

      No license is granted under this Clause 6 in respect of any copyrights in
      any Excluded Technical Information, whether such Excluded Technical
      Information is contained in any work alone or in combination with any
      Shell Technical Information and/or Resins/Derivatives Technical
      Information.

                          CLAUSE 7 - CONFIDENTIALITY
                          --------------------------

7.1   With the exception of the exercise of the rights of SIRM under Clauses 2,
      3, 4.1(i) and 4.1(ii), and of activities undertaken at the request of
      SERR, SIRM undertakes for itself and its Associates that they:

                                      19
<PAGE>

      (a)   shall not use any Resins/Derivatives Technical Information in the
            Resins/Derivatives Field; and

      (b)   shall not disclose any Resins/Derivatives Technical Information to
            any Third Party for use in the Resins/Derivatives Field.

7.2   With the exception of the exercise of the rights of SERR under Clauses 2
      and 3, and of activities undertaken at the request of SIRM, SERR
      undertakes for itself and its Associates that they:

      (a)   shall not use any Resins/Derivatives Technical Information outside
            the Resins/Derivatives Field; and

      (b)   shall not disclose any Resins/Derivatives Technical Information to
            any Third Party for use outside the Resins/Derivatives Field.

7.3   With the exception of the exercise of the rights of SERR under Clauses 2
      and 3, and of activities undertaken at the request of SIRM, and subject to
      the provisions of Clause 7.4 governing SERR's obligations in respect of
      Shell Technical Information identified in Part A of Appendix 6 and the
      provisions of Clause 7.8 governing SERR's obligations in respect of
      Excluded Technical Information, with regard to (i) Shell Technical
      Information, and (ii) any other technical information SERR may receive
      from or on behalf of SIRM or its Associates in connection with SERR's
      acquisition of the Resins/Derivatives Business, SERR undertakes that it:

      (a)   shall not use the same outside the Resins/Derivatives Field; and

      (b)   shall not disclose the same to any Third Party for use outside the
            Resins/Derivatives Field.

7.4   With the exception of activities undertaken at the request of SIRM, and
      subject to the provisions of Clause 7.8 governing SERR's obligations in
      respect of Excluded Technical Information, with regard to Shell Technical
      Information identified in Part A of Appendix 6, SERR undertakes that it:

      (a)   shall not use the same for any purpose other than in relation to its
            activities within the Resins/Derivatives Field; and

      (b)   shall not disclose the same to any Third Party.

                                      20
<PAGE>

7.5   The undertakings as to each obligated Party pursuant to Clauses 7.1, 7.2,
      7.3 and 7.4 above, as well as any obligations of confidence and
      restrictions on use of technical information, data and/or know-how which
      the grants and assignments under Clause 4 may impose (either directly or
      by implication) on the granting or assigning party, shall not apply to
      information which as of the Effective Date the obligated Party can show

            (a)   is part of the public knowledge or literature;

        and shall cease to apply to information which after the Effective Date
        the obligated Party can show:

            (b)   has become part of the public knowledge or literature without
                  breach of said undertakings by said obligated Party; or

            (c)   has been received by it after the Effective Date from a Third
                  Party having a legal right to disclose it to said obligated
                  Party.

      The foregoing exceptions shall not, however, apply to:

            (i)   specific information merely because it is embraced by or
                  included with other information which falls within any one or
                  more of such exceptions; or

            (ii)  any combination of information merely because specific
                  information (but not the combination itself) falls within any
                  one or more of such exceptions.

7.6   In the event that the obligated Party is required or requested by any
      court, legislative or administrative body to disclose any
      Resins/Derivatives Technical Information, Shell Technical Information or
      other information covered by its undertakings pursuant to this Clause 7,
      then the obligated Party will, prior to disclosure, promptly notify the
      other Party so that an appropriate protective order can be sought and/or
      other action can be taken if possible. In the event that such protective
      order is not, or cannot be, obtained, then:

      (a)   The obligated Party may disclose to the appropriate body that
            portion of the information which it is advised in writing by legal
            counsel that it is legally required to disclose, provided that it
            shall use reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that confidential
            treatment will be accorded to the information; and

      (b)   The obligated Party shall not be liable for such disclosure to the
            appropriate body unless such disclosure was caused by or resulted
            from a previous disclosure by the obligated Party that was not
            permitted by this Agreement.

                                      21
<PAGE>

7.7   Except for the obligations set forth in Clause 7.4 for Shell Technical
      Information described in Part A of Appendix 6, the obligations set forth
      in Clause 7.8 for Excluded Technical Information and the obligations
      undertaken in the Intellectual Property Agreements, all express and
      implied restrictions in respect of disclosure and use of information under
      Clause 4, Clause 6 and/or Clause 7 of this Agreement shall terminate ten
      (10) years after the Effective Date.

7.8   It is not the intention of SIRM to disclose Excluded Technical Information
      to SERR. In respect of any Excluded Technical Information which SERR may
      receive, SERR agrees to hold the same in strict confidence, not to
      disclose it to any third party and not to use it for any purpose
      whatsoever. To the extent SERR becomes aware that it is in possession of
      Excluded Technical Information in written or other tangible form
      (including but not limited to information stored electronically), SERR
      agrees promptly to return to SIRM or destroy such information, or cause
      such information to be returned to SIRM or destroyed, in each case at
      SIRM's option.

7.9   The obligations imposed by this Clause 7 are in addition to obligations of
      confidentiality and restrictions on use of technical information which are
      imposed by the Intellectual Property Agreements.

7.10  In observing its obligations of confidentiality under Clauses 7.1 through
      7.4, each Party shall apply at least the same degree of care which that
      Party applies in protecting its own proprietary information of like kind,
      and no less care than is typically applied in the chemical industry.
      Whenever necessary or appropriate, a Party making disclosures which it is
      entitled to make hereunder to a Third Party shall obtain prior written
      agreement by the Third Party to use the same only for the purpose for
      which it is disclosed and not to disclose the same to any other Third
      Party.

                      CLAUSE 8 - INDEMNITIES; LIABILITIES
                      -----------------------------------

8.1   EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS CLAUSE 8, SIRM MAKES NO
      REPRESENTATION AND EXTENDS NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND ASSUMES
      NO RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO (I) ANY TECHNICAL INFORMATION
      WHICH MAY BE DISCLOSED OR LICENSED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, OR
      ITS SUITABILITY, COMPLETENESS OR ACCURACY OR ITS MERCHANTABILITY OR
      FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE; OR (II) THE SCOPE, VALIDITY OR
      ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY PATENT RIGHTS.

8.2   Neither Party shall be liable for any loss, damage, injury (including, to
      the full extent permitted by law and no further, personal injury or
      death), demand or expense, direct or indirect, resulting from negligence,
      gross negligence, strict liability or whatever the cause and arising out
      of or in connection with the exercise by the other Party or any licensee
      or sub-licensee of the other Party of the licences and rights granted to
      such other Party under this Agreement. Each Party shall indemnify, defend
      and hold harmless the other Party and its Associates (and their

                                      22
<PAGE>

      respective officers, directors, employees and agents) against any claim or
      action brought by any Third Party for any loss, damage, injury (including,
      to the full extent permitted by law and on further, personal injury or
      death), demand or expense arising out of or in connection with the
      exercise by that Party or any licensee or sub-licensee of that Party of
      the licences and rights granted under to this Agreement.

                           CLAUSE 9 - EXPORT CONTROL
                           -------------------------

SERR acknowledges that Resins/Derivatives Technical Information, Shell Technical
Information and other information to be made available hereunder may be subject
to export control under the Export Administration Regulations of the United
States of America Department of Commerce, and/or export regulations of other
United States of America Government agencies including the Department of State
and Department of Treasury.

                           CLAUSE 10 - MISCELLANEOUS
                           -------------------------

10.1  Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
      -------------------------
      counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
      together shall constitute one and the same document.

10.2  Waivers. Except as specifically provided in this Agreement, no failure or
      -------
      delay on the part of any Party in exercising any right, power or remedy
      hereunder and no course of dealing among the Parties shall operate as a
      waiver by any party of such right, power or remedy unless the event giving
      rise to such right, power or remedy no longer exists or has been cured.

10.3  Amendment.  This Agreement may be modified, supplemented or amended only
      ---------
      by a written instrument executed by all parties thereto.

10.4  Entire Agreement. The Agreement (together with the appendices) constitute
      ----------------
      the entire agreement of the parties thereto with respect to their subject
      matter, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings of the
      parties thereto, oral and written, with respect to their subject matter.

10.5  Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for the sole
      --------
      purpose of convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or
      affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of
      such Transaction Document.

10.6  Successors/Assigns. Except as set forth in this Agreement, SERR shall not
      ------------------
      transfer or assign this Agreement, directly or indirectly, by operation of
      law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of SIRM, and any
      purported transfer or assignment that does not comply with this Clause
      10.06 shall be null and void ab initio; provided, that SERR may assign
                                              --------
      this Agreement (a) after Closing, to an Associate of SERR or in connection
      with a sale or recapitalization of its

                                      23
<PAGE>

      business to which this agreement relates (whether by merger, stock sale,
      sale of all or substantially all assets or otherwise) or (b) to any lender
      (or agent therefor) for security purposes or pursuant to the assignment
      thereof by any such lender or agent in connection with the exercise by any
      such lender or agent of all of its rights and remedies as secured creditor
      with respect thereto. Each Party agrees to cause its successors and
      permitted assigns to agree in writing to be bound by the terms of this
      Agreement, provided, that nothing contained herein shall relieve SERR from
                 --------
      its obligations under this Agreement

      To the extent that any right under this Agreement is designated as being
      transferable, the holder of that right shall be entitled to pledge such
      right for security purposes.

10.7  No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except as may be expressly provided
      ----------------------------
      otherwise, nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to
      confer any rights or remedies upon any person, other than the Parties and
      their respective successors and permitted assigns..

10.8  Interpretation. In construing any Transaction Document, no consideration
      --------------
      shall be given to the fact or presumption that either Party had a greater
      or lesser hand in drafting the applicable Transaction Document.

10.9  Expenses, Transfer Taxes, Etc. Whether or not the transactions
      -----------------------------
      contemplated by this Agreement shall be consummated, except as otherwise
      expressly provided herein, all fees and expenses (including all fees of
      counsel, actuaries and accountants) incurred by any Party in connection
      with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement shall be borne by
      such Party, provided, however, that SERR shall pay, or cause to be paid
      all applicable taxes and recording fees.

10.10 Governing Law and Disputes Resolution. This Agreement shall be governed by
      -------------------------------------
      and interpreted in accordance with English law, and any dispute which may
      arise in connection with this Agreement, whether based in contract, tort
      or otherwise, shall be exclusively submitted to English courts.

10.11 Notices. All notices and other communications given under this Agreement
      -------
      shall be in writing and shall be effective upon receipt by the addressee
      at the address or telefax indicated below:

      (i)   if to SIRM:      Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V.
                             30 Carel van Bylandtlaan
                             Postbus 384, 2501 CJ The Hague, The Netherlands

                             Fax No.: 31 70 377 6141

                             FAO: Intellectual Property Services

                                      24
<PAGE>

      (ii)  if to SERR:       Shell Epoxy Resins Research B.V.
                              Bahuisweg 3, 1031 CM
                              Amsterdam, The Netherlands
                              Attention: Legal Department

      Each Party may change its address for purposes of this Agreement by giving
      the other Party written notice of the new address in the manner set forth
      above.

10.12 Severability of Provisions. The invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
      --------------------------
      of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way
      affect or impair the validity and enforceability of the remaining
      provisions thereof.

                                      25
<PAGE>

AS WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed in
duplicate original at the places and on the dates indicated below.

At _________________________, this 14th day of November, 2000.

Signed:  [ILLEGIBLE]
        ..........................

SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.

At _________________________, this 14th day of November, 2000.

Signed:  [ILLEGIBLE]
        ..........................

SHELL EPOXY RESINS RESEARCH B.V.<PAGE>

                                                                   Exbibit 10.15

                       INTERIM AGREEMENT FOR INFORMATION
                       ---------------------------------
                       TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (US BUSINESS)
                       ---------------------------------

     THIS INTERIM AGREEMENT FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (US BUSINESS)
(this "Agreement"), dated as of November 1, 2000, is among Shell Chemical
Company ("SHELL"), a Delaware corporation for itself and as agent for Shell Oil
Company, Shell Services International Inc., a Delaware corporation ("SSI") (each
of SHELL and SSI are referred to individually as "SERVICE PROVIDER"), and SHELL
EPOXY RESINS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("SER") (each of SHELL,
SSI, and SER are referred to individually as a "Party" and collectively as the
"Parties").

     WHEREAS, Shell Oil Company, Shell Epoxy Resins, Inc. and Resin Acquisition,
LLC have entered into a Master Sale Agreement dated July 10, 2000, whereby Shell
Oil Company and its Affiliates agreed to sell to Resin Acquisition LLC all of
their interests in certain chemical companies (as amended, the "Master Sale
Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS, SER desires to secure certain information technology services from
SERVICE PROVIDER on an interim basis, and SERVICE PROVIDER is willing, under the
terms of this Agreement, to provide those services to SER in return for the
compensation to be paid by SER to SERVICE PROVIDER in accordance with this
Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:

     1.   Definitions and Procedural Conventions.  Unless otherwise expressly
          --------------------------------------
indicated, capitalized terms used and not defined in this Agreement will have
the meanings set forth in Schedule A to the Master Sale Agreement.

     2.   Scope of Services and Additional Services.  SERVICE PROVIDER or its
          -----------------------------------------
Affiliates will furnish to SER the services described in Exhibit A to this
                                                         ---------
Agreement. The services described in Exhibit A, as it may be amended from time
                                     ---------
to time by the mutual written agreement of the Parties, will be referred to as
the "Services."  Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, the Services
will only be provided with respect to software and hardware systems operated by
SERVICE PROVIDER in the United States and will only be provided in connection
with the Business.

     3.   General Provisions Regarding the Services.
          -----------------------------------------

     (a)  To the extent any of the Services were provided by SERVICE PROVIDER or
its Affiliates to the Business prior to the Effective Date ("Pre-existing
Services"), SERVICE PROVIDER will perform the Services at substantially the same
level and with substantially the same degree of accuracy and responsiveness as
was provided to the Business prior to the Effective Date ("Effective Date
Level").  A detailed listing of Pre-existing Services and service performance
levels for such Pre-existing Services are identified on Exhibit A, Schedule 11
                                                        ----------------------
attached hereto.  To the extent any of the Services are not Pre-existing
Services, SERVICE PROVIDER will perform the Services at substantially the same
level and with substantially the same degree of accuracy and responsiveness as
the Services are performed for SHELL.  If the level at which SERVICE PROVIDER
performs the Services for SHELL from time to time increases to a level above the
Effective Date Level, the level at which SERVICE PROVIDER performs the Services
for SER will

<PAGE>

increase to an equivalent level; provided, however, that if such level of
Services performed for SHELL decreases from time to time, the level of Services
performed for SER shall decrease to an equivalent level. In no case will SERVICE
PROVIDER perform the Services at a level or with a degree of accuracy and
responsiveness that is lower in any material respect than the Effective Date
Level. In addition, SERVICE PROVIDER makes no assurance that any of the Services
will be error-free, but, in the case of errors, and as SER's sole remedy for
such errors, SERVICE PROVIDER will endeavor to fix or otherwise remedy such
errors in the same manner that SERVICE PROVIDER does so for SERVICE PROVIDER's
internal users of similar services.

     Upon the second anniversary of the Effective Date, SHELL will, except as
provided below, discontinue performance of the Services, to the extent being
provided as of such date, and at SER's option SSI shall continue to provide such
Services to SER for the remainder of the Term (as hereinafter defined).  SHELL
and SSI are each referred to in this Agreement as "SERVICE PROVIDER" and will
each have all rights and obligations of "SERVICE PROVIDER" with respect to all
periods during which each of them is performing any or all of the Services. If
SER designates SSI as the SERVICE PROVIDER for the last two (2) years of the
Term, (i) during the last two (2) years of the Term SSI will provide the
Services at the same price at which SSI provides the same or similar services to
SHELL or its Affiliates, provided that the combined costs for the Services under
this Agreement plus the cost of the Services under the Non-US IT Interim
Services Agreement will not exceed the Global Annual Support Cap defined in
Exhibit E attached hereto, and (ii) after the completion of the first two (2)
---------
years of the Term, SERVICE PROVIDER will have completed and implemented the
Transition Plan (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to Section 4(e) hereof.  If
                                                     ------------
SER does not designate SSI as the SERVICE PROVIDER for the last two (2) years of
the Term, then: (i) subject to SER's ability to terminate this Agreement
earlier, SHELL shall continue to be the SERVICE PROVIDER for a period of up to
nine (9) months after the second anniversary of the Effective Date, and (ii) SER
will have completed and implemented its Transition Plan no later than the end of
such nine (9) month period.

     (b)  SER acknowledges that SERVICE PROVIDER, on its own behalf, provides
services similar to the Services, and/or services which may involve the same
resources as those used to provide the Services, to SERVICE PROVIDER's own
internal organizations, Affiliates and Third Parties.  SERVICE PROVIDER reserves
the right to modify the Services in connection with changes to those services
provided to SERVICE PROVIDER's own internal organizations and Affiliates in
SERVICE PROVIDER's ordinary course of business.  However, no such modification
will materially diminish the Services, lower the level of Services to a level or
a degree of accuracy and responsiveness that is lower in any material respect
than the Effective Date Level, or increase the aggregate costs of the Services
under this Agreement and the Non-US IT Interim Services Agreement to a total
greater than the Global Annual Support Cap.  Furthermore, SER understands and
agrees that upgrades and enhancements to the software and processes used by
SERVICE PROVIDER to provide the Services may require SER to modify its own
processes and procedures at SER's cost and expense, with SERVICE PROVIDER
incurring no costs or expenses relating to any such modifications that SER makes
to its own processes and procedures; provided, however, that the aggregate costs
and expenses for supporting such upgrades and enhancements and for the Services
under this Agreement and the Non-US IT Interim Services Agreement will not
exceed the Global Annual Support Cap.  If SERVICE PROVIDER's upgrades and
enhancements to the software and processes used by SERVICE PROVIDER to provide
the Services causes a reduction in the costs of providing the Services, such
cost savings shall be passed through by a reduction in

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

price to SER; provided, however, that in the event that such upgrades and
enhancements require up front investment costs by SER or other recipients of the
Services, if SER makes no such up front investment the resulting savings in
Service costs will not be passed through to SER. If SER modifies or enhances its
software or systems in such a way that SERVICE PROVIDER must change the scope of
its work or systems in response to such modification or enhancement, then the
actual cost of those changes shall be borne solely by SER if such modification
or enhancement results in a cost increase for SERVICE PROVIDER. Furthermore, if
such modifications or enhancements by SER change SERVICE PROVIDER's cost
required to provide the Services, the costs described in the Exhibits attached
hereto, including the Global Annual Support Cap, may require amendment.

     (c)  If SER requests, or SERVICE PROVIDER proposes, to add new Services, or
to change, modify, enhance or eliminate the then-existing Services (including
Service levels), SERVICE PROVIDER and SER will discuss a change order to modify
this Agreement (a "Change Order").  Change Orders will be effective only upon
execution by both Parties.  Each Change Order will include any additional terms,
conditions and warranties applicable thereto, SERVICE PROVIDER's charges
therefor, and any effect on SERVICE PROVIDER's charges for any other Services
(including any increase or decrease in the Global Annual Support Cap), as
mutually agreed upon by the Parties.  SERVICE PROVIDER will provide any new or
additional Services (including Service levels) agreed to pursuant to a Change
Order at the same cost that such Services are provided to SHELL to the extent
that SERVICE PROVIDER is able to provide such new or additional Services as part
of SERVICE PROVIDER's ordinary course of business.  If, at the request of SER,
SERVICE PROVIDER reduces the amount of Services provided to SER, any resulting
reduction in costs available to SERVICE PROVIDER shall be passed through to SER
accordingly.  In the event of any reduction in costs for the Services provided
to SER pursuant to subsection (b) above or this subsection (c), SERVICE PROVIDER
and SER shall agree upon an appropriate reduction in the Global Annual Support
Cap.  SERVICE PROVIDER recognizes, and will make reasonable business efforts to
allow for, SER's reasonable future potential need and ability for business
growth.  In recognition thereof, to the extent possible and within the normal
scope of operations of SERVICE PROVIDER's IT operations systems, SERVICE
PROVIDER shall provide, at the same price afforded to SHELL, additional Services
necessary because of increased demand by SER in the chemical business, including
without limitation any additional Services necessary because of acquisitions
completed by SER; provided, however, that such increased demand may not be
attributable to SER's transfer of the Business to an industry competitor of
SHELL.  Any such additional Services shall be accompanied by a Change Order
executed by SERVICE PROVIDER and SER.

     In addition, SERVICE PROVIDER may from time to time give written notice to
SER that SERVICE PROVIDER plans to implement a change, modification, upgrade or
enhancement to the Services, or to the hardware, equipment, software, processes
and other resources used by SERVICE PROVIDER to provide the Services, in order
to enable SERVICE PROVIDER to change, modify, upgrade, enhance or maintain the
quality of service provided to SER and SERVICE PROVIDER's own internal
organizations and Affiliates.  SERVICE PROVIDER will allocate the costs of such
changes, modifications, upgrades and enhancements equitably among all users of
the affected service, and SER will reimburse SERVICE PROVIDER for SER's share of
such costs upon receipt of SERVICE PROVIDER's invoice therefor; provided,
however, that the aggregate of such reimbursement costs and the costs of the
Services under this Agreement and the Services under the

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

Non-US IT Interim Services Agreement shall not exceed the Global Annual Support
Cap and the level of Services provided to SER will not fall below the Effective
Date Level.

     (d)  Subject to this Section 3(d) and Section 3(g) of this Agreement, all
                          ------------     ------------
hardware, equipment, software, processes and other resources used by SERVICE
PROVIDER in connection with the Services, and any ideas, concepts, know-how,
techniques, inventions, and the like proposed, generated or developed by or for
SERVICE PROVIDER in connection with the Services, together with all intellectual
property rights appertaining thereto, shall be and remain the exclusive property
of SERVICE PROVIDER.  A list of (i) hardware that SERVICE PROVIDER will transfer
to SER on the Closing Date, (ii) hardware to be retained by SERVICE PROVIDER on
the Closing Date and used in connection with the provision of Services, and
(iii) hardware that SERVICE PROVIDER will transfer to SER upon the expiration or
termination of any applicable portion of this Agreement is provided on Exhibit F
                                                                       ---------
attached hereto.  A list of (1) third party software used to provide the
Services, (2) SERVICE PROVIDER's proprietary software used to provide the
Services, (3) third party software and SERVICE PROVIDER's proprietary software
that shall be licensed in perpetuity to SER (subject to the terms of the
applicable third party licenses; provided, however, that SERVICE PROVIDER will
obtain such third party licenses in perpetuity for the benefit of SER whenever
possible) and, to the extent permitted under the applicable license agreements,
its Affiliates or designees, and (4) software licenses to be obtained by SER and
licensed in SER's name on the Closing Date is set forth on Exhibit C attached
                                                           ---------
hereto.  SHELL has made good faith efforts to acquire for SER the license rights
and/or consents to assignment of the applicable licenses to SER necessary to
obtain for SER and/or the Companies the license rights set forth on Table II of
                                                                    -----------
Exhibit C attached hereto (collectively the "US IT Licenses"), and, based on
---------
SHELL's relationships and/or discussions with the applicable licensors, and
SHELL's customary procedures for obtaining license rights and/or consents to
assignment in connection with acquisitions and divestitures of SHELL business
units, SHELL believes that the US IT Licenses will be forthcoming from the
applicable licensors in due course.  The Parties agree that the fact that all or
any of the US IT Licenses may not have been obtained by SHELL as of the Closing
Date will not delay or interfere with the Closing or represent a breach of
SHELL's obligations under the Master Sale Agreement.  Through and after the
Closing Date, SHELL shall, as soon as commercially practicable (but in any event
within 90 days after the Closing Date for any US IT Licenses where Microsoft is
the licensor and within 12 months after the Closing Date for any US IT Licenses
commonly referred to as the "SAP licenses"), obtain all US IT Licenses which
have not been previously obtained, and SER shall reasonably cooperate with
SHELL's efforts to obtain such US IT Licenses.  Pursuant to Section 8.18 of the
Master Sale Agreement, SER has agreed to pay up to $3,000,000 of license and/or
assignment fees incurred to obtain the US IT Licenses and the Non-US IT Licenses
(as that term is defined in the Non-US IT Interim Services Agreement;
collectively, the "IT License Fees"), and SHELL has agreed to pay all amounts in
excess of $3,000,000 of the IT License Fees.  In order to implement such payment
provisions, and subject to Section 8.18 of the Master Sale Agreement, the
Parties agree that (x) on the Closing Date, SER shall pay SHELL $1,064,000 for
the IT License Fees incurred by SHELL through the Effective Date, (y) after the
Closing Date, SHELL will invoice SER monthly for any additional IT License Fees
incurred by SHELL, and SER will pay such invoices within thirty (30) days after
the invoice date, and (z) with respect to payments due under both subsections
(x) and (y), SHELL shall submit to SER reasonable supporting documentation with
respect to the IT License Fees incurred by SHELL.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

     (e)  SER and its employees, contractors and agents will comply with SERVICE
PROVIDER's security policies and procedures as in effect from time to time with
respect to (i) the Services or (ii) any changes to any hardware or software
systems.  SER and its employees, contractors and agents also will comply with
all applicable U.S. and other export control laws, rules and regulations.  SER
will not export or re-export from the United States any software or hardware
provided by SERVICE PROVIDER as part of the Services except with SERVICE
PROVIDER's prior written consent and in compliance with all Applicable Laws.
SERVICE PROVIDER and its employees, contractors and agents will comply with
SER's security policies and procedures in effect from time to time with respect
to SER's facilities in connection with SERVICE PROVIDER's performance of the
Services.  Any enhancement, modification, or change (including those requested
by SER pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof) to any systems (hardware, software or
                   ------------
both) of SERVICE PROVIDER or SER that either (i)  are shared between SER and
SERVICE PROVIDER, or (ii) with respect to any systems (hardware, software or
both) used by SERVICE PROVIDER in providing Services to SER, are shared between
SER and any Third Party, shall only be conducted and/or executed by SERVICE
PROVIDER.  The Parties agree that any request by SER for any such enhancement,
modification or change shall be treated procedurally as a request to add new
Services and shall be governed by the Change Order procedures set forth in
Section 3(c).
------------

     (f)  Any use of the Services by any employee, contractor or other agent of
SER in violation of this Agreement, including Section 3(e), is an "Unauthorized
                                              ------------
Use."  If SERVICE PROVIDER determines that an Unauthorized Use has occurred,
SERVICE PROVIDER may (i) withdraw or otherwise disable the ability of the
applicable SER employee, contractor or agent to continue using all or part of
the Services and/or the facilities used to provide the Services (for example,
and not by way of limitation, by revoking such person's authority to access
SERVICE PROVIDER's computer networks), (ii) notify SER that such Unauthorized
Use has occurred, in which case SER will promptly take steps to remedy such
Unauthorized Use and prevent its recurrence, (iii) exercise any other legal or
equitable remedies available to SERVICE PROVIDER under this Agreement or
otherwise, and (iv) in addition to the foregoing, if a material Unauthorized Use
occurs due to SER's gross negligence or willful misconduct, upon three (3)
Business Days written notice to SER and three (3) Business Days opportunity to
cure by SER, terminate this Agreement and the Services and, at SER's cost and
expense, withdraw or otherwise disable SER's ability to continue using all or
part of the Services and/or the facilities used to provide the Services.
Notwithstanding any failure by SERVICE PROVIDER to take the any of the actions
described in the preceding sentence with respect to an Unauthorized Use, SER
will be fully responsible and liable for any Unauthorized Use and any fines,
fees, costs or expenses incurred by either Party due to any Unauthorized Use.

     (g)  SERVICE PROVIDER will use SER's data solely to perform SERVICE
PROVIDER's obligations under this Agreement.  SERVICE PROVIDER will not sell,
assign, lease, disseminate or otherwise dispose of any of SER's data.  SERVICE
PROVIDER will not possess or assert any property interest in or any lien,
security interest or other right against or to any of SER's data, and SERVICE
PROVIDER shall afford to SER's data the same level of security that is afforded
to SERVICE PROVIDER's data.  All data, work product, software and other
intellectual property performed or developed for SER under this Agreement shall
be owned by SER, and SERVICE PROVIDER agrees to transfer to SER all rights
therein.  Nothing in this Agreement shall transfer from SER to SERVICE PROVIDER
any of SER's rights in ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, inventions, and
the like proposed, generated, or developed by SER, or by SERVICE PROVIDER

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

on behalf of SER, or any intellectual property rights of SER therein.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each Party will be free
to use for itself and for others in any manner the general knowledge, skill or
experience acquired by that Party in the course of this Agreement, including
using that knowledge for any present or future customer or other business
partner.

     (h)  SER will not possess or assert any property interest in or lien,
security interest or other right against or to any of SERVICE PROVIDER's
hardware, equipment, software or other property that may be placed at SER's
facilities in order to facilitate the Services, except as provided under Section
                                                                         -------
3(d) and Section 3(g) hereof.
----     ------------

     (i)  SERVICE PROVIDER will not provide to SER those services described on
Exhibit B.  Additionally, in the case of software support, SERVICE PROVIDER will
---------
not provide to SER any extraordinary support beyond the normal licensed period
support provided by the vendor of the software unless otherwise agreed to by
SERVICE PROVIDER and SER in a separate written agreement.

     4.   SER's Other Obligations Regarding the Services.
          ----------------------------------------------

     (a)  SER will make available to SERVICE PROVIDER, on a timely basis,
management decisions, information, approvals and acceptances to enable SERVICE
PROVIDER to provide the Services.  SER will be deemed to have consented to and
approved any such decision, information, approval or acceptance requested by
SERVICE PROVIDER if SERVICE PROVIDER provides notice to SER and SER fails to
respond to such request within (i) thirty-six (36) hours in the case of requests
for Services made by SER in the ordinary course of business, (ii) three (3)
Business Days in the case of Services, enhancements, modifications or changes to
SER's hardware or software systems originating from SERVICE PROVIDER or (iii)
such lesser period as is reasonably required by SERVICE PROVIDER in the case of
requests relating to urgent or emergency situations.

     (b)  SER will not modify or change in any respect any of the software or
hardware systems used by SERVICE PROVIDER to provide the Services without
SERVICE PROVIDER's prior written approval, which written approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld.  If SER makes an unauthorized modification or
enhancement, (i) SERVICE PROVIDER will be excused from compliance with Section
                                                                       -------
3(a) and Section 3(b) to the extent SERVICE PROVIDER's performance of the
----     ------------
Services is adversely affected by such modification or enhancement, and (ii) SER
will be fully responsible and liable for any fines, fees, costs or expenses
incurred by either Party due to such unauthorized modification or enhancement.

     (c)  Intentionally Omitted.

     (d)  Except as permitted under Section 3(d) of this Agreement, SER will not
                                    ------------
resell any of the Services, or sell or license any of the software or hardware
used by SERVICE PROVIDER to provide the Services, to or for the benefit of any
Third Party, whether in a service bureau environment or otherwise, or attempt to
do so.

     (e)  At least quarterly during the first twelve (12) months of the Term,
SER and SERVICE PROVIDER shall meet to discuss SER's intention regarding the
transition of the provision of the Services from SHELL to another party after
the second anniversary of the Effective Date. On or prior to the first
anniversary of the Effective Date, SER will inform SERVICE

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

PROVIDER in writing if SER intends to use SSI to provide the Services after the
second anniversary of the Effective Date.

     If SER decides to use SSI to provide the Services, then (i) SERVICE
PROVIDER will develop for SER a transition and separation plan ("Transition
Plan") that will provide for the full transition of the provision of Services
from SHELL to SSI by no later than the second anniversary of the Effective Date,
(ii) such transition will be fully implemented and completed by SERVICE PROVIDER
at its cost no later than the second anniversary of the Effective Date, and
(iii) SER will pay SSI all costs and expenses to implement such transition;
provided that the aggregate amount payable by SER under this Agreement and the
Non-US IT Interim Services Agreement to implement such transition shall not
exceed $7,000,000 (plus applicable taxes, if any).

     If SER decides not to use SSI to provide the Services or fails to inform
SERVICE PROVIDER of SER's decision with respect thereto on or prior to the first
anniversary of the Effective Date, then (i) SER will develop and implement a
Transition Plan that will provide for the full transition of the provision of
Services from SHELL to a Third Party by no later than two years and nine months
after the Effective Date, (ii) SERVICE PROVIDER will assist SER in developing
and implementing the Transition Plan, and (iii) SER will pay SERVICE PROVIDER
for SERVICE PROVIDER's charges for such development and implementation
assistance, which shall be, to the extent applicable, at the same cost that SSI
provides similar services to SHELL.

     The capping of implementation costs for the transition to SSI at $7,000,000
is based upon the assumptions set forth below, and to the extent any of these
assumptions do not remain accurate with respect to SER and the Business
throughout the implementation of the Transition Plan, SER will pay SERVICE
PROVIDER for any additional costs or expenses in excess of $7,000,000 incurred
by SERVICE PROVIDER as a result.

          (i)    Process control computing is not within the scope of Services;

          (ii)   Exiting existing SUMF Agreements is not included in Services;

          (iii)  Marketing personnel will move to existing Business facilities
     or will use the remote access service described in Exhibit A, Schedule 4
                                                        ---------------------
     attached hereto;

          (iv)   Business staff will remain at existing locations and physical
     facilities, and personnel moves will be minimal and are not within scope;

          (v)    Fail over and backup requirements shall remain the same as of
     the Effective Date;

          (vi)   Configuration and management of voice systems will remain the
     same as in effect as of the Effective Date;

          (vii)  IT services under the SUMF Agreements will continue to be in
     place;

          (viii) Network security will be managed by SERVICE PROVIDER or its
     subcontractors;

          (ix)   Data and applications backup will be managed by SERVICE
     PROVIDER or its subcontractors;

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

          (x)    Data and applications support will be managed by SERVICE
     PROVIDER or its subcontractors; and

          (xi)   The following will remain constant during the Term: number of
     users; number of sites; number and location (within the same network path)
     of domain printers; number and location of servers; application portfolio,
     as it was provided and utilized in the way intended; transaction volumes;
     technologies, platforms, and software versions deployed; provided, however,
     that SER shall be allowed a differential of five percent (5%) with regard
     to changes in the number of users.

     (f)  As part of the implementation cost for the Transition Plan, SER shall
receive the following from the SERVICE PROVIDER:

          (i)    Complete NT domain segregation in the United States;

          (ii)   Migration of applications and applications servers to Resins
     network;

          (iii)  Cloning and segregation of remaining shadowed/shared
     applications (including Rumba and SAPIT [SAP Industrial Transportation
     Module]), including application servers, database servers, and application
     migration;

          (iv)   Migration of APSAP (Asian Pacific SAP) to accounting packages
     such as ACCPAC or Solomon IV to replace SAP R/3; and

          (v)    Segregation of Print Services for the United States.

     (g)  SER shall be solely responsible, and shall indemnify SERVICE PROVIDER,
for any and all of SERVICE PROVIDER's increased costs incurred in connection
with Services, systems changes, or other maintenance provided to SER required as
a result of a change in any laws or regulations implemented by any Governmental
Entity after the Effective Date.

     5.   Payment.  SER will pay SERVICE PROVIDER for each Service in accordance
          -------
with the fees and payment terms set forth in Exhibit D, subject to Section 3.
                                             ---------             ---------
Any monthly charges will be prorated for any partial calendar month.  SERVICE
PROVIDER will prepare invoices for SER on a monthly basis for amounts due under
this Agreement.  SERVICE PROVIDER's invoices will present a detailed account of
all charges.  All invoices will be accompanied by appropriate supporting
documentation.  All invoices will be due and payable within thirty (30) days
after the invoice date.  Interest will accrue on all amounts past due under this
Agreement at the lesser of (i) a rate of interest equal to average LIBOR for the
previous calendar month plus one and one-half percent (1.50%) (ii) or the
maximum rate of interest allowed by applicable law.  In addition to the fees set
forth on Exhibit D, SER will pay all current and future local, state and federal
         ---------
sales, services and ad valorem taxes and duties imposed upon this Agreement and
SER's use of the Services, excluding, however, all taxes on or measured by
SERVICE PROVIDER's net income.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

     6.   Term and Termination.
          --------------------

     (a)  The term of this Agreement (the "Term") will commence as of the
Effective Date and expire on the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date.

     (b)  SER may terminate any particular Service prior to the expiration of
the Term upon written notice to SERVICE PROVIDER at least thirty (30) days prior
to the termination date set forth in such notice, provided that SER may not give
any such notice less than three months after the Closing Date. SER will pay
SERVICE PROVIDER a termination fee upon termination of this Agreement before the
second anniversary of the Closing Date equal to the termination fees required by
the applicable Dell computer leases as of the time of such termination, unless
SER assumes all applicable Dell computer leases at the time of the termination.

     (c)  Either Party may terminate this Agreement prior to the expiration of
the Term for a material breach by the other Party of this Agreement (excluding
any breach of any payment obligation disputed in good faith), upon giving thirty
(30) days written notice to the breaching Party, provided that such breach is
not cured during such thirty (30) day period.

     (d)  Intentionally omitted.

     (e)  Sections 3(d), 3(g), 6(f), 9, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28,
29 and 30 will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any
reason.

     (f)  Upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason,
SER will discontinue all use of the Services, and discontinue using, and
destroy, erase or return to SERVICE PROVIDER, all copies of any documentation
for the Services and any of SERVICE PROVIDER's software or other proprietary
information in SER's possession or control, and SERVICE PROVIDER will destroy,
erase or return to SER, at SER's option, all copies of SER's data files compiled
or gathered by SERVICE PROVIDER during the Term.

     7.   Independent Contractor Status. The Parties acknowledge and agree that
          -----------------------------
SERVICE PROVIDER is an independent contractor in the performance of each and
every part of this Agreement and nothing in this Agreement will be construed to
be inconsistent with this status. Subject to the terms of this Agreement,
SERVICE PROVIDER will have full authority to select the means, methods and
manner of performing the Services.  No agent or employee of SERVICE PROVIDER
will be or will be deemed to be the agent or employee of SER and nothing in this
Agreement will be construed to make SER an employer, directly or indirectly, of
SERVICE PROVIDER's employees under any Applicable Law. None of the benefits
provided by SER to its employees, including workers' compensation insurance and
unemployment insurance, will be available to the employees or agents of SERVICE
PROVIDER.  Nothing in this Agreement or in the performance of this Agreement is
intended to create a partnership, joint venture or other joint business
arrangement between the Parties or any of their Affiliates, or any fiduciary
duty owed by one Party to the other Party or any of its Affiliates.

     8.   Standards of Performance. SERVICE PROVIDER makes no express or implied
          ------------------------
warranties with respect to the Services except as expressly provided in this
Agreement. NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
WILL APPLY TO THE SERVICES, AND SERVICE PROVIDER HEREBY DISCLAIMS

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

ALL SUCH WARRANTIES. SER will, in order to assure that SERVICE PROVIDER may
adequately perform the Services, have at its facilities users and personnel who
interface with SERVICE PROVIDER and utilize the systems and software provided by
SERVICE PROVIDER and who are sufficiently competent to operate such systems and
software, including without limitation SERVICE PROVIDER's version of SAP R/3.

     9.    Indemnification and Limitation of Liability.
           -------------------------------------------

     (a)   SER hereby releases and agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold
harmless SERVICE PROVIDER, its Affiliates, and their respective officers,
directors, shareholders, employees, representatives, agents or trustees
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties"), from and against any and all Damages
(after giving effect to any recoveries by SERVICE PROVIDER against Third
Parties) caused by, arising out of, or in any way incidental to or in connection
with the performance of the Services, whether arising before or after completion
thereof, and in any manner directly or indirectly caused, occasioned or
contributed to, in whole or in part, or claimed to be caused, occasioned or
contributed to, in whole or in part, by the following:

     (i)   The sole negligence or fault, whether active or passive, of SER, its
           contractors, subcontractors and/or vendors (or any of their
           respective owners, directors, officers, employees or agents), or of
           any Third Party;

     (ii)  The sole negligence or fault, whether active or passive, of any of
           the Indemnified Parties, their respective contractors, subcontractors
           and/or vendors (or any of their respective owners, directors,
           officers, employees or agents);

     (iii) The concurrent negligence or fault, whether active or passive, of any
           combination of the Indemnified Parties, SER, their respective
           contractors, subcontractors and/or vendors, or any Third Party (or
           any of their respective owners, directors, officers, employees or
           agents); or

     (iv)  Where liability with or without fault is imposed, or sought to be
           imposed, on the basis of any theory of strict liability by operation
           of law or any violation or failure to comply with any Applicable Law
           or any order or requirement of any Governmental Entity.

     (b)   SERVICE PROVIDER agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless SER,
BUYER and the Companies from and against any and all losses, liabilities, and
damages, including all costs and expenses related thereto, arising from or
relating to the failure of the Companies to possess any US IT License during the
period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the date such US IT License
is obtained, including but not limited to, any damages arising from or relating
to the operation of the Business without such US IT License from and after the
Closing Date.

     (c)   Each Party hereby indemnifies the other Party, its Affiliates, and
their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, representatives,
agents or trustees, from and against any and all Damages (after giving effect to
any recoveries by the other Party against Third Parties) caused by, arising out
of, or in any way incidental to or in connection with the performance of the
Services, whether arising before or after completion thereof, and in any manner
directly or indirectly

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

caused, occasioned or contributed to, in whole or in part, or claimed to be
caused, occasioned or contributed to, in whole or in part, by the indemnitor's
gross negligence.

     (d)   NEITHER SERVICE PROVIDER, ANY OTHER INDEMNIFIED PARTY OR SER WILL
HAVE ANY LIABILITY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY
OTHER LEGAL OR EQUITABLE CLAIM OR REMEDY, FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS. THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF
SHELL, SSI AND THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES TO SER AND ITS AFFILIATES FOR ALL CLAIMS
ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH SERVICE PROVIDER'S PERFORMANCE OR
NONPERFORMANCE OF SERVICE PROVIDER'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING
ALL CLAIMS BASED ON THE NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT LIABILITY OF
SERVICE PROVIDER OR ITS AFFILIATES, WILL NOT EXCEED $4,800,000. THE AGGREGATE
LIABILITY OF SER TO THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR IN
CONNECTION WITH SER'S PERFORMANCE OR NONPERFORMANCE OF SER'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER
THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ALL CLAIMS BASED ON THE NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE
OR STRICT LIABILITY OF SER OR ITS AFFILIATES, WILL NOT EXCEED $4,800,000,
EXCLUDING ANY CLAIMS FOR NONPAYMENT FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY SERVICE PROVIDER.

     (e)   IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE PARTIES THAT THE EXCULPATION, DEFENSE AND
INDEMNITY OBLIGATIONS OF SER UNDER THIS SECTION 9 ARE WITHOUT REGARD TO WHETHER
                                        ---------
THE NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR STRICT LIABILITY OF AN INDEMNIFIED PARTY IS A
CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR, AND SUCH OBLIGATIONS ARE INTENDED TO PROTECT AND INDEMNIFY
THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY ARISING FROM THE
PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING LIABILITY BASED ON OR RESULTING FROM
THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR STRICT LIABILITY OF THE INDEMNIFIED
PARTIES.

     10.   Access to Facilities. In connection with the performance of the
           --------------------
Services, SER will permit SERVICE PROVIDER and its agents, employees and
contractors reasonable right of ingress and egress to facilities owned or
operated by SER, subject only to the usual and customary safety and security
restrictions developed, observed and enforced in the ordinary course by SER at
such facilities.  In connection with SER's ability to receive the benefits from
and comply with this Agreement, including without limitation reasonable
necessity in connection with the implementation of the Transition Plan, SERVICE
PROVIDER will permit SER and its agents, employees and contractors reasonable
right of ingress and egress to facilities owned or operated by SERVICE PROVIDER.

     11.   INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
           ---------------------

     12.   Compliance with Laws.  Each Party and its employees, contractors and
           --------------------
agents will comply with all Applicable Laws in performing its obligations under
this Agreement.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

     13.  Dispute Resolution. In the event of any IT Controversy (as defined in
          ------------------
Section 20 of this Agreement) between the Parties arising out of this Agreement,
----------
the Parties will use good faith efforts, for a period of thirty (30) days
following notice by a Party to the other Party that an IT Controversy exists, to
resolve the IT Controversy through negotiation and compromise.  If such an IT
Controversy cannot be resolved through negotiation and compromise during the
period specified above, either Party may require that the IT Controversy be
finally resolved under the provisions of Section 20 of this Agreement.  Pending
                                         ----------
the completion of any arbitration proceedings, payments not in dispute will
continue to be made, and obligations not in dispute performed, and in rendering
any Award the Arbitrators will make appropriate adjustments for any such
payments as may be consistent with the Award.

     14.  Force Majeure.  Each of SERVICE PROVIDER and SER will be excused from
          -------------
the obligations set forth in this Agreement to the extent that performance is
delayed or prevented by any circumstance (except financial) reasonably beyond
its control or by fire, explosion, mechanical breakdown, strikes or other labor
trouble, equipment shutdown, failures or fluctuations in power, heat, light or
air conditioning or telecommunications equipment, compliance with any law,
regulation order, recommendation or request of any governmental authority or
Third Party nonperformance, including failures or fluctuations in power, heat,
light or air conditioning or telecommunications equipment.  In addition, SERVICE
PROVIDER will be so excused in the event it is unable to acquire from its usual
sources and on terms it deems to be reasonable, any resources necessary for
providing the Services.  If, because of any such circumstances, there should be
a shortage of the resources necessary for providing the Services from any of
SERVICE PROVIDER's usual and customary sources, SERVICE PROVIDER will not be
obligated to purchase additional resources in order to provide the Services, and
SERVICE PROVIDER may apportion its available resources among all its customers
and its own internal organization and Affiliates in such manner as SERVICE
PROVIDER finds fair and reasonable.

     15.  Non-solicitation.  During the Term and for one (1) year thereafter,
          ----------------
neither Party will knowingly solicit or hire away from the other Party any
employee who was engaged in the performance of this Agreement, unless that
solicitation or hiring is agreed to in writing by the other Party.  The
following will not be a violation of this Section:  (i) either Party's general
solicitation of employees (through, for example, advertisements in newspapers,
magazines or trade journals); (ii) either Party's hiring of an employee of the
other Party who responds to such a general solicitation; or (iii) either Party's
hiring of an employee of the other Party who submits himself or herself for
consideration for employment without having been solicited for employment by the
other Party.

     16.  Subcontracting and Assignment.  SERVICE PROVIDER may (i) assign its
          -----------------------------
rights or obligations under this Agreement to any of its Affiliates and/or (ii)
subcontract any of its obligations under this Agreement (including, without
limitation, any support provided under the Services); provided, however, that
SER shall have the right to approve any subcontractors hired specifically for
Services to be provided directly to and primarily for the benefit of SER, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld by SER.  With respect to any
obligations of SERVICE PROVIDER under this Agreement performed by
subcontractors, Affiliates or assignees, SERVICE PROVIDER will remain
responsible for those obligations to the same extent SERVICE PROVIDER would be
responsible hereunder.  A list of material subcontractors used by SERVICE
PROVIDER as of the Closing Date is provided on Exhibit G attached hereto.  SER
                                               ---------
shall be entitled to assign this

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

Agreement to any Affiliate or to a lender or lenders for security purposes so
long as such lender is a bona fide financial institution with a business which
includes lending money and with a net worth in excess of One Hundred Million
Dollars, without the prior written consent thereto of SERVICE PROVIDER (and such
lender or lenders shall have the right without such prior written consent to
further assign this Agreement in connection with the exercise of their rights
and remedies pursuant to such security agreements). Any assignment of the
Agreement by SER to a Third Party shall require the prior written consent of
SERVICE PROVIDER, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

     17.  Confidentiality.
          ---------------

     (a)  The Parties acknowledge that, pursuant to the provision by SERVICE
PROVIDER of the Services, each Party will possess or have access to information
that belongs to the other Party, has commercial value in that Party's business
and is not in the public domain, including information relating to its
customers, suppliers, finances, operations, facilities and markets
("Confidential Information").  Neither Party will disclose, use, sell, assign,
lease or otherwise dispose of the other Party's Confidential Information, except
as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement or the other Transaction
Documents.  In particular, but not by way of limitation, SER will not, and will
ensure that SER's employees, contractors and other agents do not, use the
Services to access any of SERVICE PROVIDER's Confidential Information relating
to SERVICE PROVIDER's other businesses or operations or to any businesses or
operations which SERVICE PROVIDER may have sold to Third Parties but for which
SERVICE PROVIDER provides services similar to the Services, unless SER is
expressly authorized to access such Confidential Information pursuant to the
other Transaction Documents, and SERVICE PROVIDER will not, and will ensure that
SERVICE PROVIDER's employees, contractors and other agents do not, use the
Services to access any of SER's Confidential Information relating to SER's other
businesses or operations, unless SERVICE PROVIDER is expressly authorized to
access such Confidential Information pursuant to the other Transaction
Documents. (In connection with this provision, SERVICE PROVIDER has attached as
Exhibit H hereto a list of data cloned for the Business prior to the Closing
---------
Date.)  Each Party will use commercially reasonable efforts to establish and
maintain safeguards against the destruction, loss or alteration of the other
Party's Confidential Information in its possession or control, similar to the
safeguards that Party uses for its own Confidential Information.  Nothing in
this Section 17 will be construed as obligating either Party to disclose its
     ----------
Confidential Information to the other Party, or as granting to or conferring on
the other Party, expressly or by implication, any rights or license to its
Confidential Information, provided that SER acknowledges that, in order to
perform the Services, SERVICE PROVIDER will have custody of certain of SER's
Confidential Information, and SER hereby grants SERVICE PROVIDER the right to do
so in accordance with this Agreement.  Each Party will be entitled to all
remedies available at law or in equity to enforce or seek relief in connection
with this Section 17.  Each Party will cause its employees, contractors and
          ----------
other agents who have access to the Confidential Information of the other Party
in connection with this Agreement to comply with this Section 17.  The
                                                      ----------
provisions of this Section 17 will survive the termination or expiration of this
                   ----------
Agreement for any reason.

     (b)  This Agreement is Confidential Information of each Party.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

     (c)  Notwithstanding subsection (a) above, information is not Confidential
Information: (i) to the extent that the information is or becomes publicly
available through no fault of the Party which received the information from the
other Party; (ii) to the extent that the same information is rightfully in the
possession of a Party prior to receipt of that information from the other Party,
provided, however, that SER's information or data that is in SERVICE PROVIDER's
possession prior to the Closing Date or that is collected by SERVICE PROVIDER in
connection with the provision of the Services shall be confidential; (iii) to
the extent that the same information is independently developed (without the use
of the other Party's Confidential Information) by the Party which received that
information from the other Party; or (iv) to the extent that the same
information becomes available to a Party on a non-confidential basis from a
source other than the other Party, which source, to the knowledge of the
disclosing Party, is not prohibited from disclosing that information by a legal,
contractual or fiduciary obligation to the other Party.

     (d)  Notwithstanding subsection (a) above, a Party will not have violated
the terms of this Section 17 for disclosing Confidential Information:
                  ----------

          (i)   to that Party's Affiliates (including that Party's Affiliates'
     employees and agents), lenders, counsel or accountants which agree to
     comply with the requirements of this Section 17;
                                          ----------

          (ii)  to Third Parties performing services required under this
     Agreement where use of that Confidential Information by that Third Party
     is: (A) authorized under this Agreement; or (B) that disclosure is
     necessary or typically occurs in the natural course of the Third Party's
     duties; provided in each case the Third Party has executed a written
     confidentiality agreement under which the Third Party is obligated to
     maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information in a manner
     equivalent to this Agreement; or

          (iii) in order to comply with any applicable law, order, regulation or
     stock exchange rule, provided that as soon as is practicable and legally
     permitted, the Party will notify the other Party of the disclosure or
     possible disclosure under this subsection.

     18.  Date-Related Issues.  SERVICE PROVIDER assumes no responsibility or
          -------------------
obligation to cause any products, deliverables or Services provided by SERVICE
PROVIDER to accurately exchange date data with any other products, systems,
hardware, equipment, software, processes or other resources (including any
products, systems, hardware, equipment, software, processes or other resources
of SERVICE PROVIDER, SERVICE PROVIDER's affiliates, or third parties ("Other
Resources")) or to cause any Other Resources to accurately exchange date data
with products, deliverables or Services provided by SERVICE PROVIDER or SERVICE
PROVIDER's affiliates.  Any work by SERVICE PROVIDER related to the items
described in this Section 18 would be required to be covered by a Change Order
                  ----------
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  SERVICE PROVIDER shall be relieved of
its obligations under this Agreement (including the provision of Services) to
the extent any Other Resources are unable to correctly process or properly
exchange accurate date data.

     19.  Procedure.  The obligations and liabilities of the Parties with
          ---------
respect to all items indemnified against under this Agreement that are initiated
by a Third Party ( the "Third Party Claims"), shall be subject to the following
terms and conditions.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

     (a)  Upon notice of a Third Party Claim asserted against, resulting to,
imposed upon or incurred by any Person to be indemnified pursuant to this
Agreement (the "Indemnified Party"), or upon the Indemnified Party becoming
aware of a matter for which it may be entitled to indemnification with respect
to a Third Party, from a Party pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnified Party
shall promptly give written notice to the other Party (the "Indemnifying Party")
of the Third Party Claim or other indemnifiable matter; provided, however, that
                                                        --------  -------
no failure or delay on the part of the Indemnified Party in notifying any
Indemnifying Persons shall relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability or
obligation hereunder unless (and then solely to the extent) the Indemnifying
Party thereby is prejudiced by the delay.  Promptly upon receiving a written
notice of an indemnified Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall
undertake the defense thereof by counsel of its own choosing, which counsel
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party; provided, however,
                                                           --------  -------
that if, in the Indemnified Party's and the Indemnifying Party's reasonable
judgment, a conflict of interest may exist between the Indemnified Party and the
Indemnifying Party with respect to such Third Party Claim, or if the
Indemnifying Party does not promptly defend after notification of such Third
Party Claim, such Indemnified Party shall undertake the defense and to
compromise or settle such Third Party Claim on behalf of and for the account and
at the risk of the Indemnifying Party to the extent that the Indemnifying Party
is determined to be obligated to indemnify the Indemnified Party under this
Agreement with respect to such Third Party Claim.  The written notice of the
Third Party Claim by the Indemnified Party shall contain all material
information known to the Indemnified Party with respect to the Third Party Claim
and shall include copies of materials submitted to the Indemnified Party by the
relevant Third Party with respect to the Third Party Claim.  So long as the
Indemnifying Party is conducting the defense of a Third Party Claim in
accordance with this Section 19, the Indemnified Party may retain separate co-
                     ----------
counsel at its sole cost and expense and participate in the defense of the Third
Party Claim.

     (b)  If the Indemnifying Party elects to undertake and diligently pursue
the defense of a Third Party Claim hereunder, and acknowledges in writing its
duty to provide full indemnification to the Indemnified Party regarding such
Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall control all aspects of the
defense and settlement of such Third Party Claim and may settle, compromise or
enter into a judgment with respect to such Third Party Claim; provided, however,
                                                              --------  -------
that the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into any such settlement, compromise
or judgment without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which
shall not be unreasonably withheld) if it would result in the imposition of any
non-monetary liability or obligation on the Indemnified Party. If the
Indemnified Party undertakes the defense of a Third Party Claim hereunder, it
shall not settle, compromise or enter into any judgment with respect to a Third
Party Claim for which it is seeking or shall seek indemnification hereunder
without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld.

     (c)  The Indemnified Party shall provide the Indemnifying Party with access
to all reasonably requested records and documents of the Indemnified Party
relating to any Third Party Claim, other than documents for which the
Indemnified Party has claimed or shall validly claim a legal privilege.

     (d)  EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE
INDEMNIFYING PARTY TO INDEMNIFY THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT BE TERMINATED, MODIFIED OR ABATED IF THE CAUSE OR
ALLEGED CAUSE (IN WHOLE OR IN PART) OF THE DAMAGES FOR WHICH A CLAIM IS MADE
HEREUNDER IS THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, IMPUTED, TECHNICAL OR
OTHER NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR STRICT LIABILITY OF THE INDEMNIFIED
PARTY.

     20.   Arbitration.
           -----------

     (a)   Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, any dispute,
controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, whether based
on contract, tort, statute or other legal or equitable theory (including any
claim of fraud, misrepresentation or fraudulent inducement or any question of
validity or effect of this Agreement including this clause) or the breach or
termination thereof ("IT Controversy"), shall be settled by binding arbitration
in accordance with this Section 20.
                        ----------

     (i)   Any such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the ICC
           Rules in effect at the time of such proceeding, except as modified
           herein.

     (ii)  The appointing authority shall be the International Chamber of
           Commerce.

     (iii) The number of arbitrators shall be one.

     (iv)  The costs of any such arbitration shall be borne as the arbitrator
           shall direct and, in the absence of such direction, shall be borne
           equally by the Parties hereto (provided, however, that for these
                                          --------  -------
           purposes, SHELL and its Affiliates shall collectively constitute one
           "party", and SER and its Affiliates shall collectively constitute one
           "party"); provided, however, that if court proceedings to stay
                     --------  -------
           litigation or compel arbitration are necessary, the party who
           unsuccessfully opposes such proceedings shall pay all reasonable
           associated costs, expenses, attorney's fees in connection with such
           court proceeding. With respect to any IT Controversy submitted to
           arbitration pursuant to this Section 20, the arbitrator shall direct
                                        ----------
           that the enforcement costs of the prevailing party or parties be
           borne by the parties to the arbitration proceeding based on their
           respective relative liabilities as determined by the arbitrator.

     (v)   The place of the arbitration shall be Vancouver, British Columbia.

     (vi)  The language to be used in the arbitral proceedings shall be English.

     (vii) It is expressly agreed that notwithstanding any other provision in
           this Section 20 to the contrary, the arbitrator shall have absolutely
                ----------
           no authority to award (i) damages resulting from loss in value of
           assets or shares, or (ii) special, indirect and consequential damages
           or damages resulting from lost profits or exemplary, treble, remote,
           speculative or punitive damages of either SER or SERVICE PROVIDER,
           under any circumstances regardless of whether such damages may be
           available under the law of the State of New York, the law of any
           other State, or federal law, or under

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

            the ICC Rules; provided, however, that the exclusions contained in
                           --------  -------
            clauses (i) and (ii) above shall not apply to any such damages
            resulting from a liability to a Third Party.

     (viii) The arbitrator's decision shall be in writing and shall be as brief
            as possible and will include the basis for the arbitrator's
            decision. A record of the arbitration proceeding shall be kept.

     (ix)   If permitted by the arbitrator, taking into account the Parties'
            desire that any arbitration proceeding hereunder be reasonably
            expedited and efficient, and subject to the arbitrator and the
            parties to the arbitration entering into a mutually acceptable
            confidentiality agreement, the Parties shall have the right to
            conduct discovery; provided, that the scope of any such discovery
            shall be no greater than that allowed by the United States Federal
            Rules of Civil Procedure.

     (b)    The Parties recognize that certain IT Controversies to be submitted
to arbitration under this Section 20 may raise issues that relate to, or are
                          ----------
substantially the same as or connected with issues raised in certain disputes
that may arise under the Non-US IT Interim Services Agreement.  The Parties
further recognize that consolidation of such disputes into a single arbitral
proceeding may be desirable to avoid conflicting determinations.  Accordingly,
any party may request that any arbitrator appointed under this Agreement or the
Non-US IT Interim Services Agreement consolidate the IT Controversies arising
under this Agreement in a single arbitral proceeding in accordance with this
Section 20 with disputes arising under the Non-US IT Interim Services Agreement
----------
(each such consolidated proceeding, a "Multi-Party Proceeding"); provided, that
the arbitrator determines that (i) the disputes under this Agreement and the
Non-US IT Interim Services Agreement present significant common issues of law or
fact, (ii) no party to such consolidated arbitration would be unduly prejudiced
by such consolidation, and (iii) consolidation would not result in undue delay.

     In the event disputes under this Agreement and the Non-US IT Interim
Services Agreement are consolidated into a Multi-Party Proceeding, SERVICE
PROVIDER and SER shall terminate any arbitration either such party may have
initiated under this Section 20, the subject of which has been consolidated into
                     ----------
such Multi-Party Proceeding.  Any order of consolidation issued by an arbitral
tribunal hereunder shall be final and binding upon the parties, and each party
waives any right it may have to appeal or to seek interpretation, revision, or
annulment of such order under the ICC Rules as at presently in force, other
applicable rules of arbitration, or in any court.  The arbitrator may adopt such
rules of procedure as are necessary or appropriate to conduct a Multi-Party
Proceeding in the most expeditious and efficient manner.  Unless otherwise
agreed by the parties, the governing law specified in this Agreement and in the
Non-US IT Interim Services Agreement, respectively, shall continue to apply to
any dispute arising hereunder or thereunder notwithstanding that such dispute
has been consolidated into a Multi-Party Proceeding.

     (c)  Subject to Section 6(e) of this Agreement, any IT Controversy shall be
                     ------------
time-barred if the asserting party commences arbitration with respect to such
Claim later than four years after the cause of action accrues.  All statutes of
limitations and defenses based upon passage of time

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

applicable to any IT Controversy of a defending party (including any
counterclaim or setoff) shall be tolled as to such IT Controversy while the
arbitration is pending.

     (d)  All of the parties agree that the award of the arbitrator shall be
final and binding upon the Parties, and judgment for execution and enforcement
of any award may be entered by any court having jurisdiction over the party
against whom enforcement is sought.

     21.  APPLICABLE LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
          --------------
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY
OF THE CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.

     22.  Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications that
          -------
are required or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed given when delivered by hand or mailed by registered
mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or transmitted by telecopy with
verification of receipt as follows:

                    If to SER:

                    Shell Epoxy Resins LLC
                    1600 Smith Street
                    Suite 2400
                    Houston, Texas 77002
                    Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
                    and Chief Information Officer
                    Telecopy: (713) 241-3358

                    with a copy to:

                    O'Sullivan Graev & Karabell, LLP
                    30 Rockefeller Plaza
                    New York, New York 10112
                    Attention: John J. Suydam
                    Telecopy: (212) 728-5950

                    If to SHELL or SSI:

                    Shell Oil Company
                    910 Louisiana
                    Houston, Texas 77002
                    Attention: General Counsel
                    Telecopy: 713/241-5362

     or to such other address as any Party hereto shall have designated by
notice in writing to the other Parties hereto.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

     23.  Execution in Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or
          -------------------------
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same document.

     24.  Waivers.  The Parties to this Agreement may extend the time for the
          -------
performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other Parties hereto
and (b) waive compliance with any of the agreements contained herein. Any
agreement on the part of a Party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid
only if set forth in a written instrument signed on behalf of all of the
Parties.

     25.  Amendment.  This Agreement may be modified, supplemented or amended
          ---------
only by a written instrument executed by all Parties hereto.

     26.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement (together with the exhibits and
          ----------------
schedules) constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties hereto with respect
to their subject matter, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings
of the Parties hereto, oral and written, with respect to their subject matter.

     27.  Headings.  The headings contained in this Agreement are for the sole
          --------
purpose of convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect
the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this
Agreement.

     28.  Successors/Assigns. Except as set forth in this Agreement, no Party
          ------------------
hereto may transfer or assign, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or
otherwise, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the
prior written consent of the other Parties hereto, and any purported transfer or
assignment that does not comply with this Section 28 shall be null and void ab
                                          ----------
initio.  Each Party to this Agreement agrees to cause its successors and
permitted assigns  to agree in writing  to be bound by the terms of this
Agreement, provided, that nothing contained herein shall relieve any Party from
           --------
its obligations under this Agreement.

     29.  No Third-Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement shall not confer any
          ----------------------------
rights or remedies upon any Person other than the Parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.

     30.  Interpretation.  In construing this Agreement, no consideration shall
          --------------
be given to the fact or presumption that any Party had a greater or lesser hand
in drafting this Agreement.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
written above.

                                    SHELL OIL COMPANY

                                    By:    /s/ D.G. Naugle
                                       ------------------------------

                                    Title: Attorney-In-Fact
                                          ---------------------------

                                    SHELL EPOXY RESINS LLC

                                    By:    /s/ D.G. Naugle
                                       ------------------------------

                                    Title: Attorney-In-Fact
                                          ---------------------------

                                    SHELL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL INC.

                                    By:    /s/ C. Scott McPherson
                                       ------------------------------

                                    Title: Executive Vice President
                                          ---------------------------

 [Signature Page to Interim Agreement For Information Technology Services (Us
                                  Business)]

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