Document:

EXHIBIT 10.1

                    TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT dated as of March 18, 2004 (the
               "TMA" or "Agreement") among Ashland Inc., a Kentucky
               corporation ("Ashland"), ATB Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
               corporation ("HoldCo"), EXM LLC, a Kentucky limited liability
               company ("New Ashland LLC"), New EXM Inc., a Kentucky
               corporation ("New Ashland Inc."), Marathon Oil Company, an Ohio
               Company ("Marathon Company"), Marathon Oil Corporation, a
               Delaware corporation ("Marathon"), Marathon Domestic LLC, a
               Delaware limited liability company ("Merger Sub") and Marathon
               Ashland Petroleum LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
               owned by Marathon Company and Ashland ("MAP").

          WHEREAS, Ashland is the common parent of an affiliated group of
domestic corporations that has elected to file consolidated Federal income tax
returns.

          WHEREAS, Marathon is the common parent of an affiliated group of
domestic corporations that has elected to file consolidated Federal income tax
returns (the "Marathon Affiliated Group").

          WHEREAS, Ashland and Marathon Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Marathon, own all the limited liability company interests in MAP, which is
treated for Federal income tax purposes as a partnership.

          WHEREAS, Ashland and Marathon and certain of their respective
related parties have entered into the Master Agreement pursuant to which they
have agreed to engage in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Agreements and the Ancillary Agreements, as those terms are defined in the
Master Agreement (collectively, the "Transactions").

          WHEREAS, as part of the Transactions, HoldCo will become the common
parent of the Ashland Affiliated Group in a series of steps which are intended
to qualify as a reorganization described in Code Section 368(a)(1)(F) (the "F
Reorganization").

          WHEREAS, as part of the F Reorganization, Ashland will contribute
its Membership Interest and the Acquired Businesses to HoldCo and will merge
with and into New Ashland LLC, which will assume all obligations of Ashland,
including the obligations of Ashland under this TMA (the "F Reorganization
Merger").

          WHEREAS, as part of the Transactions, MAP will redeem a portion of
Ashland's interest in MAP in exchange for a distribution of cash and MAP
accounts receivable, as set forth in the Master Agreement (the "MAP Partial
Redemption").

          WHEREAS, as part of the Transactions, New Ashland LLC will merge
with and into New Ashland Inc., which will assume all obligations of New
Ashland LLC, including the obligations that New Ashland LLC assumed from
Ashland (the "Conversion Merger").

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          WHEREAS, as part of the Transactions, (i) HoldCo will distribute, to
the former holders of the stock of Ashland, all the stock of New Ashland Inc.
in a transaction intended to qualify as a distribution described in Code
Section 355 (the "Spinoff"), and (ii) HoldCo will merge with and into Merger
Sub in a transaction intended to qualify as a reorganization described in Code
Section 368(a)(1)(A) (the "Acquisition Merger") and as a result of such
merger, HoldCo will cease to exist.

          WHEREAS after the Acquisition Merger, Marathon may cause Merger Sub
to contribute all or a portion of the assets and liabilities that it acquired
in the Acquisition Merger to a newly formed corporation that is a
wholly-owned, direct subsidiary of Merger Sub.

          WHEREAS, immediately after the Spinoff, New Ashland Inc. will be the
common parent of an affiliated group of domestic corporations that elects to
file consolidated Federal income tax returns, which will not include HoldCo
(the "New Ashland Inc. Affiliated Group").

          WHEREAS the parties to this TMA wish to allocate and assign certain
Tax responsibilities, liabilities and benefits among themselves and to provide
for certain other Tax matters.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements contained in this TMA, the parties agree as follows:

                                  ARTICLE I

                                  Definitions

          As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meaning:

          "Acquired Businesses" means the "Maleic Business" and the "VIOC
Centers", as each such term is defined in the Master Agreement.

          "Acquisition Merger" has the meaning set forth in the ninth WHEREAS
clause of this TMA.

          "affiliate" has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Master
Agreement.

          "affiliated group" means an affiliated group of corporations within
the meaning of Code Section 1504(a) for the taxable period in question.

          "Alternative Ruling" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(b) of
this TMA.

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          "Ashland Affiliated Group" means the affiliated group of domestic
corporations that has elected to file consolidated Federal income tax returns
of which Ashland (and immediately after the F Reorganization, HoldCo) is the
common parent.

          "Ashland Group" means (i) the corporations that are members of the
Ashland Affiliated Group and (ii) the corporations that would be members of
the Ashland Affiliated Group but for the fact that they are not includible
corporations under Code Section 1504(b).

          "Ashland Asbestos Liabilities" means any obligation of Ashland or
any of its present or former subsidiaries (including but not limited to Riley
Stoker Inc.) relating to claims made at any time that are attributable to
allegations of exposure to asbestos on or before the Closing Date with respect
to Residual Business Operations, to the extent that New Ashland Inc. or any
member of the New Ashland Inc. Group is liable for such obligation after the
Closing Date.

          "Ashland Residual Operations Liabilities" means any obligation of
Ashland or any of its present or former subsidiaries that is attributable to
Residual Business Operations or to the HoldCo Businesses, including but not
limited to Ashland Asbestos Liabilities, Ashland Employee Liabilities and
Ashland Environmental Liabilities.

          "Ashland Employee Liabilities" means (i) any obligation of Ashland
or any of its present or former subsidiaries for any Employee Benefit
Obligation to be provided to or on behalf of present or former employees of
Ashland or any such subsidiaries for services that are attributable to
Residual Business Operations or to the HoldCo Businesses, in each case that
are performed on or before the Closing Date, to the extent that New Ashland
Inc. or any member of the New Ashland Inc. Group is liable for such obligation
after the Closing Date and (ii) any obligation pursuant to the exercise of any
Option by any current or former employees of HoldCo Businesses or Residual
Business Operations with respect to the capital stock of Ashland, HoldCo or
New Ashland Inc.

          "Ashland Environmental Liabilities" means any obligation of Ashland
or any of its present or former subsidiaries relating to claims made at any
time for environmental damages or remediation or similar expenses arising from
acts, omissions or conditions occurring or existing on or before the Closing
Date that are attributable to Residual Business Operations or to the HoldCo
Businesses, to the extent that New Ashland Inc. or any member of the New
Ashland Inc. Group is liable for such obligation after the Closing Date.

          "Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person, the occurrence
or existence of any of the following events or conditions: such Person (1) is
dissolved (other than the dissolution of a transferor in connection with a
transfer to a successor as contemplated by Section 10.14); (2) admits in
writing its inability generally to pay its debts; (3) makes a general
assignment for the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted
against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any

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similar relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law
affecting creditors' rights, or a petition is presented for its winding up or
liquidation and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or
presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of
insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for similar relief or the
making of an order for its winding up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed
or discharged within 60 days of the institution or filing thereof; (5) has a
resolution passed by its Board of Directors for its winding up or liquidation
(other than the winding up or liquidation of a transferor in connection with a
transfer to a successor as contemplated by Section 10.14); (6) consents to, or
becomes subject to an order or judgment providing for, the appointment of an
administrator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it
or for all or substantially all its assets and, in the case of an order or
judgment, such judgment or order is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or
restrained in each case within sixty (60) days of the entry or making thereof;
or (7) takes any action in furtherance of, or expressly indicates its consent
to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing.

          "Bankruptcy Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02(c) of
this TMA.

          "Bankruptcy Tax Claims" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02(c)
of this TMA.

          "Basket One Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.02(b)(i)
of this TMA.

          "Basket One Cap" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.02(b)(ii)(C)
of this TMA.

          "Basket One Cap Base Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.02(b)(ii)(C).

          "Basket One Cap Carryforward" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.02(b)(ii)(C) of this TMA.

          "Basket One Deductions" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.02(b)(ii)(B) of this TMA.

          "Basket One Tax Rate" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.02(b)(ii)(A) of this TMA.

          "Basket Two Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.02(c)(i)
of this TMA.

          "Basket Two Carryovers" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.02(c)(ii)(B) of this TMA.

          "Basket Two Deductions" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.02(c)(ii)(A) of this TMA.

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          "Closing" and Closing Date" have the meanings set forth in the
Master Agreement.

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

          "Conversion Merger" has the meaning set forth in the eighth WHEREAS
clause of this TMA.

          "Employee Benefit Obligation" means any obligation (whether current
or deferred) for any compensation, pension, severance payment, medical,
retirement or disability benefit, life insurance or any similar employee
benefit.

          "Escrow" means the escrow created under the Escrow Agreement.

          "Escrow Agreement" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02(a) of
this TMA.

          "Escrow Threshold" has the meaning set forth in Section
6.02(c)(i)(B) of this TMA.

          "Extraordinary Events" means (i) unforeseen funding requirements
resulting from damage to MAP properties by storm, fire, or similar
catastrophic events, or (ii) unforeseen expenditures that are mandated by law,
regulation or administrative ruling, in each case that are promulgated after
the Closing Date.

          "F Reorganization Merger" has the meaning set forth in the sixth
WHEREAS clause of this TMA.

          "Federal Tax Benefit Payments" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.02(a)(i) of this TMA.

          "Final Determination" means the final resolution of liability for
any Tax for any taxable period by or as a result of: (i) a final and
unappealable decision, judgment, decree or other order by any court of
competent jurisdiction; (ii) a final closing agreement or accepted offer in
compromise under Code Sections 7121 or 7122, or a comparable agreement under
the laws of any other jurisdiction, which resolves the entire Tax liability
for the entire taxable period; (iii) a duly executed IRS Form 870 or 870-AD
(or any successor forms thereto), on the date such form is effective, or by a
comparable form under the laws of other jurisdictions; except that a Form 870
or 870-AD or comparable form that reserves (whether by its terms or by
operation of law) the right of the taxpayer to file a claim for Refund and/or
the right of the Tax Authority to assert a further deficiency shall not
constitute a Final Determination with respect to the right so reserved; (iv)
any allowance of a Refund or credit in respect of an overpayment of such Tax,
but only after the expiration of all periods during which such Refund may be
recovered (including by way of offset) by the jurisdiction imposing such Tax;
(v) the execution of a closing agreement with respect to a pre-filing
agreement described in Rev. Proc. 2001-22, or (vi) any other final disposition
by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or by
mutual agreement of the parties hereto.

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          "Fully Funded" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02(c)(i)(A) of
this TMA.

          "HoldCo Businesses" means the Acquired Businesses and the JV
Interests.

          "Income Taxes" means any Taxes imposed on or determined by reference
to gross or net income or profits or any other measure of income or profits.

          "Independent Entity" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01 of
this TMA.

          "Inflation Factor" means the U.S. GDP Implicit Price Deflator, which
shall be applied annually to adjust prices to constant dollar amounts
beginning with the calendar year following the year of the Closing Date.

          "IRS" means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

          "JV Interests" means the "Membership Interest" and the "LOOP/LOCAP
Interests", as each such term is defined in the Master Agreement.

          "JV Entities" means the entities wholly or partially owned, directly
or indirectly, through the ownership of the JV Interests.

          "Master Agreement" means the Master Agreement dated as of the date
of this Agreement, among Ashland, HoldCo, New Ashland LLC, New Ashland Inc.,
Marathon, Marathon Company, Merger Sub and MAP.

          "Marathon Affiliated Group" has the meaning set forth in the second
WHEREAS clause of this TMA.

          "Marathon Group" means (i) the corporations that are members of the
Marathon Affiliated Group and (ii) the corporations that would be members of
the Marathon Affiliated Group but for the fact that they are not includible
corporations under Code Section 1504(b), including in both cases, beginning on
the day after the Closing Date, former members of the Ashland Group that
become members of the Marathon Group by reason of the Acquisition Merger.

          "Marathon Tax Matter" means any Tax Item arising from or related to
the ownership or operation of HoldCo or the HoldCo Businesses attributable to
a Post-Closing Period.

          "MAP LLC Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability
Company Agreement of MAP, dated as of December 31, 1998, as amended to the
date of this TMA.

          "Net Deduction Method" means, with respect to Specified Liability
Deductions, the deduction of such amounts as they are accrued and recognized
under the accrual method of accounting, net of actual and anticipated
insurance recoveries

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determined under the accrual method of accounting, in each case applied
consistently from year to year.

          "New Ashland Inc. Affiliated Group" has the meaning set forth in the
eleventh WHEREAS clause of this TMA.

          "New Ashland Inc. Group" means (i) the corporations that are members
of the New Ashland Inc. Affiliated Group and (ii) the corporations that would
be members of the New Ashland Inc. Affiliated Group but for the fact that they
are not includible corporations under Code Section 1504(b).

          "New Ashland Inc. Tax Matter" means any Tax Item (i) arising during
a Pre-Closing Period or (ii) from or related to a Post-Closing Period that is
not a Marathon Tax Matter.

          "Non-Bankruptcy Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02(c)
of this TMA.

          "Non-Federal Tax Benefit Payment" has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.02(a)(i) of this TMA.

          "Option" means any compensatory stock option, stock appreciation
right, restricted stock or similar instrument.

          "Other Taxes" means any Taxes other than Income Taxes.

          "Pass-Though Items" mean any Tax Items that are passed through to,
and reportable on the Tax Returns of, one or more of the owners of MAP or any
other JV Entity and that could result in an increase or decrease in any such
owner's liability for Taxes.

          "Post-Closing Period" means any taxable period, and in the case of a
Straddle Period the portion of any such period, beginning after the Closing
Date.

          "Pre-Closing Period" means the Pre-Closing Taxable Periods, and the
portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date.

          "Pre-Closing Taxable Period" means any taxable period ending on or
before the Closing Date.

          "Refund" means any refund of Taxes, including any reductions of
Taxes paid or payable by means of credits, offsets or otherwise.

          "Residual Business Operations" means former business operations of
Ashland or any current or former member of the Ashland Group, in each case
determined as of the date of this Agreement, that will not be transferred or
deemed to be transferred to New Ashland Inc. pursuant to the Conversion
Merger.

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          "Section 355(e) Taxes" means any Taxes, arising in any taxable
period, resulting from the application of Code Section 355(e) to the Spinoff.

          "Specified Liability Deductions" means the amount, in any taxable
period, allowable as deductible expenses for Federal income tax purposes in
respect of Ashland Residual Operations Liabilities (after applying the
applicable limitations, if any, under Code Sections 382 and 384 and Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-15).

          "Spinoff" has the meaning set forth in the ninth WHEREAS clause of
this TMA.

          "Straddle Period" means any taxable period that includes, but does
not end on, the Closing Date.

          "subsidiary" has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Master
Agreement.

          "Tax" or "Taxes" means all forms of taxation imposed by any federal,
state, local or foreign jurisdiction (including any subdivision and any
revenue agency of such a jurisdiction), including without limitation net
income, gross income, alternative minimum, sales, use, ad valorem, gross
receipts, value added, franchise, license, transfer, withholding, payroll,
employment, excise, severance, stamp, property, custom duty, taxes or
governmental charges, together with any related interest, penalties or other
additional amounts imposed by any federal, state, local or foreign
jurisdiction (including any subdivision and any revenue agency of such a
jurisdiction), and including all liability for or in respect of any of the
foregoing as a result of being a member of a consolidated or similar group or
a partner in an entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity
for Tax purposes or as a result of any tax sharing or similar contractual
agreement.

          "Tax Authority" means any federal, state, local or foreign
jurisdiction (including any subdivision and any revenue agency of such a
jurisdiction) imposing Taxes and the agency, if any, charged with the
collection of such Taxes for such authority.

          "Tax Benefit" means any item of loss, deduction, credit, or any
other Tax Item that decreases Taxes paid or payable.

          "Tax Benefit Payments" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.02(a)(i) of this TMA.

          "Tax Certificate" means any letter or certificate that is referred
to in, and forms a basis for, a Tax Opinion.

          "Tax Claim" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02(a)(i) of this
TMA.

          "Tax Detriment" means any item of income, gain, recapture of credit
or any other Tax Item that increases Taxes paid or payable, or any reduction
in or limitation

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of, any Tax Item due to the application of Code Sections 382, 384 or Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-15.

          "Tax Item" means any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit,
recapture of credit, or other similar item, that may have the effect of
increasing or decreasing any Tax paid or payable, including any adjustment to
tax basis or any adjustment under Code Section 481.

          "Tax Loss" means the increase in Tax paid or payable to the relevant
Tax Authority (or, without duplication, the reduction in any Refund)
attributable to a Tax Detriment.

          "Tax Opinion" means the opinions of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and
Miller & Chevalier Chartered concerning certain Federal income tax issues
related to the Transactions to be delivered to Ashland and Marathon,
respectively, pursuant to Section 10.01(f) of the Master Agreement.

          "Tax Return" means any return, filing, questionnaire, information
statement, or other document required to be filed, including amended returns
that may be filed for any period or portion thereof with any Tax Authority in
connection with any Tax (whether or not a payment is required to be made with
respect to such filing).

          "Tax Ruling" means the IRS private letter ruling received in
response to the Tax Ruling Request.

          "Tax Ruling Request" means the private letter ruling request that
will be filed with the IRS by Ashland and Marathon with respect to the
Transactions, together with all exhibits, appendices, and supplements to that
filing.

          "Tax Savings" means the decrease in Tax paid or payable to the
relevant Tax Authority (or, without duplication, the increase in any Refund)
attributable to a Tax Benefit.

          "Tax Structure" means the manner, order or form in which the
Transactions (currently as contemplated or as amended prior to the Closing)
are effected pursuant to the Master Agreement or any Transaction Agreement.

          "Transactions" has the meaning set forth in the fourth WHEREAS
clause of this TMA.

          "Transaction Taxes" means Taxes, other than Transfer Taxes, of any
member of the Ashland Group for any Pre-Closing Period or the New Ashland Inc.
Group or the Marathon Group for any taxable period resulting from, or arising
in connection with any portion of the Transactions; for the avoidance of
doubt, Transaction Taxes includes Section 355(e) Taxes.

          "Transfer Taxes" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03 of this
TMA.

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          "Valvoline" means the active trade or business conducted by the
business division of Ashland (and immediately following the Transactions, of
New Ashland Inc.) of the same name.

          All capitalized terms used but not defined in this TMA shall have
the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Master Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE II

                          Indemnification for Taxes

          SECTION 2.01. General. (a) Indemnification by New Ashland Inc.
Except as otherwise provided in Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05 and Articles V and
VI of this TMA, New Ashland Inc. and each member of the New Ashland Inc. Group
shall be liable for, shall indemnify each member of the Marathon Group
against, and shall be entitled to all Refunds of, less reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with such Refund, (i)
all Taxes for all Pre-Closing Periods of each member of the Ashland Group and
the Acquired Businesses; (ii) all Taxes for all Post-Closing Periods that are
imposed on or collected from any member of the Marathon Affiliated Group as a
transferee of or successor to HoldCo, pursuant to any law, rule or regulation,
imposed on taxable income or gain that is attributable, in whole or in part,
to events or transactions that occur on or before the Closing Date but that is
recognized for tax purposes in a Post-Closing Period as a result of the
installment method of accounting, completed contract method of accounting, the
long-term contract method of accounting, the recapture of a dual consolidated
loss, Section 481 of the Code (other than any such Taxes imposed by reason of
a change in accounting method by HoldCo or a successor to HoldCo made or
applied for by Marathon or a Member of the Marathon Group after the Closing
Date, unless such change was contemplated by this TMA, or made or applied for
by New Ashland Inc. or a member of the New Ashland Inc. Group, or made by
Marathon with New Ashland Inc.'s consent, or required as a condition of the
Transactions by the Tax Ruling or otherwise), or other provisions of Federal,
state, local or foreign tax law that have a similar effect and all Taxes
attributable to the adoption by HoldCo of the Net Deduction Method with
respect to Specified Liability Deductions; (iii) all Taxes for all taxable
periods of each member of the New Ashland Inc. Group; (iv) all Taxes imposed
on any member of the Marathon Group with respect to insurance recoveries
received by any member of the New Ashland Inc. Group that are attributable to
Residual Business Operations; (v) all Taxes for which any current or former
member of the Ashland Group or the New Ashland Inc. Group is liable under
Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any analogous provision of state,
local or foreign law); (vi) all Taxes payable by Ashland or HoldCo that are
attributable to Pass-Through Items of MAP or any other JV Entity with respect
to any Pre-Closing Period; (vii) all Transaction Taxes; and (viii) all Tax
Losses of any member of the Marathon Group resulting from the failure by any
member of the Ashland Group or the New Ashland Inc. Group, as the case may be,
to use a consistent position as described in the last sentence of Section 3.04
of this TMA.

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          (b) Indemnification by Marathon. Except as otherwise provided in
Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05 and Articles V and VI of this TMA, Marathon and each
member of the Marathon Group shall be liable for, and shall indemnify each
member of the New Ashland Inc. Group against, and shall be entitled to all
Refunds of, less reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in
connection with such Refund, (i) all Taxes for all taxable periods of each
member of the Marathon Group, other than as a successor to or transferee of a
former member of the Ashland Affiliated Group by reason of the Acquisition
Merger, and (ii) all Taxes for all taxable periods that are imposed on and
payable by MAP or any JV Entities.

          SECTION 2.02. Apportionment of Items for Straddle Periods. (a)
Taxes. Taxes and Refunds of any entity or with respect to the Acquired
Businesses for any Straddle Period shall be apportioned between the
Pre-Closing Period and the Post-Closing Period on the basis of a "closing of
the books" as of the end of the Closing Date, provided that Other Taxes that
are not based on revenues, sales or a similar measure shall be apportioned
between the Pre-Closing Period and the Post-Closing Period based on the number
of days of the relevant taxable period that are in the Pre-Closing Period and
the Post-Closing Period respectively.

          (b) Apportionment of Pass-Through Items of MAP and certain other JV
Entities. For purposes of determining the Taxes payable by the owner of a JV
Interest in MAP or any other JV Entity that is treated for purposes of the
relevant Tax as a pass-through entity, the Pass-Through Items for any Straddle
Period of such JV Entity shall be apportioned between the Pre-Closing Period
and the Post-Closing Period on the basis of a "closing of the books" as of the
end of the Closing Date in accordance with Code Section 706(c)(2)(A) and
Treasury Regulation Section 1.706-1(c)(2)(i) (or corresponding principles of
state, local or foreign laws, rules or regulations); provided that Other Taxes
of MAP or such JV Entity that are not based on revenues, sales or a similar
measure shall be apportioned between the Pre-Closing and the Post-Closing
Period based on the number of days of the relevant taxable period that are in
the Pre-Closing Period and the Post-Closing Period respectively.

          SECTION 2.03. Transfer Taxes. New Ashland Inc. shall be liable for,
shall indemnify each member of the Marathon Group against, and shall be
entitled to retain all Refunds of, less reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses incurred in connection with such Refund, all transfer, documentary,
sales, use, registration and similar Taxes and related fees incurred in
connection with the Transactions (collectively "Transfer Taxes"). New Ashland
Inc., with Marathon's cooperation, shall timely prepare and file all Tax
Returns relating to Transfer Taxes as may be required to comply with the
provisions of such Tax laws.

          SECTION 2.04. Certain Transaction Taxes. Marathon shall be liable
for, shall indemnify each member of the New Ashland Inc. Group against, and
shall be entitled to retain all Refunds of, less reasonable out-of-pocket
costs and expenses incurred in connection with such Refund, any Transaction
Taxes to the extent that such Taxes are primarily attributable to:

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          (a) any inaccurate, written representation or warranty of fact or
     intent specifically made by, or specifically attributed to, any member of
     the Marathon Group (other than HoldCo) in the Tax Ruling Request, the Tax
     Ruling or a Tax Certificate and that is specified on Schedule 2.04
     attached hereto (as amended from time to time by the unanimous agreement
     of Marathon and Ashland).

          (b) any breach by any member of the Marathon Group of a covenant in
     Section 7.03(b) of this TMA,

unless such Transaction Taxes would have been imposed without regard to such
inaccuracy or breach.

          SECTION 2.05. Gain Recognition Agreement Taxes. Each member of the
New Ashland Inc. Group shall comply with the terms of any Section 367 "gain
recognition agreement" executed by a member of the Ashland Group during a
Pre-Closing Period, including, without limitation, by including the gain, if
any, required to be recognized pursuant to the terms of any such agreement (or
by virtue of the application of any provision of Treasury Regulation Section
1.367(a)-8) and the payment of any Tax that is required to be paid pursuant to
Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(a)-8(b)(3). If a Tax Authority determines
that any member of the Ashland Group or the New Ashland Inc. Group has failed
to comply with the terms of any such agreement or any provision of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.367(a)-8, the New Ashland Inc. Group shall be liable for
any resulting liability for Taxes and each member of the New Ashland Inc.
Group shall indemnify each member of the Marathon Group against any such Tax
liability.

                                 ARTICLE III

                     Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns

          SECTION 3.01. Preparation and Filing of Original Tax Returns. (a)
Ashland (before the F Reorganization Merger), and New Ashland Inc. LLC and New
Ashland Inc. (after the F Reorganization Merger), shall prepare and file, or
cause to be prepared and filed, all Tax Returns (i) of each member of the
Ashland Group (including any Tax Returns related to the Acquired Businesses)
for all Pre-Closing Periods, (ii) of each member of the New Ashland Inc. Group
for all taxable periods and (iii) that it is required to file pursuant to
Section 3.02. Ashland and New Ashland Inc., as the case may be, shall timely
pay all Taxes with respect to such Tax Returns.

          (b) On or before the first date following the Closing Date on which
the Ashland Group or the New Ashland Inc. Group is required to make a payment
of actual or estimated Federal income tax for the taxable year in which the
Closing Date occurs or the succeeding taxable year, New Ashland Inc. shall
make, or cause to be made, a payment of actual or estimated Federal income tax
that includes an amount equal to the estimated liability for Section 355(e)
Taxes. At least 20 days prior to making such payment, New Ashland Inc. shall
prepare and deliver to Marathon a schedule setting forth New Ashland Inc.'s
calculation of the estimated amount of the Section 355(e)

<PAGE>

                                                                            13

Taxes. If Marathon, within 10 business days after delivery of any such
schedule, notifies New Ashland Inc. in writing that it objects to the
calculations, which notice shall specify in reasonable detail the basis for
the dispute, both parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve the dispute
and, if they are unable to do so, the disputed items shall be resolved within
a reasonable time by a mutually acceptable certified public accounting firm.
New Ashland Inc.'s calculation of its actual or estimated Federal income tax
payment under this Section 3.01(b) shall take into account the resolution of
the disputed items.

          (c) Marathon shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and
filed, all Tax Returns (i) of former members of the Ashland Group and
successors thereof that become members of the Marathon Group by reason of the
Acquisition Merger for all Post-Closing Periods, (ii) of each other member of
the Marathon Group for all taxable periods, and (iii) that it is required to
prepare and file pursuant to Section 3.02. Marathon shall timely pay all Taxes
with respect to such Tax Returns.

          (d) MAP shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed,
all Tax Returns of MAP and its subsidiaries for any Pre-Closing Period and any
Straddle Period, and such Tax Returns shall be prepared and filed in a manner
consistent with past practice and in accordance with the MAP LLC Agreement as
in effect immediately prior to the Closing.

          SECTION 3.02. Straddle Period Tax Returns. (a) Following the Closing
Date, Marathon and New Ashland Inc. shall meet and prepare a written schedule
that allocates the responsibility for preparing and filing Straddle Period Tax
Returns in each jurisdiction of former members of the Ashland Group and
successors thereof that become members of the Marathon Group by reason of the
Acquisition Merger. If the parties are unable to agree, the party with the
most substantial presence in the jurisdiction, taking into account their
respective assets or businesses, shall have preparation and filing
responsibility. If Marathon and New Ashland Inc. are not able to agree upon
the party with the most substantial presence in a jurisdiction within 60 days
after the Closing Date, the preparation and filing responsibility for the
disputed jurisdictions shall be determined by a mutually acceptable certified
public accounting firm. The filing party shall timely pay all Taxes with
respect to such Straddle Period Tax Returns.

          (b) For each Straddle Period Tax Return described in Section 3.01(a)
of this TMA that includes any Marathon Tax Matter, Marathon shall promptly
prepare and provide to New Ashland Inc. any information or documentation
reasonably requested by New Ashland Inc. to facilitate the preparation and
filing of such Tax Return. For each Straddle Period Tax Return described in
Section 3.01(c) of this TMA that includes any New Ashland Inc. Tax Matter, New
Ashland Inc. shall promptly prepare and provide to Marathon any information or
documentation reasonably requested by Marathon to facilitate the preparation
and filing of such Tax Return.

          (c) All Straddle Period Tax Returns shall be submitted to the other
party not later than 30 days prior to the due date, including extensions, for
the filing of such Tax Returns (or if such due date is within 45 days
following the Closing Date, as promptly as practicable following the Closing
Date). Such other party shall have

<PAGE>

                                                                            14

the right to review such Tax Returns and to review all workpapers and
procedures used to prepare any such Tax Return. If the nonfiling party, within
10 business days after delivery of any such Tax Return, notifies the filing
party in writing that it objects to any of the Tax Items in such Tax Return,
both parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve the dispute and, if they
are unable to do so, the disputed items shall be resolved within a reasonable
time, taking into account the deadline for filing such Tax Return, by a
mutually acceptable certified public accounting firm. Upon resolution of all
such Tax Items, the filing party shall file the relevant Straddle Period Tax
Return on that basis. The accounting firm shall treat all Tax Returns of the
parties as confidential, and shall not reveal any information contained in, or
any part of, the Tax Returns of one party to the other without prior written
consent. The costs, fees, and expenses of such certified public accounting
firm shall be borne equally by Marathon and New Ashland Inc.

          (d) Marathon and New Ashland Inc., as the case may be, shall provide
the other party with a calculation and determination of the amount of the
Straddle Period Taxes that are included in any returns filed by the other
party under Sections 3.01(a) and 3.01(c) of this TMA. In the absence of a
Final Determination, all such determinations shall be prepared in a manner
consistent with past practice. If either party disputes such a determination,
it may make a written request that the other party obtain written confirmation
from a mutually acceptable certified public accounting firm that the
determination is consistent with the preceding sentence. If the accounting
firm issues a confirmation, then such determination shall be binding upon the
parties. If the accounting firm does not issue a confirmation, then the
determination in the returns shall be amended to permit a confirmation to be
issued by the accounting firm in respect of the amended determination. If a
dispute is not resolved prior to the due date of a Tax Return, the Tax Return
shall be filed in accordance with the determination made by the filing party,
and both parties hereby agree to file or cause to be filed an amended Tax
Return, if necessary, reflecting the resolution of the issue by the accounting
firm. The accounting firm shall treat all Tax Returns of the parties as
confidential, and shall not reveal any information contained in, or any part
of, the Tax Returns of one party to the other without prior written consent.
The costs, fees, and expenses of such certified public accounting firm shall
be borne equally by Marathon and New Ashland Inc.

          SECTION 3.03. Amended Tax Returns. (a) New Ashland Inc. shall be
entitled to amend any Tax Return described in Section 3.01(a) of this TMA;
provided that, to the extent that such an amendment with respect to a Straddle
Period Tax Return adversely affects any Marathon Tax Matter or would result in
a Tax Detriment to Marathon, such amendment may not be made without the prior
written consent of Marathon, which may not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed. New Ashland Inc. may request that Marathon amend any Straddle Period
Tax Return described in Section 3.01(c) of this TMA that Marathon is obligated
to file, but only to the extent that such amendment affects a New Ashland Inc.
Tax Matter; provided that such an amendment shall be filed only with the prior
written consent of Marathon, which may not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed.

          (b) Marathon shall be entitled to amend any Tax Return described in
Section 3.01(c) of this TMA; provided that, to the extent that such an
amendment with

<PAGE>

                                                                            15

respect to a Straddle Period Tax Return adversely affects any New Ashland Inc.
Tax Matter or would result in a Tax Detriment to New Ashland Inc., such
amendment may not be made without the prior written consent of New Ashland
Inc., which may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Marathon may request
that New Ashland Inc. amend any Straddle Period Tax Return described in
Section 3.01(a) of this TMA, but only to the extent that such amendment
affects a Marathon Tax Matter or a Tax Item that could result in a Tax
Detriment to Marathon; provided that such an amendment shall be filed only
with the prior written consent of New Ashland Inc., which may not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed.

          (c) MAP shall not, and Marathon shall not permit MAP to, amend any
Tax Return of MAP or any of its subsidiaries for any Pre-Closing Period or any
Straddle Period if such amendment would result in a Tax Detriment to New
Ashland Inc. without the prior written consent of New Ashland Inc., which may
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

          (d) In the event that a party refuses to consent to an amendment to
a Tax Return to which such consent is required pursuant to this Section 3.03
and the parties are unable to resolve their disagreements after good faith
attempts to do so, the parties shall engage a mutually acceptable certified
public accounting firm to estimate the present value of the realizable Tax
Savings of the amendment to the party proposing such amendment and the present
value of the realizable Tax Loss of the amendment to the party withholding its
consent to such amendment. If the accounting firm determines that the present
value of such estimated Tax Savings exceeds the present value of such
estimated Tax Loss, the party proposing such amendment shall be entitled to so
amend the applicable Tax Return, provided that such party agrees to pay to the
party withholding its consent an amount equal to the present value of any such
Tax Loss. The accounting firm shall treat all Tax Returns of the parties as
confidential, and shall not reveal any information contained in, or any part
of, the Tax Returns of one party to the other without prior written consent.
The fees and expenses of the accounting firm shall be borne by the party
proposing such amendment.

          SECTION 3.04. Manner of Preparation and Filing. All Tax Returns, and
amendments thereto, described in this Article III shall be filed on a timely
basis by the party responsible for filing such Tax Returns under this
Agreement. Except as provided in this Section 3.04, Section 5.01(b) and
Section 7.03, and except as otherwise required by a Final Determination, all
Tax Returns, and amendments thereto, shall be prepared and filed in a manner
consistent with the provisions of this TMA, the Tax Ruling Request, the Tax
Ruling, and the Tax Opinion. If any Tax Return of a member of the Ashland
Group or the New Ashland Inc. Group (including any Tax Return related to the
Acquired Businesses) for any Pre-Closing Period or any Straddle Period is
prepared and filed in a manner inconsistent with the elections (other than
elections relating to carrybacks and carryforwards described in Section 4.01),
accounting methods, conventions and principles of taxation used for the most
recent taxable period of members of the Ashland Group or New Ashland Inc.
Group, as the case may be, for which Tax Returns involving similar Tax Items
have been filed, New Ashland Inc. and each member of the New Ashland Inc.
Group shall indemnify each member of the Marathon Group against all Tax

<PAGE>

                                                                            16

Detriments and reductions in Tax Benefits that result from the failure to use
a consistent position as provided in Section 2.01(a) of this TMA and shall pay
to Marathon the amount of any resulting Tax Loss within 30 days of the date of
that such Tax Loss is considered to arise under the principles of Section
4.01(c) below.

          SECTION 3.05. Agent for Filing Tax Returns. (a) Subject to Section
8.02(c), Marathon, Ashland and HoldCo each hereby designates New Ashland Inc.
as its agent to take any and all actions necessary or incidental to the
preparation and filing by New Ashland Inc. of any Tax Return described in
Section 3.01(a). In addition, Ashland and HoldCo agree that they shall
designate 565 Corporation as the "substitute agent" (as such term is used in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-77(d)) for the Ashland Affiliated Group.
Marathon shall take any and all actions necessary or incidental to obtain the
approval of such designation by the IRS.

          (b) Marathon shall be the "Tax Matters Partner" (as defined under
Code Section 6231(a)(7)) of MAP for all Pre-Closing Periods and all
Post-Closing Periods and shall manage the audits of MAP conducted by the IRS
or any other Tax Authority.

          SECTION 3.06. Payments And Refunds. (a) To the extent that Marathon
is responsible for filing Straddle Period or other Tax Returns that include
Taxes for which New Ashland Inc. has indemnified Marathon, New Ashland Inc.
shall pay to Marathon the amount of any such Taxes two days prior to the due
date of the Tax Return. To the extent that New Ashland Inc. is responsible for
filing Straddle Period or other Tax Returns that include Taxes for which
Marathon has indemnified New Ashland Inc., Marathon shall pay to New Ashland
Inc. the amount of any such Taxes two days prior to the due date of such Tax
Return.

          (b) At any time, either party in its sole discretion may make a
payment to a Tax Authority with respect to Straddle Period Tax Return to stop
the running of interest in whole or in part. The paying party shall provide
the other party with a calculation and determination of the amount of
non-paying party's share of such payment and the non-paying party shall pay
such amount to the paying party within two days after receipt of such notice.

          (c) To the extent that Marathon receives a Refund of Taxes for which
New Ashland Inc. has indemnified Marathon, Marathon shall pay to New Ashland
Inc. the amount of such Refund (including any interest received by Marathon)
within ten days. To the extent that New Ashland Inc. receives a Refund of
Taxes for which Marathon has indemnified New Ashland Inc., New Ashland Inc.
shall pay to Marathon the amount of such Refund (including any interest
received by New Ashland Inc.) within ten days.

                                  ARTICLE IV

                      Certain Tax Items and Tax Positions

          SECTION 4.01. Carrybacks and Carryforwards. (a) To the extent
permissible by the applicable Tax law, Marathon shall cause each member of the

<PAGE>

                                                                            17

Marathon Group (including former members of the Ashland Group) not to
carryback any Tax Item attributable to a Post-Closing Tax Period to a
Pre-Closing Tax Period of a member of the Ashland Group or of the New Ashland
Inc. Group. To the extent that Marathon is not permitted by applicable law to
forgo such carryback and requests that New Ashland Inc. obtain a Refund of Tax
with respect to such carryback, then New Ashland Inc. shall take all
reasonable measures to obtain a Refund with respect to the carryback
(including by filing an amended return) and shall pay to Marathon the Tax
Savings realized by any member of the New Ashland Inc. Group by reason of such
carryback, including any interest received thereon (provided, further, that
the out-of-pocket costs associated with claiming any such carryback shall be
borne by Marathon). To the extent that a carryback of a Tax Item attributable
to a Post-Closing Tax Period to a Pre-Closing Tax Period of a member of the
New Ashland Inc. Group (including a former member of the Ashland Group)
results in a Tax Detriment to any member of the New Ashland Inc. Group (or
former member of the Ashland Group), Marathon shall pay to New Ashland Inc.
the Tax Loss realized by the New Ashland Inc. Group by reason of such
carryback.

          (b) To the extent permissible by the applicable Tax law, with
respect to any Tax Item attributable to a Pre-Closing Tax Period that may be
carried forward to a Post-Closing Tax Period of a member of the Marathon Group
(including a former member of the Ashland Group), New Ashland Inc. shall cause
each member of the New Ashland Inc. Group or of the Ashland Group to carry
back any such Tax Item and not to carry forward any such Tax Item to such a
Post-Closing Tax Period of a member of the Marathon Group (including a former
member of the Ashland Group). To the extent that New Ashland Inc. is not
permitted by applicable law to carry back such Tax Item or to forgo such carry
forward of such Tax Item and requests that Marathon obtain a Refund, reduction
or offset of Tax with respect to such carry forward, then Marathon shall take
all reasonable measures to obtain such a Refund, reduction or offset with
respect to the carry forward (including by filing an amended return) and shall
pay to New Ashland Inc. the Tax Savings realized by any member of the Marathon
Group by reason of such carry forward, including any interest received thereon
(provided, further, that the out-of-pocket costs associated with claiming any
such carryforward shall be borne by New Ashland Inc.). To the extent that a
carry forward of a Tax Item, including without limitation, a foreign oil
extraction loss as defined in Code Section 907(c), attributable to a
Pre-Closing Tax Period to a Post-Closing Tax Period of a member of the
Marathon Group (including a former member of the Ashland Group) results in a
Tax Detriment to any member of the Marathon Group, New Ashland Inc. shall pay
to Marathon the Tax Loss realized by the Marathon Group by reason of such
carry forward.

          (c) A party shall be considered to realize a Tax Savings with
respect to a Tax Benefit, or a Tax Loss with respect to a Tax Detriment, to
the extent, and only to the extent, that the amount of Taxes it is actually
required to pay to the applicable Tax Authority for a taxable period is
-decreased or increased (respectively) from the amount of Taxes it would have
actually been required to pay to such Tax Authority for such taxable period in
the absence of such Tax Benefit or Tax Detriment. Such Tax Savings or Tax Loss
shall be considered to arise at the time that such party's decreased or
increased payment (respectively) for such taxable period is first due or
otherwise actually realized

<PAGE>

                                                                            18

as a change in the amount of Tax or Refund, reductions or credit of Tax then
due and payable. If any party is considered under subsection (a) or (b) of
this Section 4.01 to realize a Tax Savings for which it is required to make a
payment, or Tax Loss with respect to which the other party is required to make
a payment, the party required to make such payment shall make such payment
within 30 days of the date such Tax Savings or Tax Loss is considered to
arise.

          (d) For purposes of this Section 4.01, a Tax Item is deemed to be
attributable to the taxable period in which it first accrued or was otherwise
taken into account for Tax purposes. For the avoidance of doubt, a net
operating loss, foreign tax credit or similar Tax Item is deemed to be
attributable to the taxable period in which the loss, foreign tax or
equivalent event giving rise to such Tax Item first accrued or was otherwise
taken into account for Tax purposes.

          SECTION 4.02. Special Allocation of Certain Deductions. Ashland and
Marathon Company shall execute and deliver an amendment to the MAP LLC
Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, that shall specially
allocate to Marathon Company any Pass-Through Items that would be allocable to
New Ashland Inc. in the absence of such amendment and that are attributable to
a payment that is (1) described in Section 12.01(d)(vii) of the Master
Agreement, which results in a special non-pro rata distribution to Ashland, or
(2) made with respect to the St. Paul Park QQQ Project or the Plains
Settlement (as both are described in Section 9.09 of the Master Agreement). If
any such payment produces a Tax Benefit for any member of the New Ashland Inc.
Group, then New Ashland Inc. shall pay to Marathon the amount of any resulting
Tax Savings actually realized by such member of the New Ashland Inc. Group
within 30 days of the date that such Tax Savings is realized. Such Tax Savings
shall be considered to be realized by a member of the New Ashland Inc. Group
or the Marathon Group, as the case may be, pursuant to the principles of
Section 4.01(c) above.

          SECTION 4.03. Increase in Tax Basis of Certain MAP Deductions for
Post-Closing Payments. If as a result of a Final Determination with respect to
whether certain refinery assets contributed by Ashland to MAP are considered
to be asset class 13.3 (Petroleum Refining) or 28.0 (Manufacture of Chemicals
and Allied Products), New Ashland Inc. pays any additional Tax with respect to
a Pre-Closing Tax Period, and such Final Determination results in the increase
in the adjusted Tax basis as of the date of such contribution of any asset or
property of MAP that was contributed by Ashland to MAP, Marathon shall cause
MAP to take depreciation deductions with respect to such additional Tax basis
to the maximum extent allowed, and as promptly as permitted, by applicable
law, which shall include Marathon causing MAP to amend any relevant Tax Return
of MAP. Marathon shall pay to New Ashland Inc. the amount of any Tax Savings
realized by a member of the Marathon Group as a result of the use of such
additional Tax basis within 30 days of the date that such Tax Savings is
realized under the principles of Section 4.01(c) above.

<PAGE>

                                                                            19

                                  ARTICLE V

                        Specified Liability Deductions

          SECTION 5.01. Deduction of Specified Liability Deductions. (a)
Request for Tax Ruling. The parties will request the IRS to issue a private
letter ruling holding that New Ashland Inc. is entitled to claim the Specified
Liability Deductions. If the IRS issues such a private letter ruling, the
Specified Liability Deductions shall be claimed by New Ashland Inc. on the New
Ashland Inc. Affiliated Group's consolidated Federal income tax return and not
by Marathon or any member of the Marathon Group.

          (b) Request for Alternative IRS Ruling. If the IRS is unwilling to
issue the ruling described in Section 5.01(a) above, the parties will request
the IRS to issue a private letter ruling holding that HoldCo (which shall
include for purposes of this Article V Marathon or any member of the Marathon
Affiliated Group that is the "acquiring corporation" of HoldCo in the
Acquisition Merger within the meaning of Code Section 381(a)) is entitled to
claim the Specified Liability Deductions under the Net Deduction Method and
that the use of the Specified Liability Deductions by HoldCo is not limited
under Code Sections 382, 384 or Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-15 (the
"Alternative Ruling"). If the IRS issues the Alternative Ruling, the Specified
Liability Deductions shall be claimed by HoldCo on the Marathon Affiliated
Group's consolidated Federal income tax return for each taxable period in
which the Alternative Ruling is in effect and not by New Ashland Inc. or any
member of the New Ashland Inc. Group, except as otherwise provided in Section
5.01(c) below. The amount of the Specified Liability Deductions claimed by
Marathon shall be determined under the Net Deduction Method unless the parties
agree in writing that a different method should be used or unless there is a
Final Determination requiring a different method. Unless explicitly provided
to the contrary in this Article V, Marathon shall retain full control over all
Tax Items on its Tax Returns.

          (c) Litigation in the Event of Alternative IRS Ruling. (i) If the
IRS issues the Alternative Ruling, the parties will use their commercially
reasonable best efforts to initiate a judicial proceeding (and any necessary
administrative proceedings) to obtain a Final Determination that New Ashland
Inc. is entitled to claim the Specified Liability Deductions; provided,
however, that the parties shall not initiate such a judicial proceeding unless
and until they have entered into the agreement described in Section
5.01(c)(ii) below; and provided further that the parties shall not initiate
such a judicial proceeding if either New Ashland Inc. or Marathon determines,
in its good faith judgment, that it is reasonably possible that such a
proceeding may result in adverse consequences to New Ashland Inc. or Marathon,
respectively. Possible adverse consequences include but are not limited to
causing the Tax Ruling not to be binding on the IRS; credit risk; possible
impairment of the reputation of either party; and possible impairment of the
relationship between either party and the IRS. The parties expect that any
such proceeding shall be initiated by an amended return filed by New Ashland
Inc. claiming the Specified Liability Deductions and requesting a Refund of
Tax based on that claim and, if the IRS does not timely grant that Refund, a
lawsuit filed by New Ashland Inc.

<PAGE>

                                                                            20

in the appropriate Federal court (as determined by New Ashland Inc. in its
sole reasonable discretion) seeking such Refund.

          (ii) Before initiating such a proceeding, the parties shall
negotiate in good faith to attempt to reach and enter into an agreement
specifying the appropriate actions, if any, to be taken by the Marathon
Affiliated Group with respect to its claim of such Specified Liability
Deductions for such taxable years, and the recomputation and possible reversal
of any Tax Benefit Payments made by Marathon with respect to such taxable
years. The goals of such negotiation shall be to preserve the Tax Benefits of
the Specified Liability Deductions for all relevant taxable years in a manner
that is consistent with such Final Determination, the Tax Ruling and the
economic arrangements described in this Article V, and that keeps Marathon
whole for any assessments of Tax resulting from such Final Determination
without subjecting Marathon to any significant incremental credit risk. If
agreement is reached, the parties shall execute an agreement binding on both
parties.

          (iii) If such a proceeding results in a Final Determination that New
Ashland Inc. is entitled to claim the Specified Liability Deductions, then New
Ashland Inc. shall claim the Specified Liability Deductions on the New Ashland
Inc. Affiliated Group's consolidated Federal income tax returns that are due
on or after the date of such Final Determination and neither Marathon nor any
member of the Marathon Group shall claim such deductions on returns filed
after such date. New Ashland Inc. shall be entitled to claim Specified
Liability Deductions for prior years only to the extent provided in the
agreement described in Section 5.01(c)(ii) above.

          SECTION 5.02 Tax Benefit Payments from Marathon to New Ashland Inc.
(a) (i) If the IRS issues the Alternative Ruling, then for each taxable year
for which HoldCo claims the Specified Liability Deductions it shall make a
payment to New Ashland Inc. in respect of the Federal Tax Benefits
attributable to such Specified Liability Deductions (the "Federal Tax Benefit
Payment") and one or more payments to New Ashland Inc. in respect of the
state, local or foreign Tax Benefits attributable to such Specified Liability
Deductions (the "Non-Federal Tax Benefit Payment" and, together with the
Federal Tax Benefit Payment, the "Tax Benefit Payments").

          (ii) The Federal Tax Benefit Payment for a taxable year shall equal
the sum of the Basket One Amount and the Basket Two Amount for such taxable
year. The Non-Federal Tax Benefit Payment for a taxable year shall be
determined with respect to the entire amount of Specified Liability Deductions
for such taxable year on a "with and without" basis under the methodology and
principles applicable solely to the Basket Two Amount, with appropriate
adjustments to reflect the differences between the Code and the applicable Tax
law for such purpose, and there shall be no Basket One Amount or Basket One
Deductions for such purpose. For purposes of calculating the Tax Benefit
Payments, the amount of the Specified Liability Deductions shall be determined
using the Net Deduction Method unless the parties agree in writing that a
different method should be used or unless there is a Final Determination
requiring a different method.

<PAGE>

                                                                            21

          (iii) The Tax Benefit Payments shall be paid directly to New Ashland
Inc. or placed in escrow as provided in Article VI below.

          (b) (i) Basket One Amount. For each taxable year of HoldCo ending on
or before January 1, 2025, the Basket One Amount shall equal the Basket One
Tax Rate multiplied by the Basket One Deductions for such taxable year. For
each taxable year ending on or after January 1, 2025, the Basket One Amount,
and the Basket One Deductions, shall be $0.00.

          (ii) Definitions.

          (A) The Basket One Tax Rate for a taxable year shall equal the
     highest marginal Federal income tax rate applicable to corporations for
     such taxable year minus 3 percentage points. As of the date of this TMA,
     the Basket One Tax Rate is 32% (35% -- currently the highest marginal
     Federal income tax rate applicable to corporations (Section 11 of the
     Code) -- minus 3 percentage points).

          (B) The Basket One Deductions for a taxable year shall equal the
     lesser of (I) the Specified Liability Deductions for such taxable year
     and (II) the Basket One Cap for such taxable year.

          (C) The Basket One Cap for a taxable year shall equal (I) $30
     million adjusted by the Inflation Factor, but in no event more than $60
     million (the "Basket One Cap Base Amount"), plus (II) the unused Basket
     One Cap Carryforward, if any, from each of the two preceding taxable
     years. The Basket One Cap Carryforward originating in a taxable year
     shall equal the excess, if any, of the Basket One Cap Base Amount for
     such taxable year over the Specified Liability Deductions for such
     taxable year. Specified Liability Deductions for a taxable year shall be
     considered to be used first against, and to the extent of, the Basket One
     Cap Base Amount for such taxable year. For purposes of determining the
     amount of the Basket One Cap Carryforward "used" in a particular taxable
     year, the excess, if any, of the Specified Liability Deductions for that
     taxable year over the Basket One Cap Base Amount for such taxable year
     shall be considered to be used first against, and the extent of, the
     Basket One Cap Carryforward originating in the second preceding taxable
     year; and next against, and to the extent of, the Basket One Cap
     Carryforward originating in the immediately preceding taxable year.

          (c) (i) Basket Two Amount. The Basket Two Amount for a taxable year
shall be determined on a "with and without" basis to measure the actual Tax
savings realized by the Marathon Affiliated Group from its use of Basket Two
Deductions and Basket Two Carryovers, and shall equal the excess (if any) of
(A) the amount of Federal income tax that the Marathon Affiliated Group would
have been required to pay with respect to such taxable year if there were no
Basket Two Deductions for, and no Basket Two Carryovers to, such taxable year
over (B) the amount of Federal income tax that the Marathon Affiliated Group
was actually required to pay with respect to such taxable year.

<PAGE>

                                                                            22

          (ii) Definitions.

          (A) The Basket Two Deductions for a taxable year shall equal the
     excess, if any, of (I) the total Specified Liability Deductions for such
     taxable year over (II) the Basket One Deductions for such taxable year.

          (B) The Basket Two Carryovers to a taxable year shall equal the
     amount of Basket Two Carryovers originating in other taxable years and
     carried forward or carried back to such taxable year. The Basket Two
     Carryovers originating in a taxable year are the carryovers of net
     operating losses, excess foreign tax credits, minimum tax credits or
     other Tax Items of the Marathon Affiliated Group, if any, that originate
     in such year under the principles of the Code, but only to the extent
     such carryovers are greater than the amount of such carryovers that would
     have originated in such taxable year if the Marathon Affiliated Group had
     no Basket Two Deductions for such taxable year and no Basket Two
     Carryovers to such taxable year. Carryovers of all Tax Items shall be
     considered to be subject to the rules of the Internal Revenue Code and
     the Treasury Regulations governing the carry forward, carryback, use,
     limitation and expiration of carryovers of the relevant type of Tax Item.
     If the carryover of a Tax Item originating in a taxable year includes a
     portion that is a Basket Two Carryover and another portion that is not a
     Basket Two Carryover, such portions shall be considered to be used on a
     "with and without basis" as described in Section 5.02(c)(i) above.

          (d) Redeterminations. The Basket One Amount for a taxable year, once
determined, shall not be redetermined for any reason other than an adjustment
in the amount of the Specified Liability Deductions for such taxable year
resulting from a Tax Claim with respect to the New Ashland Inc. Affiliated
Group or the Marathon Affiliated Group by a Tax Authority. The Basket Two
Amount for a taxable year shall be redetermined at appropriate times (e.g.,
payment, refund, or Final Determination), taking into account actual
adjustments with respect to Tax Claims and subsequent events that affect the
calculation of the Basket Two Amount, including carry forwards and carrybacks.
Payments of the increased or decreased amount of any Tax Benefit Payments for
any taxable year shall be made as provided in Article VI below.

          (e) Verification by Accounting Firm. For each taxable year, unless
Marathon and New Ashland Inc. otherwise agree, New Ashland Inc. at its own
expense will cause a nationally recognized accounting firm to prepare and
deliver to Marathon a certificate, in a form acceptable to Marathon, verifying
the amount and deductibility of the Specified Liability Deductions for such
taxable year (taking into account any issues raised by the IRS from time to
time). New Ashland Inc. will at its own expense provide to Marathon a written
opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP or any other law firm acceptable to
Marathon, which opinion shall be addressed to New Ashland Inc. and may rely on
the Alternative Ruling, to the effect that Marathon will be entitled to deduct
the Specified Liability Deductions on its Tax Return. Such opinion shall be
updated or amended, from time to time, as Marathon may reasonably request to
take into account material changes in facts or in law. For each taxable year,
unless Marathon and New Ashland Inc. otherwise agree, Marathon at its own
expense will cause a nationally

<PAGE>

                                                                            23

recognized accounting firm to prepare and deliver to New Ashland Inc. a
certificate verifying the amount of Tax Benefit Payments for such taxable
year, provided that no such verification shall be required with respect to
Non-Federal Tax Benefit Payments with respect to any jurisdiction in which the
Tax liability of Marathon and the other members of the Marathon Group for such
taxable year is less than $500,000 unless New Ashland Inc. agrees to bear the
cost of such verification.

          (f) (i) Principles and Examples. The parties have set forth the
examples in Exhibit B attached hereto to illustrate the application of this
Article V and of Article VI below. The parties have also agreed that Tax
Benefit Payments in respect of the Basket One Amount shall be payable without
regard to whether Marathon or any member of the Marathon Group realizes an
actual Tax savings from the use of the Basket One Deductions; that Tax Benefit
Payments in respect of the Basket Two Amount shall be payable only to the
extent that the Marathon Affiliated Group realizes an actual Tax savings from
the use of the Basket Two Deductions on a "with and without" basis; and that
any Specified Liability Deduction shall potentially give rise to a single
Basket One Amount or Basket Two Amount and shall not be double-counted. Any
uncertainties or ambiguities in the computation of the Tax Benefit Payments
for any taxable year shall be resolved in a manner that is consistent with the
examples in Exhibit B and with such principles.

          (ii) Short Taxable Years. The provisions of Article V and Article VI
are based on taxable years of twelve full months. The application of such
provisions shall be appropriately adjusted in the event of one or more taxable
years of less than 12 months to effectuate the goals and principles of Article
V and Article VI.

          (iii) Successors. In the event that there is a successor to the New
Ashland Inc. Affiliated Group or the Marathon Affiliated Group, the provisions
of this Article V shall be applied to such successors as if they were the New
Ashland Inc. Affiliated Group or the Marathon Affiliated Group, respectively.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                    Payments of Tax Benefit Amounts; Escrow

          SECTION 6.01 Time of Tax Benefit Payments. (a) Original Payments.
Subject to Section 6.02 below, Marathon shall pay to New Ashland Inc. or place
in Escrow, as the case may be, the amount of the Tax Benefit Payment as
follows:

          (i) Federal Tax Benefit Payments. If New Ashland Inc. provides to
Marathon a good faith estimate of the amount of the Specified Liability
Deductions for a calendar year by November 30th of such year, and verification
of the Specified Liability Deductions as required in Section 5.02(e) for such
calendar year by February 28th of the following year, then Marathon shall pay
to New Ashland Inc. or Escrow, as the case may be, the amount of the Federal
Tax Benefit Payment for the taxable year corresponding to

<PAGE>

                                                                            24

such calendar year either (A) within 10 days after the due date of the
Marathon corporate income Tax Return without extensions for such taxable year
(generally March 15th), or (B) within 10 days after the due date of the
corporate income Tax Return for the Marathon Affiliated Group, with extensions
for such calendar year (generally September 15th), with interest from the due
date of such Tax Return without extension to the date of payment at the
Marathon short-term borrowing rate for the applicable period. If New Ashland
Inc. does not provide to Marathon the estimate and the actual determination of
the Specified Liability Deductions within the time requirements of the
preceding sentence, then Marathon shall pay to New Ashland Inc. or Escrow, as
the case may be, the amount of the Federal Tax Benefit Payment for such
taxable year within 10 days of the later of (A) the date on which New Ashland
Inc. provides such determination to Marathon and (B) the due date of the
Federal corporate income Tax Return for the Marathon Affiliated Group, with
extensions for such taxable year (generally September 15th), in each case
without interest.

          (ii) Non-Federal Tax Benefit Payments. Marathon shall pay to New
Ashland Inc. or Escrow, as the case may be, in each case without interest, the
amount of the Non-Federal Tax Benefit Payments for a taxable year within 30
days after the due date of the relevant HoldCo separate or combined, as the
case may be, state, local or foreign Tax Returns, with extensions.

          (b) Redeterminations. If an event giving rise to the redetermination
of a Tax Benefit Payment for any taxable year occurs as provided in Section
5.02(d) above, the party becoming aware of such event shall promptly notify
the other party.

          (i) If such redetermination increases the amount of such Tax Benefit
Payment, then within 30 days after the receipt by Marathon of a Refund
corresponding to such Tax Benefit Payment, or, if there is no such Refund,
then within 30 days after such redetermination, Marathon shall pay to New
Ashland Inc. or Escrow, as the case may be, the amount of such increase,
together with the corresponding amount of interest (if any) payable by the
relevant Tax Authority with respect to such redetermination.

          (ii) If such redetermination decreases the amount of such Tax
Benefit Payment, then, within 30 days after the payment by Marathon of the Tax
corresponding to such redetermination, or, if there is no such Tax payment,
then within 30 days after such redetermination, the amount of such decrease
(including any interest, penalty or addition to Tax resulting from such
redetermination) shall be paid to Marathon as provided in this Section
6.01(b)(ii). Such decrease shall be paid first by paying to Marathon amounts
in Escrow up to the amount of such decrease (and all future payments to New
Ashland Inc. under this TMA for the current taxable year and subsequent
taxable years shall be escrowed until the Escrow is Fully Funded, as provided
in Section 6.02(c) below). If such decrease exceeds the amount so paid to
Marathon from the Escrow, New Ashland Inc. shall pay such excess to Marathon;
provided that if the total amount that New Ashland Inc. would be required to
pay to Marathon in a particular calendar year under this Section 6.01(b)(ii)
as a result of any and all redeterminations exceeds $25 million, then New
Ashland Inc. may pay such excess over $25 million in eight equal semi-annual
payments, with the first payment due six months from the date of such

<PAGE>

                                                                            25

redetermination, with interest computed at an interest rate as reasonably
determined by Marathon to be the market rate for four-year amortizing loans
available to companies with credit ratings similar to that of New Ashland
Inc.; provided further that if New Ashland Inc. undergoes a Bankruptcy Event,
all such amounts shall be immediately due and payable to Marathon.

          SECTION 6.02 Escrow. (a) Escrow Agreement. In the event that any Tax
Benefit Payments are required under this Agreement to be placed in Escrow, the
parties will execute an Escrow Agreement in the form as to be agreed to by the
parties and attached hereto as Exhibit C to this TMA. Unless otherwise agreed
by the parties, The Bank of New York shall serve as escrow agent under the
Escrow Agreement. The out-of-pocket costs and expenses of creating and
maintaining the Escrow, including the fees of the escrow agent, shall be
shared equally by Marathon and New Ashland Inc.

          (b) Basket One Benefits. Except as otherwise provided in this
Section 6.02(b), all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of Basket One Amounts
shall be paid by Marathon directly to New Ashland Inc. and shall not be placed
in Escrow. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tax Benefit Payments in respect of
Basket One Amounts shall be placed in Escrow in the following circumstances:

          (i) If New Ashland Inc. has undergone a Bankruptcy Event, all Tax
Benefit Payments in respect of Basket One Amounts otherwise payable by
Marathon to New Ashland Inc. on or after the date of such Bankruptcy Event
shall be placed in Escrow as if they were in respect of Basket Two Amounts
until such time that any judgment, order, proceeding or petition that
constitutes a Bankruptcy Event has been dismissed or discharged.

          (ii) In the circumstances described in Section 6.02(d) below.

          (c) Basket Two Benefits. Except as otherwise provided in this
Section 6.02(c) all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of Basket Two Amounts
shall be paid by Marathon directly to New Ashland Inc. and shall not be placed
in Escrow. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tax Benefit Payments in respect of
Basket Two Amounts shall be placed in Escrow in the following circumstances:

          (i) If the Escrow is not Fully Funded at the time that such a Tax
Benefit Payment for a taxable year is required to be made, then the amount of
such Tax Benefit Payment necessary to cause the Escrow to be Fully Funded
shall be placed in Escrow.

          (A) The Escrow shall be considered to be Fully Funded at the time a
          Tax Benefit Payment for a taxable year is required to be made if the
          amount in the Escrow at such time is equal to the excess (if any) of
          (I) the total amount of Tax Benefit Payments other than Basket One
          Amounts paid or payable for such taxable year and the four preceding
          taxable years over (II) the Escrow Threshold at such time.

<PAGE>

                                                                            26

          (B) If New Ashland Inc. has a credit rating provided by Moody's or
          Standard & Poor (or successors thereto) at the relevant time, the
          Escrow Threshold at any time shall equal:

               a.   If the credit rating of New Ashland Inc. is either a BB+
                    or Ba1 or higher, unlimited.

               b.   If the credit rating of New Ashland Inc. is either a BB or
                    Ba2, $50 million (for the calendar years 2005 through
                    2009); $55 million (for the calendar years 2010 through
                    2014); or $60 million (for calendar years after 2014).

               c.   If the credit rating of New Ashland Inc. is either a BB-
                    or Ba3, $25 million.

               d.   If the credit rating of New Ashland Inc. is (A) below BB-
                    or Ba3, or (B) New Ashland Inc. undergoes a Bankruptcy
                    Event, $0; provided, however, that this subparagraph (B)
                    will not apply after the date that any judgment, order,
                    proceeding or petition that constitutes a Bankruptcy Event
                    has been dismissed or discharged.

          (C) If, at the time any Tax Benefit Payment for a taxable year is
          required to be made, New Ashland Inc. does not have a credit rating
          provided by Moody's or Standard & Poor (or successors thereto), New
          Ashland Inc. will obtain, at its own cost, from Moody's or Standard
          & Poor, or both, a pro forma credit rating and provide such rating
          to Marathon prior to the time of such Tax Benefit Payment. Such
          rating will be updated at least annually.

          (ii) In the circumstances described in Section 6.02(d) below.

          (d) Certain Changes in Escrow Threshold. If the Escrow Threshold
decreases as a result of a reduction in the credit rating of New Ashland Inc.,
the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to New Ashland Inc. or the
payment of Escrowed funds to Marathon in respect of a redetermination of a Tax
Benefit Payment as provided in Section 6.01(b) above, and as a result the
Escrow is not Fully Funded, then all payments to New Ashland Inc. under this
TMA, net of set-off, including all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of Basket
One Amounts and Basket Two Amounts, shall be placed in Escrow until the Escrow
is Fully Funded.

          (e) Release of Escrowed Amounts. Except as provided in Section
6.02(d) above, any amounts placed in Escrow in respect of a Tax Benefit
Payment for a taxable year shall be released from Escrow upon the fifth
anniversary of the filing of the corporate income Tax Return for the Marathon
Affiliated Group for such taxable year and shall be paid directly to New
Ashland Inc. If, as a result of an upgrade in New Ashland Inc.'s credit rating
or any other event, the amount in the Escrow exceeds the amount required to
cause the Escrow to be Fully Funded, then the amount of such

<PAGE>

                                                                            27

excess shall be promptly released from the Escrow and paid directly to New
Ashland Inc. Whenever Escrowed Amounts are required to be released to New
Ashland Inc. pursuant to this Section 6.02(e), Marathon and New Ashland Inc.
shall promptly deliver to the escrow agent detailed written instructions
directing the release of such Escrowed Amounts, signed on behalf of both
Marathon and New Ashland Inc.

          (f) Other Arrangements. The Escrow arrangements described in this
Section 6.02 may be replaced with other credit support reasonably acceptable
to and approved by Marathon, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

                                 ARTICLE VII

                   Covenants, Representations and Warranties

          SECTION 7.01. Representations and Warranties of Ashland and New
Ashland Inc. Ashland and New Ashland Inc., jointly and severally, represent
and warrant to Marathon that, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date:

          (a) It knows of no fact that could reasonably be expected to cause
any representation, warranty or other statement contained in the Tax Ruling
Request, the Tax Ruling, a Tax Certificate or the Tax Opinion to be incorrect
(including by omission of a material fact).

          (b) No member of the New Ashland Inc. Group has any current plan or
intention to take any action, or fail to take any action, that would be
inconsistent with any representation, warranty or other statement made by, or
that relates primarily to, any member of the New Ashland Inc. Group and is
contained in the Tax Ruling Request, the Tax Ruling, a Tax Certificate or the
Tax Opinion.

          (c) New Ashland Inc. will use its reasonable best efforts, with the
assistance and participation of Marathon, to have at least $25 million dollars
on deposit, decreased for any amounts applied against Taxes for Pre-Closing
Tax Periods (other than Federal Income Taxes shown as owing on any Tax Returns
for the Ashland Affiliated Group's 2003, 2004 and 2005 fiscal years), with the
IRS with respect to liabilities for Taxes for Pre-Closing Tax Periods
(including interest on such amounts). This amount shall be used (to the extent
necessary) for the payment or settlement of such Taxes and interest and shall
not be withdrawn prior to a Final Determination with respect to such Taxes and
interest. Any portion of such deposit that is not used for the payment or
settlement of Taxes for such periods (including interest on such amounts)
shall be paid to New Ashland Inc.

          (d) Following the Transactions, New Ashland Inc. intends to continue
the active conduct of Valvoline, independently and with its separate officers,
directors, and employees, and New Ashland Inc. does not plan any substantial
reduction in business activity of Valvoline.

<PAGE>

                                                                            28

          SECTION 7.02. Representations and Warranties of Marathon. Marathon
represents and warrants to Ashland and New Ashland Inc. that, as of the date
of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing
Date:

          (a) It knows of no fact that could reasonably be expected to cause
any representation, warranty or other statement contained in the Tax Ruling
Request, the Tax Ruling, a Tax Certificate or the Tax Opinion to be incorrect
(including by omission of a material fact).

          (b) No current member of the Marathon Group has any current plan or
intention to take any action, or fail to take any action, that would be
inconsistent with any representation, warranty or other statement made by, or
that relates primarily to, any member of the Marathon Group and is contained
in the Tax Ruling Request, the Tax Ruling, a Tax Certificate or the Tax
Opinion.

          (c) For the two-year period following the Transactions, Marathon
intends to continue the active conduct of the Acquired Businesses,
independently and, except as described in the Tax Ruling Request, with their
separate officers, directors and employees, and Marathon does not plan any
substantial reduction in business activity for the Acquired Businesses during
such period.

          SECTION 7.03. Covenants of New Ashland Inc. and Marathon. (a) (i)
Each of Ashland and New Ashland Inc. agrees that it shall not take or omit to
take, and shall not permit any of the Ashland Group or the New Ashland Inc.
Group, respectively, to take or omit to take, any action that will, or would
reasonably be expected to, cause any written representation contained in the
Tax Ruling Request, Tax Ruling, a Tax Certificate or the Tax Opinion to be
incorrect.

          (ii) Each of Ashland and New Ashland Inc. agrees that it shall, and
shall cause each member of the Ashland Group and the New Ashland Inc. Group,
respectively, to prepare and file all Tax Returns on a basis consistent with
the Tax Ruling and the Tax Opinion, except as otherwise required by Article V
or a Final Determination; provided that, to the extent that the Tax Ruling and
the Tax Opinion are inconsistent in any respect, such Tax Returns shall be
prepared and filed on a basis consistent with the Tax Ruling.

          (iii) New Ashland Inc. will use its reasonable best efforts, with
the assistance and participation of Marathon, to maintain at least $25 million
dollars, decreased for any amounts applied against Taxes for Pre-Closing Tax
Periods (other than Federal Income Taxes shown as owing on any Tax Returns for
the Ashland Affiliated Group's 2003, 2004 and 2005 fiscal years), on deposit
with the IRS for Taxes for Pre-Closing Tax Periods (including interest on such
amounts). This amount shall be used (to the extent necessary) for the payment
or settlement of such Taxes and interest and shall not be withdrawn prior to a
Final Determination with respect to such Taxes and interest. Any portion of
such deposit that is not used for the payment or settlement of Taxes for such
periods (including interest on such amounts) shall be paid to New Ashland Inc.

<PAGE>

                                                                            29

          (b) (i) Marathon agrees that, for a period beginning on the Closing
Date and ending two years after the Closing Date, it shall not take or omit to
take, and shall not permit any member of the Marathon Group to take or omit to
take, any action that will, or would reasonably be expected to, cause any
written representation contained in the Tax Ruling Request, Tax Ruling, or a
Tax Certificate, and that is specified on Schedule 2.04 attached hereto, to be
incorrect.

          (ii) Marathon agrees that it shall, and shall cause each member of
the Marathon Group to, prepare and file all Tax Returns on a basis consistent
with the Tax Ruling and the Tax Opinion, except as otherwise required by
Article V or a Final Determination; provided that, to the extent that the Tax
Ruling and the Tax Opinion are inconsistent in any respect, such Tax Returns
shall be prepared and filed on a basis consistent with the Tax Ruling.

          (iii) Marathon agrees that, for a period beginning on the Closing
Date and ending two years after the Closing Date, it (A) shall not, and shall
cause each member of the Marathon Group not to, amend the Company Leverage
Policy set forth in Schedule 8.14 to the MAP LLC Agreement, as such Policy is
amended and restated as of March 18, 2004 and (B) shall cause MAP to comply at
all times with such Company Leverage Policy; provided that, Marathon may amend
the Company Leverage Policy to the extent that both Marathon and New Ashland
Inc. reasonably agree is consistent with the Tax Ruling.

          (iv) Marathon agrees that, for a period beginning on the Closing
Date and ending two years after the Closing Date, it shall not, and shall
cause each member of the Marathon Group not to, make any capital contribution
of money or other property to MAP or any JV Entity (including any capital
contribution pursuant to Article IV of the MAP LLC Agreement or any other
provision of the MAP LLC Agreement) other than capital contributions (i) that
are the result of, and in response to, Extraordinary Events; or (ii) if the
Tax Ruling includes a ruling that the MAP Partial Redemption does not
constitute a disguised sale, capital contributions for purposes specifically
identified in the Tax Ruling or the Tax Ruling Request.

          (v) During the period beginning on October 1, 2004 (or, if earlier,
the day before the Closing Date) and ending on the date two years after the
Closing Date, Marathon shall cause MAP and its subsidiaries not to, and MAP
and its subsidiaries shall not (A) incur any indebtedness owed to Marathon or
any affiliate of Marathon or (B) incur any indebtedness under one or more
revolving credit facilities, uncommitted money market credit facilities or
other comparable debt facilities to the extent such indebtedness is
guaranteed, directly or indirectly, by Marathon or any affiliate of Marathon
(other than such an affiliate that is MAP or any wholly-owned subsidiary of
MAP), except such Marathon guaranteed debt will be permissible if the Tax
Ruling includes a ruling that the MAP Partial Redemption does not constitute a
disguised sale and such ruling or the Tax Ruling Request contemplates debt
guaranteed by Marathon.

          (vi) Marathon agrees that during the two-year period beginning on
the Closing Date, it shall cause MAP not to make any sales of

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                                                                            30

receivables except for sales of receivables pursuant to the Receivables Sales
Facility (as such term is defined in the MAP LLC Agreement). Marathon and MAP
agree that if MAP makes any sales of receivables pursuant to the Receivables
Sales Facility they will treat such sales (A) as sales for Federal income tax
purposes and (B) based on the relevant accounting pronouncements, as they
exist on the date of this Agreement, as sales for financial accounting
purposes. If as a result of any change or modification to such accounting
pronouncements between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date,
Marathon concludes that it and MAP will not be able to treat such sales of
receivables as sales for financial accounting purposes, it shall cause MAP to
use its reasonable best efforts to modify the Receivables Sales Facility in
order to achieve sale treatment for financial accounting purposes, if such
modification can be made in a manner that is (i) acceptable to Marathon from a
tax point of view and otherwise reasonably acceptable to Marathon, and (ii)
acceptable to Ashland from a tax point of view. If such a change in accounting
pronouncements arises and Marathon, after discussions with Ashland, concludes
that it cannot so modify the Receivables Sales Facility, Marathon shall
deliver a written notice to Ashland attesting to this conclusion at least two
business days prior to the Closing Date. The failure of Marathon to deliver
such written notice shall constitute its agreement to the second sentence of
this paragraph (vi) notwithstanding any such change in accounting
pronouncements. Marathon further agrees that if the relevant accounting
pronouncements change after the Closing Date and, as a result of such changes,
Marathon concludes that it and MAP will not be able to treat sales of
receivables pursuant to the Receivables Sales Facility as sales for financial
accounting purposes, Marathon shall cause MAP to modify the Receivables Sales
Facility in order to achieve sale treatment for financial accounting purposes
if it can do so at an insignificant cost (provided that such modification is
acceptable to New Ashland Inc. from a tax point of view) or if New Ashland
Inc. agrees to indemnify Marathon and MAP for any increased costs that result
from such changes.

          SECTION 7.04. Valuation Report. Each of Ashland and Marathon shall
use its reasonable best efforts to cause Deloitte & Touche LLP to deliver to
Ashland and Marathon, no later than July 15, 2004, a report, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to each of Ashland and Marathon and
consistent with the Engagement Letter dated as of November 24, 2003, among
Ashland, Marathon and Deloitte & Touche LLP. Each of Ashland and Marathon
shall, and shall cause each of its affiliates (including MAP) to, cooperate
with Deloitte & Touche LLP in connection with the preparation of such report,
which cooperation shall include the provision of any relevant books, records,
documentation and other information and the making available of its employees
and facilities as Deloitte & Touche LLP may reasonably request.

          SECTION 7.05. Cooperation and Exchange of Information. (a) Each of
Marathon and New Ashland Inc. shall, and shall cause each of its affiliates
to, cooperate fully with all reasonable requests from the other party in all
matters relating to Taxes covered by this Agreement, including without
limitation, in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, any
amendments or claims for Refund with respect thereto, the conduct and
resolution of Tax Claims and the implementation of this TMA (including,
without limitation, the provisions of Articles V and VI). Such cooperation
shall include (i) provision on a mutually convenient basis upon reasonable
request of Tax

<PAGE>

                                                                            31

Returns, books, records (including information regarding ownership and Tax
basis of property), documentation and other information related to such Tax
Returns and Tax Claims, including accompanying schedules, related work papers,
and documents related to rulings or other determinations by Tax Authorities,
(ii) the execution of any document or the certification of any information
that may be necessary or beneficial in connection with the filing of any Tax
Returns or claims for Refund or the conduct or resolution of any Tax Claim,
(iii) obtaining any document or information that is necessary or beneficial in
connection with the foregoing, (iv) upon reasonable request, the making
available of its employees and facilities on a reasonable and mutually
convenient basis to facilitate the foregoing and (v) the reasonable good faith
effort of New Ashland Inc. to provide to Marathon information reasonably
requested by Marathon for the preparation of its published financial
statements.

          (b) Marathon and New Ashland Inc. shall meet regularly to review
major issues with respect to Tax Claims and the status of audits with respect
to Pre-Closing Periods and Straddle Periods as long as the relevant statute of
limitations remains open with respect to any Pre-Closing Period or Straddle
Period. New Ashland Inc. shall make available appropriate personnel to discuss
the foregoing items and shall make available for inspection relevant documents
relating to such audits.

          SECTION 7.06. Pre-Filing Agreement. Marathon and New Ashland Inc.
agree that they will pursue a pre-filing agreement in accordance with Rev.
Proc. 2001-22 (or any successor pronouncement), with respect to (i) the amount
of gain, if any, realized by Marathon or the Ashland Group under Code Sections
751(b) and 355(e) as a result of the Transactions described in the Master
Agreement and (ii) to the extent relevant in light of the Tax Ruling, whether
HoldCo shall be deemed to have a "net unrealized built-in loss" within the
meaning of Code Section 382(h)(3). Marathon and New Ashland Inc. shall (and
shall cause their respective affiliates to) provide their reasonable
cooperation and assistance in obtaining any such pre-filing agreement.

          SECTION 7.07. Ownership of Tax Records; Retention of Information.
New Ashland Inc. shall own, and have all rights, title and interest in, all
books, records, documentation and other information in existence as of the
Closing Date related to any Tax or Tax Item of Ashland or any of its
subsidiaries. New Ashland Inc. agrees to retain all Tax Returns, related
schedules and workpapers, and all other material records and other documents
as required under Code Section 6001 and the regulations promulgated thereunder
relating thereto existing on the date hereof or created through the Closing
Date, until the expiration of the statute of limitations (including
extensions) of the taxable years to which such Tax Returns and other documents
relate and until the Final Determination of any payments which may be required
in respect of such years under this TMA. New Ashland Inc. shall provide to
Marathon copies of any such documentation or information in existence as of
the Closing Date related to any Marathon Tax Matter or with respect to items
that could result in a Tax Detriment to Marathon and, as reasonably requested
by Marathon, in connection with any Tax Claim. New Ashland Inc. agrees that,
if it intends to dispose of any such documentation or other information, it
shall provide written notice to Marathon describing the documentation or other
information to be disposed of 60 days prior to taking such action. Marathon
shall be entitled to arrange

<PAGE>

                                                                            32

to take delivery of the documentation or other information described in the
notice at its expense during the succeeding 60-day period.

                                 ARTICLE VIII

                                  Tax Claims

          SECTION 8.01. Calculation of Losses. The amount of any
indemnification provided under this TMA, other then pursuant to Article V and
VI, shall be (i) increased to take account of any net Tax Loss incurred by the
indemnified party arising from the receipt of indemnity payments hereunder
(grossed up for such increase) and (ii) reduced to take account of any net Tax
Savings realized by the indemnified party arising from the incurrence or
payment of any such indemnified loss. In computing the amount of any such Tax
Loss or Tax Savings, the indemnified party shall be deemed to recognize all
other Tax Items before recognizing any Tax Item arising from the receipt of
any indemnity payment hereunder or the incurrence or payment of any
indemnified loss.

          SECTION 8.02. Procedures. (a) Tax Claims. (i) If a party (the
"indemnified party") receives any written notice of deficiency, claim or
adjustment or other written notice from a Tax Authority that may result in the
indemnified party being entitled to any indemnification provided for under
this Agreement in respect of, arising out of or involving an audit proceeding,
audit inquiry, information request, suit, action, contest or similar claim
made by any Tax Authority (a "Tax Claim") such indemnified party shall notify
the indemnifying party in writing (and in reasonable detail) of the Tax Claim
within 10 business days after such indemnified party receives notice or
otherwise becomes aware of the existence of the Tax Claim; provided, however,
that failure to give such notification shall not affect the indemnification
provided under this Agreement, except to the extent the indemnifying party
shall have been materially and adversely prejudiced as a result of such
failure. Thereafter, the indemnified party shall keep the indemnifying party
apprised of the status of any investigation or audit and deliver to the
indemnifying party, within five business days' time after the indemnified
party's receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents received by the
indemnified party related to the Tax Claim. New Ashland Inc. undertakes and
agrees that it will keep Marathon reasonably informed of the existence and
progress of any audit or other proceeding that relates to a Pre-Closing Period
with respect to which Marathon could be liable as a successor, under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-6, or otherwise.

          (ii) If any party receives a written notice from a Tax Authority
     that may result in an adjustment in the amount of the Specified Liability
     Deductions for a taxable year as a result of an audit of the New Ashland
     Inc. Affiliated Group or the Marathon Affiliated Group, then for purposes
     of this TMA, such audit and related proceeding, to the extent they
     concern the amount of the Specified Liability Deductions claimed or
     capable of being claimed by Marathon or the Marathon Group as successor
     to HoldCo, shall be treated as a Tax Claim with respect to which Marathon
     is the indemnified party and New Ashland Inc. is the indemnifying party,
     provided, however, that the resolution of such issues shall not

<PAGE>

                                                                            33

     preclude Marathon from compromising or settling any other issues in its
     Tax Returns administratively with any Tax Authority and Marathon shall
     have the right to determine in its sole reasonable discretion the
     appropriate forum and location of any judicial proceeding with respect to
     Specified Liability Deductions.

          (b) Assumption. Except as provided in Section 8.02(c) of this TMA,
if a Tax Claim is made against an indemnified party, the indemnifying party
shall be entitled to participate in the defense thereof and, if it so chooses,
to assume the defense thereof with professional advisors and counsel selected
by the indemnifying party; provided, however, that such professional advisors
or counsel are not reasonably objected to by the indemnified party. Should the
indemnifying party so elect to assume the defense of a Tax Claim, the
indemnifying party shall not be liable to the indemnified party for any fees
or expenses relating to such professional advisors or counsel subsequently
incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof. If
the indemnifying party assumes such defense, the indemnified party shall have
the right to participate in the defense thereof and to employ professional
advisors and counsel (not reasonably objected to by the indemnifying party),
at its own expense, separate from the professional advisors and counsel
employed by the indemnifying party, it being understood that the indemnifying
party shall control such defense. The indemnifying party shall be liable for
the fees and expenses of professional advisors and counsel employed by the
indemnified party for any period during which the indemnifying party has not
assumed the defense thereof. If the indemnifying party chooses to defend or
prosecute a Tax Claim, all the indemnified parties shall cooperate in the
defense or prosecution thereof. Such cooperation shall include the retention
and (upon the indemnifying party's request) the provision to the indemnifying
party of records and information that are reasonably relevant to such Tax
Claim, making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide
additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder,
cooperating and assisting in the investigation, defense and resolution of such
matters and providing legal and business assistance with respect to such
matters. Whether or not the indemnifying party assumes the defense of a Tax
Claim, the indemnified party shall not admit any liability with respect to, or
settle, compromise or discharge, such Tax Claim without the indemnifying
party's prior written consent. If the indemnifying party assumes the defense
of a Tax Claim, the indemnified party shall agree to any settlement,
compromise, or discharge of a Tax Claim that the indemnifying party may
recommend and that by its terms obligates the indemnifying party to pay the
full amount of the liability in connection with such Tax Claim; provided that
if such settlement, compromise or discharge imposes conditions, costs or other
detriments (in addition to the liability in connection with such Tax Claim)
upon the indemnified party, such indemnified party may use its reasonable
judgment in determining whether to so agree, such agreement not to be
unreasonably withheld.

          (c) Joint rights and assumption of control. If a party to this TMA
suffers a Bankruptcy Event, then the party suffering the Bankruptcy Event (the
"Bankruptcy Party") shall vigorously pursue the assertion, or defense (as the
case may be) of all Tax Claims for which any other party to this TMA (the
"Non-Bankruptcy Party") might be jointly and severally, directly or indirectly
liable ("Bankruptcy Tax Claims") and the Non-Bankruptcy Party shall have the
right to participate in the defense of any Bankruptcy

<PAGE>

                                                                            34

Tax Claims and to employ professional advisors and counsel (not reasonably
objected to by the Bankruptcy Party), at its own expense, separate from the
professional advisors and counsel employed by the Bankruptcy Party, it being
understood that the Bankruptcy Party shall control the defense of such claims.
Both parties shall in good faith cooperate with one another and the Bankruptcy
Party shall not unreasonably reject any suggestions made by the Non-Bankruptcy
Party. Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon the
Non-Bankruptcy Party's request) the provision to the Non-Bankruptcy Party of
records and information that are reasonably relevant to such Bankruptcy Tax
Claims (including copies of all protests, pleadings, briefs, filings,
correspondence and similar materials relative to such claims), making
employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional
information and explanation of any material provided hereunder, cooperating
and assisting in the investigation, defense and resolution of such matters,
and providing legal and business assistance with respect to such matters. The
preceding sentences of this Section 8.02(c) notwithstanding, if the Bankruptcy
Party fails to vigorously pursue such Bankruptcy Tax Claims, or such
Bankruptcy Party is discharged, or otherwise effectively barred from liability
for such Bankruptcy Tax Claims, the Non-Bankruptcy Party shall have the right
to assume full control over the defense of such Bankruptcy Tax Claims and, if
such control is assumed, the Bankruptcy Party shall irrevocably designate, and
agree to cause each of its affiliates to designate irrevocably, the
Non-Bankruptcy Party as the sole and exclusive agent and attorney-in-fact to
take any action as such Non-Bankruptcy Party may deem appropriate, necessary,
or incidental in any and all matters relating to Pre-Closing Period Tax Claims
of the Ashland Group and the Bankruptcy Party shall continue to cooperate
fully in the defense or prosecution thereof, but it shall not have the right
to participate in the proceedings.

          (d) Mitigation. New Ashland Inc. and Marathon shall cooperate with
each other with respect to resolving any claim or liability with respect to
which one party is obligated to indemnify the other party hereunder, including
by making reasonable efforts to mitigate or resolve any such claim or
liability, which shall include claiming any indemnified loss as a deduction or
offset on any relevant Tax Return (including any amended Tax Return). In the
event that New Ashland Inc. or Marathon shall fail to make such reasonable
efforts to mitigate or resolve any claim or liability, then notwithstanding
anything else to the contrary contained herein, the other party shall not be
required to indemnify any person for any indemnified loss that could
reasonably be expected to have been avoided if New Ashland Inc. or Marathon,
as the case may be, had made such efforts.

          SECTION 8.03. Treatment of Indemnification Payments. The parties
agree that any indemnity payments made pursuant to this Agreement or pursuant
to Article XIII of the Master Agreement shall be treated for all Tax purposes
as distributions or capital contributions, as the case may be, between HoldCo
and New Ashland Inc. made immediately prior to the Spinoff and, accordingly,
not as taxable income to the recipient or as a deductible expense to the
payor, unless otherwise required by a Final Determination.

<PAGE>

                                                                            35

                                  ARTICLE IX

                         Dispute Resolution; Interest

          SECTION 9.01. Dispute Resolution. In the event that Marathon or any
member of the Marathon Group, as the case may be, on the one hand, and New
Ashland Inc. or any member of the New Ashland Inc. Group, as the case may be,
on the other hand, disagree as to the amount or calculation of any payment to
be made under this TMA, or the interpretation or application of any provision
under this TMA, the parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve such
dispute. If such dispute is not resolved within sixty (60) business days
following the commencement of the dispute, Marathon and New Ashland Inc. shall
jointly retain a tax attorney who has retired from active practice in a
nationally recognized law firm or independent public accounting firm, which
firm is independent of both parties, or a retired Federal judge experienced in
Tax Matters (the "Independent Entity"), to resolve the dispute. If the parties
are unable to agree on an Independent Entity, then each party shall appoint a
person who would qualify as an Independent Entity (but for the approval of the
other party), and such persons shall then appoint a person who meets the above
description as the Independent Entity and who shall serve as the Independent
Entity. The Independent Entity shall act as an arbitrator to resolve all
points of disagreement and its decision shall be final and binding upon all
parties involved. Following the decision of the Independent Entity, Marathon,
and members of the Marathon Group, and New Ashland Inc. and members of the New
Ashland Inc. Group shall each take or cause to be taken any action necessary
to implement the decision of the Independent Entity. The fees and expenses
relating to the Independent Entity shall be borne equally by Marathon and New
Ashland Inc.

          SECTION 9.02. Interest. Any payment required to be made under this
TMA that is not made on or before the date on which such payment is due shall
bear interest computed at the rate specified from time to time pursuant to
Code Section 6621(a)(2).

                                  ARTICLE X

                              General Provisions

          SECTION 10.01. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate
simultaneous with any termination of the Master Agreement pursuant to Article
XI thereof. In the event of termination of this Agreement, this Agreement
shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability or
obligation on the part of any party hereto.

          SECTION 10.02. Survival. Notwithstanding anything in this TMA to the
contrary apart from Section 10.01, the provisions of this TMA shall survive
for 30 days after the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations
(giving effect to any waiver, mitigation or extension thereof) unless by their
term they expire at an earlier date.

<PAGE>

                                                                            36

          SECTION 10.03. Right of Set-off. Either party may set-off any amount
to which it is entitled under this TMA against amounts otherwise payable
hereunder by such party. Neither the exercise of nor the failure to exercise
such right of set-off will constitute an election of remedies or limit such
party in any manner in the enforcement of any other remedies that may be
available to it.

          SECTION 10.04. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and
other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given upon receipt by the parties at the following addresses (or at
such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

                  if to the Ashland Parties, to:

                  Ashland Inc.
                  50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard
                  Covington, KY 41012-0391

                           Attention:  J. Marvin Quin
                                       David L. Hausrath, Esq.

                           Facsimile:  (859) 815-5053

                           with a copy to:

                           Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
                           Worldwide Plaza
                           825 Eighth Avenue
                           New York, NY 10019-7474
                           Attention:  Stephen L. Gordon, Esq.

                  if to the Marathon Parties, to:

                  Marathon Oil Corporation
                  5555 San Felipe Road
                  Houston, TX 77056

                           Attention:   Raja Sahni
                                        Richard L. Horstman, Esq.

                           Facsimile:   (713) 513-4172

                           with copies to:

                           Baker Botts L.L.P.
                           One Shell Plaza
                           Houston, TX 77002-4995
                           Attention:  Theodore W. Paris, Esq.

<PAGE>

                                                                            37

                           Miller & Chevalier Chartered
                           655 Fifteenth Street, N.W.
                           Washington, DC 20005-5701
                           Attention:   Daniel W. Luchsinger, Esq.

          SECTION 10.05. Interpretation. When a reference is made in this
Agreement to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement
unless otherwise indicated. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words "include", "includes" or
"including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by
the words "without limitation". This Agreement is intended to calculate,
allocate and assign certain Tax responsibilities, liabilities and benefits
among the parties to this Agreement, and any situation or circumstance
concerning such calculation, allocation and assignment that is not
specifically contemplated hereby or provided for herein shall be determined in
a manner consistent with the underlying principles of calculation, allocation
and assignment in this Agreement.

          SECTION 10.06. Severability. If any term or other provision of this
Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule or
law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement
shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or
legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any
manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term
or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the
parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to
effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible to the end
that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent
possible.

          SECTION 10.07. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one
or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same
agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been
signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

          SECTION 10.08. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is not
intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights or
remedies.

          SECTION 10.09. Existing MAP Agreements. To the extent any provision
of this TMA conflicts with the determination of the Tax Liability (as defined
in the MAP LLC Agreement) of Ashland or its successors for any Straddle Period
of MAP as determined under Section 10.03 of the MAP LLC Agreement, such Tax
Liability shall be determined in accordance with this Agreement. In all other
respects, except as expressly modified herein, the terms and conditions of the
MAP LLC Agreement, the ATCA, and the Put/Call Agreement shall continue to
apply to the extent provided in Article XII of the Master Agreement. For the
avoidance of doubt, the term Tax Distribution Amount (as defined in the MAP
LLC Agreement) shall not include the Tax Liability (as defined in the MAP LLC
Agreement) of the Ashland Affiliated Group that is attributable to the MAP
Partial Redemption.

<PAGE>

                                                                            38

          SECTION 10.10. Continuing Ashland Participation Rights With Respect
To Pre-Closing Pass-Through Items. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
the Master Agreement, this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements and
Ancillary Agreements (as defined in the Master Agreement), New Ashland Inc.
and its successors shall retain the right (to the extent provided for in
Section 6.08 of the MAP LLC Agreement or any other provision of the MAP LLC
Agreement) to participate in the preparation and filing of all Tax Returns,
and in the defense of any Tax Claim, with respect to all Pass-Through Items
relating to any Pre-Closing Period of MAP or any other JV Entity as if it were
a member of MAP or such JV Entity. Any Tax Claim with respect to any issue
concerning MAP's income, gain, losses, deductions or credits that could result
in additional Taxes for the Pre-Closing Period for Ashland and additional
basis (other than additional basis that is subject to Section 4.03 of the TMA)
or deductions in the Post-Closing Period for Marathon or any member of the
Marathon Group shall be treated under Section 6.08(e)(ii) of the MAP LLC
Agreement as an issue the tax effect of which, if resolved adversely would be,
and the tax effect of settling the issue is, not proportionately the same for
both Members. If an issue is treated as not proportionately the same for both
Members under the preceding sentence, then in applying Section 6.08(e)(iv) of
the MAP LLC Agreement, nationally recognized tax counsel (whose selection
shall be based on the principles of Section 9.01 of the TMA) shall determine
if the settlement is fair to both Members based on the merits of the issue.
Such fees of the nationally recognized tax counsel shall be shared, 62% by
Marathon and 38% by New Ashland Inc.

          SECTION 10.11. Prior Tax Sharing Agreements. Except as specifically
provided in Section 10.09, as of the Closing Date, this Agreement supersedes
and terminates all prior agreements as to the allocation of tax liabilities
among the members of the Ashland Group, and after the Closing Date neither
HoldCo nor any member of the Marathon Group, as successor, transferee or
otherwise, shall be bound thereby or have any liability thereunder.

          SECTION 10.12. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement embodies
the entire understanding among the parties relating to its subject matter. Any
and all prior correspondence, conversations, and memoranda are merged herein
and shall be without effect hereon. No promises, covenants, or representations
of any kind, other than those expressly stated herein, have been made to
induce either party to enter into this Agreement. This Agreement shall not be
amended, supplemented, modified, or terminated except by a writing duly signed
by each of the parties hereto, and no waiver of any provisions of this
Agreement shall be effective unless in a writing duly signed by the party
sought to be bound.

          SECTION 10.13. Amendments Resulting From Pre-Closing Change In Tax
Structure. If, prior to the Closing, the Tax Structure of the Transactions is
modified, revised or changed in any manner, for any reason (including, but not
limited to, modifications, revisions or changes resulting from changes in law
or in response to communications (written or otherwise) with the IRS or any
other Tax Authority), the parties will negotiate in good faith to amend this
Agreement, to the extent necessary, to

<PAGE>

                                                                            39

reflect the underlying principles of calculation, allocation and assignment in
this Agreement.

          SECTION 10.14. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of any successor to any of the parties, by merger,
acquisition of assets or otherwise, to the same extent as if the successor had
been an original party to the Agreement, and in such event, all references
herein to a party shall refer instead to the successor of such party.

          SECTION 10.15. Confidentiality. Each party to this Agreement shall
hold, and cause its officers, employees, agents, consultants, and advisors to
hold, in strict confidence, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or
administrative process or, in the opinion of its counsel, by other
requirements of law, all information that it or any of its officers,
employees, agents, consultants, and advisors may acquire pursuant to, or in
the course of performing its obligations under, any provision of this
Agreement.

          SECTION 10.16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York,
regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles
of conflicts of laws thereof.

<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to
be executed by its respective duly authorized officer as of the date first set
forth above.

                                  ASHLAND INC.,

                                   by /s/ James J. O'Brien
                                      --------------------------------
                                      Name:  James J. O'Brien
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer

                                  ATB HOLDINGS INC.,

                                    by /s/ James J. O'Brien
                                      --------------------------------
                                       Name:  James J. O'Brien
                                       Title: President

                                  EXM LLC,

                                    by

                                    ATB HOLDINGS INC.,

                                    by /s/ James J. O'Brien
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Name:  James J. O'Brien
                                       Title: President

                                  NEW EXM INC.,

                                    by /s/ James J. O'Brien
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Name:  James J. O'Brien
                                       Title:    President

<PAGE>

                                  MARATHON OIL CORPORATION,

                                    by /s/ Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr.
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Name:  Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr.
                                       Title: President & Chief Executive
                                              Officer

                                  MARATHON OIL COMPANY,

                                    by /s/ Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr.
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Name:  Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr.
                                       Title: President

                                  MARATHON DOMESTIC LLC,

                                    by

                                  MARATHON OIL CORPORATION,

                                    by /s/ Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr.
                                       ------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr.
                                       Title: President & Chief Executive
                                              Officer

                                  MARATHON ASHLAND PETROLEUM LLC,

                                    by /s/ Gary R. Heminger
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Gary R. Heminger
                                       Title: PresidentEXHIBIT 10.2

================================================================================

                      ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
                                (VIOC CENTERS)

                          Dated as of March 18, 2004,

                                    Between

                                 ASHLAND INC.

                                      And

                               ATB HOLDINGS INC.

================================================================================

<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                          Page

                                   ARTICLE I

                        VIOC Assignment and Assumption

   SECTION 1.01.        VIOC Assignment and Assumption...................1
   SECTION 1.02.        Transferred Assets and Excluded Assets...........1
   SECTION 1.03.        Assumption of Certain Liabilities................6
   SECTION 1.04.        Consents of Third Parties.......................10
   SECTION 1.05.        Tax Matters.....................................12

                               ARTICLE II

                               The Closing

   SECTION 2.01.        Closing Date....................................12
   SECTION 2.02.        Transactions To Be Effected at the Closing......12

                               ARTICLE III

                       Representations and Warranties of Ashland

   SECTION 3.01.        Financial Statements............................13
   SECTION 3.02.        Assets Other than Real Property Interests.......13
   SECTION 3.03.        Real Property...................................13
   SECTION 3.04.        [Intentionally Omitted].........................14
   SECTION 3.05.        Contracts.......................................14
   SECTION 3.06.        Permits.........................................17
   SECTION 3.07.        Condition of Transferred Assets.................17
   SECTION 3.08.        Claims..........................................18
   SECTION 3.09.        Benefit Plans...................................18
   SECTION 3.10.        Absence of Changes or Events....................19
   SECTION 3.11.        Compliance with Laws............................19
   SECTION 3.12.        Employee and Labor Matters......................21
   SECTION 3.13.        Sufficiency of Transferred Assets...............21
   SECTION 3.14.        Inventory.......................................22

                               ARTICLE IV

                                Covenants

   SECTION 4.01.        Covenants of Ashland Relating to Conduct of
                          VIOC Centers..................................22
   SECTION 4.02.        Refunds and Remittances.........................24

<PAGE>

   SECTION 4.03.        Employee Matters................................25
   SECTION 4.04.        Post-Closing Information........................29
   SECTION 4.05.        Records.........................................29
   SECTION 4.06.        [Intentionally Omitted].........................29
   SECTION 4.07.        Bulk Transfer Laws..............................29
   SECTION 4.08.        Supplies........................................29
   SECTION 4.09.        Mail............................................30
   SECTION 4.10.        Further Assurances..............................30
   SECTION 4.11.        Review of Contracts.............................30
   SECTION 4.12.        List of Permits.................................31

                                ARTICLE V

                               Termination

   SECTION 5.01.        Termination.....................................32
   SECTION 5.02.        Effect of Termination...........................32

                               ARTICLE VI

                           General Provisions

   SECTION 6.01.        Interpretation; VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter;
                          Certain Definitions...........................32
   SECTION 6.02.        Counterparts....................................35
   SECTION 6.03.        Severability....................................35
   SECTION 6.04.        Governing Law...................................35
   SECTION 6.05.        No Third-Party Beneficiaries....................35
   SECTION 6.06.        Amendment.......................................35

Exhibit A-1        Form of Deed (VIOC Centers) (Ohio)
Exhibit A-2        Form of Deed (VIOC Centers) (Michigan)
Exhibit B          Form of Assignment and Assumption (VIOC Centers)
Exhibit C          Form of Blanket License Agreement

                                      ii

<PAGE>

                            INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
                            -----------------------

Term                                                                 Section

Active VIOC Centers Employee......................................   4.03(a)
Agreement.........................................................  Preamble
Ashland...........................................................  Preamble
Ashland Insurance Policies........................................   4.01(c)
Ashland Joint Contracts...........................................    4.11
Assigned Contracts................................................ 1.02(a)(v)
Assigned Permits.................................................. 1.02(a)(iv)
Assumed Liabilities...............................................   1.03(a)
Balance Sheet.....................................................    3.01
Blanket License Agreement.........................................   6.01(b)
Claim............................................................. 1.03(b)(iv)
COBRA............................................................. 4.03(b)(ii)
Contracts......................................................... 1.02(a)(v)
Employee Benefits Liability.......................................   3.09(b)
Environmental Claim...............................................   3.11(b)
Environmental Laws................................................   3.11(b)
Environmental Liability...........................................   6.01(b)
Environmental Tests............................................... 1.03(b)(ix)
ERISA.............................................................   3.09(a)
Excluded Assets...................................................   1.02(b)
Financial Statements..............................................    3.01
Hazardous Materials...............................................   3.11(b)
HoldCo............................................................  Preamble
HoldCo Retirement Plan............................................   4.03(d)
HoldCo VIOC Welfare Plans......................................... 4.03(b)(i)
Intellectual Property.............................................   6.01(b)
Inventory......................................................... 1.02(a)(ii)
Leased Property...................................................   3.03(a)
Master Agreement..................................................  Recitals
Owned Property....................................................   3.03(a)
Permits...........................................................    4.12
Permitted Liens...................................................   6.01(b)
Premises.......................................................... 1.02(a)(i)
Receivables.......................................................1.02(b)(xvi)
Records...........................................................1.02(a)(vii)
Release...........................................................   3.11(b)
Retained Liabilities..............................................   1.03(b)
Rev. Proc. 96-60..................................................   4.03(f)
Technology........................................................1.02(b)(xii)
Transferred Assets................................................   1.02(a)
Transferred VIOC Centers Employee.................................   4.03(a)
VIOC Assignment and Assumption....................................    1.01
VIOC Benefit Plans................................................   3.09(a)
VIOC Centers......................................................   6.01(b)

<PAGE>

Term                                                                  Section

VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter.................................... Article III
VIOC Centers Employee.............................................   3.09(a)
VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect..............................   6.01(b)
VIOC Pension Plans................................................   3.09(a)

                                      ii

<PAGE>

                         ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (VIOC CENTERS)
                    (this "Agreement") dated as of March 18, 2004, between
                    Ashland Inc., a Kentucky corporation ("Ashland"), and ATB
                    Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned
                    subsidiary of Ashland ("HoldCo").

          WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, the parties hereto and certain other parties are entering into a
Master Agreement (the "Master Agreement"; terms used but not otherwise defined
herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Master Agreement); and

          WHEREAS, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Master
Agreement, Ashland wishes to transfer to HoldCo, and HoldCo wishes to acquire
and assume, certain assets and liabilities of the VIOC Centers (as defined in
Section 6.01(b)) pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

          NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                  ARTICLE I

                        VIOC Assignment and Assumption

          SECTION 1.01. VIOC Assignment and Assumption. On the terms and
subject to the conditions of this Agreement and the Master Agreement, at the
Closing, Ashland shall contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to
HoldCo, and HoldCo shall acquire from Ashland, all the right, title and
interest as of the Closing of Ashland in, to and under the Transferred Assets
(as defined in Section 1.02(a)), and HoldCo shall assume the Assumed
Liabilities (as defined in Section 1.03(a)). The contribution, assignment,
transfer, conveyance and delivery of the Transferred Assets and the assumption
of the Assumed Liabilities and the other Transactions contemplated by this
Agreement are referred to in this Agreement as the "VIOC Assignment and
Assumption".

          SECTION 1.02. Transferred Assets and Excluded Assets. (a) The term
"Transferred Assets" means all of

<PAGE>

                                                                             2

Ashland's right, title and interest in, to and under the following assets,
other than the Excluded Assets (as defined in Section 1.02(b)):

               (i) all real property, leaseholds and other interests
          (including interests in surface rights and mineral interests) in the
          real property listed in Section 3.03 of the VIOC Centers Disclosure
          Letter (as defined in Article III), in each case together with
          Ashland's right, title and interest in all buildings, structures,
          improvements, paved parking lots and fixtures thereon and all other
          appurtenances thereto (collectively, the "Premises");

               (ii) all salable lube oils, greases, automotive fluids,
          automotive accessories (including filters), supplies, parts, spare
          parts and other inventories of Ashland that on the Closing Date are
          located on or are in transit to the Premises (collectively, the
          "Inventory");

               (iii) all other tangible personal property and interests
          therein, including all machinery, equipment, tools, appliances,
          telephones, telecommunications equipment, copy machines, fax
          machines, computers, hardware that accesses point-of-sale systems,
          cash registers, implements, furniture, furnishings and fixtures, of
          Ashland that on the Closing Date are located on or are in transit to
          the Premises (other than signs and other identification items and
          materials, including all exterior pylon, monument, ground and
          building signs and all interior signs, banners and reading boards,
          in each case that customarily are owned by Ashland (and not by the
          franchisee) at its franchised Valvoline Instant Oil Change (VIOC)
          quick-lube service centers), in each case together with any rights
          or claims of Ashland arising out of the breach of any express or
          implied warranty by the manufacturers or sellers of such assets;

               (iv) to the extent that such Permits (as defined in Section
          4.12) are transferable, all Permits of Ashland that are used, held
          for use or intended to be used exclusively in the operation or
          conduct of the VIOC Centers (the "Assigned Permits");

<PAGE>

                                                                             3

               (v) (A) all contracts, leases, subleases, licenses, indentures,
          agreements, commitments and all other legally binding arrangements
          ("Contracts"), whether oral or written, to which Ashland is a party
          or by which Ashland is bound as of the date of this Agreement that
          are (1) listed in Sections 3.03 or 3.05 of the VIOC Centers
          Disclosure Letter or (2) of the type specified in any of clauses (i)
          through (xi) of Section 3.05 but, as a result of the application of
          any applicable thresholds set forth therein, are not required to be
          listed in Section 3.05 of the VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter, (B)
          all other written Contracts (including purchase orders and sales
          orders) to which Ashland is a party or by which Ashland is bound, in
          the case of this clause (B) that are entered into after the date of
          this Agreement, but not in violation or breach of any provision of
          this Agreement, and that exclusively relate to, or that arise
          exclusively out of, the operation or conduct of the VIOC Centers in
          the ordinary course of business and (C) all Contracts to which
          Ashland is a party or by which Ashland is bound, in the case of this
          clause (C) that are entered into after the date of this Agreement
          and that are to be treated as Assigned Contracts pursuant to Section
          4.11 (the "Assigned Contracts");

               (vi) all credits, prepaid expenses, deferred charges, advance
          payments, security deposits and prepaid items of Ashland, in each
          case to the extent used, held for use or intended to be used in, or
          to the extent arising out of, the operation or conduct of the VIOC
          Centers;

               (vii) all books of account, ledgers, general, financial,
          accounting and personnel records, files, invoices, suppliers' lists,
          billing records, sales and promotional literature, supplier
          correspondence, sales records, credit data and other information
          relating to present or past customers, cost and pricing information,
          equipment maintenance data, purchasing records and information,
          business plans, payroll and personnel records, purchase orders,
          sales forms, artwork, photography, log books, environmental, health
          and safety schedules, reports, protocols and findings pertaining to
          the VIOC Centers or the Transferred Assets (including records of
          spills or other releases

<PAGE>

                                                                             4

          or discharges into the atmosphere, records of environmental, safety
          or health reports to or from Governmental Entities regarding the
          VIOC Centers or the Transferred Assets (including notices of
          violation), and correspondence, notices and orders of an
          environmental, safety or health nature regarding the VIOC Centers or
          the Transferred Assets) and other similar property, rights and
          information of Ashland, in each case that are used, held for use or
          intended to be used exclusively in, or that arise exclusively out
          of, the operation or conduct of the VIOC Centers (the "Records");
          provided, however, that the Records shall not include any property,
          rights or information of Ashland that will be licensed to Merger Sub
          pursuant to the Blanket License Agreement (as defined in Section
          6.01(b));

               (viii) all goodwill and going concern value of Ashland
          generated exclusively by, or associated exclusively with, the VIOC
          Centers; and

               (ix) all rights, claims and credits of Ashland to the extent
          relating to any other Transferred Asset or any Assumed Liability
          (other than any such items arising under insurance policies),
          including any such items arising under any guarantee, warranty,
          indemnity or similar right in favor of Ashland in respect of any
          other Transferred Asset or any Assumed Liability.

               (b) The term "Excluded Assets" means:

               (i) all assets identified in Section 1.02(b) of the VIOC
          Centers Disclosure Letter;

               (ii) all cash and cash equivalents of Ashland;

               (iii) all rights, claims and credits of Ashland to the extent
          relating to any other Excluded Asset or any Retained Liability (as
          defined in Section 1.03(b)), including any such items arising under
          insurance policies and any guarantee, warranty, indemnity or similar
          right in favor of Ashland in respect of any other Excluded Asset or
          any Retained Liability;

               (iv) all collective bargaining agreements and other Contracts
          with any labor union that cover one or more Active VIOC Centers
          Employees (as defined in Section 4.03(a)) and all Contracts relating
          to

<PAGE>

                                                                             5

          compensation, bonus or severance to which any Active VIOC Centers
          Employee or any person hired to become a VIOC Centers Employee (as
          defined in Section 3.09(a)) is a party;

               (v) all the assets of the VIOC Pension Plans (as defined in
          Section 3.09(a)) and all the assets of Ashland and its affiliates
          under any other VIOC Benefit Plan (as defined in Section 3.09(a));

               (vi) all rights of Ashland under the Transaction Agreements and
          the Ancillary Agreements;

               (vii) all assets relating to corporate-level services of the
          type currently provided to the VIOC Centers by Ashland or any of its
          affiliates;

               (viii) any shares of capital stock of any affiliate of Ashland;

               (ix) the names and marks "Ashland", "V Valvoline Instant Oil
          Change(R) and design", "Valvoline(R)", "V(R)", "Valvoline Instant
          Oil Change(R)", "Instant Oil(R)", "MVP(R) and Design" and "MVP
          Maximum Vehicle Performance(R) and Design" (in any style or design),
          and any other name or mark either derived from or including any
          portion of the foregoing or otherwise used in the operation or
          conduct of the VIOC Centers;

               (x) all records of Ashland prepared in connection with the
          Transactions;

               (xi) all financial and tax records relating to the VIOC Centers
          to the extent they form part of Ashland's general ledger;

               (xii) all trade secrets, confidential information and
          inventions, and all proprietary formulae, processes, procedures,
          research records, records of inventions, test information, operating
          systems, operating manuals, market surveys and marketing know-how of
          Ashland that are used, held for use or intended to be used in the
          operation or conduct of the VIOC Centers, including the System (as
          defined in the form of License Agreement attached to the Blanket
          License Agreement and incorporated by reference therein) (the
          "Technology");

<PAGE>

                                                                             6

               (xiii) all Intellectual Property (as defined in Section
          6.01(b)) of Ashland that is used, held for use or intended to be
          used in the operation or conduct of the VIOC Centers;

               (xiv) all signs and other identification items and materials,
          including exterior pylon, monument, ground and building signs and
          all interior signs, banners and reading boards, in each case that
          customarily are owned by Ashland (and not by the franchisee) at its
          franchised Valvoline Instant Oil Change (VIOC) quick-lube service
          centers;

               (xv) prepaid insurance premiums; and

               (xvi) all accounts receivable of Ashland as of the close of
          business on the Closing Date that arise out of the operation or
          conduct of the VIOC Centers (the "Receivables").

          SECTION 1.03. Assumption of Certain Liabilities. (a) Upon the terms
and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, HoldCo shall assume,
effective as of the Closing, and from and after the Closing, HoldCo shall pay,
perform and discharge when due, and indemnify Ashland and its affiliates and
each of their respective Representatives against, and defend and hold them
harmless from, all of the following liabilities, obligations and commitments
of any nature, whether known or unknown, express or implied, primary or
secondary, direct or indirect, liquidated, absolute, accrued, contingent or
otherwise and whether due or to become due, of Ashland (collectively, the
"Assumed Liabilities"), other than any Retained Liabilities:

               (i) all liabilities, obligations and commitments of Ashland
          under the Assigned Contracts to the extent such liabilities,
          obligations and commitments relate to the period from and after the
          Closing;

               (ii) all liabilities, obligations and commitments of Ashland to
          the extent expressly assumed by HoldCo in accordance with Section
          4.03;

               (iii) all Environmental Liabilities (as defined in Section
          6.01(b)) of Ashland to the extent they arise out of both (A) the
          operation of any of the Transferred Assets or the operation or
          conduct of the VIOC Centers and (B) either (x) events occurring or

<PAGE>

                                                                             7

          circumstances or conditions arising from and after the Closing, or
          (y) events occurring or circumstances or conditions arising prior to
          the Closing, but only, in the case of this clause (B)(y), to the
          extent set forth in the table below (provided, however, that to the
          extent the same Environmental Liability is described in both clauses
          (x) and (y) of this Section 1.03(a)(iv)(B), such Environmental
          Liability will be apportioned between HoldCo and Ashland in
          proportion to the extent to which the activities of each party
          contributed to the cause of the Environmental Liability, taking into
          account all pertinent factors, including the length of ownership by
          HoldCo and Ashland of the relevant property during the time of the
          event or occurrence, or the development of the circumstance or
          condition, giving rise to the Environmental Liability and the use
          made of such property by the parties hereto):

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If written notice (in                            Percentage of Environmental
reasonable detail) of such                       Liability described in clause
Environmental Liability is                       (B)(y) above that will be an
first received by Ashland                        Assumed Liability:
during the twelve-month
period ending on the
following anniversary of the
Closing Date (provided,
however, that with respect to
any Environmental Liability
arising from any matter
referred to in Section 3.11(b)
of the VIOC Centers Disclosure
Letter, Ashland shall be
deemed to have received
written notice (in reasonable
detail) of such Environmental
Liability prior to the first
anniversary of the Closing Date):
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First through Fifth                                     0%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sixth                                                   20%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seventh                                                 40%

<PAGE>

                                                                             8

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eighth                                                  60%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ninth                                                   80%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If such notice is not                                  100%
received by Ashland on or
prior to the ninth
anniversary of the Closing Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
; and

               (iv) all other liabilities, obligations and commitments of
          Ashland to the extent such liabilities, obligations and commitments
          relate to or arise out of the operation of any of the Transferred
          Assets or the operation or conduct of the VIOC Centers, in each case
          from and after the Closing.

     (b) Notwithstanding Section 1.03(a), or any other provision of this
Agreement, HoldCo shall not assume, and Ashland shall pay, perform and
discharge when due, and indemnify HoldCo and its affiliates and each of their
respective Representatives against, and defend and hold them harmless from,
any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland or the VIOC Centers of any
nature, whether known or unknown, express or implied, primary or secondary,
direct or indirect, liquidated, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise,
and whether due or to become due, except the Assumed Liabilities
(collectively, the "Retained Liabilities"). Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the Retained Liabilities include:

          (i) any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland to the extent
     arising out of the operation or conduct by Ashland or any of its
     affiliates of any business other than the VIOC Centers;

          (ii) all accounts payable of Ashland to the extent arising out of
     the operation or conduct of the VIOC Centers prior to the Closing;

          (iii) any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland (A) to the
     extent arising out of any actual or alleged breach by Ashland of, or
     nonperformance by Ashland under, any Contract (including any Assigned
     Contract) prior to the Closing or (B) under any Assigned Contract to the
     extent such liability,

<PAGE>

                                                                             9

     obligation or commitment relates to the period prior to the Closing;

          (iv) any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland arising out
     of any warranty claim, suit, action, proceeding, investigation,
     governmental action or other cause of action or claim associated with or
     relating to the VIOC Centers or the Transferred Assets (a "Claim") to the
     extent arising out of actions, omissions or conditions occurring or
     existing on or prior to the Closing Date;

          (v) any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland to the extent
     such liability, obligation or commitment relates to, or arises out of,
     any Excluded Asset, or arises out of the ownership or operation by
     Ashland of any of the Excluded Assets;

          (vi) except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 4.03, any
     liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland arising under any VIOC
     Benefit Plan;

          (vii) any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland to any of
     its divisions, subsidiaries or affiliates;

          (viii) any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland or any of
     its affiliates under any of the Transaction Agreements or any of the
     Ancillary Agreements; and

          (ix) any Environmental Liability arising out of events occurring or
     circumstances or conditions arising prior to the Closing except for
     Environmental Liabilities that are Assumed Liabilities pursuant to
     Section 1.03(a)(iii); provided, however, an Environmental Liability that
     otherwise would be considered a Retained Liability under this Section
     1.03(b)(ix) shall be an Assumed Liability and shall not be a Retained
     Liability if the event, circumstance or condition that gave rise to such
     Environmental Liability (A) is the result of a change in use after the
     Closing Date of any of the Premises to a use other than a commercial use
     of such Premises similar to its current use, or (B) was discovered as a
     result of a Phase II or other intrusive sampling, testing or
     investigation conducted after the Closing Date (collectively,
     "Environmental Tests") except for

<PAGE>

                                                                            10

     Environmental Tests undertaken (x) to respond to, investigate, or
     otherwise remediate environmental conditions or contamination that are on
     the Closing Date in violation of the standards imposed by applicable
     Environmental Laws (as defined in Section 3.11(b)), (y) as required by
     Environmental Laws, pursuant to the terms of any lease with respect to
     any of the Premises or in response to an inquiry, request, claim or
     demand by a Governmental Entity or as a reasonable response to any claim
     or demand by any other person that is not an affiliate of HoldCo or (z)
     in connection with a condition first discovered as a result of
     construction activities, excluding construction activities relating to
     the installation of underground storage tanks, commencing after the
     Closing Date at, on or beneath any of the Premises, so long as such
     construction activities are undertaken in connection with a commercial
     use of such Premises similar to its current use.

          (c) HoldCo shall acquire the Transferred Assets free and clear of
all liabilities, obligations and commitments of Ashland, other than the
Assumed Liabilities, and free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted
Liens (as defined in Section 6.01(b)) and other than any Lien pursuant to the
HoldCo Borrowing arrangements or arising from actions or inactions of any of
the Marathon Parties or their affiliates (and not of any of the Ashland
Parties or their affiliates).

          SECTION 1.04 Consents of Third Parties. (a) Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not constitute an
agreement to assign any asset or any claim or right or any benefit arising
under or resulting from such asset, or to assume any liability, obligation or
commitment, if an attempted assignment or assumption thereof, without the
Consent of a third party, would constitute a breach or other contravention of
the rights of such third party, would be ineffective with respect to any party
to an agreement concerning such asset, liability, obligation or commitment, or
would in any way adversely affect the rights of Ashland or, upon transfer,
HoldCo with respect to such asset, liability, obligation or commitment. If any
transfer or assignment by Ashland, or any assumption by HoldCo, of any
interest in, or liability, obligation or commitment under, any asset requires
the Consent of a third party, then such

<PAGE>

                                                                            11

transfer or assignment or assumption shall be made subject to such Consent
being obtained. Except as set forth in Section 1.04(b), Ashland shall not have
any liability or obligation under this Agreement arising out of or relating to
the failure to obtain any such Consent that may be required in connection with
the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement or because of any
circumstances resulting therefrom, in each case so long as Ashland shall have
complied with its obligation under Section 9.11 of the Master Agreement to use
its reasonable best efforts to obtain such Consents. Subject to Section
1.04(b), no representation, warranty or covenant of Ashland herein shall be
breached or deemed breached, and no condition shall be deemed not satisfied,
as a result of (i) the failure to obtain any such Consent, (ii) any
circumstances resulting therefrom or (iii) any Claim or investigation
commenced or threatened by or on behalf of any person arising out of or
relating to the failure to obtain any such Consent or any circumstances
resulting therefrom, in each case so long as Ashland shall have complied with
its obligation under Section 9.11 of the Master Agreement to use its
reasonable best efforts to obtain such Consents.

          (b) If any such Consent is not obtained prior to the Closing, the
Closing shall nonetheless take place on the terms set forth herein and,
thereafter, Ashland and HoldCo shall cooperate (at their own expense) in any
lawful and reasonable arrangement proposed by HoldCo under which HoldCo shall
obtain the economic claims, rights and benefits under the asset, claim or
right with respect to which the Consent has not been obtained in accordance
with this Agreement. Such reasonable arrangement may include (i) the
subcontracting, sublicensing or subleasing to HoldCo of any and all rights of
Ashland against the other party to such third-party agreement arising out of a
breach or cancellation thereof by the other party and (ii) the enforcement by
Ashland of such rights. With respect to the Assigned Contracts listed in
Section 1.04(b) of the VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter, if the provision of
such economic claims, rights and benefits to HoldCo shall violate the rights
of such other party, Ashland shall otherwise compensate HoldCo for the
reasonable value, if any, of such economic claims, rights and benefits, so
long as HoldCo shall have complied with its obligations under the first
sentence of this Section 1.04(b).

<PAGE>

                                                                            12

          SECTION 1.05. Tax Matters. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Agreement, the rights, responsibilities and obligations of the parties
with respect to any Taxes or Tax Items (in each case as defined in the Tax
Matters Agreement) related to or arising from the ownership or operation of
the VIOC Centers shall be determined pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE II

                                  The Closing

          SECTION 2.01. Closing Date. The closing of the VIOC Assignment and
Assumption will occur at the Closing, subject only to the satisfaction or
waiver of the conditions to Closing in accordance with the terms of the Master
Agreement.

          SECTION 2.02. Transactions To Be Effected at the Closing. At the
Closing, in accordance with Section 1.01(a) of the Master Agreement:

          (a) Ashland shall deliver to HoldCo an executed deed (in recordable
     form) with respect to each of the Owned Properties (as defined in Section
     3.03(a)) located in Ohio, substantially in the form attached hereto as
     Exhibit A-1, and an executed deed (in recordable form) with respect to
     each of the Owned Properties located in Michigan, substantially in the
     form attached hereto as Exhibit A-2;

          (b) Ashland and HoldCo shall enter into an assignment and assumption
     document, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, providing for the
     assignment of the Transferred Assets and the assumption of the Assumed
     Liabilities; and

          (c) The parties thereto shall enter into the Blanket License
     Agreement.

                                 ARTICLE III

                   Representations and Warranties of Ashland

          Ashland hereby represents and warrants to HoldCo that, as of the
date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing
Date (except to the extent any such representations and warranties expressly

<PAGE>

                                                                            13

relate to an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), except as
set forth in the letter referencing this Agreement, dated as of the date of
this Agreement, from Ashland to HoldCo (the "VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter"):

          SECTION 3.01. Financial Statements. Section 3.01 of the VIOC Centers
Disclosure Letter sets forth the unaudited combined statement of tangible
assets to be sold as of September 30, 2003 (the "Balance Sheet"), the
unaudited combined statement of tangible assets to be sold as of December 31,
2003, the unaudited combined statement of income before taxes for the year
ended September 30, 2003 and the unaudited combined statement of income before
taxes for the three months ended December 31, 2003, together with the notes to
such financial statements, in each case of the VIOC Centers (such financial
statements and the notes thereto, the "Financial Statements"). The Financial
Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the tangible assets to be
sold and income before taxes of the VIOC Centers as of the dates and for the
periods indicated, in conformity with GAAP (subject, in the case of the
interim financial statements as of and for the period ended December 31, 2003,
to normal, recurring year-end adjustments).

          SECTION 3.02. Assets Other than Real Property Interests. Ashland
has, or as of the Closing Date will have, and at the Closing Ashland will
transfer (subject to the consummation of the Closing on the Closing Date in
accordance with the terms of Article I of the Master Agreement) to HoldCo,
good and valid title to all Transferred Assets in each case free and clear of
all Liens (other than any Lien pursuant to the HoldCo Borrowing arrangements
or arising from actions or inactions of any of the Marathon Parties or their
affiliates (and not of any of the Ashland Parties or their affiliates)),
except Permitted Liens. This Section 3.02 does not relate to real property or
interests in real property, such items being the subject of Section 3.03.

          SECTION 3.03. Real Property. (a) Section 3.03 of the VIOC Centers
Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete list of all real property and
interests in real property owned in fee by Ashland and any of the other
Ashland Parties and used, held for use or intended to be used exclusively in
the operation or conduct of the VIOC Centers, other than any such property or
interest constituting an Excluded Asset (individually, an

<PAGE>

                                                                            14

"Owned Property"). Section 3.03 of the VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter sets
forth a complete list of all real property and interests in real property
leased by Ashland and used, held for use or intended to be used exclusively in
the operation or conduct of the VIOC Centers, other than any such property or
interest constituting an Excluded Asset (individually, a "Leased Property").

          (b) Ashland has, or as of the Closing Date will have, and at the
Closing Ashland will transfer (subject to the consummation of the Closing on
the Closing Date in accordance with the terms of Article I of the Master
Agreement) to HoldCo, good and marketable fee title to all Owned Property and
good and valid title to the leasehold estates in all Leased Property, in each
case free and clear of all Liens (other than any Lien pursuant to the HoldCo
Borrowing arrangements or arising from actions or inactions of any of the
Marathon Parties or their affiliates (and not of any of the Ashland Parties or
their affiliates)), except Permitted Liens.

          SECTION 3.04. [Intentionally Omitted].

          SECTION 3.05. Contracts. (a) Except for Contracts that will not be
binding on the Transferred Assets or any of the VIOC Centers after the
Closing, Ashland is not a party to or bound by any Contract that is used, held
for use or intended to be used exclusively in, or that arises exclusively out
of, the operation or conduct of the VIOC Centers (other than (x) the
Transaction Agreements and the Ancillary Agreements and (y) Assigned Contracts
entered into after the date of this Agreement in the ordinary course of
business and not otherwise in violation of this Agreement) that is:

          (i) a covenant not to compete (other than pursuant to the radius
     restrictions contained in the agreements listed in Section 3.05(a)(i) of
     the VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter) that limits the conduct of business
     at any of the VIOC Centers as presently conducted;

          (ii) a Contract with (A) Ashland or any affiliate of Ashland or (B)
     any officer, director or employee of Ashland or any of its affiliates, in
     each case other than Contracts that will be terminated as of the Closing;

<PAGE>

                                                                            15

          (iii) a lease, sublease or similar Contract with any person under
     which Ashland is a lessor or sublessor of, or makes available for use to
     any person, all or any portion of the Premises in any such case that has
     an aggregate future receivable in excess of $50,000 and is not terminable
     by Ashland by notice of not more than 30 days without payment or penalty
     of any kind;

          (iv) a lease, sublease or similar Contract with any person under
     which (A) Ashland is lessee of, or holds or uses, any machinery,
     equipment, vehicle or other tangible personal property owned by any
     person or (B) Ashland is a lessor or sublessor of, or makes available for
     use by any person, any tangible personal property owned or leased by
     Ashland, in any such case that has an aggregate future liability or
     receivable, as the case may be, in excess of $100,000 and is not
     terminable by Ashland by notice of not more than 30 days without payment
     or penalty of any kind;

          (v) (A) a continuing Contract for the future purchase of materials,
     supplies or equipment (other than purchase orders for inventory in the
     ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), (B) a
     management, service, consulting or other similar Contract or (C) an
     advertising agreement or arrangement, in any such case that has an
     aggregate future liability to any person in excess of $100,000 and is not
     terminable by Ashland by notice of not more than 30 days without payment
     or penalty of any kind;

          (vi) a Contract (including a sales order) involving the obligation
     of Ashland to deliver products or services for payment of more than
     $100,000 or extending for a term more than 90 days from the date of this
     Agreement (unless terminable without payment or penalty of any kind upon
     no more than 30 days' notice);

          (vii) (A) a Contract under which Ashland has borrowed any money
     from, or issued any note, bond, debenture or other evidence of
     indebtedness to, any person or (B) any other note, bond, debenture,
     letter of credit, financial assurance requirement or other evidence of
     indebtedness issued to any person;

<PAGE>

                                                                            16

          (viii) a Contract (including any so-called take-or-pay or keepwell
     agreement) under which (A) any person has directly or indirectly
     guaranteed indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of Ashland or (B)
     Ashland has directly or indirectly guaranteed indebtedness, liabilities
     or obligations of any other person (in each case other than endorsements
     for the purpose of collection in the ordinary course of business);

          (ix) a Contract under which Ashland has, directly or indirectly,
     made any advance, loan, extension of credit or capital contribution to,
     or other investment in, any person (other than extensions of trade credit
     in the ordinary course of business of the VIOC Centers), in any such case
     that, individually, is in excess of $100,000;

          (x) a Contract granting a Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon the
     Premises; or

          (xi) any other Contract that has an aggregate future liability to
     any person (other than Ashland) in excess of $100,000 and is not
     terminable by Ashland by notice of not more than 30 days without payment
     or penalty of any kind (other than purchase orders and sales orders).

As of the date of this Agreement, neither the Transferred Assets nor the VIOC
Centers are bound by or subject to any Contract of any of the types referred
to in clauses (i) through (xi) of this Section 3.05(a), applying the
thresholds set forth therein, that will be binding on any of the Transferred
Assets or the VIOC Centers after the Closing Date.

          (b) All Contracts listed in the VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter are
valid, binding and in full force and effect and are enforceable by Ashland in
accordance with their terms subject, as to enforcement, to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally and to equitable principles of general
applicability, except for such failures to be valid, binding, in full force
and effect or enforceable that have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect (as defined in Section
6.01(b)). Ashland has performed all obligations required to be performed by

<PAGE>

                                                                            17

it to date under the Assigned Contracts, and it is not in breach or default
thereunder and, to the knowledge of Ashland, no other party to any Assigned
Contract is in breach or default thereunder, in each case except for such
noncompliance, breaches and defaults that have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have a VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect. Ashland
has not received any notice of the intention of any party to terminate any
Assigned Contract listed in any section of the VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter.

          (c) Section 3.05(c) of the VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter sets forth
each Assigned Contract with respect to which the Consent of the other party or
parties thereto must be obtained by virtue of the execution and delivery of
this Agreement or the consummation of the VIOC Assignment and Assumption to
avoid the invalidity of the transfer of such Contract, the termination
thereof, a breach, violation or default thereunder or any other change or
modification to the terms thereof, other than any such invalidity,
termination, breach, violation, default, change or modification that would not
reasonably be expected to have a VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 3.06. Permits. All Assigned Permits are validly held by
Ashland, and Ashland has complied with the terms and conditions thereof,
except for any such invalidity or non-compliance that would not reasonably be
expected to have a VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect. Ashland has not
received written notice of any Claims relating to the revocation or
modification of any Assigned Permits except for any such Claims that would not
reasonably be expected to have a VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect. None of
the Assigned Permits is subject to suspension, modification, revocation or
nonrenewal as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
consummation of the VIOC Assignment and Assumption, except for any such
suspensions, modifications, revocations or nonrenewals that would not
reasonably be expected to have a VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect. This
Section 3.06 does not relate to environmental matters, such items being the
subject of Section 3.11(b).

          SECTION 3.07. Condition of Transferred Assets. The Transferred
Assets are in good operating condition and repair (ordinary wear and tear
excepted) and are suitable for their current uses, except where the failure of
the Transferred Assets to be in good operating condition or

<PAGE>

                                                                            18

repair or to be suitable for such uses would not reasonably be expected to
have a VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 3.08. Claims. Section 3.08 of the VIOC Centers Disclosure
Letter sets forth a list of each Claim pending or, to the knowledge of
Ashland, threatened against, or as to which a notice has been received as of
the date of this Agreement by, Ashland (and, as to complaints, which have been
served on Ashland) and that involves an amount in controversy of more than
$100,000. This Section 3.08 does not relate to environmental matters, such
items being the subject of Section 3.11(b), or to employee or labor matters,
such items being the subject of Section 3.12.

          SECTION 3.09. Benefit Plans. (a) Section 3.09 of the VIOC Centers
Disclosure Letter contains a list of all "employee pension benefit plans" (as
defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended ("ERISA")), maintained or contributed to by Ashland for the
benefit of any officers or employees of the VIOC Centers ("VIOC Pension
Plans") and all "employee welfare benefit plans" (as defined in Section 3(1)
of ERISA), bonus, stock option, stock purchase, deferred compensation plans or
arrangements and other employee fringe benefit plans maintained, or
contributed to, by Ashland or any of its affiliates for the benefit of one or
more current or former employees of the VIOC Centers (other than any former
employee of the VIOC Centers who became employed by MAP or any of its
subsidiaries following termination of employment with Ashland or any of its
affiliates) (each, a "VIOC Centers Employee") (all the foregoing, including
VIOC Pension Plans, being herein called "VIOC Benefit Plans"). Ashland has
provided to Marathon true, complete and correct copies of (i) each VIOC
Benefit Plan (or, in the case of any unwritten VIOC Benefit Plans, fair and
accurate summary descriptions thereof), (ii) the two most recent annual
reports on Form 5500 filed with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to
each VIOC Benefit Plan (if any such report was required), (iii) the most
recent summary plan description for each VIOC Benefit Plan for which such a
summary plan description is required and (iv) each trust agreement, group
annuity contract or other funding and financing arrangement relating to any
VIOC Benefit Plan.

          (b) There does not exist as of the date of this Agreement, nor do
any circumstances exist as of the date of

<PAGE>

                                                                            19

this Agreement that would reasonably be expected to result in, any Employee
Benefits Liability (as defined below), whether under any VIOC Benefit Plan or
otherwise, that would reasonably be expected to become a liability of HoldCo
or any of its affiliates at or after the Closing. "Employee Benefits
Liability" means any liability of Ashland or any entity required to be treated
as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code with
Ashland prior to the Closing under (i) Sections 302, 405, 409 or Title IV of
ERISA, (ii) Section 412, 4971 or 4975 of the Code or (iii) Sections 601 et.
seq. and 701 et seq. of ERISA and Section 4980B and Sections 9801 et seq. of
the Code.

          SECTION 3.10. Absence of Changes or Events. From the date of the
Balance Sheet to the date of this Agreement, there has not been any event,
change, effect or development (i) that, individually or in the aggregate, has
had or would reasonably be expected to have a VIOC Centers Material Adverse
Effect or (ii) that would have been prohibited by Section 4.01 if the terms of
such section had been in effect as of and after the date of the Balance Sheet.

          SECTION 3.11. Compliance with Laws. (a) The VIOC Centers are in
compliance with all applicable Laws, including those relating to occupational
health and safety, except for instances of noncompliance that would not
reasonably be expected to have a VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect. To the
knowledge of Ashland, Ashland has not received any written communication from
a Governmental Entity that alleges that the VIOC Centers are not in compliance
in any material respect with any applicable Law that has not been finally
resolved with such Governmental Entity. This Section 3.11(a) does not relate
to matters with respect to Taxes, which are the subject of the Tax Matters
Agreement, or to environmental matters, which are the subject of Section
3.11(b).

          (b) There are no underground storage tanks for the storage of
Hazardous Materials (as defined below) in use at any of the VIOC Centers, and
to Ashland's knowledge there are no such tanks located under the Premises.
Except for such matters that would not reasonably be expected to have a VIOC
Centers Material Adverse Effect, (i) to the knowledge of Ashland, Ashland has
not received any written communication from a Governmental Entity that alleges
that the VIOC Centers are in violation of any Environmental Law

<PAGE>

                                                                            20

that has not been finally resolved with such Governmental Entity, (ii) Ashland
holds all Permits required to conduct the VIOC Centers under any applicable
Environmental Law, and is and at all times has been in compliance with all
Environmental Laws and the terms and conditions of such Permits, (iii) there
are no Environmental Claims (as defined below) pending, or to the knowledge of
Ashland, threatened against Ashland and (iv) there have been no Releases (as
defined below) of any Hazardous Material at or originating from the Premises,
and no Hazardous Materials have been handled, generated, stored, transported
or disposed of by the VIOC Centers, in each case that would reasonably be
expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against Ashland. The term
"Environmental Claim" means any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial
actions, suits, orders, demands, directives, claims, liens, investigations,
proceedings or written notices of noncompliance or violation by or from any
person alleging liability of whatever kind or nature arising out of, based on
or resulting from (x) the presence or Release of, or exposure to, any
Hazardous Materials; or (y) the failure to comply with any Environmental Law.
The term "Environmental Laws" means all applicable federal, state, local and
foreign laws, rules, regulations, orders, decrees, judgments, legally binding
agreements or environmental Permits issued, promulgated or entered into by or
with any Governmental Entity, relating to the protection of the environment,
the protection of the public welfare from actual or potential exposure, or the
effects from exposure, to any actual or potential release, discharge, disposal
or emission (whether past or present) of any Hazardous Materials or the
manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, labeling, storage,
disposal, transport or handling of any Hazardous Materials. The term
"Hazardous Materials" means all explosive or regulated radioactive materials
or substances, hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or chemicals, petroleum
(including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum distillates,
asbestos or asbestos containing materials, and any other material, chemical
substance or waste that in relevant form or concentration is prohibited,
limited or regulated (or the cleanup of which can be required) pursuant to any
Environmental Law and all substances that require special handling, storage or
disposal procedures or whose handling, storage or disposal procedures is in
any way regulated, in any case under any applicable Law for the protection of
the health, safety and environment. The term "Release" means

<PAGE>

                                                                            21

any spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, deposit, disposal,
discharge, dispersal, leaching, emanation or migration of any Hazardous
Materials into or through the environment (including ambient air, surface
water, ground water, soils, land surface, subsurface strata or workplace).

          SECTION 3.12. Employee and Labor Matters. Except as would not
reasonably be expected to have a VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect (i)
there is not any, and during the past three years there has not been any,
labor strike, dispute, work stoppage or lockout pending against the VIOC
Centers; (ii) to the knowledge of Ashland, no union organizational campaign is
in progress with respect to the VIOC Centers Employees and no question
concerning representation of such employees exists; (iii) Ashland is not
engaged in any unfair labor practice in connection with the conduct of the
VIOC Centers; (iv) there are not any unfair labor practice charges or
complaints against Ashland pending before the National Labor Relations Board
in connection with the conduct of the VIOC Centers; (v) there are not any
pending union grievances against Ashland in connection with the conduct of the
VIOC Centers as to which there is a reasonable possibility of adverse
determination; (vi) there are not any pending charges in connection with the
conduct of the VIOC Centers against Ashland or any VIOC Centers Employee
before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any state or local
agency responsible for the prevention of unlawful employment practices; and
(vii) Ashland has not received written notice during the past three years of
the intent of any Governmental Entity responsible for the enforcement of labor
or employment laws to conduct an investigation of the VIOC Centers.

          SECTION 3.13. Sufficiency of Transferred Assets. Except for the
exclusion of the Excluded Assets and assuming that HoldCo has the ability to
provide to the VIOC Centers all corporate-level services of the type that are
currently provided to the VIOC Centers by Ashland or any of its affiliates,
the Transferred Assets, together with the Blanket License Agreement, are
sufficient for the operation and conduct of the business of the VIOC Centers
immediately following the Closing in substantially the same manner as
currently operated and conducted, other than any insufficiency that would not
reasonably be expected to have a VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect.

<PAGE>

                                                                            22

          SECTION 3.14. Inventory. Except as would not reasonably be expected
to have a VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect, the Inventory is generally of
a quality usable or salable in the ordinary course of business of the VIOC
Centers.

                                  ARTICLE IV

                                   Covenants

          SECTION 4.01. Covenants of Ashland Relating to Conduct of VIOC
Centers. (a) Except for matters set forth in Section 4.01 of the VIOC Centers
Disclosure Letter or otherwise contemplated by the Transaction Agreements,
from the date of this Agreement to the Closing, Ashland shall conduct the
business of the VIOC Centers in the usual, regular and ordinary course in
substantially the same manner as previously conducted. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, Ashland shall use its reasonable best efforts to
(i) preserve the material business relationships of the VIOC Centers with
customers, suppliers, distributors and others with whom Ashland deals in
connection with the conduct of the VIOC Centers in the ordinary course of
business and retain its present employees who are involved in the operation of
the VIOC Centers, (ii) maintain the Transferred Assets, including those held
under leases, in as good operating condition and repair (ordinary wear and
tear excepted) as at present, and maintain all Permits set forth in Section
3.06 of the VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter, (iii) perform in all material
respects its obligations under Assigned Contracts and (iv) comply in all
material respects with all applicable Laws relating to the VIOC Centers or any
of the Transferred Assets. In addition, except as set forth in Section 4.01 of
the VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter or otherwise contemplated by the
Transaction Agreements, Ashland shall not do any of the following in
connection with the VIOC Centers without the prior written consent of Marathon
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed):

          (i) adopt, establish or amend in any material respect any VIOC
     Benefit Plan (or any plan that would be a VIOC Benefit Plan if adopted or
     established) in a manner affecting any VIOC Centers Employee, except as
     required by applicable Law or as would relate to a substantial number of
     other similarly situated employees of Ashland and its subsidiaries;

<PAGE>

                                                                            23

          (ii) grant to any VIOC Centers Employee any increase in compensation
     or benefits, except in the ordinary course of business and consistent
     with past practice or as may be required under existing Contracts set
     forth in Section 3.05 of the VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter and except
     for any increases for which Ashland shall be solely obligated and which
     will not result in any incremental compensation that will be payable by
     HoldCo after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 4.03(a);

          (iii) subject any Transferred Asset to any Lien of any nature
     whatsoever that would have been required to be set forth in Sections 3.02
     or 3.03 of the VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter if existing on the date of
     this Agreement;

          (iv) waive any claims or rights of substantial value to the extent
     relating to any Transferred Asset;

          (v) make or incur any capital expenditures (of a non-emergency
     nature) that relate to the VIOC Centers and that are not reflected in the
     capital expenditure budget set forth in Section 4.01(a)(v) of the VIOC
     Centers Disclosure Letter and that, individually, are in excess of
     $100,000 or that, in the aggregate, are in excess of $500,000, except for
     any such capital expenditures for which Ashland shall be solely
     obligated, provided, however, that if Ashland makes or incurs a capital
     expenditure that relates exclusively to the VIOC Centers and is not
     reflected in the capital expenditure budget set forth in Section
     4.01(a)(v) of the VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter, and if Marathon agrees
     in writing to cause HoldCo to reimburse Ashland for such capital
     expenditure, then HoldCo shall, promptly after the Closing, reimburse
     Ashland for such capital expenditure;

          (vi) sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any Transferred
     Assets, except (A) inventory, supplies and obsolete or excess equipment
     sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business and (B) leases
     entered into in the ordinary course of business with aggregate annual
     lease payments not in excess of $50,000;

<PAGE>

                                                                            24

          (vii) enter into or amend any employee collective bargaining
     agreement or other Contract with any labor union;

          (viii) commit an intentional material breach of or waive any
     material rights under any material Assigned Contract or any material
     Permit, or amend or terminate any material Assigned Contract or any
     material Permit if the result of any such amendment or termination would
     be materially adverse to HoldCo; or

          (ix) authorize, or commit or agree to take, any of the foregoing
     actions.

          (b) Advice of Changes. Ashland shall promptly advise Marathon in
writing of any change or event that has had or would reasonably be expected to
have a VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect.

          (c) Insurance. Ashland shall use its reasonable best efforts to
keep, or to cause to be kept, all insurance policies currently maintained with
respect to the Transferred Assets (the "Ashland Insurance Policies"), or
suitable replacements thereof, in full force and effect without interruption
through the close of business on the Closing Date; it being understood that
any and all Ashland Insurance Policies are owned and maintained by Ashland and
its affiliates (and do not exclusively relate to the VIOC Centers). HoldCo
will not have any rights under the Ashland Insurance Policies from and after
the Closing Date.

          (d) Reimbursement of Media Expenditures. After the date of this
Agreement, if Ashland enters into a Contract that is a media placement
agreement that would be an Assigned Contract pursuant to Section
1.02(a)(v)(B), and if Marathon agrees in writing to cause HoldCo to reimburse
Ashland for expenditures made or incurred under such Assigned Contract prior
to the Closing, then HoldCo shall, promptly after the Closing, reimburse
Ashland for such expenditures.

          SECTION 4.02. Refunds and Remittances. After the Closing, if Ashland
or any of its affiliates receive any refund or other amount which is a
Transferred Asset or is otherwise properly due and owing to HoldCo or any of
its affiliates in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, Ashland
promptly shall remit, or shall cause to be remitted, such amount to HoldCo.
After the Closing, if

<PAGE>

                                                                            25

HoldCo or any of its affiliates receive any refund or other amount which is an
Excluded Asset or is otherwise properly due and owing to Ashland or any of its
affiliates in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, HoldCo promptly
shall remit, or shall cause to be remitted, such amount to Ashland. After the
Closing, if HoldCo or any of its affiliates receive any refund or other amount
which is related to claims (including workers' compensation), litigation,
insurance or other matters for which Ashland or any of its affiliates is
responsible hereunder, and which amount is not a Transferred Asset, or is
otherwise properly due and owing to Ashland or any of its affiliates in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, HoldCo promptly shall remit, or
cause to be remitted, such amount to Ashland. After the Closing, if Ashland or
any of its affiliates receive any refund or other amount which is related to
claims (including workers' compensation), litigation, insurance or other
matters for which HoldCo or any of its affiliates is responsible hereunder,
and which amount is not an Excluded Asset, or is otherwise properly due and
owing to HoldCo or any of its affiliates in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, Ashland promptly shall remit, or cause to be remitted, such amount
to HoldCo.

          SECTION 4.03.  Employee Matters. (a) Continuation of Employment.
Effective as of the Closing, HoldCo or one or more of its affiliates shall
offer employment (which shall include HoldCo's compliance with its covenants
set forth in this Section 4.03) to all VIOC Centers Employees who on the
Closing Date are actively at work (each, an "Active VIOC Centers Employee").
For purposes of this Agreement, any VIOC Centers Employee who is not actively
at work on the Closing Date due solely to a leave of absence (including due to
vacation, holiday, sick leave, maternity or paternity leave, military leave,
jury duty, bereavement leave, injury or short-term disability), other than
long-term disability, in compliance with applicable policies of Ashland or its
affiliates shall be deemed an Active VIOC Centers Employee. Each VIOC Centers
Employee who accepts such an offer of employment is referred to herein as a
"Transferred VIOC Centers Employee". Immediately following the Closing, HoldCo
shall, or shall cause one or more of its affiliates to, provide each
Transferred VIOC Centers Employee (i) with overall compensation that is at
least equivalent to such Transferred VIOC Centers Employee's overall
compensation in effect immediately prior to the

<PAGE>

                                                                            26

Closing and (ii) subject to the provisions of this Section 4.03, with
appropriate employee benefits as determined by HoldCo or such affiliate.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, HoldCo shall maintain
employee benefit plans and programs for the Transferred VIOC Centers
Employees, which shall be competitive in the retail industry.

          (b) Certain Welfare Benefits Matters. (i) Immediately following the
Closing, HoldCo or one or more of its affiliates shall allow Transferred VIOC
Centers Employees to participate in benefit plans that provide for group
welfare benefits including, for the avoidance of doubt, vacation and severance
benefits (the "HoldCo VIOC Welfare Plans"). HoldCo shall grant to the
Transferred VIOC Centers Employees credit under the HoldCo VIOC Welfare Plans
for service prior to the Closing with Ashland and its affiliates for all
purposes, other than for purposes of determining eligibility to receive
retiree medical subsidies and for purposes of determining level of benefits
and benefit accruals under any retiree medical plans maintained by HoldCo or
its affiliates. HoldCo or its applicable affiliate shall (A) waive all
limitations as to preexisting conditions, exclusions and waiting periods and
actively-at-work requirements with respect to participation and coverage
requirements applicable to the Transferred VIOC Centers Employees and their
dependents under the HoldCo VIOC Welfare Plans to the extent satisfied or
waived under the applicable corresponding VIOC Benefit Plan immediately prior
to the Closing and (B) provide each Transferred VIOC Centers Employee and his
or her eligible dependents with either pro-rated deductibles and co-payments
for the balance of the year or credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid
prior to the Closing in the calendar year in which the Closing Date occurs
(or, if later, in the calendar year in which Transferred VIOC Centers
Employees and their dependents commence participation in the applicable HoldCo
VIOC Welfare Plan) for purposes of satisfying any applicable deductible or
out-of-pocket requirements under any HoldCo VIOC Welfare Plans in which the
Transferred VIOC Centers Employees participate. If credit for deductibles and
co-payments is provided, Ashland shall provide or cause to be provided
adequate data to implement that credit as HoldCo may reasonably request.

<PAGE>

                                                                            27

               (ii) Ashland shall be responsible in accordance with its
          applicable welfare plans (and the applicable welfare plans of its
          affiliates) in effect prior to the Closing for all reimbursement
          claims (such as medical and dental claims) for expenses incurred,
          and for all non-reimbursement claims (such as life insurance claims)
          incurred, under such plans prior to the Closing by Transferred VIOC
          Centers Employees and their dependents, except that HoldCo shall be
          responsible for such claims to the extent such claims are reflected
          on the Balance Sheet or to the extent insured under an insurance
          policy of which HoldCo or its affiliates becomes the beneficiary and
          for which Ashland or its affiliates have paid the premium. HoldCo
          shall be responsible in accordance with the applicable welfare plans
          of HoldCo and its affiliates for all reimbursement claims (such as
          medical and dental claims) for expenses incurred, and for all
          non-reimbursement claims (such as life insurance claims) incurred,
          from and after the Closing by Transferred VIOC Centers Employees and
          their dependents. For purposes of this Section 4.03(b)(ii), a claim
          shall be deemed to have been incurred on (A) the date of death or
          dismemberment in the case of claims under life insurance and
          accidental death and dismemberment policies or (B) the date on which
          the charge or expense giving rise to such claim is incurred (without
          regard to the date of inception of the related illness or injury or
          the date of submission of a claim related thereto) in the case of
          all other claims; provided, however, that in the event of a hospital
          stay that commences prior to the close of business on the Closing
          Date and ends after the close of business on the Closing Date, the
          cost thereof shall be apportioned between HoldCo and Ashland with
          Ashland responsible for that portion of the cost incurred prior to
          the close of business on the Closing Date and HoldCo responsible for
          the balance of such cost. Effective as of the Closing, HoldCo shall
          assume all liabilities, obligations and commitments of Ashland and
          its affiliates to Transferred VIOC Centers Employees and their
          eligible dependents in respect of health insurance under the
          Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended
          ("COBRA"), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
          of 1996 and applicable state Law; provided, however, that Ashland
          and its affiliates shall remain obligated to

<PAGE>

                                                                            28

          provide any applicable COBRA notices in respect of events occurring
          on or prior to the Closing Date.

     (c) Accrued Vacation. For purposes of determining the number of vacation
days to which each Transferred VIOC Centers Employee shall be entitled
following the Closing, HoldCo shall assume and honor all vacation days accrued
or earned but not yet taken by such Transferred VIOC Centers Employee as of
the Closing. To the extent that a Transferred VIOC Centers Employee is
entitled under any applicable Law or any policy of Ashland or its affiliates
to be paid for any vacation days accrued or earned but not yet taken by such
Transferred VIOC Centers Employee as of the Closing, HoldCo shall discharge
the liability for such vacation days.

     (d) Retirement Plan. Immediately following the Closing, HoldCo or one or
more of its affiliates shall have in effect a retirement benefit plan or plans
(as applicable, the "HoldCo Retirement Plan") that shall provide benefits to
the Transferred VIOC Centers Employees. HoldCo or such affiliate shall have
sole discretion in establishing the provisions of the HoldCo Retirement Plan.

     (e) Administration. Following the date of this Agreement, Ashland and
HoldCo shall reasonably cooperate in all matters reasonably necessary to
effect the transactions contemplated by this Section 4.03, including
exchanging information and data relating to workers' compensation, employee
benefits and employee benefit plan coverages (except to the extent prohibited
by applicable Law), and in obtaining any governmental approvals required
hereunder.

     (f) Employment Tax Reporting Responsibility. HoldCo and Ashland hereby
agree to follow the alternate procedure for employment tax withholding as
provided in Section 5 of Rev. Proc. 96-60, 1996-53 I.R.B. 24 ("Rev. Proc.
96-60"). Ashland shall provide HoldCo with all necessary and accurate payroll
records and such other information relating to the Transferred VIOC Centers
Employees as HoldCo may reasonably request with respect to Transferred VIOC
Centers Employees in order to comply with the provisions of Rev. Proc. 96-60
with respect to the calendar year that includes the Closing Date. HoldCo shall
perform all employment tax reporting responsibilities for such employees from
the Closing Date forward and shall furnish a Form W-2 for such calendar year
to each Transferred VIOC Centers Employee that will include all

<PAGE>

                                                                            29

remuneration earned by such Transferred VIOC Centers Employee from Ashland or
HoldCo during such calendar year.

     (g) Intent. It is HoldCo's intent that the HoldCo Retirement Plan shall
provide retirement benefits that are competitive within the retail industry.

          SECTION 4.04.  Post-Closing Information. After the Closing, upon
reasonable written notice, Ashland and HoldCo shall furnish or cause to be
furnished to each other and their employees and Representatives, during normal
business hours, reasonable access to the personnel, properties, books,
Contracts, commitments, records and other information relating to the VIOC
Centers (and, to the extent reasonably requested, copies of the portions
relating to the VIOC Centers of any such books, Contracts, commitments,
records and other information, in each case to the extent they are available
in written form and they relate to the period prior to the Closing Date) and
assistance relating to the VIOC Centers (to the extent within the control of
such party), in each case for any reasonable business purpose, including in
respect of litigation, insurance matters, financial reporting and accounting
matters.

          SECTION 4.05. Records. HoldCo recognizes that certain Records may
contain incidental information relating to subsidiaries, divisions or
businesses of Ashland other than the VIOC Centers and that Ashland may retain
copies thereof. Ashland recognizes that certain documents and information of a
type similar to the Records may be used, held for use or intended to be used
primarily in, or arise primarily out of, the operation or conduct of the VIOC
Centers, and shall provide copies of the relevant portions thereof to HoldCo
at the Closing.

          SECTION 4.06.  [Intentionally Omitted].

          SECTION 4.07.  Bulk Transfer Laws. HoldCo hereby waives
compliance by Ashland with the provisions of any so-called "bulk transfer law"
of any jurisdiction in connection with the VIOC Assignment and Assumption.

          SECTION 4.08.  Supplies. At any time after 20 days after the
Closing Date, HoldCo shall not use stationery, purchase order forms, labels,
material safety data sheets or other similar paper goods or supplies that
state or

<PAGE>

                                                                            30

otherwise indicate thereon that the VIOC Centers are a division or
unit of Ashland.

          SECTION 4.09.  Mail. From and after the Closing, Ashland and
HoldCo shall cooperate with each other, and shall cause their Representatives
to cooperate with each other, to ensure that (i) HoldCo receives copies of all
mail (including mail sent by private delivery and electronic mail
correspondence) relating to the VIOC Centers or the Transferred Assets and
(ii) Ashland receives all mail addressed to Ashland delivered to the Premises
(which HoldCo is hereby authorized to receive and open) that contains
information relating to, or of importance to, Ashland (including for financial
reporting, accounting or tax purposes) or to subsidiaries, divisions or
businesses of Ashland other than the VIOC Centers.

          SECTION 4.10.  Further Assurances. From time to time after the
Closing, as and when requested by any party hereto, each party shall execute
and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents and
instruments and shall take, or cause to be taken, all such further or other
actions, as such other party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to
consummate the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, (i) in
the case of Ashland, executing and delivering to HoldCo such assignments,
deeds, Consents and other instruments as HoldCo may reasonably request as
necessary or desirable for such purpose and (ii) in the case of HoldCo,
executing and delivering to Ashland such assumptions and other instruments as
Ashland may reasonably request as necessary or desirable for such purpose.
From and after the Closing Date, Ashland will promptly refer all bona fide
written inquiries with respect to ownership of the Transferred Assets after
the Closing or the operation or conduct of the VIOC Centers after the Closing
to HoldCo or its designee.

          SECTION 4.11. Review of Contracts. Prior to the Closing Date,
Ashland shall review the terms of each material Contract that relates in part
to the VIOC Centers and in part to any other business of Ashland or any of its
subsidiaries other than those Contracts identified in Section 4.11 of the VIOC
Centers Disclosure Letter (collectively, "Ashland Joint Contracts") in order
to determine whether such Contract should be terminated and replaced on or
prior to the Closing Date by a separate Contract relating to the VIOC Centers
on the one hand (any such separate Contract being an Assigned Contract, so
long

<PAGE>

                                                                            31

as (i) entering into such Contract would not otherwise be in violation of this
Agreement and (ii) such Contract does not contain terms that, in the
aggregate, are materially less advantageous to the VIOC Centers than the terms
under the Contract being terminated and replaced), and a separate Contract
relating to such other business of Ashland or any of its subsidiaries on the
other hand (any such separate Contract not being an Assigned Contract). If
requested by HoldCo or Marathon within 90 days after Ashland notifies HoldCo
and Marathon in writing of the specific terms of the Ashland Joint Contracts,
Ashland shall continue in effect any Ashland Joint Contract not terminated and
replaced in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, if not
prohibited by the terms of such Ashland Joint Contract, until the stated
expiration thereof (without regard to any available renewal options);
provided, however, that Ashland shall not be prohibited from terminating any
such Ashland Joint Contract that relates to a substantial number of Valvoline
Instant Oil Change (VIOC) quick-lube service centers owned or operated by
Ashland. Each of Ashland and HoldCo shall perform its respective obligations
under all such Ashland Joint Contracts so as not to create a default
thereunder, and Ashland shall provide HoldCo with rights thereunder consistent
with historical practice between the parties with respect thereto, subject to
obtaining any necessary Consents from third parties (which Ashland and HoldCo
mutually agree to use their reasonable best efforts to obtain) and subject to
HoldCo bearing the proportionate expense attributable to such rights
consistent with historical practice between the parties with respect thereto;
provided, however, that neither Ashland nor HoldCo shall be obligated to
extend credit to the other party.

          SECTION 4.12. List of Permits. Within 90 days after the date of
this Agreement, Ashland shall provide to HoldCo and Marathon a list setting
forth all material certificates, licenses, permits, authorizations, Consents
and approvals issued or granted to Ashland by, and all material exemptions of,
or registrations or filings with, Governmental Entities ("Permits"), that are
used, held for use or intended to be used in the operation or conduct of the
VIOC Centers.

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                                                                            32

                                  ARTICLE V

                                  Termination

          SECTION 5.01. Termination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Agreement, this Agreement shall automatically terminate, without
further action by any party, and the VIOC Assignment and Assumption abandoned
at any time prior to the Closing, upon termination of the Master Agreement in
accordance with the terms thereof.

          SECTION 5.02. Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of
this Agreement in accordance with Section 5.01, this Agreement shall forthwith
become void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on the
part of any party hereto, other than (i) Section 5.01 and this Section 5.02
and (ii) Article VI (General Provisions), which provisions shall survive such
termination, and except to the extent that such termination results from the
material breach by a party of its representations, warranties or covenants set
forth in the Transaction Agreements.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                              General Provisions

          SECTION 6.01. Interpretation; VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter;
Certain Definitions. (a) When a reference is made in this Agreement to an
Article, Section or Exhibit, such reference shall be to an Article of, a
Section of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The
table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement. Whenever the words "include", "includes" or "including" are
used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words
"without limitation". No item contained in any section of the VIOC Centers
Disclosure Letter shall be deemed adequate to disclose an exception to a
representation or warranty made in this Agreement, unless (i) such item is
included (or expressly incorporated by reference) in a section of the VIOC
Centers Disclosure Letter that is numbered to correspond to the section number
assigned to such representation or warranty in this Agreement or (ii) it is
readily apparent from a reading of such item that it discloses an exception to
such representation or warranty.

<PAGE>

                                                                            33

          (b) For all purposes hereof:

          "Blanket License Agreement" means the Blanket License Agreement
among the parties thereto in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, together
with the forms of License Agreement, Licensee Sign and Equipment Lease
Agreement and Licensee Supply Agreement which are attached thereto and
incorporated by reference therein.

          "Environmental Liability" means any liability, obligation or
commitment arising under any Environmental Law; provided, however, that
Environmental Liability specifically does not include any liability,
obligation or commitment relating to any Claim brought by any person other
than a Governmental Entity seeking damages, contribution, indemnification,
cost recovery, penalties, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from the
existence or release of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials, except where
such Claim is brought as a citizen's suit in which no monetary damages are
sought for the account of such person. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, any liability, obligation or commitment under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980,
as amended, or any comparable state Environmental Law that arises out of, is
based on or is in connection with the disposal or Release by Ashland of
Hazardous Materials at a location other than the Premises shall be treated as
a Retained Liability and shall not be or become an Assumed Liability.

          "Intellectual Property" means patents (including all reissues,
divisions, continuations and extensions thereof), patent applications,
trademarks, trademark registrations, trademark applications, servicemarks,
servicemark registrations, servicemark applications, trade names, business
names, brand names, copyrights, copyright registrations and proprietary
designs and design registrations.

          "Permitted Liens" means (i) Liens for current Taxes, assessments,
governmental charges or levies not yet due, (ii) workers' or unemployment
compensation Liens arising in the ordinary course of business, (iii)
mechanic's, materialman's, supplier's, vendor's, garnishment or similar Liens
arising in the ordinary course of business for amounts not yet due, (iv) Liens
or other charges or encumbrances as may have arisen in the ordinary course of
business, none of which individually or in the

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                                                                            34

aggregate are material to the ownership, use or operation of the Transferred
Assets, (v) any state of facts which an accurate survey would show which does
not materially detract from the value of or materially interfere with the use
and operation of the Transferred Assets, (vi) any Liens, easements,
rights-of-way, restrictions, rights, leases and other encumbrances affecting
title thereto, whether or not of record, which do not materially detract from
the value of or materially interfere with the use and operation of the
Transferred Assets, (vii) legal highways, zoning and building Laws, ordinances
or regulations, (viii) any Liens for real estate Taxes which are not yet due
and payable, (ix) Liens set forth in Section 3.02 of the VIOC Centers
Disclosure Letter and (x) Liens set forth in Section 3.03 of the VIOC Centers
Disclosure Letter.

          "VIOC Centers" means the Valvoline Instant Oil Change (VIOC) service
center business operations (including the marketing and selling of quick
service engine oil change services, lubrication services, certain routine
maintenance check services, preventive automotive maintenance services, and
related products and services) conducted at the locations listed in Section
6.01(b) of the VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter by Ashland, and the supporting
office operations conducted at the locations listed in Section 6.01(b) of the
VIOC Centers Disclosure Letter by Ashland, in each case directly or indirectly
through certain of its subsidiaries, as of the date of this Agreement.

          "VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse
effect (i) on the business, properties, assets, condition (financial or
otherwise), operations or results of operation of the VIOC Centers, taken as a
whole, (ii) on the ability of Ashland to perform its obligations under this
Agreement and the other agreements and instruments to be executed and
delivered in connection with this Agreement or (iii) on the ability of Ashland
to consummate the VIOC Assignment and Assumption. For purposes of this
Agreement, "VIOC Centers Material Adverse Effect" shall exclude any events,
changes, effects and developments to the extent relating to (A) the economy of
the United States or foreign economies in general, (B) industries in which the
VIOC Centers operate and not specifically relating to the VIOC Centers, (C)
any announcement by Ashland of the Transactions or of its intention to
transfer the VIOC Centers or (D) the execution

<PAGE>

                                                                            35

of the Transaction Agreements and the Ancillary Agreements and the
consummation of the Transactions.

          SECTION 6.02. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement
and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by
each of the parties and delivered to the other party.

          SECTION 6.03. Severability. If any term or other provision of this
Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule or
Law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement
shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or
legal substance of the Transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any
manner materially adverse to any party hereto. Upon such determination that
any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being
enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this
Agreement (in accordance with the terms of Section 6.06) so as to effect the
original intent of the parties hereto as closely as possible to the end that
the Transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the greatest extent
possible.

          SECTION 6.04. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York,
regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles
of conflicts of laws thereof.

          SECTION 6.05. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is not
intended to confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the
parties hereto and the Marathon Parties, whom the parties hereto expressly
agree are third-party beneficiaries entitled to enforce the provisions of this
Agreement. Ashland acknowledges that the rights, titles and interests provided
to HoldCo pursuant to this Agreement are a material part of the consideration
for the agreements of the Marathon Parties pursuant to the Master Agreement.
It is further understood that, subject to Section 14.09 of the Master
Agreement, the respective successors and assigns of Ashland and HoldCo shall
have all of the rights, interests and obligations of Ashland and HoldCo,
respectively, hereunder.

          SECTION 6.06.  Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended by
the parties except pursuant to an instrument

<PAGE>

                                                                            36

in writing signed on behalf of Ashland and HoldCo with the written consent of
Marathon.

<PAGE>

                                                                            37

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement, all as of the date first written above.

                                              ASHLAND INC.,

                                              by  /s/ James J. O'Brien
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                   Name:  James J. O'Brien
                                                   Title: Chief Executive
                                                          Officer

                                              ATB HOLDINGS INC.,

                                              by  /s/ James J. O'Brien
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                  Name:  James J. O'Brien
                                                  Title: President

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