Document:

<PAGE>

                                                               EXECUTION VERSION

                                                                   Exhibit 10.17

                       THIRD AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

      THIRD AMENDMENT, dated as of January 25, 2005 (this "Third Amendment"), to
the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2004 (as amended by the First
Amendment, dated as of August 6, 2004, as further amended by the Second
Amendment and Waiver, dated as of December 28, 2004, and as otherwise amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among ANR
HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Holdings"), ALPHA NATURAL
RESOURCES, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Borrower"), the
LENDERS from time to time party thereto, CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., as
administrative agent (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent") and as
collateral agent (in such capacity, the "Collateral Agent"), CREDIT SUISSE FIRST
BOSTON, acting through its Cayman Islands Branch, as syndication agent (in such
capacity, the "Syndication Agent"), UBS SECURITIES LLC, as documentation agent
(in such capacity, the "Documentation Agent"), CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON,
acting through its Cayman Islands Branch, UBS SECURITIES LLC and CITIGROUP
GLOBAL MARKETS INC., as joint lead arrangers (in such capacities, collectively,
the "Arrangers"), and CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON, acting through its Cayman
Islands Branch, and UBS SECURITIES LLC, as joint bookrunners (in such
capacities, collectively, the "Bookrunners").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

      WHEREAS, Holdings, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, among
others, are parties to the Credit Agreement;

      WHEREAS, Holdings and the Borrower desire to consummate a series of
transactions in connection with an internal organizational restructuring and
initial public offering, the net proceeds of which will be used to repay
indebtedness and pay a cash dividend to certain existing shareholders;

      WHEREAS, Holdings and the Borrower have requested that the Lenders agree
to amend certain provisions of the Credit Agreement as described in Section 2
hereof, effective prior to such restructuring and initial public offering (the
"Phase I Amendments") and to amend certain other provisions of the Credit
Agreement as described in Section 3 hereof, effective subsequent thereto (the
"Phase II Amendments"), each as more particularly described below; and

      WHEREAS, the Lenders whose signatures appear below, constituting at least
the Required Lenders, are willing to amend the Credit Agreement on the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth herein;

      NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of the
premises contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

      1. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

<PAGE>

      2. Phase I Amendments.

      (a) Amendment to Schedules. The Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
adding Schedule 1.01(d) thereto, substantially in the form attached as Annex A
hereto.

      (b) Amendments to Section 1.01 (Defined Terms).

            (i) Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding
the following defined terms in the proper alphabetical order:

            "Internal Restructuring" shall have the meaning specified on
Schedule 1.01(d).

            "Sponsor Distributions" shall have the meaning specified on Schedule
1.01(d).

            (ii) The definition of "Permitted Acquisition" is hereby amended by
deleting the references to "$40,000,000" in clause (iii)(D)(x) thereof and "10%"
in clause (iii) (D)(y) thereof and replacing them with references to
"$100,000,000" and "25%", respectively.

            (iii) The definition of "Permitted Excelven Investments" is hereby
amended by deleting the reference to "$5,000,000" in clause (b) thereof and
replacing it with a reference to "$10,000,000".

      (c) Amendment to Section 6.04 (Investments, Loans and Advances). Section
6.04(o) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety
as follows:

      "(o) in addition to Investments permitted by paragraphs (a) through (n)
above, additional Investments by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries so long as
the aggregate amount invested, loaned or advanced pursuant to this paragraph (o)
(determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such investments,
loans and advances) does not have an aggregate fair market value (measured on
the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent
changes in value), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to
this clause (o) that are at the time outstanding, in excess of the greater of
(i) $20,000,000 and (ii) 5% of the Total Assets of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries at the time of the Investment; provided, however, that if any
Investment pursuant to this clause (o) is made in a Person that is not a
Subsidiary Guarantor at the date of the making of such Investment and such
Person becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor after such date, such Investment shall
thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (a)(i) above and shall
cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (o) for so long as such Person
continues to be a Subsidiary Guarantor and the other requirements of clause (a)
are met".

      (d) Amendment to Section 6.05 (Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets
and Acquisitions). Section 6.05 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting the words "(A) $15,000,000 in any fiscal year or (B) $45,000,000 in the
aggregate" at the end of clause (b)(iii) thereof and replacing them with the
following:

      "$40,000,000 in any fiscal year".

                                       2
<PAGE>

      (e) Amendment to Section 6.07 (Affiliate Transactions). Section 6.07 of
the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new clause (f) at
the end of such Section:

      "and (f) Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may engage in the
Internal Restructuring".

      (f) Amendment to Section 6.10 (Capital Expenditures). Section 6.10 of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the second reference to
"$80,000,000" in the table in such Section and replacing it with a reference to
"$125,000,000".

      3. Phase II Amendments.

      (a) Amendments to Section 1.01 (Defined Terms).

            (i) Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding
the following defined terms in the proper alphabetical order:

            "Alpha NR Holding" shall mean Alpha NR Holding, Inc.

            "ANR Inc." shall mean Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.

            "LLC Holdings" shall mean ANR Holdings, LLC.

            "Ventures Holdings" shall mean Alpha NR Ventures, Inc.

            (ii) The definition of "Change of Control" is hereby amended by
deleting each reference to "Holdings" in clauses (e) and (f) thereof and
replacing them with references to "LLC Holdings".

            (iii) The definition of "Closing Date Distribution" is hereby
amended by deleting each reference to "Holdings" in such definition and
replacing them with references to "LLC Holdings".

            (iv) The definition of "Common Sharing Ratio" is hereby amended by
deleting each reference to "Holdings" in such definition and replacing them with
references to "LLC Holdings".

            (v) The definition of "Continuing Directors" is hereby amended by
deleting the reference to "Holdings" in such definition and replacing it with a
reference to "LLC Holdings".

            (vi) The definition of "Holdings" is hereby amended by deleting it
in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

            "Holdings" shall mean Alpha NR Holding, Ventures Holdings and LLC
Holdings, in their respective individual capacities.

                                       3
<PAGE>

            (vii) The definition of "Holdings Limited Liability Company
Agreement" is hereby amended by deleting the reference to "Holdings" in such
definition and replacing it with a reference to "LLC Holdings".

            (viii) The definition of "Holdings Member Agreement" is hereby
amended by deleting the reference to "Holdings" in such definition and replacing
it with a reference to "LLC Holdings".

            (ix) The definition of "Management Incentive Program" is hereby
amended by deleting the reference to "Holdings" in such definition and replacing
it with a reference to "LLC Holdings".

            (x) The definition of "Tax Amount" is hereby amended and restated in
its entirety as follows:

            "Tax Amount" shall mean, for any period, (i) the aggregate amount of
tax distributions required to be made during such period by Holdings to its
members in accordance with the tax distribution provisions of the Holdings
Limited Liability Company Agreement that is in effect on the Closing Date (as
such provisions are amended in connection with the Internal Restructuring and as
such provisions may thereafter be amended or supplemented so long as such
amendments or supplements are not materially adverse to the Lenders), which tax
distributions shall in no event exceed an amount calculated by assuming the
highest marginal federal, state and local tax rate (A) for individuals in effect
for the year assuming residency in New York City, New York, in the case of tax
distributions for periods prior to the Internal Restructuring, and (B) for
corporations in effect for the year with respect to state and local
jurisdictions in which Holdings or its ultimate parent(s) are liable for any tax
amounts in the case of tax distributions for periods following the Internal
Restructuring; provided that such distributions shall be solely for the purpose
of enabling such members or their ultimate parent company to pay their income
tax liability on their respective shares of cumulative taxable income
attributable to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries; provided, further, that, in
the case of clause (B) above, if such distributions exceed such tax liabilities,
then any such excess shall be reasonably promptly re-contributed back to the
Borrower; and (ii) the amount of tax required to be paid by Holdings or its
ultimate parent(s) directly to taxing authorities in respect of taxable income
attributable to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and amounts paid in respect of
franchise, capital and other non-income taxes required to be paid by Holdings or
its ultimate parent(s).

            (xi) The definition of "Total Assets" is hereby amended by deleting
the reference to "the Borrower" in such definition and replacing it with a
reference to "Holdings".

      (b) Amendment to Section 4.02 (First Credit Event). Section 4.02 of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting each reference to "Holdings" in
clauses (a), (d), (f) and (l) thereof and replacing them with references to "LLC
Holdings".

      (c) Amendment to Section 5.04 (Financial Statements, Reports, etc.).
Section 5.04 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting each
reference to "the Borrower" in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (e) thereof and
replacing them with references to "Alpha NR Holding".

                                       4
<PAGE>

      (d) Amendment to Section 6.04 (Investments, Loans and Advances). Section
6.04 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the reference to
"Holdings" in clause (n) thereof and replacing it with a reference to "LLC
Holdings".

      (e) Amendments to Section 6.06 (Restricted Payments; Restrictive
Agreements). Section 6.06(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as
follows:

            (i) Clause (iii) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as
follows:

            "(iii) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments to Holdings and
Holdings may make Restricted Payments to its equity holders (including ANR Inc.)
(x) in an amount not to exceed, when taken together with the aggregate amount of
all loans or advances made pursuant to Section 6.04(i) for such purpose,
$1,000,000 in any fiscal year to the extent necessary to pay general corporate
and overhead expenses incurred by Holdings or ANR Inc. in the ordinary course of
business and (y) in an amount equal to the Tax Amount".

            (ii) Clause (iv) is hereby amended by deleting the reference to
"Holdings" in such clause and replacing it with a reference to "LLC Holdings".

            (iii) Clause (v) is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety
and adding the following new clauses (v) and (vi):

            "(v) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing or result therefrom, Holdings and any of its subsidiaries may
declare and pay dividends or make other distributions to its equity holders so
long as (x) the aggregate amount of such dividends paid or distributions made by
the Borrower pursuant to this clause (v) in any fiscal year shall not exceed
$20,000,000 and (y) any such dividends paid or distributions made must be
ultimately used by Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., the equity holder of Holdings,
to pay dividends to the holders of its publicly registered common stock,
including the public holders thereof, on a pro rata basis; and (vi) Holdings and
any of its subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends or make other
distributions to its equity holders so long as (x) the aggregate amount of such
dividends paid or distributions made by the Borrower pursuant to this clause
(vi) shall not exceed $10,500,000 and (y) any such dividends paid or
distributions made must be ultimately used by Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., the
equity holder of Holdings, to pay the Sponsor Distributions".

      (f) Amendment to Section 6.08 (Business of Holdings, the Borrower and
Subsidiaries; Limitation on Hedging Agreements). Section 6.08 of the Credit
Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the words "direct or indirect"
immediately preceding the word "ownership" in clause (a)(i) thereof.

      4. Representations and Warranties. In order to induce the other parties
hereto to enter into this Third Amendment, Holdings and the Borrower represent
and warrant to each other party hereto that, after giving effect to this Third
Amendment, (a) the representations and warranties set forth in each of the Loan
Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the
date hereof with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except
to the extent such representations and warranties relate to an earlier date, in
which case

                                        5
<PAGE>

such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material
respects on and as of such earlier date; provided that the references to the
Credit Agreement in such representations and warranties shall be deemed to refer
to the Credit Agreement as amended pursuant to this Third Amendment and (b) no
Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

      5. Conditions to Effectiveness of the Phase I Amendments. The Phase I
Amendments shall become effective on the date (the "Phase I Effective Date") on
which:

      (a) the Administrative Agent shall have received duly executed and
delivered counterparts of this Third Amendment that, when taken together, bear
the signatures of ANR Holdings, LLC, the Borrower and the Required Lenders;

      (b) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent all
outstanding fees, costs and expenses owing to the Administrative Agent as of
such date; and

      (c) the Administrative Agent shall have received such additional
documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.

      6. Conditions to Effectiveness of the Phase II Amendments. The Phase II
Amendments shall become effective on the date (the "Phase II Effective Date") on
which:

      (a) the Phase I Amendments shall have become effective in accordance with
Section 5 above;

      (b) the Internal Restructuring and related initial public offering shall
have been completed as contemplated in Annex A hereto;

      (c) the Administrative Agent shall have received duly executed and
delivered counterparts of this Third Amendment that, when taken together, bear
the additional signatures of Alpha NR Holding, Inc. and Alpha NR Ventures, Inc.;

      (d) each of Alpha NR Holding, Inc. and Alpha NR Ventures, Inc. shall have
(i) executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent
such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Administrative
Agent or the Collateral Agent deems necessary or advisable to grant to the
Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a valid, perfected
first priority security interest in the Equity Interests of Alpha NR Ventures,
Inc. and ANR Holdings, LLC, (ii) delivered to the Collateral Agent the
certificates, if any, representing such Equity Interests, together with undated
stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of
each of Alpha NR Holding, Inc. and Alpha NR Ventures, Inc., (iii) (A) become a
party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (and provide Guarantees of the
Obligations), the Affiliate Subordination Agreement and the Intellectual
Property Security Agreements and (B) taken such actions necessary or advisable
to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a
perfected first priority security interest in the Collateral described in the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and the Intellectual Property Security
Agreement with respect to each of Alpha NR Holding, Inc. and Alpha NR Ventures,
Inc., including the recording of instruments in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office and the filing of UCC
financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by the Guarantee
and Collateral Agreement,

                                       6
<PAGE>

the Intellectual Property Security Agreement or by law or as may be requested by
the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, (iv) delivered to the
Administrative Agent a certificate of Alpha NR Holding, Inc. and Alpha NR
Ventures, Inc. dated as of the Phase II Effective Date, substantially in the
form of the certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Loan
Party that was delivered on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 4.02(b) of the
Credit Agreement, executed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each of
Alpha NR Holding, Inc. and Alpha NR Ventures, Inc., and attaching the documents
required by Section 4.02(b) of the Credit Agreement and (v) if requested by the
Administrative Agent, delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral
Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described above, which opinions
shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent; and

      (e) the Borrower and each Guarantor existing immediately prior to the
Phase II Effective Date shall have entered into a written instrument
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent pursuant to which it confirms that it
consents to this Third Amendment and the Security Documents to which it is a
party will continue to apply in respect of the Credit Agreement, as amended
hereby, and the Obligations thereunder.

      7. Continuing Effect; No Other Amendments. Except as expressly set forth
in this Third Amendment, all of the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement
are and shall remain in full force and effect and each of Holdings and the
Borrower shall continue to be bound by all of such terms and provisions. The
amendments provided for herein are limited to the specific subsections of the
Credit Agreement specified herein and shall not constitute an amendment of, or
an indication of the Administrative Agent's or the Lenders' willingness to amend
or waive, any other provisions of the Credit Agreement or the same subsections
for any other date or purpose. This Third Amendment shall constitute a Loan
Document.

      8. Expenses. The Borrower agrees to pay and reimburse the Administrative
Agent for all its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the development, preparation and execution and delivery of this
Third Amendment, and any other documents prepared in connection herewith, and
the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, reasonable
fees and disbursements and other charges of counsel to the Administrative Agent
and the charges of IntraLinks.

      9. Counterparts. This Third Amendment may be executed by one or more of
the parties to this Third Amendment on any number of separate counterparts and
all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and
the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Third
Amendment by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually
executed counterpart hereof. A set of the copies of this Third Amendment signed
by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent. The execution and delivery of this Third Amendment by the Borrower, the
Lenders party hereto and the Administrative Agent shall be binding upon the Loan
Parties, the Lenders, the Agents and all future holders of the Loans.

      10. Effect of Amendment. On the Phase I Effective Date, the Credit
Agreement shall be amended as provided in Section 2 hereof and, on the Phase II
Effective Date, (i) the Credit Agreement shall be further amended as provided in
Section 3 hereof, (ii) Alpha NR

                                       7
<PAGE>

Holding, Inc. and Alpha NR Ventures, Inc., by their signatures to this Third
Amendment on or prior to the Phase II Effective Date, shall have become parties
to and be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and shall have assumed
the rights and obligations of "Alpha NR Holding" and "Ventures Holdings",
respectively, for all purposes thereunder and (iii) ANR Holdings, LLC shall
continue to be a party to and be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement
in its capacity as "LLC Holdings". The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that
(a) this Third Amendment and any other Loan Documents executed and delivered in
connection herewith do not constitute a novation, or termination of the
"Obligations" (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement as
in effect prior to the Phase I Effective Date and/or the Phase II Effective
Date, (b) such "Obligations" are in all respects continuing (as amended hereby)
with only the terms thereof being modified to the extent provided in this Third
Amendment, and (c) the Liens and security interests as granted under the
Security Documents securing payment of such "Obligations" are in all respects
continuing and in full force and effect and secure the payment of the
"Obligations".

      11. GOVERNING LAW. THIS THIRD AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
THE PARTIES UNDER THIS THIRD AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                            [Signature Pages Follow]

                                       8
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Amendment to
be executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers as of the
date first above written.

                                   ANR HOLDINGS, LLC

                                   By: /s/ Michael J. Quillen
                                       -----------------------
                                       Name: Michael J. Quillen
                                       Title: President

                                   ALPHA NATURAL RESOURCES, LLC

                                   By: /s/ Michael J. Quillen
                                       -----------------------
                                       Name: Michael J. Quillen
                                       Title: President

                                   CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC.,
                                   as Administrative Agent and as a Lender,

                                   By: /s/ Daniel J. Miller
                                       ----------------------
                                       Name: Daniel J. Miller
                                       Title: Vice President

<PAGE>

  SIGNATURE PAGE TO THIRD AMENDMENT DATED AS OF JANUARY 25, 2005, TO THE ALPHA
  NATURAL RESOURCES, LLC CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2004, AS AMENDED

To Approve the Third Amendment:

Branch Banking and Trust Co.

By: /s/ Hugh Ferguson
    ------------------
Name: Hugh Ferguson
Title:  Vice President

<PAGE>

  SIGNATURE PAGE TO THIRD AMENDMENT DATED AS OF JANUARY 25, 2005, TO THE ALPHA
  NATURAL RESOURCES, LLC CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2004, AS AMENDED

To Approve the Third Amendment:

Name of Institution: CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON, acting through its Cayman
Islands Branch.

By: /s/ Paul L. Colon
    ------------------
Name: Paul L. Colon
Title: Director

By: /s/ Karim Blasetti
    -------------------
Name: Karim Blasetti
Title: Associate

<PAGE>

  SIGNATURE PAGE TO THIRD AMENDMENT DATED AS OF JANUARY 25, 2005, TO THE ALPHA
  NATURAL RESOURCES, LLC CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2004, AS AMENDED

To Approve the Third Amendment:

Madison Capital Funding LLC:

By: /s/ K. Thomas Klimmeck
    -----------------------
Name: K. Thomas Klimmeck
Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>

  SIGNATURE PAGE TO THIRD AMENDMENT DATED AS OF JANUARY 25, 2005, TO THE ALPHA
  NATURAL RESOURCES, LLC CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2004, AS AMENDED

To Approve the Third Amendment:

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.

By: Eugene R. Martin
    -----------------
Name: Eugene R. Martin
Title: Vice President
       Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.

<PAGE>

  SIGNATURE PAGE TO THIRD AMENDMENT DATED AS OF JANUARY 25, 2005, TO THE ALPHA
  NATURAL RESOURCES, LLC CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2004, AS AMENDED

To Approve the Third Amendment:

Name of Institution:  PNC BANK

By: /s/ Norm Harkleroad
    -------------------
Name: Norm Harkleroad
Title: Vice President

<PAGE>

  SIGNATURE PAGE TO THIRD AMENDMENT DATED AS OF JANUARY 25, 2005, TO THE ALPHA
  NATURAL RESOURCES, LLC CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2004, AS AMENDED

To Approve the Third Amendment:

Name of Institution: Loan Funding VI LLC
                     By: Blackstone Debt Advisors L.P.
                     As Collateral Manager

By: /s/Dean Criares
    ---------------
Name: Dean Criares
Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>

  SIGNATURE PAGE TO THIRD AMENDMENT DATED AS OF JANUARY 25, 2005, TO THE ALPHA
  NATURAL RESOURCES, LLC CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2004, AS AMENDED

To Approve the Third Amendment:

Name of Institution: Hanover Square CLO Ltd.
                     By: Blackstone Debt Advisors L.P.
                     As Collateral Manager

By: /s/ Dean Criares
    ----------------
Name: Dean Criares
Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>

  SIGNATURE PAGE TO THIRD AMENDMENT DATED AS OF JANUARY 25, 2005, TO THE ALPHA
  NATURAL RESOURCES, LLC CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2004, AS AMENDED

To Approve the Third Amendment:

Name of Institution: USB LOAN FINANCE LLC

By: /s/ Wilfred V. Saint
    --------------------
Name: Wilfred V. Saint
Title: Director

By: /s/ Richard L. Tavrow
    ----------------------
Name: Richard L. Tavrow
Title: Director

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Amendment to
be executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers as of
this __ day of [ ], 2005 (the "Phase II Effective Date").

                                   ALPHA NR HOLDING, INC.

                                   By: _________________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   ALPHA NR VENTURES, INC.

                                   By: _________________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

<PAGE>

                                                                         Annex A

SCHEDULE 1.01(d)

INTERNAL RESTRUCTURING

      ANR Holdings, LLC and the Borrower intend to complete a series of
transactions for the purpose of transitioning from an organizational structure
in which the top-tier holding company is a limited liability company to a
structure in which the top-tier holding company is a corporation, which, as more
fully described below, is referred to collectively as the "Internal
Restructuring". Following the Internal Restructuring, the current members of ANR
Holdings, LLC will be stockholders of a new top-tier holding company, Alpha
Natural Resources, Inc., which is issuing shares of its common stock through an
initial public offering. The principal Internal Restructuring transactions, to
be effected pursuant to the terms of an Internal Restructuring Agreement, are
summarized below:

-     Through Alpha Coal Management, LLC ("Alpha Coal Management"), executive
      officers and certain other key employees of the Borrower hold in the
      aggregate 0.161% of the total equity of ANR Holdings, LLC, a right to
      obtain a distribution of up to 5.0% of any profits in the event of a
      liquidity event with respect to ANR Holdings, LLC and options to acquire
      up to an additional 1% of ANR Holdings, LLC's common sharing ratios under
      the Alpha Coal Management 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Alpha Coal
      Management will be dissolved and liquidated, after which (i) the interests
      in ANR Holdings, LLC previously held by Alpha Coal Management will be
      distributed to and held directly by such officers and employees and (ii)
      outstanding options granted by Alpha Coal Management to certain of the
      executive officers and other key employees of the Borrower under the Alpha
      Coal Management 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan will automatically convert
      into options to purchase shares of common stock of Alpha Natural
      Resources, Inc., and Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. will assume the
      obligations of Alpha Coal Management under that plan.

-     ANR Holdings, LLC will declare distributions (the "Sponsor Distributions")
      to (i) affiliates of AMCI in an aggregate amount of $6,000,000,
      representing the approximate incremental tax resulting from the
      recognition of additional tax liability resulting from the Internal
      Restructuring, and to be paid in five equal installments on the dates for
      which estimated income tax payments are due in each of April 2005, June
      2005, September 2005, January 2006 and April 2006, and (ii) First Reserve,
      in an aggregate amount of approximately $4,500,000, representing the
      approximate value of tax attributes conveyed as a result of the Internal
      Restructuring, and to be paid in three installments on December 15, 2007,
      2008 and 2009, in the case of each of clause (i) and (ii), payable in cash
      or, to the extent not permitted to be paid in cash by the terms of this
      Agreement and the Senior Note Documents, in shares of common stock. The
      obligations of ANR Holdings, LLC to make such distributions shall be
      assumed by Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. in connection with the Internal
      Restructuring.

-     First Reserve, the direct parent of Alpha NR Holding, Inc., will
      contribute all of the outstanding common stock of Alpha NR Holding, Inc.
      to Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., affiliates of AMCI and other members of
      ANR Holdings, LLC (excluding Alpha NR Holding, Inc. and the members of
      management who are the successors to Alpha Coal

<PAGE>

      Management) will contribute all of their membership interests in ANR
      Holdings, LLC to Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., in each case, in exchange
      for shares of Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.'s common stock and certain
      promissory notes to be issued in connection with the restructuring, in an
      aggregate principal amount not to exceed the net proceeds from the initial
      public offering.

-     The officers and employees who are the members of Alpha Coal Management
      will contribute all of their interests in ANR Holdings, LLC to Alpha
      Natural Resources, Inc. in exchange for shares of Alpha Natural Resources,
      Inc.'s common stock.

-     Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. will agree to make a pro rata distribution
      to existing stockholders in an aggregate amount equal to the net proceeds,
      if any, received upon an exercise by the underwriters of their
      over-allotment option.

-     Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. will agree to make a pro rata distribution
      of shares of its common stock to existing stockholders in an aggregate
      amount equal to the number of additional shares the underwriters have the
      option to purchase, minus the actual number of shares the underwriters
      purchase from us pursuant to their over-allotment option.

-     Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. and certain of its stockholders will amend
      certain of the post-closing arrangements entered into as part of the
      acquisition of the U.S. coal production and marketing assets from AMCI.

-     On the closing date of the initial public offering, the net proceeds
      therefrom will be used to repay the promissory notes issued in connection
      with the restructuring in full. The aggregate principal amount of such
      promissory notes and accrued interest thereon will be equal to the
      estimated net proceeds from the offering.

-     Following the closing of the initial public offering, Alpha Natural
      Resources, Inc. will contribute the membership interests in ANR Holdings,
      LLC held by it to Alpha NR Holding, Inc. and Alpha NR Ventures, Inc.

            Consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Internal
Restructuring Agreement is a condition to the closing of the initial public
offering. The closing under the Internal Restructuring is subject to certain
conditions including, among others, (i) the approval of the Lenders to amend
this Agreement to permit the Internal Restructuring, including the Sponsor
Distributions, (ii) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting
period under The Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, which has
occurred, and (iii) the absence of any law, regulation, injunction or order
prohibiting the consummation of the Internal Restructuring.<PAGE>
                              FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT

            THIS FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT ("Forbearance Agreement"), effective as
of January 21, 2005 (the "Forbearance Date"), is made by and among OMNI ENERGY
SERVICES CORP., AMERICAN HELICOPTERS INC., OMNI ENERGY SERVICES CORP.-MEXICO,
TRUSSCO, INC., AND TRUSSCO PROPERTIES, LLC (collectively, "Maker" and each,
individually, a "Maker"), and BEAL BANK, S.S.B., a savings bank organized under
the laws of the State of Texas ("Payee"), and is based on the following recitals
of fact.

                                R E C I T A L S:

      A. The Maker is indebted to the Payee under a Promissory Note dated as of
October 22, 2004 (the "Note"; capitalized terms used in this Forbearance
Agreement but not defined herein shall have the same sense and meaning as in the
Note), among the Maker and the Payee. As of the Forbearance Date, the
outstanding principal balance of the Note is Six Million, Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($6,500,000.00) (the "Balance"). Unpaid interest continues to accrue
according to the terms of the Note, currently at the Default Rate. Additionally,
the Maker is obligated for other fees, costs, and expenses in accordance with
and as may be provided for in the Loan Documents.

      B. As of the date of this Forbearance Agreement, an Event of Default
exists under paragraph 7(a) of the Note as a result of the Maker's failure to
repay the Obligations owing to the Payee under the Note on the Final Maturity
Date (the "Existing Default").

      C. The Maker has requested that the Payee temporarily forbear from
exercising its available rights and remedies arising as a result of the Existing
Default and the Payee is willing to forebear from exercising such rights and
remedies conditioned upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in
this Forbearance Agreement.

                               A G R E E M E N T:

      For and in consideration of the mutual covenants herein, and other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Maker and the Payee agrees as follows:

      1. Recitals. The foregoing recitals are confirmed by the parties as true,
accurate, and correct and are incorporated herein by reference. The recitals are
a substantive, contractual part of this Forbearance Agreement.

FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT - Page 1

<PAGE>

      2. Extension of Maturity, Forbearance and Limitations Thereof.

            (a) Subject to the terms and provisions of this Forbearance
      Agreement (including without limitation, paragraph 6 and paragraph 7
      hereof), the Payee hereby agrees to forbear from exercising any of its
      rights and remedies arising under the Loan Documents or otherwise as a
      result of the Existing Default (the "Forbearance") for the period, and
      only for the period, commencing on the Forbearance Date through and
      including February 28, 2005 (the "Expiration Date") or such earlier date
      on which Payee's agreement to forbear pursuant hereto terminates (such
      period being referred to hereinafter as the "Forbearance Period").

            (b) Paragraph 2(a) of this Forbearance Agreement shall be limited
      strictly as written and this Forbearance Agreement does not constitute a
      forbearance with respect to any Event of Default other than the Existing
      Default and does not constitute a waiver of the Existing Default or any
      other Event of Default. In the event that prior to the end of the
      Forbearance Period any further Event of Default occurs under the Note
      (i.e., other than the Existing Default) or if the Maker shall breach any
      provision of this Forbearance Agreement or any Loan Document, then the
      Payee shall have the right and option, in its sole discretion and without
      notice to the Maker, to terminate its agreement to forbear pursuant to
      this Forbearance Agreement and to exercise any and all of its rights and
      remedies under the Loan Documents or otherwise arising as a result of such
      Event of Default or the Existing Default.

            (c) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, and
      as an additional material inducement to the Payee to enter into this
      Forbearance Agreement, the Maker hereby agrees that, except as expressly
      set forth herein with respect to the Forbearance during the Forbearance
      Period, this Forbearance Agreement shall have no effect on, and shall not
      act as a waiver of, any Event of Default (including, without limitation,
      the Existing Default), or any rights or remedies resulting therefrom,
      whether now existing or hereafter arising, under the terms and provisions
      of the Loan Documents or otherwise whether known or unknown by the Payee.
      The Payee expressly reserves the right to, and may, at its option, declare
      any other Event of Default, except as expressly set forth herein.

      3. Liens. By this Forbearance Agreement, all liens, security interests,
assignments, superior titles, rights, remedies, powers, equities, and priorities
securing the Obligations (collectively, the "Outstanding Liens") are hereby
ratified and confirmed as valid, subsisting, and continuing to secure the
Obligations as amended to date, and this Forbearance Agreement shall not affect
the priority of any Outstanding Lien. Nothing in this Forbearance Agreement
shall in any manner diminish, impair, or extinguish any of the Outstanding Liens
or the Loan Documents or be construed as a novation in any respect. In addition,
the Maker acknowledges and agrees that this Forbearance Agreement constitutes a
Loan Document and that the obligations of the Maker hereunder (including,
without limitation, the obligation of Maker to repurchase the Stock, as
hereinafter defined, as provided in paragraph 7 (d) below) constitute
Obligations secured by the Outstanding Liens.

FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT - Page 2

<PAGE>

      4. Amounts Due. The Payee and the Maker acknowledge that, prior to giving
effect to any payment or payments specified in this Forbearance Agreement, the
aggregate outstanding unpaid principal balance of the Note is equal to the
Balance, and accrued and unpaid interest on the Note is equal to $198,972.04as
of the Forbearance Date.

      5. Waivers of Makers. Each Maker waives any and all rights to other notice
of payment default or any other default, protest and notice of protest,
dishonor, diligence in collecting and the bringing of suit or arbitration
proceedings against any party, notice of intention to accelerate, notice of
acceleration, demand for payment, and any other notices whatsoever regarding the
Obligations or any of the Loan Documents, and further waives any claims that any
notices previously given are or were insufficient for any reason.

      6. Conditions Precedent. The following are conditions precedent to the
effectiveness of this Forbearance Agreement:

            (a) Delivery. Before this Forbearance Agreement becomes effective
      and any party becomes obligated under it, the Payee shall have received
      fully executed originals of this Forbearance Agreement.

            (b) Reimbursement of the Payee's Costs and Expenses; Receipt of
      Payments. The Payee shall have received reimbursement, in immediately
      available funds, of all unpaid fees, expenses and costs due from the Maker
      to the Payee, and all costs and expenses incurred by the Payee in
      connection with this Forbearance Agreement, including but not limited to
      charges for preparing, recording, and/or filing amendments to financing
      statements, appraisal, and legal fees and expenses of the Payee's counsel
      ("Reimbursable Costs") to the extent incurred by the Payee and submitted
      to the Maker for reimbursement. The amount of Reimbursable Costs to be
      paid by Maker in order for this Forbearance Agreement to become effective
      is $22,000.00. All other Reimbursable Costs incurred by Payee shall be
      paid by Maker as provided below and in the Loan Documents.

            (c) Payment of Interest and Principal. The Payee shall receive
      payment of an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid interest on the Note
      as of the Forbearance Date (being $198,972.04) plus Two Hundred Fifty
      Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) of principal of the Note.

            (d) Additional Information. The Payee shall have received such
      additional agreements, certificates, documents, instruments, and
      information as the Payee or its legal counsel may request to effect the
      Forbearance contemplated hereby.

            (e) All payments to be made by Maker to Payee as provided in the
      Note, this Forbearance Agreement or any other Loan Document will be paid
      to Payee in accordance with Payee's wire transfer instructions attached
      hereto as Exhibit "A".

FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT - Page 3

<PAGE>

      7. Continuing Conditions. Payee's agreement to forbear pursuant to this
Forbearance Agreement is conditioned upon the Maker's compliance with each of
the following conditions. The Maker acknowledges and agrees that the Maker's
failure to fully comply with any of the following conditions shall constitute a
breach of the terms of this Forbearance Agreement which shall result in the
termination of the Payee's agreement to forbear.

            (a) Obligation to Remain Current. The Maker shall remain current in
      the payment of all interest and other fees and expenses as provided by the
      Note, any other Loan Document and this Forbearance Agreement.

            (b) Applicable Interest Rates. Interest on the outstanding principal
      of the Obligations shall be calculated at a per annum rate equal to the
      lesser of (x) the Highest Lawful Rate or (y) the Default Rate.

            (c) Payments. In addition to the payments required by paragraphs 6
      (b) and (c) above, on January 28, 2005, Maker shall pay to Payee an
      additional Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), with such
      payment being applied first to accrued and unpaid interest on the Note and
      additional Reimbursable Costs, and with the balance of such payment being
      applied to the unpaid principal balance of the Note. The remaining
      principal due on the Note and all other amounts due to Payee pursuant to
      the Loan Documents are due and payable on the last day of the Forbearance
      Period.

            (d) Payment in Stock; Obligation to Purchase. Subject to
      satisfaction of the conditions set forth below, the Maker's obligation to
      pay all of the amounts required to be paid as provided in paragraphs 6 (b)
      and (c) and the Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) payment
      required to be made on January 28, 2005 as provided above (but not the
      principal balance of the Note, and interest thereon, due and payable on
      the last day of the Forbearance Period) may be satisfied by the delivery
      to the Payee, on the date the payment in question is due, of fully
      registered, publicly traded, unrestricted common stock ("Stock") of OMNI
      Energy Services Corp., or, if Maker is unable to deliver such Stock as
      fully registered, unrestricted shares, by delivery to the Payee of
      privately issued restricted shares of Stock, in each case, registered in
      the name of Payee or its nominee, valued at the lesser of (i) the closing
      price of the Stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the last day the Stock
      was trading on such market prior to the due date of such payment or (ii)
      the opening price of the Stock on such market on the date such payment is
      due, in each case rounded up to the next highest whole number of shares of
      Stock. If the shares of Stock are privately issued, restricted shares,
      Maker shall cause OMNI Energy Services Corp. to prepare and file a
      registration statement on Form S-3, or other appropriate form, to register
      the resale of such Stock, and to use its best efforts to cause such
      registration statement to be declared effective on or before the last day
      of the Forbearance Period. The issuer shall cause the registration
      statement to continue in effect until such time that the Payee (and/or its
      nominee and/or successor or assign) has disposed of all the Stock or that
      it may be entitled to dispose of all of the Stock without any restrictions
      or limitations under the securities laws. On or prior to the Expiration
      Date, Payee may, with one business day's prior notice to Maker, require
      that Maker

FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT - Page 4

<PAGE>

      purchase the Stock issued to Payee as aforesaid by delivery to Payee by
      wire transfer in same day funds U.S. Dollars equal to the value of such
      Stock valued at the higher of (x) the value determined under clauses (i)
      or (ii) of the preceding sentence or (y) the then current market price of
      the Stock. The rights of Maker set forth in this paragraph (d) to make the
      above-described payment to Payee by the delivery of the Stock is
      conditioned and contingent upon Payee agreeing, at or prior to the time
      such Stock is offered to Payee, that it will accept such Stock, and if
      Payee does not agree in writing to so accept such Stock, Maker shall have
      no right to make such payment by delivering such Stock to Payee and Payee
      will have no obligation to accept such Stock. Payee may make its
      determination of whether to accept such Stock in payment of the amounts
      due as set forth in this paragraph (d) in Payee's sole discretion.

            (e) Notice of Payment. If Maker elects to pay all amounts due under
      the Note, the other Loan Documents and this Forbearance Agreement prior to
      the last day of the Forbearance Period, Maker must give the Payee no less
      than 5 business days' prior written notice of such payment. Once given,
      such notice will be irrevocable and the Note shall be due and payable on
      the date prior to the last day of the Forbearance Period as provided in
      such notice.

      8.    Representations and Warranties. In order to induce the Payee to
execute, deliver, and perform this Forbearance Agreement, the Maker warrants and
represents to the Payee each and every of the following:

            (a) This Forbearance Agreement is not being made or entered into
      with the actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud any entity or person,
      and the Maker is solvent and is not bankrupt.

            (b) This Forbearance Agreement is not intended by the parties to be
      a novation of the Loan Documents and, except as expressly modified herein,
      all terms, conditions, rights, and obligations as set out in the Loan
      Documents are hereby reaffirmed and shall otherwise remain in full force
      and effect as originally written and agreed.

            (c) No action or proceeding, including, without limitation, a
      voluntary or involuntary petition for bankruptcy under any chapter of the
      United States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"), has been instituted
      by or against any Maker or threatened against any Maker.

            (d) The execution of this Forbearance Agreement by the Maker and the
      performance by the Maker of its respective obligations hereunder will not
      violate or result in a breach or constitute a default under any agreement
      to which it is a party.

            (e) All information provided by the Maker to the Payee prior to the
      Forbearance Date, including, without limitation, all representations and
      warranties made and given by any Maker in the Loan Documents, all
      financial statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, was, at
      the date of delivery, and is, as of the date hereof, true,

FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT - Page 5

<PAGE>

      accurate, and correct in all respects. The Maker recognizes and
      acknowledges that the Payee is entering into this Forbearance Agreement
      based in part on the financial information provided to the Payee by the
      Maker and that the truth and correctness of that financial information is
      a material inducement to the Payee in entering into this Forbearance
      Agreement. During the term of this Forbearance Agreement, the Maker agrees
      to advise the Payee promptly in writing of any and all new information,
      facts, or occurrences which would in any way materially supplement,
      contradict, or affect any financial statements, balance sheets, cash flow
      statements, or similar items furnished to the Payee.

            (f) Other than the Existing Default, no Default or Event of Default
      under any Loan Document has occurred and is continuing, and no event has
      occurred and is continuing which, with notice or the passage of time or
      both, would be a Default or an Event of Default.

            (g) The Maker lawfully possesses and holds a 100% ownership interest
      in all of the Collateral for the Obligations, free and clear of any Lien,
      defect, reservation of title, or conditional sales contract, and also of
      any security interest, other than the Outstanding Liens in favor of the
      Payee or Permitted Encumbrances. There is no financing statement affecting
      any real, personal, tangible, or intangible property ("Property") of the
      Maker on file in any public office except for financing statements in
      favor of the Payee and any relating to Permitted Encumbrances.

            (h) Since the inception of the Obligations, there have been no
      changes in the organization, composition, material ownership, structure,
      or formation documents of any Maker which has not been disclosed in
      writing to the Payee; in each state in which any Maker does business, it
      is properly licensed, in good standing, and, where required, in compliance
      with fictitious name statutes.

            (i) Execution, delivery, and performance of this Forbearance
      Agreement, and any instrument or agreement required hereunder, are within
      each Maker's powers, have been duly authorized, and do not conflict with
      any of its organizational papers.

            (j) The Loan Documents to which the Maker is a party, including this
      Forbearance Agreement, are legal, valid, and binding agreements of the
      Maker, enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, and any
      instrument or agreement required hereunder or thereunder, when executed
      and delivered, will be similarly legal, valid, binding, and enforceable;
      this Forbearance Agreement does not conflict with any law, agreement, or
      obligation by which the Maker is bound.

      9. Reaffirmation. Each Maker reaffirms all of its obligations under the
Loan Documents to which it is a party.

      10. Termination of Forbearance and Rights in the Event of Bankruptcy.

FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT - Page 6

<PAGE>

            (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Forbearance
      Agreement, the obligations of the Payee to forbear from exercising any of
      its rights and remedies arising under the Loan Documents or otherwise as a
      result of the Existing Default shall terminate upon the filing of any
      proceeding, voluntarily or involuntarily, under Title 11 of the United
      States Code or any other state or federal statute seeking the
      reorganization, liquidation or restructuring of any Maker, or the filing
      by any person of any legal, administrative or arbitration proceeding
      seeking the reorganization, liquidation, dissolution, restructuring,
      foreclosure, appointment of a receiver or transfer of control or
      possession of the assets of any Maker for the benefit of a creditor. In
      the event of any such filing, all obligations, covenants, representations,
      warranties and releases of and/or granted by the Maker, and the Maker's
      shareholders shall remain in full force and effect.

            (b) All of the above terms and conditions have been freely bargained
      for and are all supported by reasonable and adequate consideration and the
      provisions herein are material inducements for the Payee entering into
      this Forbearance Agreement.

      11. Waiver of Claims and Defenses. To induce the Payee to enter into this
Forbearance Agreement, each Maker represents and warrants to Payee that as of
the Forbearance Date there are no claims or offsets against or defenses or
counterclaims to their respective obligations under the Loan Documents, and each
Maker waives any and all such claims, offsets, defenses, or counterclaims
whether known or unknown, arising prior to the Forbearance Date. Additionally,
each Maker, on behalf of itself and its shareholders/owners, hereby releases and
agrees to hold the Payee, and each of its legal representatives, successors,
affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, predecessors, assigns, shareholders,
partners, trustees, beneficiaries, administrators, heirs, former and current
officers, directors, agents, attorneys, and employees, and their respective
successors, assigns, heirs, executors, and administrators harmless from any and
all claims, actions, suits, causes of action, accounts, judgments, agreements,
promises, executions, debts, damages, demands, rights, obligations, liabilities,
and controversies now in existence concerning or in connection with the Note,
this Forbearance Agreement, or any other Loan Documents (collectively, the
"Claims") of every nature and description, at law or in equity, whether known or
unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, and regardless of whether the Maker, or any
other person hereafter discovers any fact which may give rise to any of the
Claims.

      12. Acknowledgments. Each Maker hereby acknowledges and agrees that:

            (a) No Future Obligations. The Payee has no obligation to make any
      additional loan or extension of credit to or for the benefit of the Maker,
      and no obligation to extend the maturity date of any credit extended to
      the Maker.

            (b) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Forbearance Agreement is not
      intended for, and shall not be construed to be for, the benefit of any
      person not a signatory hereto.

FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT - Page 7

<PAGE>

      13. Impairment/Security. Except as otherwise specifically set forth
herein, the Loan Documents shall each remain unaffected by this Forbearance
Agreement and all such Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect. The
Maker's payment and performance of its various obligations to the Payee under
the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, this Forbearance Agreement),
including all extensions, amendments, renewals, or replacements thereof,
continue to be and shall be secured by the Outstanding Liens. Nothing contained
herein shall be deemed a waiver of any of the rights and remedies that the Payee
may have against any Maker, or of the Payee's rights and remedies arising out of
the Loan Documents.

      14. Severability. If any court of competent jurisdiction determines any
provision of this Forbearance Agreement or any provision in any of the other
Loan Documents to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that portion shall be
deemed severed from the rest, which shall remain in full force and effect.

      15. Attorneys' Fees. If any lawsuit, reference, or arbitration is
commenced which arises out of or relates to the Obligations or any of the Loan
Documents, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from each other
party such sums as the court, referee, or arbitrator may adjudge to be
reasonable attorneys' fees in the action, reference, or arbitration, in addition
to costs and expenses otherwise allowed by law. In all other situations,
including any matter arising out of or relating to any bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding, the Maker agrees to pay all of the Payee's costs and expenses,
including attorneys' fees (including, without limitation, the allocated costs of
in-house counsel), which may be incurred in enforcing or protecting the Payee's
rights or interests. From the time(s) incurred until paid in full to the Payee,
all such sums shall bear interest at the rate specified in paragraph 7(b)
hereof.

      16. Miscellaneous.

            (a) Counterparts. This Forbearance Agreement may be executed in a
      number of identical counterparts which, taken together, shall constitute
      collectively one agreement; but in making proof of this Forbearance
      Agreement, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than
      one such counterpart executed by the party to be charged.

            (b) Amendments, etc. Any future waiver, alteration, amendment, or
      modification of any of the provisions of the Loan Documents or this
      Forbearance Agreement shall not be valid or enforceable unless in writing
      and signed by all parties, it being expressly agreed that neither the Loan
      Documents, nor this Forbearance Agreement can be modified orally, by
      course of dealing, or by implied agreement. Moreover, any delay by the
      Payee in enforcing its rights after a Default or an Event of Default shall
      not be a release or waiver of the Default or the Event of Default and
      shall not be relied upon by the Maker as a release or waiver of the
      Default or Event of Default. Except as specifically provided in this
      Forbearance Agreement, no express or implied consent to any further
      forbearance or modifications involving any of the matters set forth in
      this

FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT - Page 8

<PAGE>

      Forbearance Agreement or otherwise shall be inferred or implied by the
      Payee's execution of this Forbearance Agreement or any other action of the
      Payee.

            (c) Successors and Assigns. This Forbearance Agreement shall be
      binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their
      heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives, and
      assigns; however, nothing contained herein will constitute Payee's consent
      to any assignment or delegation of any rights, duties or obligations of
      any Maker hereunder or under the Note or any other Loan Document.

            (d) Headings. The headings of paragraphs in this Forbearance
      Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not in any way
      affect the interpretation or construction of this Forbearance Agreement.
      As used herein, neuter pronouns include the masculine and feminine
      genders, and the singular includes the plural (and vice versa), unless the
      context otherwise requires.

            (e) Governing Law. THIS FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
      THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND FEDERAL LAW, AS APPLICABLE.

            (f) Survival. The warranties and representations of the parties in
      this Forbearance Agreement shall survive the termination of this
      Forbearance Agreement.

            (g) Joint Preparation. The terms and conditions set forth in this
      Forbearance Agreement are the product of joint draftsmanship by all
      parties, each being represented by counsel, and any ambiguities in this
      Forbearance Agreement or any documentation prepared pursuant to or in
      connection with this Forbearance Agreement shall not be construed against
      any of the parties because of draftsmanship.

      17. Time is of the Essence. Time is of the essence of this Forbearance
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

      18. Further Performance. The Maker, whenever and as often as it shall be
requested by the Payee, shall execute, acknowledge, and deliver, or cause to be
executed, acknowledged, and delivered such further instruments and documents and
to do any and all things as may be reasonably requested in order to carry out
the intent and purpose of this Forbearance Agreement and the other Loan
Documents.

      19. Ratification and Confirmation of Loan Documents. The Maker hereby
ratifies and confirms each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party entered
into prior to the Forbearance Date, including its respective Collateral
Documents, executed pursuant to the Note and agrees that such Loan Documents
continue to be legal, valid, binding, and enforceable in accordance with their
respective terms except as amended pursuant to the terms hereof.

FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT - Page 9

<PAGE>

      20. Integration. The Loan Documents, including this Forbearance Agreement,
(a) integrate all the terms and conditions mentioned in or incidental to the
Loan Documents, (b) supersede all oral negotiations and prior and other writings
with respect to their subject matter, and (c) are intended by the parties as the
final expression of the agreement with respect to the terms and conditions set
forth in those documents, including this Forbearance Agreement, and as the
complete and exclusive statement of the terms agreed to by the parties. If there
is any conflict between the terms, conditions, and provisions of this
Forbearance Agreement and those of any other agreement or instrument, including
the other Loan Documents, the terms, conditions, and provisions of this
Forbearance Agreement shall prevail. No supplement, modification, or amendment
of this Forbearance Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be effective
unless in writing and signed by the Payee, and the Maker. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY
NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL
AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE
PARTIES. EXCEPT AS MODIFIED OR SUPPLEMENTED HEREBY, THE AGREEMENT, THE OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS AND AGREEMENTS EXECUTED IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH SHALL CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.

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

MAKER:

OMNI ENERGY SERVICES CORP.              OMNI ENERGY SERVICES CORP.-MEXICO

By: /s/ G. Darcy Klug                   By:  /s/ G. Darcy Klug
    -------------------------                -----------------------------
G. Darcy Klug, Executive Vice President      G. Darcy Klug, Executive Vice
                                             President

AMERICAN HELICOPTERS INC.               TRUSSCO, INC.

By:  /s/ G. Darcy Klug                  By:  /s/ G. Darcy Klug
     ------------------------                ----------------------------
G. Darcy Klug, Executive Vice President      G. Darcy Klug, Executive Vice
                                             President

TRUSSCO PROPERTIES, LLC

By:   /s/ G. Darcy Klug
      ------------------------
      G. Darcy Klug, Executive Vice President

PAYEE:

BEAL BANK, S.S.B.

By: /s/ William T. Saurenmann
    --------------------------
    William T. Saurenmann,
    Senior Vice President

FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT - Page 10

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