Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17

                       LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

                                       OF

                           NEMO GATHERING COMPANY, LLC

                     (a Delaware limited liability company)

                          (Dated as of July 26, 1999)

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ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS.........................................................1
   1.1.  Specific Definitions..................................................1
   1.2.  Other Terms .........................................................13
   1.3.  Construction ........................................................13

ARTICLE II. ORGANIZATION......................................................14
   2.1.  Formation............................................................14
   2.2.  Name.................................................................14
   2.3.  Principal Office in the United States; Other Offices.................14
   2.4.  Purpose..............................................................14
   2.5.  Foreign Qualification................................................14
   2.6.  Term.................................................................14
   2.7.  Mergers and Exchanges................................................14
   2.8.  Business Opportunities--No Implied Duty or Obligation................14
   2.9.  Jurisdictional Status................................................15

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS AND TRANSFERS...............................15
   3.1.  Initial Members......................................................15
   3.2.  Membership Interests.................................................15
   3.3.  Representations and Warranties.......................................15
   3.4.  Restrictions on the Transfer of a Membership Interest................16
   3.5.  Transfer Restrictions................................................17
   3.6.  Documentation; Validity of Transfer..................................22
   3.7.  Possible Additional Restrictions on Transfer.........................23
   3.8.  Additional Membership Interests......................................23
   3.9.  [RESERVED]...........................................................23
   3.10. Information..........................................................23
   3.11. Liability to Third Parties...........................................24
   3.12. Resignation..........................................................24
   3.13. Lack of Member Authority.............................................24

ARTICLE IV. CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS.............................................25
   4.1.  Initial Capital Contributions........................................25
   4.2.  Subsequent Contributions.............................................25
   4.3.  Failure to Contribute................................................25
   4.4.  Return of Contributions..............................................28
   4.5.  Capital Accounts.....................................................28

ARTICLE V. ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS......................................31
   5.1.  Allocations for Capital Account Purposes.............................31
   5.2.  Allocations for Tax Purposes.........................................33
   5.3.  Requirement of Distributions.........................................35
   5.4.  Sharing of Distributions.............................................35
   5.5.  Reserves.............................................................36
   5.6.  Distribution Restrictions............................................36
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
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ARTICLE VI. MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY.........................................36
   6.1.  Management and Delegation of Authority...............................36
   6.2.  Committees...........................................................36
   6.3.  Authority of Members and Committees..................................37
   6.4.  Officers.............................................................39
   6.5.  Duties of Officers...................................................41
   6.6.  No Duty to Consult...................................................41
   6.7.  Reimbursement........................................................41
   6.8.  Members and Affiliates Dealing With the Company......................41
   6.9.  Insurance............................................................41

ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS.........................................................42
   7.1.  Meetings of Members and Committees...................................42
   7.2.  Special Actions......................................................43
   7.3.  Voting List..........................................................46
   7.4.  Proxies..............................................................46
   7.5.  Votes................................................................47
   7.6.  Conduct of Meetings..................................................47
   7.7.  Action by Written Consent............................................47
   7.8.  Records..............................................................48

ARTICLE VIII. INDEMNIFICATION.................................................48
   8.1.  Right to Indemnification.............................................48
   8.2.  Indemnification of Officers, Employees and Agents....................49
   8.3.  Advance Payment......................................................49
   8.4.  Appearance as a Witness..............................................49
   8.5.  Nonexclusivity of Rights.............................................49
   8.6.  Insurance............................................................49
   8.7.  Member Notification..................................................49
   8.8.  Savings Clause.......................................................50
   8.9.  Scope of Indemnity...................................................50

ARTICLE IX. TAXES.............................................................50
   9.1.  Tax Returns..........................................................50
   9.2.  Tax Elections........................................................50
   9.3.  Tax Matters Member...................................................51

ARTICLE X. BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS.........................51
   10.1. Maintenance of Books.................................................51
   10.2. Financial Statements.................................................51
   10.3. Tax Statements.......................................................51
   10.4. Accounts.............................................................51

ARTICLE XI. BANKRUPTCY OF A MEMBER............................................52
   11.1. Bankrupt Members.....................................................52
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
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ARTICLE XII. DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION, AND TERMINATION........................53
   12.1. Dissolution..........................................................53
   12.2. Liquidation and Termination..........................................53
   12.3. Provision for Contingent Claims......................................55
   12.4. Deficit Capital Accounts.............................................55

ARTICLE XIII. AMENDMENT OF THE AGREEMENT......................................55
   13.1. Amendments to be Adopted by the Company..............................55
   13.2. Amendment Procedures.................................................56

ARTICLE XIV. CERTIFICATED MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS................................56
   14.1. Entitlement to Certificates..........................................56
   14.2. Multiple Classes of Interest.........................................56
   14.3. Signatures...........................................................57
   14.4. Issuance and Payment.................................................57
   14.5. Restrictive Legend...................................................57
   14.6. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates...............................58
   14.7. Transfer of Membership Interest......................................58
   14.8. Registered Holders...................................................58

ARTICLE XV. OTHER MEMBER AGREEMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS...........................58
   15.1. Lateral Opportunities................................................58
   15.2. Expansion Option.....................................................60

ARTICLE XVI. GENERAL PROVISIONS...............................................62
   16.1. Offset...............................................................62
   16.2. Entire Agreement; Supersedure........................................62
   16.3. Waivers..............................................................62
   16.4. Binding Effect.......................................................62
   16.5. Member Deadlocks; Negotiations and Mediation.........................62
   16.6. Governing Law; Severability..........................................64
   16.7. Further Assurances...................................................64
   16.8. Exercise of Certain Rights...........................................64
   16.9. Notice to Members of Provisions of this Agreement....................65
   16.10.Counterparts.........................................................65
   16.11.Attendance via Communications Equipment..............................65
   16.12.Reports to Members...................................................66
   16.13.Checks, Notes and Contracts..........................................66
   16.14.Seal.................................................................66
   16.15.Books and Records....................................................66
   16.16.Surety Bonds.........................................................66
   16.17.Audit Rights of Members..............................................66
   16.18.No Third Party Beneficiaries.........................................67
   16.19.Notices..............................................................67
   16.20.Remedies.............................................................67
</TABLE>

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   16.21.Disputes.............................................................67
   16.22.Member Trademarks....................................................71
   16.23.Holding-Out..........................................................72
</TABLE>

EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A:        Ownership Information
Exhibit B:        Description of Initial Facilities
Exhibit C:        Insurance
Exhibit D:        Sample Calculation of IRR

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                       LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

                                       OF

                         NEMO GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.
                     (a Delaware limited liability company)

         This Limited Liability Company Agreement of Nemo Gathering Company, LLC
(the "Company") dated as of July 26, 1999, is (a) adopted by the Members (as
defined below) and (b) executed and agreed to, for good and valuable
consideration, by the Members.

         WHEREAS, the Members desire to form the Company in connection with the
construction, ownership and operation of certain pipelines; and

         WHEREAS, the Company will construct, own, operate and maintain the
Brutus Gathering Facilities.

         NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable
consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby confirmed and
acknowledged), the parties hereto hereby stipulate and agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I.

                                   DEFINITIONS

         1.1. Specific Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms have the following meanings:

         "Accelerated Volumes" means the increment of natural gas volumes
produced from existing, flowing Dedicated Leases or third party leases,
whichever is applicable, which require an Expansion Project pursuant to Section
15.2, provided that such volumes, for the purposes of this definition, shall be
limited to Dedicated Leases or third party leases, whichever is applicable, from
which the increases in volume are attributable to an acceleration of reserves
production, and not an increase in overall reserves.

         "Accessible Capacity" means that portion of the Base Capacity which is
commercially useable for gas gathering or transportation taking into
consideration hydraulics, geographic proximity and other similar factors to
transport relevant additional Expansion Property Production.

         "Act" means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and any
successor statute, as amended from time to time.

         "Adjusted Capital Account" means the Capital Account maintained for
each Member as of the end of each taxable year of the Company, (a) increased by
any amounts that such Member is obligated to restore under the standards set by
Treasury Regulation section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (or is deemed obligated to
restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulation

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sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5)), and (b) decreased by (i) the amount
of all losses and deductions that, as of the end of such taxable year, are
reasonably expected to be allocated to such Member in subsequent years under
sections 704(e)(2) and 706(d) of the Code and Treasury Regulation section
1.751-1(b)(2)(ii), and (ii) the amount of all distributions that, as of the end
of such taxable year, are reasonably expected to be made to such Member in
subsequent years in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or otherwise to
the extent they exceed offsetting increases to such Member's Capital Account
that are reasonably expected to occur during (or prior to) the year in which
such distributions are reasonably expected to be made (other than increases as a
result of a minimum gain chargeback pursuant to Section 5.1(d) or 5.1(e)). The
foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the
provisions of Treasury Regulation section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be
interpreted consistently therewith.

         "Adjusted Property" means any property, the Carrying Value of which has
been adjusted pursuant to Section 4.5(c)(i) or (c)(ii).

         "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that
directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is
Controlled by, or is under common Control with, the relevant Person.

         "Agreement" means this Limited Liability Company Agreement (including
any schedules, exhibits or attachments hereto), as amended, supplemented or
modified from time to time.

         "Arbitrator" has the meaning given that term in Section 16.21.

         "Arbitration Notice" has the meaning given that term in Section 16.21.

         "Asset Value" of any Contributed Property or Adjusted Property means
the fair market value of such property or other consideration at the time of
contribution or adjustment, as applicable, and as determined by the Company
using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt. The Company shall, in
its sole discretion, use such method as it deems reasonable and appropriate to
allocate the aggregate Asset Value of Contributed Properties or Adjusted
Properties in a single or integrated transaction among such properties on a
basis proportional to their fair market value. The fair market value of the
Contributed Properties described on Exhibit A shall be deemed to be the Asset
Value of such Contributed Properties set forth therein.

         "Available Cash" means unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of the
Company. Available Cash shall not include any Initial Capital Contributions
except to the extent that all of the Members agree that the applicable portion
of any such Initial Capital Contribution is no longer needed to finance the
construction of the Initial Facilities.

         "Bankrupt Member" means any Member:

               (a) that (i) makes a general assignment for the benefit of
               creditors; (ii) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition; (iii)
               becomes the subject of an order for relief or is declared
               insolvent in any federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency
               proceeding; (iv) files a petition or answer seeking for the
               Member a reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment,
               liquidation, dissolution, or similar relief

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               under any law; (v) files an answer or other pleading admitting or
               failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed
               against the Member in a proceeding of the type described in
               subclauses (i) through (iv) of this clause (a); or (vi) seeks,
               consents, or acquiesces to the appointment of a trustee,
               receiver, or liquidator of the Member or of all or any
               substantial part of the Member's properties; or

               (b) against which a proceeding seeking reorganization,
               arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution,
               or similar relief under any law has been commenced and 90 days
               have expired without dismissal thereof or with respect to which,
               without the Member's consent or acquiescence, a trustee,
               receiver, or liquidator of the Member or of all or any
               substantial part of the Member's properties has been appointed
               and 60 days have expired without such appointments having been
               vacated or stayed, or 60 days have expired after the date of
               expiration of a stay, if the appointment has not previously been
               vacated.

         "Base Capacity" means the maximum throughput capacity on the Brutus
Gathering Facilities immediately before the commencement of the relevant
Expansion Project and any additional capacity thereafter created by any
succeeding Expansion Project approved by Members holding at least the applicable
Required Interest or pursuant to Section 15.2 for which payout has occurred.

         "Book-Tax Disparity" means with respect to any item of Contributed
Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the
difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted
Property and the adjusted basis thereof for federal income tax purposes as of
such date. A Member's share of the Company's Book-Tax Disparities in all of its
Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference
between such Member's Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section
4.5 and the hypothetical balance of such Member's Capital Account computed as if
it had been maintained strictly in accordance with federal income tax accounting
principles. The determination of Book-Tax disparity and a Member's share thereof
shall be determined consistently with section 1.704-3(c) of the Treasury
Regulations.

         "Brutus Gathering Facilities" means the Initial Facilities and any
other natural gas pipelines, including, without limitation, Laterals and/or
Expansion Projects, and related facilities constructed, purchased, or otherwise
acquired by the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.

         "Business Day" means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a
legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States or the
State of Texas shall not be regarded as a Business Day.

         "Capacity Request" has the meaning given that term in Section 15.2.

         "Capital Account" means the capital account maintained for each Member
pursuant to Section 4.5.

         "Capital Contribution" means any contribution by a Member to the
capital of the Company, as contemplated by Section 4.5(a).

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         "Carrying Value" means (a) with respect to Contributed Property and
Adjusted Property, the Asset Value of such property reduced (but not below zero)
by all depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions relating to such
property charged to the Members' Capital Accounts, and (b) with respect to any
other Company property, the adjusted basis of such property for federal income
tax purposes, all as of the time of determination. The Carrying Value of any
property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Sections
4.5(c)(i) and (c)(ii), and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to
the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Company properties, as
deemed appropriate by the Company.

         "Certificate" has the meaning given that term in Section 2.1.

         "Change in Member Control" means, with respect to any Member that is
not an individual, (a) the transfer of Voting Stock issued by the relevant
Member resulting in a change in the Member Parent of such Member, and (b) the
transfer (whether by a direct assignment, a sale of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Member Parent or any Person which Controls any Member Parent,
or a merger, consolidation, conversion, share exchange or similar statutory
reorganization) of any Voting Stock of any Member Parent or any Person which
Controls any Member Parent.

         "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and any successor
statute, as amended from time to time.

         "Company" means Nemo Gathering Company, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company, and its permitted successors and assigns.

         "Company Minimum Gain" means the amount determined pursuant to Treasury
Regulation section 1.704-2(d).

         "Company Operating Cash Flow" means, with respect to all taxable years
or other periods of the Company preceding the calendar quarter in which the
determination is being made, an amount (not less than zero) equal to the sum of
(a) the Leviathan Holding Operating Cash Flow and (b) the Tejas Holding
Operating Cash Flow.

         "Construction Agreement" means the Construction Management Agreement
dated of even date herewith between Tejas Holding and the Company.

         "Contributed Property" means each property or other asset, in such form
as may be permitted by the Act, but excluding cash or cash equivalents,
contributed to the Company. Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is
adjusted pursuant to Section 4.5(c), such property shall no longer constitute a
Contributed Property for purposes of Section 5.2, but shall be deemed an
Adjusted Property for such purposes.

         "Control" (and its derivatives and similar terms) means having the
ability to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of any
Person by ownership of Voting Stock, contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed not to Control, be
Controlled by, or be under common Control with any of Tejas Holding or any of
its Affiliates, and vice-versa, or Leviathan Holding or any of its Affiliates,
and vice-versa.

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         "Costs" has the meaning given that term in Section 4.3(a)(ii)(3).

         "CPR Institute" has the meaning given that term in Section 3.5(d).

         "Dedicated Leases" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the
Gathering Agreement.

         "Dedicated Production" means the natural gas produced from the
Dedicated Leases that is owned by or allocable to SDDI, or any Affiliate
thereof, or any non-Affiliated party owning a record title or operating rights
interest in any Dedicated Lease, and which natural gas is gathered by the Brutus
Gathering Facilities pursuant to either the Gathering Agreement or other written
gathering agreement.

         "Dedicated Property Revenues" means any and all revenues and income of
the Company resulting from or otherwise attributable to the Dedicated
Production.

         "Default" means, in respect of any Member, upon the occurrence and
during the continuation of any of the following events:

               (a) the failure to remedy, within seven Business Days of such
               Member's receipt of written notice thereof from the Company or
               any other Member, a Member's delinquency in making any Capital
               Contribution to the Company as required pursuant to Section 4.1
               or 4.2;

               (b) the occurrence of any event that causes such Member to become
               a Bankrupt Member; or

               (c) the failure to remedy, within ten Business Days of receipt of
               written notice thereof from the Company or any other Member, the
               non-performance of or non-compliance with any other material
               agreements, obligations or undertakings of such Member contained
               in this Agreement.

         "Default Interest Rate" means a rate per annum, compounded monthly
equal to the lesser of (a) 4% plus the one year LIBOR rate quoted in the Wall
Street Journal (or, in its absence, a similar publication) on the first day of
the applicable month and (b) the maximum rate permitted by applicable laws.

         "Delinquent Member" has the meaning given that term in Section 4.3(a).

         "Dispute" has the meaning given that term in Section 16.21.

         "Disputing Party" has the meaning given that term in Section 16.21.

         "Economic Risk of Loss" has the meaning set forth in Treasury
Regulation section 1.752-2(a).

         "Eligible Citizen" means a Person qualified to hold leases,
rights-of-way, permits, licenses or other similar agreements or documents issued
by or entered into with the United States government, and whose status as a
Member or Transferee does not or would not subject

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the Company to a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any such
lease, right-of-way, permit, license or other similar agreement or document
issued by or entered into with the United States government. As of the date
hereof, "Eligible Citizen" means (a) a citizen of the United States, (b) an
association (including a partnership, joint tenancy in common) organized or
existing under the Laws of the United States or any state or territory thereof,
all of the members of which are citizens of the United States, (c) a corporation
organized under the Laws of the United States or of any state or territory
thereof, or (d) a limited liability company organized under the Laws of the
United States or any state or territory thereof, not more than five percent of
the voting stock, or of all the stock, of which corporation, to the best of its
knowledge, is owned or controlled by citizens of countries that deny to United
States citizens privileges to own stock in corporations holding oil and gas
leases similar to the privileges of non-United States citizens to own stock in
corporations holding an interest in oil and gas leases on federal lands.

         "Exercising Member" has the meaning given that term in Section 15.2.

         "Expanded Capacity" means, with respect to a relevant Expansion
Project, the additional throughput capacity created on the Brutus Gathering
Facilities as a result of such relevant Expansion Project built pursuant to
Section 15.2.

         "Expanded Capacity Revenues" means revenues from gathering services
provided on the Brutus Gathering Facilities, and from any other services
provided by the Company, that are attributable to the Expanded Capacity Volumes.

         "Expanded Capacity Volumes" means, for the relevant month, the lesser
of (i) the Expanded Capacity or (ii) the sum of Expansion Property Production
and Incremental Volumes.

         "Expansion Liquidation Value" has the meaning given that term in
Section 12.2(c).

         "Expansion Option" has the meaning given that term in Section 15.2.

         "Expansion Option Notice" has the meaning given that term in Section
15.2.

         "Expansion Option Period" has the meaning given that term in Section
15.2.

         "Expansion Project" means, and is exclusively limited to, the
installation of additional compression facilities on or appurtenant to the
then-existing Brutus Gathering Facilities, and/or the construction and
installation of one (1) or more additional pipelines to loop the natural gas
gathering pipeline included in the Brutus Gathering Facilities.

         "Expansion Property" has the meaning given that term in Section 15.2.

         "Expansion Property Production" has the meaning given that term in
Section 15.2.

         "FERC" means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or any successor
or replacement Person.

         "Foreclosure Transfer" means any Transfer resulting from any judicial
or non-judicial foreclosure by the holder of a Security Interest or any Transfer
to the holder of a Security Interest

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in connection with a workout or similar arrangement or any transfer from the
holder of a Security Interest.

         "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles, consistently
applied.

         "Gas Contract" means any contract, agreement or other obligation of the
Company to purchase fuel gas, buy or sell linepack gas or transport, exchange,
gather, process or otherwise handle natural gas.

         "Gathering Agreements" means that certain (i) Gathering Agreement, (ii)
Dedication Agreement and (iii) Gas Gathering Rate Agreement, each dated of even
date herewith between the Company and SDDI.

         "General Interest Rate" means a rate per annum, compounded monthly,
equal to the lesser of (a) the sum of the one year LIBOR rate quoted in the Wall
Street Journal (or, in its absence, a similar publication) on the first day of
the applicable month, plus one percent (1%) and (b) the maximum rate permitted
by applicable laws.

         "Incremental Volumes" means, with respect to a relevant Expansion, the
aggregate volumes gathered during any month by the Brutus Gathering Facilities
in excess of the Base Capacity in effect immediately prior to such Expansion
Project; provided, however, that the Incremental Volumes shall be applied to
Expansion Projects which have not paid out pursuant to Article XV in
chronological order of completion.

         "Initial Capital Contribution" has the meaning given that term in
Section 4.1 herein.

         "Initial Facilities" means the natural gas pipelines and related
facilities described in Exhibit B and to be constructed pursuant to that certain
Construction Management Agreement between the Company and Tejas Offshore
Pipeline, L.L.C.

         "Interconnect Agreement" means _______________________.

         "Knowledge" means, with respect to a Member, the actual knowledge of
the officers and business development personnel of such Member and the actual
knowledge of executive officers of (i) in the case of Leviathan Holding,
Leviathan Gas Pipeline Partners, L.P., or its successors and assigns so long as
they remain Affiliates of Leviathan Holding, and (ii) in the case of Tejas
Holding, Tejas Holding and its successors and assigns so long as they remain
Affiliates of Tejas Holding.

         "Lateral" means any natural gas pipeline, lateral, segment or extension
that directly connects or is proposed to connect directly to the Brutus
Gathering Facilities.

         "Lateral Opportunity" has the meaning given that term in Section 15.1.

         "Lateral Opportunity Notice" has the meaning given that term in Section
15.1.

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         "Laws" means the laws, rules, regulations, decrees and orders of the
United States of America and all other governmental authorities having
jurisdiction, whether such Laws now exist or hereafter come into effect.

         "Lease and Platform Space Agreements" means __________________.

         "Lending Member" has the meaning given that term in Section 4.3(a)(ii).

         "Leviathan Gas Pipeline Companies" means Leviathan Gas Pipeline
Partners, L.P., and any direct or indirect Subsidiary thereof.

         "Leviathan Holding" means Moray Pipeline Company, L.L.C. and its
permitted successors and assigns.

         "Leviathan Holding Operating Cash Flow" means, with respect to all
taxable years or other periods of the Company preceding the calendar quarter in
which the determination is being made, an amount equal to (a) the aggregate
items of income and gain allocated to Leviathan Holding pursuant to Section 5.1
of this Agreement, minus (b) the aggregate items of loss and deduction allocated
to Leviathan Holding pursuant to Section 5.1 of this Agreement, plus (c) the
aggregate items of depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deductions
taken into account as items of loss and allocated to Leviathan Holding pursuant
to Section 5.1 of this Agreement, minus (d) the aggregate principal repayments
made by the Company with respect to Company borrowings (other than any Company
borrowings to the extent the proceeds were directly distributed to one or more
Members) that would have been allocated to Leviathan Holding pursuant to Section
5.1 of this Agreement if such repayments were a deductible expense for federal
income tax purposes.

         "Liquidator" has the meaning given that term in Section 12.2.

         "Loss" or "Losses" means, subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 16.20, any actions, claims, settlements, judgments, demands, liens,
losses, damages, fines, penalties, interest, costs, expenses (including, without
limitation, expenses attributable to the defense of any actions or claims),
attorneys' fees and liabilities.

         "Majority Interest" means, subject to and in accordance with Section
7.5, the Membership Interest held by TOP and/or its Affiliates; provided,
however, that if the Membership Interest held by TOP and/or its Affiliates is
reduced for any reason below fifty percent (50%), (i) to the extent that there
are only two (2) Members, any Member having more than 50% of the Membership
Interests of both Members, and (ii) to the extent that there are more than two
(2) Members, any Member (together with its Affiliated Members) and at least one
other non-Affiliated Member having among them more than 50% of the Membership
Interests of all Members; provided, however, that with respect to clause (ii)
above, any single Member (together with its Affiliated Members) shall constitute
a "Majority Interest" only if such Member (together with its Affiliated Members)
owns at least 76% of the Membership Interest of all of the Members.

         "Member" means any Person executing this Agreement as of even date
herewith as a Member or any Person hereafter admitted to the Company as an
additional Member or

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Substituted Member as provided in this Agreement, but does not include any
Person who has ceased to be a Member in the Company.

         "Member Parent" means the Person which directly Controls a Member,
regardless of who (if anybody) Controls (directly or indirectly) such Member
Parent.

         "Membership Interest" means, subject to and in accordance with Section
7.5, the ownership interest (on a percentage basis) of a Member in the Company,
including, without limitation, rights to distributions (liquidating or
otherwise), allocations, information, and to consent or approve, which ownership
interest is more particularly described and identified in Article III and
Exhibit A.

         "Minimum Gain Attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt" means that
amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation
section 1.704 2(i)(3).

         "NGA" means the Natural Gas Act of 1938, as amended from time to time.

         "Net Asset Value" means (a) in the case of any Contributed Property,
the fair market value of such property reduced by any liabilities either assumed
by the Company upon such contribution or to which such property is subject when
contributed; provided, however, the fair market value of the Contributed
Property described on Exhibit A shall be deemed to be the Asset Value of such
Contributed Property set forth therein, and (b) in the case of any property
distributed to a Member or Transferee by the Company, the Company's Carrying
Value of such property at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any
indebtedness either assumed by such Member or Transferee upon such distribution
or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution as determined
under section 752 of the Code.

         "Net Income" means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the
Company's items of income and gain for such taxable period over the Company's
items of loss and deduction for such taxable period. The items included in the
calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section 4.5(b)
and shall not include any items specifically allocated under Sections 5.1(c)
through 5.1(k). For purposes of Sections 5.1(a) and (b), in determining whether
Net Income has been allocated to any Member for any previous taxable period, any
Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss allocated pursuant to Section 4.5(c)(i) and
(c)(ii) shall be treated as an item of gain or loss in computing Net Income.

         "Net Loss" means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the
Company's items of loss and deduction for such taxable period over the Company's
items of income and gain for such taxable period. The items included in the
calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 4.5(b)
and shall not include any items specifically allocated under Sections 5.1(c)
through 5.1(k). For purposes of Sections 5.1(a) and (b), in determining whether
Net Loss has been allocated to any Member for any previous taxable period, any
Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss allocated pursuant to Section 4.5(c)(i) and
(c)(ii) shall be treated as an item of gain or loss in computing Net Loss.

         "Non-Cash Consideration" has the meaning given that term in Section
3.5(d).

                                        9
<PAGE>   15

         "Nonrecourse Built-in Gain" means with respect to any Contributed
Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or negative
pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that
would be allocated to the Members pursuant to Section 5.2(b)(i)(A),
5.2(b)(ii)(A) or 5.2(b)(iii) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable
transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other
consideration.

         "Nonrecourse Debt" has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation
section 1.704-2(b)(4).

         "Nonrecourse Deductions" means any and all items of loss, deduction, or
expenditure (described in section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance
with the principles of Treasury Regulation section 1.704-2(b)(1), are
attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.

         "Nonrecourse Liability" has the meaning assigned to such term in
Treasury Regulation section 1.704-2(b)(3).

         "Non-Transferring Members" has the meaning given that term in Section
3.5(d).

         "Obligation" has the meaning given that term in Section 4.3(a)(ii)(2).

         "Offer Notice" has the meaning given that term in Section 3.5(d).
         "Operating Agreement" means the Operating Agreement dated of even date
herewith between Tejas Holding and the Company.

         "Option Period" has the meaning given that term in Section 3.5(d)
herein.

         "Other Assets" has the meaning given that term in Section 3.5(d)(v).

         "Payout Amount" means an amount of money equal to 150% of the amount of
the actual out-of-pocket capital cost of the relevant Expansion Project;
provided, however that to the extent the Company elects to prepay all or any
portion of the unamortized portion of the principal amount of the Payout Amount
in accordance with Section 15.2(c), such Payout Amount shall be reduced as
described in Section 15.2(c).

         "Person" means any individual or entity, including, without limitation,
any corporation, limited liability company, partnership (general or limited),
joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization or government (including any board, agency, political subdivision
or other body thereof).

         "Priority Sharing Ratios" means: (a) with respect to Leviathan Holding,
a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which is the Leviathan
Holding Operating Cash Flow and the denominator of which is the Company
Operating Cash Flow; and (b) with respect to Tejas Holding, a fraction
(expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which is the Tejas Holding
Operating Cash Flow and the denominator of which is the Company Operating Cash
Flow; provided, however, that in no event shall the Priority Sharing Ratio of a
party be less than zero (0) or greater than one (1).

                                       10
<PAGE>   16

         "Proceeding" has the meaning given that term in Section 8.1.

         "Proposed Transaction" has the meaning given that term in Section
3.5(d)(i).

         "PUHCA" means the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

         "Recapture Income" means any gain recognized by the Company (computed
without regard to any adjustment required by section 734 or 743 of the Code)
upon the disposition of any property or asset of the Company, which gain is
characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of
deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.

         "Record Date" means the date established by the Company for determining
(a) the identity of Members (or Transferees, if applicable) entitled to notice
of, or to vote at, any meeting of Members or entitled to vote by ballot or give
approval of Company action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise
rights in respect of any lawful action of Members or (b) the identity of Record
Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution.

         "Record Holder" means the Person in whose name a Membership Interest is
registered on the books of the Company as of the opening of business on a
particular Business Day.

         "Regulatory Allocations" has the meaning given that term in Section
5.1(k).

         "Rejected Lateral Opportunity" has the meaning given that term in
Section 15.1(c).

         "Required Interest" means, subject to and in accordance with Section
7.5, the applicable percentage of Membership Interests of all Members required
to authorize or approve a relevant act of the Company, including, without
limitation, a Majority Interest, a Super-Majority Interest or all Membership
Interests, as applicable.

         "Residual Gain" or "Residual Loss" means any item of gain or loss, as
the case may be, of the Company recognized for federal income tax purposes
resulting from a sale, exchange or other disposition of a Contributed Property
or Adjusted Property, to the extent such item of gain or loss is not allocated
pursuant to Section 5.2(b)(i)(A) or 5.2(b)(ii)(A), to eliminate Book Tax
Disparities.

         "SDDI" means Shell Deepwater Development Inc. and its successors and

          "Security Interest" means any security interest, lien, mortgage,
encumbrance, hypothecation, pledge, or other obligation, whether created by
operation of law or otherwise, created by any Person in any of its property or
rights as part of a bona fide arms-length securitization transaction.

         "Service" means the Internal Revenue Service.

         "Special Allocation IRR Date" means the first day of the calendar month
immediately following the calendar month in which the Company has achieved
(after a return of principal) a cumulative (for the period from project
inception through the date of achievement) nominal,

                                       11
<PAGE>   17

after-tax, internal rate of return (IRR) of thirteen percent (13%) per annum on
100% of the equity investment by the Company in connection with the Initial
Facilities as though such equity capital is not borrowed. Such IRR shall be
calculated based upon (a) 100% of the gross revenues and income of the Company
with respect to actual throughput quantities of gas utilizing the Initial
Facilities, regardless of whether such gas constitutes Dedicated Production; (b)
the operating costs and associated overhead expenses (including, without
limitation, costs associated with the lease of platform space from the Members
or their Affiliates), depreciation and tax rate used to calculate the gathering
rate pursuant to Section 6.1(a) of the gathering agreement referred to in part
(i) of the definition of Gathering Agreement; (c) the actual capital costs
incurred in constructing and placing into operation the Initial Facilities; and
(d) otherwise in accordance with customary financial practices. A sample
calculation of the determination of such IRR is shown in Exhibit D.

         "Special Revenue Allocation Amount" means the aggregate Dedicated
Property Revenues that are accrued or accruable by the Company prior to the
Special Allocation IRR Date.

         "Subject Interest" has the meaning given that term in Section 3.5(d).

         "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any relevant Person, any other
Person that is Controlled and more than 50%-owned (directly or indirectly) by
the relevant Person.

         "Substituted Member" means a Person who is admitted as a Member of the
Company at such time as such Person has complied with the requirements of
Section 3.4, in place of and with all the rights of a Transferor and who is
shown as a Member on the books and records of the Company.

         "Super-Majority Interest" means, subject to and in accordance with
Section 7.5, any Member (together with its Affiliated Members) and at least one
other non-Affiliated Member having among them more than 74% of the Membership
Interests of all Members.

         "Tax Matters Member" has the meaning given that term in Section 9.3.

         "Tejas Holding" means Tejas Offshore Pipeline, LLC, and its permitted
successors and assigns.

         "Tejas Holding Operating Cash Flow" means, with respect to all taxable
years or other periods of the Company preceding the calendar quarter in which
the determination is being made, an amount equal to (a) the aggregate items of
income and gain allocated to Tejas Holding pursuant to Section 5.1 of this
Agreement, minus (b) the aggregate items of loss and deduction allocated to
Tejas Holding pursuant to Section 5.1 of this Agreement, plus (c) the aggregate
items of depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deductions taken into
account as items of loss or deduction and allocated to Tejas Holding pursuant to
Section 5.1 of this Agreement, minus (d) the aggregate principal repayments made
by the Company with respect to Company borrowings (other than any Company
borrowings to the extent the proceeds were directly distributed to the Members)
that would have been allocated to Section 5.1 to Tejas Holding pursuant to this
Agreement if such repayments were a deductible expense for federal income tax
purposes.

                                       12
<PAGE>   18

         "Tejas Pipeline Companies" means (a) Tejas Holding and (b) any direct
or indirect Subsidiary thereof.

         "TOP" means Tejas Offshore Pipeline, LLC, and any successor or assign
thereof which is an Affiliate of Shell Oil Company.

         "Transfer" or "Transferred" means, other than granting a Security
Interest, a voluntary or involuntary sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance,
exchange, bequest, devise, gift or any other alienation (in each case, with or
without consideration) of any rights, interests or obligations with respect to
all or any portion of any Membership Interest including, without limitation, a
Foreclosure Transfer. The term "Transfer" expressly excludes a Change in Member
Control.

         "Transferee" means a Person who receives all or part of a Member's
Membership Interest through a Transfer but who has not become a Substituted
Member.

         "Transferor" means a Member, Substituted Member or a predecessor
Transferor who Transfers a Membership Interest.

         "Transferring Member" has the meaning given that term in Section 3.5(d)
herein.

         "Treasury Regulation" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.7.

         "Unrealized Gain" attributable to any item of Company property means,
as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market
value of such property as of such date over (b) the Carrying Value of such
property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section
4.5(c) as of such date). In determining such Unrealized Gain, the aggregate cash
amount and fair market value of a Company asset (including cash or cash
equivalents) shall be determined by the Company using such reasonable method of
valuation as it may adopt.

         "Unrealized Loss" attributable to any item of Company property means,
as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value
of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to
Section 4.5(c) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property
as of such date. In determining such Unrealized Loss, the aggregate cash amount
and fair market value of a Company asset (including cash or cash equivalents)
shall be determined by the Company using such reasonable method of valuation as
it may adopt.

         "Voting Stock" means capital stock issued by a corporation, or
equivalent interests in any other Person, the holders of which are ordinarily,
in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors
(or Persons with management authority performing similar functions) of such
Person.

         1.2. Other Terms. Other terms may be defined elsewhere in the text of
this Agreement and shall have the meaning so given. Whenever the context
requires, the singular shall include the plural, and the plural, shall include
the singular.

         1.3. Construction. Whenever the context requires, the gender of all
words used in this Agreement includes the masculine, feminine, and neuter. All
references to Articles and Sections

                                       13
<PAGE>   19

refer to articles and sections of this Agreement, and all references to Exhibits
are to exhibits attached hereto, each of which is incorporated herein for all
purposes. Articles and other titles or headings are for convenience only and
neither limit nor amplify the provisions of the Agreement itself, and all
references herein to articles, sections or subdivisions thereof shall refer to
the corresponding article, section or subdivision thereof of this Agreement
unless specific reference is made to such articles, sections or subdivisions of
another document or instrument.

                                   ARTICLE II.

                                  ORGANIZATION

         2.1. Formation. The Company has been organized as a Delaware limited
liability Company by the filing of a Certificate of Formation (the
"Certificate") with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to
the Act.

         2.2. Name. The name of the Company is Nemo Gathering Company, LLC, and
all Company business must be conducted in that name or such other names that
comply with applicable law as the Company may select from time to time.

         2.3. Principal Office in the United States; Other Offices. The
principal office of the Company in the United States shall be at 1301 McKinney,
Suite 700, Houston, Texas 77010, or at such other place as the Company may
designate from time to time, which need not be in the State of Delaware. The
Company may have such other offices as the Members may designate from time to
time.

         2.4. Purpose. The sole purpose of the Company is to construct, own,
operate and maintain the Brutus Gathering Facilities. Except for activities
related to such purposes, there are no other authorized business purposes of the
Company. The Company shall not engage in any activity or conduct inconsistent
with such purposes, including, without limitation, entering into any hedging,
futures, derivatives or similar transaction.

         2.5. Foreign Qualification. Prior to the Company's conducting business
in any jurisdiction other than Delaware, the Company shall comply, to the extent
procedures are available and those matters are reasonably within the control of
the Company, with all requirements necessary to qualify the Company as a foreign
limited liability company, and, if necessary, to keep the Company in good
standing, in that jurisdiction.

         2.6. Term. Subject to earlier termination pursuant to other provisions
of this Agreement (including those contained in Article XII), the existence of
the Company shall be perpetual.

         2.7. Mergers and Exchanges. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement or by applicable Laws, the Company may be a party to any (i) merger,
(ii) consolidation, (iii) exchange or acquisition or (iv) any other type of
reorganization.

         2.8. Business Opportunities--No Implied Duty or Obligation. Except to
the extent expressly provided in this Section 2.8 or Article XV, the Members and
their respective Affiliates may engage, directly or indirectly, without the
consent of the other Members or the Company, in

                                       14
<PAGE>   20

other business opportunities, transactions, ventures or other arrangements of
any nature or description, independently or with others, including without
limitation, business of a nature which may be competitive with or the same as or
similar to the business of the Company, regardless of the geographic location of
such business, and without any duty or obligation to account to the other
Members or the Company in connection therewith.

         2.9. Jurisdictional Status. It is the intent of the Parties that the
Brutus Gathering Facilities not become subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC
under the NGA. To this end, the Parties agree that the Brutus Gathering
Facilities shall be operated in such a manner that such facilities shall be
treated as exempt from regulation by the FERC under Section 1(b) of the NGA as a
gathering facility.

                                  ARTICLE III.

                       MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS AND TRANSFERS

         3.1. Initial Members. The initial Members of the Company are the
Persons executing this Agreement as of the date hereof in such capacity, each of
which is admitted to the Company as a Member effective contemporaneously with
the execution by such Person of this Agreement.

         3.2. Membership Interests. The Members agree that each Member's
ownership in the Company shall be that which is set forth in Exhibit A, as
amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

         3.3. Representations and Warranties. Each Member hereby represents and
warrants to the Company and each other Member that (a) it is duly formed,
validly existing and (if applicable) in good standing under the Laws of the
state of its formation, and if required by Laws is duly qualified to do business
and (if applicable) is in good standing in the jurisdiction of its principal
place of business (if not formed therein); (b) that Member has full corporate,
limited liability company, partnership, trust, or other applicable power and
authority to execute and agree to this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder and all necessary actions by the board of directors, shareholders,
managers, members, partners, trustees, beneficiaries, or other Persons necessary
for the due authorization, execution, delivery, and performance of this
Agreement by that Member have been duly taken; (c) that Member has duly executed
and delivered this Agreement and it is enforceable against such Member in
accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, moratorium, insolvency and
other Laws generally affecting creditors' rights and general principles of
equity (whether applied in a proceeding in a court of law or equity); (d) that
Member's authorization, execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement
does not conflict with any material obligation under any other material
agreement or arrangement to which that Member is a party or by which it is
bound; (e) that Member is an Eligible Citizen and will remain an Eligible
Citizen for so long as such Member remains a Member of the Company; (f) neither
that Member nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any Affiliate Controlled by such
Member nor, to such Member's Knowledge, any of such Member's Affiliates (other
than the aforementioned Affiliates) is a "holding company," a "subsidiary
company" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary company" of a "holding
company," or a "public utility" as each of such terms is defined in PUHCA
(unless such Member, Affiliate, Subsidiary, or Person has received an exemption
from registering under the PUHCA), and the ownership of a

                                       15
<PAGE>   21

Membership Interest by such Member does not, and, for so long as such Member
owns a Membership Interest, will not, cause the Company, its Subsidiaries or the
other Members to be subject to or adversely affected by PUHCA (including any
approval requirements arising under Section 9(a)(2) of PUHCA); and (g) it (i)
has been furnished with or given adequate access to such information about the
Company and the Membership Interest as the Member has requested, (ii) has made
its own independent inquiry and investigation into, and based thereon has formed
an independent judgment concerning, the Company and that Member's Membership
Interest therein, (iii) has adequate means of providing for its current needs
and possible individual contingencies and is able to bear the economic risks of
this investment and has a sufficient net worth to sustain a loss of its entire
investment in the Company in the event such loss should occur, (iv) has such
knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Company, (v) is an
"accredited investor" within the meaning of "accredited investor" under
Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (vi) understands and
agrees that its Membership Interest shall not be sold, pledged, hypothecated or
otherwise transferred except in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and
pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act
of 1933 and other applicable securities Laws. Upon the occurrence and during the
continuation of any event or condition which would cause a Member to be in
breach of a representation or warranty contained in Section 3.3(e) or (f), the
breaching Person shall be treated as a Transferee who has not become a
Substituted Member in accordance with the terms of Section 3.4(c).

         3.4. Restrictions on the Transfer of a Membership Interest. A Member
may Transfer all or part of a Membership Interest only in accordance with
applicable Laws and the provisions of this Agreement, including the following
provisions of this Section. Any purported Transfer in breach of the terms of
this Agreement shall be null and void ab initio, and the Company shall not
recognize any such prohibited Transfer.

               (a) A Membership Interest shall not be Transferred except
               pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration under the
               Securities Act of 1933 and other applicable securities Laws;

               (b) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or by
               applicable Laws, a Transfer of a Membership Interest shall be
               effective only to give the Transferee the right to receive the
               share of allocations and distributions to which the Transferor
               would otherwise be entitled, and no Transferee of a Membership
               Interest shall have the right to become a Substituted Member;

               (c) Unless and until a Transferee is admitted as a Substituted
               Member, (i) the Transferee shall have no right to exercise any of
               the powers, rights and privileges of a Member hereunder other
               than to receive its share of allocations and distributions
               pursuant to Section 3.4(b), and (ii) the Member who has
               Transferred all or any part of its Membership Interest to such
               Transferee shall cease to be a Member with respect to such
               Membership Interest upon Transfer of such Membership Interest and
               thereafter shall have no further powers, rights and privileges as
               a Member hereunder with respect to such Membership Interest (to
               the extent so Transferred), but shall, unless otherwise relieved
               of such obligations, remain liable for all obligations and duties
               as a Member with respect to such

                                       16
<PAGE>   22

               Membership Interest; provided, however, that if the Transferee
               reconveys such Membership Interest to the Transferor within ten
               days after the Transferor becomes aware that the Transferee will
               not become a Substituted Member, the Transferor shall once again
               be entitled to all of the powers, rights and privileges of a
               Member hereunder;

               (d) Subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of
               Section 3.5, a Transferee may become a Substituted Member if the
               Transferee agrees in writing to be bound by all the terms and
               conditions, as then in effect, of this Agreement;

               (e) At the time all of the provisions of Sections 3.4, 3.5 and
               3.6 are complied with, (i) a Substituted Member shall have all of
               the powers, rights, privileges, duties, obligations and
               liabilities of a Member, as provided in this Agreement and by
               applicable Laws to the extent of the Membership Interest so
               Transferred and (ii) the Member who Transferred the Membership
               Interest shall be relieved of all of the obligations and
               liabilities with respect to such Membership Interest; provided
               that such Member shall remain fully liable for all liabilities
               and obligations relating to such Membership Interest that accrued
               prior to such Transfer;

               (f) The Company may, in its reasonable discretion, charge a
               Member a reasonable fee to cover administrative expenses
               necessary to effect the Transfer of all or part of such Member's
               Membership Interest;

               (g) In the absence of the substitution (as provided herein) of a
               Transferee for a Transferor, any payment by the Company to the
               Transferor shall acquit the Company and the Members of all
               liability to any other Persons who may be interested in such
               payment by reason of a Transfer by such Member;

               (h) Notwithstanding any term or condition contained in Sections
               3.4, 3.5 and 3.6, any Person shall have the right to grant a
               Security Interest in any rights or obligations such Person may
               have arising from or related to this Agreement, the Company or
               any interest therein and make a Transfer in connection with any
               such Security Interest; provided that such Security Interest is
               not created in violation of Sections 3.4(a) and (i) of this
               Agreement and any other provisions contained in this Agreement
               and the Company is promptly notified in writing of such Security
               Interest; and

               (i) Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this
               Agreement, no Person shall Transfer to any other Person such
               Person's rights or obligations arising from or related to this
               Agreement, the Company or any interest therein if such Transfer
               would result in violation of the Act or any other Laws. Any such
               attempted Transfers are void ab initio.

                                       17
<PAGE>   23

         3.5. Transfer Restrictions.

               (a) Neither the Company nor any of the Members shall be bound or
               otherwise affected by any Transfer of Membership Interest of
               which such Person has not received notice pursuant to Section
               3.6.

               (b) Any Member's Membership Interest may be Transferred to an
               Affiliate of such Member; provided, that, if the Transferor's
               Membership Interest is subject to a guaranty, the guaranty shall
               apply to the Transferee and its Membership Interest.

               (c) Except with respect to a Foreclosure Transfer, a Member in
               Default shall not Transfer its Membership Interest.

               (d)

                    (i)  Except with respect to Transfers according to the terms
                         of Section 3.5(b), any Member who desires to Transfer
                         all or any portion of its Membership Interest
                         ("Transferring Member") to a ready, willing and able
                         transferee shall first offer to Transfer such
                         Membership Interest (the "Subject Interest") to the
                         other Members (the "Non-Transferring-Members") as a
                         group. Such offer shall be made by an irrevocable
                         written offer (the "Offer Notice") to Transfer all of
                         the Subject Interest which the Transferring Member
                         desires to Transfer and shall contain a complete
                         description of the transaction (the "Proposed
                         Transaction") in which the Transferring Member proposes
                         to Transfer the Subject Interest, including, without
                         limitation, the name of the ready, willing and able
                         transferee and the consideration specified. The
                         Non-Transferring Members shall have 45 days (the
                         "Option Period") after actual receipt of the Offer
                         Notice within which to advise the Transferring Member
                         whether or not they will acquire all of such Subject
                         Interest upon the terms and conditions contained in the
                         Offer Notice. The failure of a Non-Transferring Member
                         to respond prior to the expiration of the Option Period
                         shall be deemed to be an election by such
                         Non-Transferring Member to decline the offer. If,
                         within the Option Period, one or more Non-Transferring
                         Members elect to acquire such Subject Interest, then
                         such Non-Transferring Member or Members shall close
                         such transaction in accordance with Section 3.5(e) no
                         later than the later to occur of (i) the closing date
                         set forth in the Notice Offer or (ii) 60 days after the
                         last day of the Option Period.

                    (ii) If any Non-Transferring Member does not elect to
                         acquire its proportionate share of the Subject Interest
                         being transferred, the remaining Non-Transferring
                         Members shall have the right to acquire an equal and
                         undivided portion of the remaining Subject Interest
                         based on the relation of their Membership Interest to
                         the Membership Interest of all Non-Transferring Members
                         desiring to acquire a portion of such Membership
                         Interest. The right herein

                                       18
<PAGE>   24

                         created in favor of the Non-Transferring Members as a
                         group is an option to acquire all, or none, of the
                         Subject Interest offered for sale by the Transferring
                         Member. If the Non-Transferring Members as a group
                         decline to acquire all of the Subject Interest of the
                         Transferring Member in accordance with this Section
                         3.5(d), the Transferring Member may Transfer all of the
                         Subject Interest to the transferee named in the Offer
                         Notice delivered to the Non-Transferring Members upon
                         the terms described in such Offer Notice. If such
                         Transfer does not occur in accordance with the terms of
                         such Offer Notice, the Transferring Member shall again
                         be subject to the provisions of this Section 3.5(d).

                    (iii) Upon consummation of any such Transfer (whether to a
                         Member or any other Person), such transferee and its
                         Membership Interest shall automatically become a party
                         to and be bound by this Agreement and shall thereafter
                         have all of the rights and obligations of a Member
                         hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all Transfers
                         pursuant to this Section 3.5(d) must also comply with
                         and be governed by this Agreement, including any
                         restrictions on Transfers therein and on any Transferee
                         becoming a Substituted Member.

                    (iv) If any portion of the consideration set forth in the
                         Offer Notice is to be paid in a form other than cash or
                         cash equivalents (including real or personal property,
                         promissory notes, securities, contractual benefits,
                         assumption of liabilities or anything else of value)
                         ("Non-Cash Consideration"), the Transferring Member
                         shall state in its Offer Notice its determination of
                         the aggregate fair market value of such Non-Cash
                         Consideration (which, in the case of marketable
                         securities, shall be the market price of such
                         securities). If a majority in interest of the
                         Non-Transferring Members (calculated without reference
                         to the Membership Interest of the Transferring Member)
                         disagree with such determination, they shall notify the
                         Transferring Member of such disagreement within 5
                         Business Days of receiving the Offer Notice. If such
                         dispute is not resolved within 5 Business Days after
                         such notice, any Member may submit such dispute to
                         binding arbitration by delivering an arbitration notice
                         to the other Members and the Company. The Member
                         initiating arbitration shall also simultaneously file
                         duplicate copies of its notice of arbitration with the
                         regional office of the CPR Institute for Dispute
                         Resolution (the "CPR Institute") covering Houston,
                         Texas, together with the appropriate fee as provided in
                         the CPR Institute's administrative fee schedule. The
                         notice of arbitration shall contain a brief description
                         of the nature of the dispute to be arbitrated. With
                         respect to any such arbitration, the Members hereby
                         agree that: (i) the single arbitrator shall be an
                         appraiser or investment banking firm having expertise
                         in the

                                       19
<PAGE>   25

                         valuation of the types of assets represented by the
                         Non-Cash Consideration; (ii) the arbitration
                         proceedings shall be held in Houston, Texas at such
                         location selected by the arbitrator; (iii) all
                         arbitration proceedings under this Section 3.5(d)(iv)
                         shall be conducted in accordance with the Commercial
                         Arbitration Rules of the CPR Institute, as then amended
                         and in effect; and such rules shall be interpreted and
                         applied and questions regarding the arbitration process
                         not resolved under such rules shall be determined in
                         accordance with the Uniform Arbitration Act, as enacted
                         in the State of Delaware; provided, however, that the
                         arbitrator shall resolve such dispute with respect to
                         the application and/or interpretation of such rule or
                         rules within ten days from the day a Member submitted
                         its notice of arbitration to the other Members, the
                         Company and the CPR Institute; (iv) within 5 Business
                         Days following the receipt of the initial arbitration
                         notice by the Company, the Transferring Member and a
                         designee of the majority in interest of the
                         Non-Transferring Members shall each submit to each of
                         the other Members, the Company and the CPR Institute a
                         response in which it proposes a single determination of
                         the fair market value; and (v) the arbitrator shall be
                         required to select either the determination of the
                         Transferring Member or the determination of the
                         designee of such majority in interest. The
                         consideration shall then be an amount of money, payable
                         in cash, equal to the total consideration stated in the
                         Offer Notice, including the fair market value of any
                         Non-Cash Consideration as determined in accordance with
                         this Section 3.5(d).

                    (v)  If the Proposed Transaction (or any other transaction
                         that is contingent upon the Proposed Transaction,
                         and/or any other transaction on which the Proposed
                         Transaction is contingent), contemplates the transfer
                         of any asset, property, interest or right other than
                         the Subject Interest (the "Other Assets") to the
                         proposed transferee or its Affiliate, then the
                         Transferring Member shall disclose in its Offer Notice
                         (A) the Subject Interest, (B) the Other Assets, (C) the
                         aggregate fair market value of cash, cash equivalents
                         and Non-Cash Consideration that is to be paid in
                         exchange for the Subject Interest and the Other Assets
                         and (D) the Transferor's determination of the
                         percentage of such aggregate fair market value of cash,
                         cash equivalents and Non-Cash Consideration to be paid
                         that is attributable to the Subject Interest, based on
                         the relationship of the value of the Subject Interest
                         to the value of the Subject Interest plus the Other
                         Assets. If a majority in interest of the
                         Non-Transferring Members (calculated without reference
                         to the Membership Interest of the Transferring Member)
                         disagree with such determination of the values in
                         clauses (C) or (D) above, they shall notify the
                         Transferring Member of such disagreement within 5
                         Business Days of receiving the Offer

                                       20
<PAGE>   26

                         Notice. If such dispute is not resolved within 5
                         Business Days after such notice, any Member may submit
                         such dispute to binding arbitration by delivering an
                         arbitration notice to the other Members and the
                         Company. The Member initiating arbitration shall also
                         simultaneously file duplicate copies of its notice of
                         arbitration with the regional office of the CPR
                         Institute covering Houston, Texas, together with the
                         appropriate fee as provided in the CPR Institute's
                         administrative fee schedule. The notice of arbitration
                         shall contain a brief description of the nature of the
                         dispute to be arbitrated. With respect to any such
                         arbitration, the Members hereby agree that: (A) the
                         single arbitrator shall be an appraiser or investment
                         banking firm having expertise in the valuation of the
                         types of assets represented by the Subject Interest,
                         the Other Assets and the Non-Cash Consideration; (B)
                         the arbitration proceedings shall be held in Houston,
                         Texas at such location selected by the arbitrator; (C)
                         all arbitration proceedings under this Section
                         3.5(d)(v) shall be conducted in accordance with the
                         Commercial Arbitration Rules of the CPR Institute, as
                         then amended and in effect; and such rules shall be
                         interpreted and applied and questions regarding the
                         arbitration process not resolved under such rules shall
                         be determined in accordance with the Uniform
                         Arbitration Act, as enacted in the State of Delaware;
                         provided, however, that the arbitrator shall resolve
                         such dispute with respect to the application and/or
                         interpretation of such rule or rules within 10 days
                         from the day a member submitted its notice of
                         arbitration to the other Members, the Company and the
                         CPR Institute; (D) within 5 Business Days following the
                         receipt of the initial arbitration notice by the
                         Company, the Transferring Member and a designee of the
                         majority in interest of the Non-Transferring Members
                         shall each submit to each of the other Members, the
                         Company and the CPR Institute a response in which it
                         proposes a single determination of (Y) the aggregate
                         fair market value of cash, cash equivalents and
                         Non-Cash Consideration that is to be paid in exchange
                         for the Subject Interest and the Other Assets and (Z)
                         the percentage of such aggregate fair market value of
                         cash, cash equivalents and Non-Cash Consideration to be
                         paid that is attributable to the Subject Interest,
                         based on the relationship of the value of the Subject
                         Interest to the value of the Subject Interest plus the
                         Other Assets; and (E) the arbitrator shall be required
                         to select, with respect to each of clauses (Y) and (Z),
                         individually, either the determination of the
                         Transferring Member or the determination of the
                         designee of such majority in interest. The
                         consideration shall then be an amount of money, payable
                         in cash, equal to the percentage of aggregate fair
                         market value of cash, cash equivalents and Non-Cash
                         Consideration to be paid that is attributable to the

                                       21
<PAGE>   27

                         Subject Interest, as determined in accordance with this
                         Section 3.5(d)(v).

               (e) At the closing of the Transfer of a Membership Interest
               pursuant to this Agreement, (i) the transferee shall deliver to
               the Transferor the full consideration agreed upon and (ii) the
               Transferor shall transfer its Membership Interest to the
               transferee free and clear of any and all encumbrances, other than
               those created by this Agreement or any loan documents evidencing
               indebtedness of the Company, for borrowed money. Any Membership
               Interest transfer or similar taxes involved in such sale shall be
               paid by the Transferor, and the Transferor shall provide the
               transferee with such evidence of the Transferor's authority to
               Transfer hereunder and such tax lien waivers and similar
               instruments as the Transferee may reasonably request.

               (f) If any governmental consent or approval is required with
               respect to any Transfer, the transferee shall have a reasonable
               amount of time (not to exceed 60 days from the date upon which
               such Transfer would have been otherwise consummated in accordance
               with the terms of this Agreement) to obtain such consent or
               approval. All Members shall use reasonable, good faith efforts to
               cooperate with the transferee attempting to obtain, and to assist
               in timely obtaining, such consent or approval; provided that no
               Member shall be required to incur any out-of-pocket costs in
               connection with such cooperation and assistance. After the
               expiration of such waiting period, such transferee shall forfeit
               its rights to acquire the Subject Interest with respect to such
               specific transaction; provided, however, that such forfeiture
               shall not limit or otherwise affect the forfeiting transferee's
               rights with respect to any subsequent proposed Transfer.

               (g) No Transfer of a Membership Interest shall effect a release
               of the Transferor from any liabilities or obligations to the
               Company or the other Members that accrued prior to the Transfer.

         3.6. Documentation; Validity of Transfer. The Company may not recognize
for any purpose any purported Transfer of all or any part of a Membership
Interest unless and until the applicable provisions of Sections 3.4 and 3.5 have
been satisfied and the Company has received, on behalf of the Company, a
document in a form acceptable to the Company executed by both the Transferor (or
if the Transfer is on account of the death, incapacity, or liquidation of the
Member, its representative) and the Transferee. Such document shall (i) include
the notice address of any Person to be admitted to the Company as a Substituted
Member and such Person's agreement to be bound by this Agreement with respect to
the Membership Interest or part thereof being obtained, (ii) set forth the
Membership Interest after the Transfer of the Transferor and the Person to which
the Membership Interest or part thereof is Transferred (which together must
total the Membership Interest of the Transferor before the Transfer), (iii)
contain a representation and warranty that the Transfer was made in accordance
with all applicable Laws (including state and federal securities Laws) and the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, and (iv) if the Person to which the
Membership Interest or part thereof is Transferred is to be admitted to the
Company as a Substituted Member, its representation and warranty that the
representations and warranties in Section 3.3 are true and correct with respect
to such Person. Each Transfer and, if

                                       22
<PAGE>   28

applicable, admission complying with the provisions of this Section 3.6 and
Sections 3.4 and 3.5 is effective against the Company as of the first business
day of the calendar month immediately succeeding the month in which (y) the
Company receives the document required by this Section 3.6 reflecting such
Transfer, and (z) the other requirements of Sections 3.4 and 3.5 have been met.

         3.7. Possible Additional Restrictions on Transfer. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event of (i) the
enactment (or imminent enactment) of any legislation, (ii) the publication of
any temporary or final regulation by the Treasury Department ("Treasury
Regulation"), (iii) any ruling by the Service or (iv) any judicial decision that
in any such case, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, would result in the
taxation of the Company for federal income tax purposes as a corporation or
would otherwise subject the Company to being taxed as an entity for federal
income tax purposes, this Agreement shall be deemed to impose such restrictions
on the Transfer of a Membership Interest as may be required, in the opinion of
counsel to the Company, to prevent the Company from being taxed as a corporation
or otherwise being taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes, and the
Members thereafter shall amend this Agreement as necessary or appropriate to
impose such restrictions.

         3.8. Additional Membership Interests. Additional Persons may be
admitted to the Company as Members, and Membership Interests may be created and
issued to those Persons and to existing Members upon a unanimous vote by the
Members and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Such
admission must comply with any additional terms and conditions the Members may
in their sole discretion determine at the time of admission. A document, in a
form acceptable to the Company, shall specify the terms of admission or issuance
and shall include, among other things, the Membership Interest applicable
thereto. Any such admission of a new Member also must comply with the provisions
of Section 3.4(d). The provisions of this Section 3.8 shall not apply to
Transfers of Membership Interests.

         3.9. [RESERVED]

         3.10. Information.

               (a) In addition to the other rights specifically set forth in
               this Agreement, each Member is entitled to all information to
               which that Member is entitled to have access pursuant to the Act
               under the circumstances and subject to the conditions therein
               stated.

               (b) The Members acknowledge that, from time to time, they may
               receive information from or regarding the Company, its customers
               or any other Member or its Affiliates in the nature of trade
               secrets or secret or proprietary information or information that
               is otherwise confidential, the release of which may be damaging
               to the Company or the Member or its Affiliates, as applicable, or
               Persons with which they do business. Each Member shall hold in
               strict confidence any such information it receives and may not
               disclose such information to any Person other than another
               Member, except for disclosures (i) to comply with any Laws, (ii)
               under compulsion of judicial process, (iii) to

                                       23
<PAGE>   29

               Affiliates, advisers or representatives of the Member or Persons
               to which that Member's Membership Interest may be Transferred as
               permitted by this Agreement, but only if the recipients of such
               information have agreed to be bound by the provisions of this
               Section 3.10(b), (iv) of information that a Member also has
               received from a source independent of the Company and that such
               Member reasonably believes such source obtained such information
               without breach of any obligation of confidentiality, (v) of
               information obtained prior to the formation of the Company,
               provided that this clause (v) shall not relieve any Member or any
               of its Affiliates from any obligations it may have to any other
               Member or any of its Affiliates under any existing
               confidentiality agreement, (vi) to lenders, accountants and other
               representatives of the disclosing Member with a need to know such
               information, provided that the disclosing Member shall be
               responsible for such representatives' use and disclosure of any
               such information, or (vii) of public information. The Members
               acknowledge that a breach of the provisions of this Section
               3.10(b) may cause irreparable injury to the Company or another
               Member for which monetary damages are inadequate, difficult to
               compute, or both. Accordingly, the Members agree that the
               provisions of this Section 3.10(b) may be enforced by injunctive
               action or specific performance.

               (c) The Members acknowledge that, from time to time, the Company
               may need information from any or all of such Members for various
               reasons, including, without limitation, compliance with various
               federal and state regulations. Each Member shall provide to the
               Company all information reasonably requested by the Company
               within a reasonable amount of time from the date such Member
               receives such request; provided, however, that no Member shall be
               obligated to provide such information to the Company to the
               extent such disclosure (i) could reasonably be expected to result
               in the breach or violation of any contractual obligation (if a
               waiver of such restriction cannot reasonably be obtained) or Law
               or (ii) involves secret, confidential or proprietary information.

         3.11. Liability to Third Parties. Except as required by the Act, no
Member shall be liable to any Person (including any third party or to another
Member) (i) as the result of any act or omission of another Member or (ii) for
Company losses, liabilities or obligations (except as otherwise expressly agreed
to in writing by such Member).

         3.12. Resignation. Each Member hereby covenants and agrees that it will
not resign from the Company as a Member without the express written consent of
all other Members, which consent may be granted or withheld in each Members sole
discretion.

         3.13. Lack of Member Authority. No Member has the authority or power to
act as agent for or on behalf of the Company, do any act that would be binding
on the Company, or incur any expenditures on behalf of the Company, unless
expressly authorized to do so in writing by the Company.

                                       24
<PAGE>   30

                                   ARTICLE IV.

                              CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

         4.1. Initial Capital Contributions. The Members shall make the
following Capital Contributions as further described in Exhibit A (the "Initial
Capital Contributions"):

               (a) Contributions by each Member of amounts equal to the cash
               paid by such Member on behalf of the Company for certain costs
               and expenses related to the formation of the Company and incurred
               by such Member prior to the date hereof, which amounts are set
               forth on Exhibit A; and

               (b) Contributions by each Member of cash in amounts equal to its
               proportionate Membership Interest (on the date such contribution
               accrues) share of 100% of all amounts incurred to design,
               construct, install and place in service the Initial Facilities.
               Such contributions shall be made as necessary to allow the
               Company to timely pay such obligations as they become due. If a
               Majority Interest determines from time to time in good faith that
               additional Initial Capital Contributions may be necessary and in
               the best interest of the Company to timely complete such work the
               Company expects to be obligated to pay on or about a certain
               date, then TOP or another designated Member shall send written
               notice to the other Members specifying (i) the aggregate amount
               of the additional Initial Capital Contributions reasonably and in
               good faith deemed necessary by such Member and each Member's
               allocable share thereof and (ii) the date by which such
               additional Capital Contributions shall be made to the Company by
               each Member (which date shall not be less than ten (10) Business
               Days from the date on which the notice is sent). Each Member
               shall thereafter contribute cash to the Company in an amount
               equal to such Member's Membership Interest share of the amount of
               the additional Initial Capital Contribution on or before the date
               specified in such notice. All Initial Capital Contributions
               consisting of cash shall be held in an account until such time as
               such funds are used to fund the construction costs except to the
               extent that all of the Members (notwithstanding any provision to
               the contrary herein) agree that the applicable portion of any
               such Initial Capital Contribution is no longer needed to finance
               such construction costs or the operations of the Company.

         4.2. Subsequent Contributions. Unless unanimously agreed to in writing
by the Members, no Member shall be required to make any Capital Contributions
other than the Initial Capital Contributions as contemplated by Section 4.1.

         4.3. Failure to Contribute.

               (a) If a Member does not contribute by the time required all or
               any portion of a Capital Contribution such Member (the
               "Delinquent Member") is required to make as provided in this
               Agreement, any one or more non-Delinquent Members may advance the
               entire amount of the Delinquent Member's Capital Contribution
               that is in Default, with each non-Delinquent Member electing to
               participate

                                       25
<PAGE>   31

               making its share of such advance in proportion to its Membership
               Interest or in such other percentages as the participating
               Members may agree. Each non-Delinquent Member who makes such an
               advance on behalf of a Delinquent Member shall have the right to
               designate the extent to which such advance will (x) constitute a
               loan to the Delinquent Member and/or (y) result in an immediate
               adjustment of the Membership Interests of the Delinquent Member
               and the non-Delinquent Member making such election; provided,
               however, that if the advancing non-Delinquent Member does not
               notify the Company of its election to have all, or any portion of
               such advance treated as a loan to the Delinquent Member, in
               writing, at the time the advance is made then such advance shall
               automatically result in an immediate adjustment of the Membership
               Interests:

                    (i)  To the extent one or more non-Delinquent Members does
                         not elect to have an advance pursuant to Section 4.3(a)
                         treated as a loan to the Delinquent Member, or
                         affirmatively elects to have such advance result in an
                         adjustment of the Membership Interests, the Company
                         shall automatically adjust the Membership Interest for
                         each Member to equal the percentage obtained by
                         dividing (A) the Capital Account of such Member
                         (including any Capital Contribution made by such Member
                         under this Section by (B) the aggregate Capital
                         Accounts of all Members (including all Capital
                         Contributions made under this Section). Upon the
                         adjustment of the Membership Interests in the manner
                         set forth in the preceding sentence, Exhibit A shall be
                         deemed to be amended to reflect such adjusted
                         Membership Interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
                         the Delinquent Member shall have the right to
                         re-acquire the interest in question from the advancing
                         non-Delinquent Member within 30 days following the date
                         on which such Membership Interest adjustment is made by
                         paying the entire amount advanced by such
                         non-Delinquent Member in return for such adjustment,
                         plus twelve percent (12%) per annum.

                    (ii) To the extent one or more non-Delinquent Members (the
                         "Lending Member," whether one or more) does elect to
                         have an advance pursuant to Section 4.3(a) constitute a
                         loan to the Delinquent Member, such advance shall have
                         the following results:

                         1.   the sum advanced shall constitute a loan from the
                              Lending Member to the Delinquent Member and a
                              Capital Contribution of that sum to the Company by
                              the Delinquent Member pursuant to the applicable
                              provisions of this Agreement,

                         2.   the principal balance of the loan and all accrued
                              unpaid interest thereon (collectively, the
                              "Obligation") shall be due and payable in whole on
                              the tenth Business Day after the day written
                              demand requesting payment of the Obligation

                                       26
<PAGE>   32

                              is made by the Lending Member to the Delinquent
                              Member; provided, however that the Delinquent
                              Member may prepay the Obligation in whole or in
                              part at any time prior to the date due.

                         3.   the amount lent shall bear interest at the Default
                              Interest Rate from the date on which the advance
                              is deemed made until the date on which the loan,
                              together with all interest accrued thereon and all
                              costs and expenses associated therewith ("Costs"),
                              is repaid to the Lending Member,

                         4.   all distributions from the Company that otherwise
                              would be made to the Delinquent Member (whether
                              before or after dissolution of the Company)
                              instead shall be paid to the Lending Member until
                              the Obligation and any Costs have been paid in
                              full to the Lending Member (with payments being
                              applied first to accrued and unpaid interest,
                              second to Costs, and finally to principal),

                         5.   each Delinquent Member grants to the other Lending
                              Members a Security Interest to secure the
                              repayment of the Lending Members' advances made on
                              behalf of a Delinquent Member in connection with
                              the Obligation,

                         6.   the Lending Member shall have the right, in
                              addition to the other rights and remedies granted
                              to it pursuant to this Agreement or available to
                              it at law or in equity, to take any action
                              (including, without limitation, court proceedings
                              and exercising the rights of a secured party under
                              the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Texas)
                              that the Lending Member may deem appropriate to
                              obtain payment from the Delinquent Member of the
                              Obligation and all Costs; and

                         7.   initially, a loan by any Member to another Member
                              as contemplated by this Section 4.3(a)(ii) shall
                              not be considered a Capital Contribution by the
                              Lending Member and shall not increase the Capital
                              Account balance of the Lending Member.
                              Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the
                              principal and interest of any such loan have not
                              been repaid within one year from the date of the
                              loan, the Lending Member, at any time thereafter
                              by giving written notice to the Company, may elect
                              to have the unpaid principal and interest balance
                              of such loan transferred to and increase such
                              Lending Member's Capital Account with a
                              corresponding decrease in the Capital Account of
                              the Member on whose behalf such loan was made.
                              Upon such transfer, the loan shall be treated as a
                              Capital Contribution

                                       27
<PAGE>   33

                              and the Membership Interest for each Member shall
                              be automatically adjusted to equal the percentage
                              obtained by dividing (A) the Capital Account of
                              such Member (including any Capital Contribution
                              made on behalf of another Member) by (B) the
                              aggregate Capital Accounts of all Members
                              (including all Capital Contributions made on
                              behalf of other Members). Upon the adjustment of
                              the Membership Interests in the manner set forth
                              in the preceding sentence, Exhibit A shall be
                              deemed to be amended to reflect such adjusted
                              Membership Interests.

               (b) If the non-Delinquent Members do not exercise the rights
               granted by Section 4.3(a) within 14 days after the Delinquent
               Member fails to make its Capital Contribution when due, then the
               Company, by a vote of a majority in interest of the
               non-Delinquent Members, shall have the right to exercise the
               following remedies:

                    (i)  the Company may at any time take such action
                         (including, without limitation, court proceedings) as
                         the Company may deem appropriate to obtain payment by
                         the Delinquent Member of the portion of the Delinquent
                         Member's Capital Contribution that is in Default, along
                         with all Costs and expenses associated with the
                         collection of such Delinquent Member's Capital
                         Contribution; and

                    (ii) the Company may at any time exercise any other rights
                         and remedies available at law or in equity.

         4.4. Return of Contributions. A Member is not entitled (i) to the
return of any part of any Capital Contributions other than any preferential or
disproportionate distributions to the extent such distributions are expressly
required to be returned by this Agreement or (ii) to be paid interest in respect
of either its Capital Account or its Capital Contributions. An unrepaid Capital
Contribution is not a liability of the Company or of any Member. A Member is not
required to contribute or to lend any cash or property to the Company to enable
the Company to return any other Member's Capital Contributions.

         4.5. Capital Accounts. A separate capital account ("Capital Account")
shall be established and maintained for each Member in accordance with the rules
of Treasury Regulation section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and the following terms and
conditions:

               INCREASES AND DECREASES

               (a) Each Member's Capital Account shall be (i) increased by (A)
               the amount of cash or cash equivalents contributed by that Member
               to the Company as capital, (B) the Net Asset Value of property
               contributed by that Member to the Company as capital, (C) the
               amount of any loans transferred by such Member to its Capital
               Account pursuant to Section 4.3(a)(ii)(7) (contributions
               contemplated by subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be referred to as
               "Capital Contributions"), and

                                       28
<PAGE>   34

               (D) allocations to that Member of Company income and gain (or
               items thereof), including, without limitation, income and gain
               exempt from tax and income and gain described in Treasury
               Regulation section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g), but excluding income and
               gain described in Treasury Regulation section 1.704-1(b)(4)(i);
               and (ii) shall be decreased by (A) the amount of cash or cash
               equivalents distributed to that Member by the Company, (B) the
               Net Asset Value of property distributed to that Member by the
               Company, and (C) allocations of Company losses and deductions (or
               items thereof), including losses and deductions described in
               Treasury Regulation section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) (but excluding
               losses or deductions described in Treasury Regulation section
               1.704-1(b)(4)(i) or (iii));

               METHOD FOR DETERMINING INCOME, GAIN OR LOSS AND DEDUCTIONS

               (b) For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income,
               gain, loss or deduction to be reflected in the Members' Capital
               Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of
               any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition
               and classification for federal income tax purposes (including,
               without limitation, any method of depreciation, cost recovery or
               amortization used for that purpose), provided that:

                    (i)  All fees and other expenses incurred by the Company to
                         promote the sale of (or to sell) any interest that can
                         neither be deducted nor amortized under section 709 of
                         the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital
                         Account maintenance, be treated as an item of deduction
                         at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred
                         and shall be allocated among the Members pursuant to
                         Sections 5.1 and 5.2;

                    (ii) Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation
                         section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the computation of all
                         items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made
                         without regard to any election under section 754 of the
                         Code which may be made by the Company and, as to those
                         items described in section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B)
                         of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items
                         are not includeable in gross income or are neither
                         currently deductible nor capitalized for federal income
                         tax purposes;

                   (iii) Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable
                         disposition of any Company property shall be determined
                         as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such
                         date of disposition were equal in amount to the
                         Company's Carrying Value with respect to such property
                         as of such date;

                    (iv) In accordance with the requirements of section 704(b)
                         of the Code, any deductions for depreciation, cost
                         recovery or amortization attributable to any
                         Contributed Property shall be determined as if the
                         adjusted basis of such property on the date it was
                         acquired by

                                       29
<PAGE>   35

                         the Company was equal to the Asset Value of such
                         property on the date it was acquired by the Company.
                         Upon an adjustment pursuant to Section 4.5(c) to the
                         Carrying Value of any Company property subject to
                         depreciation, cost recovery or amortization, any
                         further deductions for such depreciation, cost recovery
                         or amortization attributable to such property shall be
                         determined (A) as if the adjusted basis of such
                         property were equal to the Carrying Value of such
                         property immediately following such adjustment and (B)
                         using a rate of depreciation, cost recovery or
                         amortization derived from the same method and useful
                         life (or, if applicable, the remaining useful life) as
                         is applied for federal income tax purposes; provided,
                         however, that if the asset has a zero adjusted basis
                         for federal income tax purposes, depreciation, cost
                         recovery or amortization deductions shall be determined
                         using any reasonable method that the Company may adopt;
                         and

                    (v)  any income of the Company that is exempt from federal
                         income tax and not otherwise taken into account in
                         computing Net Income or Net Loss shall be added to such
                         taxable income or loss.

          IMPACT OF AND ADJUSTMENTS FOR SUCCESSION IN INTERESTS

          (c) A Transferee shall succeed to the Capital Account of the
          Transferor relating to the Membership Interest so Transferred.

          ADDITIONAL MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

               (i)  Consistent with the provisions of Treasury Regulation
                    section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance of additional
                    Membership Interests for cash or Contributed Property or
                    upon an adjustment of the Members' Capital Accounts pursuant
                    to Section 4.3, the Capital Accounts of all Members and the
                    Carrying Value of each Company property immediately prior to
                    such issuance or adjustment shall be adjusted upward or
                    downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss
                    attributable to such Company property, as if such Unrealized
                    Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an actual
                    sale of each such property immediately prior to such
                    issuance or adjustment and had been allocated to the Members
                    at such time pursuant to Section 5.1.

          ADJUSTMENTS PRIOR TO A DISTRIBUTION

               (ii) In accordance with Treasury Regulation section
                    1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any distribution
                    to a Member of any Company property (other than a
                    distribution of cash or cash equivalents that are not in
                    redemption or retirement of a Membership Interest), the
                    Capital Accounts of all Members and

                                       30
<PAGE>   36

                    the Carrying Value of each Company property shall be
                    adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain
                    or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Company property, as
                    if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been
                    recognized in a sale of such property immediately prior to
                    such distribution for an amount equal to its fair market
                    value (which shall be determined by the Company using any
                    valuation method it deems reasonable under the
                    circumstances), and had been allocated to the Members at
                    such time, pursuant to Section 5.1.

                                   ARTICLE V.

                          ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

         5.1. Allocations for Capital Account Purposes. For purposes of
maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Members
among themselves, the Company's items of income, gain, loss and deduction
(computed in accordance with Section 4.5(b)) shall be allocated among the
Members for each taxable year (or portion thereof) as provided herein below.

               (a) Net Income. All items of income, gain, loss and deduction
               taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable
               period, determined after any special allocations required by
               Section 5.1(c) through Section 5.1(k) have first been made, shall
               be allocated to each of the Members in proportion to their
               respective Membership Interests.

               (b) Net Loss. All items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken
               into account in computing Net Loss for such taxable period,
               determined after any special allocations required by Section
               5.1(c) through Section 5.1(k) have first been made, shall be
               allocated to each of the Members in proportion to their
               respective Membership Interests.

               (c) Nonrecourse Liabilities. For purposes of Treasury Regulation
               section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Members agree that Nonrecourse
               Liabilities of the Company in excess of the sum of (A) the amount
               of Company Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse
               Built-in Gain shall be allocated among the Members in accordance
               with their respective Membership Interests.

               (d) Company Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding the other
               provisions of this Section 5.1, except as provided in Treasury
               Regulation section 1.704-2(f)(2) through (5), if there is a net
               decrease in Company Minimum Gain during such taxable period, each
               Member shall be allocated items of Company income and gain for
               such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner
               and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation sections
               1.704-2(f)(6) and (g)(2) and section 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any
               successor provisions. For purposes of this Section 5.1(d), each
               Member's Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined,
               and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be

                                       31
<PAGE>   37

               effected, prior to the application of any other allocations
               pursuant to this Section 5.1 with respect to such taxable period
               (other than an allocation pursuant to Section 5.1(h) or (i)).

               (e) Chargeback of Minimum Gain Attributable to Member Nonrecourse
               Debt. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 5.1
               (other than Section 5.1(d), except as provided in Treasury
               Regulation section 1.704-2(i)(4)), if there is a net decrease in
               Minimum Gain Attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt during such
               taxable period, any Member with a share of Minimum Gain
               Attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt at the beginning of such
               taxable period shall be allocated items of Company income and
               gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in
               the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation sections
               1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provisions.
               For purposes of this Section 5.1(e), each Member's Adjusted
               Capital Account balance shall be determined and the allocation of
               income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the
               application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section
               5.1, other than Sections 5.1(d), (h) and (i), with respect to
               such taxable period.

               (f) Qualified Income Offset. In the event any Member unexpectedly
               receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described
               in Treasury Regulation section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4) through
               (6) (or any successor provisions), items of Company income and
               gain shall be specifically allocated to such Member in an amount
               and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the
               Treasury Regulations promulgated under section 704(b) of the
               Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital
               Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions
               as quickly as possible, unless such deficit balance is otherwise
               eliminated pursuant to Section 5.1(d) or 5.1(e).

               (g) Gross Income Allocations. In the event any Member has a
               deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of
               such taxable period which is in excess of the sum of (i) the
               amount such Member is obligated to restore pursuant to any
               provision of this Agreement and (ii) the amount such Member is
               deemed obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences
               of Treasury Regulations sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5),
               such Member shall be specifically allocated items of Company
               gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as
               possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section
               5.1(g) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member
               would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account
               after all other allocations provided in this Section 5.1 have
               been tentatively made for such taxable period as if this Section
               5.1(g) was not in the Agreement.

               (h) Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for such
               taxable period shall be allocated to the Members in accordance
               with their respective Membership Interests. If the Members, by a
               Majority Interest, determine in their good faith discretion that
               the Company's Nonrecourse Deductions must be allocated in a
               different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the

                                       32
<PAGE>   38

               Treasury Regulations promulgated under section 704(b) of the
               Code, the Company is authorized, upon notice to the Members, to
               revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio
               which does satisfy such requirements.

               (i) Member Nonrecourse Deductions. Member Nonrecourse Deductions
               for such taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Member
               that bears the Economic Risk of Loss for such Member Nonrecourse
               Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable
               in accordance with Treasury Regulation section 1.704-2(i) (or any
               successor provision). If more than one Member bears the Economic
               Risk of Loss with respect to a Member Nonrecourse Debt, such
               Member Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be
               allocated between or among such Members ratably in proportion to
               their respective shares of such Economic Risk of Loss.

               (j) Special Allocation of Dedicated Property Revenues. Dedicated
               Property Revenues for such taxable period shall be specially
               allocated 71.5072% to Tejas Holding and 28.4928% to Leviathan
               Holding until the aggregate allocations to the Members pursuant
               to this Section 5.1(j) for the current and all prior taxable
               periods equals one hundred percent (100%) of the Special Revenue
               Allocation Amount. This Section 5.1(j) shall be applied with
               respect to each taxable period before application of Sections
               5.1(a), 5.1(b) and 5.1(k), but after application of all other
               subsections of this Section 5.1.

               (k) Special Curative Allocations. To minimize any distortions in
               the manner that the Members would have shared distributions if
               the special allocations pursuant to Sections 5.1 (c) through
               5.1(i) (the "Regulatory Allocations") had not been part of this
               Agreement, the Members may, by agreement of a Majority Interest,
               specially allocate to the Members offsetting items of Company
               income, gain, loss or deduction so that the net amounts allocated
               to each Member pursuant to all of the provisions of this Section
               5.1, including this Section 5.1(k), equal the net amounts that
               would have been allocated to each Member pursuant to Sections
               5.1(a), 5.1(b) and 5.1(j) if the Regulatory Allocations had never
               occurred. In exercising their discretion hereunder, the Members
               shall consider any expected future Regulatory Allocations which
               are likely to offset other Regulatory Allocations previously
               made.

         5.2. Allocations for Tax Purposes.

               (a) Except as otherwise provided herein, for federal income tax
               purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction which is
               recognized by the Company for federal income tax purposes shall
               be allocated among the Members in the same manner as its
               correlative item of "book" income, gain, loss or deduction is
               allocated pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof.

               (b) In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable
               to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income,
               gain, loss,

                                       33
<PAGE>   39

               depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be
               allocated for federal income tax purposes among the Members as
               follows:

                    (i)  (A) In the case of a Contributed Property, such items
                         attributable thereto shall be allocated among the
                         Members in the manner provided under section 704(c) of
                         the Code and section 1.704-3(b) of the Treasury
                         Regulations (i.e. the "traditional method") that takes
                         into account the variation between the Asset Value of
                         such property and its adjusted basis at the time of
                         contribution; and (B) except as otherwise provided in
                         Section 5.2(b)(iii), any item of Residual Gain or
                         Residual Loss attributable to a Contributed Property
                         shall be allocated among the Members in the same manner
                         as its correlative item of "book" gain or loss is
                         allocated pursuant to Section 5.1.

                    (ii) (A) In the case of an Adjusted Property, such items
                         shall (1) first, be allocated among the Members in a
                         manner consistent with the principles of section 704(c)
                         of the Code and section 1.704-3(b) of the Treasury
                         Regulations (i.e. the "traditional method") to take
                         into account the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss
                         attributable to such property and the allocations
                         thereof pursuant to Section 4.5(c)(i) or (ii), and (2)
                         second, in the event such property was originally a
                         Contributed Property, be allocated among the Members in
                         a manner consistent with Section 5.2(b)(i); and (B)
                         except as otherwise provided in Section 5.2(b)(iii),
                         any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable
                         to an Adjusted Property shall be allocated among the
                         Members in the same manner as its correlative item of
                         "book" gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section
                         5.1.

                   (iii) Any items of income, gain, loss or deduction otherwise
                         allocable under Section 5.2(b)(i)(B) or 5.2(b)(ii)(B)
                         shall be subject to allocation by the Company in a
                         manner designed to eliminate, to the maximum extent
                         possible, Book-Tax Disparities in a Contributed
                         Property or Adjusted Property otherwise resulting from
                         the application of the "ceiling" limitation (under
                         section 704(c) of the Code or section 704(c)
                         principles) to the allocations provided under Sections
                         5.2(b)(i)(A) and 5.2(b)(ii)(A).

               (c) For the proper administration of the Company, the Company
               shall (i) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in
               determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost
               recovery deductions; provided, that such depreciation,
               amortization and cost recovery methods shall be the most
               accelerated methods allowed under federal tax laws; (ii) make
               special curative allocations for federal income tax purposes of
               income (including, without limitation, gross income) or
               deductions pursuant to section 1.704-3(c) of the Treasury
               Regulations to eliminate the impact of the "ceiling" limitation
               (under

                                       34
<PAGE>   40

               section 704(c) of the Code and section 704 principles) to the
               allocations provided in Section 5.2(b); and (iii) amend the
               provisions of this Agreement as appropriate to reflect the
               proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under section
               704(b) or section 704(c) of the Code. The Company may adopt such
               conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to
               this Agreement as provided in this Section 5.2(c) only if such
               conventions, allocations or amendments are consistent with the
               principles of section 704 of the Code.

               (d) The Company may determine to depreciate the portion of an
               adjustment under section 743(b) of the Code attributable to
               unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent
               of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate
               derived from the depreciation method and useful life applied to
               the Company's common basis of such property, despite the
               inconsistency of such with Proposed Treasury Regulation section
               1.168-2(n) and Treasury Regulation section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), or
               any successor provisions. If the Company determines that such
               reporting position cannot reasonably be taken, the Company may
               adopt any reasonable depreciation convention that would not have
               a material adverse effect on the Members.

               (e) Any gain allocated to the Members upon the sale or other
               taxable disposition of any Company asset shall, to the extent
               possible, after taking into account other required allocations of
               gain pursuant to this Section 5.2 be characterized as Recapture
               Income in the same proportions and the same extent as such
               Members (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated
               any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the
               treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.

               (f) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit
               recognized by the Company for federal income tax purposes and
               allocated to the Members in accordance with the provisions hereof
               shall be determined without regard to any election under section
               754 of the Code which may be made by the Company; provided,
               however, that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted as
               necessary or appropriate to take into account those adjustments
               permitted or required by sections 734 and 743 of the Code.

         5.3. Requirement of Distributions. Subject to the provisions of
Sections 5.6, 7.2 and 12.2, and less the amount of the cash reserves, if any,
set aside pursuant to Section 5.5, the Company shall distribute (within 30 days
following the end of each calendar quarter) such amount of Available Cash, as
determined by the Members under Section 7.2(a)(i), to the Members who were
Record Holders as of the Record Date, as provided in Section 5.4.

         5.4. Sharing of Distributions. Except as provided in Section 12.2, all
distributions attributable to the Membership Interests of the Company paid in
cash, property, or equity ownership of the Company shall be made to the Members
in the following order and priority:

               (a) first, to the Members, in proportion to their respective
               Priority Sharing Ratios (determined as of the end of the calendar
               month preceding the calendar

                                       35
<PAGE>   41

               month in which the distribution is being made), until the
               aggregate amount distributed to them pursuant to this Section
               5.4(a) for the current and all prior taxable periods equals the
               aggregate Dedicated Property Revenues allocated to the Members
               pursuant to Section 5.1(j) for the current and all prior taxable
               periods of the Company; and

               (b) the balance, to the Members in proportion to their respective
               Membership Interests.

         5.5. Reserves. Before payment of any Distributions, there may be set
aside out of any Available Cash such sum or sums as the Members from time to
time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a cash reserve or reserves
to meet contingencies, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Company,
or for such other purpose as the Members shall determine to be in the best
interest of the Company; and the Company may modify or abolish any such cash
reserve in the manner in which it was created.

         5.6. Distribution Restrictions. Unless unanimously agreed to in writing
by the Members, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.3, the Company shall
not distribute (i) any of the Initial Capital Contributions until the completion
of the construction of the Initial Facilities, except to the extent that all of
the Members agree that the applicable portion of such Initial Capital
Contributions is no longer needed to finance such construction or the operations
of the Company, or (ii) any amounts that would cause the Company materially to
breach, or would create a material default under, any debt agreements or
instruments to which the Company is a party.

                                   ARTICLE VI.

                            MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

         6.1. Management and Delegation of Authority. The Members hereby
unanimously agree that, subject to the provisions of Section 6.3 and Article
VII, TOP shall direct the management and policies of the Company in accordance
with the Act; provided, however, that if the Membership Interest held by TOP
and/or its Affiliates is reduced for any reason to fifty percent (50%) or less,
the Members, as a group, shall direct the management and policies of the Company
in accordance with the Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, to
the extent that actions taken hereunder require the participation of some or all
Members, each Member may act through its respective directors, officers,
employees, representatives, agents and designees, and except for situations in
which the approval of the Members is required by this Agreement or by
nonwaivable provisions of applicable Laws, the Members shall have broad
discretion to authorize any committee constituted pursuant to Section 6.2 or any
officer or other agent to act on behalf of the Company. At a meeting of the
Members at which a quorum is present with respect to any matter as provided in
Section 7.1(a) (except for any matter expressly requiring the affirmative vote
of a Required Interest other than a Majority Interest), the affirmative vote of
a Majority Interest shall be the act of the Members.

                                       36
<PAGE>   42

         6.2. Committees.

               (a) For organizational purposes, the Company may form one or more
               committees of the Members. The types of committees which exist
               from time to time shall be determined by TOP; provided, however,
               that if the Membership Interest held by TOP and/or its Affiliates
               is reduced for any reason to fifty percent (50%) or less, the
               types of committees which exist from time to time shall be
               determined by the Members thereafter. Each Member shall appoint
               one (or more) of its duly authorized agents to act for the Member
               on any committee of the Company. Such agents of each Member shall
               be given the authority by such Member to vote on behalf of the
               Member on any issue within the committee's responsibility and the
               agent(s) of each Member shall have the right to vote on behalf of
               such Member in proportion to such Member's Membership Interest.

               (b) The primary responsibility for business development
               activities for the Company shall reside with TOP, provided,
               however, that if the Membership Interest held by TOP and/or its
               Affiliates is reduced for any reason to fifty percent (50%) or
               less, such primary responsibility shall reside with the Members,
               as a group, thereafter. However, all Members may participate in
               the business development activities of the Company. Each Member
               shall, in good faith, use all reasonable efforts to cooperate
               with and inform the other Members and designees with respect to
               any business development activities conducted on behalf of the
               Company. Each Member may independently approach any potential
               customer or other Person to discuss such potential arrangements;
               provided, however, that as long as TOP or its Affiliates own more
               than 50% of the Membership Interests of all Members, submission
               of any formal proposal to a potential customer will be made only
               by TOP with approval from the Required Interest pursuant to
               Article VII.

         6.3. Authority of Members and Committees.

               (a) With respect to conflicts or disagreements between and among
               any committees, the Members shall have ultimate decision making
               authority. The Members and the committees shall act through the
               Company's officers, employees, representatives, agents and
               designees to whom authority has been expressly delegated. All
               action of the Members shall be taken pursuant to resolutions
               approved by the Members in accordance with Article VII of this
               Agreement.

               (b) Unless otherwise expressly delegated in writing or provided
               by this Agreement, the Members hereby reserve to the Members as a
               group the authority, with respect to the Company, to authorize
               and approve the following in accordance with the provisions of
               Article VII:

                    (i)  authorizing Gas Contracts the term of which could be
                         longer than one year after the date of execution
                         thereof;

                    (ii) authorizing any contract, agreement or other
                         undertaking involving more than $500,000 in any year or
                         $1,000,000 in the aggregate;

                                       37
<PAGE>   43

                    (iii) authorizing a transaction involving the acquisition or
                          construction of a Lateral in accordance with Article
                          XV or an Expansion Project;

                    (iv)  authorizing a transaction involving a lease or similar
                          arrangement which either (A) involves an asset with a
                          fair market value of more than $500,000 or (B) could
                          reasonably be expected to result in payments in excess
                          of $500,000;

                    (v)   approving any operating and capital expenditures
                          budgets;

                    (vi)  authorizing any transaction, including, without
                          limitation, any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of
                          property or the rendering of any service, involving
                          the Company and any Member or any Affiliate of any
                          Member (which transaction, once approved by all of the
                          Members, shall be presumed to be fair to the Company;

                   (vii)  authorizing borrowing money;

                  (viii)  authorizing transactions not in the ordinary course
                          of business;

                    (ix)  determining the cash reserve applicable to
                          distributions of cash and other property as provided
                          in Sections 5.3, 5.5 and 5.6;

                    (x)   utilizing for other than Company purposes, acquiring,
                          or disposing of any material asset of the Company;

                    (xi)  permitting a member of the Company to resign;

                   (xii)  permitting the merger, consolidation, participation in
                          a share exchange or other statutory reorganization
                          with, or sale of all or substantially all of the
                          assets of the Company to any Person;

                  (xiii)  permitting dissolution and liquidation;

                   (xiv)  approving any FERC certificate, if applicable,
                          including, without limitation, the general terms and
                          conditions and the rates and the basis upon which such
                          rates are calculated, or accepting any FERC
                          certificate, if applicable;

                    (xv)  instituting litigation, arbitration, or similar
                          proceedings at a cost to the Company which could
                          reasonably be expected to exceed $500,000.00;
                          provided, however, that if any Member or any Affiliate
                          of a Member is an adverse party thereto, then all of
                          the remaining Members which are not Affiliates of the
                          affected Member shall be entitled to cause the Company
                          to institute such action, but once action has been
                          instituted, then notwithstanding any provision to the
                          contrary herein, all of such remaining

                                       38
<PAGE>   44

                         Members must agree prior to the settlement of any such
                         action. Such non-Affiliate Members' vote shall be
                         sufficient to take such actions under this Section even
                         if such Membership Interest is less than a Majority
                         Interest;

                   (xvi) changing the name of the Company; and

                  (xvii) approval, waiver, amendment, termination (other than
                         by expiration of the term thereof) or other
                         modification of any Operating Agreement.

                    Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, with
                    respect to each matter described in (i) - (xvii) above, the
                    exercise of Member authority shall occur only by the
                    affirmative vote of the applicable Required Interest
                    specified elsewhere in this Agreement, including, without
                    limitation, the unanimous voting requirements set forth in
                    Section 7.2(b); the Super-Majority Interest voting
                    requirements set forth in Section 7.2(a); and the Majority
                    Interest approval requirements set forth in Section 6.1(a).
                    Member approval or disapproval of any matter requiring
                    Member approval (including, without limitation, the matters
                    set forth in this Section 6.3(b) and Sections 7.2(a) and
                    (b)) may be based on any reason whatsoever, in each Member's
                    sole and absolute discretion.

         6.4. Officers.

               (a) The Members may designate one or more Persons to fill one or
               more officer positions of the Company. Such officers may include,
               without limitation, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial
               Officer, President, Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant
               Treasurer, Secretary and Assistant Secretary. No officer need be
               a resident of the State of Delaware. The Members may assign
               titles to particular officers. Each officer shall hold office
               until his successor shall be duly designated and shall qualify to
               hold such office, or until his death or until he shall resign or
               shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Any
               number of offices may be held by the same Person. The salaries or
               other compensation, if any, of the officers and agents of the
               Company may be fixed from time to time by the Members.
               Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the
               authority of any officers, employees or agents of the Company
               shall be restricted to the carrying on of the day-to-day affairs
               of the Company and any such authority shall be subject to the
               supervisory control of the Members. Only Members or their duly
               authorized agents shall have the authority to make policy
               decisions for the Company. Unless the Members decide otherwise,
               the assignment of such title shall constitute the delegation to
               such officer of the authority and duties set forth below:

                    (i)  President. Unless otherwise specified by the Members,
                         the President shall be the chief operating officer of
                         the Company and have general executive powers to manage
                         the operations of the

                                       39
<PAGE>   45

                          Company, and such other powers and duties under this
                          Agreement as the Members may from time to time
                          prescribe.

                    (ii)  Vice Presidents. In the absence of the President, or
                          in the event of his inability to act, the Vice
                          President (or in the event there be more than one Vice
                          President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated
                          by the Members, or in the absence of any such
                          designation, then in the order of their election or
                          appointment) shall perform the duties of the
                          President, and when so acting, shall have all the
                          powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon
                          the President.

                    (iii) Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the
                          meetings of the Company and shall exercise general
                          supervision over the files of the Company. The
                          Secretary shall give notice of meetings and shall
                          perform other duties commonly incident to such office.

                    (iv)  Assistant Secretary. At the request of the Secretary
                          or in the Secretary's absence or inability to act, the
                          Assistant Secretary shall perform part or all of the
                          Secretary's duties.

                    (v)   Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have general
                          supervision of the funds, securities, notes, drafts,
                          acceptances, and other commercial paper and evidences
                          of indebtedness of the Company and he shall determine
                          that funds belonging to the Company are kept on
                          deposit in such banking institutions as the Members
                          may from time to time direct. The Treasurer shall
                          determine that accurate accounting records are kept,
                          and the Treasurer shall render reports of the same and
                          of the financial condition of the Company to the
                          Members at any time upon request. The Treasurer shall
                          perform other duties commonly incident to such office,
                          including, but not limited to, the execution of tax
                          returns.

                    (vi)  Assistant Treasurer. At the request of the Treasurer
                          or in the Treasurer's absence or inability to act, the
                          Assistant Treasurer shall perform part or all of the
                          Treasurer's duties.

               (b) Any officer may resign as such at any time. Such resignation
               shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time
               specified therein, or if no time be specified, at the time of its
               receipt by the Company. The acceptance of a resignation shall not
               be necessary to make it effective, unless expressly so provided
               in the resignation. Any officer may be removed as such, either
               with or without cause, by the Members; provided, however, that
               such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights,
               if any, of the officer so removed. Designation of an officer
               shall not of itself create contract rights. Any vacancy occurring
               in any office of the Company may be filled by the Members.

                                       40
<PAGE>   46

         6.5. Duties of Officers. Each officer shall devote such time, effort,
and skill to the Company's business affairs as he deems necessary and proper for
the Company's welfare and success. The Members expressly recognize that the
officers have substantial other business relationships and activities with
Persons other than the Company.

         6.6. No Duty to Consult. Except as otherwise provided herein or by
applicable law, neither the Company nor its duly appointed agents, designees or
representatives or the officers of the Company shall have a duty or obligation
to consult with or seek advice of the Members on any matter relating to the
day-to-day business affairs of the Company duly delegated to such Persons;
provided, however, that such Persons shall not be restricted from consulting
with or seeking the advice of the Members.

         6.7. Reimbursement. Except for pre-formation expenses paid by each
respective Member and treated as an Initial Capital Contribution pursuant to
Section 4.1(a), all expenses incurred with respect to the organization,
operation and management of the Company shall be borne by the Company.

         6.8. Members and Affiliates Dealing With the Company. Subject to
obtaining any consent expressly required hereunder, the Company may appoint,
employ, contract, or otherwise deal with any Person, including Affiliates of the
Members, individuals with whom the Members are otherwise related, and with
business entities which have a financial interest in a Member or in which a
Member has a financial interest, for transacting Company business, including any
acts or services for the Company as the members of any committee, officer or
other representative with the proper authority may approve.

         6.9. Insurance. Each Member, according to its proportionate share equal
to its Membership Interest, shall make available for its own benefit and the
benefit of the Company, the insurance coverages described on "Exhibit C.I"
hereto and such other insurance as may be required by applicable Laws. All such
insurance policies provided by each Member shall provide that the insurers waive
their right of subrogation against the Company and the relevant Member, any of
their respective Affiliates, or any other party indemnified by the Company, and
shall name the Company as an additional insured.

         The Company shall provide the applicable insurance coverages described
on "Exhibits C. II and C.III" for the benefit of the Company, Leviathan Holding,
and Tejas Holding. The costs of the insurance coverages described on Exhibits
C.II and C.III which are obtained by the Company (if any) shall automatically be
included in the applicable operating budget for the Company without the
necessity of approval by the Members. All such insurance policies provided by
the Company shall provide that the insurers waive their right of subrogation
against the Company, Leviathan Holding, and Tejas Holding, any of their
respective Affiliates, or any other party indemnified by Company, and shall name
Leviathan Holding and Tejas Holding as additional insureds.

                                       41
<PAGE>   47

                                  ARTICLE VII.

                                    MEETINGS

         7.1. Meetings of Members and Committees.

               (a) A quorum shall be present at a meeting of Members or any
               committee of the Company if the holders of at least 33% of all
               Membership Interests are represented at the meeting in person or
               by proxy.

               (b) All meetings of the Members or any committee of the Company
               shall be held at the principal place of business of the Company
               or at such other place within or without the State of Delaware as
               shall be specified or fixed in the notices or waivers of notice
               thereof; provided that any or all Members or their
               representatives may participate in any such meeting by means of
               conference telephone or similar communications equipment pursuant
               to Section 16.11. No Member shall willfully be absent from any
               meeting of the Members or any committee of the Company.

               (c) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, a
               Majority Interest represented (in person or by proxy) at a
               meeting at which a quorum is present shall have the power to
               adjourn such meeting from time to time, without any notice other
               than an announcement at the meeting of the time and place of the
               resumption of the adjourned meeting. The time and place of such
               adjournment shall be determined by a vote of such Membership
               Interest. Upon the resumption of such adjourned meeting, any
               business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the
               meeting as originally called.

               (d) Unless otherwise expressly provided in a written notice
               issued by the Members, an annual meeting of the Members for the
               transaction of such business as may properly come before such
               meeting shall be held at the principal office of the Company at
               10:00 a.m. on the second Tuesday which is a Business Day in the
               month of May or such other date as to which the Members mutually
               agree. Regularly scheduled, periodic meetings of the Members or
               any committee of the Company may be held without special notice
               to the Members or Member representatives at such times and places
               as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the
               Members or such Member representatives and communicated to all
               Members or their representatives. Each Member, or its
               representatives in the case of committee meetings, shall use
               reasonable efforts to inform the other Members or committee
               representatives of any business matters that it intends to raise
               at any regular meeting of the Members or any committee of the
               Company within a reasonable time prior to such meeting.

               (e) Special meetings of the Members or any committee of the
               Company, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed
               by law, shall be called by (i) the President or Secretary (if
               any), (ii) any one or more Members holding at least 20% of the
               Membership Interests of the Company in the aggregate or (iii) any
               two

                                       42
<PAGE>   48

               or more non-Affiliated Members. Such request of the President,
               Secretary or Member(s) shall state the purpose or purposes of the
               proposed meeting.

               (f) Except as provided otherwise by this Agreement or applicable
               law, written or printed notice stating the place, day and hour of
               the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is
               called, shall be delivered not less than ten (10) nor more than
               sixty (60) days (including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
               before the date of the proposed meeting, either personally, by
               certified mail (return receipt requested) or by telecopy (with a
               copy delivered via United States mail), by or at the direction of
               the Person calling the meeting, to each Member or Member
               representative, as the case may be, entitled to vote thereat. If
               mailed, any such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when
               deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the Member, or
               Member representative, at its address provided for in Section
               16.19, with postage thereon prepaid.

               (g) The date on which notice of a meeting of the Members or any
               committee of the Company is mailed shall be the Record Date for
               the determination of the Members or Member representatives
               entitled to notice of or to vote at such meeting, including any
               adjournment thereof, or the Members or Member representatives
               entitled to receive such notice.

         7.2. Special Actions.

               (a) Super-Majority Interest Approval. The approval of the holders
               of a Super-Majority Interest of the Members shall be required to
               authorize and approve the following:

                    (i)  except with respect to cash reserves consistent with
                         historical practices, determining the cash reserves
                         applicable to distributions of cash and other property
                         as provided in Sections 5.3, 5.5 and 5.6, other than
                         (A) cash reserves relating to acquiring, constructing
                         or otherwise obtaining (including, without limitation,
                         pursuant to a lease or similar arrangement approved in
                         accordance with Section 7.2(a)(v)) any pipeline,
                         lateral or extension, including any Lateral or any
                         compression, expansion or other significant facilities
                         if such reserve exceeds, at any one time, $100,000, but
                         is less than or equal to $1,000,000 (the authorization
                         for which requires at least the approval of a Majority
                         Interest) or (B) cash reserves described in Section
                         7.2(a)(ii) (requiring at least a Super Majority
                         Interest) or Section 7.2(b)(ix) requiring unanimity);

                    (ii) determining the cash reserves applicable to
                         distributions of cash and other property as provided in
                         Sections 5.3, 5.5 and 5.6, to the extent such cash
                         reserves (A) relate to acquiring, constructing, leasing
                         or otherwise obtaining any pipeline, lateral or
                         extension, including any Lateral or any compression,
                         expansion or other

                                       43
<PAGE>   49

                          significant facilities and (B) exceed, at any one
                          time, $1,000,000, but is less than or equal to
                          $5,000,000;

                   (iii)  (A) entering into any credit agreement, indenture or
                          similar agreement or (B) borrowing money or making
                          draws under any such previously approved credit
                          agreement, indenture or similar agreement for the
                          purpose of funding authorized transactions with an
                          approved cost to the Company of more than $1,000,000,
                          but less than or equal to $5,000,000;

                    (iv)  except as otherwise provided in Section 7.2(a)(vi),
                          utilizing other than for Company purposes, acquiring
                          or disposing of any asset of the Company having a then
                          existing fair market value or GAAP net book value
                          (after deducting accumulated depreciation, depletion,
                          amortization and impairment) of more than $1,000,000
                          but less than or equal to $5,000,000;

                    (v)   authorizing a transaction involving a lease or similar
                          arrangement which either (A) involves an asset with a
                          fair market value of more than $1,000,000 but less
                          than or equal to $5,000,000 or (B) could reasonably be
                          expected to result in payments of more than $1,000,000
                          but less than or equal to $5,000,000; and

                    (vi)  subject to the provisions of Sections 15.1, 15.2, and
                          15.3, as applicable, authorizing a transaction which
                          involves acquiring, constructing or otherwise
                          obtaining (x) any pipeline, lateral or extension,
                          including any Lateral, or (y) any compression,
                          expansion or other significant facilities, including
                          any Expansion Project (except Expansion Projects
                          expressly permitted by Section 15.2), which, in the
                          case of either clause (x) or (y), could reasonably be
                          expected to have a cost to the Company of more than
                          $1,000,000 but less than or equal to $5,000,000.

                    (vii) authorizing Gas Contracts that provide for a term
                          equal to or longer than one year after the date of
                          execution thereof.

               (b) Unanimous Approval. The approval of the holders of all of the
               Membership Interest of the Members shall be required to authorize
               and approve the following:

                    (i)   approving any FERC certificate, including any
                          amendment or modifications of any FERC certificate, if
                          applicable, or any subsequent FERC certificate, if
                          applicable, including, without limitation, the general
                          terms and conditions and the rates and the basis upon
                          which such rates are calculated;

                    (ii)  termination (other than by expiration of the term
                          thereof) of the Construction Agreement with respect to
                          the Initial Facilities or the

                                       44
<PAGE>   50

                         Operating Agreement or any other operating agreement
                         with respect to the operation of the Brutus Gathering
                         Facilities;

                   (iii) changing the name of the Company;

                    (iv) instituting litigation, arbitration or similar
                         proceedings against Persons other than any Member or
                         Affiliate of any Member at a cost to the Company which
                         would reasonably be expected to exceed $500,000.00;

                    (v)  making draws under any credit agreement, indenture, or
                         similar agreement approved in accordance with the terms
                         of Section 7.2(a)(iii)(A), for the purpose of funding
                         authorized transactions with an approved cost to the
                         Company of more than $5,000,000;

                    (vi) except as otherwise provided in Section 7.2(b)(vii),
                         utilizing other than for company purposes, acquiring or
                         disposing of any asset of the Company or its
                         Subsidiaries, having a then existing fair market value
                         or GAAP net book value (after deducting accumulated
                         depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment)
                         of more than $5,000,000;

                   (vii) subject to the provisions of Sections 15.1, 15.2, and
                         15.3, as applicable, authorizing a transaction which
                         involves acquiring, constructing or otherwise obtaining
                         (x) any pipeline, lateral or extension, including any
                         Lateral, or (y) any compression, expansion or other
                         significant facilities, including any Expansion Project
                         (except Expansion Projects expressly permitted by
                         Section 15.2), which, in the case of either clause (x)
                         or (y), could reasonably be expected to have a cost to
                         the Company of more than $5,000,000;

                  (viii) authorizing a transaction involving a lease or
                         similar arrangement which either (A) involves an asset
                         with a fair market value of more than $5,000,000 or (B)
                         could reasonably be expected to result in payments of
                         more than $5,000,000;

                    (ix) authorizing any transaction or any amendment thereto,
                         including, without limitation, any purchase, sale,
                         lease or exchange of property or the rendering of any
                         service involving the Company and any Member or any
                         Affiliate of any Member that is not an arm's length
                         transaction (which transaction, once approved by all of
                         the Members, shall be presumed to be fair to the
                         Company); and

                    (x)  permitting the conversion, merger, consolidation, or
                         participation in a share exchange or other statutory
                         reorganization with, or sale of all or substantially
                         all of the assets of the Company to any Person;

                                       45
<PAGE>   51

                    (xi) approving the operating and capital expenditure budgets
                         of the Company;

                   (xii) approving any cash reserve applicable to distributions
                         of cash and other property as provided in Sections 5.3,
                         5.5 and 5.6, to the extent such cash reserve (A)
                         relates to acquiring, constructing or otherwise
                         obtaining (including, without limitation, pursuant to a
                         lease or similar arrangement approved in accordance
                         with Section 7.2(b)(vii)) any pipeline, lateral or
                         extension, including any Lateral, or any compression,
                         expansion or other significant facilities and (B)
                         exceeds, at any one time, $5,000,000; and

                  (xiii) actions for which this Agreement otherwise expressly
                         requires unanimous approval, including, without
                         limitation, any of the actions set forth in Sections
                         3.8 (creation of additional Membership Interests), 3.12
                         (Resignation), 4.2 (subsequent Capital Contributions),
                         5.6 (distribution of Initial Capital Contributions),
                         12.1(a) (Dissolution and Liquidation) and 13.2
                         (Amendments).

         7.3. Voting List. The officer of the Company or the designated Member
who is responsible for the maintenance of the Company's records shall make, at
least ten days before each meeting of Members, a complete list of the Members or
their representatives, as the case may be, entitled to vote thereat or any
adjournment thereof, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of and the
Membership Interest held or represented by each, which list, for a period of ten
days prior to such meeting, shall be kept on file at the registered office or
principal place of business of the Company and shall be subject to inspection by
any Member or Member representative at any time during usual business hours.
Such list shall also be produced and kept open at the time and place of the
meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any Member or Member
representative during the whole time of the meeting. The original Company
records shall be prima facie evidence as to who are the Members or their
representatives entitled to examine such list or transfer records or to vote at
any meeting of Members. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Section
7.3 shall not affect the validity of any action taken at the meeting.

         7.4. Proxies. A Member or Member representative may vote either in
person or by proxy executed in writing by the Member or Member representative. A
telegram, telex, cablegram or similar transmission by the Member or Member
representative or a photographic, photostatic, facsimile or similar reproduction
of writing executed by the Member or Member representative shall be treated as
an execution in writing for purposes of this Section 7.4. Proxies for use at any
meeting of the Members or committee of the Company or in connection with the
taking of any action by written consent shall be filed with the Company before
or at the time of the meeting or execution of the written consent, as the case
may be. All proxies shall be received and taken charge of and all ballots shall
be received and canvassed by an inspector or inspectors appointed by the
President or a Vice President of the Company who shall decide all questions
touching upon the qualification of voters, the validity of the proxies, and the
acceptance or rejection of votes.

                                       46
<PAGE>   52

         7.5. Votes. Each Member or Member representative shall be entitled to
one vote (or a fraction thereof) per percent (or fraction thereof) of Membership
Interest held by such Member, as reflected in the transfer records of the
Company; provided, however, that for purposes of determining a quorum or a
Required Interest, the Membership Interest of any Member shall not be counted
and such interest shall be apportioned by interest among the remaining Members
as applicable if the Member is not permitted to vote under this Agreement for
any reason, including, without limitation, the relevant Member is in Default, is
not deemed to be a Substituted Member or is in breach of certain representations
and warranties; provided, however, that no Member shall be required to make any
Capital Contribution, other than an Initial Capital Contribution, if such Member
did not vote to approve such Capital Contribution in accordance with Section
4.2.

         7.6. Conduct of Meetings. All meetings of the Members or committees of
the Company shall be presided over by the chairman of the meeting, who shall be
designated by, in order of priority, the President, the Vice President or other
appropriate officer of the Company. The chairman of any meeting of Members or
committee of the Company shall determine the order of business and the procedure
at the meeting, including regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of
discussion.

         7.7. Action by Written Consent.

               (a) Except as otherwise provided by applicable Laws, any action
               required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of Members or
               committee of the Company may be taken without a meeting, and
               without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting
               forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holder or
               holders or representatives of not less than the minimum of
               Membership Interests that would be necessary to take such action
               at a meeting at which the holders of all Membership Interests
               entitled to vote on the action were present and voted; provided,
               however, that no such written consent shall be effective unless
               each Member has been provided with at least 3 Business Days prior
               written notice of such consent to be sought or has waived the
               requirement of such notice. To the extent required by law, every
               written consent shall bear the date of signature of each Member
               or Member representative who signs the consent. To the extent
               required by law, no written consent shall be effective to take
               the action that is the subject of such consent unless, within 60
               days after the date of the earliest dated consent delivered to
               the Company in the manner required by this Section 7.7, a consent
               or consents signed by the holder or holders of not less than the
               minimum Membership Interests that would be necessary to take the
               action that is the subject of the consent are delivered to the
               Company by delivery to its registered office or its principal
               place of business. Delivery shall be by hand or certified or
               registered mail (return receipt requested) to the Company's
               principal place of business and shall be addressed to the
               Secretary of the Company. A telegram, telex, cablegram or similar
               transmission by a Member or Member representative, or a
               photographic, photostatic, facsimile or similar reproduction of a
               writing signed by a Member or Member representative, shall be
               regarded as signed by the Member or Member representative for
               purposes of this Section 7.7. In addition to the prior written
               notice described above, prompt written notice of the taking of
               any action

                                       47
<PAGE>   53

               by the Members or committees of the Company without a meeting by
               less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those
               Members or Member representatives who did not consent in writing
               to the action.

               (b) The Record Date for determining Members or their
               representatives entitled to consent to an action in writing
               without a meeting shall be the first date on which a signed
               written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be
               taken is delivered to the Company. Delivery of such written
               consent shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail
               (return receipt requested) to the Company's principal place of
               business and shall be addressed to the Secretary of the Company.

         7.8. Records. An officer of the Company or a designated Member
representative shall be responsible for maintaining the records of the Company,
including keeping minutes at the meetings of the Members or committees of the
Company and the filing of consents in the records of the Company.

                                  ARTICLE VIII.

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

         8.1. Right to Indemnification. Subject to the limitations and
conditions as provided herein or by applicable Laws, each Person who was or is
made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative (hereinafter a
"Proceeding"), or any appeal in such a Proceeding or any inquiry or
investigation that could lead to such a Proceeding, by reason of the fact that
he or she, or a Person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was
a Member of the Company, a member of a committee of the Company or an officer of
the Company, or while such a Person is or was serving at the request of the
Company as a director, officer, partner, venturer, member, trustee, employee,
agent or similar functionary of another foreign or domestic general partnership,
corporation, limited partnership, joint venture, limited liability company,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall be indemnified by the
Company to the extent such Proceeding or other above-described process relates
to any such above-described relationships with, status with respect to, or
representation of any such Person to the fullest extent permitted by the Act, as
the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such
amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Company to provide
broader indemnification rights than said Laws permitted the Company to provide
prior to such amendment) against judgments, penalties (including excise and
similar taxes and punitive damages), fines, settlements and reasonable expenses
(including, without limitation, attorneys' fees) actually incurred by such
Person in connection with such Proceeding, and indemnification under this
Article VIII shall continue as to a Person who has ceased to serve in the
capacity which initially entitled such Person to indemnity hereunder for any and
all liabilities and damages related to and arising from such Person's activities
while acting in such capacity; provided, however, that no Person shall be
entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.1 in the event the Proceeding
involves acts or omissions of such Person which constitute an intentional breach
of this Agreement or gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of such
Person. The rights granted pursuant to this Article VIII shall be

                                       48
<PAGE>   54

deemed contract rights, and no amendment, modification or repeal of this Article
VIII shall have the effect of limiting or denying any such rights with respect
to actions taken or Proceedings arising prior to any such amendment,
modification or repeal. It is expressly acknowledged that the indemnification
provided in this Article VIII could involve indemnification for negligence or
under theories of strict liability.

         8.2. Indemnification of Officers, Employees and Agents. The Company may
indemnify, and advance expenses to, Persons who are not or were not a Member,
including officers, employees or agents of the Company, and those Persons who
are or were serving at the request of the Company as a manager, director,
officer, partner, venturer, member, trustee, employee, agent or similar
functionary of another foreign or domestic general partnership, corporation,
limited partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee
benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such
Person and incurred by such Person in such a capacity or arising out of his
status as such a Person to the same extent that it may indemnify and advance
expenses to a Member under this Article VIII.

         8.3. Advance Payment. Any right to indemnification conferred in this
Article VIII shall include a limited right to be paid or reimbursed by the
Company for any and all reasonable expenses as they are incurred by a Person
entitled to be indemnified under Sections 8.1 and 8.2 who was, or is threatened,
to be made a named defendant or respondent in a Proceeding in advance of the
final disposition of the Proceeding and without any determination as to such
Person's ultimate entitlement to indemnification; provided, however, that the
payment of such expenses incurred by any such Person in advance of final
disposition of a Proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of a
written affirmation by such Person of his good faith belief that he has met the
requirements necessary for indemnification under this Article VIII and a written
undertaking, by or on behalf of such Person, to repay all amounts so advanced if
it shall ultimately be determined that such indemnified Person is not entitled
to be indemnified under this Article VIII or otherwise.

         8.4. Appearance as a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Article VIII, the Company may pay or reimburse expenses incurred by any
Person entitled to be indemnified pursuant to this Article VIII in connection
with such Person's appearance as a witness or other participation in a
Proceeding at a time when he is not a named defendant or respondent in the
Proceeding.

         8.5. Nonexclusivity of Rights. The right to indemnification and the
advancement and payment of expenses conferred in this Article VIII shall not be
exclusive of any other right which a Person indemnified pursuant to Sections 8.1
and 8.2 may have or hereafter acquire under any Laws, this Agreement, or any
other agreement, vote of Members or otherwise.

         8.6. Insurance. The Company may purchase and maintain indemnification
insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Person from any expenses,
liabilities, or losses that may be indemnified under this Article VIII.

         8.7. Member Notification. Any indemnification of or advance of expenses
to any Person entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII shall be
reported in writing to the Members with or before the notice or waiver of notice
of the next Members' meeting or with or

                                       49
<PAGE>   55

before the next submission to Members of a consent to action without a meeting
and, in any case, within the 12 month period immediately following the date the
indemnification or advance was made.

         8.8. Savings Clause. If this Article VIII or any portion hereof shall
be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the
Company shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless any Person entitled to be
indemnified pursuant to this Article VIII as to costs, charges and expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative to the full extent permitted by any applicable
portion of this Article VIII that shall not have been invalidated and to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

         8.9. Scope of Indemnity. For the purposes of this Article VIII,
references to the "Company" include all constituent entities, whether
corporations or otherwise, absorbed in a consolidation or merger as well as the
resulting or surviving entity. Thus, any Person entitled to be indemnified or
receive advances under this Article VIII shall stand in the same position under
the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving
entity as he would have if such merger, consolidation, or other reorganization
never occurred.

                                   ARTICLE IX.

                                      TAXES

         9.1. Tax Returns. The Company shall cause to be prepared and filed all
necessary federal and state income tax returns for the Company, including making
the elections described in Section 9.2. Upon written request by the Company,
each Member shall furnish to the Company all pertinent information in its
possession relating to Company operations that is necessary to enable the
Company's income tax returns to be prepared and filed.

         9.2. Tax Elections. The Company shall make the following elections on
the appropriate tax returns:

               (a)  to adopt the accrual method of accounting;

               (b)  an election pursuant to section 754 of the Code;

               (c)  to elect to amortize the organizational expenses of the
                    Company and the start-up expenditures of the Company under
                    section 195 of the Code ratably over a period of 60 months
                    as permitted by section 709(b) of the Code; and

               (d)  any other election that the Company may deem appropriate and
                    in the best interests of the Company or Members, as the case
                    may be.

Neither the Company nor any Member may make an election for the Company to be
excluded from the application of the provisions of subchapter K of chapter 1 of
subtitle A of the Code or any similar provisions of applicable state law, and no
provision of this Agreement shall be construed to sanction or approve such an
election.

                                       50
<PAGE>   56

         9.3. Tax Matters Member. The Company shall select one of the Members as
the "Tax Matters Member" of the Company pursuant to section 6231(a)(7) of the
Code. The Tax Matters Member shall take such action as may be necessary to cause
each Member to become a "notice partner" within the meaning of section 6223 of
the Code and shall inform each Member of all significant matters that may come
to its attention in its capacity as Tax Matters Member by giving notice thereof
on or before the fifth Business Day after becoming aware thereof and, within
that time, shall forward to each other Member copies of all significant written
communications it may receive in that capacity. The Tax Matters Member may not
take any action contemplated by sections 6222 through 6232 of the Code without
the consent of a Super-Majority Interest, but this sentence does not authorize
the Tax Matters Member to take any action left to the determination of an
individual Member under sections 6222 through 6232 of the Code. The initial Tax
Matters Member shall be the Member so indicated on Exhibit A.

                                   ARTICLE X.

                   BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS

         10.1. Maintenance of Books. The Company shall keep books and records of
accounts and shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its Members. The books of
account for the Company shall be maintained on an accrual basis in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement and GAAP, except that the Capital Accounts of
the Members shall be maintained in accordance with Section 4.5. The accounting
year of the Company shall be determined by the Company. The initial custodian of
the company records shall be the Tax Matters Members.

         10.2. Financial Statements. On or before the last day of each calendar
month during the existence of the Company, the Company shall cause each Member
to be furnished with an income statement for the calendar month immediately
preceding such calendar month. On or before the last day of each January, April,
July and October during the existence of the Company, the Company shall cause
each Member to be furnished with a balance sheet and a statement of cash flows
for, or as of the end of, the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such calendar
month. On or before the last day of each April during the existence of the
Company, the Company shall cause each Member to be furnished with audited
financial statements, including, a balance sheet, an income statement, a
statement of cash flows, and a statement of changes in each Member's Capital
Account for the immediately preceding calendar year. Annual financial statements
must be prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company also may cause to be
prepared or delivered such other reports as it may deem, in its sole judgment,
appropriate. The Company shall bear the costs of all such reports and financial
statements.

         10.3. Tax Statements. On or before the last day of July during the
existence of the Company, the Company shall cause each Member to be furnished
with all information reasonably necessary or appropriate to file their
appropriate tax reports, including a schedule of Company book-tax differences
for, or as of the end of, the immediately preceding tax year. In addition, to
the extent reasonably possible, the Company will cause each Member to be
provided with estimates of all such information on or before the first day of
February each year.

         10.4. Accounts. The officers or designated Members of the Company shall
establish and maintain one or more separate bank and investment accounts and
arrangements for Company

                                       51
<PAGE>   57

funds in the Company's name with financial institutions and firms that officers
or designated Members of the Company may determine. The Company may not
commingle the Company's funds with the funds of any other Person. All such
accounts shall be and remain the property of the Company and all funds shall be
received, held and disbursed for the purposes specified in this Agreement. The
officers or designated Members of the Company may invest the Company funds only
in (i) readily marketable securities issued by the United States or any agency
or instrumentality thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States maturing within three months or less from the date of acquisition, (ii)
readily marketable securities issued by any state or municipality within the
United States of America or any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality
thereof, maturing within three months or less from the date of acquisition and
rated "A" or better by any recognized rating agency, (iii) readily marketable
commercial paper rated "Prime 1" by Moody's or "A 1" by Standard and Poor's (or
comparably rated by such organizations or any successors thereto if the rating
system is changed or there are such successors) and maturing in not more than
three months after the date of acquisition or (iv) certificates of deposit or
time deposits issued by any incorporated bank organized and doing business under
the Laws of the United States of America which is rated at least "A" or "A2" by
Standard and Poor's or Moody's, which is not in excess of federally insured
amounts, and which matures within three months or less from the date of
acquisition.

                                   ARTICLE XI.

                             BANKRUPTCY OF A MEMBER

         11.1. Bankrupt Members. If any Member becomes a Bankrupt Member, the
Company, by approval of at least a majority in interest of the Members excluding
any Bankrupt Member or, if the Company does not exercise the relevant option,
the non-Bankrupt Members which desire to participate, shall have the option,
exercisable by notice from the Company or the Members, as the case may be, to
the Bankrupt Member (or its representative) at any time prior to the 180th day
after receipt of notice of the occurrence of the event causing it to become a
Bankrupt Member, to buy, and, on the exercise of this option, the Bankrupt
Member or its representative shall sell, its Membership Interest. The purchase
price shall be an amount equal to the fair market value thereof determined by
agreement by the Bankrupt Member (or its representative) and the potential
purchaser; however, if those Persons do not agree on the fair market value on or
before the 90th day following the date of receipt by such potential purchaser of
notice of the occurrence of the event causing the Member to become a Bankrupt
Member, either such Person, by written notice to the other, may require the
determination of fair market value to be made by an independent appraiser
specified in such notice. If the Person receiving that notice objects on or
before the tenth day following receipt to the independent appraiser designated
in that notice, and those Persons otherwise fail to agree on an independent
appraiser, either such Person may petition the United States District Judge for
the Southern District of Texas then senior in active service to designate an
independent appraiser, whose determination of the independent appraiser, however
designated, is final and binding on all parties. The Bankrupt Member and the
potential purchaser each shall pay one-half of the costs of the appraisal and
court costs in appointing an appraiser (if any). If the potential purchaser then
elects, within ten days after the fair market value has been decided by
agreement or by an independent appraiser, to exercise the purchase option, the
purchasing Person shall pay the fair market value as so determined in cash on
closing. The payment to be made to the Bankrupt Member or its representative
pursuant to this Section

                                       52
<PAGE>   58

11.1 is in complete liquidation and satisfaction of all the rights and interest
of the Bankrupt Member and its representative (and of all Persons claiming by,
through, or under the Bankrupt Member and its representative) in and in respect
of the Company, including, without limitation, any Membership Interest, any
rights in specific Company property, and any rights against the Company and its
officers, agents, and representatives and (insofar as the affairs of the Company
are concerned) against the Members.

                                  ARTICLE XII.

                    DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION, AND TERMINATION

         12.1. Dissolution. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.2 and any
applicable Laws, the Company shall dissolve and its affairs shall be wound up on
the first to occur, and only in the event of, the following:

               (a) the consent of all of the Membership Interests; and

               (b) entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company
               under section 18-802 of the Act in accordance with Section 16.8.

         Each Member expressly agrees that the bankruptcy or dissolution of a
Member or other event described in section 18-801 of the Act (other than a
Transfer of Membership Interest in accordance with the terms of this Agreement)
shall not cause or result in the dissolution of the Company.

         12.2. Liquidation and Termination. Subject to Section 7.5, upon
dissolution of the Company, a representative of the Company selected by a
Majority Interest (not including any Member in Default at the time of
dissolution) shall act as a liquidator or may appoint one or more Members as
liquidator ("Liquidator"). The Liquidator shall proceed diligently to wind up
the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and
in the Act. The costs of liquidation shall be borne as a Company expense. Until
final distribution, the Liquidator shall continue to operate the Company
properties for a reasonable period of time to allow for the sale of all or a
part of the assets thereof with all of the power and authority of the Members.
The steps to be accomplished by the Liquidator are as follows:

               (a)  as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after
                    final liquidation, the Liquidator shall cause a proper
                    accounting to be made of the Company's assets, liabilities,
                    and operations through the last day of the calendar month in
                    which the dissolution occurs or the final liquidation is
                    completed, as applicable;

               (b)  the Liquidator shall cause any notices required by law to be
                    mailed to each known creditor of and claimant against the
                    Company in the manner described by such law;

               (c)  subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and
                    the Act (especially section 18-803), the Liquidator shall
                    distribute the assets of the Company in the following order:

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<PAGE>   59

                    (i)  the Liquidator shall pay, satisfy or discharge from
                         Company funds all of the debts, liabilities and
                         obligations of the Company, including, without
                         limitation, all expenses incurred in liquidation or
                         otherwise make adequate provision for payment and
                         discharge thereof (including, without limitation, the
                         establishment of a cash escrow fund for contingent
                         liabilities in such amount and for such term as the
                         Liquidator may reasonably determine); provided,
                         however, such payments shall not include any Capital
                         Contributions described in Article IV or any other
                         obligations in favor of the Members created by this
                         Agreement other than a loan made pursuant to any
                         provision other than Section 15.1; and

                    (ii) all remaining assets of the Company shall be
                         distributed to the Members as follows:

                         1.  the Liquidator may sell any or all Company
                             property, including to one or more of the Members
                             (other than any Member in Default at the time of
                             dissolution), provided (x) any such sale to a
                             Member is made on an arms length basis under terms
                             which are in the best interest of the Company and
                             (y) to the extent that any Member has participated
                             in an Expansion Option under Section 15.2, the
                             Liquidator shall hire an independent consultant to
                             attribute (on the basis of the then existing fair
                             market value) the proceeds from the sale of the
                             Company property between each respective Expansion
                             Project, and all other assets of the Company (such
                             value for each respective Expansion Project the
                             "Expansion Liquidation Value") and the Liquidator
                             shall repay any Members' Expansion Option loan
                             pursuant to Section 15.2(e), but only to the
                             extent that there is any Expansion Liquidation
                             Value allocated to the corresponding Expansion
                             Project;

                        2.   with respect to all Company property that has not
                             been sold, the fair market value of that property
                             (as determined by the Liquidator using any method
                             of valuation as it, using its best judgment, deems
                             reasonable) shall be determined and the Capital
                             Accounts of the Members shall be adjusted to
                             reflect the manner in which the unrealized income,
                             gain, loss, and deduction inherent in property
                             that has not been reflected in the Capital
                             Accounts previously would be allocated among the
                             Members if there were a taxable disposition of
                             that property for the fair market value of that
                             property on the date of distribution; and

                        3.   Company property shall be distributed among the
                             Members ratably in proportion to each Member's
                             Capital Account

                                       54
<PAGE>   60

                             balances, as determined after taking into account
                             all Capital Account adjustments for the taxable
                             year of the Company during which the liquidation
                             of the Company occurs (other than those made by
                             reason of this clause (C)).

                    All distributions in kind to the Members shall be made
               subject to the liability of each distributee for costs, expenses,
               and liabilities theretofore incurred or for which the Company has
               committed prior to the date of termination and those costs,
               expenses, and liabilities shall be allocated to the distributee
               pursuant to this Section 12.2. The distribution of cash and/or
               property to a Member in accordance with the provisions of this
               Section 12.2 constitutes a complete return to the Member of its
               Capital Contributions and a complete distribution to the Member
               of its Membership Interest and all the Company's property.

         12.3. Provision for Contingent Claims.

               (a) The Liquidator shall make a reasonable provision to pay all
               claims and obligations, including all contingent, conditional or
               unmatured claims and obligations, actually known to the Company
               but for which the identity of the claimant is unknown; and

               (b) If there are insufficient assets to both pay the creditors
               pursuant to Section 12.2(c)(i) and to establish the provision
               contemplated by Section 12.3(a), the claims shall be paid as
               provided for in accordance to their priority, and, among claims
               of equal priority, ratably to the extent of assets therefor.

         12.4. Deficit Capital Accounts. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Agreement, and notwithstanding any custom or rule of
law to the contrary, a deficit, if any, in the Capital Account of any Member
upon the dissolution and winding up of the Company shall not be an asset of the
Company and no such Member shall be obligated to contribute any amounts to the
Company to bring the balance of such Member's capital account to zero.

                                  ARTICLE XIII.

                           AMENDMENT OF THE AGREEMENT

         13.1. Amendments to be Adopted by the Company. Each Member agrees that
the appropriate officer of the Company, in accordance with and subject to the
limitations contained in Article VII, may execute, swear to, acknowledge,
deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required to reflect:

               (a) a change in the name of the Company, the location of the
               principal place of business of the Company or the registered
               agent or office of the Company;

               (b) admission or substitution of Members effected in accordance
               with this Agreement;

                                       55
<PAGE>   61

               (c) a change that the Members believe is reasonable and necessary
               or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of the
               Company as a limited liability company under the Laws of any
               state or that is necessary or advisable in the opinion of the
               Company to ensure that the Company will not be taxable as a
               corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income
               tax purposes;

               (d) a change that is necessary or appropriate for the Company to
               satisfy any requirements, conditions, guidelines or
               interpretations contained in any opinion, interpretative release,
               directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state
               agency or judicial authority (including, without limitation, the
               Act);

               (e) an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of counsel, to
               prevent the Company or its officers from in any manner being
               subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of
               1940, as amended, or "plan asset" regulations adopted under the
               Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
               whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations
               currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of
               Labor; and

               (f) subject to the terms of Section 3.8, an amendment that the
               Company determines in its sole discretion to be necessary or
               appropriate in connection with the authorization for issuance of
               any Membership Interest pursuant to Section 3.8.

         13.2. Amendment Procedures. Except as provided in Section 13.1, all
amendments to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with the following
requirements. Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed by any Member. Each
such proposal shall contain the text of the proposed amendment. If an amendment
is proposed, the Company shall seek the written approval of the holders of the
requisite percentage of Membership Interests or call a meeting of the Members to
consider and vote on such proposed amendment. A proposed amendment shall be
effective upon its approval by the holders of all of the Membership Interests,
unless a different percentage is expressly required under this Agreement. Any
amendment that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any type or
class of Membership Interests in relation to other types or classes of
Membership Interests requires the approval of the holders of at least a majority
of the Membership Interests of such class or type of Membership Interest. The
Company shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any proposed
amendment.

                                  ARTICLE XIV.

                        CERTIFICATED MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

         14.1. Entitlement to Certificates. Every owner of a Membership Interest
in the Company, unless and to the extent the Company elects otherwise, shall be
entitled to have a certificate, in such form as is approved by the Company and
conforms with applicable law, certifying the Membership Interest owned by it.

         14.2. Multiple Classes of Interest. If the Company shall be authorized
to issue more than one class of Membership Interest or more than one series of
any Membership Interest, a statement of the powers, designations, preferences
and relative, participating, optional or other

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<PAGE>   62

special rights of each class of membership interest or series thereof and the
qualification, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights
shall, unless the Members shall by resolution provide that such class or series
of Membership Interest shall be uncertificated, be set forth in full or
summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the Company shall issue
to represent such class or series of Membership Interest; provided that, to the
extent allowed by law, in lieu of such statement, the face or back of such
certificate may state that the Company will furnish a copy of such statement
without charge to each requesting Member.

         14.3. Signatures. Each certificate representing a Membership Interest
in the Company shall be signed by or in the name of the Company by (1) the
President or any Vice President of the Company and (2) the Treasurer, any
Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.
The signature of the officers of the Company may be facsimiles. In case any
officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a
certificate shall have ceased to hold such office before such certificate is
issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he held such
office on the date of issue.

         14.4. Issuance and Payment. Subject to the provisions of the Act and
this Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 3.8, Membership Interests
may be issued for such consideration and to such persons as the Company may
determine from time to time.

         14.5. Restrictive Legend. In the absence of a more restrictive legend,
all certificates which evidence Membership Interests shall be stamped or typed
in a conspicuous place with the following legend:

               THE INTEREST REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO THE
               LIMITED LIABILITY AGREEMENT OF THE COMPANY DATED AS OF
               [__________ __], 1999, AS IT EXISTS FROM TIME TO TIME, WHICH
               RESTRICTS ANY SALE, ASSIGNMENT, TRANSFER, CONVEYANCE,
               ENCUMBRANCE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER OR ALIENATION (WITH OR
               WITHOUT CONSIDERATION) OF SUCH INTEREST. THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH
               TO THE RECORD HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE, WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON
               WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE COMPANY AT ITS PRINCIPAL PLACE OF
               BUSINESS, A COPY OF SUCH LIMITED LIABILITY AGREEMENT. THE
               SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR
               INVESTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
               OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. WITHOUT
               SUCH REGISTRATION, SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED,
               TRANSFERRED, CONVEYED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, OR OTHERWISE
               TRANSFERRED, EXCEPT UPON DELIVERY TO THE COMPANY OF AN OPINION OF
               COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT
               REQUIRED FOR SUCH TRANSFER.

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<PAGE>   63

         Such legend shall also be placed on all Certificates which are
hereafter issued to any Member.

         14.6. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Company may direct a
new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or
certificates theretofore issued by the Company alleged to have been lost, stolen
or destroyed upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming
the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such
issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Company may, in its discretion
and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such
lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal
representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or
to give the Company a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any
claim that may be made against the Company with respect to the certificate
alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

         14.7. Transfer of Membership Interest. Upon surrender to the Company or
its transfer agent, if any, of a certificate representing Membership Interests
duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or
authority to Transfer in accordance with this Agreement and of the payment of
all taxes applicable to the Transfer of said Membership Interest, the Company
shall be obligated to issue a new certificate to the Person entitled thereto,
cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books, provided,
however, that the Company shall not be so obligated unless such Transfer was
made in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and any applicable
state and federal Laws.

         14.8. Registered Holders. The Company shall be entitled to recognize
the exclusive right of a Person registered on its books as the owner of the
indicated Membership Interest and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable
or other claim to or interest in such Membership Interest on the part of any
Person other than such registered owner, whether or not it shall have express or
other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by Law.

                                   ARTICLE XV.

                     OTHER MEMBER AGREEMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS

         15.1. Lateral Opportunities.

               (a) Limitation on Lateral Opportunities. Except as otherwise
               provided in this Section 15.1(a), no constituent of the Tejas
               Pipeline Companies or Leviathan Gas Pipeline Companies will,
               directly or indirectly, enter into any agreement to construct or
               otherwise consummate transactions involving construction of any
               Lateral in which such constituent would own an interest (a
               "Lateral Opportunity") until such Lateral Opportunity has been
               rejected or otherwise forfeited by the Company. Any constituent
               of the Tejas Pipeline Companies or Leviathan Gas Pipeline
               Companies may enter into an agreement, which may be amended from
               time to time, with their respective Affiliates involving a
               Lateral Opportunity and, if applicable, the terms and conditions
               of such agreement or agreements will be offered to the Company
               pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 15.1(b).

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<PAGE>   64

               (b) Delivery of Lateral Opportunity Notice. Any Member may
               propose that the Company undertake a Lateral Opportunity by
               delivering written notice (a "Lateral Opportunity Notice") to the
               Company and each of the Members. (A) A Lateral Opportunity Notice
               involving the connection solely of third party production shall
               include the proposed terms and conditions of such transactions,
               which terms shall, at minimum, (x) reflect an arm's length
               transaction on reasonably fair terms, independent of any other
               transaction, and (y) be no less favorable to the Company than the
               Lateral Opportunity offered to such Member. The Lateral
               Opportunity Notice shall also contain reasonably sufficient
               operational and financial information and other details to allow
               the Members to make a reasonably informed decision with respect
               to such Lateral Opportunity. Such Lateral Opportunity Notice
               shall (i) state whether such Lateral Opportunity is, directly or
               indirectly, related in any way to any past, current, or
               contemplated transaction involving the Member delivering such
               notice (including its Affiliates), (ii) contain a statement, if
               true, that the Member is not aware of any undisclosed benefits
               expected to accrue to the Member or its Affiliates as a result of
               such Lateral Opportunity or, if the delivering Member is unable
               to make such statement, the notice shall disclose the existence,
               but not the details of such other benefits, and (iii) contain
               only financial projections prepared in good faith based upon
               assumptions relating to such Lateral Opportunity believed by the
               Member to be reasonable. (B) A Lateral Opportunity Notice
               involving the connection of any production of a Member or its
               Affiliates that must be offered to the Company under the terms of
               Section 15.1(a) shall include the proposed terms and conditions
               of such transactions, which terms shall be no less favorable to
               the Company than the Lateral Opportunity offered to such Member.
               The Lateral Opportunity Notice shall also contain reasonably
               sufficient operational and financial information and other
               details to allow the Members to make a reasonably informed
               decision with respect to such Lateral Opportunity.

               (c) Rejected Lateral Opportunities. If the Company does not vote
               to accept the Lateral Opportunity and deliver notice accordingly
               in writing within 30 days after the Company receives the Lateral
               Opportunity Notice that the Company should undertake such project
               on the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Lateral
               Opportunity Notice, then the Member (and/or its Affiliates) who
               provided and voted in favor of the Lateral Opportunity Notice
               shall have the right to pursue such project (a "Rejected Lateral
               Opportunity") on the terms and conditions set forth in the
               applicable Lateral Opportunity Notice and own any assets related
               thereto. In such event, the Member who provided the relevant
               Lateral Opportunity Notice (and/or its Affiliates) shall be free
               for a period of 120 days to enter into definitive agreements, if
               any, or otherwise consummate the transactions contemplated by the
               applicable Lateral Opportunity Notice on the same terms and
               conditions set forth in the applicable Lateral Opportunity Notice
               without further obligation to any Members or the Company;
               provided that following such 120 day period, such Member or its
               Affiliates may not enter into definitive agreements, if any, or
               otherwise consummate the transactions with respect to a Rejected
               Lateral Opportunity without again offering the same to the
               Company in accordance with this Article. No Member shall have any
               obligation

                                       59
<PAGE>   65

               or duty to the Company or the other Members with respect to any
               Rejected Lateral Opportunity to the extent it is covered by
               definitive agreements entered into, or otherwise consummated, by
               such Member or its Affiliates after compliance with this Section
               15.1 or with respect to any modification, renewal or extension of
               the terms of such definitive agreements with respect to any such
               Rejected Lateral Opportunity. Except as set forth in this Section
               15.1, the construction, acquisition, operation, maintenance and
               ownership of each such Rejected Lateral Opportunity project shall
               not be governed or affected by this Agreement.

         15.2. Expansion Option.

               (a) Any Member (the "Exercising Member") shall have the right to
               require the Company to construct, own and operate a particular
               Expansion Project (the "Expansion Option") if (i) (x) the
               Exercising Member or an Affiliate of the Exercising Member has
               delivered to the other Member (the "Responding Member") written
               notice (the "Capacity Request") requesting firm capacity on the
               Brutus Gathering Facilities to gather or transport gas (including
               gas which is not owned by the Exercising Member or its Affiliate)
               from one or more Dedicated Leases or from leases that the
               Exercising Member or an Affiliate desires to dedicate under the
               Gathering Agreement or (y) a third party requests (a "Third Party
               Capacity Request") either additional firm capacity under an
               existing gathering agreement and/or firm capacity under a newly
               proposed gathering agreement (the properties in (x) and (y) above
               to be hereinafter referred to as "Expansion Property") to the
               extent that the expected volume (including increases in volume
               from existing properties dedicated pursuant to the Gathering
               Agreement or any other gathering agreement of which some or all
               of the volumes could be Accelerated Volumes of production from
               the Expansion Property ("Expansion Property Production"), at the
               time of such notice, is not being delivered into the Brutus
               Gathering Facilities, (ii) the Members determine in good faith
               that the Accessible Capacity is not sufficient practically to
               handle substantially all of the Expansion Property Production,
               (iii) the Members determine in good faith that the relevant
               Expansion Project is necessary to increase the Base Capacity to a
               level adequate to allow the Brutus Gathering Facilities to handle
               the Expansion Property Production, (iv) within 60 days from the
               latest date on which the Responding Member has the right to
               respond to the Capacity Request or the Third Party Capacity
               Request, whichever is applicable (the "Expansion Option Period"),
               the Members have held a meeting and the Responding Member has
               voted against the relevant Expansion Project, (v) the Exercising
               Member voted in favor of the relevant Expansion Project at such
               meeting, and (vi) the Expansion Option is exercised in accordance
               with the requirements of Section 15.2(b) below.

               (b) Exercise. The Exercising Member shall exercise the Expansion
               Option by delivering, at any time after such Expansion Project
               has been rejected by the Responding Member but before the end of
               the Expansion Option Period, written notice of such exercise (the
               "Expansion Option Notice") to the Company and each

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               Responding Member. Whenever an Exercising Member delivers an
               Expansion Option Notice, every other Member which voted in favor
               of the relevant Expansion Project at the last meeting during
               which such project was voted on (together with the Exercising
               Member, the "Expansion Participants") shall have the right to
               participate, proportionately based on the relationship of its
               Membership Interest to the Membership Interests of all of the
               Expansion Participants, in such project on the same basis as the
               Exercising Member, including the right to receive the Payout
               Amount out of 80% of the Expanded Capacity Revenues and the
               obligation to fund such project. Any Member which desires to
               exercise its right to participate in such project must deliver to
               the other Members a notice substantially similar to that
               delivered by the original Exercising Member in accordance with
               the terms of this subsection, within 30 days after it receives
               the Expansion Option Notice. Each Expansion Participant shall
               provide to the other Expansion Participants and the Company an
               irrevocable commitment timely to fund the relevant Expansion
               Project and, if appropriate, assurances reasonably satisfactory
               to the Company and the other Expansion Participants that the
               relevant Expansion Participant has the ability to fund such
               Expansion Project; provided, however, that no such additional
               assurances will be required of Tejas Holding or Leviathan Holding
               as long as their respective funding obligations are subject to a
               parent-company guaranty. If any Expansion Participant pays any
               amount to the Company in excess of the amount needed to fund the
               Expansion Project, the Company shall immediately return such
               excess amount to the Expansion Participant.

               (c) Repayment. Until the Expansion Participants have (i) received
               payment with respect to 100% of the Expanded Capacity Revenues in
               an amount equal to the Payout Amount or (ii) the Company, by a
               unanimous vote of all Members (notwithstanding any provision to
               the contrary herein) other than the Expansion Participants, has
               otherwise paid the unamortized portion of the Payout Amount to
               the Expansion Participants as described below, the Expansion
               Participants shall be paid monthly amounts equal to 80% of the
               Expanded Capacity Revenues. Such amounts shall be allocated among
               the Expansion Participants in the proportions that the Membership
               Interest of each such Expansion Participant bears to the
               Membership Interests of all such Expansion Participants. The
               remaining 20% of the Expanded Capacity Revenues shall be retained
               by the Company and allocated to all of the Members in accordance
               with Sections 5.1 and 5.2. After recovery of the Payout Amount or
               payment by the Company of the unamortized portion of the Payout
               Amount to the Expansion Participants as described below, all of
               the Expansion Capacity Revenues shall be retained by the Company
               and allocated to all of the Members based on their respective
               Membership Interests. If, at any time, the Company, by a
               unanimous vote of all Members other than the Expansion
               Participants, elects to prepay the unamortized amount of the
               Payout Amount, the Company shall promptly pay an amount equal to
               the then-remaining unpaid principal amount of the Payout Amount
               to the Expansion Participants, which remaining unpaid principal
               amount shall be calculated by treating as principal payments
               10/15 of all amounts received by the Expansion Participants prior
               to such time in satisfaction of the Payout Amount.

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               (d) Capacity. Prior to proceeding with any Expansion Project in
               accordance with this Section, all of the Members shall cooperate
               to establish (i) the Accessible Capacity, using the lesser of (x)
               the maximum approved operating pressure, (y) the then existing
               contractual operating pressure or (z) the maximum physical
               pressure at which the line can operate, in each case determined
               at the inlet of each relevant point of receipt and the pressure
               (averaged over the last three months) at the relevant points of
               delivery and (ii) an expansion design to handle the Expansion
               Property Production. If the Members cannot agree on any such
               matter, the Company shall engage an independent consultant (of
               national prominence with experience in the relevant geographical
               area) to resolve each such matter.

               (e) Treatment as Loan. Any amount paid by one or more Members
               pursuant to Section 15.2 shall be considered to be a limited
               recourse, partially secured loan from the advancing Members to
               the Company, with such loan payable only from, and secured only
               by a security interest granted by the Company in, 80% of the
               Expanded Capacity Revenues until such loan is paid in full.
               Except for such security interest in 80% of the Expanded Capacity
               Revenues, such loan shall be without recourse against the
               Company. The Company shall have no obligation to repay such loan
               other than to the extent that 80% of the Expanded Capacity
               Revenues are available.

                                  ARTICLE XVI.

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

         16.1. Offset. Whenever the Company is to pay any sum under this
Agreement to any Member, any amounts that a Member owes the Company may be
deducted from that sum before payment.

         16.2. Entire Agreement; Supersedure. This Agreement constitutes the
entire agreement and supersedes (a) all prior oral or written proposals or
agreements (b) all contemporaneous oral proposals or agreements and (c) all
previous negotiations and all other communications or understandings between the
Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof including, without limitation,
the Confidentiality Agreement dated July 15, 1998, between the Members, et al.

         16.3. Waivers. Neither action taken (including, without limitation, any
investigation by or on behalf of any Party) nor inaction pursuant to this
Agreement, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of compliance with any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein by the Party
not committing such action or inaction. A waiver by any Party of a particular
right, including, without limitation, breach of any provision of this Agreement,
shall not operate or be construed as a subsequent waiver of that same right or a
waiver of any other right.

         16.4. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the Members and their respective heirs, legal representatives,
successors and assigns.

         16.5. Member Deadlocks; Negotiations and Mediation.

                                       62
<PAGE>   68

               (a) Member Deadlocks. Except for any matter or proposal covered
               by the immediately succeeding sentence, Member approval or
               disapproval of any matter shall not be subject to the provisions
               of this Section 16.5. If any matter or proposal covered by
               Sections 6.3(b)(i)-(iv) or relating to an operating budget
               described in Section 6.3(b)(v), requiring the vote of less than
               all of the Membership Interest for approval thereof is brought
               before the Members and receives neither (x) at least the Required
               Interest voting for such matter or proposal nor (y) at least the
               Required Interest voting against (not including abstentions or
               other non-votes) such matter or proposal, then any Member, by
               written notice to the other Members given within three Business
               Days after the initial vote on such matter or proposal, may call
               a meeting of the Members to reconsider such matter or proposal,
               such meeting to be held when, where and as reasonably specified
               in said notice, but not less than three Business Days nor more
               than seven Business Days after the date of such vote. If such
               meeting is called and held as herein provided and the matter or
               proposal is offered at such meeting again and (x) does not
               receive at least the Required Interest voting for such matter or
               proposal or (y) does not receive at least the Required Interest
               voting against (not including abstentions or other non-votes)
               such matter or proposal, then any Member may within three
               Business Days thereafter submit the matter to further
               negotiation, and, if applicable, non-binding mediation, in
               accordance with this Section 16.5. If no Member calls such a
               meeting within the first three Business Day period herein
               provided for or if further negotiation is not requested within
               the three Business Day period after the second meeting, no Member
               shall thereafter have any right to request further negotiation or
               non-binding mediation regarding such matter or proposal.

               (b) Further Negotiation. Any Member wishing to submit a matter or
               proposal to further negotiation as permitted above or pursuant to
               Section 16.8 shall do so by giving written notice of further
               negotiation to the other Members containing a brief description
               of the nature of the dispute to be further negotiated and the
               position of the Member initiating further negotiation. Upon
               receipt of such notice, each Member shall appoint a
               representative for such further negotiations, which
               representative shall hold a position with the Person owning such
               Member of equal or superior status to the prior representative of
               such Member with respect to the proposal in question. The
               respective representatives shall meet at the principal office of
               the Company at 10:00 a.m. local time on the third Business Day
               after the date of receiving the notice of further negotiations.

               (c) Non-Binding Mediation. If within ten Business Days following
               initial receipt by the Members of the notice of further
               negotiations neither (x) at least the Required Interest votes for
               such matter or proposal nor (y) at least the Required Interest
               votes against (not including abstentions or other non-votes) such
               matter or proposal, then any Member may subject the matter or
               proposal to non-binding mediation by giving written notice of
               mediation to the other Members within five Business Days
               thereafter. The notice of mediation shall state the identity of
               the single mediator selected by the Member initiating mediation
               and contain a detailed statement of the nature of the dispute to
               be mediated and the remedy or

                                       63
<PAGE>   69

               resolution sought by the Member initiating mediation. Neither the
               Members nor the mediator will have the right to conduct any
               further discovery relating to such mediation. The Member or
               Members initiating mediation shall pay the fees of the mediator;
               provided, however, that if the vote of the Members changes as a
               result of such mediation, then the Company shall pay all such
               fees and each of the Members' costs related to such mediation.
               Unless otherwise agreed by all of the Members, the mediation
               proceedings shall be held in Houston, Texas at such location
               selected by the mediator and shall begin as soon as practicable,
               but not less than five Business Days following the mailing of the
               initiating Member's notice of mediation. If within five Business
               Days following initiation of mediation proceedings neither (x) at
               least the Required Interest votes for such matter or proposal nor
               (y) at least the Required Interest votes against (not including
               abstentions or other non-votes) such matter or proposal, then
               such mediation shall terminate and such matter or proposal will
               no longer be subject to further negotiation or mediation. Except
               with respect to the matters expressly specified in Section
               16.5(a) and Section 16.8, no Member shall have the right to
               demand mediation with respect to any dispute, difference or
               question arising between any of the Members themselves or any
               Member and the Company.

         16.6. Governing Law; Severability.

               (a) THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN EXECUTED AND DELIVERED AND SHALL BE
               CONSTRUED, INTERPRETED AND GOVERNED PURSUANT TO AND IN ACCORDANCE
               WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY
               CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES WHICH, IF APPLIED, MIGHT PERMIT OR
               REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

               (b) In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of
               this Agreement and any mandatory provision of the Act or
               applicable Laws, the applicable provision of the Act or other
               applicable Laws, as the case may be, shall control. If any
               provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any
               Person or circumstance, is held invalid or unenforceable to any
               extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of
               that provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be
               affected thereby and that provision shall be enforced to the
               greatest extent permitted by the Act or other applicable Laws, as
               the case may be.

         16.7. Further Assurances. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement, each of the Parties agrees to use all reasonable efforts to
take, or to cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or to cause to be done,
all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws and regulations
to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. In case, at any time after the execution of this Agreement, any
further action is necessary or desirable to carry out its purposes, the proper
officers or directors of the Parties shall take or cause to be taken all such
necessary action.

         16.8. Exercise of Certain Rights. No Member may maintain any action for
partition of the property of the Company. No Member may maintain any action for
dissolution and

                                       64
<PAGE>   70

liquidation of the Company unless such Member has submitted the dispute giving
rise to such possible action to further negotiation and non-binding mediation,
which further negotiation and mediation shall be conducted in accordance with
the time periods and procedures set forth in Section 16.5(b) and (c), to the
extent applicable. If such dispute is still unresolved after the conclusion of
such further negotiation and non-binding mediation, such Member shall offer to
sell its Membership Interest (free and clear of all liens and encumbrances) to
the other Members for an amount of cash equal to the fair market value of the
selling Member's Membership Interest, determined by multiplying such selling
Member's Membership Interest by the fair market value of the Company, as a
whole, without regard to any discounts or premiums related to minority interest,
controlling interest, liquidity or related matters. If such Members do not agree
on the fair market value thereof, such value shall be determined by an
arbitrator in accordance with the arbitration procedures set forth in Section
3.5(d). If the non-selling Members do not exercise the option to purchase such
Membership Interest within 60 days after the fair market value is determined,
then the selling Member shall have the right for a period of 30 days after such
60-day period to initiate an action for such dissolution and liquidation
pursuant to section 18-802 of the Act or any similar applicable statutory or
common law dissolution right. If no Member has brought such action for
dissolution within such 30 day period, then any Member may maintain an action
for dissolution and liquidation only after again following the procedures set
forth in this Section 16.8. Upon the institution of, and during the pendency of,
any such dissolution proceeding, the Members agree to use commercially
reasonable efforts to employ procedures and experts to ensure that such
dissolution process will result in the Company and/or its assets being disposed
of at fair market value; provided that such cooperative efforts shall not
constitute a waiver or limitation of any such Member's right to contest such
dissolution. Such procedures shall include soliciting likely potential
purchasers, establishing a data room and other information sharing procedures
and, if appropriate, engaging an investment banker, consultant or other expert
to facilitate and enhance the marketing efforts. The terms and conditions of
this Section 16.8 are intended to preserve any right to dissolution created by
statute or common law (such as by section 18-802 of the Act), but do not create
any contractual right to dissolution.

         16.9. Notice to Members of Provisions of this Agreement. By executing
this Agreement, each Member acknowledges that it has actual notice of all of the
provisions of this Agreement. Each Member hereby agrees that this Agreement
constitutes adequate notice of all such provisions.

         16.10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which, when executed, shall be deemed an original, and all
of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

         16.11. Attendance via Communications Equipment. Unless otherwise
restricted by law or this Agreement, the Members or committees may hold meetings
by means of telephone conference or other communications equipment by means of
which all Persons participating in the meeting can effectively communicate with
each other. Such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person
at the meeting, except where a Person participates in the meeting for the
express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground
that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

                                       65
<PAGE>   71

         16.12. Reports to Members. The officers of the Company shall present at
each annual meeting of Members, and at any special meeting of Members, a
statement of the business and condition of the Company.

         16.13. Checks, Notes and Contracts. Checks and other orders for the
payment of money shall be signed by such Person or Persons as the Company shall
from time to time by resolution determine. Contracts and other instruments or
documents may be signed in the name of the Company by any Person or Persons as
the Company shall from time to time by resolution determine, authorized to sign
such contract, instrument or document by the Company, and such authority may be
general or confined to specific instances. Checks and other orders for the
payment of money made payable to the Company may be endorsed for deposit to the
credit of the Company, with a depositary authorized by resolution of the
Company, by the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer or such other Persons as
the Company may from time to time by resolution determine.

         16.14. Seal. The seal of the Company shall be in such form as shall
from time to time be adopted by the Company. The seal may be used by causing it
or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced.

         16.15. Books and Records. The officers of the Company shall keep
correct and complete books and records of account, including the names and
addresses of all Members and the number and class of the interest held by each,
and minutes of the proceedings of the Members at its registered office or
principal place of business, or at the office of its transfer agent or
registrar.

         16.16. Surety Bonds. Such officers and agents of the Company (if any)
as the Company may direct, from time to time, shall be bonded for the faithful
performance of their duties and for the restoration to the Company, in case of
their death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office,
of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in
their possession or under their control belonging to the Company, in such
amounts and by such surety companies as the Company may determine. The premiums
on such bonds shall be paid by the Company and the bonds so furnished shall be
in the custody of the Secretary.

         16.17. Audit Rights of Members.

               (a) Each Member shall have the right to inspect and audit the
               books and records of the Company to the extent necessary to
               determine the accuracy of the financial statements delivered to
               the Members pursuant to Section 10.2 of this Agreement. Such
               audits shall be conducted at the cost of the Member(s) requesting
               same. The audit rights with respect to any calendar year or any
               portion of such year shall terminate on and as of the last day of
               the second calendar year immediately following the year in
               question. A Member may exercise its audit rights hereunder by
               giving at least 30 days written notice to the Company of the
               desire to perform such audit, which notice shall include the
               estimated timing and other particulars related to such audit. The
               audit shall be conducted during normal business hours of the
               Company. The audit shall not unreasonably interfere with the
               operation of the Company. If any financial statement is not
               challenged within 3 years, then it shall be presumed to be
               accurate.

                                       66
<PAGE>   72

               (b) Any Member shall have the right to cause the Company or a
               Subsidiary of the Company to exercise its inspection and audit
               rights, if any, under any Construction Agreement or Operating
               Agreement. The costs related thereto shall be paid by the
               Member(s) requesting same.

         16.18. No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except to the extent a third party
is expressly given rights herein, any agreement herein contained, expressed or
implied, shall be only for the benefit of the Parties and their respective legal
representatives, successors, and assigns, and such agreements shall not inure to
the benefit of any other Person whomsoever, it being the intention of the
parties hereto that no Person shall be deemed a third party beneficiary of this
Agreement except to the extent a third party is expressly given rights herein.

         16.19. Notices. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
Agreement to the contrary (including in the definition of the term Default), any
notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in
writing (including telex, facsimile, telecopier or similar writing) and sent to
the address of the Party set forth below, or to such other more recent address
of which the sending Party actually has received written notice:

               (a) if to the Company, to:

               (b) if to the Members, to each of the Members listed on Exhibit A
               at the address set forth therein.

Each such notice, demand or other communication shall be effective, if given by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, as of the third day
after the date indicated on the mailing certificate, or if given by any other
means, when delivered at the address specified in this Section 16.19.

         16.20. Remedies. Except as expressly provided herein, the rights,
obligations and remedies created by this Agreement are cumulative and in
addition to any other rights, obligations or remedies otherwise available at law
or in equity. Other than the obligation to arbitrate pursuant to Section 16.21,
in lieu of seeking judicial remedies, nothing herein shall be considered an
election of remedies. In addition, any successful Party is entitled to costs
related to enforcing this Agreement, including, without limitation, attorneys'
fees, and arbitration expenses. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY, THE
PARTIES WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS, CLAIMS OR CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT FOR INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES. A PARTY
MAY RECOVER FROM THE OTHER PARTY ALL COSTS, EXPENSES OR DAMAGES INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY,
PUNITIVE AND DAMAGES PAID OR OWED TO ANY THIRD PARTY FOR WHICH SUCH PARTY HAS A
RIGHT TO RECOVER FROM THE OTHER PARTY.

         16.21. Disputes.

               (a) Applicability. Any controversy or claim, whether based on
               contract, tort, statute or other legal or equitable theory
               (including but not limited to any claim of

                                       67
<PAGE>   73

               fraud, misrepresentation or fraudulent inducement or any question
               of validity or effect of this Agreement including this clause)
               arising out of or related to this Agreement (including any
               amendments or extensions), or the breach or termination thereof
               shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the then
               current CPR Institute Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration of
               Business Disputes, and this provision. The arbitration shall be
               governed by the United States Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Sections
               1-16 to the exclusion of any provision of Law inconsistent
               therewith or which would produce a different result, and judgment
               upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any
               court having jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
               Section 16.21 shall not apply to (x) any matters that, pursuant
               to the provisions of this Agreement, are to be resolved by a vote
               of the Members or (y) any of the rights of non-defaulting Members
               set forth in Section 4.3. Any dispute to which this Section 16.21
               applies is referred to herein as a "Dispute." With respect to a
               particular Dispute, each Person that is a party to such Dispute
               is referred to herein as a "Disputing Party." The provisions of
               this Section 16.21 shall be the exclusive method of resolving
               Disputes.

               (b) Negotiation to Resolve Disputes. If a Dispute arises, the
               Disputing Parties shall attempt to resolve such Dispute through
               the following procedure:

                    (i)   first, each of the Disputing Parties shall promptly
                          meet (whether by phone or in person) in a good faith
                          attempt to resolve the Dispute.

                    (ii)  second, if the Dispute is still unresolved after ten
                          Business Days following the commencement of the
                          negotiations described in Section 16.21(b)(i), then
                          the chief executive officer (or his designee) of the
                          direct parent of each Disputing Party shall meet
                          (whether by phone or in person) in a good faith
                          attempt to resolve the Dispute; and

                    (iii) third, if the Dispute is still unresolved after ten
                          Business Days following the commencement of the
                          negotiations described in Section 16.21(b)(ii), then
                          any Disputing Party may submit such Dispute to binding
                          arbitration under this Section 16.21 by written notice
                          to the other Disputing Parties (an "Arbitration
                          Notice") delivered within thirty Business Days
                          thereafter.

                    (iv)  At the same time that the Disputing Member sends an
                          Arbitration Notice to the other Disputing Members, it
                          shall also send an Arbitration Notice to the regional
                          office of the CPR Institute covering Houston, Texas.
                          The Arbitration Notice shall contain a brief
                          description of the nature of the dispute and the name
                          of an Arbitrator proposed by the Disputing Member.

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<PAGE>   74

               (c) Selection of Arbitrator.

                    (i)  Any arbitration conducted under this Section 16.21
                         shall be heard by a sole arbitrator (the "Arbitrator")
                         qualified by his or her education, experience and
                         training to resolve the disputed matters and shall be
                         selected in accordance with this Section 16.21. Each
                         Disputing Party and each proposed Arbitrator shall
                         disclose to the other Disputing Parties any business,
                         personal or other relationship or affiliation that may
                         exist between such Disputing Party and such proposed
                         Arbitrator within ten Business Days following delivery
                         of the Arbitration Notice.

                    (ii) The Disputing Party that submits a Dispute to
                         arbitration shall designate a proposed Arbitrator in
                         its Arbitration Notice. If any other Disputing Party
                         objects for any reason to such proposed Arbitrator, it
                         may, on or before the tenth Business Day following
                         delivery of the Arbitration Notice, notify all of the
                         other Disputing Parties of such objection. All of the
                         Disputing Parties shall attempt to agree upon a
                         mutually acceptable Arbitrator. If they are unable to
                         do so within seven Business Days following delivery of
                         the notice described in the immediately-preceding
                         sentence, any Disputing Party may request the regional
                         office of the CPR Institute covering Houston, Texas to
                         designate the Arbitrator who shall be qualified by his
                         or her education, experience and training to resolve
                         the disputed matters. Failing designation by the
                         regional office of the CPR Institute covering Houston,
                         Texas, any Disputing Party may in writing request the
                         judge of the United States District Court for the
                         Southern District of Texas senior in term of service to
                         appoint an Arbitrator qualified by his or her
                         education, experience and training to resolve the
                         disputed matters. If the Arbitrator so chosen shall
                         die, resign or otherwise fail or becomes unable to
                         serve as Arbitrator, a replacement Arbitrator shall be
                         chosen in accordance with this Section 16.21(c).

               (d) Conduct of Arbitration.

                    (i)  Any arbitration hearing shall be held in Houston,
                         Texas. The Arbitrator shall fix a reasonable time and
                         place for the hearing and shall determine the matters
                         submitted to it pursuant to the provisions of this
                         Agreement in a timely manner; provided, however, if the
                         Arbitrator shall fail to hold the hearing to determine
                         the issue in dispute within sixty (60) days after the
                         selection of the Arbitrator, then any Disputing Member
                         shall have the right to require a new Arbitrator be
                         selected under Section 16.21(c).

                    (ii) Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this
                         Agreement, the Arbitrator shall have the power (i) to
                         gather such materials, information, testimony and
                         evidence as it deems relevant to the

                                       69
<PAGE>   75

                         dispute before it (and each member will provide such
                         materials, information, testimony and evidence
                         requested by the Arbitrator, except to the extent any
                         information so requested is, subject to an
                         attorney-client or other privilege); (ii) to grant
                         injunctive relief and enforce specific performance; and
                         (iii) to issue or cause to be issued subpoenas
                         (including subpoenas directed to third-parties) for the
                         attendance of witnesses and for the production of
                         books, records, documents and other evidence. Subpoenas
                         so issued shall be served, and upon application to the
                         Court by a party or the Arbitrator, enforced, in the
                         manner provided by law for the service and enforcement
                         of subpoenas in a civil action; and (iv) to administer
                         oaths.

                   (iii) In advance of the arbitration hearing, the Disputing
                         Members may conduct discovery in accordance with the
                         Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Such discovery may
                         include, but is not limited to, 1) the taking of oral
                         and videotaped depositions and depositions on written
                         questions; 2) serving interrogatories, document
                         requests and requests for admission; and 3) any other
                         form and/or method of discovery provided for under the
                         Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. The Arbitrator shall
                         order the parties to promptly exchange copies of all
                         exhibits and witness lists, and, if requested by a
                         party, to produce other relevant documents, to answer
                         up to ten interrogatories (including subparts), to
                         respond to up to ten requests for admissions (which
                         shall be deemed admitted if not denied) and to produce
                         for deposition and, if requested, at the hearing all
                         witnesses that such party has listed and up to four
                         other persons within such party's control. Any
                         additional discovery shall only occur by agreement of
                         the parties or as ordered by the Arbitrator upon a
                         finding of good cause. Any objections and/or responses
                         to such discovery shall be due on or before fifteen
                         (15) days after service. The Disputing Members shall
                         attempt in good faith to resolve any discovery disputes
                         that may arise. If the Disputing Members are unable to
                         resolve any such disputes, the Disputing Members may
                         present their objections to the Arbitrator who shall
                         resolve the objections in accordance with the Texas
                         Rules of Civil Procedure. The Arbitrator may, if
                         requested by a party, order that a trade secret or
                         other confidential research, development or commercial
                         information not be revealed or be revealed only in a
                         designated way.

                    (iv) The Disputing Members may also retain, with the consent
                         of the arbitrator, one or more experts to assist the
                         Arbitrator in resolving the Dispute. The Disputing
                         Members shall identify and produce a report from any
                         experts who will give testimony and/or evidence at the
                         arbitration hearing. Any testifying experts identified
                         shall be made

                                       70
<PAGE>   76

                         available for deposition in advance of any arbitration
                         hearing.

                    (v)  The Arbitrator shall render its decision in writing
                         within fifteen (15) days of the conclusion of the
                         hearing. The arbitrator shall have jurisdiction and
                         authority to interpret and apply the provisions of this
                         Agreement only insofar as shall be necessary in the
                         determination of the dispute before it, but it shall
                         not have jurisdiction or authority to add to or alter
                         in any way the provisions of this Agreement. The
                         Arbitrator's decision shall govern and shall be final,
                         nonappealable (except to the extent provided in the
                         Federal Arbitration Act) and binding on the Disputing
                         Members hereto and its written decision may be entered
                         in any court having appropriate jurisdiction. Pending
                         resolution of any dispute hereunder, performance by
                         Disputing Members shall continue so as to maintain the
                         status quo prior to notice of such dispute and service
                         of notice of arbitration by any Disputing Member shall
                         not divest a court of competent jurisdiction of the
                         right and power to grant a decree compelling specific
                         performance or injunctive relief in an action brought
                         by the Disputing Members. THE ARBITRATOR AND ANY COURT
                         ENFORCING THE AWARD OF THE ARBITRATOR SHALL NOT HAVE
                         THE RIGHT OR AUTHORITY TO AWARD CONSEQUENTIAL,
                         INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY
                         DAMAGES TO THE COMPANY OR ANY DISPUTING MEMBERS.
                         PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE ARBITRATOR MAY AWARD ALL
                         COSTS, EXPENSES OR DAMAGES INCLUDING, WITHOUT
                         LIMITATION, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL,
                         INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE AND OTHER DAMAGES PAID
                         OR OWED TO ANY THIRD PARTY FOR WHICH A PARTY HAS A
                         RIGHT TO RECOVER FROM THE OTHER PARTY.

                    (vi) The responsibility for paying the costs and expenses of
                         the arbitration, including compensation to the
                         Arbitrator, shall be allocated among the Disputing
                         Members in a manner determined by the Arbitrator to be
                         fair and reasonable under the circumstances. Each
                         Disputing Member shall be responsible for the fees and
                         expenses of its respective counsel, consultants and
                         witnesses, unless the Arbitrator determines that
                         compelling reasons exist for allocating all or a
                         portion of such costs and expenses to one or more other
                         Disputing Members.

         16.22. Member Trademarks. Neither the Company nor any Member shall be
permitted to use any trademark owned by any other Member or its Affiliates ,
including, without limitation, the Shell "Pecten" trademark, without the express
written consent of such Member or its Affiliates or as otherwise required by
Law.

                                       71
<PAGE>   77

         16.23. Holding-Out. Except as required by Law, the Company shall not
publicly indicate that it is affiliated with Shell Oil Company or any of its
Affiliates , without the express written consent of Tejas Holding or an
Affiliate thereof.

              [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       72
<PAGE>   78

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Members have executed this Agreement as of the
date first set forth in this Agreement.

                                    MEMBERS:

                                    MORAY PIPELINE COMPANY, L.L.C.

                                    By: /s/ JAMES H. LYTAL
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Printed Name: James H. Lytal
                                                  ------------------------------
                                    Title: President
                                           -------------------------------------

                                    TEJAS OFFSHORE PIPELINE, LLC

                                    By: /s/ V. W. DEMARIA
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Printed Name: V. W. DeMaria
                                                  ------------------------------
                                    Title: Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------

EXHIBITS:

Exhibit A:        Ownership Information

Exhibit B:        Description of Initial Facilities

Exhibit C:        Insurance

Exhibit D:        Sample Calculation of IRR

                                       73
<PAGE>   79

                                    EXHIBIT A

                              Ownership Information

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------------
            NAME AND INITIAL CAPITAL          INITIAL CAPITAL    MEMBERSHIP INTEREST
           CONTRIBUTION OF EACH MEMBER         CONTRIBUTIONS
-------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------------
<S>                                          <C>                <C>
1)   Leviathan Holding:                             (1)                33.92%
     Moray Pipeline Company, L.L.C.
     Attention:  Grant E. Sims
     1001 Louisiana
     Houston, Texas  77002
     Telephone: 713/420-2131
     Facsimile:   713/420-5602

-------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------------
2)   Tejas Holding (3)                              (2)                66.08%
     Tejas Offshore Pipeline, LLC
     Attention: Mr. Doug Krenz, President
     1221 Lamar, Suite 600
     Houston, Texas 77010
     Telephone:  713/230-3000
     Facsimile:   713/230-3140

-------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------------
</TABLE>

(1) Leviathan Holding shall make or cause to be made Initial Capital
Contributions equal to:

     (a)  Contributions of [_______________ ] due by [______________ ], 1999
          which is equal to the amount of cash paid by Leviathan Holding on
          behalf of the Company for certain costs and expenses related to the
          formation of the Company and incurred by Leviathan Holding prior to
          the date hereof.
     (b)  Contributions of cash pursuant to Section 4.1(b) of this Agreement, in
          the amount of [_________________] due by [__________________], 1999.

(2) Tejas Holding shall make or cause to be made Initial Capital Contributions
equal to:

     (a)  Contributions of [________________] due by [___________________], 1999
          which is equal to the amount of cash paid by Tejas Holding on behalf
          of the Company for certain costs and expenses related to the formation
          of the Company and incurred by Tejas Holding prior to the date hereof.
          [UNDER CONSIDERATION BY TEJAS]

     (b)  Contributions of cash pursuant to Section 4.1(b) of this Agreement, in
          the amount of [_________________] due by [__________________], 1999.
          [UNDER CONSIDERATION BY TEJAS]

(3) Initial Tax Matters Member.

                                      A-1
<PAGE>   80

                                    EXHIBIT B

                               Initial Facilities

1.   18-inch pipeline approximately 23.4 miles in length running from Green
     Canyon Block 158 to Ship Shoal Block 332 platform.

2.   A meter station and pig launcher and associated communications equipment
     located on the Brutus Tension-Leg Platform in Green Canyon Block 158.

3.   A pig receiver and related control valves and piping located on the Manta
     Ray Gathering Co., L.L.C. owned platform in Ship Shoal Block 332.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>   81

                                    EXHIBIT C

                                    INSURANCE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Per Occurrence    Per Occurrence
                              Coverage                  imit of Liability1     Deductible

<S>                                                      <C>                <C>
I.   Each Member shall carry its proportionate share of the insurance in I.A.
     through C, in amounts equal to its Membership Interest, for its own benefit
     and the benefit of the Company. All deductible amounts shall be paid by the
     Company:

     A.  Physical Damage:                                                   $1,000,000
         1.    a.  Pipelines                             $   20,000,000
               b.  Junction Platform
                   (S.S. 207)                            $   15,000,000
         2.    Line Pack                                 $      500,000
         3.    Equipment                                 $   10,000,000
         4.    Cargo                                     $    1,000,000
     B.  Primary and Excess Liability including          $  200,000,000     $1,000,000
         Pollution liability
     C.  Non-Owned Aircraft Liability                    $   10,000,000       None
II.  To be carried by the Company, if applicable:
     A.  Workers' Compensation                           Per statute          $250,000
         Employers Liability/Maritime E.L.               $    1,000,000       $250,000
     B.  Automobile Liability                            $    1,000,000     $1,000,000
     C.  Builder's Risk2
         1.    Brutus Gathering Facilities               Project Value        $250,000

III. If the Company owns or bareboat charters watercraft these coverages will be
     carried by the Company:

     A.  Hull/Machinery, Including Collision Liability   $   10,000,000      $250,000
     B.  Protection & Indemnity, including crew          $    1,000,000      $250,000
            coverage and Excess Collision Liability
</TABLE>

             [REVISED COVERAGE AMOUNTS STILL UNDER REVIEW BY TEJAS]

------------------------------------
1    Each Member shall have the right to self-insure for an amount equal to the
     retention under their respective corporate insurance program, subject to a
     limit of $20,000,000.

2    Builders Risk insurance or self-insurance may be provided by the Company in
     the form as reflected in the attached Builders Risk Specimen Policy.

                                      C-1
<PAGE>   82

                                    EXHIBIT D

                            Sample Calculation of IRR

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        1998         1999        2000         2001         2002         2003         2004
                                      --------     --------    --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
<S>                                   <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Assumptions (in thousands)
CAPITAL INVESTMENT                       1,000        8,344      28,956
VOLUME/RATES
Number of days                                                                   365          365          365          365

Shell Deepwater-MMCF per day                                                     160          160          160          160
Shell Deepwater-Rate per MMCF                                               $   0.19     $   0.19     $   0.19     $   0.19
                                                                            --------     --------     --------     --------
Shell Deepwater-Revenue-$M                                                  $ 11,096     $ 11,096     $ 11,096     $ 11,096
                                                                            --------     --------     --------     --------

Third parties - MMCF per day                                                       0            0            0            0
Third parties - Rater per MMCF                                              $   0.00     $   0.00     $   0.00     $   0.00
                                                                            --------     --------     --------     --------
Shell Deepwater - Revenue - $M                                              $      0     $      0     $      0     $      0
                                                                            --------     --------     --------     --------

OPERATING COSTS                                                             $    913     $    940     $    968     $    997
OVERHEAD COSTS                                                              $    120     $    124     $    127     $    131

TAX DEPRECIATION                                                            $ 38,300     $ 38,300     $ 38,300     $ 38,300
Investment                                                                     14.29%       24.49%       17.49%       12.49%
                                                                            --------     --------     --------     --------
7-year tax rates using MACRS                                                   5,473     $  9,380     $  6,699     $  4,784
                                                                            --------     --------     --------     --------

INCOME TAXES
Gross revenue                                                               $ 11,096     $ 11,096     $ 11,096     $ 11,096
Operating expenses                                                            (1,033)      (1,064)      (1,095)      (1,128)
Depreciation                                                                  (5,473)      (9,380)      (6,699)      (4,784)
                                                                            --------     --------     --------     --------
                                                                               4,590          652        3,302        5,184
Income tax rate                                                                   35%          35%          35%          35%
                                                                            --------     --------     --------     --------
Income taxes                                                                $  1,606     $    228     $  1,156     $  1,815

CALCULATION OF IRR DATE
Gross revenue                         $      0     $      0    $      0     $ 11,096     $ 11,096     $ 11,096     $ 11,096
Operating expenses                           0            0           0       (1,033)      (1,064)      (1,095)      (1,128)
Income taxes                                 0            0           0       (1,606)        (228)      (1,156)      (1,815)
Investment in Initial Facilities        (1,000)      (8,344)    (28,956)           0            0            0            0
                                      --------     --------    --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
   After tax cash flow                ($ 1,000)    ($ 8,344)   ($28,956)    $  8,457     $  9,804     $  8,845     $  8,153
                                      --------     --------    --------     --------     --------     --------     --------

Interal rate or return by                                                     (72.97)%     (33.56)%     (13.88)%      (2.96)%
year sing after tax cash flow

<CAPTION>
                                        2005        2006        2007        2008        2009        2010
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
ASSUMPTIONS (IN THOUSANDS)
CAPITAL INVESTMENT
VOLUME/RATES
Number of days                             365         365         365         365         365         365

Shell Deepwater-MMCF per day               155         135         125         110          75          25
Shell Deepwater-Rate per MMCF         $   0.19    $   0.19    $   0.19    $   0.19    $   0.19    $   0.19
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Shell Deepwater-Revenue-$M            $ 10,749    $  9,362    $  8,669    $  7,629    $  5,201    $  1,734
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------

Third parties - MMCF per day                50          50         100         100         100         100
Third parties - Rater per MMCF        $   0.10    $   0.10    $   0.10    $   0.10    $   0.10    $   0.10
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Shell Deepwater - Revenue - $M        $  1,825       $1825    $  3,650    $  3,650    $  3,650    $  3,650
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------

OPERATING COSTS                       $  1,027    $  1,058    $  1,090    $  1,123    $  1,156    $  1,191
OVERHEAD COSTS                        $    135    $    139    $    143    $    148    $    152    $    157

TAX DEPRECIATION                      $ 38,300    $ 38,300    $ 38,300    $ 38,300    $ 38,300    $ 38,300
Investment                                8.93%       8.92%       8.93%       4.46%       0.00%       0.00%
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
7-year tax rates using MACRS          $  3,420    $  3,416    $  3,420    $  1,708    $      0    $      0
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------

INCOME TAXES
Gross revenue                         $ 12,574    $ 11,187    $ 12,319    $ 11,279    $  8,851    $ 55,384
Operating expenses                      (1,162)     (1,197)     (1,233)     (1,271)     (1,308)     (1,348)
Depreciation                            (3,420)     (3,416)     (3,420)     (1,708)          0           0
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                         7,992       6,574       6,666       8,299       6,543       4,036
Income tax rate                             35%         35%         35%         35%         35%
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Income taxes                          $  2,797    $  2,301    $  2,683    $  2,905    $  2,640    $  1,413

CALCULATION OF IRR DATE
Gross revenue                         $ 12,574    $ 11,187    $ 12,319    $ 11,279    $  8,851    $  5,384
Operating expenses                      (1,162)     (1,197)     (1,233)     (1,271)     (1,308)     (1,348)
Income taxes                            (2,797)     (2,301)     (2,683)     (2,905)     (2,640)     (1,413)
Investment in Initial Facilities             0           0           0           0           0           0
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
   After tax cash flow                $  8,615    $  7,689    $  8,403    $  7,103    $  4,903    $  2,623
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------

Interal rate or return by                 4.33%       8.65%      11.90%      13.87%      14.90%      15.34%
year sing after tax cash flow
</TABLE><PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18

                       LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

                                       OF

                           DEEPWATER HOLDINGS, L.L.C.

                                   JUNE 1999

<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                   <C>
DEFINITIONS.............................................................................2

ARTICLE I FORMATION.....................................................................7

ARTICLE II NAME.........................................................................7

ARTICLE III PURPOSE.....................................................................7

ARTICLE IV NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF MEMBERS AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF COMPANY...............7

ARTICLE V REGISTERED AGENT; REGISTERED OFFICE; ADDITIONAL OFFICES.......................8

ARTICLE VI TERM.........................................................................8

ARTICLE VII CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; SHARING RATIOS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS.....................8
         Section 7.1       Initial Capital Contributions................................8
         Section 7.2       Incremental Expansion Capital Contributions..................8
         Section 7.3       Subsequent Contributions.....................................9
         Section 7.4       Requests For Capital Contributions...........................9
         Section 7.5       Delinquent Member............................................9
         Section 7.6       Return of Capital Contributions.............................10
         Section 7.7       Capital Accounts............................................11
         Section 7.8       Adjustment of 704(b) Capital Accounts 704(b)................11
         Section 7.9       GAAP Capital Accounts and Financial Reporting...............11

ARTICLE VIII DISTRIBUTIONS.............................................................11
         Section 8.1       Distributions...............................................11

ARTICLE IX ALLOCATIONS OF INCOME, GAIN, LOSS, DEDUCTION AND CREDIT FOR TAX PURPOSES....12
         Section 9.1       General.....................................................12
         Section 9.2       [Intentionally omitted].....................................12
         Section 9.3       Income Tax Allocations......................................12
         Section 9.4       Allocations on Transfers....................................13
         Section 9.5       Reliance on Advisors........................................13
         Section 9.6       Tax Matters Member..........................................13

ARTICLE X BOOKS OF ACCOUNT, RECORDS, REPORTS AND TAX INFORMATION.......................14
         Section 10.1      Books and Records...........................................14
         Section 10.2      Financial Information.......................................14
         Section 10.3      Audits......................................................15
</TABLE>

                                       i
<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                   <C>
         Section 10.4      Inspection of Facilities and Records........................15
         Section 10.5      Budgets.....................................................15

ARTICLE XI FISCAL YEAR.................................................................15

ARTICLE XII COMPANY FUNDS..............................................................16

ARTICLE XIII STATUS OF MEMBERS.........................................................16

ARTICLE XIV MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS.......................................16
         Section 14.1      Member Management...........................................16
         Section 14.2      Management Committee........................................16
         Section 14.3      Exculpation.................................................20
         Section 14.4      Indemnification.............................................21
         Section 14.5      Officers....................................................22
         Section 14.6      Management Committee Deadlocks..............................23
         Section 14.7      Initiation of Proceedings...................................24
         Section 14.8      Responses...................................................24
         Section 14.9      Selection of Arbitrators....................................24
         Section 14.10     Location....................................................25
         Section 14.11     Rules.......................................................25
         Section 14.12     Limitations on Arbitration..................................25
         Section 14.13     Effect of Award.............................................25
         Section 14.14     Company Administration......................................25

ARTICLE XV MANAGEMENT OF OPERATING SUBSIDIARIES........................................26
         Section 15.1      Operating Subsidiary Management Committees..................26

ARTICLE XVI DISPOSITIONS AND ENCUMBRANCES OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS......................26
         Section 16.1      Dispositions and Encumbrances of Membership Interests.......26
         Section 16.2      Permitted Dispositions and Encumbrances.....................27

ARTICLE XVII RESIGNATION, BANKRUPTCY, ETC..............................................27
         Section 17.1      Covenant Not to Withdraw....................................27
         Section 17.2      Affected Member.............................................27

ARTICLE XVIII DISSOLUTION OF THE COMPANY...............................................29

ARTICLE XIX WINDING UP AND TERMINATION OF THE COMPANY..................................29
         Section 19.1      Liquidator..................................................29
         Section 19.2      Reserves....................................................30
         Section 19.3      Liquidation Distributions...................................30
         Section 19.4      Accounting..................................................30
         Section 19.5      Only Recourse to Company Assets.............................30
         Section 19.6      Termination.................................................30
</TABLE>

                                       ii

<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                   <C>
ARTICLE XX NOTICES.....................................................................31

ARTICLE XXI AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT.....................................................31

ARTICLE XXII REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.................................31

ARTICLE XXIII MISCELLANEOUS............................................................31
         Section 23.1      No Partition................................................31
         Section 23.2      Entire Agreement............................................31
         Section 23.3      Governing Law...............................................32
         Section 23.4      Binding Effect..............................................32
         Section 23.5      Context.....................................................32
         Section 23.6      Captions....................................................32
         Section 23.7      Effect of Invalid Provision.................................32
         Section 23.8      Counterpart Execution.......................................32
         Section 23.9      Laws and Regulatory Bodies..................................32
         Section 23.10     Business Opportunity........................................33
         Section 23.11     Entitlement to Certificates.................................33

EXHIBIT A: Sharing Ratios of the Members
</TABLE>

                                      iii
<PAGE>   5

                       LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
                                       OF
                           DEEPWATER HOLDINGS, L.L.C.

         THIS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT is made as of September 30,
1999, between and among AMERICAN NATURAL OFFSHORE COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation ("American Offshore"), TEXAS OFFSHORE PIPELINE SYSTEM, INC., a
Delaware corporation ("TOPSI"), UNITEX OFFSHORE TRANSMISSION COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation ("Unitex"), ANR WESTERN GULF HOLDINGS, L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company ("ANR LLC" and, together with American Offshore, TOPSI, and
Unitex, the "ANR Subs") and Leviathan Deepwater, L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company ("Leviathan Deepwater").

         WHEREAS, ANR Pipeline Company, a Delaware corporation ("ANR") is the
parent, directly or indirectly, of the ANR Subs and Leviathan Gas Pipeline
Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Leviathan"), is the parent of
Leviathan Deepwater;

         WHEREAS, the ANR Subs, Stingray Holding, L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company ("SHLLC"), Green Canyon Pipe Line Company, L.L.C., a Delaware
limited liability company ("Green Canyon"), UTOS Holding, L.L.C., a Delaware
limited liability company ("UTOS Holding"), Natoco, L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company ("Natoco"), Transco Offshore Pipeline Company, L.L.C., a
Delaware limited liability company ("TOPC"), Transco Hydrocarbons Company,
L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("THC"), Texam Offshore Gas
Transmission, L.L.C. ("TOGT," and collectively with UTOS Holding, Natoco, THC,
and TOPC, the "LEV Subs") owned, collectively, all of the membership interests
in Western Gulf Holdings, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("Western
Gulf"), Stingray Pipeline Company L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
("Stingray"), U-T Offshore System L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
("UTOS"), and West Cameron Dehydration Company L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company ("WCDC," and together with Western Gulf, UTOS, Stingray and
WCDC, the "Contributed Entities");

         WHEREAS, the ANR Subs, the LEV Subs, Green Canyon and SHLLC contributed
all of their interests in the Contributed Entities to the Company;

         WHEREAS, immediately following the contribution, the LEV Subs merged
with and into SHLLC, Green Canyon distributed its Membership Interest (herein
defined) to Leviathan and Leviathan contributed this Membership Interest to
SHLLC, and SHLLC changed its name to "Leviathan Deepwater, L.L.C.";

         WHEREAS, immediately following the merger of the LEV Subs, ANR LLC
purchased a 9.66% membership interest in the Company from Leviathan Deepwater;
and

         WHEREAS, the Company will own and operate the Contributed Entities and
any entities owned by the Contributed Entities.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
undertakings contained herein, the parties hereto hereby set forth the terms for
the Company's Limited Liability Company Agreement as follows:

                                       1
<PAGE>   6

                                   DEFINITIONS

         The following definitions shall be Applicable to the terms set forth
below as used in this Agreement:

         "704(b) Capital Account": A 704(b) Capital Account shall be established
for each Member and shall initially be equal to the agreed upon fair market
value of each Member's interest and shall be maintained in accordance with the
requirements of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) of the Code.

         "AAA" means American Arbitration Association.

         "Act" means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. Code
Sections 18-101 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, and any
successor to said Act.

         "Administrative Agreement" has the meaning given that term in Section
14.14.

         "Administrator" means the Person selected by the Members, or by the
Management Committee from time to time, in accordance with Section 14.14.

         "Affected Member" has the meaning given that term in Section 17.2.

         "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, a Person that directly,
or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or
is under common Control with such first Person, where "Control" (including its
derivatives) means the power to direct management or policies, whether pursuant
to the ownership of voting interest, by contract or otherwise; provided that the
Company and its subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of any
Member or any of their respective Affiliates and vice versa.

         "Agreed Value" means, in the case of any contributions or distributions
of property, the fair market value of such property net of any indebtedness or
other liability either assumed or to which such property is subject, as such
fair market value is determined by the Management Committee using such
reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.

         "Agreement" means this Limited Liability Company Agreement, as the same
may be amended, modified or restated from time to time.

         "Alternate Representatives" have the meaning given such term in
Section 14.2(a).

         "American Offshore" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "ANR" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "ANR LLC" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "ANR Subs" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

                                       2
<PAGE>   7

         "Bankrupt Member" means any Member with respect to which an event of
the type described in Section 18-304 of the Act has occurred, subject to the
lapsing of any period of time therein specified.

         "Built-In Gain" with respect to any Company property means (i) the
excess of the Agreed Value of any Contributed Property over its adjusted basis
for federal income tax purposes as of the time of contribution and (ii) in the
case of any adjustment to the Carrying Value of any Company property subject to
depreciation, cost recovery or amortization pursuant to Section 7.8 as a result
of a contribution of cash for a Membership Interest, the Unrealized Gain with
respect to such property.

         "Built-in Loss" with respect to any Company property means (i) the
excess of its adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes of any Contributed
Property over its Agreed Value as of the time of contribution and (ii) in the
case of any adjustment to the Carrying Value of any Company property subject to
depreciation, cost recovery or amortization pursuant to Section 7.8 as a result
of a contribution of cash for a Membership Interest, the Unrealized Loss with
respect to such property.

         "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or bank
holiday in Texas.

         "Capital Accounts" means the 704(b) Capital Accounts, the GAAP Capital
Accounts and the Sharing Capital Accounts.

         "Capital Contributions" means the Agreed Value of any property and the
amount of cash contributed to the Company.

         "Carrying Value" with respect to any Capital Contribution recording in
a 704(b) Capital Account means the Agreed Value of such property reduced as of
the time of determination by all book depreciation, cost recovery and
amortization deductions charged to the 704(b) Capital Account with respect to
such property and an appropriate amount to reflect any sales, retirements or
other dispositions of assets included in such property and, with respect to any
other Company property, the adjusted basis of such property for federal income
tax purposes as of the time of determination. The Carrying Value shall be
further adjusted as provided in Section 7.8.

         "Certificate" means the Certificate of Formation filed in the Office of
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the Act and any
amendment or restatement thereof.

         "Certified Public Accountants" means such nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants as may be selected from time to time by the
Management Committee.

         "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in
effect on the effective date hereof and, to the extent applicable, as
subsequently amended.

         "Company" means Deepwater Holdings, L.L.C., the limited liability
company entered into and formed pursuant to this Agreement and the Act.

         "Contributed Entities" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

                                       3
<PAGE>   8

         "Contributed Property" means any Capital Contribution of property other
than cash.

         "Contributing Member(s)" has the meaning given that term in Section
7.5(c).

         "Contribution Basis" has the meaning given that term in Section 7.9.

         "Control" (including its derivatives) has the meaning given such term
in the definition of "Affiliate."

         "Default Interest Rate" means a floating rate per annum equal to the
lesser of (i) two percent (2%) over the interest rate publicly quoted by
Citibank N.A. from time to time as its prime commercial rate, with adjustments
in such varying rate to be made on the same day as any change in the aforesaid
rate or (ii) the maximum rate permitted under applicable law; provided that the
Default Interest Rate shall never be less than two percent (2%) over the London
Inter Bank Offer Rate.

         "Delinquent Member" has the meaning given that term in Section 7.5.

         "Dispose," "Disposing" or "Disposition" means, with respect to a
Membership Interest or any portion thereof, a sale, assignment, transfer,
conveyance, gift, exchange or other disposition of such Membership Interest or
portion thereof.

         "Disposing Member" means a Member desiring to Dispose of its Membership
Interest.

         "Distributable Cash" means, at the time of determination, all Company
cash other than (i) reserves for working capital and (ii) other amounts that the
Management Committee reasonably determines to be necessary for the proper
operation of the Company's business and its winding up and liquidation.

         "East Breaks" means East Breaks Gathering Company, L.L.C., a Delaware
limited liability company.

         "Encumber," "Encumbering" or "Encumbrance" means the creation of a
security interest, lien, pledge, mortgage or other encumbrance, whether such
encumbrance be voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law.

         "Excess" the meaning given that term in Section 7.9.

         "Formation Date" means the date the Company is formed as provided in
Article I.

         "GAAP Capital Account": A GAAP Capital Account shall be established for
each Member based on the Initial Balances as determined pursuant to Section
7.1(b) hereof, and shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, but giving effect to each Member's disproportionate
depreciation, as provided in Section 7.9.

         "Green Canyon" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

                                       4
<PAGE>   9

         "HIOS" means High Island Offshore System, L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company.

         "Incremental Expansion Capital Contribution" has the meaning given in
Section 7.2.

         "Indemnitee" has the meaning given that term in Section 14.4.

         "Initial Balances" has the meaning given that term in Section 7.1(b).

         "Interest" has the meaning given that term in Section 17.2(a).

         "Initial Capital Contributions" has the meaning given that term in
Section 7.1(a).

         "Lending Member(s)" has the meaning given that term in Section 7.5(b).

         "LEV Subs" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "Leviathan" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "Leviathan Deepwater" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "Liquidator" has the meaning given that term in Section 19.1.

         "LOC" means Leviathan Operating Company, L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company.

         "Majority in Interests" means, subject to Section 14.2(a)(iii), Sharing
Ratios aggregating greater than 50% of all the Sharing Ratios of the Members
whose Representatives are entitled to vote on a particular Management Committee
matter.

         "Management Committee" has the meaning given that term in Section 14.1.

         "Members" means ANR Subs and Leviathan Deepwater or their respective
successors and assigns and "Member" means any one of them.

         "Membership Interest" as to any Member means the entire ownership
interest and rights of that Member in the Company, including, without
limitation, the rights to vote and receive a proportional amount of any
distributions.

         "Natoco" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "Operating Subsidiary" means each of the Contributed Entities, HIOS and
East Breaks and each other Person, if any, Controlled by and owned (directly or
indirectly) more than 50% by the Company.

         "Other Members" has the meaning given that term in Section 17.2(a).

         "Person" means an individual, corporation, voluntary association, joint
stock company, business trust, partnership, limited liability company or other
entity.

                                       5
<PAGE>   10

         "Representatives" has the meaning given that term in Section 14.2(a).

         "Sharing Capital Account": A Sharing Capital Account shall be
established for each Member and shall be equal to the product of (x) the sum of
the Members' Initial Balances, times (y) each Members' Sharing Ratio and shall
be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
without regard to the provisions of this Agreement dealing with each Member's
disproportionate depreciation, as provided in Section 7.9.

         "Sharing Ratio" means the percentages set forth in Exhibit A, as
adjusted from time to time as provided herein.

         "SHLLC" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "Stingray" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "Subsidiary Companies" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "Subsidiary Management Committee" means the management committee of any
Operating Subsidiary.

         "Subsidiary System" means the pipeline and related facilities owned by
an Operating Subsidiary, and any other pipelines and related facilities
constructed, purchased or otherwise acquired by an Operating Subsidiary in
accordance with the constitutive documents of such Operating Subsidiary.

         "THC" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "TMM" has the meaning given such term in Section 9.5.

         "TOGT" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "TOPC" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "TOPSI" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "Unitex" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "Unrealized Gain" attributable to Company property means, as of the
date of determination, the excess of the fair market value of such property as
of such date of determination over the Carrying Value of such property as of
such date of determination.

         "Unrealized Loss" attributable to Company property means, as of the
date of such determination, the excess of the Carrying Value of such property as
of such date of determination over the fair market value of such property as of
such date of determination.

         "UTOS" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "UTOS Holding" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

                                       6
<PAGE>   11

         "WCDC" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

         "Western Gulf" has the meaning given that term in the preamble.

                                    ARTICLE I
                                    FORMATION

         The parties hereto form the Company as a limited liability company
pursuant to the Act. The rights and liabilities of the Members shall be as
provided in the Act, except as herein otherwise expressly provided. The
Membership Interests of any Member shall be personal property for all purposes.
On the request of the Management Committee, each Member shall execute,
acknowledge, swear to and deliver all certificates and other instruments
conforming with this Agreement that are necessary to qualify, continue or
terminate the Company as a limited liability company under the laws of the State
of Delaware and to qualify the Company to do business in such other states and
jurisdictions where such qualification is necessary or desirable.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                      NAME

         The name of the Company shall be, and the business of the Company shall
be conducted under the name of, Deepwater Holdings, L.L.C. or such other name or
names that comply with applicable law as the Management Committee may designate
from time to time. The Management Committee shall take any action that it
determines is required to comply with the Act, assumed name act, fictitious name
act or similar statute in effect in each jurisdiction or political subdivision
in which the Company proposes to do business and the Members agree to execute
any documents requested by the Management Committee in connection with any such
action.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                     PURPOSE

         The purposes of the Company are to own and operate the Operating
Subsidiaries, which own and operate the Subsidiary Systems, and to acquire,
construct, own and operate (directly or through Operating Subsidiaries) any
other natural gas pipeline and related assets in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement. Except for activities related to such purposes, there are no
other authorized business purposes of the Company. The Company shall not engage
in any activity or conduct inconsistent with such purposes.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                       NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF MEMBERS AND
                           PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF COMPANY

         The names and mailing addresses of the Members are as set forth on the
signature pages hereof. The location of the principal office of the Company
where the books and records of the Company shall be kept shall be at such place
as the Management Committee may from time to time determine. Notice of any
change in such office shall be given to each Member.

                                       7
<PAGE>   12

                                   ARTICLE V
                      REGISTERED AGENT; REGISTERED OFFICE;
                               ADDITIONAL OFFICES

         The name and address of the registered office of the Company in the
State of Delaware is c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust
Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The
name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the Company
in the State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust
Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The
Management Committee may change the registered agent or the registered office of
the Company and may establish such additional offices of the Company as the
Management Committee may, in its sole discretion, from time to time determine.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                      TERM

         The term of the Company shall be from the date of filing of its
Certificate in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware,
and shall be perpetual unless it is dissolved by an event described in Article
XVIII.

                                  ARTICLE VII
             CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; SHARING RATIOS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS

         SECTION 7.1 INITIAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS.

                  (a) Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Members and
         certain of their Affiliates have contributed all of their respective
         rights and interest in the Contributed Entities to the Company, free
         and clear of all Encumbrances (the "Initial Capital Contributions").

                  (b) The Members shall agree, in good faith, on their initial
         balances in their GAAP Capital Accounts to be used for financial
         reporting purposes as discussed in Section 7.9 (each such amount being
         such Member's "Initial Balance") on or before November 30, 1999. The
         respective Sharing Ratios of the Members shall be as set forth in
         Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof. Each Member shall
         execute an amendment to Exhibit A as soon as practicable following any
         change in Sharing Ratios pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

         SECTION 7.2 INCREMENTAL EXPANSION CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS. Upon written
request to the Company by any Subsidiary Management Committee, in accordance
with such Operating Subsidiary's limited liability company agreement, for a
capital contribution to fund an incremental expansion of such Operating
Subsidiary's Subsidiary System, each Member shall contribute cash in amounts
equal to its Sharing Ratio proportion of 100% of all amounts so requested (the
"Incremental Expansion Capital Contribution"). Such contributions shall be made
as necessary to allow the applicable Operating Subsidiary to pay timely such
obligations as they become due. The Management Committee shall send notice of
such required Capital Contribution to the Members in accordance with Section
7.4.

                                       8
<PAGE>   13

         SECTION 7.3 SUBSEQUENT CONTRIBUTIONS. Unless unanimously agreed to by
the Management Committee, no Member shall be required to make, or cause to be
made, any Capital Contributions other than the Initial Capital Contributions as
contemplated by Section 7.1 and the Incremental Expansion Capital Contributions
as contemplated by Section 7.2.

         SECTION 7.4 REQUESTS FOR CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS. The Management
Committee shall issue or cause to be issued a written request for payment of
each Capital Contribution to be made in accordance with Sections 7.1, 7.2 and
7.3, at such times as the Management Committee shall deem appropriate. Each
written request issued pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall contain the following
information:

                  (a) The amount of the Capital Contribution requested from each
         Member, such amount to be in accordance with the Member's Sharing
         Ratio;

                  (b) The purpose for which the Capital Contributions are to be
         applied in such reasonable detail as the Management Committee shall
         direct; and

                  (c) The date on which the Capital Contributions shall be made
         (which date shall not be less than 30 days following the date the
         request is given and shall reasonably approximate the date on which the
         Company expects to make the underlying payment) and the method of
         payment, such date and method to be the same for each of the Members.

         Each Member agrees to make payment of its respective Capital
         Contributions in accordance with the requests issued pursuant to this
         Section 7.4.

         SECTION 7.5 DELINQUENT MEMBER. If a Member does not contribute by the
time required all or any portion of a Capital Contribution that Member is
required to make as provided in this Agreement, the Company may exercise, on
notice to that Member (the "Delinquent Member"), one or more of the following
remedies:

                  (a) taking such action (including court proceedings) as the
         Management Committee may deem appropriate to obtain payment by the
         Delinquent Member of the portion of the Delinquent Member's Capital
         Contribution that is in default, together with interest on that amount
         at the Default Interest Rate from the date that the Capital
         Contribution was due until the date that it is made, all at the cost
         and expense of the Delinquent Member;

                  (b) notifying the other Members, any one or more of which (the
         "Lending Member(s)") may elect to advance the portion of the Delinquent
         Member's Capital Contribution that is in default, with the following
         results:

                           (i) The sum advanced shall constitute a loan from the
                  Lending Member(s) to the Delinquent Member and a Capital
                  Contribution of that sum to the Company by the Delinquent
                  Member under the applicable provisions of this Agreement;

                                       9
<PAGE>   14

                           (ii) the principal balance of the loan and all
                  accrued unpaid interest is due and payable on the tenth day
                  after written demand by the Lending Member(s) to the
                  Delinquent Member;

                           (iii) the amount loaned shall bear interest at the
                  Default Interest Rate from the date that the advance is deemed
                  made until the date that the loan, together with all interest
                  accrued on it, is repaid to the Lending Member(s);

                           (iv) all distributions from the Company that
                  otherwise would be made to the Delinquent Member (whether
                  before or after dissolution of the Company) instead shall be
                  paid to the Lending Member(s) until the loan and all interest
                  accrued on it have been paid in full to the Lending Member(s)
                  (with payments being applied first to accrued and unpaid
                  interest and then to principal), but all such payments to the
                  Lending Member(s) shall be treated for all purposes of this
                  Agreement as a distribution by the Company to the Delinquent
                  Member and a payment by the Delinquent Member to the Lending
                  Member(s); and

                           (v) the Lending Member(s) has the right, in addition
                  to the other rights and remedies granted to it under this
                  Agreement or at law or in equity, to take any action
                  (including court proceedings) that the Lending Member(s) may
                  deem appropriate to obtain payment by the Delinquent Member of
                  the loan and all accrued and unpaid interest on it, at the
                  cost and expense of the Delinquent Member;

                  (c) permitting one or more of the other Members (the
         "Contributing Member(s)") to make the Delinquent Member's Capital
         Contribution that is in default in proportions agreed to by those
         Contributing Members, with the following results:

                           (i) the sum advanced shall constitute a Capital
                  Contribution of the Contributing Member(s);

                           (ii) the Delinquent Member's Membership Interest and
                  Sharing Ratio shall be reduced by the number of percentage
                  points equal to the quotient (expressed as a percentage)
                  derived by dividing (A) the amount of the Delinquent Member's
                  Capital Contribution made by the Contributing Member(s) by (B)
                  the sum of the Sharing Capital Accounts of all the Members
                  (including the Capital Contribution being made by the
                  Contributing Member(s)); and

                           (iii) any reduction in the Delinquent Member's
                  Membership Interest and Sharing Ratio shall be reallocated to
                  the Contributing Member(s); or

                  (d) exercising any other rights and remedies available at law
         or in equity.

         SECTION 7.6 RETURN OF CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS. No Member shall be
entitled to the return of any part of its Capital Contribution or to be paid
interest in respect of either its Sharing Capital Account or any Capital
Contribution made by such Member. No unrepaid Capital Contribution shall be
deemed or considered to be a liability of the Company or any Member. No

                                       10
<PAGE>   15

Member shall be required to contribute or lend any cash or property to the
Company to enable the Company to return any Member's Capital Contributions to
the Member.

         SECTION 7.7 CAPITAL ACCOUNTS. All Capital Contributions shall be
credited to the contributing Member's Capital Accounts.

         SECTION 7.8 ADJUSTMENT OF 704(B) CAPITAL ACCOUNTS. If any additional
Membership Interests are to be issued in consideration for a contribution of
property or cash or if any Company property is to be distributed in liquidation
of the Company or a Membership Interest, the 704(b) Capital Accounts of the
Members (and the amounts at which all Company properties are carried on its
books and records) shall, immediately prior to such issuance or distribution, as
the case may be, be adjusted (consistent with the provisions of section 704(b)
of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) upward or
downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to all
Company properties (as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been
recognized upon actual sale of such properties upon a liquidation of the Company
immediately prior to such issuance). If the Agreed Value of any property of the
Company is properly reflected on the books of the Company at a value that
differs from the adjusted tax basis of such property, this Section 7.8 shall be
applied with reference to such value.

         SECTION 7.9 GAAP CAPITAL ACCOUNTS AND FINANCIAL REPORTING. For purposes
of establishing and maintaining the GAAP Capital Accounts and for financial
reporting purposes: (i) in connection with the capitalization of the Company,
the Company will report the value of the interests of the respective Members in
the Company based on the basis such Members had in their interests in Stingray,
UTOS, WCDC and Western Gulf they contributed to the Company as of the date of
contribution (for each Member, the "Contribution Basis"); (ii) such Contribution
Basis will be (a) used to capitalize the Company and (b) the excess of the
Contribution Basis over the underlying net book value of the fixed assets of
each of Stingray, UTOS, WCDC and Western Gulf immediately prior to such
contribution of such interest to the Company (the"Excess") will be depreciated
in accordance with GAAP as determined by the Members; (iii) the depreciation of
the Excess will be allocated pro rata to each Member based on such Member's
respective Contribution Basis; (iv) if a Member Disposes of its Membership
Interest, in whole or in part, the portion of such Member's Contribution Basis
and related undepreciated Excess of the Membership Interest being Disposed of,
will be allocated to the transferee for financial reporting purposes; and (v) if
any portion of the property underlying such contributed interests is Disposed of
by an Operating Subsidiary, the portion of the Members' Contribution Basis and
the related undepreciated Excess, related to the property being Disposed of,
will be used to allocate pro rata any accounting gain or loss to each Member.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                  DISTRIBUTIONS

         SECTION 8.1 DISTRIBUTIONS. Except as otherwise provided herein,
Distributable Cash shall be distributed in such amounts and at such times as
shall be determined by the Management Committee among all the Members
simultaneously pro rata in accordance with their respective Sharing Ratios.

                                       11
<PAGE>   16

                                   ARTICLE IX
                          ALLOCATIONS OF INCOME, GAIN,
                   LOSS, DEDUCTION AND CREDIT FOR TAX PURPOSES

         SECTION 9.1 GENERAL. Except as otherwise provided herein or unless
another allocation is required by Treasury Regulations issued under Section
704(b) of the Code (including, but not limited to, the qualified income offset
specified in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)), for purposes of
maintaining the 704(b) Capital Accounts, all items of Company income, gain,
loss, deduction and credit shall be allocated among the Members pro rata in
accordance with their Sharing Ratios in effect for the period during which such
items accrue. For purposes of computing the amount of each item of income, gain,
deduction or loss, the determination, recognition and classification of such
item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for
federal income tax purposes, provided that:

                  (a) Any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or
         amortization attributable to any Company property shall be determined
         as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the Carrying
         Value of such property. Upon an adjustment to the Carrying Value of any
         Company property subject to depreciation, cost recovery or amortization
         pursuant to Section 7.8, any further deductions for such depreciation,
         cost recovery or amortization attributable to such property shall be
         determined as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the
         Carrying Value of such property immediately following such adjustment.

                  (b) Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable
         disposition of any Company property shall be determined by the Company
         as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of
         disposition were equal in amount to the Carrying Value of such property
         as of such date.

                  (c) Computation of all items of income, gain, loss and
         deduction shall be made without regard to any election under section
         754 of the Code that may be made by the Company and, as to those items
         described in the section 705(a)(1)(B) or section 705(a)(2)(B) of the
         Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in
         gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalizable for
         federal income tax purposes.

         SECTION 9.2 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED].

         SECTION 9.3 INCOME TAX ALLOCATIONS.

                  (a) The Company shall, except to the extent such item is
         subject to allocation pursuant to subsection (b) below, allocate each
         item of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit, as determined for
         federal and other income tax purposes, in the same manner as such item
         was allocated for purposes of maintaining the 704(b) Capital Accounts.

                  (b) The Company, for federal and other income tax purposes,
         shall, in the case of Contributed Properties, allocate items of income,
         gain, loss, depreciation and cost recovery deductions attributable to
         those properties with a Built-In Gain or Built-In Loss pursuant to
         section 704(c) of the Code under a method described in Treas. Reg.
         Section 1.704-3.

                                       12
<PAGE>   17

         Similar allocations shall be made in the event that the Carrying Value
         of Company properties subject to depreciation, cost recovery or
         amortization are adjusted pursuant to Section 7.8 upon the issuance of
         Membership Interests for cash. If an existing Member acquires
         additional Membership Interests, such allocations shall apply only to
         the extent of his or its additional Interests. No allocation under
         section 704(c) of the Code shall be charged or credited to a Member's
         Capital Accounts.

         SECTION 9.4 ALLOCATIONS ON TRANSFERS. Unless otherwise agreed in
writing by a transferor and transferee of a Membership Interest herein, income,
gain, loss, deduction or credit attributable to any Membership Interest that has
been transferred shall be allocated between the transferor and the transferee
using an acceptable method as provided under section 706 of the Code and related
Treasury Regulations.

         SECTION 9.5 RELIANCE ON ADVISORS. The Management Committee may rely
upon, and shall have no liability to the Members or the Company if they do rely
upon, the written opinion of tax counsel or accountants retained by the Company
from time to time with respect to all matters (including disputes with respect
thereto) relating to computations and determinations required to be made under
this Article IX or other provisions of this Agreement.

         SECTION 9.6 TAX MATTERS MEMBER.

                  (a) Leviathan Deepwater, as a Member Manager (as defined in
         Treasury Regulation Section 301.6231(a)(7)-1) is designated as the tax
         matters member ("TMM"), which shall have the same meaning as "tax
         matters partner" (as defined in section 6231(a)(7) of the Code). The
         TMM and the Members shall use their best efforts to comply with
         responsibilities outlined in this Section 9.6 and in sections 6222
         through 6232 of the Code (including any Treasury Regulations
         promulgated thereunder) and in doing so shall incur no liability to any
         other Member, except in the case of a failure by the TMM for any reason
         to make and include in the appropriate tax return a timely and
         effective election under Internal Revenue Code Section 754.

                  (b) The TMM shall not make any material federal income tax
         elections or material tax policy decisions affecting the Company,
         unless it has received the prior unanimous consent of the Management
         Committee.

                  (c) All tax returns and reports of the Company shall be
         prepared or caused to be prepared under the direction of the TMM. As
         early as reasonably possible prior to its filing of the Company's
         federal and state income tax returns, but in no event less than ten
         (10) business days prior to the filing, the TMM will provide the other
         Members with a pro forma copy of such returns and will provide the
         other Members with reasonable opportunity to consult with and/or advise
         the TMM with respect to all positions intended to be reflected. Such
         returns must be reviewed and approved unanimously by the Management
         Committee.

                  (d) If any Member intends to file a notice of inconsistent
         treatment under section 6222(b) of the Code, such Member shall, prior
         to the filing of such notice, notify the TMM of such intent and the
         manner in which the Member's intended treatment of a

                                       13
<PAGE>   18

         Company item is (or may be) inconsistent with the treatment of that
         item by the Company.

                  (e) No Member other than the TMM shall file a request pursuant
         to section 6227 of the Code for an administrative adjustment of Company
         items for any Company taxable year.

                  (f) No Member other than the TMM shall file a petition under
         Code sections 6226, 6228 or other Code sections with respect to any
         Company item or other tax matters involving the Company. In the case
         where the TMM files such petition, it shall determine the forum in
         which such petition will be filed.

                                   ARTICLE X
             BOOKS OF ACCOUNT, RECORDS, REPORTS AND TAX INFORMATION

         SECTION 10.1 BOOKS AND RECORDS. Proper and complete records and books
of account (including those required by the Act) shall be kept by the Company in
which shall be entered all transactions and other matters relative to the
Company's business as are usually entered into records and books of account
maintained by persons engaged in businesses of like character. The Company books
and records shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and, to the extent applicable, the Uniform System of Accounts of the
FERC as from time to time applicable to a Class A "natural gas company" under
the Natural Gas Act, and shall be kept on the accrual basis. The Company books
and records shall be audited by the Certified Public Accountants at the end of
each fiscal year. The Company shall, and shall cause each of the Operating
Subsidiaries to, at all times make its books and records available at the
principal office of the Company or the Operating Subsidiary and shall be open to
the reasonable inspection and examination by the Members or their duly
authorized representatives during the business hours of the Company or the
Operating Subsidiary for any purpose reasonably related to the interest of such
Member as owner of the Company.

         SECTION 10.2 FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

                  (a) Annual Financial Statements. The Management Committee
         shall cause to be prepared and delivered to the Members:

                           (1) No later than ninety (90) days following the end
                  of each of the Company's fiscal years, a profit and loss
                  statement and a statement of cash flows for such fiscal year
                  and a balance sheet and a statement of the GAAP Capital
                  Accounts as of the end of such fiscal year, together with a
                  report thereon of the Certified Public Accountants;

                           (2) No later than ninety (90) days following the end
                  of each of the Company's fiscal years, such federal, state and
                  local income tax information and such other accounting and tax
                  information as shall be necessary for the preparation by the
                  Members of their respective income tax returns for such fiscal
                  year;

                                       14
<PAGE>   19

                           (3) When such returns become available, copies of all
                  federal, state and local income tax returns or information
                  returns, if any, which the Company is required to file; and

                           (4) As soon as practicable following receipt by the
                  Company thereof, financial statements or reports from an
                  Operating Subsidiary.

                  (b) Interim Financial Statements. No later than thirty (30)
         days after the end of each calendar month, the Management Committee
         shall cause to be prepared and delivered to the Members, together with
         an appropriate certificate of the person authorized to prepare the
         same:

                           (1) A profit and loss statement and statement of cash
                  flows for such month (including sufficient information to
                  permit each Member to calculate its tax accruals), for the
                  portion of the fiscal year then ended, and for the 12-month
                  period then ended;

                           (2) A balance sheet and a statement of the GAAP
                  Capital Accounts as of the end of such month; and

                           (3) A statement comparing the actual financial status
                  and results of the Company as of the end of or for such month
                  and the portion of the fiscal year then ended with the
                  budgeted or forecasted status and results as of the end of or
                  for such respective periods.

         SECTION 10.3 AUDITS. The Company shall have the Company's financial
statements and books of account audited at the end of each fiscal year by the
Certified Public Accountants.

         SECTION 10.4 INSPECTION OF FACILITIES AND RECORDS. Each Member shall
have the right at all reasonable times during usual business hours to inspect
the facilities of the Company and of the Operating Subsidiaries and to examine
and make copies of the books of account and other records of the Company and the
Operating Subsidiaries. Such right may be exercised through any agent or
employee of the Member designated in writing by it or by an independent public
accountant or attorney so designated. The Member making the request shall bear
all expenses incurred in any inspection or examination made at such Member's
behest.

         SECTION 10.5 BUDGETS. The Company shall cause to be prepared and
delivered to each Member such budgets, cash flow projections and other financial
reports and forecasts with respect to the Company and the Operating Subsidiaries
as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any Member.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                                   FISCAL YEAR

         The fiscal year of the Company shall end on the thirty-first (31st) day
of December in each year.

                                       15
<PAGE>   20

                                   ARTICLE XII
                                  COMPANY FUNDS

         The funds of the Company shall be deposited in such bank account or
accounts, or invested in such interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing accounts,
as shall be designated by the Management Committee. All withdrawals from any
such bank accounts shall be made by the Management Committee or the
Administrator or as otherwise duly authorized by the Management Committee.
Without the prior unanimous consent of the Management Committee, Company funds
shall not be commingled with those of any other Person.

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                STATUS OF MEMBERS

         Except as provided in the Act or as expressly provided in a separate
written agreement signed by the relevant Member, the debts, obligations and
liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise,
shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no
Member shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability
of the Company solely by reason of being a Member or acting as a member of the
Management Committee or as a member of the management committee of an Operating
Subsidiary.

                                  ARTICLE XIV
                      MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

         SECTION 14.1 MEMBER MANAGEMENT. The management of the Company is fully
vested in the Members, acting exclusively in their membership capacities. To
facilitate the orderly and efficient management of the Company, the Members
shall act collectively as a "committee of the whole" (named the Management
Committee) pursuant to Section 14.2. The Company will not have "managers," as
that term is used in the Act, it being understood that the Representatives and
Alternate Representatives do not constitute "managers."

         SECTION 14.2 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. The Members shall act collectively
through meetings as a "committee of the whole," which is hereby named the
"Management Committee." Decisions or actions taken by the Management Committee
in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute decisions
or actions by the Company and shall be binding on each Member of the Company.
The Management Committee shall conduct its affairs in accordance with the
following provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement:

                  (a) Organization of Management Committee:

                           (i) The Management Committee shall be composed of one
                  representative for each Member.

                           (ii) Each Member shall appoint one individual to
                  represent it on the Management Committee (individually, such
                  Member's "Representative" and collectively, such Members'
                  "Representatives"). Any individual may serve as the
                  Representative of more than one Member. Each Member shall also
                  appoint one

                                       16
<PAGE>   21

                  or more individuals ("Alternate Representatives") with the
                  power of substitution and authority to act in place of its
                  Representatives in case of the unavailability thereof. Each
                  Representative and Alternate Representative shall be an
                  officer or agent of the Member appointing him or her and shall
                  be duly authorized to act on behalf of and to bind the
                  appointing Member. Each Member reserves the right to remove
                  any one or more of its Representatives or Alternate
                  Representatives, as the case may be, and to appoint successors
                  and substitutes therefor, from time to time, and any such
                  change shall be effective upon such Member's delivering a
                  written notice of such change to the Company.

                           (iii) Notwithstanding the number of Representatives
                  and Alternate Representatives, each Member shall have the
                  right to vote its Sharing Ratio on all matters to be decided
                  by the Management Committee. If any Member becomes a
                  Delinquent Member and the Delinquent Member's delinquent
                  Capital Contribution has not otherwise been paid pursuant to
                  Section 7.5(c), then for voting purposes, unless and until the
                  Capital Contribution as to which the Delinquent Member is
                  delinquent is paid by such Member, (i) the Sharing Ratio of
                  such Member shall be deemed to be reduced in the same manner
                  as provided in Section 7.5(c)(iii) as if the other Members
                  shall have made the delinquent Capital Contribution of the
                  Delinquent Member and (ii) such reduction in the Sharing Ratio
                  of the Delinquent Member shall be apportioned among the other
                  Members in proportion to their respective Sharing Ratios.
                  Voting may occur by voice vote at a meeting of the Management
                  Committee or by written consent.

                           (iv) Unanimous approval, vote or consent of the
                  Management Committee shall mean the approval, vote or consent
                  of all of the Sharing Ratios.

                           (v) If any Member shall have breached or violated any
                  material covenant, condition, representation or warranty
                  contained in this Agreement, other than a breach or violation
                  to which the provisions of Section 7.5 apply, then the
                  Management Committee shall send, or cause to be sent, notice
                  to such Member describing the alleged breach or violation,
                  referring in such notice to the relevant Section of this
                  Agreement and stating the consequences of continued breach or
                  violation of such Section. If such Member does not remedy the
                  breach or violation within the earlier of (A) a reasonable
                  time or (B) 30 days of receipt of the Notice, the Majority in
                  Interest (based on Sharing Ratios) of the remaining Members
                  may vote (A) to exclude such breaching or violating Member and
                  its Representative and Alternate Representative(s) from
                  participation in the Management Committee and (B) to apportion
                  such breaching Member's Sharing Ratio for voting purposes to
                  the other Members; in the case of (A) and (B), only so long as
                  such breach or violation continues.

                  (b) Management Committee Consents: Except as otherwise
         expressly required in this Agreement, any action of the Management
         Committee shall require the affirmative vote of a Majority in Interest.
         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the following
         actions require the unanimous consent, subject to the provisions of
         Section 14.2(a)(v), of the Management Committee:

                                       17
<PAGE>   22

                           (i) Adoption of any rules and procedures of the
                  Management Committee in addition to those set forth in this
                  Agreement and amendments or supplements thereto concerning the
                  conduct of the affairs of the Management Committee of the
                  Company;

                           (ii) The sale, transfer or other disposition of an
                  Operating Subsidiary or of all or substantially all of the
                  assets, whether in one transaction or a series of
                  transactions, of an Operating Subsidiary;

                           (iii) Engaging in any business other than the
                  ownership of the Operating Subsidiaries or authorizing an
                  Operating Subsidiary to engage in any business other than the
                  acquisition, construction, ownership, operation, repair,
                  maintenance, alteration and/or expansion of any Subsidiary
                  System;

                           (iv) The formation of any Operating Subsidiary other
                  than those Operating Subsidiaries formed on or prior to the
                  Formation Date, including, but not limited to, the terms and
                  provisions of the formation documents for such entity and any
                  amendments thereto;

                           (v) Any expansion or extension of any Subsidiary
                  System other than as permitted pursuant to Section 7.2;

                           (vi) Except for purposes of winding up the affairs of
                  the Company following a dissolution, the sale, lease,
                  mortgage, pledge or other transfer of all or substantially all
                  of the Company's assets;

                           (vii) Approval of the form and content of any
                  short-term or long-term financing commitment and any fee
                  arrangement related thereto;

                           (viii) Approval of all tax policy matters, tax
                  elections, and all federal and state income and franchise tax
                  returns of the Company; and

                           (ix) Any other act described in this Agreement or the
                  Act as requiring the unanimous consent of the Management
                  Committee or the Members, including, without limitation, those
                  acts set forth in Sections 7.3 and Articles XVIII and XXI.

                  (c) Meetings of the Management Committee:

                           (i) Regular meetings of the Management Committee
                  shall be held (at least every four months) on such dates, at
                  such times and at such locations as the members of such
                  committee shall from time to time determine, taking into
                  account the convenience of all parties. Notice of any special
                  meeting shall include a statement of the matters proposed to
                  be considered at such meeting and shall be given to all
                  participants by the Person calling the meeting, under normal
                  circumstances at least 10 Business Days prior to the meeting,
                  although shorter notice of a meeting (but not less than 24
                  hours) may be given if the circumstances

                                       18
<PAGE>   23

                  of urgency so require. All notices of Management Committee
                  meetings shall be given either in writing, or by telephone if
                  immediately followed by written confirmation. Each Member
                  agrees to use reasonable efforts to cause at least one of its
                  Representatives or an Alternate Representative to participate,
                  in the manner provided for herein, in all Management Committee
                  meetings. No Management Committee meeting shall be held unless
                  a Representative or Alternate Representative of each Member
                  participates in such meeting; provided, that if a duly
                  scheduled meeting is rescheduled due to the refusal or failure
                  of the Representative or any Alternate Representatives of one
                  or more Members to attend the meeting, then at the rescheduled
                  meeting, if there is a recurrence of the absence of the
                  Representative or any of the Alternate Representatives of any
                  such Member, the voting rights of such Member with respect to
                  matters addressed at such meeting(s) shall be apportioned
                  (based on Sharing Ratios) for voting purposes to, and all
                  decisions shall be made by, the Representatives or Alternate
                  Representatives of the other Members attending the meeting.

                           (ii) Representatives and Alternate Representatives
                  may participate in any Management Committee meeting by means
                  of telephone conference call or similar communications
                  equipment so long as all Persons participating in the meeting
                  can hear each other simultaneously. Except as otherwise
                  provided by applicable laws, any action required or permitted
                  to be taken at any meeting of the Management Committee may be
                  taken without a meeting, and without a vote, if a consent or
                  consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall
                  be signed by the Representatives of not less than the minimum
                  of the Membership interests or Sharing Ratios that would be
                  necessary to take such action at a meeting at which the
                  Representatives of all the Members were present and voted.

                           (iii) The Management Committee shall appoint a
                  Chairman who shall preside at all Management Committee
                  meetings. The office of Chairman shall be alternated each
                  Calendar Year between (A) a Representative appointed by one of
                  the ANR Subs and (B) a Representative appointed by Leviathan
                  Deepwater, and vice versa.

                  (d) Sub-Committees:

                           (i) The Management Committee shall establish the
                  following Sub-Committees namely, the Finance Sub-Committee,
                  the Legal Sub-Committee and the Insurance Sub-Committee; and
                  each of such Sub-Committees shall continue until the
                  Management Committee unanimously approves the discontinuance
                  of such Sub-Committee. The Management Committee may also
                  establish such additional Sub-Committees from time to time as
                  it may determine, with such duties as the Management Committee
                  may prescribe.

                           (ii) Each Sub-Committee shall have one representative
                  representing each Member, provided that a representative on
                  the Sub-Committee may represent more than one Member. Each
                  representative so appointed shall serve

                                       19
<PAGE>   24

                  until his successor shall be duly appointed or until his
                  death, ineligibility to serve, resignation or removal by the
                  Member which appointed him.

                           (iii) The Finance Sub-Committee shall in addition to
                  any other duties designated by the Management Committee submit
                  to the Management Committee its recommendations as to (A) all
                  proposed Company financings, (B) the depositing and investment
                  of Company funds, (C) accounting, auditing, budgets, financial
                  forecasting and reporting and related matters and (D)
                  selection of the Certified Public Accountants.

                           (iv) The Legal Sub-Committee shall in addition to any
                  other duties designated by the Management Committee submit to
                  the Management Committee its recommendations as to (A) legal,
                  regulatory and related matters and (B) selection of outside
                  counsel.

                           (v) The Insurance Sub-Committee shall in addition to
                  any other duties designated by the Management Committee submit
                  to the Management Committee its recommendations as to
                  insurance and other risk management matters.

                           (vi) The recommendations of Sub-Committees shall not
                  be considered as an act or authorization of the Management
                  Committee or the Company and, unless expressly authorized by
                  the Management Committee, Sub-Committees shall only have the
                  authority to make recommendations to the Management Committee
                  for its consideration and shall have no authority to deal with
                  any Person other than the Company, the Members and the
                  Administrator. The failure on the part of any Sub-Committee to
                  make a recommendation with respect to any matters shall not
                  limit the power and authority of the Management Committee or
                  the officials of the Company (acting within the scope of their
                  authority) to take action with respect to such matters nor
                  shall any such failure limit the authority of the
                  Administrator to take action with respect to such matter in
                  the name and on behalf of the Company in accordance with the
                  service agreement between the Administrator and the Company
                  and any appropriate directions of the Management Committee.

                  (e) No Individual Actions: A Member may not bind the Company
         without the prior written authorization of the Management Committee.

                  (f) Business Development and Marketing. During the fourth
         calendar quarter of each calendar year, the Management Committee will
         develop and agree upon a marketing and business development plan for
         the Company and each of the Operating Subsidiaries for the upcoming
         calendar year.

         SECTION 14.3 EXCULPATION. NEITHER THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THE
MEMBERS, THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, NOR ANY OWNER, OFFICER, DIRECTOR,
SHAREHOLDER, PARTNER, EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MEMBERS
OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, SHALL BE LIABLE, RESPONSIBLE OR ACCOUNTABLE IN
DAMAGES OR OTHERWISE TO

                                       20
<PAGE>   25

THE COMPANY OR ANY MEMBER FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN OR FAILURE TO ACT (EVEN IF SUCH
ACTION OR FAILURE TO ACT CONSTITUTED THE NEGLIGENCE OF A PERSON) ON BEHALF OF
THE COMPANY WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE AUTHORITY CONFERRED ON THE PERSON DESCRIBED
IN THIS AGREEMENT OR BY LAW UNLESS SUCH ACT OR OMISSION WAS PERFORMED OR OMITTED
FRAUDULENTLY OR CONSTITUTED GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT. TO THE
EXTENT THAT, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THE MEMBERS, THEIR
RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, OR ANY OWNER, OFFICER, DIRECTOR, SHAREHOLDER, PARTNER,
EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE THEREOF HAVE DUTIES (INCLUDING
FIDUCIARY DUTIES) AND LIABILTIES RELATING TO THE COMPANY OR TO ANOTHER MEMBER,
THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THE MEMBERS, THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, OR ANY
OWNER, OFFICER, DIRECTOR, SHAREHOLDER, PARTNER, EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OR OTHER
REPRESENTATIVE THEREOF ACTING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO THE
COMPANY OR TO ANY OTHER MEMBER OR ITS AFFILIATES FOR THEIR RELIANCE ON THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, TO THE EXTENT
THAT THEY EXPAND OR RESTRICT THE DUTIES AND LIABILITIES OF THE MANAGEMENT
COMMITTEE, THE MEMBERS, THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, OR ANY OWNER, OFFICER,
DIRECTOR, SHAREHOLDER, PARTNER, EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE
THEREOF OTHERWISE EXISTING AT LAW OR IN EQUIT), ARE AGREED BY THE MEMBERS TO
REPLACE SUCH OTHER DUTIES AND LIABILITIES OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THE
MEMBERS, THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, OR ANY OWNER, OFFICER, DIRECTOR,
SHAREHOLDER, PARTNER, EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE THEREOF.

         SECTION 14.4 INDEMNIFICATION.

                  (a) TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE MANAGEMENT
         COMMITTEE, THE MEMBERS, THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES AND THEIR
         RESPECTIVE OWNERS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, SHAREHOLDERS, PARTNERS,
         EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS OR ANY PERSON PERFORMING A SIMILAR FUNCTION
         (INDIVIDUALLY, AN "INDEMNITEE") SHALL BE RELEASED, INDEMNIFIED AND HELD
         HARMLESS BY THE COMPANY FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES, CLAIMS,
         DAMAGES, JUDGMENTS, LIABILITIES, OBLIGATION, PENALTIES, SETTLEMENTS AND
         REASONABLE EXPENSES (INCLUDING REASONABLE LEGAL FEES) ARISING FROM ANY
         AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, ACTIONS, SUITS OR PROCEEDINGS, CIVIL,
         CRIMINAL, ADMINISTRATIVE OR INVESTIGATIVE, IN WHICH THE INDEMNITEE MAY
         BE INVOLVED, OR THREATENED TO BE INVOLVED, AS A PARTY OR OTHERWISE, BY
         REASON OF ITS STATUS AS (X) A MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, A
         MEMBER OR AN AFFILIATE THEREOF, OR (Y) AN OWNER, OFFICER, DIRECTOR,
         SHAREHOLDER, PARTNER, EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE OF A
         MEMBER OR AN AFFILIATE THEREOF, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE INDEMNITEE
         CONTINUES TO BE A MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, A MEMBER OR AN

                                       21
<PAGE>   26

         AFFILIATE THEREOF OR AN OWNER, OFFICER, DIRECTOR, SHAREHOLDER, PARTNER,
         EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE OF A MEMBER OR AN AFFILIATE
         THEREOF AT THE TIME ANY SUCH LIABILITY OR EXPENSE IS PAID OR INCURRED,
         UNLESS THE ACT OR FAILURE TO ACT GIVING RISE TO INDEMNITY HEREUNDER WAS
         PERFORMED OR OMITTED FRAUDULENTLY OR CONSTITUTED GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR
         WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

                  (b) The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf
         of the Management Committee and such other Persons as the Management
         Committee shall determine against any liability that may be asserted
         against or expense that may be incurred by such Person in connection
         with the Company's activities, regardless of whether the Company would
         have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under
         the provisions of this Agreement.

                  (c) Expenses incurred by any Indemnitee in defending any claim
         with respect to which such Indemnitee may be entitled to
         indemnification by the Company hereunder (including without limitation
         reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements) shall, to the maximum
         extent permitted by law, be advanced by the Company prior to the final
         disposition of such claim, upon receipt of a written undertaking by or
         on behalf of such Indemnitee to repay the advanced amount of such
         expenses unless it is determined ultimately that the Indemnitee is
         entitled to indemnification by the Company under Section 14.4(a).

                  (d) The indemnification provided in this Section 14.4 is for
         the benefit of the Indemnitees and shall not be deemed to create any
         right to indemnification for any other Persons.

         SECTION 14.5 OFFICERS.

                  (a) Appointment and Tenure.

                           (i) The Management Committee may, from time to time,
                  designate officers of the Company to carry out the day-to-day
                  business of the Company.

                           (ii) The officers of the Company shall be comprised
                  of one or more individuals designated from time to time by the
                  Management Committee. No officer need be a resident of the
                  State of Delaware. Each officer shall hold his office(s) for
                  such terms and shall have such authority, exercise such powers
                  and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to
                  time by the Management Committee. Any number of offices may be
                  held by the same individual.

                           (iii) The officers of the Company may include a
                  chairman, vice chairman, a secretary, a treasurer and a
                  controller. The Management Committee may also designate one or
                  more assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers. The
                  Management Committee may designate such other officers and
                  assistant officers and agents as the Management Committee
                  shall deem necessary.

                                       22
<PAGE>   27

                  (b) REMOVAL. Any officer or agent may be removed as such at
         any time by the Management Committee, either with or without cause, in
         the discretion of the Management Committee.

                  (c) CHAIRMAN. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of
         the Management Committee and shall have such power and authority as may
         be from time to time conferred upon him by the Management Committee. He
         may sign on behalf of the Company any contacts, agreements, bonds and
         mortgages and any applications or other documents to be filed with
         governmental authorities which the Management Committee has authorized
         to be signed on behalf of the Company and shall endeavor to see that
         all orders, directives and policies of the Management Committee are
         carried out.

                  (d) VICE CHAIRMAN. In the absence of the Chairman or in the
         event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice Chairman shall
         perform the duties of the Chairman, and when so acting shall have the
         powers of and be subject to all restrictions imposed upon the Chairman.
         The Vice Chairman shall also perform such other duties as the
         Management Committee may from time to time prescribe. If the Chairman
         is a Representative of one of the ANR Subs, then the Vice Chairman
         shall be a representative of Leviathan Deepwater, and vice versa.

                  (e) SECRETARY. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the
         Management Committee and record, or cause to be recorded, all
         proceedings of the meetings in a book to be kept for that purpose. If
         requested by a Representative, he shall give, or cause to be given,
         notice of all special meetings of the management Committee. The
         Secretary shall also perform such other duties as the Management
         Committee may from time to time prescribe.

                  (f) TREASURER. The Treasurer shall be responsible for advising
         the Management Committee concerning the custody and utilization of the
         Company's funds and securities and records with respect thereto. The
         Treasurer shall also perform such other duties as the Management
         Committee may from time to time prescribe.

                  (g) CONTROLLER. The Controller shall be responsible for
         advising the Management Committee concerning the maintenance of
         adequate accounting records and concerning internal auditing
         procedures. The Controller shall also perform such other duties as the
         Management Committee may from time to time prescribe.

         SECTION 14.6 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE DEADLOCKS. If any matter or proposal
is brought before the Management Committee which is to be decided by a Majority
in Interest and a Majority in Interest does not vote for or against such matter
or proposal, any Member, by written notice to all the other Members given within
10 days after the initial vote on such matter or proposal, may call a meeting of
the Management Committee to reconsider such matter or proposal, such meeting to
be held when, where and as reasonably specified in said notice, but not less
than 15 days nor more than 25 days after the date of such Management Committee
vote. If such meeting is called and held as herein provided and a Majority in
Interest does not vote for or against such matter or proposal, then any Member
may within 10 days thereafter submit the matter to arbitration in accordance
with Sections 14.7 through 14.14. If no Member calls such a

                                       23
<PAGE>   28

meeting within the first 10 day period after the second meeting, no Member shall
thereafter have any right to request arbitration regarding such matter or
proposal.

         SECTION 14.7 INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS. Any Member wishing to submit a
matter or proposal to arbitration as permitted by this Article XIV shall do so
by giving written notice of arbitration to the other Members and the Company.
The Member initiating arbitration shall also simultaneously file duplicate
copies of its notice of arbitration with any regional office of the AAA,
together with the appropriate fee as provided in the AAA's administrative fee
schedule. The initiating Member shall state in its notice of arbitration the
regional office of the AAA it has selected and thereafter all communications
with the AAA regarding the arbitration proceedings shall be directed to such
office unless the AAA directs otherwise. The notice of arbitration shall contain
a brief description of the nature of the dispute to be arbitrated and the remedy
or resolution sought by the Member initiating arbitration. Such notice may also
contain a request that the dispute be arbitrated by a panel of three
arbitrators. If no such request is contained in the notice, it shall be presumed
that the Member seeking arbitration desires the dispute to be determined by a
single arbitrator.

         SECTION 14.8 RESPONSES. Each of the other Members shall, within 20 days
from the date of mailing of the notice of arbitration, file with each of the
other Members, the Company and the AAA a response in which it states its view
regarding the dispute to be arbitrated and the remedy or resolution it desires.
Such response may also include a request that the dispute be determined by a
panel of three arbitrators. If any of the Members indicate their desire to have
the dispute determined by a panel of three arbitrators, it shall be so
determined. Otherwise, the dispute shall be determined by a single arbitrator.

         SECTION 14.9 SELECTION OF ARBITRATORS. As soon as practical after the
expiration of the 20 day period beginning upon the date of mailing of the
initiating Member's notice of arbitration, the AAA shall compile a list of
available arbitrators competent and qualified to determine the dispute as
described in the notice of arbitration and the responses thereto. If the Members
have elected, in accordance with Section 14.8, to have the dispute determined by
a panel of three arbitrators, the list shall be composed of seven (7) names and
if the Members have elected to have the dispute determined by a single
arbitrator, the list shall be composed of five (5) names. The AAA shall also, at
the same time, by lot, rank the Members in numerical order, and shall thereupon
forthwith transmit the list simultaneously to the Members and inform them of the
order in which it has ranked them. Unless all of the Members shall beforehand
agree to a different time or place, or both, they shall meet at the principal
office of the Company at 10:00 A.M. prevailing time on the seventh Business Day
after the date of mailing of the AAA's list of arbitrators and notice of
ranking. At such time, they shall each, one by one, in accordance with the
ranking determined by the AAA, strike a name from the list submitted by the AAA
until each Member has struck two (2) names. The three (3) or the one (1)
remaining, as the case may be, when such process of striking has been completed,
shall be the arbitrators or arbitrator to arbitrate and determine the dispute.
If any of the arbitrators so selected declines or for any reason fails to serve,
the AAA shall forthwith furnish the Members a second list of additional
available arbitrators competent and qualified to determine the dispute, such
list to contain five (5) names plus the names of as many individuals as there
are vacancies to fill because of the failure to serve of previously selected
arbitrators. The parties shall thereupon again, in accordance with the ranking
determined by the AAA, one by one, in turn, strike names from the

                                       24
<PAGE>   29

list. The individuals or individual whose names or name remain on the list upon
the completion of such striking shall, together with any arbitrators previously
chosen in the case of a dispute to be determined by a panel of three (3)
arbitrators, be the arbitrators to arbitrate and determine the dispute. This
procedure shall be repeated until one (1) or three (3) arbitrators, as the case
may be, who are willing and able to serve have been selected. If any of the
Members at any point fails to participate in the procedure hereinabove
established to select arbitrators, the AAA shall forthwith eliminate the
appropriate number of names from the list of arbitrators for each Member not so
participating.

         SECTION 14.10 LOCATION. Within 10 days of the mailing to the Members by
the AAA of notification that the one or all three of the arbitrators, as the
case may be, selected as above provided is or are willing and able to serve, the
Members may mutually agree upon the locale where the arbitration is to be held.
If the locale is not designated within such period, the AAA shall have the power
to determine the locale and its decision shall be final and binding; provided,
however, that if within the 10 days, one Member files a written request with the
AAA and each of the other Members that the hearing be held in a specific locale
and no other Member so files an alternate request, the arbitration proceedings
shall be conducted at the locale requested

         SECTION 14.11 RULES. Except as specifically herein provided for, all
arbitration proceedings under this Article XIV shall be conducted in accordance
with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA, as then amended and in effect;
and such rules shall be interpreted and applied and questions retarding the
arbitration process not resolved under such rules shall be determined in
accordance with the Uniform Arbitration Act, as enacted in the State of
Delaware.

         SECTION 14.12 LIMITATIONS ON ARBITRATION. Except with respect to the
matters specified in Section 14.6, no Member shall have the right to demand
arbitration with respect to any dispute, difference or question arising between
any of the Members themselves or any Member and the Company as to the meaning or
interpretation of any provision of this Agreement or as to the performance by
any Member or the Company of its obligation hereunder, whether before or after
the termination of this Agreement, or as to any matter whatsoever.

         SECTION 14.13 EFFECT OF AWARD. Upon any decision with respect to any
matter referred to arbitration pursuant to the provisions of this Article XIV,
each Member and the Company shall use its best efforts and take all such steps
as may be within its power to ensure that the matter determined by arbitration
is carried out as if it had received the appropriate approval of the Management
Committee. The Members agree that judgment on the arbitration award may be
entered by any court of competent jurisdiction.

         SECTION 14.14 COMPANY ADMINISTRATION. The Members select LOC as
Administrator of the Company. Contemporaneously with the execution of this
Agreement, the Company has executed and delivered an administrative service
agreement (the "Administrative Agreement") to LOC. The Administrator may not be
removed, and the Administrative Agreement may not be terminated or amended,
except pursuant to the terms of the Administrative Agreement. If the
Administrative Agreement is terminated or if LOC is removed as Administrator,
the Management Committee shall (i) select ANR as the new Administrator, subject
to ANR's written consent, and (ii) enter into a new Administrative Agreement
with ANR with terms and conditions agreeable to both ANR and the Management
Committee.

                                       25
<PAGE>   30

                                   ARTICLE XV
                      MANAGEMENT OF OPERATING SUBSIDIARIES

         SECTION 15.1 OPERATING SUBSIDIARY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES. Each Operating
Subsidiary shall be managed, in accordance with the constitutive documents of
such Operating Subsidiary, by a management committee, each such management
committee to be composed of one (1) representative from each Member, which
representative shall have the right to vote such Member's Sharing Ratio on all
matters to be decided by such management committee. The same representative may
represent more than one Member.

                                  ARTICLE XVI
              DISPOSITIONS AND ENCUMBRANCES OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

         SECTION 16.1 DISPOSITIONS AND ENCUMBRANCES OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS.

                  (a) A Disposition or Encumbrance of all or any portion of a
         Membership Interest may be effected only in strict accordance with the
         provisions of this Section 16.1. Any attempted Disposition or
         Encumbrance by a Member of a Membership Interest other than in strict
         accordance with this Section 16.1 is void, and the Company shall not
         recognize it. The Members agree that a breach of the provisions of this
         Section 16.1 may cause irreparable injury to the Company and to the
         other Members for which monetary damages (or other remedy at law) are
         inadequate in view of (i) the complexities and uncertainties in
         measuring the actual damages that would be sustained by reason of the
         failure of a Member to comply with such provision and (ii) the
         uniqueness of the Company business and the relationship among the
         Members. Accordingly, the Members agree that the provisions of this
         Section 16.1 may be enforced by specific performance.

                  (b) Except as permitted by Section 16.2, a Member may Dispose
         of its Membership Interest only if:

                           (i) the Disposition would not allow any creditor of
                  the Company or an operating Subsidiary to call, accelerate or
                  otherwise alter the terms or conditions of any indebtedness of
                  the Company or an Operating Subsidiary;

                           (ii) the Disposing Member's assignee enters into an
                  amendment to this Agreement or other Document acceptable in
                  form and substance to the Management Committee whereby the
                  assignee agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement;

                           (iii) the Disposition is pursuant to an applicable
                  exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
                  as amended, and other applicable securities laws;

                           (iv) unless unanimously consented to by the
                  Management Committee, such disposition does not result in a
                  termination of the Company for federal income tax purposes
                  under section 708(b)(1)(B) of the Code, or cause the Company
                  to be treated as a corporation under the Code; and

                                       26
<PAGE>   31

                           (v) the Disposition consists of equal percentages of
                  the Disposing Member's Capital Accounts and Sharing Ratio.

                  (c) If a filing under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
         Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, is required in connection with
         the Disposition by a Member of any of its Membership Interest, which
         filing would not be required if the transfer of such Membership
         Interest were instead accomplished by a change in control of the
         Disposing Member, then the Disposing Member may not effect such
         Disposition of its Membership Interest except with the unanimous
         consent of the Management Committee.

                  (d) Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this
         Agreement, no Member shall dispose of such Member's rights or
         obligations arising from or related to this Agreement, the Company or
         any interest therein if such disposition would result in the violation
         of the Act or any other laws. Any such attempted Dispositions are void
         ab initio.

         SECTION 16.2 PERMITTED DISPOSITIONS AND ENCUMBRANCES. Nothing contained
in this Agreement other than Section 16.1 (b)(iv) shall prevent:

                  (a) The Disposition by any Member of any of its right, title
         and interest in the Company (including indebtedness thereof) if such
         right, title and interest is transferred to another Person which is an
         Affiliate of the transferor pursuant to (a) a statutory merger or
         consolidation or (b) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets
         of the transferor provided that such Affiliate assumes by operation of
         law or express agreement with the Company (in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Management Committee) all of the obligations of the
         transferor under this Agreement and that no such transfer (other than
         pursuant to a statutory merger or consolidation wherein all obligations
         and liabilities of the Member are assumed by the successor Person by
         operation of law) shall relieve the transferor of its obligations under
         this Agreement without the unanimous approval of the Management
         Committee. Upon such transfer such Affiliate shall be admitted as a
         Member in substitution of the Member which was the transferor.

                  (b) An Encumbrance (and any transfer made in foreclosure or
         other enforcement of such Encumbrance) in all or any portion of a
         Member's right, title or interest in the profits and surplus of the
         Company or in any indebtedness of the Company or an Operating
         Subsidiary under any Encumbrance executed by or binding upon such
         Member, provided that such assignee, pledgee, trustee or other
         transferee shall not have any voice in the management of the Company as
         a result of any such transfer.

                                  ARTICLE XVII
                          RESIGNATION, BANKRUPTCY, ETC.

         SECTION 17.1 COVENANT NOT TO WITHDRAW. No Member has the right to, and
each Member agrees that it will not, resign, retire or withdraw from the Company
as a Member without the prior unanimous consent of the Management Committee.

                                       27
<PAGE>   32

         SECTION 17.2 AFFECTED MEMBER.

                  (a) If any Member ceases to be a Member other than in
         connection with the transfer of all that Member's Membership Interest
         and the admission of the transferee as a Member as permitted by Article
         XVI, or remains a Member after becoming a Bankrupt Member (the
         "Affected Member"), the Company shall have the option, exercisable by
         notice from the other Members who are not Affiliates of the Affected
         Member (the "Other Members") to the Affected Member at any time prior
         to the 90th day after receipt of notice of the occurrence of the event
         causing it to become an Affected Member, to buy (or to designate
         another Person to buy), and on the exercise of this option the Affected
         Member shall sell, its interests in the Company (the "Interest").

                  (b) The purchase price shall be an amount equal to the fair
         market value of the Interest determined by agreement by the Affected
         Member and the Other Members, taking into account any sums owed to the
         Affected Member by the Company or by the Affected Member to the
         Company; however, if those persons do not agree on the fair market
         value on or before the 30th day following the exercise of the option,
         then the Other Members shall, by notice to the Affected Member on or
         before the fifth day after the expiration of such 30-day period,
         initiate the determination of fair market value by an independent
         appraiser. Such notice shall designate five appraisal firms recognized
         in the United States. The Affected Member shall select one of such
         appraisal firms within 20 days after receipt of such notice. Each of
         the Affected Member and the Other Members shall submit a proposed fair
         market value to the appraisal firm, together with any supporting
         documentation it deems appropriate, within 30 days after selection of
         the appraisal firm. The appraisal firm shall determine the fair market
         value by selection of one of the proposed fair market values submitted
         (and shall have no authority beyond selection of one of such proposals)
         as promptly as possible (and in any event on or before the 30th day
         after submittal of the competing proposals). The Affected Member and
         the Company each shall pay one-half of the costs of the appraisal. The
         closing of the acquisition of the Interest contemplated hereunder shall
         be consummated at a closing held at the principal offices of the
         Company on or before the 60th day after the determination of the fair
         market value of the Interest but effective at the end of the calendar
         month occurring on or immediately prior to such closing. The purchaser
         shall pay the fair market value as so determined in cash at the
         closing. At the closing, the Affected Member shall deliver to the
         Company or its designee such transfer documentation reasonably
         acceptable to the Company or such designee as shall be required to
         evidence the transfer of such Interest, free and clear of all liens and
         encumbrances, except those created under this Agreement.

                  (c) The payment to be made to the Affected Member under this
         Section 17.2 is in complete liquidation and satisfaction of all
         the rights and interest of the Affected Member (and of all persons
         claiming by, through, or under the Affected Member) in and in respect
         of the Company and any rights against the Company and (insofar as the
         affairs of the Company are concerned) against the Members, and
         constitutes a compromise to which all Members have agreed pursuant to
         Section 18-502(b) of the Act.

                  (d) If an event requiring a winding up of the Company occurs
         before the purchase price for the Interest is determined under Section
         17.2(b), then the purchase and sale shall not occur. Instead, the
         Affected Member or its successors shall be entitled to

                                       28
<PAGE>   33

         receive in the liquidation of the Company the same amount that person
         would have received had the Affected Member continued to be a Member or
         not become a Bankrupt Member.

                                 ARTICLE XVIII
                           DISSOLUTION OF THE COMPANY

         The happening of any one of the following events shall work an
immediate dissolution of the Company:

                  (a) the unanimous written consent of the Members; or

                  (b) any other event causing dissolution as described in
         section 18-801 (a)(4) or (5) of the Act.

                                  ARTICLE XIX
                    WINDING UP AND TERMINATION OF THE COMPANY

         SECTION 19.1 LIQUIDATOR. If the Company is dissolved and wound up for
any reason, a liquidator (the "Liquidator") shall commence to wind up the
affairs of the Company and to liquidate and sell its assets. The Management
Committee shall serve as the Liquidator. The Liquidator shall have full right
and discretion to determine the time, manner and terms of sale or sales of
Company property pursuant to such liquidation having due regard to the activity
and condition of the relevant market and general financial and economic
conditions. The Liquidator appointed in the manner provided herein shall have
and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties
hereto or their legal representatives or successors in interest, all of the
powers conferred upon the Management Committee under the terms of this Agreement
(but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise,
upon the exercise of such powers) to the extent necessary or desirable in the
good faith judgment of the Liquidator to carry out the duties and functions of
the Liquidator hereunder, for and during such period of time, not to exceed two
years after the date of dissolution of the Company, as shall be reasonably
required in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator to complete the
liquidation and dissolution of the Company as provided for herein, including,
without limitation, the following specific powers:

                  (a) The power to continue to manage and operate any business
         of the Company during the period of such liquidation or dissolution
         proceedings, excluding, however, the power to make and enter into
         contracts that may extend beyond the period of liquidation.

                  (b) The power to make sales and incident thereto to make
         deeds, bills of sale, assignments and transfers of assets and
         properties of the Company; provided, that the Liquidator may not impose
         personal liability upon any of the Members under any such instrument.

                  (c) The power to borrow funds as may, in the good faith
         judgment of the Liquidator, be reasonably required to pay debts and
         obligations of the Company or operating expenses, and to execute and/or
         grant deeds of trust, mortgages, security

                                       29
<PAGE>   34

         agreements, pledges and collateral assignments upon and encumbering any
         of the Company properties as security for repayment of such loans or as
         security for payment of any other indebtedness, of the Company;
         provided, that the Liquidator shall not have the power to create any
         personal obligation on any of the Members to repay such loans or
         indebtedness other than out of available proceeds of foreclosure or
         sale of the properties or assets as to which a lien or liens are
         granted as security for payment thereof.

                  (d) The power to settle, release, compromise or adjust any
         claims asserted to be owing by or to the Company, and the right to
         file, prosecute or defend lawsuits and legal proceedings in connection
         with any such matters.

         SECTION 19.2 RESERVES. After making payment or provision for payment of
all debts and liabilities of the Company and all expenses of liquidation, the
Liquidator may set up, for a period not to exceed the two (2) year period set
forth in Section 19.1, such cash reserves as the Liquidator may deem reasonably
necessary for any contingent liabilities or obligations of the Company. Upon the
satisfaction or other discharge of such contingency, the amount of the reserves
not retired, if any, will be distributed in accordance with this Article.

         SECTION 19.3 LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTIONS. Upon the winding up and
termination of the business and affairs of the Company, its assets (other than
cash) shall be sold and its liabilities and obligations to creditors and all
expenses incurred in its liquidation shall be paid (either by payment or the
making of reasonable provision for payment). Thereafter, the net proceeds from
such sales (after deducting all selling costs and expenses in connection
therewith), together with (at the expiration of the two-year period set forth in
Section 19.1) the balance and reserve account referred to in Section 19.2 above,
shall be distributed among the Members in accordance with their respective
positive balances in their 704(b) Capital Accounts.

         SECTION 19.4 ACCOUNTING. Within a reasonable time following the
completion of the liquidation of the Company's properties, the Liquidator shall
supply to each of the Members a statement prepared by the Certified Public
Accountants that shall set forth the assets and the liabilities of the Company
as of the date of complete liquidation, each Member's pro rata portion of
distributions pursuant to Section 19.3 and the amount retained as reserves by
the Liquidator pursuant to Section 19.2.

         SECTION 19.5 ONLY RECOURSE TO COMPANY ASSETS. Each holder of an
interest in the Company shall look solely to the assets of the Company for all
distributions with respect to the Company and its Capital Contribution thereto
(including the return thereof) and share of profits or losses thereof, and shall
have no other recourse therefor (upon dissolution or otherwise) against the
Company, the Management Committee or the Liquidator. No holder of an interest in
the Company shall have any right to demand or receive property other than cash
upon dissolution and termination of the Company.

         SECTION 19.6 TERMINATION. Upon the completion of the liquidation of the
Company and the distribution of all Company funds, the Company shall terminate
and the Liquidator shall (and is hereby given the power and authority to)
execute, acknowledge, swear to and record all documents required to effectuate
the dissolution and termination of the Company. No Member shall be required to
restore any deficit balance existing in any of its Capital Accounts upon the

                                       30
<PAGE>   35

liquidation and termination of the Company provided that such Member has made
all Capital Contributions that it has agreed to make as contemplated by this
Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE XX
                                     NOTICES

         To be effective, all notices and demands under this Agreement must be
in writing (including telex, facsimile, telecopier or similar writing) and sent
to the addresses of the Members or their respective assigns set forth on the
signature pages hereof. Notices delivered in accordance with the foregoing shall
be deemed to have been given made and effective upon receipt. Any Member or his
assignee may designate a different address to which notices or demands shall
thereafter be directed by written notice given in the manner hereinabove
required and delivered to the Company at its principal office as hereinabove,
set forth. Notice to all the Members shall be deemed to be notice to the
Company.

                                  ARTICLE XXI
                             AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT

         This Agreement may be modified or amended from time to time solely by
the written agreement of the Members holding Membership Interests representing
100% of the Sharing Ratios.

                                  ARTICLE XXII
                    REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

         Each Member hereby represents and warrants to the other Members that
(i) it is duly organized and validly existing in the jurisdiction of its
organization, with full power and authority to enter into and perform its
obligations under this Agreement; (ii) it has validly executed this Agreement,
and upon delivery this Agreement shall be a binding obligation of such party,
enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms; and (iii) its entry
into this Agreement and the performance of its obligations hereunder will not
require the approval of any governmental body or regulatory authority and will
not violate, conflict with or cause a default under any of its organizational
documents, any contractual covenant or restriction by which such party is bound,
or any applicable law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, judgment or decree.

                                 ARTICLE XXIII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 23.1 NO PARTITION. The Members agree that the Company
properties are not and will not be subject to or otherwise suitable for
partition. Accordingly, each Member hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights
that it may have to maintain any action for partition of any Company property.

         SECTION 23.2 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, and the additional
documents and agreements executed in connection herewith or referred to herein
and therein, constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof. They supersede any prior agreement or
understandings among them, and this Agreement may not be modified or amended in
any manner other than as set forth herein.

                                       31
<PAGE>   36

         SECTION 23.3 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS OF THE
PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

         SECTION 23.4 BINDING EFFECT. Except as herein otherwise specifically
provided, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties and their legal representatives, heirs, administrators, executors,
successors and assigns.

         SECTION 23.5 CONTEXT. Wherever from the context it appears appropriate,
each term stated in either the singular or the plural shall include the singular
and the plural, and pronouns stated in the masculine, the feminine or the neuter
gender shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter.

         SECTION 23.6 CAPTIONS. Captions contained in this Agreement are
inserted only as a matter of convenience and in no way define, limit or extend
the scope or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

         SECTION 23.7 EFFECT OF INVALID PROVISION. If any provision of this
Agreement, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance,
shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of
such provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held
invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

         SECTION 23.8 COUNTERPART EXECUTION. This Agreement may be executed in
several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary for all
Members to execute the same counterpart hereof.

         SECTION 23.9 LAWS AND REGULATORY BODIES. This Agreement and the
obligations of the Partners hereunder are subject to all applicable laws, rules,
orders and regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction and in
the event of conflict, said laws, rules, orders and regulations of governmental
authorities having jurisdiction shall control. If, as a result of any
transaction (including but not limited to any acquisition) entered into in
connection with the formation of the Company, any regulatory agency (including
but not limited to FERC or FTC) or court of competent jurisdiction seeks or
orders divestiture or sale of any pipeline assets or interests, the Members
agree that any such divestiture or sale will be satisfied solely through (i)
divestiture or sale of the pipeline assets held at such time by one or more
Operating Subsidiaries or (ii) divestiture or sale of a portion of the
Membership Interest held by the Members; provided, that in the case of (ii)
above, the portion of Membership Interest sold or divested by Leviathan
Deepwater will equal the total amount of Membership Interests sold or divested
by the ANR Subs in the aggregate, and vice versa. In no event shall the Company,
any Member or any Affiliate of any Member be required to litigate with any
regulatory agency to oppose such divestiture or sale. In no event shall any
Member or any Affiliate of any Member be required by any other Member to divest
or sell any ownership interest in any pipeline other than those owned by the
Operating Subsidiaries to resolve any investigation, litigation or regulatory
proceeding arising out of the formation of the Company. The Members agree to
work cooperatively to resolve any agency investigation or other regulatory
proceeding and agree to share the reasonable costs of any third party experts or
consultants retained to assist in resolving

                                       32
<PAGE>   37

such investigation or proceeding. The Members will equally share any gain or
loss arising from any divestiture or sale of assets of the Company or the
Operating Subsidiaries undertaken to resolve or prevent any agency
investigation, litigation or regulatory proceeding.

         SECTION 23.10 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY. Participation in the Company shall
not in any way restrain any Member or its Affiliates or any officers, directors,
shareholders, members, employees, agents or other representatives of any of them
in other present or future business activities, opportunities, transactions,
Ventures or other arrangements of any nature or description, whether or not any
such activity is competitive with the business of the Company or any of the
Company's Affiliates, or in any way preclude or restrict any of them from
entering into a joint venture, partnership or other business arrangement with
the Company. None of any Member or any Member's Affiliates or any officers,
directors, shareholders, members, employees, agents or other representatives of
any of them shall under any circumstances be obligated or bound to offer or
present to the Company any business opportunity offered to such Person as a
prerequisite to the acquisition of or investment in such business opportunity by
any of them. Other than for tax purposes, nothing herein is intended to create a
partnership, joint venture, agency or other relationship creating fiduciary or
quasi-fiduciary duties or similar duties and obligations or subject the Members
to joint and several or vicarious liability or to impose any duty, obligation or
liability that would arise therefrom with respect to any or all of the Members.

         SECTION 23.11 ENTITLEMENT TO CERTIFICATES. Every owner of a Membership
Interest in the Company, unless and to the extent the Company elects otherwise,
shall be entitled to have a certificate, in such form as is approved by the
Company and conforms with applicable law, certifying the Membership Interest
owned by it. Further, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, for
purposes of providing for transfer of, perfecting a security interest in, and
other relevant matters related to, a Membership Interest, the Membership
Interest shall be deemed to be a "security" subject to the rules set forth in
Chapters 8 and 9 of the Texas Uniform Commercial Code and any similar Uniform
Commercial Code provision adopted by the States of New York or Delaware or any
other relevant jurisdiction.

            [The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

                                       33
<PAGE>   38

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and in the year first above written.

Address:                                  American Natural Offshore Company
500 Renaissance Center                    By: /s/ WILLIAM L. JOHNSON
Detroit, Michigan 48243                      ----------------------------------
Telephone: (313) 496-2194                 Name:   William L. Johnson
FAX: (313) 496-3299                       Title:  Senior Vice President

Address:                                  Texas Offshore Pipeline System, Inc.
500 Renaissance Center                    By: /s/ WILLIAM L. JOHNSON
Detroit, Michigan 48243                      ----------------------------------
Telephone: (313) 496-2194                 Name:   William L. Johnson
FAX: (313) 496-3299                       Title:  Senior Vice President

Address:                                  Unitex Offshore Transmission Company
500 Renaissance Center                    By: /s/ WILLIAM L. JOHNSON
Detroit, Michigan 48243                      ----------------------------------
Telephone: (313) 496-2194                 Name:   William L. Johnson
FAX: (313) 496-3299                       Title:  Senior Vice President

Address:                                  ANR Western Gulf Holdings, L.L.C.
500 Renaissance Center                    By: /s/ WILLIAM L. JOHNSON
Detroit, Michigan 48243                      ----------------------------------
Telephone: (313) 496-2194                 Name:   William L. Johnson
FAX: (313) 496-3299                       Title:  Senior Vice President

Address:                                  Leviathan Deepwater, L.L.C.
1001 Louisiana-Suite 2600                 By: /s/ T. DARTY SMITH
Houston, Texas 77002                         ----------------------------------
Telephone: (713) 420-2131                 Name:   T. Darty Smith
FAX: (713) 420-5472                       Title:  Vice President

<PAGE>   39

                                    Exhibit A
                                       To
                       Limited Liability Company Agreement
                                       Of
                           Deepwater Holdings, L.L.C.

         The Sharing Ratios of the Members of Deepwater Holdings, L.L.C. are as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Member                                                 Sharing Ratio
         ------                                                 -------------
<S>                                                             <C>
         Leviathan Deepwater, L.L.C................................50.000%
         American Natural Offshore Company.........................14.819%
         Texas Offshore Pipeline System, Inc.......................14.819%
         Unitex Offshore Transmission Company.......................2.717%
         ANR Western Gulf Holdings, L.L.C..........................17.645%

         Total....................................................100.000%
</TABLE>

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