Document:

<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10.21

<TABLE>

<S>                                 <C>                                <C>
DEN NORSKE BANK ASA                 FORTIS CAPITAL CORP.               NEDSHIP BANK N.V.
NEW YORK BRANCH                     THREE STAMFORD PLAZA               C/O NEDSHIP INTERNATIONAL INC.
200 PARK AVENUE                     301 TRESSER BOULEVARD              66 FIELD POINT ROAD
NEW YORK, NY 10166                  STAMFORD, CT 06901                 GREENWICH, CT 06830
</TABLE>

July 6, 2000

Chiles Offshore LLC
11200 Richmond Avenue, Suite 490
Houston, TX 77082

Dear Sirs

We are pleased to confirm that Den norske Bank ASA, Fortis Capital Corp. and
Nedship Bank N.V. (together the "Arrangers") are prepared to provide you with a
financing facility (the "Facility") as outlined in this letter and in the
attached terms and conditions, which shall be read together with, and form an
integral part of, this letter. This letter and the attached terms and conditions
are together referred to as the "Commitment Letter".

The Commitment Letter sets forth the economic and business terms of, and
provides an indication of the Arrangers' documentation requirements for, the
contemplated transaction. Provision of the Facility is subject to documentation
satisfactory to the Lenders and their legal counsel.

The Commitment Letter:

(i)      sets forth the entire understanding to date between the parties hereto
         with respect to the Facility and supersedes all prior agreements and
         understandings, both written and oral, with respect thereto;

(ii)     may not be amended, modified or supplemented in any respect except as
         expressly set forth in writing signed by an authorized representative
         of each of the Arrangers and you;

(iii)    may not (and its terms may not) be disclosed to anyone except to your
         agents, advisors and attorneys who have a need to know as a result of
         their being involved in the transaction, or as required by applicable
         law or compulsory legal process;

(iv)     may not be assigned by you, directly or indirectly;

(v)      shall be binding on the Arrangers and on you and shall inure to the
         benefit of the Arrangers and of you, and their and your respective
         heirs, executors, successors and, in the case of the Arrangers,
         assigns; and

(vi)     shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws
         of the State of New York.

If the terms and conditions of the Commitment Letter are acceptable to you,
please so indicate by signing four copies of the Commitment Letter in the space
provided for that purpose and return to us via fax with originals to follow to
Fortis Capital Corp. by

<PAGE>

overnight mail on or before the close of business on
July 14, 2000, the date and time on which the Commitment Letter will otherwise
expire.

Yours Faithfully,

On behalf of Den Norske Bank ASA

/s/ Barbara Gronquist
    Barbara Gronquist
    Senior Vice President

/s/ Nikoli Nachamkin
    Nikoli Nachamkin
    First Vice President

On behalf of Fortis Capital Corp.

/s/ Svein Engh
    Svein Engh
    Managing Director

/s/ Carl Ressmussen
    Carl Ressmussen
    Assistant Vice President

On behalf of Nedship Bank N.V.

/s/ Rene Krijthe

AGREED AND ACCEPTED THIS 6TH DAY OF JULY 2000.

FOR:      CHILES OFFSHORE LLC

BY:         /s/ Dick Fagerstal
          ------------------------

NAME:       Dick Fagerstal
          ------------------------

TITLE:      Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
          ------------------------

Page  2
<PAGE>

BORROWER:                   Chiles Offshore Inc. (formerly Chiles
                            Offshore LLC).

GUARANTORS:                 Chiles Columbus LLC and Chiles Magellan LLC each a
                            wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower, and any
                            other such rig owning companies whose material
                            assets are pledged under the loan agreement.

ARRANGERS:                  Fortis Capital Corp. ("Fortis"), Nedship Bank N.V.
                            ("Nedship") and Den norske Bank ASA ("DnB"). Each
                            Arranger to underwrite 1/3 of the Amount.

AGENTS:                     Fortis as Facility Agent and Nedship as Security
                            Agent.

LENDERS:                    Fortis, Nedship and DnB and other such financial
                            institutions as selected by the Arrangers and the
                            Borrower.

FACILITY:                   Senior secured reducing revolving credit facility,
                            with a Letter of Credit Sublimit.

AMOUNT:                     USD 120,000,000.

LETTER OF CREDIT
SUBLIMIT:                   USD 15,000,000.

UNITS:                      i) "CHILES COLUMBUS", a LeTourneau designed Enhanced
                            116 class jackup rig with 350 water depth, built at
                            AMFELS Inc. (the "First Unit").

                            ii) "CHILES MAGELLAN", a LeTourneau designed Super
                            116 class jackup rig with 350 water depth, built at
                            AMFELS Inc. (the "Second Unit").

                            iii)"CHILES NEW RIG", a KFELS Mod V "B" class jackup
                            rig with 350 water depth, to be built at AMFELS Inc.
                            (the "Third Unit").

                            iv) "CHILES DISCOVERER", a KFELS Mod V "B" class
                            jackup rig with 350 water depth, to be built at
                            Keppel FELS in Singapore (the "Fourth Unit").

PURPOSE:                    For general corporate purposes and to finance either
                            i) the partial construction cost of the Third Unit
                            or ii) the refinancing of the yard financing for the
                            Fourth Unit.

FINAL MATURITY:             Seven years from closing.

AVAILABILITY:               In full at closing, subject to satisfactory Facility
                            documentation and compliance with terms and
                            conditions of such documentation.

Page  3
<PAGE>

                            Until a mortgage or an assignment of the newbuilding
                            contract on the Third Unit or the Fourth Unit has
                            been duly executed, Availability shall be limited to
                            maximum USD 80,000,000.

                            Advances are to be drawn in minimum amounts of USD
                            2,000,000 and in multiples of USD 1,000,000.

MANDATORY
REDUCTIONS:                 In four (4) semi-annual reductions of USD 6,000,000
                            commencing on the six month anniversary from
                            closing, followed by ten (10) semi-annual reductions
                            of USD 4,250,000, with a USD 53,500,000 balloon at
                            Final Maturity.

                            In the event that the Third Unit or the Fourth Unit
                            (collectively "the New Units") or an assignment of
                            either of the New Units' newbuilding contracts are
                            not pledged as collateral within two years from
                            closing, the Amount shall reduce to USD 80,000,000
                            less four (4) semi-annual reductions of USD
                            2,500,000, with reductions commencing on the six
                            month anniversary from closing, followed by ten (10)
                            semi-annual reductions of USD 3,900,000, with a USD
                            31,000,000 balloon at Final Maturity.

VOLUNTARY
CANCELLATIONS:              The Borrower may elect to permanently reduce the
                            Amount to USD 80,000,000 less four (4) semi-annual
                            reductions of USD 2,500,000, with reductions
                            commencing on the six month anniversary from
                            closing, followed by ten (10) semi-annual reductions
                            of USD 3,900,000, with a USD 31,000,000 balloon at
                            Final Maturity. In such event, the Lenders will
                            release the assignment of the relevant newbuilding
                            contract if already pledged.

                            Once the Facility has been reduced to less than USD
                            80,000,000, upon Borrowers' option, and subject to
                            five working days prior written notice, the Facility
                            may be cancelled in whole, or in part in minimum
                            amounts of USD 5,000,000 and increments of USD
                            1,000,000. Cancelled amounts will be applied to
                            reduce the amount available under the Facility and
                            will be applied to the balloon. Break funding costs,
                            if any, will be for the account of the Borrower.

INTEREST:                   Borrowings under the Facility shall bear interest at
                            the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") for an
                            interest period elected by the Borrower of one,
                            three or six months (or longer if agreed with the
                            Lenders) plus the applicable Margin. Interest is
                            payable at the end of each interest period, unless a
                            six month period is elected, in which case interest
                            is payable quarterly in arrears. Interest is

Page  4
<PAGE>

                            calculated based on actual days over 360 days. No
                            interest period shall extend beyond Final Maturity.

MARGIN:                     Based on the utilization of the Facility:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           Utilization                          Margin (for the total drawn Amount)
                           -----------------------------------  -----------------------------------
<S>                        <C>                                         <C>
                           less than 1/3 of the Amount                 150 bps per annum
                           less than 2/3 => 1/3 of the Amount          175 bps per annum
                           => 2/3 of the Amount                        200 bps per annum
</TABLE>

                            Margin to increase by 25 bps per annum in years six
                            and seven.

                            In the event that the Facility Amount is permanently
                            reduced to USD 80,000,000 less four (4) semi-annual
                            reductions of USD 2,500,000, with reductions
                            commencing on the six month anniversary from
                            closing, followed by ten (10) semi-annual reductions
                            of USD 3,900,000, with a USD 31,000,000 balloon at
                            Final Maturity, the following pricing grid shall
                            apply:

                            Based on the utilization of the Facility:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           Utilization                          Margin (for the total drawn Amount)
                           -----------------------------------  -----------------------------------
<S>                        <C>                                         <C>
                           less than 40% of the Amount                 150 bps per annum
                           less than 80% => 40% of the Amount          175 bps per annum
                           => 80% of the Amount                        200 bps per annum
</TABLE>

                            Margin to increase by 25 bps per annum in years six
                            and seven.

COMMITMENT FEE:             70 bps on the undrawn portion under the Facility,
                            calculated based on actual days over 360 days and
                            payable quarterly in arrears.

FRONT-END FEE:              USD 900,000 payable at closing. In the event that
                            the drawn amount under the Facility exceeds USD
                            80,000,000 less four (4) semi-annual reductions of
                            USD 2,500,000, with reductions commencing on the six
                            month anniversary from closing, an additional fee of
                            USD 300,000 shall be payable.

AGENCY FEE:                 USD 30,000 non-refundable payable to the Agents
                            annually in advance.

COLLATERAL:                 - First priority mortgage on the First Unit and the
                              Second Unit

                            - Assignment of earnings and insurances

                            - If applicable, assignment of newbuilding contract
                              for the Third Unit or the Fourth Unit and
                              construction guarantees related thereto

Page  5
<PAGE>

                            - Joint and several guarantees of the Guarantors

FINANCIAL COVENANTS:        On a consolidated basis, including, but not limited
                            to the following:

                            - Minimum ratio of EBITDA to Interest Expenses:
                              2.25:1 until the fiscal quarter ending December
                              31, 2002; 2.50:1 until the fiscal quarter ending
                              December 31, 2004; and 3.00:1 thereafter.
                              Covenant to be measured on a trailing four fiscal
                              quarter basis, except for the fiscal quarter
                              ended June 30, 2000 when the covenant shall be
                              measured on the last fiscal quarter, the fiscal
                              quarter ended September 30, 2000 when the
                              covenant shall be measured on the last two fiscal
                              quarters and the fiscal year ended December 31,
                              2000 when the covenant shall be measured on the
                              last three fiscal quarters.

                            - Minimum liquid assets: The Borrower to maintain
                              the combination of cash and availability under the
                              Facility, equal to the higher of USD 20 mln and
                              10% of consolidated debt. At least 50% of the
                              minimum liquid assets requirement shall be met by
                              unrestricted consolidated cash balances.

                            - Minimum tangible net worth: USD 100 mln plus 50%
                              of cumulative positive consolidated Net Income for
                              each fiscal quarter from June 30, 2000 onwards,
                              plus 75% of any equity issue after May 31, 2000.

                            - Fair Market Value of the Units to be minimum 200%
                              of the total outstanding Amount (not including the
                              Third Unit while this is under construction).

                            - Maximum ratio of Funded Debt to Total
                              Capitalization: 0.50:1 (or as otherwise agreed
                              between the Lenders and the Borrower) until the
                              fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2003; 0.45:1
                              until the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2006;
                              and 0.40:1 thereafter.

                           For the purposes of the calculation of the Funded
                           Debt to Total Capitalization ratio, the construction
                           contract price (budgeted delivered cost) of any rig
                           for which the Borrower has exercised an option
                           pursuant to the Master Option Agreement shall be
                           included in both the Funded Debt and Total
                           Capitalization figures. In the case of the amount to
                           be included in the Funded Debt figure, the
                           construction contract price (budgeted delivered cost)
                           shall be reduced by the amount of equity contributed
                           by the Borrower towards the cost of the relevant rig.

NON-FINANCIAL
COVENANTS:                 Including, but not limited to the following:

                            - Borrower to remain listed on AMEX, NYSE, NASDAQ
                              or other stock exchange satisfactory to the
                              Agents.

Page  6
<PAGE>

                            - No charter-in contracts with a term longer than
                              twelve months to be agreed without the prior
                              written consent of the Majority Lenders. o SEACOR
                              SMIT Inc. ("SEACOR") to maintain the largest
                              representation on the Board of Directors voting
                              for the same shareholder interest. o SEACOR to
                              retain control of minimum the lower of: i) 20% of
                              the shares of the Borrower and ii) its percentage
                              share of the fully diluted shareholding in the
                              Borrower post the

                              Borrower's initial public offering, which in no
                              event shall be less than 15%.

                            - SEACOR shall not sell any of its shares in the
                              Borrower post the Borrower's initial public
                              offering.

MAJORITY LENDERS:           In the event that there are four or more Lenders,
                            Lenders representing at least 66.67% of the
                            commitment amount. In the event that there are three
                            or fewer Lenders, all Lenders' consents are required
                            for a Majority Lenders' decision.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT:       The Borrower to complete an IPO raising before
                            closing of the Facility, the proceeds from which
                            will primarily be used to reduce outstanding debt.

                            The Borrower to retire the remaining outstanding
                            Chiles Offshore LLC 10% Notes due May 1, 2008.

                            The Borrower to present valuations of the Units from
                            appraisers acceptable to the Arrangers in their sole
                            discretion, dated not more than 30 days earlier than
                            closing.

                            The Borrower shall provide the Lenders with copies
                            of all relevant third party financing agreements,
                            such agreements to be in form and substance
                            acceptable to the Lenders.

OTHER CONDITIONS:           Customary for financings of this type, including
                            without limitation: i) Limitations on liens,
                            negative pledges, indebtedness, contingent
                            liabilities, investments, dividends and
                            distributions, affiliated transactions, mergers,
                            acquisitions, change of control of the Borrower, the
                            Guarantors or the Units, asset sales, sale
                            leasebacks, and with respect to the Borrower,
                            limitations on other activities, etc; ii) Material
                            adverse change clause on the Borrower and the
                            Guarantors; iii) Satisfactory valuation of each Unit
                            by the Borrower prior to closing; (iv) Audited
                            annual financial statements of the Borrower to be
                            provided within 90 days of the end of each fiscal
                            year and unaudited interim quarterly statements
                            within 45 days of the end of each quarter; (v)
                            required insurances as acceptable to the Agents;
                            (vi) all legal and out-of pocket expenses

Page  7
<PAGE>

                            to be borne by the Borrower; and (vii) New York
                            State Law, or other mutually acceptable jurisdiction
                            to apply.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT:          Customary events of default, including without
                            limitation a cross-default to other indebtedness of
                            the Borrower, the Guarantors and their subsidiaries.

                            Default under the USD 82,000,000 non-recourse
                            financing agreement for the construction of a new
                            rig at Keppel FELS shall not constitute a default
                            under the Facility.

Page  8<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.22

                             AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT
                           TO OWNERSHIP OF THE TONALA

     THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of July 20, 2000 (this "AGREEMENT"), among Chiles
Offshore LLC, a Delaware limited liability company to be renamed Chiles Offshore
Inc. upon its conversion into a Delaware corporation ("CHILES"), Perforadora
Central, S.A. de C.V., a corporation organized under the laws of Mexico
("PERFORADORA"), Grupo Industrial Atlantida, S.A. de C.V., a corporation
organized under the laws of Mexico ("GIA"), Patricio Alvarez Morphy, Javier
Alvarez Morphy, Luis Alvarez Morphy and Enrique Chavez Quintana (such natural
persons being referred to collectively as the "STOCKHOLDERS" and, together with
Perforadora and GIA, as the "PERFORADORA PARTIES").

                               W I T N E S S E T H
                               - - - - - - - - - -

     WHEREAS, Perforadora owns the jack-up drilling rig named the TONALA
(together with all related spare parts and equipment appertaining to the Tonala
whether on board or on shore) (the "RIG"), which has been operated by Chiles
pursuant to a bareboat charter dated as of November 30, 1999, as amended (the
"BAREBOAT CHARTER"); and

     WHEREAS, the Stockholders own all of the outstanding capital stock of GIA
which, in turn, owns all of the outstanding capital stock of Perforadora; and

     WHEREAS, subject to the conversion of Chiles into a Delaware corporation
and the completion by Chiles of a Successful IPO (as hereinafter defined),
Chiles desires to acquire direct or indirect ownership of the Rig and the
Stockholders desire to cause such ownership to be conveyed to Chiles in such
manner that the Rig will be owned by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chiles, such
subsidiary will assume the outstanding Title XI Bonds (as hereinafter defined)
and the Stockholders will receive an agreed upon number of shares of Chiles
common stock in exchange therefor;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions contained
herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally
bound, hereby agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                   FORMATION AND EXECUTION OF MERGER AGREEMENT

     SECTION 1.01. INTERMEDIATE TRANSACTIONS.

     (a) As soon as practicable after the receipt of MARAD Approval (as
hereinafter defined), through the series of transactions described on Exhibit A
hereto or such other transactions as may be determined by the Perforadora
Parties (the "INTERMEDIATE TRANSACTIONS"), the Perforadora Parties shall cause
the following to occur in accordance with all applicable laws:

<PAGE>

          (i) Two new Delaware corporations (herein referred to as "PERFORADORA
     DELAWARE" and "TONALA DELAWARE") to be incorporated in accordance with the
     Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL");

          (ii) Perforadora Delaware to issue shares of its common stock to the
     Stockholders (pursuant to a merger transaction with "GIA (2)" described on
     Exhibit A hereto or otherwise), who shall be the only stockholders of
     Perforadora Delaware, and otherwise cause Perforadora Delaware to be duly
     organized in accordance with the DGCL;

          (iii) Tonala Delaware to issue shares of its common stock to
     Perforadora Delaware, which shall be the sole stockholder of Tonala
     Delaware, and otherwise cause Tonala Delaware to be duly organized in
     accordance with the DGCL;

          (iv) Perforadora Delaware to have no liabilities and no assets other
     than ownership of all outstanding common stock of Tonala Delaware;

          (v) Tonala Delaware to own all rights, title and interests in and to
     the Transferred Assets and assume the Transferred Liabilities; and

          (vi) Tonala Delaware to have no assets or liabilities other than the
     Transferred Assets and Transferred Liabilities;

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that prior to a Successful IPO, none of the foregoing shall
require the Perforadora Parties to transfer any assets to, or merge any entity
with or into, any Delaware entity.

     (b) APPROVAL OF INTERMEDIATE TRANSACTIONS. Each of the Intermediate
Transactions shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Chiles
and its counsel, including, without limitation, the adoption by Perforadora and
GIA of resolutions, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Chiles, to
the effect that any and all liabilities (other than the Transferred
Liabilities), including without limitation, tax liabilities under applicable
laws or regulations, that may arise from or in connection with any of the
transactions comprising a part thereof shall remain with and be the sole
liability of Perforadora and GIA or their predecessors in interest, and shall
not be the liabilities of Perforadora Delaware or Tonala Delaware (collectively,
the "DELAWARE ENTITIES," and, together with Perforadora and GIA, the
"PERFORADORA ENTITIES"). The Perforadora Parties shall furnish true and correct
copies of all documents relating to or effecting the Intermediate Transactions
to Chiles for review prior to the execution and delivery thereof by the
Perforadora Entities and shall provide Chiles with pro forma balance sheets of
the Perforadora Entities reflecting the transactions contemplated thereby.

     SECTION 1.02. MERGER AGREEMENT.

     (a) Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in
Section 2.01 hereof, the Perforadora Parties shall cause Perforadora Delaware to

                                       2
<PAGE>

execute and deliver a merger agreement in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto
(the "MERGER AGREEMENT") and to perform its obligations thereunder.

     (b) Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in
Section 2.02 hereof, Chiles shall execute and deliver the Merger Agreement and
perform its obligations thereunder.

     (c) The date on which each of Perforadora Delaware and Chiles has executed
and delivered the Merger Agreement is referred to herein as the "EFFECTIVE
DATE", PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in the event that the "Effective Time" (as defined in
the Merger Agreement) shall not occur on the date on which each of Perforadora
Delaware and Chiles has executed and delivered the Merger Agreement, the
"Effective Date" for purposes hereof shall mean the date on which the Effective
Time shall occur.

                                   ARTICLE II
                     CONDITIONS TO EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF
                          MERGER AGREEMENT OBLIGATIONS

     SECTION 2.01. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF CHILES. The obligation
of Chiles to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Merger
Agreement is subject to the fulfillment, on or prior (except as otherwise
indicated) to the Termination Date, of each of the following conditions (any or
all of which may be waived by Chiles in whole or in part to the extent permitted
by applicable law):

     (a) MARAD Approval shall have been obtained;

     (b) the Intermediate Transactions shall have been consummated in accordance
with Section 1.01 hereof;

     (c) a Successful IPO shall have been completed;

     (d) Chiles shall have been furnished with all consents and approvals
referred to in Section 3.04;

     (e) all representations and warranties of the Perforadora Parties contained
in Article III shall be true and correct on the Effective Date with the same
effect as though those representations and warranties had been made again at and
as of that time;

     (f) the Perforadora Parties shall have performed and complied in all
material respects with all obligations and covenants required by this Agreement
to be performed or complied with by them on or prior to the Effective Date;

     (g) Chiles shall have been furnished with certificates (dated the Effective
Date and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Chiles) executed by
each of the Perforadora Parties, certifying as to the fulfillment of the
conditions specified in Sections 2.01(e) and (f) hereof;

                                       3
<PAGE>

     (h) no Legal Proceedings shall have been instituted or threatened or claim
or demand made against any of the Perforadora Parties or Chiles seeking to
restrain or prohibit or to obtain substantial damages with respect to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and there shall not be in
effect any Order by a Governmental Body of competent jurisdiction restraining,
enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby;

     (i) Chiles shall have been furnished with (i) a copy of the text of any and
all resolutions of the boards of directors (or comparable governing bodies) and
stockholders of the Perforadora Entities, approving or otherwise relating to
this Agreement, the Intermediate Transactions, the Merger Agreement and the
other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (collectively, the
"TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS"), certified by the corporate secretary (or comparable
officer) of each of the Perforadora Entities and in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Chiles, (ii) an incumbency certificate signed by an
officer of each of the Perforadora Entities certifying the signature and office
of each person signing any of the Transaction Documents on such Perforadora
Entity's behalf, (iii) a copy of the certificates of incorporation (or
comparable document), as amended to date, of each of the Perforadora Entities
certified by the secretary of state (or comparable official) from the state or
jurisdiction of such Perforadora Entity's incorporation, (iv) copies of the
by-laws (or comparable documents) of each of the Perforadora Entities, as
amended to date, certified by the corporate secretary (or comparable officer) of
such Perforadora Entity; and (v) good standing certificates for each of the
Perforadora Entities issued as of a recent date by the secretary of state or
comparable official from the state or jurisdiction of such Perforadora Entity's
incorporation;

     (j) Chiles shall have been furnished with certificates, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Chiles, signed by the secretaries of each
of the Delaware Entities (except as otherwise indicated), dated as of the
Effective Date, identifying the following documents to be delivered therewith:
(i) the minute books of the Delaware Entities, (ii) the corporate seals of the
Delaware Entities; (iii) all stock certificate books and stock ledgers of the
Delaware Entities; and (iv) such other documents or instruments as Chiles may
reasonably request in writing with respect to the Delaware Entities not less
than two days prior to the Effective Date to carry out the intent and purposes
of this Agreement, and such minute books, stock certificate books and other
documents shall be complete, accurate and sufficient, to the reasonable
satisfaction of Chiles and its counsel;

     (k) Chiles shall have been furnished with a statement dated not more than
thirty (30) days before the date of the Effective Date, certified by an officer
of Perforadora, certifying the amount of the unpaid principal and interest, date
of maturity, and rate of interest under the Title XI Bonds;

     (l) All agreements between or among either of the Delaware Entities and any
of the Perforadora Parties or their Affiliates, including, without limitation,
all agreements relating to the purchase, sale or voting of any securities of the
Delaware Entities' common stock, shall be terminated at or prior to the
Effective Date.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     (m) Chiles shall have been furnished with (i) a legal opinion of counsel to
the Perforadora Parties and (ii) an opinion from Arthur Andersen LLP as to tax
matters relating to the Intermediate Transactions and the Merger, each of which
shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Chiles.

     SECTION 2.02. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE PERFORADORA
PARTIES. The obligation of the Perforadora Parties to cause Perforadora Delaware
to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Merger Agreement is
subject to the fulfillment, on or prior (except as otherwise indicated) to the
Termination Date, of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may
be waived by the Perforadora Parties in whole or in part to the extent permitted
by applicable law):

     (a) MARAD Approval shall have been obtained;

     (b) a Successful IPO shall have been completed;

     (c) all representations and warranties of Chiles contained in Article IV
shall be true and correct on the Effective Date with the same effect as though
those representations and warranties had been made again at and as of that time;

     (d) Chiles shall have performed and complied in all material respects with
all obligations and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by it on or prior to the Effective Date;

     (e) the Perforadora Parties shall have been furnished with certificates
(dated the Effective Date and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Perforadora Parties) executed by Chiles, certifying as to the fulfillment of
the conditions specified in Sections 2.02(c) and (d) hereof;

     (f) no Legal Proceedings shall have been instituted or threatened or claim
or demand made against the Perforadora Parties or Chiles seeking to restrain or
prohibit or to obtain substantial damages with respect to the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby, and there shall not be in effect any Order
by a Governmental Body of competent jurisdiction restraining, enjoining or
otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;

     (g) the Perforadora Parties shall have been furnished with (i) a copy of
the text of any and all resolutions of the board of directors of Chiles
approving or otherwise relating to the Transaction Documents certified by the
corporate secretary of Chiles in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Perforadora Parties, (ii) an incumbency certificate signed by an officer of
Chiles certifying the signature and office of each person signing any of the
Transaction Documents on Chiles' behalf, (iii) a copy of Chiles' certificate of
incorporation, as amended to date, certified by the secretary of state of
Delaware, (iv) a copy of the by-laws of Chiles, as amended to date, certified by
the corporate secretary of Chiles, and (v) a good standing certificate for
Chiles, issued as of a recent date, by the secretary of state of Delaware.

                                       5
<PAGE>

     (h) The Perforadora Parties shall have been furnished with a legal opinion
of counsel to Chiles in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Perforadora Parties.

                                  ARTICLE III
            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PERFORADORA PARTIES

     The Perforadora Parties hereby each represents and warrants to Chiles that
the statements contained in this Article III are true, correct and complete,
except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule delivered by the Perforadora
Parties to Chiles on the date hereof with section numbers in the Disclosure
Schedule corresponding to the sections hereof that are qualified thereby.

     SECTION 3.01. ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING. Each of Perforadora and GIA
is, and each of the Delaware Entities on the Effective Date will be, a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has or, in the case of the Delaware
Entities, will have on the Effective Date, all requisite corporate power and
authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business
as now or then conducted. Each of the Delaware Entities on the Effective Date
will be duly qualified or authorized to do business as a foreign corporation and
in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it owns or leases
real property and each other jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business
or the ownership of its properties requires such qualification or authorization,
except where the lack of such qualification or authorization would not have a
material adverse effect on the business of operating the Rig.

     SECTION 3.02. AUTHORITY OF PERFORADORA AND GIA. Perforadora and GIA each
has, and each of the Delaware Entities will have on the Effective Date, full
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver each Transaction Document
to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby.
The execution, delivery and performance by each of Perforadora and GIA of each
Transaction Document to which it is a party has been, and the execution,
delivery and performance by each of the Delaware Entities of each Transaction
Document to which it is a party will be on the Effective Date, duly authorized
by all necessary corporate action on behalf of each such Perforadora Entity,
including without limitation, the approval of the Merger Agreement and the
merger contemplated thereby (the "MERGER") by the Stockholders. This Agreement
has been, and each of the Transaction Documents will be, at or prior to the
Effective Date, duly executed and delivered by each Perforadora Entity party
thereto and (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by Chiles of
this Agreement and, at the Effective Date, the Merger Agreement), this Agreement
constitutes, and each of the other Transaction Documents when so executed and
delivered will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of each
Perforadora Entity party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with
their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors' rights and
remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of
equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair
dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or
in equity).

                                       6
<PAGE>

     SECTION 3.03. CORPORATE RECORDS. Each of Perforadora and GIA have delivered
to Chiles true, correct and complete copies of its certificate of incorporation
(or comparable document), as amended to date, certified by the secretary of
state (or comparable official) of its jurisdiction of organization and by-laws
(or comparable document), as amended to date, certified by the corporate
secretary (or comparable officer) of such Perforadora Entity.

     SECTION 3.04. CONFLICTS; CONSENTS OF THIRD PARTIES. (a) The execution and
delivery by the Perforadora Entities of the Transaction Documents, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby and compliance by the
Perforadora Entities with any of the provisions hereof or thereof will not (i)
conflict with, or result in the breach of, any provision of the certificate of
incorporation or by-laws (or comparable organizational documents) of any of the
Perforadora Entities; (ii) except as set forth on Schedule 3.04, conflict with,
violate, result in the breach or termination of, or constitute a default under
any Contract or other obligation to which any of the Perforadora Entities or
Stockholders is a party or by which any of the Perforadora Entities' or
Stockholders' properties or assets is bound; (iii) violate any statute, rule,
regulation, order or decree of any governmental body or authority by which any
of the Perforadora Entities or Stockholders is bound; or (iv) result in the
creation of any Lien upon the properties or assets of any of the Perforadora
Entities or Stockholders.

     (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.04, no consent, waiver, approval,
Order, Permit or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, or
notification to, any Person or Governmental Body is required on the part of any
of the Perforadora Entities or Stockholders in connection with the execution and
delivery of any of the Transaction Documents, or the compliance by any of the
Perforadora Entities or Stockholders with any of the provisions hereof or
thereof.

     SECTION 3.05. NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. On the Effective Date, neither of
the Delaware Entities shall have any indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of
any kind (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, and whether due or
to become due) other than, in the case of Tonala Delaware, the Transferred
Liabilities.

     SECTION 3.06. CONTRACTS. None of the Perforadora Parties or their
Affiliates is party to any Contract relating to the Rig, including, without
limitation, any Contract relating to the ownership, financing, construction,
insurance, operation or maintenance thereof, other than the Rig Contracts and
the agreements and instruments relating to the Title XI Bonds (the "TITLE XI
DOCUMENTS"), the Perforadora Parties shall have furnished to Chiles promptly
after the date of this Agreement true and complete copies of all Rig Contracts
and all Title XI Documents, including all amendments thereto, none of the
Perforadora Parties or their Affiliates is in violation, breach or default of
any of the provisions of the Rig Contracts or the Title XI Documents and, to the
knowledge of the Perforadora Parties, no other Person party to the Rig Contracts
or the Title XI Documents is in violation, breach or default of any of the
provisions thereof. Except for the Bareboat Charter or as set forth on Schedule
3.06, (a) none of the Perforadora Entities has any obligation to be performed by
it under the Rig Contracts or any other agreements or instruments relating
thereto and (b) neither of the Delaware Entities shall have any

                                       7
<PAGE>

obligation to be performed by it after the Effective Date under the Rig
Contracts or any other agreements or instruments relating thereto.

     SECTION 3.07. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. To the knowledge of the Perforadora
Parties, the use by the Perforadora Entities of the name "TONALA" or any variant
or derivative thereof used by any of the Perforadora Entities does not violate
or infringe any Intellectual Property Right of any Person.

     SECTION 3.08. BROKER'S AND FINDER'S FEE. No Person acting on behalf of any
of the Perforadora Parties is or will be entitled to any commission or broker's
or finder's fee from any of the parties hereto, or from any Affiliate of the
parties hereto, in connection with any of the transactions contemplated herein.

     SECTION 3.09. LITIGATION. There is no suit, action, proceeding,
investigation, claim or order pending or, to the knowledge of any of the
Perforadora Parties, overtly threatened against any of the Perforadora Parties
with respect to the Rig or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Documents before any governmental department, commission, board, agency, or
instrumentality; nor, to the knowledge of any of the Perforadora Parties, is
there any reasonable basis for any such action, proceeding, or investigation.

     SECTION 3.10. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS; PERMITS. To the knowledge of the
Perforadora Parties, the Perforadora Entities are in compliance with all Laws
applicable to the operation of the Rig. On the Effective Date, the Delaware
Entities shall have all governmental permits and approvals from state, federal
or local authorities that are required for the Delaware Entities to operate the
Rig.

     SECTION 3.11. INSURANCE. Schedule 3.11 sets forth a complete and accurate
list of all policies of insurance of any kind or nature covering or relating to
the Rig other than policies procured by Chiles under the Bareboat Charter. Any
such policies are in full force and effect, and, to the Perforadora Parties'
knowledge, none of the Perforadora Entities is in default of any provision
thereof.

     SECTION 3.12. AUTHORIZATION. On the Effective Date, all shares of the
outstanding capital stock of the Delaware Entities have been duly authorized and
validly issued and will have been fully paid, nonassessable and not subject to
preemptive rights and owned, in the case of Perforadora Delaware, by the
Stockholders and, in the case of Tonola Delaware, by Perforadora Delaware, in
each case free and clear of all Liens.

     SECTION 3.13. OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF SHARES. The Stockholders are the
record and beneficial owners of all shares of capital stock of GIA, and GIA is
the record and beneficial owner of all shares of capital stock of Perforadora.
On the Effective Date, the Stockholders shall be the record and beneficial owner
of all of the shares of common stock of Perforadora Delaware, free and clear of
any and all Liens, and Perforadora Delaware shall be the record and beneficial
owner of the shares of capital stock of Tonala Delaware, free and clear of any
and all Liens.

                                       8
<PAGE>

     SECTION 3.14. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF TONALA DELAWARE. On the Effective
Date, Tonala Delaware shall have no assets other than the Transferred Assets,
and shall have good and valid title to the Transferred Assets free and clear of
all Liens, except for the Transferred Liabilities and Liens incurred by Chiles
in the course of operating the Rig under the Bareboat Charter.

     SECTION 3.15. NO MISREPRESENTATION. No representation or warranty of the
Perforadora Parties or the Stockholders contained in this Agreement, any
schedule hereto, the Disclosure Schedule or in any certificate furnished by the
Perforadora Parties to Chiles pursuant to the terms hereof, contains any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements contained herein or therein not misleading.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                            REPRESENTATIONS OF CHILES

     Chiles hereby each represents and warrants to the Perforadora Parties that
the statements contained in this Article IV are true, correct and complete,
except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule delivered by Chiles to the
Perforadora Parties on the date hereof with section numbers in the Disclosure
Schedule corresponding to the sections hereof that are qualified thereby.

     SECTION 4.01. CHILES SEC DOCUMENTS. As of the Effective Date, Chiles shall
have filed all required registration statements, reports, schedules, forms,
statements and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") in connection with the Successful IPO and since the date of the
Successful IPO (the "CHILES SEC DOCUMENTS"). As of their respective dates, the
Chiles SEC Documents shall have complied as to form in all material respects
with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may
be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable
to such Chiles SEC Documents, and none of the Chiles SEC Documents contained any
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

     SECTION 4.02. ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING. Chiles is a limited liability
company (and, on the Effective Date, shall be a corporation) duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware
and has all requisite limited liability company power and authority (and, on the
Effective Date, shall have all requisite corporate power and authority) to own,
lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now or then
conducted. Chiles is duly qualified or authorized to do business as a foreign
limited liability company (and, on the Effective Date, shall be so qualified or
authorized as a foreign corporation) and is in good standing under the laws of
each jurisdiction in which it owns or leases real property and each other
jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership of its
properties requires such qualification or authorization, except where the lack
of such qualification or authorization would not have a material adverse effect
on its business or operations.

                                       9
<PAGE>

     SECTION 4.03. AUTHORITY OF CHILES. Chiles has full limited liability
company power and authority (and, on the Effective Date, shall have full
corporate power and authority) to execute and deliver each Transaction Document
to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby.
The execution, delivery and performance by Chiles of each Transaction Document
to which it is a party has been duly authorized by all necessary limited
liability company action (and, at or prior to the Effective Date, all necessary
corporate action). This Agreement has been, and each of the Transaction
Documents will be at or prior to the Effective Date, duly executed and delivered
by Chiles and (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the
other parties thereto) this Agreement constitutes, and each of the other
Transaction Documents to which Chiles is a party when so executed and delivered
will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of Chiles, enforceable
against it in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting
creditors' rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to
general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness,
good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a
proceeding at law or in equity).

     SECTION 4.04. CONFLICTS; CONSENTS OF THIRD PARTIES. (a) The execution and
delivery by Chiles of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby and compliance by Chiles
with any of the provisions thereof will not (i) conflict with, or result in the
breach of, any provision of the limited liability company agreement or
certificate of formation of Chiles or, after Chiles' conversion into a
corporation, the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Chiles; (ii)
conflict with, violate, result in the breach or termination of, or constitute a
default under any Contract or other obligation to which Chiles is a party or by
which Chiles' properties or assets is bound; (iii) violate any statute, rule,
regulation, order or decree of any governmental body or authority by which
Chiles is bound; or (iv) result in the creation of any Lien upon the properties
or assets of Chiles.

     (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.04, no consent, waiver, approval,
Order, Permit or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, or
notification to, any Person or Governmental Body is required on the part of
Chiles in connection with the execution and delivery of any of the Transaction
Documents to which it is a party, or the compliance by Chiles with any of the
provisions hereof or thereof.

     SECTION 4.05. LITIGATION. There is no suit, action, proceeding,
investigation, claim or order pending or, to the knowledge of any of Chiles,
overtly threatened against Chiles with respect to the Rig or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement before any governmental department, commission,
board, agency, or instrumentality; nor, to the knowledge of Chiles, is there any
reasonable basis for any such action, proceeding, or investigation.

     SECTION 4.06. AUTHORIZATION; NUMBER OF SHARES COMPRISING TOTAL MERGER
CONSOLIDATION. On the Effective date, all shares of the capital stock of Chiles
that shall comprise the "Total Merger Consideration" (as defined in the Merger
Agreement) shall have been duly authorized and validly issued and will have been
fully paid,

                                       10
<PAGE>

nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights. The number of shares of
common stock of Chiles that comprise the Total Merger Consideration shall
(rounded to the nearest whole share) be equal to 24% of the sum of (a) the
number of shares of Chiles' common stock outstanding immediately prior to the
Successful IPO (but excluding any shares issued in respect of options or rights
to purchase membership interests exercised prior to the Successful IPO) and (b)
the number of shares of Chiles' common stock comprising the Total Merger
Consideration.

     SECTION 4.07. BROKER'S AND FINDER'S FEE. No Person acting on behalf of
Chiles is or will be entitled to any commission or broker's or finder's fee from
any of the parties hereto, or from any Affiliate of the parties hereto, in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated herein, except that Chiles
has agreed to pay any brokerage fee that may be due to Bassoe Offshore (USA)
Inc. in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

     SECTION 4.08. NO MISREPRESENTATION. No representation or warranty of Chiles
contained in this Agreement, any schedule hereto, the Disclosure Schedule or in
any certificate furnished by Chiles to the Perforadora Parties pursuant to the
terms hereof, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state
a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not
misleading.

                                   ARTICLE V
                                CERTAIN COVENANTS

     SECTION 5.01. MARAD APPROVAL. The Perforadora Parties shall use their best
efforts to obtain the consent and approval of The United States of America,
acting by and through the Secretary of Transportation, represented by the
Maritime Administrator (the "MARITIME ADMINISTRATOR"), as soon as practicable,
to (a) the assumption by Tonala Delaware of the obligations under the Title XI
Bonds and the Title XI Documents upon the transfer of ownership of the Rig to
Tonala Delaware as contemplated hereby and (b) the release of any liability of
all other parties with respect thereto upon such assumption such that Tonala
Delaware shall be the sole obligor under the Title XI Documents (such consent
and approval being referred to herein as "MARAD APPROVAL"), such approval to be
satisfactory to the Perforadora Parties and Chiles. Such best efforts obligation
includes, without limitation, the preparation of documentation with respect to
the Intermediate Transactions for the review by the Maritime Administrator (or
its designee) and consent of the Maritime Administrator thereto, obtaining the
consent of all other parties required in connection therewith and the provision
to the Maritime Administrator (or its designee) of such other documents and
information that may be requested thereby. Chiles shall cooperate and provide
assistance to the Perforadora Parties in connection therewith and agrees that,
to the extent the Maritime Administrator requires Tonala Delaware to comply with
the financial requirements of Section 8(b) of the Title XI Reserve Fund and
Financial Agreement (I.E., positive working capital, long-term debt to equity
ratio not to exceed two to one, and minimum net worth of $43,575,031), Chiles
will cause Tonala Delaware to comply with such requirements on the Effective
Date and provide evidence thereof to the Maritime Administrator in connection
with the completion of the Merger.

                                       11
<PAGE>

     SECTION 5.02. CONDITIONS. (a) Subject to the prior receipt of Marad
Approval, the Perforadora Parties shall use their best efforts to satisfy, as
promptly as practicable, all conditions to the execution, delivery and
performance of the Merger Agreement set forth in Section 2.01, including,
without limitation, the performance of the covenants contained in Section 1.01
and the receipt of all consents and approvals set forth on Schedule 3.04.

     (b) Subject to the prior receipt of MARAD Approval, Chiles shall use its
best efforts to satisfy as promptly as practicable, all conditions to the
execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement set forth in Section
2.02; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing contained herein shall require Chiles to
effect a Successful IPO, it being understood that the decision whether or not to
proceed with any offering of Chiles' securities shall be within the sole
discretion of Chiles.

     SECTION 5.03. ACCESS TO INFORMATION. The Perforadora Parties agree that,
prior to the Effective Date, Chiles shall be entitled, through its officers,
employees and representatives (including, without limitation, its legal advisors
and accountants), to make such investigation and examination of the books and
records of the Perforadora Entities and any other entities formed in connection
with the Intermediate Transactions (including, without limitation, records of
all of their respective meetings or consents and approvals of stockholders and
boards of directors, stock certificate books and stock transfer ledgers) as
Chiles reasonably requests to determine whether the Intermediate Transactions
are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Chiles as contemplated by
Section 1.01(b) and to make extracts and copies of such books and records. Any
such investigation and examination shall be conducted during regular business
hours and under reasonable circumstances, and the Perforadora Parties shall
cooperate fully therein. No investigation by Chiles prior to or after the date
of this Agreement shall diminish or obviate any of the representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements of the Perforadora Parties contained in this
Agreement or the Transaction Documents. In order that Chiles may have full
opportunity to make such investigation and examination, the Perforadora Parties
shall cause the officers, employees, consultants, agents, accountants, attorneys
and other representatives of the Perforadora Entities to cooperate fully with
such representatives of Chiles in connection therewith.

     SECTION 5.04. BAREBOAT CHARTER. (a) Subject to the consent of the Maritime
Administrator, Perforadora and Chiles hereby agree that the Bareboat Charter
shall terminate on the Effective Date and no further action on behalf of the
Perforadora Entities or Chiles shall be required to effect such termination;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, upon such termination (and notwithstanding anything to
the contrary contained in the Bareboat Charter), the following provisions shall
apply: (a) the Bareboat Charter shall be deemed to have terminated as of the
date hereof and a final accounting shall be made in accordance with the terms of
the Bareboat Charter as if it had been terminated on the date hereof and (b)
Chiles shall be deemed to have been the "Owner" of the Rig under the Bareboat
Charter from and after the date hereof and, consequently, all of the revenues
from, and expenses (including debt service with respect to the Title XI Bonds)
of, operating the Rig under the Bareboat Charter from and after the date hereof
shall be for the account of Chiles. On the Effective Date, Perforadora shall
repay to Chiles all Hire

                                       12
<PAGE>

and Supplemental Hire paid by Chiles under the Bareboat Charter for all periods
after the date hereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if Perforadora shall have made
any payments of debt service on the Title XI Bonds due after the date hereof,
then the aggregate amount of such payments shall be deducted from the amount to
be repaid by Perforadora to Chiles on the Effective Date and, PROVIDED FURTHER,
that, if the aggregate Hire and Supplemental Hire paid by Chiles under the
Bareboat Charter for all periods after the date hereof is less than the
aggregate amount of all such payments of debt service on the Title XI Bonds made
by Perforadora, then Chiles shall pay to Perforadora on the Effective Date the
difference between such aggregate amount of payments on the Title XI Bonds and
the aggregate Hire and Supplemental Hire paid by Chiles under the Bareboat
Charter. Nothing contained herein shall release the parties to the Bareboat
Charter from any liability for a breach thereof prior to the Effective Date (it
being understood and agreed that Perforadora shall be liable for any breach as
the Owner thereunder on or prior to the Effective Date notwithstanding any
transfer of the Transferred Assets and Transferred Liabilities contemplated
hereby).

     (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 5.04(a)
but subject to the consent of the Maritime Administrator, Chiles and Perforadora
agree to establish an escrow account (the "Escrow") with an escrow agent
selected by Chiles with the approval of Perforadora, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld if such escrow agent is a bank or recognized financial
institution (the escrow agent so selected being referred to as the "Escrow
Agent"), pursuant to which Chiles shall deposit all Hire and Supplemental Hire
otherwise payable by Chiles to Perforadora under the Bareboat Charter for all
periods after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Date or Termination
Date, as applicable. Pursuant to the terms of the Escrow, the amounts deposited
into the Escrow together with any interest or income thereon (collectively, the
"Escrow Fund") shall be paid by the Escrow Agent (i) to Chiles on the Effective
Date in full or partial satisfaction of Perforadora's payment obligation under
the penultimate sentence of Section 5.04(a) hereof, or (ii) in the event of
termination of this Agreement prior to the Effective Date, to Perforadora on the
Termination Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, the Escrow Agent shall disburse funds from
the Escrow Fund to pay any debt service on the Title XI Bonds due after the date
hereof.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

     SECTION 6.01. INDEMNIFICATION.

     (a) The Perforadora Parties hereby jointly and severally agree to indemnify
and hold Chiles and its respective directors, officers, employees, Affiliates,
agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the "SELLER INDEMNIFIED PARTIES")
harmless from and against:

          (i) any and all liabilities of the Perforadora Parties or the Delaware
     Entities, except for the Transferred Liabilities and liabilities incurred
     by

                                       13
<PAGE>

     the Delaware Entities after the "EFFECTIVE TIME" (as defined in the Merger
     Agreement) and whether or not such liabilities are referred to, disclosed
     in, or otherwise covered by any of the representations or warranties of the
     Perforadora Parties (including the schedules related thereto) contained in
     this Agreement;

          (ii) Any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, damages, costs and
     expenses based upon, attributable to or resulting from the failure of any
     representation or warranty of the Perforadora Parties set forth in Article
     III hereof, or any representation or warranty contained in any certificate
     delivered by or on behalf of the Perforadora Parties pursuant to this
     Agreement to be true and correct in all respects as of the date made;

          (iii) any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, damages, costs and
     expenses based upon, attributable to or resulting from the breach of any
     covenant or other agreement on the part of the Perforadora Parties under
     this Agreement;

          (iv) any and all Taxes of the Stockholders, the Perforadora Entities
     or their Affiliates arising out of the Intermediate Transactions or the
     Merger (including, without limitation, any liabilities of the foregoing
     Persons for Taxes that, by operation of law, may be assumed by Chiles or
     its Affiliates as a result of the Merger); and

          (v) any and all notices, actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands,
     assessments, judgments, costs, penalties and expenses, including reasonable
     attorneys' and other professionals' fees and disbursements (collectively,
     "EXPENSES") incident to any and all losses, liabilities, obligations,
     damages, costs and expenses with respect to which indemnification is
     provided hereunder (collectively, "LOSSES").

     (b) Chiles hereby agrees to indemnify and hold the Perforadora Parties,
their respective Affiliates, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the
"CHILES INDEMNIFIED PARTIES") harmless from and against:

          (i) any and all Losses based upon, attributable to or resulting from
     the failure of any representation or warranty of Chiles set forth in
     Article IV hereof, or any representation or warranty contained in any
     certificate delivered by or on behalf of Chiles pursuant to this Agreement,
     to be true and correct as of the date made;

          (ii) any and all Losses based upon, attributable to or resulting from
     the breach of any covenant or other agreement on the part of Chiles under
     this Agreement; and

          (iii) any and all Expenses incident to the foregoing.

                                       14
<PAGE>

     SECTION 6.02. INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES.

     (a) In the event that any Legal Proceedings shall be instituted or that any
claim or demand (a "CLAIM") shall be asserted by any Person in respect of which
payment may be sought under Section 6.01 hereof, the indemnified party shall
reasonably and promptly cause written notice of the assertion of any Claim of
which it has knowledge which is covered by this indemnity to be forwarded to the
indemnifying party. The indemnifying party shall have the right, at its sole
option and expense, to be represented by counsel of its choice, which must be
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, and to defend against,
negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any Claim which relates to any Losses
indemnified against hereunder. If the indemnifying party elects to defend
against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any Claim which relates to any
Losses indemnified against hereunder, it shall within five (5) Business Days (or
sooner, if the nature of the Claim so requires) notify the indemnified party of
its intent to do so. If the indemnifying party elects not to defend against,
negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any Claim that relates to any Losses
indemnified against hereunder, fails to notify the indemnified party of its
election as herein provided or contests its obligation to indemnify the
indemnified party for such Losses under this Agreement, the indemnified party
may defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with such Claim. If the
indemnified party defends any Claim, then the indemnifying party shall reimburse
the indemnified party for the Expenses of defending such Claim upon submission
of periodic bills. If the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of any
Claim, the indemnified party may participate, at his or its own expense, in the
defense of such Claim; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such indemnified party shall be
entitled to participate in any such defense with separate counsel at the expense
of the indemnifying party if, (i) so requested by the indemnifying party to
participate or (ii) in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the indemnified
party, a conflict or potential conflict exists between the indemnified party and
the indemnifying party that would make such separate representation advisable
and, PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the indemnifying party shall not be required to pay
for more than one such counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with
any Claim. The parties hereto agree to cooperate fully with each other in
connection with the defense, negotiation or settlement of any such Claim.

     (b) After any final judgment or award shall have been rendered by a court,
arbitration board or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction and the
expiration of the time in which to appeal therefrom, or a settlement shall have
been consummated, or the indemnified party and the indemnifying party shall have
arrived at a mutually binding agreement with respect to a Claim hereunder, the
indemnified party shall forward to the indemnifying party notice of any sums due
and owing by the indemnifying party pursuant to this Agreement with respect to
such matter and the indemnifying party shall be required to pay all of the sums
so due and owing to the indemnified party by wire transfer of immediately
available funds within 10 Business Days after the date of such notice (the
"PAYMENT DUE DATE").

     (c) The failure of the indemnified party to give reasonably prompt notice
of any Claim shall not release, waive or otherwise affect the indemnifying
party's

                                       15
<PAGE>

obligations with respect thereto except to the extent that the indemnifying
party can demonstrate actual loss and prejudice as a result of such failure.

     (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section
6.02, any and all notices to be furnished, elections to be made or agreements to
be entered into by any Stockholder under this Section 6.02 shall be furnished,
made or entered into on behalf of such Stockholder by the Stockholders'
Representative (and any such notice furnished, election made or agreement
entered into by the Stockholders' Representative shall be binding upon such
Stockholder), and Chiles shall only be required to provide notice to and
otherwise deal with the Stockholders' Representative in exercising its rights or
complying with its obligations under this Section 6.02.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 7.01. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

     For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings
specified in this Section 7.01:

     "AFFILIATE" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person
controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person (it being
understood that, for purposes hereof, Chiles shall not be deemed to be an
Affiliate of any of the Perforadora Parties).

     "AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

     "BAREBOAT CHARTER" shall have the meaning set forth in the first recital
hereof.

     "CHILES INDEMNIFIED PARTIES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
6.01 hereof.

     "CHILES SEC DOCUMENTS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.01
hereof.

     "CHILES" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

     "CLAIM" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.02 hereof.

     "CONTRACT" means any contract, agreement, indenture, note, BOND, loan,
instrument, lease, commitment or other arrangement or agreement.

     "DELAWARE ENTITIES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.01.

     "EFFECTIVE DATE" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
1.02(c) hereof.

                                       16
<PAGE>

     "EFFECTIVE TIME" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.01 hereof.

     "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     "EXPENSES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.01 hereof.

     "GIA" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

     "GOVERNMENTAL BODY" means any government or governmental or regulatory body
thereof, or political subdivision thereof, whether federal, state, local or
foreign, or any agency, instrumentality or authority thereof, or any court or
arbitrator (public or private).

     "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT" means any trademark, service mark, trade
name, patent, trade secret, copyright, know-how or other type of intellectual
property right (including any registrations or applications for registration of
the foregoing).

     "INTERMEDIATE TRANSACTIONS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
1.01 hereof.

     "LAW" means any federal, state, local or foreign law (including common
law), statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation or other requirement.

     "LEGAL PROCEEDING" means any judicial, administrative or arbitral actions,
suits, proceedings (public or private), claims or governmental proceedings.

     "LIEN" means any lien, pledge, mortgage, deed of trust, security interest,
claim, lease, charge, option, right of first refusal, easement, servitude,
transfer restriction under any shareholder or similar agreement, encumbrance or
any other restriction or limitation whatsoever.

     "LOSSES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.01 hereof.

     "MARAD APPROVAL" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01 hereof.

     "MERGER" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.02 hereof.

     "MERGER AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.02 hereof.

     "ORDER" means any order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling, writ,
assessment or arbitration award.

     "PAYMENT DUE DATE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.02 hereof.

                                       17
<PAGE>

     "PERFORADORA DELAWARE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.01
hereof.

     "PERFORADORA ENTITIES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.01
hereof.

     "PERFORADORA PARTIES" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereto.

     "PERFORADORA" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

     "PERMITS" means any approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses, permits
or certificates.

     "PERSON" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization, Governmental Body or other entity.

     "RIG" shall have the meaning set forth in the first recital hereof.

     "Rig Contracts" shall mean (i) the Bareboat Charter, (ii) the License
Agreement between LeTourneau and Texas Dry Dock, Inc. dated April 22, 1997 for
LeTourneau Super 116 (including a separate confidentiality agreement and an
ancillary agreement attached as Exhibit "F" and Exhibit "G" thereto,
respectively, as such Exhibit "G" was amended on January 21, 2000), (iii) the
Transfer and Assignment of Licenses, Immunity and Warranties from Friede Goldman
Offshore Texas, Limited Partnership to Perforadora dated January 21, 2000, (iv)
the Kit Construction Agreement between LeTourneau, Inc. and Texas Dry Dock, Inc.
dated April 22, 1997 for LeTourneau Super 116, (v) the Purchase Contract between
Perforadora and National Oil Well, L.P. dated June 20, 1997, and (vi) the
Platform Construction Contract between TDI - Halter, Inc. and Perforadora dated
April 22, 1997, including Addendum No. 1 attached thereto.

     "SEC" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.01 hereof.

     "SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     "SELLER INDEMNIFIED PARTIES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
6.01 hereof.

     "STOCKHOLDERS" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

     "STOCKHOLDERS' REPRESENTATIVE" shall mean Patricio Alvarez Morphy or such
other Person as may be designated by written notice of all of the Stockholders
to Chiles.

     "SUCCESSFUL IPO" shall mean the sale of shares of common stock of Chiles
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act in
which Chiles receives gross proceeds of not less than U.S. $100 million.

                                       18
<PAGE>

     "TAXES" means (i) all U.S. or Mexican federal, state, local or other taxes,
charges, fees, imposts, levies or other assessments, including, without
limitation, all net income, gross receipts, capital, sales, use, ad valorem,
value added, transfer, franchise, profits, inventory, capital stock, license,
withholding, payroll, employment, social security, unemployment, excise,
severance, stamp, occupation, property and estimated taxes, customs duties,
fees, assessments and charges of any kind whatsoever, (ii) all interest,
penalties, fines, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any taxing
authority in connection with any item described in clause (i) and (iii) any
transferee liability in respect of any items described in clauses (i) and/or
(ii).

     "TERMINATION DATE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.01 hereof.

     "TITLE XI BONDS" means the Perforadora Parties' outstanding 5.63% United
States Government Guaranteed Export Ship Financing Bonds, 1998 Series due July
15, 2011 relating to the Rig.

     "TONALA DELAWARE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.01 hereof.

     "TRANSFERRED ASSETS" means the Rig and any and all rights under the Rig
Contracts.

     "TRANSFERRED LIABILITIES" means obligations under the Title XI Bonds
relating to the Rig and obligations to be performed after the Effective Date
under the terms of the Rig Contracts and other agreements and instruments
relating thereto, except as otherwise provided with respect to the Bareboat
Charter in Section 5.04.

     SECTION 7.02. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The parties
hereto hereby agree that the representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement or in any certificate, document or instrument delivered in connection
herewith, shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, regardless
of any investigation made by the parties hereto.

     SECTION 7.03. EXPENSES. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the
Perforadora Parties shall bear their own expenses and the expenses of the
Delaware Entities, and Chiles shall bear its own expenses, incurred in
connection with the negotiation, execution and performance of the Transaction
Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby.

     SECTION 7.04. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Perforadora Parties and Chiles each
agrees to execute and deliver such other documents or agreements and to take
such other action as may be reasonably necessary or desirable for the
implementation of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.

                                       19
<PAGE>

     SECTION 7.05. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS.

     (a) Except as otherwise provided in the Merger Agreement, the parties
hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any federal
court located in the City of Houston, Texas (or, in the event that such federal
court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over the controversy, any state
District Court located in Harris County, Texas) over any dispute arising out of
or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby and
each party hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such dispute
or any suit, action proceeding related thereto may be heard and determined in
such courts. The parties hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, any objection which they may now or hereafter have
to the laying of venue of any such dispute brought in such court or any defense
of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute. Each of the parties
hereto agrees that a judgment in any such dispute may be enforced in other
jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

     (b) Each of the parties hereto hereby consents to process being served by
any party to this Agreement in any suit, action or proceeding by the mailing of
a copy thereof in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.09.

     SECTION 7.06. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. This Agreement
(including the schedules and exhibits hereto) represents the entire
understanding and agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and can be amended, supplemented or changed, and any
provision hereof can be waived, only by written instrument making specific
reference to this Agreement signed by the party against whom enforcement of any
such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver is sought. No action taken
pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation, any investigation by
or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party
taking such action of compliance with any representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement contained herein. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or
continuing waiver of such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent
breach. No failure on the part of any party to exercise, and no delay in
exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy
by such party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of
any other right, power or remedy. All remedies hereunder are cumulative and are
not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law.

     SECTION 7.07. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to conflicts of law provisions thereof that would require the application
of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

     SECTION 7.08. SECTION HEADINGS. The section headings of this Agreement are
for reference purposes only and are to be given no effect in the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.

                                       20
<PAGE>

     SECTION 7.09. NOTICES. All notices and other communications under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered
personally or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the parties
(and shall also be transmitted by facsimile to the Persons receiving copies
thereof) at the following addresses (or to such other address as a party may
have specified by notice given to the other party pursuant to this provision):

     If to Perforadora, GIA or any Stockholder, to:

          Mr. Patricio Alvarez Morphy
          c/o Perforadora Central, S.A. de C.V.
          Montes Urales 520
          Lomas de Chapultepec
          Mexico, 11,000, D.F.
          Facsimile:  011 525 520 1859

     With a copy to:

          Milling Benson Woodward L.L.P.
          909 Poydras Street
          Suite 2300
          New Orleans, Louisiana  70112
          Attention:  Neal Hobson, Esq.
                      Charles A. Snyder, Esq.
          Facsimile:  504-569-7001

     If to Chiles, to:

          Mr. Dick Fagerstal
          c/o SEACOR SMIT Inc.
          1370 Avenues of the Americas
          New York, New York  10019
          Facsimile:  212-582-8522

     With a copy to:
          Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
          767 Fifth Avenue
          New York, New York  10153
          Attn:  David Zeltner, Esq.
          Facsimile:  212-310-8927

     SECTION 7.10. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is invalid
or unenforceable, the balance of this Agreement shall remain in effect;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if any such invalidity or unenforceability would
materially alter the economic results of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, then this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or
effect.

                                       21
<PAGE>

     SECTION 7.11. BINDING EFFECT; ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and
permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement shall create or be deemed to create
any third party beneficiary rights in any person or entity not a party to this
Agreement except as provided below. No assignment of this Agreement or of any
rights or obligations hereunder may be made by any party hereto (by operation of
law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto
and any attempted assignment without the required consents shall be void.

     SECTION 7.12. STOCKHOLDERS' REPRESENTATIVE. Stockholders' Representative is
hereby designated as the representative of the Stockholders to act for and
represent the Stockholders with respect to all matters with respect to which
this Agreement specifies that the Stockholders' Representative shall so act, as
well as matters which require notice to be given to the Stockholders under this
Agreement, and all actions taken as the Stockholders' Representative on behalf
of any Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon such
Stockholder and Chiles shall be entitled to rely thereon for purposes of this
Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                   TERMINATION

     SECTION 8.01. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement may be terminated
and the Merger contemplated herein abandoned at any time prior to the Effective
Date as follows:

          (a) by mutual written consent of Chiles and the Perforadora Parties;

          (b) at the election of Chiles or the Perforadora Parties upon the
     expiration of the Bareboat Charter in accordance with its terms (the
     "TERMINATION DATE") if the Effective Date shall not have occurred by the
     close of business on such date, provided that the terminating party is not
     in default of any of its obligations hereunder;

          (c) upon an actual, constructive, agreed or compromised total loss of
     the Rig unless, in the case of a constructive, agreed or compromised total
     loss, the parties hereto, with the consent of the Maritime Administrator,
     agree to repair the Rig

          (d) By either Chiles or the Perforadora Parties if there has been a
     material breach by the other of any representation or warranty contained in
     this Agreement or of any covenant contained in this Agreement, which in
     either case cannot be, or has not been, cured within 15 days after written
     notice of such breach is given to the party committing such breach;
     PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the right to effect such cure shall not extend
     beyond the Termination Date; and

          (e) if any governmental authority shall have issued an order, decree
     or ruling or taken any other action permanently enjoining, restraining or
     otherwise prohibiting the Merger and such order, decree, ruling or other
     action shall have become final and nonappealable.

                                       22
<PAGE>

     SECTION 8.02. PROCEDURE UPON TERMINATION. In the event of termination and
abandonment by the Perforadora Parties or Chiles, or both, pursuant to Section
8.01 hereof, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other party
or parties, and this Agreement shall terminate, and the Merger contemplated
hereby shall be abandoned, without further action by the Perforadora Parties or
Chiles.

     SECTION 8.03. EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event that this Agreement is
validly terminated as provided herein, then each of the parties shall be
relieved of their duties and obligations arising under this Agreement after the
date of such termination and such termination shall be without liability to the
Perforadora Parties or Chiles; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing in this Section
8.03 shall relieve the Perforadora Parties or Chiles of any liability for a
breach of this Agreement arising prior to such termination.

                                       23
<PAGE>

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

                              CHILES OFFSHORE LLC

                              By: /s/ William E. Chiles
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Name: William E. Chiles
                                 Title: President

                              PERFORADORA CENTRAL, S.A. de C.V.

                              By: /s/ Patricio Alvarez Morphy
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Name: Patricio Alvarez Morphy
                                 Title: President

                              GRUPO INDUSTRIAL ATLANTIDA, S.A. de C.V.

                              By: /s/ Patricio Alvarez Morphy
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Name: Patricio Alvarez Morphy
                                 Title: President

                              STOCKHOLDERS
                                  /s/ Patricio Alvarez Morphy
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Patricio Alvarez Morphy

                                  /s/ Javier Alvarez Morphy
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Javier Alvarez Morphy

                                  /s/ Luis Alvarez Morphy
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Luis Alvarez Morphy

                                  /s/ Enrique Chavez Quintana
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Enrique Chavez Quintana

                                       24
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A
                                    ---------

                            INTERMEDIATE TRANSACTIONS
                            -------------------------

     (i) Perforadora shall form a wholly-owned subsidiary (herein called
"PC(2)");

     (ii) Perforadora shall transfer the Transferred Assets and Transferred
Liabilities to PC(2), which shall have no other assets, debts or liabilities;

     (iii) Perforadora shall spin-off PC(2) to GIA;

     (iv) PC(2) shall merge into GIA, which thereby will acquire the Transferred
Assets and Transferred Liabilities;

     (v) GIA shall form a wholly-owned subsidiary (herein called "GIA(2)");

     (vi) GIA shall transfer the Transferred Assets and Transferred Liabilities
to GIA(2), which shall have no other assets, debts or liabilities;

     (vii) GIA shall spin-off GIA(2) to the Stockholders;

     (viii) The Stockholders shall form Perforadora Delaware, which shall be
wholly owned by them, and shall cause GIA(2) to merge into Perforadora Delaware
(the "PERFORADORA DELAWARE MERGER"), as a result of which Perforadora Delaware
will acquire the Transferred Assets and Transferred Liabilities and shall have
no other assets, debts or liabilities; and

     (ix) Perforadora Delaware shall form Tonala Delaware, which shall be a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Perforadora Delaware and contribute the Transferred
Assets and Transferred Liabilities to Perforadora Delaware, which shall have no
other assets, debts or liabilities.

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                                 BY AND BETWEEN

                               [PERFORADORA INC.]

                                       AND

                              CHILES OFFSHORE INC.
                              --------------------
                              Dated as of __, 2000

<PAGE>

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

     AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of __, 2000 (this "AGREEMENT"),
between [Perforadora Inc.,] a Delaware corporation, ("PERFORADORA DELAWARE") and
Chiles Offshore Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CHILES").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Perforadora Delaware and
Chiles have determined that it is desirable and in the best interests of the
parties to this Agreement and their respective stockholders to provide for the
merger of Perforadora Delaware with and into Chiles (the "MERGER"); and

     WHEREAS, the stockholders of Perforadora Delaware have approved this
Agreement and the Merger contemplated hereby; and

     WHEREAS, this Agreement is the Merger Agreement contemplated by the
Agreement With Respect to Ownership of the Tonala, dated as of July , 2000 (the
"AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO OWNERSHIP"), by and among Chiles, Perforadora
Central, S.A. de C.V., a corporation organized under the laws of Mexico, Grupo
Industrial Atlantida, S.A. de C.V., a corporation organized under the laws of
Mexico ("GIA"), and the stockholders of GIA, and capitalized terms used herein,
but not defined herein, shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement with
Respect to Ownership.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties, intending to be legally
bound, hereby agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

     1.1 THE MERGER. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Agreement, and in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the
"DGCL"), Perforadora Delaware shall be merged with and into Chiles at the
Effective Time (as hereinafter defined). At the Effective Time, the separate
existence of Perforadora Delaware shall cease, and Chiles shall continue as the
surviving corporation (the "SURVIVING CORPORATION").

     1.2 EFFECTIVE TIME. On the date of the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the parties hereto or as promptly as possible thereafter, the
parties hereto shall file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
(the "DELAWARE SECRETARY OF STATE") a certificate of merger (the "CERTIFICATE OF
MERGER") or other appropriate documents, executed in accordance with the
relevant provisions of the DGCL, and make all other filings or recordings
required under the DGCL in connection with the Merger.

                                       1
<PAGE>

The Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Merger
with the Delaware Secretary of State (the "EFFECTIVE TIME").

     1.3 EFFECTS OF THE MERGER. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in
Section 259 of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and
subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the properties, rights, privileges,
powers and franchises of Chiles and Perforadora Delaware shall vest in the
Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of Chiles and
Perforadora Delaware shall be and become the debts, liabilities and duties of
the Surviving Corporation.

     1.4 CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION; BY-LAWS.

     (a) At the Effective Time, Chiles' certificate of incorporation shall be
the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter
changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable law.

     (b) The by-laws of Chiles as in effect at the Effective Time shall, from
and after the Effective Time, be the by-laws of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable law.

     1.5 DIRECTORS. The directors of Chiles at the Effective Time shall, from
and after the Effective Time, become the directors of the Surviving Corporation,
until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that Chiles shall use its best efforts to cause Patricio Alvarez Morphy
and one designee of Patricio Alvarez Morphy who shall be acceptable to the Board
of Directors of Chiles to each become members of the Board of Directors of
Chiles upon the occurrence of the Effective Time or as soon thereafter as
practical.

     1.6 OFFICERS. The officers of Chiles at the Effective Time shall, from and
after the Effective Time, become the officers of the Surviving Corporation until
the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors
are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.

                                   ARTICLE II

                              CONVERSION OF SHARES

     2.1 EFFECT ON CAPITAL STOCK. As of the Effective Time, by virtue of the
Merger and without any further action on the part of any holder of (i) any
shares of common stock, par value [$.01] per share, of Perforadora Delaware (the
"PERFORADORA DELAWARE COMMON STOCK") or (ii) any shares of common stock, par
value $.01 per share, of Chiles (the "CHILES COMMON STOCK"):

     (a) CONVERSION OF COMMON STOCK. Each share of Perforadora Delaware Common
Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time

                                       2
<PAGE>

shall be converted into the right to receive the applicable portion of the Total
Merger Consideration as determined pursuant to Section 2.1(c).

     (b) TOTAL MERGER CONSIDERATION. The "TOTAL MERGER CONSIDERATION" shall
consist of the number of shares of Chiles Common Stock (rounded to the nearest
whole share) as is equal to 24% of the sum of (A) the number of shares of Chiles
Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Successful IPO (as defined in
the Agreement with Respect to Ownership) (but excluding any shares issued in
respect of options or rights to purchase membership interests exercised prior to
the Successful IPO) and (B) the number of shares of Chiles Common Stock
comprising the Total Merger Consideration. For purposes of example, if holders
of Chiles Common Stock owned 8,485,810 shares immediately prior to the sale of
shares in the Successful IPO (excluding any shares issued upon the
pre-Successful IPO exercise of options or rights), the Total Merger
Consideration would be equal to 2,679,729 shares of Chiles Common Stock.

     (c) COMMON STOCK OF PERFORADORA DELAWARE. Each share of Perforadora
Delaware Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the
holder thereof, be converted into the right to receive such number of shares of
Chiles Common Stock (the "MERGER CONSIDERATION") as is equal to the number of
shares of Chiles Common Stock comprising the Total Merger Consideration divided
by the total number of shares of Perforadora Delaware Common Stock outstanding
at the Effective Time.

     2.2 PAYMENT OF MERGER CONSIDERATION. Upon conversion of the shares of
Perforadora Delaware Common Stock into the right to receive the Merger
Consideration in the manner described in Section 2.1(c), each record holder of
issued and outstanding Perforadora Delaware Common Stock shall have a right to
receive, and Chiles shall promptly issue to each such holder, a certificate
representing such whole number of shares of Chiles Common Stock (rounded to the
nearest whole share) equal to the product of (i) the Merger Consideration and
(ii) the number of shares of Perforadora Delaware Common Stock of which such
Person is the record holder immediately prior to the Effective Time.

                                  ARTICLE III

                                   TERMINATION

     3.1 TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the
Effective Time by the mutual written consent of Chiles and Perforadora Delaware;

     3.2 PROCEDURE UPON TERMINATION. In the event of termination by
Perforadora Delaware and Chiles pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof, this
Agreement shall terminate, and the Merger hereunder shall be abandoned,
without further action by Perforadora Delaware or Chiles.

                                       3
<PAGE>

     3.3 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event that this Agreement is validly
terminated as provided herein, then each of the parties shall be relieved of
their duties and obligations arising under this Agreement after the date of such
termination and such termination shall be without liability to Perforadora
Delaware or Chiles; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing in this Article III shall
relieve Perforadora Delaware, Chiles or any other party to the Agreement with
Respect to Ownership of any liability for a breach of this Agreement or the
Agreement with Respect to Ownership arising prior to such termination.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     4.1 SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. The parties acknowledge and agree that the breach
of this Agreement by either party would cause irreparable damage to the other
party and that the non-breaching party will not have an adequate remedy at law.
Therefore, the obligations of the parties shall be enforceable by a decree of
specific performance issued by any court of competent jurisdiction, and
appropriate injunctive relief may be applied for and granted in connection
therewith. Such remedies shall, however, be cumulative and not exclusive and
shall be in addition to any other remedies which any party may have under this
Agreement, the Agreement with Respect to Ownership or otherwise.

     4.2 FURTHER ASSURANCES. The parties agree to execute and deliver such other
documents or agreements and to take such other action as may be reasonably
necessary or desirable for the implementation of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     4.3 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS.

     (a) The parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of any
federal court located in the City of Houston, Texas (or, in the event that such
federal court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over the controversy,
any state District Court located in Harris County, Texas) over any dispute
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby and each party hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in
respect of such dispute or any suit, action proceeding related thereto may be
heard and determined in such courts. The parties hereby irrevocably waive, to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they may now
or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such dispute brought in such
court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute.
Each of the parties hereto agrees that a judgment in any such dispute may be
enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner
provided by law.

     (b) Each of the parties hereto hereby consents to process being served by
any party to this Agreement in any suit, action or proceeding by the mailing of
a copy thereof in accordance with Section 4.7 hereof.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     4.4 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. This Agreement, together with
the Agreement with Respect to Ownership and the other documents and instruments
contemplated hereby and thereby, represent the entire understanding and
agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof
and this Agreement can be amended, supplemented or changed, and any provision
hereof can be waived, only by written instrument making specific reference to
this Agreement signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such
amendment, supplement, modification or waiver is sought. No action taken
pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation, any investigation by
or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party
taking such action of compliance with any representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement contained herein. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or
continuing waiver of such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent
breach. No failure on the part of any party to exercise, and no delay in
exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy
by such party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of
any other right, power or remedy. All remedies hereunder are cumulative and are
not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law.

     4.5 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any
conflicts of law provisions thereof that would require the application of the
laws of any other jurisdiction.

     4.6 SECTION HEADINGS. The section headings of this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and are to be given no effect in the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.

     4.7 NOTICES. All notices and other communications under this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally or
mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the parties (and shall
also be transmitted by facsimile to the Persons receiving copies thereof) at the
following addresses (or to such other address as a party may have specified by
notice given to the other party pursuant to this provision):

     If to Perforadora Delaware or any Stockholder, to:

               Mr. Patricio Alvarez Morphy
               c/o Perforadora Central, S.A. de C.V.
               Montes Urales 520
               Lomas de Chapultepec
               Mexico, 11000, D.F.
               Facsimile:  [________________]

                                       5
<PAGE>

     With a copy to:

               Milling Benson Woodward L.L.P.
               909 Poydras Street
               Suite 2300
               New Orleans, Louisiana  70112
               Attention:    Neal Hobson, Esq.
                             Charles A. Snyder, Esq.
               Facsimile:    504-569-7001

     If to Chiles, to:

               Mr. Dick Fagerstal
               c/o SEACOR SMIT Inc.
               1370 Avenues of the Americas
               New York, New York  10019
               Facsimile:  212-582-8522

     With a copy to:

               Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
               767 Fifth Avenue
               New York, NY  10153
               Attn:  David Zeltner, Esq.
               Facsimile:  212-310-8927

     4.8 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is invalid or
unenforceable, the balance of this Agreement shall remain in effect provided,
however, that if any such invalidity or unenforceability would materially alter
the economic results of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, then
this Agreement shall terminated and be of no further force or effect.

     4.9 BINDING EFFECT; ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors. Nothing in
this Agreement shall create or be deemed to create any third party beneficiary
rights in any person or entity not a party to this Agreement except as provided
below. No assignment of this Agreement or of any rights or obligations hereunder
may be made by either of the parties hereto (by operation of law or otherwise)
without the prior written consent of the other party hereto and any attempted
assignment without the required consents shall be void.

                                       6
<PAGE>

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

                              CHILES OFFSHORE INC.

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

                              [PERFORADORA INC.]

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

                                       7
<PAGE>

        Schedule 3.04: Consents and Approvals of the Perforadora Parties

-    Authorization from the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the use of
     corporate names PC2, S.A. de C.V. and GIA2, S.A. de C.V.

-    Resolution of the stockholders of Perforadora Central, S.A. de C.V. for the
     spin-off of PC2, S.A. de C.V.

-    Publications in a local newspaper and in the Official Daily of Federation
     of the spin-off notice of Perforadora Central, S.A. de C.V.

-    Recording of the public deed formalizing the spin-off of PC2, S.A. de C.V.
     before the Public Registry of Commerce of Mexico City.

-    Approvals from the creditors of Perforadora Central, S.A. de C.V. in
     connection with the spin-off.

-    Resolution of the stockholders of PC2, S.A. de C.V. and Grupo Industrial
     Atlantida, S.A. de C.V. in connection with the merger of such companies.

-    Publication in the Official Daily of the Federation of the merger notice of
     PC2, S.A. de C.V. and Grupo Industrial Atlantida, S.A. de C.V.

-    Recording of the public deed formalizing the merger of PC2, S.A. de C.V.
     and Grupo Industrial Atlantida, S.A. de C.V. before the Public Registry of
     Commerce of Mexico City.

-    Approvals from the creditors of PC2, S.A. de C.V. and Grupo Industrial
     Atlantida, S.A. de C.V. in connection with the merger.

-    Notice before the Mexican Competition Commission in connection with the
     merger of PC2, S.A. de C.V. and Grupo Industrial Atlantida, S.A. de C.V.

-    Resolution of the stockholders of Grupo Industrial Atlantida, S.A. de C.V.
     for the spin-off of GIA2, S.A. de C.V.

-    Publications in a local newspaper and in the Official Daily of Federation
     of the spin-off notice of Grupo Industrial Atlantida, S.A. de C.V.

-    Recording of the public deed formalizing the spin-off before the Public
     Registry of Commerce of Mexico City.

-    Approvals from the creditors of Grupo Industrial Atlantida, S.A. de C.V. in
     connection with the spin-off.

                                       8
<PAGE>

-    Resolution of the stockholders of GIA2, S.A. de C.V. and Perforadora
     Delaware in connection with the merger of such companies.

-    Publication in the Official Daily of the Federation of the merger notice of
     GIA2, S.A. de C.V. and Perforadora Delaware.

-    Recording of the public deed formalizing the merger of GIA2, S.A. de C.V.
     and Perforadora Delaware before the Public Registry of Commerce of Mexico
     City.

-    Approvals from the creditors of GIA2, S.A. de C.V. and Perforadora Delaware
     in connection with the merger.

-    MARAD Approval

                                       9
<PAGE>

     Schedule 3.06: CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE RIG CONTRACTS

                                      None

                                       10
<PAGE>

                            Schedule 3.11. INSURANCE

                                      None

                                       11
<PAGE>

                 Schedule 4.04: CONSENTS AND APPROVALS OF CHILES

                                 MARAD Approval

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