Exxon Awards Horizon Offshore Contract

Horizon Offshore Contractors, Inc. has been awarded a contract for the installation of a portion of Exxon Pipeline Company's Hoover Offshore Oil Pipeline System (HOOPS). The 20-in. pipeline project includes a directionally drilled shore approach near Freeport, Texas, and pipelay to a depth of 35 ft. and the burial of approximately 67 miles of pipeline. The project will utilize three of Horizon's vessels. Cajun Horizon will be used for offshore directional drilling support, Lone Star Horizon for pipelay and Canyon Horizon for pipeline burial. Horizon has also formed an alliance with Cal Dive International in the Gulf of Mexico. The alliance, which currently runs through the end of 1999, provides Horizon with Cal Dive's diving services, and gives Cal Dive access to Horizon's expanded derrick and heavy lift capabilities. Horizon operates the derrick barges Pacific Horizon, Atlantic Horizon and Phoenix Horizon, which have lift capabilities ranging up to 800 tons.