<PAGE>
    
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.     
    
          The exhibits indicated by an asterisk (*) are incorporated by
reference. The exhibits indicated by a cross (+) were previously filed on a
part of this Registration Statement.     

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>

 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                       DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
 -------                      ----------------------
<C>         <S>  
    4(a)*   --  Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Zapata dated January
                11, 1971, together with amendments dated February 15, 1972,
                April 30, 1981, and July 16, 1987 (Exhibit 19(a) to Zapata's
                Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June
                30, 1987 (File No. 1-4219)).

    4(b)*   --  Amendment dated December 10, 1990, to the Restated Certificate
                of Incorporation of Zapata (Exhibit 3(b) to the Company's Annual
                Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1990
                (File No. 1-4219)).

    4(c)*   --  Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of $1
                Preference Stock (Exhibit 3(c) to Zapata's Quarterly Report on
                Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1993 (File No.
                1-4219)).

    4(d)*   --  Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of $100
                Preference Stock (Exhibit 3(d) to Zapata's quarterly Report on
                Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1993 (File No.
                1-4219)).

    4(e)*   --  By-Laws of Zapata, as amended effective July 1, 1993.  (Exhibit
                3(a) to Zapata's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
                quarter ended June 30, 1993 (File No. 1-4219)).

    4(f)*   --  Second Amended and Restated Master Restructuring Agreement,
                dated as of April 16, 1993 between Zapata and Norex Drilling
                Ltd. (Exhibit 12 to Zapata's Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13D
                dated April 30, 1993).

    4(g)*   --  First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Master
                Restructuring Agreement dated as of May 17, 1993 between Zapata
                and Norex Drilling, Ltd. (Exhibit 4(c) to Zapata's Registration
                Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-68034)).

    4(h)*   --  Second Amendment to Second Amended And Restated Master
                Restructuring Agreement dated as of December 17, 1993 between
                Zapata and Norex Drilling, Ltd. (Exhibit 4(c) to Zapata's Annual
                Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1993
                (File No. 1-4219)).
</TABLE>

 
    
Certain instruments respecting long-term debt of Zapata and its subsidiaries
have been omitted pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601.  Zapata hereby agrees to
furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Commission upon request.     

<TABLE>
    <C>     <S> 
    4(i)*   --  Securities Liquidity Agreement, dated as of December 19, 1990,
                by and among Zapata and each of the securities holders parties
                thereto (Exhibit 4(b) to Zapata's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                the fiscal year ended September 30, 1990 (File No. 1-4219)).

    5+      --  Opinion of Joseph L. von Rosenberg III, Esq.
 
    23(a)   --  Consent of Huddleston & Co., Inc.
 
    23(b)   --  Consent of Arthur Andersen & Co.
 
    23(c)   --  Consent of Arthur Andersen & Co. with respect to the
                consolidated financial statements of Zapata Gulf Marine
                Corporation. 
</TABLE>

 

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