[OMNI ENERGY SERVICES CORP. LOGO]         NEWS RELEASE              Nasdaq: OMNI

   4500 NE Evangeline Thwy - Carencro, LA 70520 - Phone - 337-896-6664 - Fax
                                  337-896-6655

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                  NO. 05-15

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
G. Darcy Klug, Executive Vice President (337) 896-6664

                       OMNI SETTLES WITH DEBENTURE HOLDERS

  Settlement cures defaults and results in dismissal of OMNI's lawsuit against
                                Debenture Holders

      CARENCRO, LA - MAY 18, 2005 - OMNI ENERGY SERVICES CORP. (NASDAQ NM: OMNI)
announced today it has entered into settlement agreements with all of the
holders ("Debenture Holders") of its 6.5% Subordinated Convertible Debentures.
The settlement terms include the payment of approximately $4.0 million in cash
to the Debenture Holders, the issuance of 2.0 million shares of common stock to
the Debenture Holders and the issuance to the Debenture Holders of approximately
$4.3 million of 8% subordinated notes payable over 3 years.

      The Company stated that in exchange for the full and complete
extinguishment of the Debentures and the cure of all outstanding defaults, the
Company would agree to dismiss the Debenture Holders from certain litigation
recently filed by the Company against the Debenture Holders alleging, among
other things, violations of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.

      Headquartered in Carencro, LA, OMNI Energy Services Corp. offers a broad
range of integrated services to geophysical companies engaged in the acquisition
of on-shore seismic data and through its aviation division, transportations
services to oil and gas companies operating in the shallow, offshore waters of
the Gulf of Mexico. The company provides its services through several business
divisions: Seismic Drilling (including drilling, survey and permitting
services), Aviation Transportation (including helicopter support) and
Environmental Services. OMNI's services play a significant role with geophysical
companies who have operations in marsh, swamp, shallow water and the U.S. Gulf
Coast also called transition zones and contiguous dry land areas also called
highland zones.

      Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks
associated with OMNI's ability to consummate the settlement agreements discussed
herein, dependence on activity in the oil and gas industry, labor shortages,
international expansion, dependence on significant customers, seasonality and
weather risks, competition, technological evolution, the outcome of pending
litigation, completion of strategic transactions under consideration by OMNI,
and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. No assurance can be given that the financing discussed
herein will be completed.