RP provides individual specialists to full managed teams on a short to medium term basis to meet specific objective based outcomes for the client. These can range from short peer reviews, audits, data rooms, opportunity screening and Joint Venture representation up to the full definition of field development plans.  

Our teams can be made available within 30 days.

On behalf of RP, we are pleased to provide a regular monthly newsletter on the stockmarket, courtesy of Sentinel Financial Group.

RP News

We are pleased to announce that Paul Dominic, previously with Shell, will be joining us as General Manager in March 2007. Paul is a reservoir engineer by background with 30 yrs industry experience. He also brings valuable experience in managing successful integrated teams. His affiliation with RP is part of a longer term plan to develop and improve the quality of our consulting segment.

Recruitment Activity

January was a busy month with many enquiries from clients for all subsurface and drilling disciplines in particular reservoir engineering.

Crude Oil Pricing

Crude oil prices dipped momentarily to below US$50/bbl after a sharp rise in US crude oil and petroleum inventories but firmed later in the month to close at around US$58 and US64/bbl for WTI and Brent respectively.

Australian Stock Market Review

2007 got off to a shaky start for Australian investors, as the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index experienced its biggest retracement since June 2006.  During the first five trading days of the year, the market fell a total of 199 points or almost 3.5%, as both commodities and the international markets took a pounding. This proved an excellent buying opportunity however, as sentiment recovered and helped push the market back up strongly to take out its December 2006 highs, as well as breaking through the psychologically significant 5700 and 5800 levels. After a savage sell-off of almost 200 points in the first week of the New Year, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index bounced strongly to once again break into record territory. Even in an environment of strong international markets, the domestic bourse was a star - outperforming all of its major international counterparts apart from the German DAX, which jumped an impressive 2.9% on the month.

Global Indices

Commodities

Source: IRESS. Data as opf 31/12/2006.

Once again, corporate activity was the overriding theme behind the month's big movers. The standout performer in January was Alinta Limited (AAN), which jumped over 18% on news that a group of senior executives of the company intend to launch a management buy out (MBO), under the advice of Macquarie Bank. Macquarie is also considering participating in the proposal. Continuing the takeover theme, Multiplex (MXG) also performed strongly, rallying by over 14.5% as details emerged about a request from a third party regarding the acquisition of MXG stock.  Management was careful to cool speculation however, emphasizing that there had been no firm proposal, and there was no guarentee that any proposal would be forthcoming.

Energy Focus

Movers and Shakers

S&P/ASX 300 Energy Index - The Month's Best

Source: Sentinel Financial Group & IRESS. Last prices and returns as at 31/01/2007.

S&P/ASX 300 Energy Index - The Month's Worst

Source: Sentinel Financial Group & IRESS. Last prices and returns as at 31/01/2007.

Who's Making News

A selection of significant recent oil and gas headlines.

Source: Sentinel Financial Group & ASX.

Tin Rattlers

Recent ASX Capital Raisings  

Source: Sentinel Financial Group & ASX.

Float Hopefuls

Source: Sentinel Financial Group & ASX.

A selection of significant company news:

Source: Sentinel Financial Group & AEGIS. Data covered represents a selection of the market only and should not be considered to be complete. Sentinel Financial Group accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of these details.

Key Dates of interest (dividends and upcoming events)

S&P/ASX 100 Companies

ff = fully franked;  pf = partly franked;  uf = unfranked;  TBA = to be announced;  TBC = to be confirmed

Please note, all dates and amounts shown are preliminary and subject to change without notice. Data covered represents a selection of the market only and should not be considered to be complete. Sentinel Financial Group accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of these details.

_________________________________________________________

Sentinel Portfolio Services

Are you considering Investing in the Stock Market?

Do you currently own shares or feel your portfolio is not performing?

If so, you should consider speaking with Sentinel Portfolio Services.

We provide Portfolio Advice, Management and Reporting to enable you to professionally and successfully invest in the Stock Market.

"Building your wealth through personal share investment"

A Plan To Build Wealth.

History has shown that shares outperform most other major types of investments over the long term. To achieve optimum results, investment in the stockmarket requires careful planning and organisation.

Sentinel Portfolio Services provides a comprehensive plan, strategy and structure enabling you to generate income and build wealth through the stockmarket.

...With A Disciplined Approach.

Sentinel Portfolio Services has the specific aim of assisting private clients to build their wealth through consistent, methodical and effective portfolio investment techniques. Our Portfolio Services have been designed to introduce a disciplined approach to your stockmarket investments whilst maintaining a personalised style to portfolio investing.

...And Professional Assistance.

Sentinel Portfolio Services is a specialist advisory division of the Sentinel Financial Group which is both a participant of the Australian Securities Exchange and the holder of an Australian Financial Services License.

We adopt a professional approach to your portfolio investment providing key functions such as investment management, asset selection and reporting.

...To Provide A Complete Investment Package.

When these core components are combined, investors are presented with a comprehensive wealth-creation framework supported by expert guidance and systems

Bulletin Board (Current Offers from Sentinel)

1.       Open an account and receive free access to our daily market report

2.       Enquire about our latest division specialising in CFDs

3.       Interested in effectively managing your tax bill? Speak to Sentinel today about a range of alternatives including:

4.                   Margin Lending

5.                   Protected Loans

6.                   Options

7.       Do you have holdings in the market that you would like to protect? Our advisers can show you how options and other derivatives can be used to hedge your positions in these volatile markets.

For further information on how Sentinel can help you with your investment and trading needs, contact Peter Bell on (08) 9225 0027, or by email at pbell@sentinelgroup.com.au

About Sentinel Financial Group

Sentinel Financial Group Pty Ltd is the parent corporation to a number of financial services organisations providing specialist financial knowledge to private and corporate clients. Our focus is on building client wealth through the provision of reliable service, quality advice and personalised investment strategies. Our group is comprised of:

1. Sentinel Stockbroking - Sentinel Stockbroking specialises in the provision of advice and execution on all forms of ASX traded equities and derivatives. The company is a participating organisation of the Australian Stock Exchange Group and provides services including:

2. Stockbroking Execution and Advice - Offering efficient trading and execution services, with the benefit of professional research and advice from your own personal Investment Adviser.

3. Portfolio Management Services - Sentinel Portfolio Services will help you to design, construct and maintain a share portfolio specifically tailored to your needs. Our experienced Investment Advisers then assist you to monitor and review your portfolio on an ongoing basis and recommend changes where necessary.

4. Income Generating Strategies - Take advantage or our wealth of experience in utilising options strategies to generate an attractive, lower risk income stream in any market environment.

5. Sentinel CFD - Sentinel CFD is a dedicated CFD business offering comprehensive advisory, research and order execution functions. Our primary focus is to provide informed ideas and strategies to enable our clients to effectively utilise CFDs. Clients can choose from the following services:

6. CFD trading recommendations - Sentinel CFD draws on the resources, infrastructure and research of SFG to provide a comprehensive advisory service to our CFD clients. Our in-house research process incorporates fundamental, technical and event analysis to deliver regular, timely and specifically tailored long and short trading strategies and investment ideas to CFD investors.

7. Online CFD trading platform - Self directed traders are able to take advantage of our state of the art trading platform, giving live trading access to over 500 of Australia's top companies. Combined with our high interest cash account and convenient online reporting functions, we are able to provide a complete online trading solution.

8. Sentinel Partners - providing a wide range of accounting services including taxation advice and return lodgment; personal and business accounts and reporting; GST and BAS reporting; establishment and management of self managed superannuation funds and companies; and much more.

Please visit our group website for more information - www.sentinelgroup.com.au

OR call to speak to an adviser on (08) 9225 0027

Disclosures & Disclaimers

All information in this newsletter is provided courtesy of Sentinel Financial Group for the sole use of clients and contacts of RP.

DISCLAIMER

Sentinel Financial Group Pty Ltd (ABN 26 104 456 288) is an Australian Financial Services Licensee holder (ASFL No. 230542) and a Participating Organisation of the Australian Stock Exchange. Sentinel Financial Group's directors, officers, representatives, authorised representatives, members and agents believe the information contained in this document is correct and that any estimates, opinions or recommendations in this document are reasonably held at the time of compilation, but may change without notice.  No guarantee or warranty is given, or representation made, as to accuracy or completeness.  Past investment or trading performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.  To the extent permitted by law, Sentinel Financial Group disclaims all liability and responsibility for any direct or indirect loss or damage which may be suffered by any recipient through relying on anything in or omitted from this document. Advice included in this document is general advice, based solely on consideration of the investment or trading merits of the securities alone without taking into account the investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs (i.e. financial circumstances) of any particular person.  You should not act on any recommendation issued by Sentinel Financial Group without first consulting your investment advisor in order to ascertain whether the recommendation (if any) is appropriate having regard to your investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.

DISCLOSURE

Sentinel Financial Group Pty Ltd (ABN 26 104 456 288), its directors, officers, representatives, authorised representatives, members and agents declare that they deal in financial products as part of their business and consequently they may have a relevant interest in the financial products recommended. Sentinel Financial Group receives brokerage or other benefits from dealing in financial products and its authorised representatives, or introducers of business, may directly share in the brokerage or benefits.  Sentinel Financial Group, its authorised representatives and their respective associates may have positions in the financial products mentioned, which may change.

COPYRIGHT & DISTRIBUTION

This document and any information included within is Copyright and the property of Sentinel Financial Group Pty Ltd. All information should be viewed as confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this document, you should destroy all copies and contact the sender or Sentinel Financial Group's office.