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