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Gold/Mining/Energy : KERM'S KORNER -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (8671)	1/26/1998 6:40:00 PM
From: Kerm Yerman	Respond to of 15196

FINANCING / Cantex Energy Private Placement CANTEX ENERGY INC. ANNOUNCES THAT IT HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A PRIVATE PLACEMENT 1998-01-26 TORONTO, ONTARIO Cantex Energy Inc. (CTXE-OTC; CXEGF-BB) wishes to announce that it has recently completed at $166,000 private placement in the Company in consideration for the issuance of 150,900 units of the Company priced at $1.10. Each unit is comprised of one (1) common share of the Company and one quarter (1/4) of a share purchase warrant with each full warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company at $1.32 for a period of three (3) years from January 22, 1998. For further information, please contact Mr. James Lee, President, or Mr. Colin Halanen, Investor Relations Representative, at Cantex at (416) 363-1570 or visit Cantex's website at web.licity.com. Total shares issued and outstanding: 10,664,983.

To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (8671)	1/26/1998 6:47:00 PM
From: Kerm Yerman	Respond to of 15196

ENERGY TRUSTS / Pengrowth Gas Corp. Extra Distribution PENGROWTH GAS CORPORATION/PENGROWTH ENERGY TRUST ANNOUNCES EXTRA DISTRIBUTION ON FEBRUARY 15, 1998 Stock Symbol: PGF.UN, TSE PGF.UN, ME CALGARY, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - Pengrowth Gas Corporation (''GasCorp''), administrator of Pengrowth Energy Trust (''EnergyTrust''), announces that the cash distribution payable February 15, 1998 will total $0.2240 per trust unit, comprised of the regular monthly distribution of $0.11 per trust unit, and an extra distribution of $0.1140 per trust unit. The ex-distribution date for the February 15, 1998 distribution is January 29, 1998. This distribution will be paid for both fully priced and instalment receipt trust units. The extra distribution reflects surplus distributable income earned in the fourth quarter of 1997. The trailing one year cash distributions are now $2.017 per trust unit. GasCorp continues to make progress regarding the transition towards operatorship of the Judy Creek properties, which is scheduled to occur on April 15, 1998.

To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (8671)	1/26/1998 6:51:00 PM
From: Kerm Yerman	Respond to of 15196

PROPERTY ACQUISITION / Merit Energy Acquires Rigel Assets MERIT ENERGY LTD. ESTABLISHES NEW CORE AREA (Merit Toronto Stock Symbol ''MEL'') CALGARY, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - Merit Energy Ltd. is pleased to announce it has entered into a Letter Agreement with Rigel Oil & Gas Ltd. for the purchase of certain oil and gas assets located in Southwest Saskatchewan. The transaction will be reflected in Merit's operating and financial results in January 1998. The acquisition consists of high working-interest, operated assets that currently produce an estimated 2,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The product mix includes both gas and oil. The oil is of a lighter grade and will increase the average degree of quality of Merit's existing portfolio. The acquisition includes several operated facilities and also includes a large prospect rich undeveloped land base of approximately 275,000 net acres supported by extensive seismic coverage. Preparation of a formal Purchase and Sale Agreement is currently underway and completion is expected before the end of January. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur in the first quarter of 1998, subject to standard closing conditions and regulatory approval. Further information will be made available upon closing. After completion of this acquisition, Merit's corporate production would increase to 6500 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Merit is a publicly listed (Toronto Stock Exchange) oil and gas resource company whose objective is to grow through exploration, exploitation and acquisitions.

To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (8671)	1/26/1998 6:56:00 PM
From: Kerm Yerman	Respond to of 15196

PIPELINES / It's Official - NOVA And TransCanada Pipelines To Merge NOVA AND TRANSCANADA ANNOUNCE A MERGER OF EQUALS, CREATING WORLD CLASS ENERGY SERVICES AND CHEMICALS COMPANIES CALGARY, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - NOTE: TransCanada PipeLines and NOVA Corporation invite the financial community and the media to: 8:15 a.m. MST (10:15 a.m. Eastern time) analysts conference 9:15 a.m. MST (11:15 a.m. Eastern time) media conference Ballroom, Metropolitan Centre, 330 - 4 Ave. S.W. Calgary, Alberta The dial-in phone number for analysts is: 1-800-290-2715 The dial-in phone number for media is: 1-800-633-8728 Satellite coordinates for the media conference: ANIK E2C 1B (Channel 2) Audio 6.2/6.8 We encourage everyone to start dialing in 20 minutes early to ensure you are able to participate. Media will be in a listen-only mode for the analyst call. Analysts will be in a listen-only mode for the media portion of the call. The companies have issued the following joint press release and supporting materials. These will be posted on the companies' respective internet sites -- transcanada.com and nova.ca --------------------------------------------------------------------- The boards of directors of TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TransCanada) and NOVA Corporation (NOVA) today announced agreement to merge the companies. The merger will create the fourth largest energy services company in North America, with approximately $16 billion in revenues and $21 billion in assets, a significantly improved competitive position in North America and globally, and new growth opportunities. NOVA Chemicals, with $3.4 billion in revenues and $3.9 billion in assets (September, 1997 numbers), will be an independent, world class chemical business. Under the terms of the agreement, NOVA shareholders will exchange each NOVA share for 0.52 TransCanada shares. Immediately following this, the new enterprise will be split into separate energy and chemicals businesses. ''The North American energy services industry is experiencing a wave of consolidation as companies position themselves for success in an increasingly competitive market,'' said George Watson, TransCanada's president and chief executive officer. ''This merger will allow us to meet the challenge of this new environment, to strengthen our ability to respond to customers' needs for new, cost-effective services, and to accelerate our international and midstream business growth. As a result, this merger will allow us to increase our future earnings growth.'' J. E. (Ted) Newall, NOVA's vice-chairman and chief executive officer, said, ''Two companies -- both born in the 1950s -- are being reborn for the new century. We are witnessing the birth of a major Canadian company with remarkable strengths and a commanding presence in global energy. This will build a much stronger platform to create value for shareholders. NOVA Chemicals will be an independent, internationally competitive entity consistent with our previously announced reorganization.'' NOVA and TransCanada believe that the transaction will significantly enhance value for the shareholders of both companies. The earnings in 1999 and beyond are expected to grow faster than the earnings from the two energy services companies could on a stand-alone basis. The transaction will be accounted for on a pooling of interests basis. Under the agreement, each outstanding NOVA preferred share would be exchanged for a preferred share in the merged company. The merger will offer many significant benefits: - provides the new organization with the ability to offer low-cost, flexible services from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin to end customers in major North American markets; - aligns both companies pipeline capacity planning, thus enabling the new organization to be more responsive to producers' transportation needs, particularly during periodic surges of exploration success; - improves and expands the strategic positioning and growth opportunities of both companies in gathering and processing natural gas; - provides significant new marketing opportunities; - creates a stronger international presence and provides a number of new growth opportunities; - targeted annual operating and capital cost savings of more than $150 million; - incremental revenue growth is expected to contribute at least $100 million of pre-tax earnings by 2002; and - expected initial annual dividend of $1.12 per common share, consistent with TransCanada's historical pay-out ratio. NOVA Chemicals also offers many significant benefits to shareholders: - it is a large, pure commodity chemical company; - it has high quality, world scale assets which are well positioned to earn substantial returns in all phases of the chemical cycle; and - it is a cost leader in most major products with strong market positions. Each of TransCanada and NOVA will appoint one-half of the directors of each of the merged energy services company and the chemicals company, and the shareholders of TransCanada and NOVA will own approximately half of each company. The boards of directors named the following executives to lead the two businesses: 1. Merged energy services company: Gerald Maier, currently chairman of the board of TransCanada, will be chairman emeritus and a director; Mr. Maier was a major force in making the merger happen; Richard Haskayne, currently chairman of NOVA Corporation, will be chairman of the board; Harry Schaefer, currently a member of TransCanada's board of directors, will be vice chairman; and George Watson, currently president and chief executive officer of TransCanada, will be president and chief executive officer. 2. NOVA Chemicals Ted Newall, currently vice chairman and chief executive officer of NOVA, will be chairman of the board; Gerald Maier, currently chairman of the board of TransCanada, will be vice chairman; and Jeffrey Lipton, currently president of NOVA, will be president and chief executive officer. NOVA and TransCanada expect to complete the transaction, by way of a court-approved Plan of Arrangement, in the second quarter of 1998. It will become effective following shareholder approvals of both companies and the receipt of the necessary tax, regulatory and court clearances. The agreement provides for the payment of a fee of $175 million in the event the transaction is not completed for certain reasons. Shareholders will receive an information circular detailing the terms of the proposal, required approvals and shareholders meetings. Although there will be redundancies between the two workforces, the companies' concern is more focused on retaining their well-educated, highly skilled workforces, rather than reducing them. The new company will have greater growth opportunities. This growth, plus normal attrition, will address much of the overlap. Any job reductions beyond these will be addressed through voluntary retirements and through NOVA's highly respected Employment Transition and Continuity (ET&C) program. This program will be equally available to all current employees of TransCanada and NOVA. The merged energy company will continue to be headquartered in Calgary. The market capitalization is expected to exceed $11 billion, approximately the tenth largest market capitalization on The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE). NOVA Chemicals will also have its headquarters in Calgary. Nesbitt Burns Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co. acted as financial advisors to TransCanada and have provided fairness opinions to TransCanada. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. acted as financial advisor to NOVA and has provided a fairness opinion to NOVA. Fast Facts NOVA NOVA NOVA Trans Merger Total Chemicals Energy Canada Energy (x) (x) Services (xx) Services (x) Assets $ 10.3B $ 3.9B $ 6.4B $ 14.6B $ 21.0B Revenues $ 4.8B $ 3.4B $ 1.4B $ 14.2B $ 15.6B Net Income to Common $ 467M $ 246M $ 221M $ 408M $ 629M Employees 6,300 3,000 3,300 3,000 6,300 Kilometres of Pipe 21,700 N/A 21,700 14,489 35,189 Notes: ------ (x) As at or for the 12 months ended September 30, 1997. (xx) As at or for the year ended December 31, 1997. Major Subsidiaries and Affiliates TransCanada NOVA 100% TransCanada Energy 100% Novagas Canada Ltd. 100% TransCanada International 100% Pan-Alberta Gas 100% Alberta Natural Gas Co. Ltd. 56.5% Gasoducto GasAndes S.A. 100% Cancarb 51% Arcan Ingenieria y Construcciones 50% Trans Quebec & Martimes 50% Foothills Pipe Lines (Alberta) 50% Great Lakes Gas Transmission 40% OGP Technical Services 49% Foothills Pipe Lines (South B.C.)30% Gasoducto del Pacifico 44% Foothills Pipe Lines (Sask.) 27% Methanex Corporation 40% CentrOriente 26% NGC Corporation 34% TransGas 25% East Australian Pipeline 30% Northern Border Gas Transmission 19.2%Transportadora de Gas del Norte 29% Iroquois Gas Transmission 15% Sociedad Electrica Santiago 17.5%OCENSA

To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (8671)	1/26/1998 7:05:00 PM
From: Kerm Yerman	Respond to of 15196

MERGER - ACQUISITIONS / Union Pacific Resources To Purchase Norcen Energy Resource Shares From Noranda inc. NORANDA ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO SELL NORCEN TORONTO, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - Noranda Inc. announced today that it has agreed to sell all of its 92,555,000 common shares of Norcen Energy Resources Limited to Union Pacific Resources Group Inc. (UPR), pursuant to an agreement between Norcen and UPR under which UPR will make a cash offer of $19.80 per share for all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Norcen. Proceeds to Noranda will total approximately $1.83 billion and Noranda will record an earnings gain of approximately $590 million after provision for income taxes. The sale of Norcen is consistent with Noranda's long-term investment and operating strategy aimed at positioning Noranda as a leading international mining and metallurgical operating company. The strategy includes a plan for the divestment and distribution of Noranda's forest products and oil and gas businesses in the 1998 calendar year and this is a first step in this regard. The proceeds will be used to expand Noranda's mining and metallurgical operations. ''We are extremely proud of our long term association with Norcen,'' said David Kerr, Noranda's Chief Executive Officer. ''This Norcen management team has consistently done an outstanding job of creating value for its shareholders and this transaction is evidence of their efforts.'' Noranda shares trade on Canada's major stock exchanges (NOR). RELATED RELEASE UNION PACIFIC RESOURCES ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION AGREEMENT FOR NORCEN ENERGY US$2.6 Billion Transaction Will Give UPR Major Positions in Canada And Latin America And Significant Expansion in the Gulf Of Mexico Noranda, Owner Of 49.5 Percent Of Norcen Stock, Signs Irrevocable Commitment to Tender Norcen Interest to UPR FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - Union Pacific Resources Group Inc. (NYSE: UPR) today announced that its Board and the Board of Norcen Energy Resources Limited (Norcen) have unanimously approved the acquisition of Norcen by UPR. The US$2.6 billion all cash transaction will increase UPR's estimated 1998 revenues to US$2.7 billion from US$1.9 billion. UPR is offering C$19.80 per share (US$13.65) for all outstanding shares of Norcen stock which represents a 29 percent premium over Norcen's closing price on January 23, 1998 of C$15.30 per share. UPR will also assume Norcen's outstanding net debt of approximately US$900 million, giving the overall transaction a US$3.5 billion value. Based on consensus estimates, this transaction is accretive to UPR's 1998 discretionary cash flow per share by 25-30 percent and is approximately 60-70 percent dilutive to 1998 earnings per share based on purchase accounting adjustments. UPR expects to eliminate this earnings dilution within three years. The transaction will involve a cash tender offer for all Norcen shares at C$19.80 per share. A prominent feature of the transaction is the irrevocable commitment by Noranda to sell its 49.5 percent interest in Norcen to UPR in the tender offer, thus assuring UPR the right to obtain effective control of Norcen. ''With UPR's leadership position in the United States and Norcen's strong position in Western Canada and Latin America, this combination will create a well balanced North American company. The assets are diversified and there is substantial reserve and production upside which will generate significant, long-term value for our shareholders,'' said Jack L. Messman, UPR's Chairman and CEO. ''These two companies form a North American mega-independent with quality opportunities in Latin America. UPR anticipates few changes in operating personnel or office locations. Canadian operations will remain headquartered in Calgary and Norcen's Gulf of Mexico operations offers UPR the opportunity to create a presence in Houston. Norcen's Guatemala operations will also stay in place. Our similar corporate cultures will create energy and enthusiasm to pursue the many opportunities we see ahead. Grant Billing and his management team have done an outstanding job in transforming Norcen into a highly focused and well run company poised for substantial growth. The Norcen team will be a welcome addition to UPR.'' Based on 1997 year-end figures for UPR and UPR's estimates for Norcen's proved reserves of approximately 550 million barrels of oil on an equivalent basis (MMBOE), the new enterprise will have proved reserves in excess of 1.23 billion barrels of oil on an equivalent basis (where one barrel of oil is equivalent to six thousand cubic feet (MCF) of gas), an 80 percent increase over UPR's proved reserves on a stand-alone basis. The reserve mix of the combined company will be 57 percent natural gas and 43 percent oil and natural gas liquids. Based on fourth quarter 1997 rates, the combined company's daily production would have been in excess of 436 thousand barrels of oil equivalent (MBOE), which represents a 63 percent increase over UPR's daily fourth quarter production of 268 MBOE. Norcen's reserve to production ratio (R/P) of 9.9 years will increase UPR's R/P from 6.8 to 7.9 years on a combined basis. UPR estimates it is paying approximately US$5.63 per barrel of oil equivalent for Norcen's proved reserves. This number is derived from an acquisition cost for proved reserves of US$3.10 billion, based on the total cost of US$3.5 billion less approximately US$400 million for the value of undeveloped land and other assets. ''This acquisition gives UPR new core areas in Canada and Latin America plus a significant strategic expansion in the Gulf of Mexico including the deep water,'' said George Lindahl III, UPR's President and COO. ''While we currently have a presence in Canada and the Gulf of Mexico, this acquisition will make us a significant player in these regions.'' Norcen's properties are located in four major areas which include Western Canada, the Gulf of Mexico, Venezuela and Guatemala. In addition, Norcen owns producing properties in Argentina and offshore Australia. Norcen's proved reserves and production in these areas, on a percentage basis, are as follows: Proved Reserves (%) Production (%) Western Canada 62 60 Gulf of Mexico 11 14 Guatemala 12 12 Venezuela 13 11 Other 2 3 ''Norcen's properties fit well with our North American drillsite strategy and create new core areas including Latin America. We are excited about our entry into Latin America,'' Messman said. ''The Norcen properties possess the high ownership percentage and high level of operatorship which are key elements of our business model. Norcen's properties in Canada, Venezuela and Guatemala also include substantial production volumes and substantial growth potential. Norcen also has a net undeveloped land position in excess of five million acres which we find very attractive.'' Both companies have properties in the prolific Louisiana shelf portion of the Gulf of Mexico and are expanding in the deep water Gulf. UPR is beginning development of its twenty block Mississippi Canyon Gomez discovery, and Norcen is evaluating the Boomvang discovery involving five blocks in the East Breaks area. Further, Norcen is drilling on the five block Betelguese prospect in the Mississippi Canyon area. Combined, the two companies will have an interest in 37 tracts in the deep water, two deep water discoveries and commitments for three deep water drilling rigs. Lindahl said, ''Norcen's properties are very attractive to us. They offer significant low risk drilling inventory and high impact exploration potential in the deep water Gulf of Mexico, Canada, Venezuela and Guatemala. It is a quality portfolio of drillsite opportunities.'' UPR plans to finance the all-cash transaction with a fully committed bank facility underwritten by Chase Manhattan and Bank of Montreal. After consulting with the ratings agencies, the Company will begin a deleveraging program targeting a debt structure that will maintain no lower than a BBB+/Baa1 credit rating. The program will include asset divestitures and, possibly, the issuance of some equity. UPR expects to initiate the tender offer within the next 5-7 business days. The tender period will last thirty days unless extended by UPR and is subject to normal regulatory approvals. Nesbitt Burns and Salomon Smith Barney provided financial advisory services to UPR in connection with the acquisition and will act as dealer- managers in the tender offer. Union Pacific Resources is one of the nation's largest domestic independent oil and gas exploration and production companies. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, UPR has been the No.1 domestic driller for the past 6 years. This press release, other than historical financial information, contains forward looking statements regarding dilution, cash flow, planned drilling activity, asset divestitures, equity issuances, expected production efforts and volumes that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which are described in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1997. Actual results may vary materially. For further information: Media: Pat Doyle, Director, Public Affairs, (817) 877-6527, or Analysts: Mike Liebschwager, Director, Investor Relations, or (817) 877-6531, both of Union Pacific Resources Group Inc.; Photo: newscom.com or NewsCom, (305) 448-8411; Web site: upr.com

To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (8671)	1/26/1998 7:12:00 PM
From: Kerm Yerman	Respond to of 15196

SERVICE SECTOR / OTATCO Inc. Announces Contracts OTATCO ANNOUNCES 1998 PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS CALGARY, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - OTATCO Inc. (''OTATCO'') is pleased to announce that it has secured Production Management contracts for 1998 involving in excess of 1,000 wells which will generate gross revenues of approximately $1 million. Production Management, a new production services offering created by OTATCO in 1997, involves the outsourcing of certain production engineering and management functions to an expert service provider. Until now, these functions have been performed by oil and gas producing companies. Production Management involves well data management, process management, oil and gas well optimization, and producing well regulatory compliance services. It is an integrated solution service that creates value for its customers by increasing production, reducing operating costs, and allowing existing petroleum company production staff to focus on other activities. Customers include Gulf Oil Canada, Husky Oil Operations, Mobil Oil Canada and Northstar Energy. OTATCO conducted several successful pilot projects in 1997 that resulted in significant production increases and operating cost reductions. OTATCO's success in developing this new service offering is based on significant investments in experienced personnel, data acquisition tools, and data management technologies. OTATCO is a Calgary-based oilfield service company focused on products, services and technologies that increase profits associated with existing oil and gas production. Because of the downturn in oil prices and rising producing operating costs, OTATCO has experienced a significant upturn in many of its product and services sales. In this respect, OTATCO is counter-cyclical to drilling and exploration related oil service companies.

To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (8671)	1/26/1998 7:18:00 PM
From: Kerm Yerman	Respond to of 15196

ASSET DISPOSITION / Propietary Energy Sells Mining Properties PROPRIETARY ENERGY INDUSTRIES INC. - MINING PROPERTY SALE CALGARY, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of Proprietary Energy Industries Inc. wish to announce that they have entered into a conditional agreement with Kilo Gold Mines Ltd (KGD-ASE) to sell all of Proprietary's mining properties to Kilo in exchange for Kilo common shares. The mining properties include 75% of 480 acres in Grant County New Mexico called the Wild Irishman Prospect, 75% of 3,140 acres in Grant County New Mexico called the Chocolate Peak Prospect, 75% of 5,164 acres called the Sun and LA claims and 100% of 5,800 acres called the Snow claims 65 miles north-east of Yellowknife in the North West Territories. All properties, with the exception of the Snow Claims, were jointly held by Proprietary and Kilo in a 75% / 25% ratio prior to this transaction. The fair market value of the properties is being determined by Henkle & Associates of Reno, Nevada. Kilo would also be transferred any remaining interest/rights/licence's that Proprietary has in the Johnson Valley California claims. An Information Circular, announcing Proprietary's Annual General Meeting to be held on March 27, 1998, provides full details of this transaction and will be mailed to shareholders shortly. The Board and management believe that this transaction will benefit all shareholders and will simplify and enhance our ability to fund and develop these valuable mining properties. This transaction is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.

To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (8671)	1/26/1998 7:23:00 PM
From: Kerm Yerman	Respond to of 15196

SERVICE SECTOR / Underbalanced Drilling Systems Signs Contracyt With PanCanadian Petroleum U.D.S.C. - PANCANADIAN PETROLEUM CONTRACT CALGARY, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - Underbalanced Drilling Systems Corporation (U.D.S.C.) announces today that it has signed a contract with PanCanadian Petroleum Limited (P.C.P.) for the supply of a nitrogen replacement gas for the horizontal drilling project in the Weyburn, Saskatchewan field. The one year contract which employs the exhaust gas processing technology developed by U.D.S.C. is expected to significantly reduce the drilling and development cost for P.C.P. on this project. U.D.S.C.'s shares trade on the ASE under the symbol UDS.

To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (8671)	1/26/1998 7:28:00 PM
From: Kerm Yerman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 15196

FINANCING - TOP 21 LISTED / Crestar Energy Private Placement CRESTAR ENERGY INC. ISSUES US $120 MILLION SENIOR NOTES IN PRIVATE PLACEMENT CALGARY, Jan. 26 /CNW/ -- Crestar Energy Inc. (''Crestar'' - TSE & ME: CRS) announces that it has issued US $120 million Senior Notes to institutional investors in a private placement transaction. The financing was issued in three tranches, having an average term of 6.5 years and an average interest rate of 6.65%. The funds are being used to repay bank indebtedness which had been incurred on the acquisition of Grad & Walker Energy Corporation in July, 1997. ''We were pleased by the positive response of investors to this offering,'' said Jim Smith, Crestar's Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer. ''With this issue of US $120 million Senior Notes and our issue of $100 million Medium Term Notes in September, 1997, we have successfully extended the term of our debt.'' Merrill Lynch & Co. acted as Placement Agent for the offering. All these securities have been sold. This announcement appears as a matter of public record. Crestar Energy is a senior Canadian producer of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. The Company's shares trade on the Toronto and Montreal stock exchanges, under the symbol ''CRS''.