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


To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 3:30:00 PM
From: Herb Duncan  Respond to of 15196
 
FINANCING / Denbury Resources Inc. Announces Completion of
Debt and Equity Offerings

TSE, NYSE SYMBOL: DNR

FEBRUARY 20, 1998



DALLAS, TEXAS and CALGARY, ALBERTA--Denbury Resources Inc.
announced today that it completed its offering of 4.557 million
Common Shares at $16.75 per share, together with the sale of $125
million of 9 percent Senior Subordinated Notes of its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Denbury Management Inc, due 2008 at a price of 99.932
percent.

An additional 313,400 shares were sold directly by the Company to
its largest shareholder, the Texas Pacific Group, at the public
offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions of
$0.795 per share. Following the equity offering, the Company will
have approximately 25.9 million Common Shares outstanding.

The aggregate net proceeds from the offerings of approximately
$199.0 million will be used to repay bank indebtedness incurred
primarily in connection with the December 1997 purchase of $202
million of properties from Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter, Gordon Capital, Inc., Johnson Rice and Company,
L.L.C. and Loewen, Ondaatje, McCutcheon USA Limited were the
managing underwriters of the equity offering and Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter and Nationsbanc Montgomery Securities LLC were the
managing underwriters of the debt offering. Closing for both the
debt and equity offerings is scheduled for Feb. 26.

Denbury is a growing independent oil and gas company engaged in
acquisitions, development and exploration activities primarily in
the states of Mississippi and Louisiana.

NOTE: Effective Feb. 21, 1998, the Company's phone number will
change to (972)673-2000.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 3:32:00 PM
From: Herb Duncan  Respond to of 15196
 
CORP / Cotton Valley Resources Corporation Takes Step to Move
From Canada to the U.S. and Elects New Director


AMEX SYMBOL: KTN

FEBRUARY 20, 1998


DALLAS, TEXAS--Cotton Valley Resources Corporation announced today
a significant step in its planned move from being a corporation
domiciled in Canada to being a corporation domiciled in one of the
United States, by completing its transfer in registration from the
Province of Ontario to the Yukon Territory. According to a
Company spokesperson, this intra-Canadian move allows the
subsequent transfer later this year to the United States tax-free
to the Company as well as to all of its shareholders.

Yukon also requires only one Canadian citizen on the Board of
Directors as opposed to the majority being Canadian required by
Ontario. In anticipation of this move, one of the Canadian
directors, Michael Kamis, withdrew his name from nomination for
re-election at Cotton Valley's Annual Meeting of Shareholders held
last week.

Following the meeting, the newly re-elected directors, Eugene A.
Soltero (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer), James E. Hogue
(President and Chief Operating Officer), Richard Lachcik and Wayne
Egan, appointed a new Director, Leon Romero, a prominent New
Mexico oilman and venture capitalist. Romero holds a BBA in
Accounting and an MBA from New Mexico Highlands University plus a
Master's degree in Entrepreneurial Development form UCLA. Much of
Romero's early career was spent managing petroleum production and
telecommunications businesses. He has been actively involved in
the petroleum industry since the early 1980's as an oil and gas
producer, gas marketer, explorationist and operator. Cotton
Valley acquired one of his companies, Aspen Energy Corporation, in
July 1997 and Romero has been serving as an Advisory Director to
Cotton Valley since the acquisition. He is a Director of the
Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico and belongs to
several other industry related professional associations.

Commenting on the recent events, Chairman and CEO Gene Soltero
stated, "We are extremely pleased to be able to officially add
Leon Romero as a voting director and to be taking these important
steps to bring all our corporate activities into the United
States. We also want to thank Kamis for his assistance to Cotton
Valley and his special service to us as a Canadian interim
director."

Other business completed at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
consisted of appointment of Hein & Associates as independent
auditors for the fiscal year 1998 and approval of qualified stock
option plans for employees and outside Directors.

Cotton Valley Resources Corporation concentrates on acquiring and
improving Texas and Oklahoma oil and gas properties using new
technologies and its own service companies. There are
approximately 17 million common shares outstanding.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 4:42:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
CORP. / Redeco Energy uses Investors Relations Firm

Redeco Energy Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with
Hume, Kieran Inc., a Toronto based investor relations firm, to provide
on-going investor relations services for the Company for an initial period of
six months.

Hume, Kieran Inc. and its predecessor company Kieran and Co. have provided
investor relations services for more than thirty years and has an outstanding
reputation for building strong, long term investor support for companies such
as Redeco.

Redeco is an oil and gas exploration and development company which, with a
joint venture partner, owns the oil and gas exploration rights for the entire
country of Moldova. In addition, with a joint venture partner, it owns an
exploration permit in neighboring Romania.

The Company is listed on The Alberta Stock Exchange under the symbol RE.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 4:45:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
FIELD ACTIVITIES / Olympia Energy completes Drilling of Four Wells

Olympia Energy Inc. is pleased to announce that it has completed the drilling
of four wells, and has extended the horizontal component of one existing well
in the Minehead area.

Three of the four newly drilled wells were put on production along with the
horizontal well, bringing the stabilized production to 10.3 mmcf/d (6.2
mmcf/d net) along with 35 bbls per million cubic feet of condensate rich
natural gas liquids. The remaining well is currently awaiting completion
which is scheduled for late February. Two additional development infill
wells, originally anticipated in this program, are expected to be drilled
prior to break up.

Further, the installation and testing of a new gas gathering system is
complete, which will access a new processing facility for the Minehead
production. At this new delivery point the liquid yield is expected to
increase to over 70 bbls per million cubic feet and processing fees will be
reduced by 25%.

Olympia is a junior oil and gas exploration and production company located in
Calgary, Alberta and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
OLY.A

For further information please contact:

Mr. Peter Salamon
President & C.E.O.
Olympia Energy Inc.
(403) 265-2723



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 4:48:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
FIELD ACTIVITIES / Symmetry Resources updates Winter Activity


Dawson, Alberta
Development of Symmetry's principal property in north-central Alberta has
progressed on three fronts: land acquisition, seismic acquisition, and
successful drilling.

At the January 21 Alberta Crown sale, Symmetry, with its joint venture
partner, acquired three sections of Slave Point rights offsetting existing
acreage. Current company land holdings in the area for Slave Point rights
offsetting existing acreage. Current company land holdings in the area for
Slave Point rights total 5,760 gross and 3,520 net acres. Further agreement
was reached to post several more parcels of land for a late spring Crown
sale.

As a result of winter geophysical activity, seismic coverage now includes
approximately nine square miles of 3D data complemented by 70 miles of
conventional data. A larger 3D program of up to 14 square miles is currently
planned for early summer over newly acquired lands and lands now posted by
Symmetry.

A multi-well drilling program commenced in early December including three
Symmetry-operated wells (two joint wells at 50% and one at 100%), and three
50% partner-operated wells. All six wells have been cased as Slave Point oil
wells. Drilling statistics reflect the exceptional nature of this developing
play with a 100% success rate for the first fourteen wells that Symmetry
participated in. Four of the wells drilled this winter have been completed
and are on production while the last two are waiting on completion. The
company's 100% 4-36-79-16 W5 well is producing at a rate of 250 barrels of
clean oil per day, while another Symmetry-drilled joint well is producing in
excess of 500 BOPD. The other two joint wells have recently gone on-stream
at stabilized rates in excess of 250 BOPD. Lease surveys are being acquired
on three new locations with a fourth location already built and expected to
spud soon. At least one of these locations will test a 100% Symmetry
anomaly.

The expected cumulative effect of these new completions, the reinstatement of
shut-in production due to over-production of allowables in 1997, and of new
drilling between now and break-up is a first quarter company exit rate in
excess of 2,300 BOE/D.

Elk Valley, British Columbia
Symmetry Resources Inc. successfully acquired more than 11,600 acres of
mineral rights at a Crown sale in British Columbia in November, 1997. This
large tract of contiguous acreage in the southeast foothills of B.C. was
purchased for the purpose of evaluating a large reserve base of methane gas
associated with several coal beds at depths of less than 2,300 feet. Gas
content analyses of the coals in this valley indicate methane reserves in
excess of 100 BCF with about half of this potentially recoverable.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

D.C. Morgenstern
President & Chief Operating Officer

Contact: D.C. Morgenstern,
President & Chief Operating Officer (403) 269-1730

Giovanni DeFrancesco, Vice President, Operations (403) 269-1730
Listed: Toronto Stock Exchange
Symbol: SYO
SEDAR#: 00002104
E-Mail: symmetry@cadvision.com



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 4:50:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
FINANCING / New Energy West Corp. announces Stock Option Plan


New Energy West Corporation (the "Corporation") (ASE:"NEC") announces it has
reserved a price of $0.13 per share for the grant of stock options to acquire
up to 200,000 common shares (the "Stock Options"). The Stock Options will be
granted to a new director of the Corporation.

The grant of the Stock Options is subject to regulatory approval and the
Corporation is required to file a formal application with The Alberta Stock
Exchange within 14 calendar days of this press release.

For further information please contact Paul Hamilton, President at telephone
(403) 228-0025 or fax (403) 228-0255.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 4:56:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
SERVICE SECTOR / Request Seismic Surveys incorporates U.S. Subsidiary

ASE Symbol for Common Shares - RSH
ASE Symbol for Warrants - RSH.wt
CUSIP No. for Common Shares: 760973 10 7
CUSIP No. for Warrants: 760973 11 5

Mr. Todd Chuckry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Request Seismic
Surveys Ltd. ("Request" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce the
recent incorporation of it's U.S. subsidiary, Request Seismic Surveys
International Inc. to be based in Houston, Texas. This subsidiary will
provide data management and seismic brokerage to U.S. based customers.

Mr. Chuckry is also pleased to announce that Request has finalized an
agreement to purchase an average 38% net revenue interest in 638 km of
seismic data in South East Saskatchewan. The cost of this acquisition is
$325,000 plus G.S.T.

The Corporation is in the business of providing access to seismic data
information to customers within the oil and gas industry. The Corporation
manages the flow of seismic information for sale purposes on behalf of other
companies, acts as a broker to facilitate the licensing of seismic
information between vendors and purchasers and creates, markets and
supervises the acquisition of new seismic data inventory thereby adding to
the asset base of the Corporation.

For further information please contact Todd Chuckry, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Request Seismic Surveys Ltd. at (403) 531-0250, fax at
(403) 531-0255.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 4:58:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
ACQUISITION / Rock Capital Corp. announces Property Acquisition


Rock Capital Corporation is pleased to announce that it has completed its
previously announced acquisition of a 62 1/2 % interest in three oil wells
located in the Roncott area of Saskatchewan from Black Canyon Resources Inc.
for total consideration of $500,000. An independent engineering report
suggests that the property on which the wells are located has proven
producing reserves before royalties of 185,000 barrels of oil with daily
production in the order of 29 barrels of oil per day. It is intended that
this acquisition constitute the Corporation's major transaction pursuant to
Alberta Securities Commission Policy 4.11.

The Alberta Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the
information contained herein.

For further information please contact Todd Hilditch, President, of Rock
Capital Corporation at (604) 921-9692.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 5:02:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
CORP. / Rock Capital Corp. announces Granting of Stock Options


Rock Capital Corporation announced that it has today granted options to three
of its directors and officers to acquire an aggregate of 249,500 of its
common shares at a price of $0.69 per share.


For further information please contact Todd Hilditch, President, of Rock
Capital Corporation at (604)921-9692.

ROCK CAPITAL CORPORATION
5565, Westhaven Road
West Vancouver, B.C
V7W 3E9



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 5:15:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
FINANCING / Gulf Canada announces Debt Reduction Plan Part 1

DENVER, CO, Feb. 19 /CNW/ - Gulf Canada Resources Limited today announced
a significant debt reduction program, including the sale of North American and
international producing and non-producing assets and the creation of an
infrastructure trust in Western Canada, with target proceeds of approximately
$850 million.

Gulf has hired RBC Dominion Securities Inc. to assist in the creation and
marketing of an infrastructure trust to capture value by selling approximately
49 per cent of a portion of the Company's extensive network of gas
transmission and processing facilities with one billion cubic feet of sour gas
processing capacity in west-central Alberta, a highly prospective area for
natural gas. Gulf has made a significant investment in these assets over the
past three years to increase capacity to handle and process third-party gas
volumes. The long-life infrastructure trust will monetize third party
processing revenues. Gulf will continue to operate the facilities and maintain
the flexibility to process its gas volumes in what the Company believes is
becoming a very exciting gas market.

In addition, the company plans to sell its interest in the United Kingdom
North Sea. Budgeted 1998 production from interests in four non-operated oil
fields is approximately 19,000 barrels per day, less than nine per cent of
GulfÅ s total budgeted production. The company also has two projects currently
under development, and onshore and offshore exploration licenses totaling
500,000 undeveloped acres. The Company's Netherlands North Sea assets will
not be part of the divestiture package.

Gulf also plans to sell approximately $100 million of non-oil and gas
assets including its Mount Klappan coal deposit, its large acreage position
near Reno, Nevada, and approximately $50 million of non-producing Canadian
assets.

Adds Gulf's President and CEO Dick Auchinleck, ''The program announced
today will not distract us from our aggressive 1998 exploration and
development program that calls for capital investment of nearly $1 billion in
our core assets. The divestiture program allows us to focus on those core
areas that can continue to generate significant growth rates for the company.
We believe that Gulf is significantly undervalued in today's market. We plan
to move quickly to capture unrealized value from our assets and reduce debt to
approximately 2.5 times cash flow within the next 12 months. The benefits of
having an investment grade balance sheet and the financial flexibility that
will give us more than offset the modest impact this program will have on
production volumes and cash generation.''

In another move today, the Board of Directors of Gulf adopted a
Shareholders' Protection Rights Plan. The Plan will be presented to the
shareholders for ratification at the Gulf Annual and Special Meeting on April
30, 1998.

GULF CANADA ANNOUNCES 46% INCREASE IN PROVED RESERVES
AND 35% INCREASE IN CASH FLOW

HIGHLIGHTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$Canadian

Year-ended December 31,
1997 1996

FINANCIAL
Cash Generated ($mm) $ 592 $ 440
Cash Generated per Share, after
preferred dividend ($) 1.96 1.72
Earnings ($mm) 204 37
Earnings per Share ($) 0.62 0.03

SALES VOLUMES (average boe/d)
North America 124 117
Indonesia 22 14
Other International 34 0
--- ---
Total 180 131

RESERVES
Proved Gross Oil / Liquids (mmb) 599 392
Proved Gross Natural Gas (bcf) 2,419 1,986
Total (mmboe) 912 624

Gulf Canada Resources Limited became a true international, diversified
oil and gas exploration and production company in 1997. The acquisitions of
Clyde Petroleum plc and Stampeder Exploration Ltd. added to Gulf's already
large and prospective position internationally and in Western Canada. These
actions present the opportunity in 1998 and beyond for Gulf to utilize its
exploration and technological expertise to maximize the value of its assets.
In addition, Gulf Canada successfully took Gulf Indonesia Resources Limited
public, retaining 72.4 per cent, and establishing a US$1.7 billion net value
for these assets.

Success in 1997 was recognized not only through these transactions, but
also through the drill bit with sizable discoveries in Indonesia plus success
in new international areas including Australia, the Netherlands and Yemen.

Average production on a barrel of oil equivalent (boe) basis increased 37
per cent to 180,000 boe/d. This increase was achieved in combination with
reduced operating and G&A costs that averaged $7.05 per boe for the year
versus $7.44 in 1996. Gross proved reserves increased 46% per cent to 912
million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) from 624 mmboe. This also equates
to a production replacement rate of over 450 per cent. Probable reserves more
than doubled to 618 mmboe indicating a sizable base for future proved reserve
additions. Financially, earnings grew to $0.62 per share from $0.03, largely
as a result of the gain realized after the Gulf Indonesia public offering, and
cash generated increased 14 per cent to $1.96 per share.

Gulf continued with its strong finding and development costs record with
gross proved reserve averaging $6.56 per boe for the year and $5.28 per boe
using a three year average. For Western Canada conventional, the averages are
$5.54 per boe for 1997 and $5.97 per boe using a three-year average. The 1997
finding and development cost figure does not include discoveries recently
announced in Australia, Indonesia and Yemen, which will be delineated in 1998.

During the year, Gulf invested $1.1 billion in exploration and
development and completed $1.9 billion worth of acquisitions. Funding
included $0.6 billion in cash generated from operations, $1.1 billion from
asset sales and the Gulf Indonesia public offering, approximately $1.0 billion
in equity issued and $0.5 billion in new debt net of repayments and cash.

The 1997 capital and exploration expenditure budget of $1.1 billion was
significantly higher than $644 million in 1996. The capital program was
applied to North America (53%) and Indonesia (32%), and the remainder to other
international programs.

Highlights from Gulf's 1997 operations include:

Western Canada
--------------
- Canadian conventional light oil and natural gas production averaged
approximately 100,000 boe/d.
- Capital expenditures for the conventional light oil and natural gas
operations of $450 million funded 588 wells and a significant
investment in infrastructure and processing facilities in and around
Gulf's west-central Alberta holdings. Gulf is positioning the region
to take advantage of improved gas markets expected beginning in late
1998.
- Gulf formed several innovative joint ventures/alliances with aligned
parties, bringing together prospective natural gas exploration
properties, infrastructure and shared expertise to more quickly and
economically explore large land positions. These alliances allow Gulf
to accelerate the exploration and development of large areas.
- Divestitures totaled $451 million, of which $366 million is from the
fourth quarter including the sale of the Zama Virgo properties, were
completed and funds received were applied to reduce debt.
- Gulf Heavy Oil was established in October, and it is now being
positioned for public offering later this year or in 1999. Timing of
the offering will depend upon market conditions and the differential
obtained for heavy oil, as well as technological results from the
Surmont pilot thermal recovery project. Steam injection at the Surmont
pilot project began in August and reservoir response has been
encouraging to date. Results required to make a decision regarding
commercial production potential are expected by yearend 1998. If
successful, Gulf estimates ultimate recoverable reserves of more than
two billion barrels.
- In November, the owners of Syncrude approved a plan to double the size
of the Syncrude project in a four-stage expansion program to be
completed in 2007. Gulf holds a 9.03 per cent interest in Syncrude and
its shares of 1997 production averaged 18,600 b/d. Gulf also
administers the Athabasca Oil Sands Trust that holds an 11.74 per cent
interest in Syncrude.

Indonesia
---------
- Indonesia crude oil production averaged 22,500 b/d, up from 13,900 b/d
in 1996, due to the acquisition of Clyde Petroleum plc's Kakap assets
early in the year.
- Cash generation from Indonesia was $100 million for the year, or $0.26
per Gulf Canada share.
- An 80 per cent increase in exploration activity resulted in significant
finds, including the Mengoepeh oil discovery and the Rayun and Bungin
natural gas discoveries.
- The Corridor natural gas development project (54% WI) is on time and on
budget, with start-up expected in fall 1998.

North Sea and Australia
-----------------------
- Daily sales volumes averaged 18,500 barrels of oil and natural gas
liquids and 62 million cubic feet natural gas in the North Sea.
Development of the Ross field (14.5% WI) is underway.
- Australian production averaged 5,000 boe/d in 1997. Gulf announced the
Tenacious wildcat discovery (25% WI) offshore in the Timor Sea. This
discovery identifies a new reservoir which Gulf will be delineating in
1998. Development scenarios are currently being discussed.

''Gulf has undergone a terrific year of geographic diversification and
expansion of operations with significant increases in cash flow and earnings
per share'' says Richard (Dick) H. Auchinleck who was recently promoted to the
position of President and Chief Executive Officer and appointed to Gulf's
Board of Directors. ''Moving forward into 1998, Gulf is well positioned to
maximize the value of its sizable and geographically diversified asset base.
Operating activity will focus on delivering value from our existing core
assets. Corporate activity will concentrate on our debt repayment program
announced today and achieving an investment grade credit rating from U.S.
agencies.''

<<
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (LOSS)
AND RETAINED EARNINGS (DEFICIT)

Year ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions of dollars) 1997 1996 1995
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

EARNINGS (LOSS)
Revenues
Net oil and gas $ 1,254 $ 856 $ 661
Gain on sale of shares by subsidiary 417 0 0
Net gain on asset disposals and
provision for future losses (75) 5 6
Other 81 48 51
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,677 909 718
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses
Operating - production 399 309 254
- other 12 11 10
Exploration 150 70 67
General and administrative 64 49 53
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 504 289 193
Pension settlement and restructuring
charges 67 4 24
Finance charges, net 222 79 135
Income tax expense 59 59 10
Minority shareholder's interest (4) 0 0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,473 870 746
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) from continuing
operations 204 39 (28)
Discontinued operations 0 (2) 0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) for the year $ 204 $ 37 $ (28)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Per ordinary share
Earnings (loss) from continuing
operations $ 0.62 $ 0.04 $ (0.32)
Earnings (loss) $ 0.62 $ 0.03 $ (0.32)

RETAINED EARNINGS (DEFICIT)
Balance, beginning of year $ 0 $ (8) $ (1,129)
Earnings (loss) for the year 204 37 (28)
Dividends declared on preference shares (23) (29) (37)
Deficit elimination 0 0 1,186
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of year $ 181 $ 0 $ (8)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Year ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions of dollars) 1997 1996 1995
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Earnings (loss) from continuing
operations $ 204 $ 39 $ (28)
Non-cash items included in earnings (loss)
Depreciation, depletion and
amortization 504 289 193
Net gain on asset disposals and
provision for future losses (342) (5) (6)
Amortization of deferred foreign
exchange losses 17 15 52
Pension settlement and restructuring
charges 53 0 25
Exploration expense 150 70 67
Deferred income taxes 17 41 (3)
Other (11) (9) (8)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash generated from operations 592 440 292
Other long-term liabilities (10) (15) 20
Changes in non-cash working capital 43 (44) (21)
Other, net (4) (9) (16)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
621 372 275
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds on asset disposals 1,099 278 51
Acquisitions (1,944) (284) (216)
Capital expenditures and exploration
expenses (1,133) (644) (502)
Changes in non-cash working capital 3 (21) 62
Other, net 39 (72) (30)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1,936) (743) (635)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS
Regular dividends declared on
preference shares (23) (29) (37)
Special dividends declared on
preference shares (45) (13) 0
Changes in non-cash working capital (1) 0 2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(69) (42) (35)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Foreign exchange on short-term loans (4) 0 0
Proceeds from issue of long-term debt 1,628 500 281
Long-term debt repayments (897) (421) (663)
Issue of equity 964 150 295
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,691 229 (87)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Increase (decrease) in cash 307 (184) (482)
Cash at beginning of year (170) 14 496
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash at end of year (1) $ 137 $ (170) $ 14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Comprise cash and short-term investments, net of short term loans

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Year ended December 31,
1997 1996
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSETS
Current
Cash and short-term investments $ 188 $ 53
Accounts receivable 346 295
Other 121 83
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
655 431

Investments, deferred charges and
other assets 238 236
Property, plant and equipment 5,736 2,809
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 6,629 $ 3,476
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current
Short-term loans $ 51 $ 223
Accounts payable 420 277
Current portion of long-term debt 29 0
Current portion of other long-term
liabilities 37 34
Other 129 86
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
666 620

Long-term debt 2,785 1,198
Other long-term liabilities 201 140
Deferred income taxes 307 148
Minority interest 220 0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,179 2,106
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commitments and contingent liabilities

Shareholders' equity
Share capital
Senior preference shares 577 577
Ordinary shares 1,660 687
Contributed surplus 35 80
Retained earnings 181 0
Foreign currency translation adjustment (3) 26
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,450 1,370
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 6,629 $ 3,476
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Year ended December 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996
------------------------------------------------------------------------

VOLUMES SOLD (1) (gross/net)
Crude oil and natural gas liquids
(thousands of barrels per day)
North America
- Conventional light oil 43.0 / 35.3 39.0 / 31.4
- Conventional heavy oil 5.4 / 4.7 - / -
- Syncrude crude oil 18.6 / 16.9 18.2 / 15.0
- Condensate 5.7 / 4.0 5.6 / 4.6
- Other natural gas liquids 10.7 / 9.1 10.5 / 8.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------
83.4 / 70.0 73.3 / 59.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------

International
- Indonesia 22.5 / 16.6 13.9 / 10.3
- United Kingdom 17.0 / 16.2 - / -
- Other 2.0 / 1.7 - / -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
41.5 / 34.5 13.9 / 10.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liquids 124.9 / 104.5 87.2 / 69.9
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Natural gas
(millions of cubic feet per day)
- North America 413 / 351 441 / 371
- Netherlands 62 / 61 - / -
- Other 22 / 21 - / -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
497 / 433 441 / 371
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total barrels of oil
equivalent per day (2) 180.2 / 153.3 131.3 / 107.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) ''Gross'' sales include royalties; ''net'' sales are after
royalties. Volumes are adjusted for:
- NGL and gas re-injection
requirements (mboe/d) (4.2) (4.2)
- Inventory drawdown / (buildup) (mboe/d) (0.0) (0.4)

(2) Canada gas converted at 10:1, International gas at 6:1

------------------------------------------------------------------------



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 5:16:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
FINANCING / Gulf Canada announces Debt Reduction Plan Part 2

GROSS AVERAGE PRICES
Crude oil and natural gas liquids
(dollars per barrel)
North America
- Conventional light oil $ 26.13 $ 27.92
- Conventional heavy oil 13.71 -
- Syncrude crude oil 27.84 29.22
- Condensate 28.65 27.58
- Other natural gas liquids 17.56 18.01

International
- Indonesia 26.55 27.34
- United Kingdom 23.59 -
- Other 27.16 -

Average
- unhedged 24.98 26.89
- hedged 24.58 25.13

Natural gas (dollars per thousand cubic feet)
- unhedged 1.84 1.73
- hedged 1.82 1.65

International 3.16 -

Average
- unhedged 2.06 1.73
- hedged 2.04 1.65

AVERAGE EXHANGE RATES (Cdn$1) US$ 0.72 US$ 0.73

NET OIL AND GAS REVENUE (millions of dollars)
Crude oil and natural gas liquids
North America
- Conventional light oil $ 391 $ 343
- Conventional heavy oil 27 -
- Syncrude crude oil 189 194
- Condensate 60 56
- Other natural gas liquids 68 69
Indonesia 218 139
United Kingdom 147 -
Other International 20 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,120 801
Natural gas
North America 273 267
Netherlands 77 1,068
Other international 21 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
371 -
Sulphur - 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,491 1,073

Less: Royalties
North America
- Conventional (149) (140)
- Syncrude (18) (37)
Indonesia (58) (40)
Other international (12) -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net oil and gas revenue $ 1,254 $ 856
------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESERVES AND FINDING & DEVELOPMENT COSTS

------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROVED RESERVES AT YEAR-END (1) 1997 1996
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude Oil / Liquids gross net gross net
Western Canada Light 192 158 162 131
Western Canada Heavy 76 70 - -
Synthetic Crude 226 198 194 174
Indonesia 42 28 36 21
North Sea / Australia / Other 62 58 - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 598 512 392 326

Natural Gas
Western Canada 1347 1098 1482 1248



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 5:23:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
ATTENTION KERM / TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT CAN HELP AGING

New Research Shows Promising Results

TORONTO, Feb. 20 /CNW/ - New research presented at the first World
Congress on the Aging Male shows that testosterone treatment can help
counteract some of the physical effects of aging in men.

''Evidence is rapidly mounting to support the concept of hormone
supplements for the aging male - similar to hormone treatment for
post-menopausal women, said Dr. Alvaro Morales, Professor and Chair,
Department of Urology, Kingston General Hospital.

''The recognition of profound but insidious changes occurring in the
hormone levels in aging males is a significant step. Male hormonal alterations
are not as clear cut and abrupt as with menopause but are equally associated
with serious health effects ranging from osteoporosis to memory loss,'' Dr.
Morales added.

Dr. Joyce Tenover, Associate Professor of Medicine at Atlanta's Emory
University School of Medicine, conducted a three-year trial that looked at 70
men, ages 65 to 83 with abnormally low testosterone levels. The patients were
either treated with testosterone therapy or placebo.

The results showed that compared with a placebo, men receiving active
treatment experienced:

- An eight per cent increase in bone density at the lumbar spine, and
three per cent at the hip;
- A four kilogram increase in lean body mass, as opposed to a decrease
of three kilograms in the placebo group; and
- A 16 per cent reduction in body fat.

''This is one more study documenting potential benefits of androgen
supplementation in aging men, said Dr. Richard Bebb, an endocrinologist
affiliated with the University of British Columbia.

''Dr. Tenover lead an excellent, well designed study. Hopefully this will
set the stage for a larger, multi-centre, and ideally, international study of
long-term androgen supplementation to fully clarify the risks and benefits of
such treatment for aging men,'' Bebb added.

Noting the importance of bone mineral density in aging males, Dr. Morales
added, ''Male osteoporosis is just as significant a problem as female
osteoporosis. Although it affects men a little later in life, the incidence of
fractures doubles in men with each decade over 60.'' More research is needed,
however, to show whether the effects of testosterone therapy on bone density
translates into a reduction in the fracture rate.

Testosterone levels in men decline gradually with age. However not all
men are destined to become hypogonadal - men whose testosterone levels drop
below the normal range.

Until now the health of the aging male has not been a subject of
comprehensive, interdisciplinary study. Experts remain undecided on the
relevance of screening for prostate cancer and the value of replacement
therapies (testosterone, DHEA, melatonin, growth hormone and others); the
treatment of sleep and mood disorders, low concentration, muscle weakness,
impotence and other sexual dysfunction, as well as male osteoporosis are often
neglected. With an increasingly older population, such issues have significant
social and economic consequences.

Organized by the newly formed International Society for the Study of the
Aging Male (ISSAM), and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization, the
World Congress on the Aging Male is the first coordinated attempt to address
men's issues around aging and give them the kind of attention that women's
issues have received. It was held in Geneva, Switzerland, February 5 to 8.

ISSAM aims to create an awareness of the problem of male aging; obtain
related essential epidemiological data on morbidity, mortality and economics;
intensify basic and clinical research; and stimulate interdisciplinary
collaboration. Its journal, The Aging Male, was inaugurated in January 1998
and will be published quarterly.

NV Organon was one of the main sponsors of the First World Congress on
the Aging Male. Organon's tradition of research into male hormones dates back
to 1929 when its investigators first isolated a hormone they named
''testosterone''.

Based in Scarborough, Ontario, Organon Canada Ltd. is a member of the
pharmaceutical division of NV Organon. It provides ethical pharmaceuticals in
the areas of contraception, infertility, male hormone replacement, enzyme
substitution and anaesthesiology to the Canadian health care system.

For further details on the Congress, seminar topics and presenters, visit
the Congress website: kenes.com



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 5:25:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
ENERGY TRUSTS / Canadian Oil Sands Trust closes Offering

CALGARY, Feb. 20 /CNW/ - Today, Canadian Oil Sands Trust announced the
successful closing of the issue of 4 million Trust Units at a price of $24.00
per unit with net proceeds of $92 million. The offering was completed with a
group of underwriters led by CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Inc.

The net proceeds of the issue, in conjunction with its $250 million line
of credit, ensures the financing of the Canadian Oil Sands Investments Inc.
10 % share of the capital expenditures related to the ''Syncrude 21''
expansion. The expansion of Syncrude is projected to double the production of
an even better quality, low sulphur crude oil at a significantly lower
operating costs.

All of the common shares of Canadian Oil Sands Investments Inc. are owned
by Canadian Oil Sands Trust. With this issue, Canadian Oil Sands Trust, a
publicly held trust, has 27 million units owned by investors in Canada and
internationally. The units are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Canadian Oil Sands Investments Inc.
PO Box 2850
150 - 9 Avenue SW
Calgary AB T2P 2S5
Canada

Shares Listed - Symbol: CO.UN
The Toronto Stock Exchange



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 5:28:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
FIELD ACTIVITIES / Ridgeway Petroleum updates Activities

CALGARY, Feb. 20 /CNW/ - Ridgeway Petroleum Corp. was the successful
bidder at a February 17, 1998 State of New Mexico land sale and acquired state
leases covering 11,895 acres. The leases cover all oil, gas, CO(2), and
helium rights under the lease area. A federal land sale in the same area is
scheduled for April 1998.

Ridgeway has also drilled, cored, logged and cased its second well in the
current New Mexico six well delineation drilling program. Of particular
importance was the data recovered from the Riggs Sand (formerly referred to
as the Granite Wash) which may increase the estimates of gas in place,
currently in the twenty one TCF range. Fracturing containing C0(2) in the
basement granite is leading to geological consideration of the possibility of
the CO(2) / Helium gas emanating from a hidden deep magmatic source similar to
the Bravo Domo field in north east New Mexico.

The third well in the current delineation program will spud today.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

J. Bruce Petrie, Chief Financial Officer

Certain statements in this News Release constitute ''forward looking
statements'' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigations Reform
Act, of 1995. Such forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and
other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements
of the Corporation to be materially different from any future results,
performance of achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking
statements.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 5:29:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
DIVIDEND / NOVA Corp Ltd.

CALGARY, Feb. 20 /CNW/ - Notice is hereby given that the Board of
Directors of NOVA Corporation has declared the following quarterly dividend,
payable on the 15th day of May, 1998, to shareholders of record at the close
of business on the 30th day of April, 1998.

PREFERRED SHARES

Series 1, Dividend No. 4
Dividend of $0.321875 per share on the outstanding Cumulative Redeemable
First Preferred Shares, Series 1.

COMMON SHARES

Common Shares, Dividend No. 16
Dividend of $0.10 per share on the outstanding Common Shares.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 5:31:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
DIVIDEND / TransCanada Pipelines Ltd

CALGARY, Feb. 20 /CNW/ - The board of directors of TransCanada PipeLines
Limited today declared a quarterly dividend of 31 cents per share on the
outstanding common shares for the quarter ending March 31, 1998. It is the
137th consecutive dividend paid by TransCanada on its common shares, and is
payable on April 30, 1998 to shareholders of record at the close of business
on March 31, 1998.

The board also declared regular dividends on TransCanada's preferred
shares for the quarter ending May 1, 1998. The following dividends are
payable May 1, 1998 to shareholders of record at the close of business on
March 31, 1998.

Dividend No. 128 was declared on the $2.80 Cumulative Redeemable First
Preferred Shares in the amount of 70 cents per share.

Dividend No. 25 was declared on the Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred
Shares Series O in the amount of $0.9875 per share.

Dividend No. 23 was declared on the Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred
Shares Series P in the amount of $0.96875 per share.

Dividend No. 14 was declared on the Cumulative Redeemable Retractable
First Preferred Shares Series Q in the amount of $0.81875 per share.

Dividend No. 10 was declared on the Cumulative Redeemable Retractable
First Preferred Shares Series R in the amount of $0.74375 per share.

TransCanada PipeLines is one of North America's leading transporters of
natural gas through its energy transmission businesses. TransCanada also
operates significant complementary businesses in energy marketing and energy
processing in North America, and is extending its operations internationally.

VISIT TRANSCANADA'S INTERNET SITE at: transcanada.com



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 5:32:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
OSC / Genoil Inc

TORONTO, Feb. 20 /CNW/ - Temporary Cease Trading Order February 20th,
1998 for failure to make statutory filings, hearing will take place on March
4th, 1998 at 10:00 a.m.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 5:35:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
GENERAL INTEREST / RSIM HOLDINGS of Symmetry Resources

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 19 /CNW/ - This press release is issued by Robertson
Stephens Investment Management Co. (''RSIM'') pursuant to Section 101 of the
Securities Act (Ontario) and Section 141 of the Securities Act (Alberta) with
respect to common shares (''Shares'') of Symmetry Resources Inc. (the
''Issuer'').

On August 1, 1997 the Robertson Stephens Orphan Fund (the ''Orphan
Fund'') acquired 1,619,063 Shares of the Issuer from treasury in a private
transaction.

On August 1, 1997 the Robertson Stephens Orphan Offshore Fund (the
''Orphan Offshore Fund'') acquired 343,437 Shares of the Issuer from treasury
in a private transaction.

On August 1, 1997 the Robertson Stephens Partners Fund (the ''partners
Fund'') acquired 1,962,500 Shares of the Issuer from treasury in a private
transaction.

On September 2, 1997 the Partners Fund acquired 62,300 Shares of the
Issuer.

On September 11, 1997 the Orphan Fund acquired 6,100 Shares of the
Issuer.

On September 11, 1997 the Orphan Offshore Fund acquired 1,300 Shares of
the Issuer.

On September 11, 1997 the Partners Fund acquired 30,300 Shares of the
Issuer.

On September 12, 1997 the Robertson Stephens Global Natural Resources
Fund acquired 34,400 Shares of the Issuer.

On September 12, 1997 the Orphan Fund acquired 28,300 Shares of the
Issuer.

On September 12, 1997 the Orphan Offshore Fund acquired 6,100 Shares of
the Issuer.

For the purpose of the applicable legislation, RSIM is deemed to
currently own or have control over 176,900 Shares, representing a total of
16.38% of the Shares of the Issuer on a fully-diluted basis.

Purchases of Shares on August 1, 1997 were made by way of private
placement and were issued from treasury by Symmetry Resources. Shares
purchased subsequently were acquired on the open market through the facilities
of The Toronto Stock Exchange.

The purpose of the various Funds' dispositions and acquisitions of
securities of the Issuer is to purchase and sell Shares of the Issuer for
investment and not with the intention of changing or influencing control of
the Issuer. Depending on economic or market conditions or matters relating to
the Issuer, any of the Funds may choose to either dispose of, or acquire,
additional Shares of the Issuer.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 5:38:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
GENERAL INTEREST / RSIM holdings of Canadian Conquest Explorations

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 19 /CNW/ - This press release is issued by Robertson
Stephens Investment Management Co. (''RSIM'') pursuant to Section 101 of the
Securities Act (Ontario), Section 141 of the Securities Act (Alberta), Section
111 of the Securities Act (British Columbia), Section 147.11 of the Securities
Act (Quebec) and Section 107 of the Securities Act (Nova Scotia) with respect
to common shares (''Shares'') of Canadian Conquest Explorations Inc. (the
''Issuer'').

On December 1, 1997 the Robertson Stephens Partners Fund acquired
1,232,800 Shares by means of two acquisitions: one acquisition of 930,000
Shares and one acquisition of 302,800 Shares. As a result, RSIM acquired
control and direction over 10.62% of the total number of outstanding Shares.

For the purpose of the applicable legislation, RSIM is deemed to
currently own or have control over 6,918,900 Shares, representing a total of
11.41% of the Shares of the Issuer on a fully-diluted basis.

The purpose of the various Funds' dispositions and acquisitions of
securities of the Issuer is to purchase and sell Shares of the Issuer for
investment and not with the intention of changing or influencing control of
the Issuer. Depending on economic or market conditions or matters relating to
the Issuer, any of the Funds may choose to either dispose of, or acquire,
additional Shares of the Issuer.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (9163)2/20/1998 5:43:00 PM
From: Arnie  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 15196
 
GENERAL INTEREST / Macon Res. & Framfield Oil & Gas purchase......

Calgary, Feb. 20 /CNW/ - Macon Resource Ltd, (''Macon'') and Framfield
Oil & Gas Ltd. (''Framfield''), two associated private Alberta issuers,
announced that on February 13, 1998, they purchased Convertible Debentures of
MESQUITE RESOURCES INC. (ASE:MQT) (''Mesquite'') in the principal amounts of
$480,000.00 and $720,000.00 respectively. The Convertible Debentures have a
five year term and were issued as a private placement on February 13, 1998.
Such issuance was approved by The Alberta Stock Exchange subject to Mesquite
complying with usual regulatory requirements for transactions of this nature.

The Convertible Debentures are convertible at any time at the option of
the purchasers into common shares of Mesquite at a conversion price of $0.35
per Common Share for years one and two, and thereafter with such price
escalation as required by The Alberta Stock Exchange, plus one common share
purchase warrant for every three Common Shares acquired upon such conversion.
Accordingly Macon's Convertible Debenture is convertible into an aggregate of
up to 1,371,428 common shares of Mesquite plus 457,143 warrants which, if
converted and exercised, would represent 14% of Mesquite's 13,172,492 issued
and outstanding shares as at February 13, 1998 (including the common shares
issuable on such conversion and exercise). Framfield's Convertible Debenture
is convertible into an aggregate of up to 2,057,143 common shares of Mesquite
plus 685,714 warrants which, if converted and exercised, would represent 19%
of Mesquite's 14,086,778 issued and outstanding shares as at February 13, 1998
(including the common shares issuable on such conversion and exercise). If
both Macon and Framfield elect to convert their Convertible Debentures within
two years and exercise the warrants acquired on such conversion, an aggregate
of 4,571,428 common shares would be issued by Mesquite which is 29% of
Mesquite's 15,915,349 currently issued and outstanding shares (including the
common shares issuable on such conversion and exercise). Following the above
noted transaction the Convertible Debentures represent the only securities of
Mesquite that are currently beneficially owned, or over which control or
direction is exercised, by Macon and Framfield. Neither Macon or Framfield
have an immediate intention to exercise their conversion rights under the
Convertible Debentures.

Macon and Framfield also wish to announce their ownership interests in
two other reporting issuers which arose under two investment agreements
entered into by Macon. One such transaction closed on June 25, 1997, when
Macon invested in BRIGADIER ENERGY INC, (ASE:BGR) (''Brigadier'') by acquiring
833,334 units at a price of $1.20 per unit with each unit consisting of three
(3) common shares of Brigadier and a warrant for the puchase of one common
share at an exercise price of $0.50 and exercisable until June 25, 1999. This
transaction resulted in the issuance to Macon of 2,500,002 common shares of
Brigadier and 833,334 warrants. This private placement was approved by The
Alberta Stock Exchange and the shareholders of Brigadier and was previously
announced by Brigadier in a press release dated May 6, 1997. Immediately
following this transaction Macon owned 2,936,592 common shares and 833,334
warrants for a total of 3,769,926 Brigadier securities which represented 54%
of Brigadier's 6,951,742 issued and outstanding shares as at June 25, 1997
(including the common shares issuable on the exercise of the warrants).

On October 21, 1997, Macon completed a private sale to Framfield of
1,500,001 Brigadier shares and 333,334 warrants under an investment agreement
between Macon and Framfield. In addition Macon transferred 166,666
additional warrants and made net purchases of 75,758 Brigadier shares on the
market. Accordingly Macon now owns 1,512,349 Brigadier shares and 333,334
warrants for a total of 1,845,683 securities which represents 21% of
Brigadier's 8,823,499 issued and outstanding shares as at February 12, 1998
(including the shares issuable on Macon's warrants). Framfield currently
owns 1,500,001 Brigadier shares and 333,334 warrants for a total of 1,833,335
securities which represents 21% of Brigadier's 8,823,499 issued and
outstanding shares (including the shares issuable on Framfield's warrants).

The other transaction occurred on June 2, 1997, when Macon invested in
DRAIG ENERGY INC. (ASE:DRA) (''Draig'') by acquiring, on a post-consolidated
basis, 454,167 units at a price of $2.40 per unit with each unit consisting of
three (3) consolidated common shares of Draig and a warrant for the purchase
of one consolidated common share at an exercise price of $1.00 and exercisable
until June 30, 1999. This private placement was approved by The Alberta Stock
Exchange and the shareholders of Draig and was announced by Draig in a press
release dated April 22, 1997. Immediately following the above investment Macon
owned 1,362,501 consolidated common shares and 454,167 warrants for an
aggregate of 1,816,668 Draig securities representing 27 percent of Draig's
6,744,301 issued and outstanding consolidated shares as at June 2, 1997
(including the common shares issuable on the exercise of the warrants).

On October 21, 1997, Macon completed a private sale to Framfield of
817,501 Draig shares and 181,667 warrants under an investment agreement
between Macon and Framfield. In addition Macon transferred 90,833 warrants
and has purchased a total of 153,500 Draig shares on the market. Accordingly
Macon now owns 698,500 Draig shares and 181,667 warrants for a total of
880,167 securities which represents 10% of Draig's 8,641,969 issued and
outstanding shares as at February 12, 1999 (including the shares issuable on
Macon's warrants). Since October 21, 1997, Framfield has also increased its
shareholdings in Draig by purchasing a total of 97,600 shares on the market.
Accordingly Framfield now owns 915,101 Draig shares and 181,667 warrants for a
total of 1,096,768 securities which represents 13% of Draig's 8,641,969 issued
and outstanding shares as at February 12, 1998 (including the shares issuable
on Framfield's warrants).

Macon and Framfield have made the above noted acquisitions in securities
of Mesquite, Brigadier and Draig for long-term investment purposes, and not
with a view to making a take-over bid in any of these reporting issuers. The
acquisitions of additional shares of Draig and Brigadier on the market have
also been made for long-term investment purposes as guided by prevailing
market prices. Under three separate investment agreements between Macon and
Mesquite, Macon and Brigadier, and Macon and Draig, Macon has the right to
participate, at Macon's option, for a portion of all future equity financings
undertaken by these reporting issuers. As each equity financing offering by
Mesquite, Brigadier or Draig is announced Macon will consider participating
therein on a case by case basis. Whether or not Macon or Framfield make any
future purchases of Mesquite, Brigadier or Draig shares on the open market
will depend on the prevailing market prices of such shares.