EXHIBIT 23.9

                     [RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P. LETTERHEAD]

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

     As independent oil and gas consultants, Ryder Scott Company, L.P., hereby
consents to the inclusion of our report letter to Westport Resources
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Old Westport"), dated February 8, 2001,
regarding the estimated reserves, future production and income attributable to
certain leasehold and royalty interests of Old Westport as of December 31, 2000
and our audit letter to Old Westport, dated June 26, 2001, regarding the proved
reserves and future revenue attributable to such interests as of June 30, 2001
(collectively, the "Reserve Letters"), in this Exchange Offer Registration
Statement on Form S-4 ("Exchange Offer Registration Statement") of Westport
Resources Corporation, a Nevada corporation, to all references to Ryder Scott
Company, L.P. and the Reserve Letters in this Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and to the reference to our firm as experts in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement.

                                       /s/ RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.



January 18, 2002