EXHIBIT 23.6


                     [RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P. LETTERHEAD]



                      CONSENT OF RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

As independent oil and gas consultants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference of our report letter dated February 8, 2001, our audit letter dated
January 29, 2002 and our audit letter dated November 25, 2002, each addressed to
Westport Resources Corporation, in this Exchange Offer Registration Statement on
Form S-4 (the "Exchange Offer Registration Statement"), to all references to our
firm included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and to the reference
to our firm as experts in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.



RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

/s/ RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

Denver, Colorado
January 24, 2003