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, our audit letter dated November 25, 2002 and our report letter
dated January 22, 2003 (collectively, the "Reserve Letters"), 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 and the Reserve Letters included in or made a part of the 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.



Denver, Colorado
June 4, 2003