Santos has ceased to be a substantial shareholder in Oil Company of Australia after selling its remaining interests to Origin Energy for a consideration of $50,120,845.

The directors of Lakes Oil have had a number of changes in their respective interests in the company with Peter Dunn acquiring 200,000 ordinary shares and options; Peter Lawrence acquiring 600,000 ordinary shares and options and Robert Annells acquiring 600,000 shares and options.

Three of the directors in First Australian Resources have adjusted their interests with Warwick Grigor acquiring 868,920 shares and options market; Michael Evans indirectly and directly acquired 145,950 options and Charles Cavness acquired 15,000 options.

Roderick Hollingsworth has purchased 400,000 ordinary fully paid shares pursuant to the exercise of options with Stuart Petroleum.

AMP has increased its interest in Novus Petroleum from 8.74% to 9.77%.

Maple-Brown Abbott has increased its holding in AGL from 5.06% to 6.13% while a number of directors also made changes to their holdings. D Allen acquired 1,345 shares; A Daniels acquired 352 ordinary shares; C Hewson acquired 600 shares; M Johnson acquired 2,671 shares; G Martin acquired 643 shares; M Phillips acquired 2,070 shares and G Reaney acquired 493 shares.

Due to a share placement Ark Securities and Investments interest in Cooper Energy has dropped from 5.39% to 4.5%.