Acquisition of Harper Somers O’Sullivan Pty Ltd (“HSO”) and Thonger Safety Associates (“TSA”)

Trading Update

RPS announces the acquisition of Harper Somers O’Sullivan Pty Ltd, a leading planning, surveying and environmental consultancy in New South Wales, Australia and Thonger Safety Associates which is based in the UK and provides health, safety and environmental services to the oil and gas industry on an international basis.

HSO (www.hso.com.au)

HSO was established in 1985 and provides planning, environmental and surveying services to the development industry. It is based in New South Wales and advises both public and private sector clients in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley region. The long term development potential of this area, which has been recognised by Government agencies, has supported HSO’s growth in recent years and underpins its future prospects.

In the year ended 30 June 2006 HSO had revenues of A$4.25 million (£1.7 million) and profit before tax of A$1.0 million (£0.4 million). Net assets at 30 June 2006 were A$0.9 million (£0.36 million).

Consideration paid at completion was A$2.9 million (£1.17 million) in cash. Provided certain operational conditions are met a further A$0.97 million (£0.39 million) will be paid in cash on each of the first three anniversaries of the transaction. The maximum total consideration is A$5.8 million (£2.34 million).

The three directors of HSO and approximately 40 staff will all be remaining with RPS. HSO will work alongside RPS’s existing environmental planning business in Perth, Western Australia. It is anticipated that RPS’s expanding activities in Australia will be further developed with additional acquisitions.

TSA (www.gsr-hse.com)

TSA is a partnership and trades as Geophysical Safety Resources or “GSR”. It was founded in 1988 and provides health, safety and environmental services to the oil and gas industry. It is based in East Sussex and undertakes projects on an international basis. It operated in collaboration with Exploration Consultants Ltd (ECL) before that business was acquired by RPS in September 2005 and has subsequently continued to work with RPS Energy. It will now be fully integrated with RPS Energy. Rod Thonger, the managing partner, will remain with RPS.

In the year ended 30 November 2005 TSA had revenues of £2.4 million and profit before tax of £0.4 million. Net assets at 30 November 2005 were £0.7 million. RPS has acquired the assets, certain liabilities and the goodwill of TSA for a total consideration of approximately £2.5million. £1.2 million was paid in cash at completion. A further £0.4 million in cash will be paid and 91,912 new RPS shares will be issued to the vendors on each of the first and second anniversaries of the transaction, subject to certain operational conditions being met.

Trading Update

At the time of the announcement of the Interim results in August 2006 the RPS Board indicated that it expected the Group would deliver a very satisfactory result for the year as a whole. Trading since then has confirmed that expectation and the Board consequently expects the results for the year ending December 2006 to be towards the upper end of current market expectations.

Alan Hearne, Chief Executive of RPS commented:

“We see an excellent opportunity to expand our Planning and Development business in Australia. The acquisition of HSO gives us a valuable footprint in New South Wales. The acquisition of TSA is a timely increase in our capability to provide health, safety and environmental advice to the oil and gas industry. As has been clear from recent press coverage, exploration and production activity carries with it significant issues for our clients. Providing advice enabling them to manage these issues better is a growing activity for us.

“Group trading in the second half has been encouraging and we expect to be able to announce very satisfactory results for the full year.”

16 November 2006

RPS is an international consultancy providing advice upon the development of natural resources, land and property, the management of the environment and the health and safety of people. We trade in the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, North America and Australia and undertake projects in many other parts of the world.

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