Hart Publications (Wiegers)

March 31, 2004

      Compass Advisers, LLP ("Compass") is pleased to announce the formation of Hart Energy Publishing, LP ("Hart," formerly Hart Publications), one of the world's largest publishers of diversified information products and trade publications for the energy industry.  A prominent investment group led by Wiegers Capital Management ("Wiegers") purchased the assets in a management buyout from VS&A Communications Partners of New York.  Compass acted as financial advisor and Compass principals acted as co-investors to Wiegers in the transaction.

      Hart maintains a global presence, with offices in Houston and Washington D.C. and representatives in Denver, London, Brussels and Singapore.  The company's integrated product portfolio serves the global upstream and downstream energy marketplace with magazines, newsletters and custom publishing products; conferences; databases; multi-client services and studies; web-based information exchange; and custom consulting services focusing on energy public policy, refining economics and technology.  Titles include Oil and Gas Investor, Hart's E&P, Energy Markets, PipeLine and Gas Technology and World Refining.

      Wiegers had been a previous owner of Oil and Gas Investor, a magazine subsequently acquired by Hart, and was contacted by management about a proposed management buyout.  Wiegers led the management buyout of the business, with Compass acting as both financial advisor and with its principals as equity investors.  Compass assisted Wiegers with raising capital, due diligence, structuring and negotiating the transaction.