ALPINE ENERGY LIMITED LINES BUSINESS

Notes to and Forming Part of the Financial Statements - Continued

For the Year Ended 31 March 2007

(j) Investments and other financial assets

The Company classifies its investments in the following categories: financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, loans and receivables, held to maturity investments and available for sale financial assets. The classification depends on the purpose for which the investments were acquired. Management determines the classification of its investments at the initial recognition and re-evaluates this designation at every reporting date.

(i) Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

This category has two sub categories: financial assets held for trading, and those designated at fair value through profit or loss at inception. A financial asset is classified in this category if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the short term or if so designated by management. Derivatives are also categorised as held for trading unless they are designated as hedges. Assets in this category are classified as current assets if they are either held for trading or are expected to be realised within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

(ii) Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They arise when the Company provides money, goods or services directly to a debtor with no intention of selling the receivable. They are included in current assets, except for those with maturities greater than 12 months after the balance sheet date which are classified as non-current assets.

(iii) Available for sale financial assets

Available for sale financial assets are non derivatives that are either designated in this category or not classified in any other the other categories. They are included in non current assets unless management intends to dispose of the investment within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

Purchases and sales of investments are recognised on trade date – the date on which the Company commits to purchase or sell the asset. Investments are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs for all financial assets not carried at fair value through profit or loss. Investments are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or have been transferred and the Company has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.

Available for sale financial assets and financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are subsequently carried at fair value. Loans and receivables and held to maturity investments are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Realised and unrealised gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of the ‘financial assets at fair value through profit or loss’ category are included in the income statement in the period in which they arise. Unrealised gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of securities classified as available for sale are recognised in equity, except for foreign exchange movements on monetary assets, which are recognised in the income statement. When securities classified as available for sale are sold or impaired, the accumulated fair value adjustments are included in the income statement as gains and losses from investment securities.

The fair values of quoted investments are based on current bid prices. If the market for a financial asset is not active (and for unlisted securities), the Company establishes fair value by using valuation techniques. These include the use of recent arm’s length transactions, reference to other instruments that are substantially the same, discounted cash flow analysis, and option pricing models refined to reflect the issuer’s specific circumstances.

The Company assesses at each balance sheet date whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. In the case of equity securities classified as available for sale, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost is considered in determining whether the securities are impaired. If any such evidence exists for available for sale financial assets, the cumulative loss – measured as the difference between the acquisition cost and the current fair value, less any impairment loss on that financial asset previously recognised in profit or loss – is removed from equity and recognised in the income statement. Impairment losses recognised in the income statement on equity instruments are not reversed through the income statement.

(k) Property, plant and equipment

Network reticulation system assets are revalued in accordance with the Information Disclosure requirements to net current value as determined by an independent valuer using the depreciated replacement cost valuation method.

All other property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less depreciation and impairment. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.