(Business Edge columnist Gyle Konotopetz regularly profiles the top three stock picks of some of Canada’s most accomplished investment pros).

FEATURED PRO: Peter Linder is the energy strategist with DeltaOne Capital Partners (www.deltaonecapital.com). He manages a long/short energy hedge fund.

Fund Form: The DeltaOne Energy Fund has a one-year return of 43.3 per cent compared to the group average of 33.7 per cent.

Management Expense Ratio: Two per cent.

Linder's Perspective: "The oil and gas sector has had a difficult correction, but I believe that the sector will come back with companies reporting strong first-quarter results as we get into the driving season in North America. I still expect oil prices to average $50 to $60 (US per barrel) this year. If production were cut off in a key area like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Venezuela or Nigeria, for whatever reason, then the price would immediately go to $100 (US). But, barring that, I think a price in the $50 to $60 range is sustainable because demand will remain strong. People are still flying regularly, driving like crazy, SUV (sport utility vehicle) sales are strong, and so on."

First Star

* Centurion Energy (TSX:CUX)

* Recent Price: $12.85.

* 52-Week Range: $2.53-$18.63.

* Linder's 12-Month Target: $20.

* Snapshot: Centurion is an international oil and gas company with natural gas operations targeting three countries: Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria.

* CEO: Said Arrata.

* Head Office: Calgary.

* Vital Stats: Current Price/Earnings Ratio, 74.71; Revenue (last 12 mos), $54.3 million; 5-Yr Revenue Growth, 24.9 per cent; Earnings (last 12 mos), $13.4 million; 5-Yr Earnings Growth, 10.2 per cent; Market Cap, $1.08 billion; Shares Outstanding, 84.1 million.

* Linder's View: "This company has had nothing but fantastic drilling results over the past 12-18 months and they've added significantly to their reserve base and production base. They will likely double production this year and likely go into new areas, possibly in Libya or offshore Nigeria. I think the stock is cheap after losing about 35 per cent in the past three months."

* Linder's Risk Rating: Medium.

* Web Watch: www.centurionenergy.com

Second Star

* True Energy (TSX:TUI)

* Recent Price: $4.04.

* 52-Week Range: $1.43-$5.33.

* Linder's 12-Month Target: $6.

* Snapshot: True Energy is an oil and gas company with operations in west-central Alberta and west-central Saskatchewan.

* CEO: Paul Baay.

* Head Office: Calgary.

* Vital Stats: Current Price/Earnings Ratio, 41; Revenue (last 12 mos), $58.8 million; 5-Yr Revenue Growth, 103.4 per cent; Earnings (last 12 mos), $5.3 million; Market Cap, $249.5 million; Shares Outstanding, 61.8 million.

* Linder's View: "This stock is very inexpensive, there's very little downside and I think there's an excellent chance they'll either be sold to a trust or turn into an income trust. Their production is now over 9,000 boe (barrels of oil equivalent) per day and they'll exit this year at well over 11,000 boe per day. The magic number is about 10,000 boe (for conversion into a trust).

"The stock is now trading at under four times next year's cashflow (per share). They had a drilling success rate of over 90 per cent in the first quarter on 24 wells."

* Linder's Risk Rating: Low.

* Web Watch: www.trueenergy.ab.ca

Third Star

* Winstar Resources Ltd. (TSXV:WRL)

* Recent Price: $0.53.

* 52-Week Range: $0.42-$1.19.

* Linder's 12-Month Target: $1.50.

* Snapshot: Winstar is a junior oil and gas company that is in the process of acquiring Athanor, a private company with production in Tunisia, as well as other interests in Hungary.

* Incoming CEO: Charles de Mestral.

* Head Office: Calgary.

* Vital Stats: Revenue (last 12 mos), $8.6 million; Earnings/Loss (last 12 mos), $1.6 million Loss; Market Cap, $19.43 million; Shares Outstanding, 36.7 million.

* Linder's View: "Winstar has become a totally new company. They've entered into several agreements to go international, acquiring properties in Hungary and Tunisia, they have a new management team and the board of directors has been significantly strengthened.

"Within a year, this company will not be recognizable because I think they're going to make a lot more deals and start going on the road and telling their story."

* Linder's Risk Rating: Low.

* Web Watch: www.winstar.ca

* Linder's Edge Record (past 12 mos): -12.7 per cent. Best Pick: Galleon Energy (TSXV:GO.A) +28.7 per cent. Worst Pick: Antrim Energy (TSX:AEN) -39.5 per cent.

Disclosure: Linder is restricted from personally trading shares within the DeltaOne Energy Fund in which the featured stocks are held.

* NOTE: This feature is provided for information purposes. Investors are advised to do their own research or consult a qualified investment professional before making investment decisions.