Penn West Announces its Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2009

CALGARY, Canada - PENN WEST ENERGY TRUST (TSX - PWT.UN; NYSE - PWE) is pleased to announce its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009

<< ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Operations - First quarter production averaged 180,100(1) boe per day and was weighted 59 percent to oil and natural gas liquids. This production level was ahead of our guidance of 180,000 boe per day before dispositions or approximately 176,700 boe per day after dispositions. Penn West closed the sale of assets producing approximately 4,900 boe per day in the quarter (3,300 boe per day average over the quarter) and entered the second quarter ahead of our targets at approximately 182,000 boe per day weighted 58 percent to oil and natural gas liquids. - Crude oil and NGL production averaged 105,643 barrels per day and natural gas production averaged approximately 447 mmcf per day in the first quarter of 2009. - Development capital expenditures were US$181 million in the first quarter of 2009 before US$140 million of net asset dispositions, resulting in capital expenditures of US$41 million. In the quarter, we drilled a total of 21 net wells with a success rate of 95 percent. Financial Results - Funds flow(2) of US$348 million in the first quarter of 2009 was 45 percent lower than the US$632 million realized in the first quarter of 2008. On a per-unit-basis(2) basic funds flow was US$0.87 per unit in the first quarter of 2009 compared to US$1.76 per unit in the first quarter of 2008. - Net loss of US$98 million (US$0.25 per unit-basic) in the first quarter of 2009 compared to net income of US$78 million (US$0.22 per unit-basic) in the first quarter of 2008. - The netback(2) of US$25.66 per boe in the first quarter of 2009 was 37 prcent lower than the first quarter of 2008. - Net debt(2) reduction, including the effects of working capital is approximately US$259 million(3) in the first quarter of 2009. Business Environment - WTI averaged US$43.21 per barrel in the first quarter of 2009 compared to US$97.95 per barrel for the same period in 2008 and US US$58.76 in the fourth quarter of 2008. The decline in the benchmark WTI price was a result of higher inventory levels and lower demand. The effect of the lower benchmark prices was partially offset in the quarter by narrower quality offsets for Canadian heavy and sour crudes and a weakening in the Canadian dollar to US dollar exchange rate. - The AECO Monthly Index averaged US$5.34 per GJ in the first quarter of 2009 compared to US$6.75 per GJ for the same period in 2008 and US$6.43 per GJ in the fourth quarter of 2008. The decline in natural gas prices was the result of the economic slowdown and high storage levels of natural gas compared to historical levels. (1) Please refer to the "Oil and Gas Information Advisory" section below for information regarding the term "boe". (2) The terms "funds flow", "funds flow per unit-basic", "netback" and "net debt" are non-GAAP measures. Please refer to the "Calculation of Funds Flow" and "Non-GAAP Measures Advisory" sections below. (3) Consists of US$100 million long-term debt reduction and an increase of non-cash operating and investing working capital of US$51 million and US$108 million, respectively, per the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Financing - Penn West continued to be active in its debt management and hedging programs throughout the first quarter of 2009. We believe these activities will enable us to remain flexible, in this period of low commodity prices and economic uncertainty, to pursue accretive and strategic acquisition opportunities. - In February 2009, Penn West closed the issuance of 17,731,000 trust units on a bought-deal basis with a syndicate of underwriters at US$14.10 per trust unit. The total gross proceeds raised of approximately US$250 million (US$238 million net) were used to reduce bank debt. - During the first quarter of 2009, Penn West closed the net sale of properties for proceeds of approximately US$140 million. The proceeds from these transactions were used to reduce bank debt. - In March 2009, Penn West restructured its natural gas collars by reducing the floor price on its April 2009 to October 2009 natural gas collars to US$6.50 per GJ and entered into new collars for the latter part of 2009 and through to October 2010 on 63,000 GJ per day with an average floor price of US$6.50 per GJ and an average ceiling price of US$9.50 per GJ. In addition, Penn West entered into WTI costless collars of 15,000 barrels per day for 2010 with an average floor price of US$51.93 per barrel and an average ceiling price of US $68.30 per barrel. - In May 2009, Penn West closed the private placement of senior unsecured notes (the "2009 Notes") with an aggregate principal amount of approximately US$250 million. The 2009 Notes have terms of five years to 10 years and bear an average fixed interest rate of approximately 8.9 percent. The proceeds of the issue were used to reduce bank debt. Distributions - Penn West's Board of Directors resolved to maintain the Trust's distribution level at US$0.15 per unit per month, for the May 2009 distribution paid in June subject to maintenance of current forecasts of commodity prices, production levels and planned capital expenditures. Reece Acquisition - On April 30, 2009, Penn West announced the closing of the acquisition of Reece Energy Exploration Corp. ("Reece"). The total acquisition cost was approximately US$101 million of which approximately US$40 million was the assumption of Reece's debt and working capital. We have reduced our planned 2009 development spending by the amount of debt assumed. The acquisition added approximately 1,900 barrels of oil equivalent per day to our production base and 75,000 acres of undeveloped land, the majority of which is located in our Dodsland oil resource play. Regulatory - In March 2009, the Government of Alberta announced further changes to the New Alberta Royalty Framework (the "NRF") and introduced the Energy Incentive Program (the "EIP"). There are three parts to the EIP which became effective on April 1, 2009. The first is the new well incentive program which offers a maximum five percent royalty rate for one year on all new wells that begin producing conventional oil or natural gas between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010. The second is the drilling royalty credit which provides a US$200 per metre drilling royalty credit on all conventional oil and natural gas wells drilled. These credits are based on a sliding scale and maximums available will be based on our 2008 production levels and the results of wells drilled between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010. The third part of the EIP is the province's plan to invest in abandonment and reclamation activities of older oil and gas well sites. Penn West expects the EIP will reduce the amount of its royalties by approximately US$35 million in 2009. HIGHLIGHTS Three months ended March 31 ---------------------------------- 2009 2008 % change ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial (millions, except per unit amounts) Gross revenues(1) US$ 781 US$ 1,136 (31) Funds flow 348 632 (45) Basic per unit 0.87 1.76 (51) Diluted per unit 0.87 1.75 (50) Net income (loss) (98) 78 (100) Basic per unit (0.25) 0.22 (100) Diluted per unit (0.25) 0.22 (100) Capital expenditures, net(2) 41 278 (85) Long-term debt at period-end 3,797 3,639 4 Convertible debentures 289 336 (14) Distributions paid(3) US$ 314 US$ 337 (7) Payout ratio(4) 90% 53% 37 Operations Daily production Light oil and NGL (bbls/d) 79,315 81,678 (3) Heavy oil (bbls/d) 26,328 27,338 (4) Natural gas (mmcf/d) 447 500 (11) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total production (boe/d) 180,096 192,291 (6) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average sales price Light oil and NGL (per bbl) US$ 44.50 US$ 88.77 (50) Heavy oil (per bbl) 36.92 66.64 (45) Natural gas (per mcf) 5.37 7.98 (33) Netback per boe Sales price US$ 38.30 US$ 68.35 (44) Risk management gain (loss) 9.63 (3.41) 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net sales price 47.93 64.94 (26) Royalties (6.80) (12.25) (45) Operating expenses (14.93) (11.64) 28 Transportation (0.54) (0.48) 13 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Netback US$ 25.66 US$ 40.57 (37) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Gross revenues include realized gains and losses on commodity contracts. (2) Excludes business combinations and includes net proceeds on property acquisitions/dispositions. (3) Includes distributions paid prior to those reinvested in trust units under the distribution reinvestment plan. (4) Payout ratio is calculated as distributions paid divided by funds flow. Penn West subsequently reduced its distribution level to reduce its payout ratio consistent with the decline in commodity prices. DRILLING PROGRAM Three months ended March 31 ---------------------------------------------- 2009 2008 ---------------------------------------------- Gross Net Gross Net ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oil 22 14 78 46 Natural gas 17 5 81 42 Dry 1 1 4 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40 20 163 92 Stratigraphic and service 2 1 23 23 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 42 21 186 115 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Success rate(1) 95% 96% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Success rate is calculated excluding stratigraphic and service wells.

In response to issues in financial markets and the decline in commodity prices, Penn West reduced its first quarter 2009 development programs compared to 2008 and successfully focused its efforts on less capital intensive production restoration and optimization activities to maintain its production.

UNDEVELOPED LANDS As at March 31 ———————————- 2009 2008 % change ————————————————————————- Gross acres (000s) 3,569 4,804 (26) Net acres (000s) 2,868 3,927 (27) Average working interest 80% 82% (2) ————————————————————————- CORE AREA ACTIVITY Undeveloped land Net wells drilled for the as at March 31, 2009 Core Area period ended March 31, 2009 (thousands of net acres) ————————————————————————- Central 5 437 Eastern 1 355 Northern 1 767 North West Alberta 1 520 Southern 13 789 ————————————————————————- 21 2,868 ————————————————————————- TRUST UNIT DATA Three months ended March 31 ———————————- (millions of units) 2009 2008 % change ————————————————————————- Weighted average Basic 399.4 359.5 11 Diluted 399.4 361.2 11 Outstanding as at March 31 408.3 374.9 9 ————————————————————————-

In February 2009, Penn West issued approximately 17.7 million trust units on a bought deal basis with a syndicate of underwriters. On April 30, 2009, Penn West issued an additional 4.7 million trust units on the closing of the Reece acquisition.

Letter to our Unitholders ————————————————————————- >>

Now more than ever Penn West is focusing on the fundamental building blocks of our business. During the first quarter of 2009, Penn West concentrated on base operations, costs associated with adding new volumes, and broad financial/business strategies. Global market recalibration persisted through the quarter with weak commodity prices and lingering tightness in the credit markets.

Production

Penn West exited the first quarter with daily production averaging approximately 182,300 boe per day, which is ahead of our forecast. This figure is net of dispositions in the quarter of approximately 4,900 boe per day. Guidance for the first six months of 2009 remains unchanged at 180,000 boe per day, before the impact of asset dispositions.

Throughout the first quarter of 2009, we focused on reducing cost structures both internally as well as through external service companies, while adding production volumes through optimization. While operating costs trended higher in the first quarter, we anticipate these costs to moderate in future quarters. Operating costs were US$14.93 per boe in the first quarter, abnormally high due to increased spending on repair and maintenance projects aimed at restoring production volumes lost in the previous quarter as a result of extremely cold and challenging weather.

Capital Spending

Our 2009 capital program is partly focused on further development of scalable and repeatable projects. These projects have the potential to add significant production and reserves to Penn West through the use of horizontal, multi-stage completion technology. Particular emphasis is being placed on our developing oil plays at Swift Current, Pembina, Dodsland and our natural gas prospects at July Lake. Approximately 60 percent of first quarter development drilling was in Saskatchewan. In southern Saskatchewan, we continued our drilling program with an additional 15 wells (net). In the Swift Current area, Penn West will soon commission the recently constructed central facility as part of our ongoing initiatives to lower operating costs and streamline production.

In Dodsland, Penn West is planning to ramp up capital programs targeting light oil in the Viking formation. With the acquisition of Reece Energy in late April, Penn West strengthened its position in this oil resource play. Penn West plans on drilling four to five horizontal wells utilizing multi-stage fracture technology to obtain primary recovery on the new lands.

Industry cost structures were initially slow to react to declining market conditions, however we are beginning to experience lower vendor rates and expect to realize lower costs in the second half of this year. As we anticipated this, we weighted a majority of our US$600 million capital program to the second half of 2009. We focused much of our capital to date this year on re-activations, re-entries, and up-hole completion opportunities as these activities are highly capital efficient and provide attractive returns at current commodity prices. We believe a focus on reducing the absolute cost of production additions to be appropriate given current market conditions.

Business Strategies

We are actively high-grading our extensive portfolio of producing assets and land base at Penn West. This means the sale of approximately 4,900 boe per day not deemed to be core and the pursuit of those properties in certain key areas which add the kind of scalable and repeatable opportunities necessary for sufficient scale, as demonstrated by the acquisition of Reece Exploration. This process of selling non-core assets and adding to core areas will allow us to further strengthen our presence in plays that are suitable, at our size, to drive more efficient and concentrated reserve additions in the future.

Financial Strategies

Funds flow for the quarter was US$348 million or US$0.87 per unit, down from the same period last year as a result of continued weakness in commodity prices. Despite lower commodity prices for natural gas and oil this quarter compared to the prior quarter and the first quarter of 2008, risk management activities still enabled a first quarter 2009 netback of US$25.66 per boe, after the effects of risk management.

Through our issuance of equity early in the first quarter, the proceeds from asset dispositions and the private placement of notes, we have reduced our reliance on bank financing both in absolute terms and through debt diversification. This is consistent with our ongoing strategy of limiting the portion of our debt capital structure that is sourced from banks, both here in Canada and abroad. We believe that prudent balance sheet management is a key to our continued success in these difficult economic times.

Commodity Prices

Crude oil prices averaged just over US$40.00 per barrel during the first quarter, while natural gas prices were softer than anticipated and have remained at persistently low levels. Penn West continues to benefit from a risk management program with approximately 36 percent of 2009 crude oil production (net of royalties) hedged with collars having floors of US$80.00 per barrel. Approximately 30 percent of 2009 natural gas production (net of royalties) is hedged with collars having an average US$6.50 per GJ floor. While these hedges are providing some relief from commodity price volatility in 2009, we are also looking at our risk management profile for 2010. We have hedged approximately 20 percent of our 2010 crude oil production (net of royalties) using collars with an average US$51.93 per barrel floor price and a US$68.30 per barrel ceiling price and 14 percent of our natural gas production with US$6.50 per GJ floors and a US$9.50 per GJ ceiling. We continue to opportunistically hedge future production as part of our ongoing risk management program. While we believe that fundamentals indicate commodity price volatility will persist in the short-term, we remain optimistic longer-term.

Summary

We at Penn West believe our actions throughout the first quarter have positioned us well for the future. We are continuing our strategy of debt retirement and diversification while balancing reinvestment into our assets with the payment of our monthly distribution. We have adjusted our monthly distribution to a level we believe to be appropriate given current commodity prices. While we are likely to see continued volatility in capital markets broadly and commodity prices specifically, the fundamental drivers of these markets are beginning to show positive signs. Given crude oil and natural gas play a highly prominent role in the functioning of the global economy, we believe the fundamental outlook for our business remains sound.

Penn West believes the best approach during difficult economic times is to ensure effective performance of our assets and staff while continuing to advance key long-term projects and reducing cost structures to levels commensurate with current commodity prices. We continue to do the work necessary to establish the full potential of our opportunity-rich asset base.

<< On behalf of the Board of Directors, (signed)"William E. Andrew" (signed)"Murray R. Nunns" William E. Andrew Murray R. Nunns Chief Executive Officer President and Chief Operating and Director Officer Calgary, Alberta May 5, 2009 >>

Outlook

This outlook section is included to provide unitholders with information as to our expectations as at May 5, 2009 for production and net capital expenditures for 2009 and readers are cautioned that the information may not be appropriate for any other purpose. This information constitutes forward- looking information. Readers should note the assumptions, risks and disclaimers under “Forward-Looking Statements”.

Our forecast 2009 development capital expenditures remain at the lower end of our US$600 million to US$825 million range. Planned 2009 development expenditures were also reduced by US$40 million, the amount of estimated debt assumed from the Reece acquisition. The reduction of our planned capital program in 2009 compared to 2008 reflects the current volatility in financial and commodity markets. In the first half of 2009, we anticipate spending between US$250 million and US$325 million based on current commodity price levels and industry costs. Our capital spending is limited in the first half of 2009 as we expect industry service and other costs to decline and become more consistent with the current commodity price environment as we move through 2009. The 2009 capital program will be focused on low cost production recovery and additions through production optimization and we intend to continue the advancement of certain of our enhanced oil recovery projects and resource plays. Based on this level of capital expenditures, we forecast average production in the first half of 2009 to be approximately 180,000 boe per day prior to the effect of the 4,900 boe per day of property dispositions.

Our prior forecast, released on March 26, 2009 with our 2008 annual results and filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, was based on 2009 capital expenditures (excluding corporate acquisitions) between US$600 million and US$825 million with the expectation that spending will be near to the lower end of the range.

Non-GAAP Measures Advisory

The above information includes non-GAAP measures not defined under generally accepted accounting principles (”GAAP”), including funds flow, funds flow per unit-basic, netback, payout ratio and net debt. Non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Funds flow is cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital and asset retirement expenditures. Funds flow is used to assess our ability to fund distributions and planned capital programs. Netback is a per-unit-of-production measure of operating margin used in capital allocation decisions. Operating margin is calculated as revenue less royalties, operating costs and transportation. Payout ratio is distributions paid divided by funds flow and we use it to assess the adequacy of funds flow to fund capital programs. Net debt is the total of long-term debt and working capital and is used to assess the appropriateness of our distribution level and capital program.

<< Calculation of Funds Flow Three months ended March 31 ---------------------------------- (millions, except per unit amounts) 2009 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flow from operating activities US$ 282 US$ 367 Increase in non-cash working capital 51 251 Asset retirement expenditures 15 14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Funds flow US$ 348 US$ 632 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic per unit US$ 0.87 US$ 1.76 Diluted per unit US$ 0.87 US$ 1.75 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>

Oil and Gas Information Advisory

Barrels of oil equivalent (boe) are based on six mcf of natural gas equalling one barrel of oil (6:1). This could be misleading if used in isolation as it is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applied at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking statements or information (collectively “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of the “safe harbour” provisions of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “could”, “plan”, “intend”, “should”, “believe”, “outlook”, “potential”, “target” and similar words suggesting future events or future performance. In addition, statements relating to “reserves” or “resources” are deemed to be forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves and resources described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and can be profitably produced in the future.

In particular, this document contains forward-looking statements pertaining to, without limitation, the following: our ability to complete one or more accretive and strategic acquisitions in the future; future distribution levels; the benefits that may accrue to us from the recent acquisition of Reece; the impact that the EIP is anticipated to have on the royalties that we pay in 2009; our ability to restore production volumes lost in the previous quarter; the nature, focus and timing of our 2009 capital program and our expectations regarding the results of said program, including our belief in its potential to add significant production and reserves; our business strategies going forward, including to sell non-core assets and add to our position in core areas, and the potential benefits to be derived therefrom; our financial strategies going forward; our outlook for the capital markets and commodity prices; the opportunities presented by our asset base and our ability to capitalize on them; our risk management strategy going forward; and, the disclosure contained under the headings “Letter to our Unitholders” and “Outlook”, which sets forth management’s expectations as to our capital expenditures for 2009 and the timing for making said expenditures and the intended focus of such expenditures, our expectation that service costs will decrease as 2009 progresses, and our forecast average production in the first half of 2009.

With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this document, we have made assumptions regarding, among other things: future oil and natural gas prices and differentials between light, medium and heavy oil prices; future capital expenditure levels; future oil and natural gas production levels; future exchange rates and interest rates; the amount of future cash distributions that we intend to pay; our ability to obtain equipment in a timely manner to carry out development activities; our ability to market our oil and natural gas successfully to current and new customers; the impact of increasing competition; our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms; and our ability to maintain existing production levels and add production and reserves through our development and exploitation activities. In addition, many of the forward-looking statements contained in this document are located proximate to assumptions that are specific to those forward-looking statements, and such assumptions should be taken into account when reading such forward-looking statements: see in particular the assumptions identified under the headings “Distributions” and “Outlook”.

Although Penn West believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this document, and the assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are made, are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements included in this document, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause Penn West’s actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the impact of weather conditions on seasonal demand and ability to execute capital programs; risks inherent in oil and natural gas operations; uncertainties associated with estimating reserves and resources; competition for, among other things, capital, acquisitions of reserves, resources, undeveloped lands and skilled personnel; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions, including the completed acquisitions discussed herein; geological, technical, drilling and processing problems; general economic conditions in Canada, the U.S. and globally; industry conditions, including fluctuations in the price of oil and natural gas; royalties payable in respect of our oil and natural gas production and changes thereto; changes in government regulation of the oil and natural gas industry, including environmental regulation; fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates; unanticipated operating events that can reduce production or cause production to be shut-in or delayed; failure to obtain industry partner and other third- party consents and approvals when required; stock market volatility and market valuations; OPEC’s ability to control production and balance global supply and demand of crude oil at desired price levels; political uncertainty, including the risks of hostilities, in the petroleum producing regions of the world; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities from time to time; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions, including the completed acquisitions discussed herein; changes in tax laws that affect us and our securityholders; changes in the Alberta royalty framework; uncertainty of obtaining required approvals for acquisitions and mergers; and the other factors described in Penn West’s public filings (including our Annual Information Form) available in Canada at www.sedar.com and in the United States at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document. Except as expressly required by applicable securities laws, Penn West does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

<< Penn West Energy Trust Consolidated Balance Sheets (CAD millions, unaudited) March 31, 2009 December 31, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets Current Accounts receivable US$ 427 US$ 386 Risk management 330 448 Other 99 106 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 856 940 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Property, plant and equipment 12,113 12,452 Goodwill 2,020 2,020 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14,133 14,472 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- US$ 14,989 US$ 15,412 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liabilities and unitholders' equity Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities US$ 505 US$ 630 Distributions payable 94 132 Convertible debentures 7 7 Future income taxes 94 132 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 700 901 Long-term debt 3,797 3,854 Convertible debentures 282 289 Risk management 10 6 Asset retirement obligations 604 614 Future income taxes 1,288 1,368 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6,681 7,032 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unitholders' equity Unitholders' capital 8,267 7,976 Contributed surplus 86 75 Retained earnings (deficit) (45) 329 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8,308 8,380 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- US$ 14,989 US$ 15,412 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Penn West Energy Trust Consolidated Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings Three months ended March 31 (CAD millions, except per unit ———————————- amounts, unaudited) 2009 2008 ————————————————————————- Revenues Oil and natural gas US$ 625 US$ 1,196 Royalties (110) (214) ————————————————————————- 515 982 Risk management gain (loss) Realized 156 (60) Unrealized (81) (193) ————————————————————————- 590 729 ————————————————————————- Expenses Operating 245 205 Transportation 9 8 General and administrative 41 35 Financing 40 52 Depletion, depreciation and accretion 385 396 Unrealized risk management (gain) loss 41 (7) Unrealized foreign exchange loss 43 17 ————————————————————————- 804 706 ————————————————————————- Income (loss) before taxes (214) 23 ————————————————————————- Taxes Future income tax recovery (116) (55) ————————————————————————- Net and comprehensive income (loss) US$ (98) US$ 78 Retained earnings, beginning of period US$ 329 US$ 658 Distributions declared (276) (382) ————————————————————————- Retained earnings (deficit), end of period US$ (45) US$ 354 ————————————————————————- Net income (loss) per unit Basic US$ (0.25) US$ 0.22 Diluted US$ (0.25) US$ 0.22 Weighted average units outstanding (millions) Basic 399.4 359.5 Diluted 399.4 361.2 ————————————————————————-

Penn West Energy Trust Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Three months ended March 31 ———————————- (CAD millions, unaudited) 2009 2008 ————————————————————————- Operating activities Net income (loss) US$ (98) US$ 78 Depletion, depreciation and accretion 385 396 Future income tax recovery (116) (55) Unit-based compensation 12 10 Unrealized risk management 122 186 Unrealized foreign exchange loss 43 17 Asset retirement expenditures (15) (14) Change in non-cash working capital (51) (251) ————————————————————————- 282 367 ————————————————————————- Investing activities Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (6) (1) Disposition of property, plant and equipment 146 5 Additions to property, plant and equipment (181) (282) Canetic and Vault acquisition costs - (28) Change in non-cash working capital (108) 120 ————————————————————————- (149) (186) ————————————————————————- Financing activities Redemption of convertible debentures (4) (24) Repayment of Canetic and Vault credit facilities - (1,557) (Decrease)/increase in bank loan (100) 1,679 Issue of equity 248 13 Distributions paid (277) (292) ————————————————————————- (133) (181) ————————————————————————- Change in cash - - Cash, beginning of period - - ————————————————————————- Cash, end of period US$ - US$ - ————————————————————————- Interest paid US$ 24 US$ 26 Income taxes paid US$ - US$ 1 ————————————————————————- Investor Information ————————————————————————- >>

Penn West trust units and debentures are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols PWT.UN, PWT.DB.B, PWT.DB.C, PWT.DB.D, PWT.DB.E and PWT.DB.F and Penn West trust units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PWE.

A conference call will be held to discuss Penn West’s results at 2 p.m. Mountain Time (4 p.m. Eastern Time) on May 6, 2009.

To listen to the conference call, please call one of the following:

<< 416-644-3419 (Toronto) 800-731-5319 (North American toll-free) >>

A taped recording will be available until May 13, 2009 by dialing 416-640-1917 (Toronto) or 877-289-8525 (North American toll-free) and entering passcode 21303394 followed by the pound sign. This call will be broadcast live on the Internet and may be accessed directly on the Penn West website at www.pennwest.com or at the following URL: www.newswire.ca/en/webcast/viewEvent.cgi?eventID(equal sign)2615360

Penn West expects to file its Management’s Discussion and Analysis and unaudited interim consolidated financial statements on SEDAR and EDGAR shortly.

For further information: PENN WEST ENERGY TRUST, Suite 200, 207 - Ninth Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 1K3, Phone: +1-403-777-2500, Fax: +1-403-777-2699, Toll Free: 1-866-693-2707, Website: www.pennwest.com; Investor Relations: Toll Free: 1-888-770-2633, E-mail: investor_relations@pennwest.com; William Andrew, CEO, Phone: +1-403-777-2502, E-mail: bill.andrew@pennwest.com; Jason Fleury, Manager, Investor Relations, Phone: +1-403-539-6343, E-mail: jason.fleury@pennwest.com

Source: Penn West Energy Trust

For further information: PENN WEST ENERGY TRUST, Suite 200, 207, Ninth Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 1K3, Phone: +1-403-777-2500, Fax: +1-403-777-2699, Toll Free: 1-866-693-2707;Investor Relations: Toll Free: 1-888-770-2633, E-mail: investor_relations at pennwest.com; William Andrew, CEO, Phone: +1-403-777-2502,E-mail: bill.andrew at pennwest.com; Jason Fleury, Manager, Investor Relations, Phone: +1-403-539-6343, E-mail: jason.fleury at pennwest.com