TMX group

PENN WEST ENERGY TRUST (TSX - PWT.UN) is pleased to confirm cash
distributions payable on September 15, 2005 and to announce natural gas
hedges

CALGARY, Aug. 23 /CNW/ - Penn West Energy Trust confirms that its
August 2005 cash distribution will be $0.26 per trust unit payable on
September 15, 2005 to unitholders of record on August 31, 2005. The         
ex-distribution date is August 29, 2005.
The trust recently entered into AECO natural gas collars on
50,000 gigajoules ("GJ") per day for the five month period from November 1,
2005 to March 31, 2006. The collars were transacted with an average floor
price of $8.00 per GJ (approximately $8.60 per mcf) and an average ceiling
price of $15.45 per GJ (approximately $16.60 per mcf). The volume hedged by
these contracts represents approximately 16 percent of Penn West's natural gas
production and approximately eight percent of total production on a barrel of
oil equivalent (6 to 1) basis. The transaction of these collars is consistent
with policies established by the Board of Directors of Penn West.

Penn West Energy Trust is a senior oil and natural gas energy income
trust based in Calgary, Alberta that trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange
under the symbol PWT.UN.

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