TMX group

PENN WEST ENERGY TRUST (TSX - PWT.UN) announces a $0.03 per unit increase
to its monthly cash distribution

CALGARY, Feb. 2 /CNW/ - Penn West Energy Trust ("the Trust") is pleased
to announce that its monthly cash distribution will be increased by 10 percent
to $0.34 per trust unit from $0.31 per trust unit. The increase will be
effective for the February 2006 distribution, payable on March 15, 2006 to
unitholders of record on February 28, 2006.
The Board of Directors of the Trust approved the increase considering the
following factors:

    -  budgeted and forward commodity prices;
    -  the impact of increasing industry service and staffing costs;
    -  the impact of the hedging program that increases the likelihood
       that realized future commodity prices will be in-line with those
       budgeted;
    -  the progress to date monetizing the Trust's undeveloped land base;
    -  anticipated production levels;
    -  the capital efficiency of the Trust and anticipated future capital
       requirements; and,
    -  the forecast debt to cash flow ratio.

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.

%SEDAR: 00022266E