Cano Petroleum Updates Proved Reserve Estimates

Business Wire, August 17, 2005

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Cano Petroleum, Inc. (AMEX:CFW) announced today that it has revised its proved reserve estimates upward based on the fiscal year-end report prepared by Forrest A. Garb & Associates. As shown in the table below, Cano's SEC PV-10% total proved reserve value increased to $46.3 million as of June 30, 2005, from $1.5 million, as of June 30, 2004. The net change in present value was primarily due to acquisitions, as well as reserve additions from enhancements, drilling, reserve revisions and increased oil and natural gas prices.

June 30,    December 31,  June 30,
                                     2005         2004         2004
                                 ------------ ------------ -----------
Total Proved Reserves:
  Oil (Mbbls)                          3,056        2,758         213
  Gas (Mmcf)                          10,388        5,014           0
                                 ------------ ------------ -----------
Proved Barrels of Equivalent Oil
 (MBOE)                                4,787        3,594         213
Pre-tax PV-10%                   $46,300,000  $34,092,000  $1,500,000

Jeff Johnson, Cano's Chairman and CEO, stated, "While increases in the first half of the year were mostly the result of acquisitions, we are especially pleased with the increases in production and reserves in the second half that were due to enhancements to these assets at the field level. We hope to maintain this trend by continuing to implement sound engineering practices in order to maximize our recovery efficiencies as we prepare these fields for their respective enhanced oil recovery programs."

In addition to its proved reserves, Cano estimates its probable reserves to be approximately 41 MBOE which it will seek to reclassify as proven reserves utilizing enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods. The company is in the third of three phases of laboratory analysis to determine the formulation and methodology for the planned surfactant-polymer flooding of its Nowata Field -- the first of its assets scheduled for waterflooding and/or chemical EOR treatment. Cano has three assets that meet specific criteria for waterflooding and/or chemical EOR, including its Davenport and Nowata Fields in Oklahoma, and its Desdemona Field in Texas.

ABOUT CANO PETROLEUM:

Cano Petroleum Inc. is an independent Texas-based energy producer with properties in the mid-continent region of the United States. Led by an experienced management team, Cano's primary focus is on increasing domestic production from proven fields using enhanced recovery methods. Cano trades on the American Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CFW. Additional information is available at www.canopetro.com.

Safe-Harbor Statement -- Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The company intends that all such statements be subject to the "safe-harbor" provisions of those Acts. Many important risks, factors and conditions may cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any such forward-looking statement. These risks include, but are not limited to, estimates or forecasts of reserves, estimates or forecasts of production, future commodity prices, exchange rates, interest rates, geological and political risks, drilling risks, product demand, transportation restrictions, the ability of Cano Petroleum, Inc. to obtain additional capital, and other risks and uncertainties described in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The historical results achieved by the company are not necessarily indicative of its future prospects. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Cautionary Notes to Investors -- The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved reserves that a company has demonstrated by actual production or conclusive formation tests to be economically and legally producible under existing economic and operating conditions. Cano uses "probable reserves" in this news release, which the SEC's guidelines strictly prohibit it from including in filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to also consider closely the disclosure in Cano's Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, available from Cano by calling 800-769-7205. This form also can be obtained from the SEC at www.sec.gov.