Enterra Energy Trust Nears Completion of Transformation Plan; Distribution Payout Lowered for Investment in Organic Growth

Business Wire, July 18, 2006

CALGARY, Alberta -- Enterra Energy Trust ("Enterra" or the "Trust") (NYSE: ENT) (TSX: ENT-UN) announced today the next step in its plan to transform Enterra's business model and strategy for growth and long term sustainability. In order to increase funding for internal development opportunities, Enterra has reduced its target payout ratio range to 60% to 70% of cash flow from operations from the previous 90% to 100%. Production volumes remain on target and development project results continue to be positive. Enterra will now have three avenues for creating unitholder value:

--Organic Growth by reinvesting cash flow in lower-risk projects within existing core areas of Enterra's asset base;

--Accretive Acquisitions of oil and gas assets that will create new core areas with organic growth or strategic partnership potential or consolidate an existing core area; and

--Strategic Partnerships to gain exposure to opportunities otherwise not available to Enterra and to secure the potential to acquire the partner's interest in the future.

Consistent with Enterra's new strategy, the Board of Directors has revised the monthly distribution level from U.S. $0.18 per unit to U.S. $0.12 per unit effective with the July cash distribution, payable on August 15, 2006. This new level reflects an estimated payout ratio of 65%. Lowering the distribution payout increases flexibility and ensures cash is available to exploit Enterra's inventory of drilling and development opportunities for the long-term sustainability and growth of Enterra.

"As a significant unitholder of Enterra, I am convinced our new business model will achieve our long-term goals of capital appreciation and predictable and sustainable cash distributions," stated Keith Conrad, President and CEO. "Adopting a conservative payout ratio enables us to invest in organic growth opportunities for the longer term benefit of unitholders, while allowing us to absorb the short-term impact of fluctuations in commodity prices. Since joining Enterra it has become increasingly clear that the long-term success of Enterra required a major change in strategy. Since that time, we have had great success implementing our plan and building a new and experienced professional team, management group and Board of Directors."

The table below highlights some of the major results of this strategy over the past year:

ENTERRA ENERGY TRUST PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

                                            Year End   2006   Percent
                                              2004      Q1    Increase
                                            -------- -------- --------
Exit Production (boe/day)                     7,258   13,805       90%
                                            -------- -------- --------
Total Reserves (Proved
 plus Probable MBOE)(1)                       9,409   33,587      257%
                                            -------- -------- --------
Reserve Life Index (years)(1)                   3.6      6.7       86%
                                            -------- -------- --------
Payout Ratio                                     80%      98%
                                            -------- -------- --------

                                            New Target: 60% to 70%

Oil to Gas Ratio
 (exit production)                            81:19    43:57
                                            -------- -------- --------
Undeveloped Land Holdings
 (net acres)(2)                              61,332  241,028      293%
                                            -------- -------- --------


Note (1): Pro Forma Year End 2005 with High Point Resources, Inc. and
the Oklahoma assets based on independent reserve evaluations.

Note (2): Reported Year End 2005

    Since June 2005, Enterra has completed the following initiatives
to implement its change in strategy:

    --  Expansion and Diversification of Asset Base:
        Enterra substantially increased its size of operations with
        the addition of High Point Resources Inc. in August 2005 and
        the Oklahoma assets in January 2006. These acquisitions
        significantly increased Enterra's portfolio of undeveloped
        lands to more than 240,000 net acres creating a strong
        portfolio of future internal growth opportunities. A
        preliminary review of our North American portfolio of assets
        has identified in excess of $100 million in development
        projects. The significant increase in U.S. assets improves
        diversification and exposes Enterra to a wider range of
        opportunities.

    --  Internalization of Operating, Technical and Financial
        Management:
        Having achieved critical mass, operational, technical and
        financial activities that were previously performed by third
        parties have now been internalized by Enterra. This change
        will reduce costs and better align the performance of these
        key activities with the interests of unitholders. Enterra's
        employee base has grown from two individuals in June of last
        year, to a team of 98 highly capable operational, technical
        and financial employees and executives dedicated to maximizing
        the profitability of existing assets and looking for ways to
        grow and improve Enterra's business.

    --  New Strategic Partnership:
        Enterra extended its strategic partnerships with the farm-in
        by Petroflow Energy Ltd. on the Oklahoma assets. This
        partnership insulates Enterra from higher risk exploration,
        and allows it to capitalize on the geological and operational
        knowledge that is gained and to retain significant ownership
        of any assets that are developed. Low-risk infill wells will
        be pursued directly by Enterra.