Penn West Exploration Issues Statement Regarding Produced Water Release Near Red Earth, Alberta

CALGARY, June 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Penn West Exploration (TSX:PWT) (NYSE:PWE) announced today that on Wednesday, June 19, 2013, Penn West personnel identified a failure in a produced water pipeline in the company's Slave field near Red Earth, Alberta, which is approximately 170 kilometres east of Peace River, Alberta. The pipeline was immediately shut-in and isolated, and required regulatory authorities and First Nation Communities were notified.

Penn West responders were immediately dispatched to the site, the spill was contained and remediation efforts are underway. There were no injuries as a result of this incident and the spill does not pose a hazard to any waterways in the area. The release of produced water is estimated to be in the range of 400m³ to 600m³.

While the cause of the release has not been confirmed, Penn West is committed to protecting the environment and continues to work with the regulatory authorities to resolve this incident.

SOURCE Penn West Exploration