EnerVest Energy and Oil Sands Total Return Trust Announces January 2009 Distribution

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Jan. 23, 2009) -

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

EnerVest Oil Sands Management Inc. (TSX:EOS.UN) is pleased to announce a distribution of $0.0417 per unit to Unitholders of EnerVest Energy and Oil Sands Total Return Trust (the "Fund"). A portion of this distribution will consist of a return of capital. The record date for this distribution is January 30, 2009 and the payment date will be February 13, 2009.

The Fund is an actively managed closed-end trust, which invests in a diversified portfolio of: (i) companies and income trusts involved directly and indirectly in the Canadian oil sands; and (ii) traditional oil and natural gas royalty trusts. The Fund's investment objectives are to maximize total return through capital appreciation in the portfolio and to provide Unitholders with a consistent monthly cash distribution.

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect EnerVest Oil Sands Management Inc.'s (the "Administrator") current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Although the Administrator believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Administrator undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.