Western Lakota Energy Services Inc. TSX : WLE

May 09, 2005 17:32 ET

Western Lakota Receives $1,350,000 Payment and Closes Rig Sale to Horse Lake First Nation

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(CCNMatthews - May 9, 2005) - Western Lakota Energy Services Inc. (WLE - TSX
Venture), announces that it has received a $1,350,000 payment and closed the sale of a 50% interest
in a drilling rig to Horse Lake First Nation. This payment is in addition to a $1.9 million payment
the Company received from Horse Lake First Nation in the first quarter of 2005.

This drilling rig is now being held in a limited partnership formed by Western Lakota and Horse Lake
First Nation. This is the first rig owned in partnership with Horse Lake First Nation, which is
located near Hythe, west of Grande Prairie in northwestern Alberta. Western Lakota also owns rigs in
partnership with the Dene Tha' First Nation, Samson Cree Nation, Saddle Lake First Nation, Metis
Nation of Alberta, Duncan's First Nation and the Blood Tribe.

One of Canada's fastest-growing drilling contractors, Western Lakota currently operates 22 rigs and
plans to grow its fleet to 30 rigs by the end of 2005. The Company works closely with Aboriginal
communities through ownership and employment opportunities. Western Lakota continues to provide one
of the newest fleets of safe and efficient drilling rigs in Canada, while striving to deliver strong
results for shareholders, customers and partners.

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.