Paramount Resources Ltd. Commences Exchange Offer for Senior Notes

CALGARY, ALBERTA - Dec. 17, 2004 /CNW/ - Paramount Resources
Ltd. (TSX:POU) announces that it has commenced the exchange offer and
consent solicitation for its 7 7/8% Senior Notes due 2010 (the "2010
Notes") and 8 7/8% Senior Notes due 2014 (the "2014 Notes") described in
its press release dated December 13, 2004 announcing its proposed
reorganization to create a new energy trust.

The consideration under the exchange offer consists of 8% Senior Notes
due 2012 in the same principal amount as the 2010 Notes and 2014 Notes
being exchanged, together with cash consideration, for each U.S. $1,000
principal amount of notes, of U.S. $133.27 for the 2010 Notes and U.S.
$215.44 for the 2014 Notes. A portion of each cash consideration is a
consent payment of U.S. $30 per U.S. $1,000 principal amount of notes,
which will only be paid to holders tendering by the early consent date
of December 29, 2004. The exchange offer expires on January 13, 2005.
The early consent date and the exchange offer expiration date are each
subject to extension by Paramount.

The prospectus supplement and solicitation statement relating to the
exchange offer and consent solicitation has been filed with the Alberta
Securities Commission and the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission.

UBS Investment Bank is acting as Dealer Manager for Paramount in
connection with the exchange offer and consent solicitation. Global
Bondholder Services Corporation is the Information Agent for the
exchange offer and consent solicitation. Questions regarding the
exchange offer and consent solicitation should be addressed to UBS'
Liability Management Group at (203) 719-4210. Requests for documentation
should be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation at (212)
430-3774.

Paramount is a Canadian oil and natural gas exploration, development and
production company with operations focused in Western Canada.
Paramount's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under
the symbol "POU".
 

For further information: Paramount Resources Ltd., J.H.T. (Jim) Riddell, President and Chief Operating Officer, (403) 290-3600 / Paramount Resources Ltd., B.K. (Bernie) Lee, Chief Financial Officer, (403) 290-3600, (403) 262-7994 (FAX), www.paramountres.com, Paramount Resources Ltd., C.H. (Clay) Riddell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, (403) 290-3600, (403) 262-7994 (FAX), www.paramountres.com, Paramount Resources Ltd., 4700 Bankers Hall West, 888 - 3rd Street SW, Calgary, AB T2P 5C5