Whiting USA Trust I (NYSE: WHX) announced the third Trust distribution in 2011, which relates to net profits generated during the second quarterly payment period of 2011.

Unitholders of record on August 19, 2011 will receive a distribution amounting to $11,425,247 or $0.824101 per unit, which is payable on or before August 29, 2011.

Volumes, price and net profits for the payment period were:

Sales Volumes:   Oil (Bbls) 183,888 Natural Gas (Mcf)   675,812   Total (BOE) 296,523 Average Sales Prices: Oil (per Bbl) $ 91.40 Natural gas (per Mcf) $ 4.19   Gross Proceeds: Oil Sales $ 16,807,025 Natural Gas Sales   2,832,373   Total Gross Proceeds $ 19,639,398   Costs: Lease Operating Expenses $ 5,973,936 Production Taxes 1,425,362 Realized Gains on Hedging Settlements   (742,137 ) Total Costs $ 6,657,161     Net Profits $ 12,982,237 Percentage allocable to Trust’s Net Profits Interest   90 %   Total cash available for the Trust $ 11,684,013 Provision for estimated Trust expenses (175,000 ) Montana state income taxes withheld   (83,766 ) Net cash proceeds available for distribution $ 11,425,247   Trust units outstanding   13,863,889   Cash distribution per Trust unit $ 0.824101    

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including all statements made in this press release other than statements of historical fact. No assurances can be given that such statements will prove to be correct. The announced distributable amount is based, in part, on the amount of cash received or expected to be received by the Trust from Whiting Petroleum Corporation pursuant to the net profits interest with respect to the relevant quarterly period. Any differences in actual cash receipts by the Trust could affect this distributable amount. Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include expenses of the Trust, fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices, uncertainty of estimates of oil and natural gas reserves and production, risks inherent in operation and production of oil and gas properties and future production costs. Statements made in this press release are qualified by the cautionary statements made in this press release. The Trustee does not intend, and assumes no obligation, to update any of the statements included in this press release.