ex99_1.htm

This news release contains “forward-looking information and statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. For a full discussion of the forward-looking information and statements and the risks to which they are subject, see the "Forward-Looking Information and Statements Advisory" on page 8.

Precision Drilling Trust ("Precision" or the "Trust") today announced net earnings for the second quarter of 2007 were $26 million, or $0.20 per diluted unit, representing a decrease of 71% compared to $88 million, or $0.70 per diluted unit, in the second quarter of 2006.

During the second quarter, Precision experienced some of its lowest activity and equipment utilization levels in a decade as poor weather and continued uncertainty over the economics of natural gas drilling in western Canada led customers to limit spending.

	Three months ended June 30,								Six months ended June 30,
(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per unit amounts)			2007		2006	% Change			2007		2006	% Change

Revenue		$	122,005	$	223,569	(45	)	$	532,547	$	759,977	(30	)
Operating earnings⁽¹⁾			27,074		74,543	(64	)		205,253		320,452	(36	)
Net earnings			25,722		88,303	(71	)		183,789		312,486	(41	)
Cash provided by operations			229,073		339,619	(33	)		385,371		380,559	1
Net capital spending			50,710		48,107	5			105,284		88,974	18
Distributions declared			56,591		111,681	(49	)		128,273		213,304	(40	)
Per unit information:
Net earnings			0.20		0.70	(71	)		1.46		2.49	(41	)
Distributions declared		$	0.45	$	0.89	(49	)	$	1.02	$	1.70	(40	)

(1) Operating earnings is not a recognized measure under Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Management believes that in addition to net earnings, operating earnings is a useful supplemental measure as it provides an indication of the results generated by Precision’s principal business activities prior to consideration of how those activities are financed or how the results are taxed. Investors should be cautioned, however, that operating earnings should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of Precision’s performance. Precision’s method of calculating operating earnings may differ from other entities and, accordingly, operating earnings may not be comparable to measures used by other entities.

The decrease in second quarter revenue and net earnings was attributable to a reduction in demand for Precision's services in western Canada as seasonal second quarter weakness was exacerbated by record precipitation in many areas, below normal rig demand exiting the first quarter and uncertainty over the economics of natural gas drilling in western Canada. The seasonal and market weakness in Canada was partially offset by Precision's strategic entry into

the United States land drilling market a year ago as the five-rig drilling operation generated 9% of revenue and 17% of operating earnings in the just completed quarter. In the second quarter of 2006, Precision realized a lower income tax expense when the federal and provincial governments in Canada substantively enacted tax rate reductions that resulted in Precision recording a $21 million reduction in future tax balances compared with a $2 million recovery recorded in the second quarter of 2007, a difference of $0.15 per diluted unit.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, Precision's net earnings were $184 million compared to $312 million in the same period of 2006 representing a decrease of 41% or $1.03 per diluted unit. The first half of 2007 was marked by declining demand for oilfield services in western Canada as a number of Precision's customers curtailed or delayed natural gas drilling programs. In the second quarter, Precision marked the first anniversary of its U.S. drilling operations. This staged expansion into strategic U.S. basins helped to diversify Precision's earnings base. Substantively enacted tax rate reductions in Canada have lowered Precision's income tax expense and the year-over-year differential accounted for 15% of the net earnings decline, or $0.15 per diluted unit.

Precision's customer pricing in Canada declined for drilling rig operations and held for service rigs during the quarter while overall equipment utilization declined significantly from the same period in the prior year. Precision realized an average day rate decline of 9% in the quarter for its drilling rigs compared to prior year levels. In general, spot pricing was considerably weaker in the second quarter of 2007 while average day rates were bolstered by long-term contract rates and market pricing for Precision's Super SingleÔ rigs. Pricing for Precision's service rig fleet generated a second quarter year-over-year increase of 3%.

During the second quarter, Henry Hub natural gas spot prices averaged US$7.51 per MMBtu and closed at US$6.36 compared to an average of US$6.51 per MMBtu in the second quarter of 2006. West Texas Intermediate crude oil averaged US$64.99 per barrel during the quarter compared to US$70.48 per barrel in the same period in 2006.

Natural gas makes up about 70% of the total drilling in western Canada. The one-year forward price for North American natural gas traded within a range of about $7.00 to $9.00 on Canadian and U.S. exchanges during the second quarter of 2007, compared to about $8.00 to $10.00 in the second quarter of 2006.

Over the past 12 months Precision moved to diversify its earnings base outside Canada through its new drilling rig construction program and rig deployments to regions in the United States with growing natural gas production opportunities. With six rigs currently active and five new-builds expected to be commissioned during the second half of the year, Precision expects to exit 2007 with at least 4% of its fleet operating under long-term customer arrangements in the United States.

While this is an emerging North American strategy, the outlook for Precision over the second half of fiscal 2007 will continue to be heavily dependant on its dominant market presence in the oilfield service sector in western Canada. The recent build of underground natural gas storage levels and record industry equipment capacity are expected to keep equipment utilization levels at seasonally adjusted low levels with continued price competition.

Natural gas prices weakened during the second quarter of 2007, a trend strikingly familiar to last year, compounded by increases in North American natural gas supply from liquefied natural gas imports and strong onshore drilling activity in the United States. This has muted the impact of lower Canadian natural gas drilling activity and the resulting production decrease which would have helped to restore more normal underground gas storage levels. The first half of the year appears to have set the stage for continued lower year-over-year Canadian activity levels during 2007.

While these conditions cast a negative outlook extending into 2008, Precision remains committed to underlying fundamentals for natural gas and North American drilling and well servicing opportunities. Precision expects the cyclical fundamentals within the oil and gas industry to eventually restore balance to North American gas storage levels and stimulate Canadian drilling demand. These fundamentals include factors such as lower initial well production, steep first-year production decline rates, lower service company pricing and rising natural gas consumption from North American economic growth. The inherent benefits of natural gas in terms of environmental emissions and cost saving opportunities away from oil also stand to help restore and sustain higher natural gas prices.

Precision has allocated an estimated $275 million to capital spending on property, plant and equipment in 2007, including $90 million for productive capacity maintenance of existing assets and $185 million for expansionary initiatives. Expansion capital continues to be directed primarily at constructing new drilling rigs supported by long-term customer arrangements.

Capital expenditures for the purchase of property, plant and equipment were $53 million in the second quarter, a decrease of $8 million over the same period in 2006. Capital expenditures for the six months ended June 30, 2007 were $109 million, a decrease of $2 million over the same period in 2006 and included $83 million on expansionary capital initiatives and $26 million on the productive capacity maintenance of existing assets.

Precision currently has six drilling rigs in the U.S. with another five contracted Super Single™ rigs at various stages of construction. Once the current rig builds are complete, Precision expects to operate a fleet of 11 rigs in the United States - seven in Texas and four in Colorado.

Precision is also in the process of constructing an Employee Centre in Nisku, Alberta, to support personnel, safety and training initiatives and enhance employee retention. A drilling rig was decommissioned from active service in July and will be redeployed to the new Employee Centre to facilitate employee orientation and on-going training.

Precision's liquidity and solvency position remained strong during the quarter as working capital exceeded long-term debt by $26 million as at June 30, 2007, consistent with December 31, 2006. The financial position has remained strong despite a decrease in activity as a significant percentage of operating costs are variable in nature and the Trust has curtailed discretionary spending and distributions.

Poor spring weather limited activity in many areas of western Canada but the greater issue was the reluctance of producers to initiate drilling programs. Demand for drilling in Canada remained soft in contrast to high activity levels in the United States land drilling markets.

For Precision, weakness in the Canadian contract drilling sector in the quarter was partially offset by more sustained well servicing activities for oil workovers given high oil prices and more activity in the U.S. contract drilling division, where Precision operated five rigs at 98% utilization.

Some Canadian customer cash flows and net backs have been challenged by field cost escalations, low new natural gas well production rates, softening natural gas prices, a weakening U.S. dollar versus major currencies including Canada, gas transportation cost differentials to U.S. markets and tightening cash availability in capital and debt markets. Licensing for new gas wells in western Canada was 45% lower during the first six months of 2007 than the same period of 2006.

The increased number of rigs in the industry has magnified the decline in utilization levels from recent years. At the end of the quarter there were 887 drilling rigs registered with the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors ("CAODC"), an increase of 57% over the industry rig fleet in 1999. The trend to lower year-over-year drilling levels in western Canada continued in the quarter and led to the lowest rig utilization rates in nearly a decade.

Precision's operations are reported in two segments. The Contract Drilling Services segment includes the contract drilling rig, camp and catering, oilfield supply, and manufacturing divisions. The Completion and Production Services segment includes the service rig, snubbing, rental and wastewater treatment divisions. The following table contains financial and operating statistics for Precision's drilling and service rigs.

*Three Months ended June 30,*	2007			2006			% Change
Contract Drilling Services segment (Canadian fleet):
Number of drilling rigs (end of period)		242			234			3
Drilling operating days (excludes move days)		3,175			6,900			(54	)
Drilling revenue per operating day (includes move revenue)	$	18,656		$	20,466			(9	)
Drilling rig operating day utilization		14	%		33	%
Completion and Production services Segment:
Number of service rigs (end of period)		238			237			-
Service rig operating hours		52,680			81,026			(35	)
Service revenue per operating hour	$	681		$	658			3
Service rig operating hour utilization		24	%		38	%

During the second quarter of 2007, 69% of industry well completions in western Canada targeted natural gas while 31% targeted oil, which is in line with the five-year historical average. The number of well permits issued in the second quarter in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan fell 43% from the second quarter of 2006 to 3,479.

In Canada, Precision estimates that industry drilling rig operating days decreased by 47% in the second quarter of 2007 to 13,343 from 25,175 in the same period in 2006. Industry wells drilled, on a rig release basis, decreased by approximately 46% to 1,677. The industry drilling rig count increased by 12% to approximately 887 compared to the second quarter of 2006.

Precision's drilling rig operating days during the second quarter of 2007 were 3,175 compared with 6,900 in 2006, a decrease of 54%. The average operating days per well increased by 8% to 7.7 days for the second quarter of 2007 compared to 7.1 days in 2006. The camp and catering division experienced an activity decrease of 74% over the prior year quarter due to the decline in oilfield activity and the increased availability of hotel accommodations.

Precision's service rig operating hours during the second quarter of 2007 were 52,680 compared to 81,026 in 2006, a decrease of 35%. Lower activity in natural gas well service work was partially offset by additional workover activity in oil related areas. Demand for rental equipment followed downward industry trends and was 37% lower than last year. Quarterly activity for the snubbing division was down 77% over the prior year as a result of lower customer demand.

Overall, operating expenses increased from 55% of revenue in the second quarter of 2006 to 59% in 2007. Operating expenses were only 4% higher as a percentage of revenue due to low fixed operating cost components, moderately lower customer pricing and lower year-over-year scheduled rig maintenance repairs.

Depreciation and amortization expense in the second quarter of 2007 was $12 million compared with $11 million in the same period of 2006. The increase was primarily due to a higher capital asset base and lower gains on asset disposals offset by lower equipment utilization.

The Trust's effective income tax rate on second quarter earnings before income taxes was 8% before enacted tax rate reductions. Compared to a corporate tax rate, the low effective income tax rate is primarily the result of the income trust structure shifting all or a portion of the income tax burden of the Trust to its unitholders.

Upon Precision's conversion to an income trust effective November 7, 2005, the Trust adopted a policy of making monthly distributions to holders of Trust units and holders of exchangeable LP units. Precision has a legal entity structure whereby the trust entity, Precision Drilling Trust, effectively must flow its taxable income to unitholders pursuant to its Declaration of Trust. Distributions may be declared in cash or in-kind and reduced, increased or suspended entirely depending on the operations of Precision, the performance of its assets, or legislative changes in tax laws by governments in Canada.

In June, 2007, the government of Canada’s Bill C-52 Budget Implementation Act, 2007 (“Bill C-52”) was enacted and includes legislative provisions that impose a tax on certain distributions from publicly traded specified income flow-through (“SIFT”) trusts at a rate equal to the applicable federal corporate tax rate plus a provincial SIFT tax factor (31.5% in 2011). The SIFT tax measures were initially announced on October 31, 2006. Precision will be a SIFT trust on the earlier of January 1, 2011 or the first day after it exceeds the normal growth guidelines announced by the Canadian federal Department of Finance on December 15, 2006. Due to Precision’s legal entity structure, the enacted SIFT tax measures have no impact on Precision’s future tax liability provision. Bill C-52 included a federal corporate income tax rate reduction of 0.5%, effective after 2010, which resulted in a $2 million future tax reduction in the current quarter.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2007 cash provided by operations was $229 million, a decrease of $111 million over the 2006 second quarter. The decrease was attributable to the difference in the change in non-cash working capital balances of $65 million and lower year-over-year net earnings. The realization of working capital this quarter was less due to lower activity, an early winter shutdown and the corresponding reduction in first quarter trade accounts receivable collected in the second quarter of 2007 as compared to 2006.

The Canadian drilling industry is subject to seasonality with activity and earnings peaking during the winter months in the fourth and first quarters. As temperatures rise in the spring, the ground thaws and becomes unstable. Government road bans can restrict activity at any time but are typical for spring break-up during the second quarter before equipment is able to move for summer drilling programs.

As a result, in combination with economic cycles, Precision's operating and financial results can vary significantly by quarter. Working capital is typically at its highest level following the first quarter when accounts receivable increases from winter activity and tends to be at its lowest during the second quarter. The change in the non-cash working capital balance has a direct impact on cash provided by operations.

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements related to Precision’s outlook, estimated capital expenditures, expansion in the United States, projected growth of the Completion and Production Services and the Contract Drilling Services segments and statements that contain words such as “could”, “should”, “can” ,“anticipate”, “expect”, “believe”, “will”, “may” and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

These statements include, but are not limited to, statements as to seasonal and weather conditions affecting the Canadian oil and natural gas industry and the demand for Precision’s services. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analysis made by the Trust in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results, performance or achievements will conform to the Trust’s expectations and predictions is subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the Trust’s expectations.

Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the price and demand for oil and natural gas; fluctuations in the level of oil and natural gas exploration and development activities; fluctuations in the demand for well servicing, contract drilling and ancillary oilfield services; the effects of weather conditions on operations and facilities; the existence of competitive operating risks inherent in well servicing, contract drilling and ancillary oilfield services; general economic, market or business conditions; changes in laws or regulations, including taxation, environmental and currency regulations; the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management; and other unforeseen conditions which could impact the use of services supplied by Precision.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking information and statements made in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Trust will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on the Trust or its business or operations. Except as may be required by law, the Trust assumes no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking information and statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

	Three months ended June 30,							Six months ended June 30,

(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per unit amounts)			2007			2006			2007			2006

Revenue		$	122,005		$	223,569		$	532,547		$	759,977

Expenses:
Operating			71,906			122,011			266,062			364,664
General and administrative			10,274			15,908			24,829			38,799
Depreciation and amortization			12,026			11,290			35,510			36,190
Foreign exchange			725			(183	)		893			(128	)
			94,931			149,026			327,294			439,525

Operating earnings			27,074			74,543			205,253			320,452

Interest:
Long-term debt			1,649			1,725			4,179			4,636
Other			31			18			58			26
Income			(77	)		(66	)		(195	)		(208	)
Gain on disposal of investments			-			(408	)		-			(408	)
Earnings before income taxes			25,471			73,274			201,211			316,406
Income taxes:
Current			(3,967	)		5,870			(3,647	)		24,234
Future (reduction)			3,716			(20,899	)		21,069			(20,314	)
			(251	)		(15,029	)		17,422			3,920

Net earnings		25,722			88,303			183,789			312,486

Deficit, beginning of period		(108,834	)		(180,724	)		(195,219	)		(303,284	)
Distributions declared		(56,591	)		(111,681	)		(128,273	)		(213,304	)

Deficit, end of period	$	(139,703	)	$	(204,102	)	$	(139,703	)	$	(204,102	)
Earnings per unit:
Basic and diluted	$	0.20		$	0.70		$	1.46		$	2.49

(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars)	June 30, 2007			December 31, 2006

Assets
Current assets:
Accounts receivable	$	150,547		$	354,671
Income tax recoverable		12,335			8,701
Inventory		8,545			9,073
		171,427			372,445
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation		1,177,436			1,107,617
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization		330			375
Goodwill		280,749			280,749
	$	1,629,942		$	1,761,186

Liabilities and Unitholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Bank indebtedness	$	6,653		$	36,774
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		70,696			130,202
Distributions payable		16,349			38,985
		93,698			205,961
Long-term incentive plan payable		16,071			22,699
Long-term debt		51,937			140,880
Future income taxes		195,645			174,571
		357,351			544,111

Unitholders’ equity:
Unitholders’ capital		1,412,294			1,412,294
Deficit		(139,703	)		(195,219	)
		1,272,591			1,217,075
	$	1,629,942		$	1,761,186

Units outstanding (000s)		125,758			125,758

	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars)	2007			2006			2007			2006

Cash provided by (used in):
Operations:
Net earnings	$	25,722		$	88,303		$	183,789		$	312,486
Adjustments and other Items not involving cash:
Long-term incentive plan compensation		(4,167	)		4,442			(6,628	)		7,245
Depreciation and amortization		12,026			11,290			35,510			36,190
Future income taxes		3,716			(20,899	)		21,069			(20,314	)

Other		5			(406	)		5			(406	)
Changes in non-cash working capital balances		191,771			256,889			151,626			45,358
		229,073			339,619			385,371			380,559

Investments:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(52,840	)		(61,287	)		(108,542	)		(110,318	)
Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment		2,130			13,180			3,258			21,344
Proceeds on disposal of other assets		-			510			-			510
Changes in non-cash working capital balances		(471	)		914			(10,114	)		6,166
		(51,181	)		(46,683	)		(115,398	)		(82,298	)

Financing:
Distributions paid		(64,136	)		(106,649	)		(150,909	)		(211,032	)
Repayment of long-term debt		(95,753	)		(179,605	)		(95,753	)		(179,605	)
Increase in long-term debt		-			-			6,810			127,764
Issuance of trust units		-			1,691			-			1,691
Changes in non-cash working capital balances		-			-			-			(22,060	)
Change in bank indebtedness		(18,003	)		(8,373	)		(30,121	)		(15,019	)

		(177,892	)		(292,936	)		(269,973	)		(298,261	)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents		-			-			-			-
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		-			-			-			-

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-

*Three months ended June 30, 2007* CDN $000s	Contract Drilling Services		Completion and Production Services		Corporate and Other			Inter- segment Eliminations			Total

Revenue	$	78,829	$	44,978		-		$	(1,802	)	$	122,005
Operating earnings		24,013		8,954		(5,893	)		-			27,074
Depreciation and amortization		6,112		4,861		1,053			-			12,026
Total assets		1,150,676		447,310		31,956			-			1,629,942
Goodwill		172,440		108,309		-			-			280,749
Capital expenditures		45,670		7,001		169			-			52,840


Three months ended June 30, 2006 CDN $000s	Contract Drilling Services		Completion and Production Services		Corporate and Other			Inter- segment Eliminations			Total

Revenue	$	156,133	$	70,291		-		$	(2,855	)	$	223,569
Operating earnings		61,473		20,562		(7,492	)		-			74,543
Depreciation and amortization		5,916		5,530		(156	)		-			11,290
Total assets		1,066,278		459,797		47,908			-			1,573,983
Goodwill		172,440		94,387		-			-			266,827
Capital expenditures		47,653		11,937		1,697			-			61,287

*Six months ended June 30, 2007* CDN $000s	Contract Drilling Services		Completion and Production Services		Corporate and Other			Inter- segment Eliminations			Total

Revenue	$	359,724	$	178,184		-			(5,361	)	$	532,547
Operating earnings		156,748		60,769		(12,264	)		-			205,253
Depreciation and amortization		18,722		14,844		1,944			-			35,510
Total assets		1,150,676		447,310		31,956			-			1,629,942
Goodwill		172,440		108,309		-			-			280,749
Capital expenditures		95,566		12,445		531			-			108,542


Six months ended June 30, 2006 CDN $000s	Contract Drilling Services		Completion and Production Services		Corporate and Other			Inter- segment Eliminations			Total

Revenue	$	540,295	$	226,929		-			(7,247	)	$	759,977
Operating earnings		255,156		84,349		(19,053	)		-			320,452
Depreciation and amortization		19,442		15,816		932			-			36,190
Total assets		1,066,278		459,797		47,908			-			1,573,983
Goodwill		172,440		94,387		-			-			266,827
Capital expenditures		89,438		18,909		1,971			-			110,318

						Three months ended June 30,

	2007									2006
		Precision		Industry*			Market Share %	Precision			Industry*		Market Share %

Number of drilling rigs		242		878			28	234			784		30
Number of operating days (spud to release)		3,175		13,343			24	6,900			25,175		27
Wells drilled		411		1,677			25	973			3,094		31
Average days per well		7.7		8.0				7.1			8.1
Metres drilled (000s)		572		2,295			25	1,129			3,998		28
Average metres per day		180		172				164			159
Average metres per well		1,392		1,369				1,160			1,292
Rig utilization rate		14	%	17	%			33	%		36	%

						Six months ended June 30,

	2007									2006
		Precision		Industry*			Market Share %	Precision			Industry*		Market Share %

Number of drilling rigs		242		878			28	234			784		30
Number of operating days (spud to release)		14,960		58,749			25	23,594			81,149		29
Wells drilled		2,139		7,638			28	3,275			10,523		31
Average days per well		7.0		7.7				7.2			7.7
Metres drilled (000s)		2,714		9,680			28	3,944			12,895		31
Average metres per day		181		165				167			159
Average metres per well		1,269		1,267				1,204			1,225
Rig utilization rate		34	%	38	%			56	%		58	%

A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible on Precision’s website at www.precisiondrilling.com by selecting “Investor Relations”, then “Webcasts”. An archived recording of the conference call will be available approximately one hour after the completion of the call until August 2, 2007 by dialing 1-800-408-3053 or 416-695-5800, pass code 3228308#.

For further information please contact Doug Strong, Chief Financial Officer of Precision Drilling Corporation, Administrator of Precision Drilling Trust, 4200, 150 - 6th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2P 3Y7; Telephone 403-716-4500; Fax 403-264-0251; website www.precisiondrilling.com

Units outstanding (000s)			125,758				125,507				125,758				125,507
Weighted average and diluted units outstanding (000s)			125,758				125,474				125,758				125,467