EX-99.1 2 a2191283zex-99_1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1
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EXHIBIT 99.1


 
 
 
 
 
 

GRAPHIC

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM
For the year ended December 31, 2008

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

March 13, 2009



Table of Contents

 
 
   
GLOSSARY OF TERMS   i
ABBREVIATIONS AND CONVERSIONS   iv
PRESENTATION OF ENERPLUS' OIL AND GAS RESERVES, RESOURCES AND PRODUCTION INFORMATION   v
PRESENTATION OF ENERPLUS' FINANCIAL INFORMATION   viii
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION   viii
STRUCTURE OF ENERPLUS RESOURCES FUND   1
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF ENERPLUS RESOURCES FUND   3
  General   3
  Developments in the Past Three Years   3
OPERATIONAL INFORMATION   6
  Overview   6
  Description of Principal Properties and Operations   6
  Summary of Principal Production Locations   8
  Costs Incurred in 2008 and Summary of Capital Expenditures   8
  Exploration and Development Activities   9
  Oil and Natural Gas Wells and Unproved Properties   10
  Enerplus' Play Types   11
  Quarterly Production History   18
  Quarterly Netback History   19
  Abandonment and Reclamation Costs   21
  Tax Horizon   21
  Marketing Arrangements and Forward Contracts   22
OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES   23
  Summary of Reserves   23
  Reconciliation of Reserves   33
  Undeveloped Reserves   37
  Significant Factors or Uncertainties   38
  Proved and Probable Reserves Not on Production   38
SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATIONAL INFORMATION   39
  Acquisitions and Divestments   39
  Equity Investments   39
  Health, Safety and Environment   39
  Insurance   40
  Personnel   40
INFORMATION RESPECTING ENERPLUS RESOURCES FUND   41
  Description of the Trust Units and the Trust Indenture   41
  Description of the Royalty Agreements and Other Payments Made to the Fund   47
  Management and Corporate Governance   48
  Unitholder Rights Plan   49
DEBT OF ENERPLUS   50
  Bank Credit Facility   50
  Senior Unsecured Notes   51
DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS   52
  Cash Distributions   52
  Distribution History   53
  Canadian Tax Reporting Matters   53
  U.S. Tax Reporting Matters   53
INDUSTRY CONDITIONS   55
  Overview   55
  Pricing and Marketing – Oil   55
  Pricing and Marketing – Natural Gas   56
  The North American Free Trade Agreement ("NAFTA")   56
  Royalties and Incentives   56
  Land Tenure   59
  Environmental Regulation   59
  Worker Safety   60
RISK FACTORS   61
  Risks Related to Enerplus' Business and Operations   61
  Risks Related to Enerplus' Structure and the Ownership of the Trust Units   72
  Risks Particular to United States and Other Non-Resident Unitholders   76
MARKET FOR SECURITIES   79
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS   80
  Directors of EnerMark   80
  Officers of EnerMark   81
  Trust Unit Ownership   81
  Conflicts of Interest   82
  Audit & Risk Management Committee Disclosure   82
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS   82
INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS   82
MATERIAL CONTRACTS AND DOCUMENTS AFFECTING THE RIGHTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS   83
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS   83
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT   83
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION   84
APPENDIX "A" – REPORT ON RESERVES DATA BY INDEPENDENT QUALIFIED RESERVES EVALUATOR OR AUDITOR   A-1
APPENDIX "B" – REPORT ON RESERVES DATA BY INDEPENDENT QUALIFIED RESERVES EVALUATOR OR AUDITOR   B-1
APPENDIX "C" – REPORT OF MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS ON RESERVES DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION   C-1
APPENDIX "D" – AUDIT & RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE DISCLOSURE   D-1
APPENDIX "E" – SFAS NO. 69 SUPPLEMENTAL RESERVE INFORMATION   E-1
APPENDIX "F" – INFORMATION REGARDING ENERPLUS EXCHANGEABLE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP   F-1


Glossary of Terms

Unless the context otherwise requires, in this Annual Information Form, the following terms and abbreviations have the meanings set forth below. Additional terms relating to oil and natural gas reserves, resources and operations have the meanings set forth under "Presentation of Enerplus' Oil and Gas Reserves, Resources and Production Information".

"AECO" means the physical storage and trading hub for natural gas on the TransCanada Alberta Transmission System (NOVA) which is the delivery point for the various benchmark Alberta index prices;

"Bank Credit Facility" has the meaning assigned thereto under "Debt of Enerplus";

"bitumen" means a highly viscous crude oil which is too thick to flow in its native state and which cannot be produced without altering its viscosity. The density of bitumen is generally less than 10o API;

"CBM" means coalbed methane;

"COGE Handbook" means the "Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook" prepared jointly by The Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (Calgary Chapter) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum (Petroleum Society), as amended from time to time;

"Credit Facilities" has the meaning assigned thereto under "Debt of Enerplus";

"ECT" means Enerplus Commercial Trust, a trust organized under the laws of Alberta (the trustee of which is Enerplus ECT Resources Ltd., an Alberta corporation) and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund;

"EELP" means Enerplus Exchangeable Limited Partnership (prior to April 1, 2008 named "Focus Limited Partnership"), a limited partnership established under the laws of Alberta and a subsidiary of the Fund;

"EELP A Units" means the Class A limited partnership units of EELP, all of which are held, directly or indirectly, by the Fund;

"EELP Agreement" means the amended and restated limited partnership agreement dated February 13, 2008, as amended December 22, 2008, between EnerMark (as successor by amalgamation to FET Management Ltd.) and Focus Commercial Trust pursuant to which EELP is created, as may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time;

"EELP Exchangeable LP Unitholders" means the holders from time to time of EELP Exchangeable LP Units;

"EELP Exchangeable LP Units" means the Class B limited partnership units of EELP, which are non-transferable and are exchangeable for no additional consideration into Trust Units on the basis of 0.425 of a Trust Unit for each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit;

"EELP General Partner" means EnerMark, as successor by amalgamation to FET Management;

"EELP Support Agreement" means the amended and restated support agreement dated February 13, 2008 among the Fund, EELP and EnerMark (as successor by amalgamation to FET Management Ltd.), as may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time;

"EELP Voting and Exchange Agreement" means the amended and restated voting and exchange trust agreement dated May 30, 2008 among the Fund, EELP and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time;

"EnerMark" means EnerMark Inc., a corporation organized under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund;

"Enerplus" means Enerplus Resources Fund and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

"Enerplus Oil & Gas" means Enerplus Oil & Gas Ltd., a corporation organized under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund;

"Enerplus USA" means Enerplus Resources (USA) Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund;

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      i


"ERC" means Enerplus Resources Corporation, a corporation organized under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund;

"Focus" means Focus Energy Trust, an oil and gas income trust acquired by Enerplus on February 13, 2008;

"Fund" means Enerplus Resources Fund;

"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles;

"GLJ" means GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd., independent petroleum consultants;

"GLJ Oil Sands Resources Report" means the independent engineering evaluation of the contingent and prospective resources attributable to Enerplus' interests in the Kirby Project (together with interests in certain minor non-operated oil sands projects) prepared by GLJ dated February 23, 2009 and effective December 31, 2008;

"Henry Hub" means the physical storage and trading hub in Louisiana which is the delivery point for the NYMEX natural gas contract;

"Kirby Lease" means, collectively, seven separate oil sands leases on a total area of 43,360 acres in the Kirby area of northeastern Alberta in Townships 073 through 075, Ranges 07 through 10, W4M, that expire on various dates from December 13, 2015 to September 27, 2021;

"Kirby Project" means the development of the Kirby Lease;

"Laricina" means Laricina Energy Ltd., a private oil sands corporation organized under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta);

"NI 51-101" means National Instrument 51-101, Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities, adopted by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities;

"NSAI" means Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum consultants;

"NSAI Report" means the independent engineering evaluation of Enerplus' U.S. conventional oil, NGLs and natural gas interests prepared by NSAI dated February 12, 2009 and effective December 31, 2008, utilizing commodity price forecasts of Sproule (for internal consistency in Enerplus' reserves reporting) dated December 31, 2008;

"NYMEX" means the New York Mercantile Exchange;

"NYSE" means the New York Stock Exchange;

"Operating Subsidiaries" means the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Fund that own, acquire and operate oil and natural gas assets for the benefit of the Fund (with the material Operating Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 being EnerMark, ERC, ECT, Enerplus USA and FET Operating Partnership);

"SAGD" means Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage, an in situ production process used to recover bitumen from oil sands;

"SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;

"Senior Unsecured Notes" means the US$229 million principal amount of senior unsecured notes issued by EnerMark, as described under "Debt of Enerplus";

"SIFT Tax" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "General Development of Enerplus Resources Fund – Developments in the Past Three Years – Changes to Taxation of Income Trusts and Enerplus' Strategy Post-2010";

"Special Voting Right" means the special voting right issued by the Fund to the Voting and Exchange Trustee entitling the holder thereof to vote, consent to, or otherwise act at a meeting or in respect of a resolution of the Fund's unitholders, and representing the number of votes that the EELP Exchangeable LP Unitholders would be entitled to had the EELP Exchangeable LP Unitholders exchanged all of the EELP Exchangeable LP Units then held by such holders for Trust Units immediately prior to the record date set for such meeting or at such other time as may be determined by applicable law for determining the Fund's unitholders entitled to so vote, consent or otherwise act at such a meeting or in respect of such a resolution;

"Sproule" means Sproule Associates Limited, independent petroleum consultants;

ii      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


"Sproule Report" means the independent engineering evaluation of Enerplus' Canadian conventional oil, NGLs and natural gas interests prepared by Sproule dated February 12, 2009 and effective December 31, 2008, utilizing commodity price forecasts of Sproule dated December 31, 2008;

"subsidiary" has the meaning assigned thereto in the Securities Act (Alberta);

"Tax Act" means the Income Tax Act (Canada), R.S.C. 1985, c.1 (5th Supp.), as amended, including the regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time;

"Trust Indenture" means the Amended and Restated Trust Indenture dated May 30, 2008 among EnerMark, ERC and the Trustee, as may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time;

"Trust Units" means the trust units of the Fund, each representing an equal undivided beneficial interest in the Fund;

"Trustee" means Computershare Trust Company of Canada, or its successor as trustee of the Fund;

"TSX" means the Toronto Stock Exchange;

"Voting and Exchange Trustee" means Computershare Trust Company of Canada, or its successor as trustee under the EELP Voting and Exchange Agreement; and

"WTI" means West Texas Intermediate crude oil that serves as the benchmark crude oil for the NYMEX crude oil contract delivered in Cushing, Oklahoma.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      iii


Abbreviations and Conversions

In this Annual Information Form, the following abbreviations have the meanings set forth below.

API   American Petroleum Institute
bbls   barrels, with each barrel representing 34.972 imperial gallons or 42 U.S. gallons
bbls/d   barrels per day
Bcf   billion cubic feet
Bcf/d   billion cubic feet per day
BOE(1)   barrels of oil equivalent converting 6 Mcf of natural gas to one barrel of oil equivalent and one barrel of natural gas liquids to one barrel of oil equivalent
BOE/d   barrels of oil equivalent per day

 

 

 
Mbbls   one thousand barrels
MBOE   one thousand barrels of oil equivalent
Mcf   one thousand cubic feet
Mcf/d   one thousand cubic feet per day
MMbbls   one million barrels
MMBOE   one million barrels of oil equivalent
mmbtu   one million British Thermal Units
MMcf   one million cubic feet
MMcf/d   one million cubic feet per day
NGLs   natural gas liquids

Note:

(1)
A BOE conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 BOE is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

In this Annual Information Form, unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars and all references to "$" are to Canadian dollars.

The following table sets forth certain standard conversions between Standard Imperial Units and the International System of Units (or metric units).

To Convert From   To   Multiply By  

Mcf   cubic metres   28.174  
cubic metres   cubic feet   35.494  
bbls   cubic metres   0.159  
cubic metres   bbls   6.293  
feet   metres   0.305  
metres   feet   3.281  
miles   kilometres   1.609  
kilometres   miles   0.621  
acres   hectares   0.4047  
hectares   acres   2.471  

iv      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Presentation of Enerplus' Oil and Gas Reserves,
Resources and Production Information

NOTE TO READER REGARDING OIL AND GAS INFORMATION, DEFINITIONS AND NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 51-101

The oil and gas reserves and operational information of Enerplus contained in this Annual Information Form contains the information required to be included in the Statement of Reserves Data and Other Oil and Gas Information pursuant to NI 51-101 adopted by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Readers should also refer to the Report on Reserves Data by Sproule attached hereto as Appendix "A", the Report on Reserves Data by NSAI attached as Appendix "B" and the Report of Management and Directors on Oil and Gas Disclosure attached hereto as Appendix "C". The effective date for the Statement of Reserves Data and Other Oil and Gas Information contained in this Annual Information Form is December 31, 2008 and the information contained in the Annual Information Form has been prepared as of March 13, 2009. This Annual Information Form also contains certain supplemental operational and reserves information with respect to Enerplus not required to be disclosed under NI 51-101.

Certain of the following definitions and guidelines are contained in the Glossary to NI 51-101 contained in Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 51-324 ("CSA Notice 51-324"), which incorporates certain definitions from the COGE Handbook. Readers should consult CSA Notice 51-324 and the COGE Handbook for additional explanation and guidance.

DISCLOSURE OF RESERVES AND PRODUCTION INFORMATION

Presentation of Information

In this Annual Information Form, all estimates of oil and natural gas reserves and production are presented on a "company interest" basis (as defined below), unless expressly indicated that they have been presented on a "gross" or "net" basis. "Company interest" is not a term defined or recognized under NI 51-101 and does not have a standardized meaning under NI 51-101. Therefore, the "company interest" reserves of Enerplus may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers, and investors are cautioned that "company interest" reserves should not be construed as an alternative to "gross" or "net" reserves calculated in accordance with NI 51-101.

Enerplus' actual oil and natural gas reserves and future production may be greater than or less than the estimates provided in this Annual Information Form. The estimated future net revenue from the production of such oil and natural gas reserves does not represent the fair market value of such reserves. See "Oil and Natural Gas Reserves – Overview of Reserves" for additional information.

Notice to U.S. Readers

Data on oil and natural gas reserves contained in this Annual Information Form has generally been prepared in accordance with Canadian disclosure standards, which are not comparable in all respects to United States or other foreign disclosure standards. For example, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") currently generally permits oil and gas issuers, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved reserves (as defined in SEC rules). Canadian securities laws require oil and gas issuers, in their filings with Canadian securities regulators, to disclose not only Proved Reserves (defined differently from the SEC rules) but also Probable Reserves (each as defined in NI 51-101 and described below). As a result, in this Annual Information Form, Enerplus has disclosed reserves designated as "Probable Reserves" and "Proved plus Probable Reserves". Probable Reserves are higher risk and are generally believed to be less likely to be accurately estimated or recovered than Proved Reserves. The SEC's guidelines currently strictly prohibit reserves in these categories from being included in filings with the SEC that are required to be prepared in accordance with U.S. disclosure requirements. In addition, under Canadian disclosure requirements and industry practice, reserves and production are reported using gross (or, as noted above, "company interest") volumes, which are volumes prior to deduction of royalty and similar payments. The practice in the United States is to report reserves and production using net volumes, after deduction of applicable royalties and similar payments. Moreover, Enerplus has determined and disclosed estimated future net revenue from its reserves using forecast prices and costs (as well as certain supplemental information using constant prices and costs), whereas the SEC generally requires that prices and costs be held constant at levels in effect at the date of the reserve report. As a consequence of the foregoing, Enerplus' reserve estimates and production volumes may not be comparable to those made by companies utilizing United States reporting and disclosure standards. Additionally, the SEC prohibits disclosure of oil and gas

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      v



resources, whereas Canadian issuers may disclose resource volumes. Resources are different than, and should not be construed as, reserves. For a description of the definition of, and the risks and uncertainties surrounding the disclosure of, contingent resources, see "– Disclosure of Contingent Resources" below. The SEC has approved certain changes to its oil and gas reporting requirements which will impact certain of the differences described above; however, those changes will not take effect until January 1, 2010.

Notwithstanding the above, Enerplus has included as Appendix "E" to this Annual Information Form certain disclosure relating to Enerplus' oil and gas reserves and operations in accordance with U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board's Statement No. 69 – Disclosures About Oil and Gas Producing Activities, which disclosure complies with the SEC's guidelines regarding disclosure of oil and gas reserves.

BARRELS OF OIL EQUIVALENT (BOE)

Enerplus has adopted the standard of 6 Mcf:1 BOE when converting natural gas to BOEs. BOEs may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 BOE is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

DISCLOSURE OF CONTINGENT RESOURCES

In this Annual Information Form, Enerplus has disclosed estimated volumes of "contingent resources" that have been prepared by GLJ pursuant to the GLJ Oil Sands Resources Report and which relate to the Kirby Lease.

"Resources" are quantities of petroleum that are estimated to exist originally in naturally occurring accumulations, including the quantity of petroleum that is estimated, as of a given date, to be contained in known accumulations, prior to production, plus those estimated quantities in accumulations yet to be discovered.

"Contingent resources" are defined as those quantities of petroleum estimated, on a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established technology or technology under development, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. Contingencies may include factors such as economic, legal, environmental, political and regulatory matters or a lack of markets. It is also appropriate to classify as "contingent resources" the estimated discovered recoverable quantities associated with a project in the early project stage.

Resources and contingent resources do not constitute, and should not be confused with, reserves. See "Operational Information – Enerplus' Play Types – Oil Sands" and "Risk Factors – Risks Related to Enerplus' Business and Operations – Enerplus' actual reserves and resources will vary from its reserve and resource estimates, and those variations could be material".

INTERESTS IN RESERVES, PRODUCTION, WELLS AND PROPERTIES

In addition to the terms having defined meanings set forth in CSA Notice 51-324, the terms set forth below have the following meanings when used in this Annual Information Form:

"company interest" means, in relation to Enerplus' interest in production or reserves, its working interest (operating or non-operating) share before deduction of royalties, plus Enerplus' royalty interests in production or reserves. See "– Disclosure of Reserves and Production Information" above.

"gross" means:

(i)
in relation to Enerplus' interest in production or reserves, its working interest (operating or non-operating) share before deduction of royalties and without including any royalty interests of Enerplus;

(ii)
in relation to wells, the total number of wells in which Enerplus has an interest; and

(iii)
in relation to properties, the total area in which Enerplus has an interest.

"net" means:

(i)
in relation to Enerplus' interest in production or reserves, its working interest (operating or non-operating) share after deduction of royalty obligations, plus Enerplus' royalty interests in production or reserves;

(ii)
in relation to Enerplus' interest in wells, the number of wells obtained by aggregating Enerplus' working interest in each of its gross wells; and

vi      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


(iii)
in relation to Enerplus' interest in a property, the total area in which Enerplus has an interest multiplied by the working interest owned by Enerplus.

"working interest" means the percentage of undivided interest held by Enerplus in the oil and/or natural gas or mineral lease granted by the mineral owner, Crown or freehold, which interest gives Enerplus the right to "work" the property (lease) to explore for, develop, produce and market the leased substances.

RESERVES CATEGORIES AND LEVELS OF CERTAINTY FOR REPORTED RESERVES

"Reserves" are estimated remaining quantities of oil and natural gas and related substances anticipated to be recoverable from known accumulations, as of a given date, based on: analysis of drilling, geological, geophysical and engineering data; the use of established technology; and specified economic conditions, which are generally accepted as being reasonable, and shall be disclosed. Reserves may be divided into proved and probable categories (as well as possible reserves, which Enerplus does not report) according to the degree of certainty associated with the estimates.

"Proved Reserves" are those reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated Proved Reserves.

"Probable Reserves" are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than Proved Reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated Proved plus Probable Reserves.

The qualitative certainty levels referred to in the definitions above are applicable to individual reserves entities (which refers to the lowest level at which reserves calculations are performed) and to reported reserves (which refers to the highest-level sum of individual entity estimates for which reserves estimates are presented). Reported reserves should target the following levels of certainty under a specific set of economic conditions:

at least a 90% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimated Proved Reserves; and
at least a 50% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of the estimated Proved plus Probable Reserves.

DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION STATUS

Each of the reserves categories reported by Enerplus (Proved and Probable) may be divided into developed and undeveloped categories:

"Developed Reserves" are those reserves that are expected to be recovered from existing wells and installed facilities or, if facilities have not been installed, that would involve a low expenditure (for example, when compared to the cost of drilling a well) to put the reserves on production. The developed category may be subdivided into Producing and Non-Producing.

"Developed Producing Reserves" are those reserves that are expected to be recovered from completion intervals open at the time of the estimate. These reserves may be currently producing or, if shut-in, they must have previously been on production, and the date of resumption of production must be known with reasonable certainty.
"Developed Non-Producing Reserves" are those reserves that either have not been on production, or have previously been on production, but are shut-in, and the date of resumption of production is unknown.

"Undeveloped Reserves" are those reserves expected to be recovered from known accumulations where a significant expenditure (for example, when compared to the cost of drilling a well) is required to render them capable of production. They must fully meet the requirements of the reserves classification (Proved or Probable) to which they are assigned.

DESCRIPTION OF PRICE AND COST ASSUMPTIONS

"Forecast prices and costs" means future prices and costs that are:

(i)
generally accepted as being a reasonable outlook of the future; and

(ii)
if, and only to the extent that, there are fixed or presently determinable future prices or costs to which Enerplus is legally bound by a contractual or other obligation to supply a physical product, including those for an extension period of a contract that is likely to be extended, those prices or costs rather than the prices or costs referred to in paragraph (i).

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      vii


"Constant prices and costs" means, unless expressly noted otherwise, prices and costs used in an estimate that are:

(i)
Enerplus' prices and costs as at December 31, 2008, held constant throughout the estimated lives of the properties to which the estimate applies (being Enerplus' posted price for oil and the spot price for gas, after historical adjustments for transportation, gravity and other factors); and

(ii)
if, and only to the extent that, there are fixed or presently determinable future prices or costs to which Enerplus is legally bound by a contractual or other obligation to supply a physical product, including those for an extension period of a contract that is likely to be extended, those prices or costs rather than the prices or costs referred to in paragraph (i).

Presentation of Enerplus' Financial Information

The financial information included and incorporated by reference in this Annual Information Form has been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. Canadian GAAP differs in some significant respects from U.S. GAAP and therefore this financial information may not be comparable to the financial information of U.S. companies. The principal differences as they apply to the Fund are summarized in Note 15 to the Fund's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, which are available on the Fund's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov as part of the annual report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC together with this Annual Information Form, and on Enerplus' website at www.enerplus.com.

In this Annual Information Form, unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars and all references to "$" are to Canadian dollars.

Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This Annual Information Form contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information which are based on Enerplus' current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "plan", "intend", "strategy", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements or information. Enerplus believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements and information are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct, and such forward- looking statements and information included in this Annual Information Form should not be unduly relied upon. Such forward-looking statements and information speak only as of the date of this Annual Information Form and Enerplus does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by applicable laws.

In particular, this Annual Information Form contains forward-looking statements and information pertaining to the following:

the quantity of, and future net revenues from, Enerplus' reserves and/or resources;
crude oil, NGLs, natural gas and bitumen production levels;
commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates;
capital expenditure programs, drilling programs and other future expenditures;
supply and demand for oil, NGLs and natural gas;
Enerplus' business strategy and planned acquisition and development strategy;
expectations regarding Enerplus' ability to raise capital and to continually add to reserves and/or resources through acquisitions and development;

viii      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


schedules for and timing of certain projects, including the development of the Kirby Project, and Enerplus' strategy for growth;
Enerplus' future operating and financial results;
future abandonment and reclamation costs;
Enerplus' trust or corporate structure and the potential timing and tax implications of any modification of Enerplus' structure;
Enerplus' tax pools and the time at which Enerplus may incur certain income or other taxes;
treatment under governmental and other regulatory regimes and tax, environmental and other laws; and
future income tax laws and royalty regimes.

Enerplus' actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements and information as a result of both known and unknown risks, including the risk factors set forth under "Risk Factors" in this Annual Information Form and those set forth below:

volatility in market prices for oil, bitumen, NGLs and natural gas;
actions by governmental or regulatory authorities including changes in income tax laws (including those relating to mutual fund and income trusts or investment eligibility) or changes in tax laws, royalty regimes and incentive programs relating to the oil and gas industry and income trusts;
changes or fluctuations in oil, NGLs, natural gas and bitumen production levels;
changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates;
changes in capital and other expenditure requirements and debt service requirements;
liabilities and unexpected events inherent in oil and gas operations, including geological, technical, drilling and processing risks;
actions of industry partners;
uncertainties associated with estimating reserves and resources;
competition for, among other things, capital, acquisitions of reserves and resources, undeveloped lands and skilled personnel;
incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions;
constraints on, or the unavailability of, adequate pipeline and transportation capacity to deliver Enerplus' production to market;
Enerplus' success at the acquisition, exploitation and development of reserves and resources;
changes in general economic, market (including credit market) and business conditions in Canada, North America and worldwide; and
changes in environmental, regulatory or other legislation applicable to Enerplus' operations, and Enerplus' ability to comply with current and future environmental legislation and regulations and other laws and regulations.

Moreover, the current global economic conditions and uncertainty, including the current volatility in financial markets, is adding a substantial amount of risk to the North American and worldwide economy, and the continuation of such factors may adversely impact Enerplus' anticipated or expected results of operations and may cause the actual results to materially deviate from the forward-looking statements and information contained in this Annual Information Form.

Many of these risk factors and other specific risks and uncertainties are discussed in further detail throughout this Annual Information Form and in Enerplus' management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2008, which is available through the internet on Enerplus' SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov as part of the annual report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC together with this Annual Information Form, and on Enerplus' website at www.enerplus.com. Readers are also referred to the risk factors described in this Annual Information Form under "Risk Factors" and in other documents Enerplus files from time to time with securities regulatory authorities. Copies of these documents are available without charge from Enerplus or electronically on the internet on Enerplus' SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on Enerplus' website at www.enerplus.com.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      ix


aif 

 

ENERPLUS RESOURCES FUND
Annual Information Form
For the year ended December 31, 2008

Structure of Enerplus Resources Fund

ENERPLUS RESOURCES FUND

Enerplus Resources Fund is an energy trust created in 1986 under the laws of the Province of Alberta pursuant to the Trust Indenture. The Fund's assets currently consist of securities issued by its direct wholly-owned subsidiaries and 95%, 99% and 99% royalties on the crude oil and natural gas property interests of EnerMark, ERC and Enerplus Oil & Gas, respectively. The head, principal and registered office of Enerplus is located at The Dome Tower, 3000, 333 - 7th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2Z1. Enerplus also has a U.S. office located at Wells Fargo Center, Suite 1300, 1700 Lincoln Street, Denver, Colorado, 80203. The Trustee of the Fund is Computershare Trust Company of Canada located at Suite 600, 530 - 8th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 3S8. The board of directors of EnerMark is responsible for the governance of Enerplus.

The Fund's primary focus is to maximize value and cash distributions to its unitholders over the long-term from the net cash flow generated by the operation and development of its Operating Subsidiaries' existing crude oil and natural gas properties and other energy-related assets and the strategic acquisition and rationalization of properties and assets. See "Operational Information – Overview".

OPERATING SUBSIDIARIES

The Fund's Operating Subsidiaries acquire, exploit and operate crude oil and natural gas assets for the benefit of the Fund. See "Operational Information", "Oil and Natural Gas Reserves" and "Supplemental Operational Information" for information regarding the operations and oil and natural gas reserves and contingent bitumen resources of Enerplus. As of December 31, 2008, the Fund's material Operating Subsidiaries were EnerMark, ERC, ECT, Enerplus USA and FET Operating Partnership.

Each of EnerMark and ERC are corporations organized under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta). ECT is a trust organized under the laws of Alberta, FET Operating Partnership is a general partnership organized under the laws of Alberta and Enerplus USA is a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware. All of the issued and outstanding securities of each of EnerMark, ERC, ECT, Enerplus USA and FET Operating Partnership are indirectly owned by the Fund.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      1


ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The simplified organizational structure of Enerplus as of December 31, 2008, including the material Operating Subsidiaries of the Fund and the flow of funds from those Operating Subsidiaries to the Fund and from the Fund to its unitholders, is set forth below.

GRAPHIC

2      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


General Development of Enerplus Resources Fund

GENERAL

Enerplus Resources Fund was formed in 1986. The Fund's Trust Units are currently traded on the TSX under the symbol "ERF.UN" and on the NYSE under the symbol "ERF".

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS

Changes to Taxation of Income Trusts and Enerplus' Strategy Post-2010

On October 31, 2006, the Canadian Federal Minister of Finance proposed to subject certain types of income of publicly traded mutual fund trusts (a "SIFT Trust") to tax at rates comparable to the combined federal and provincial corporate tax rates (the "SIFT Tax"). This is accomplished by eliminating the trust's ability to deduct income distributions to unitholders, taxing the trust's income at corporate rates and treating distributions to unitholders as taxable dividends. The legislation governing the SIFT Tax (the "SIFT Provisions") became law on June 22, 2007.

The SIFT Provisions are not expected to apply to the Fund prior to 2011 provided the Fund restricts itself to "normal growth" during the transitional period ending December 31, 2010. However, any "undue expansion" during this transitional period may cause the SIFT Tax to apply to the Fund before January 1, 2011. For a SIFT Trust, "normal growth" includes equity growth within certain "safe harbour" limits, measured by reference to the market capitalization of the SIFT Trust as of the end of trading on October 31, 2006. Initially, those safe harbour limits were 40% of market capitalization for the period from November 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007, and 20% for each of calendar year 2008, 2009 and 2010. These limits were cumulative, so that any unused limit for a period would carry over into the subsequent period. Additional details of the parameters of "normal growth" include the following:

new equity for these purposes includes units and debt that is convertible into units (and may include other substitutes for equity if attempts are made to develop those);
replacing debt that was outstanding as of October 31, 2006 with new equity will not be considered growth for these purposes and will not affect the safe harbour; and
the exchange, for trust units, of exchangeable partnership units or exchangeable shares that were outstanding on October 31, 2006, will not be considered growth for those purposes and will not affect the safe harbour.

The combined market capitalization of the Fund and Focus as of the close of trading on October 31, 2006, having regard only to the issued and outstanding publicly traded trust units of each at such date, was approximately $9.1 billion. After deducting the value of new equity issued after October 31, 2006 and adding the value of new equity which could be issued to replace debt that was outstanding on October 31, 2006, Enerplus' aggregate remaining "safe harbour" growth limit is approximately $9.5 billion.

On December 4, 2008, the Department of Finance (Canada) announced changes to the normal growth guidelines to allow a SIFT Trust to accelerate the utilization of the SIFT Trust's annual safe harbour limit for each of 2009 and 2010 so that the aggregate safe harbour limit for 2009 and 2010 is available on and after December 4, 2008. This change does not alter the maximum permitted expansion for a SIFT Trust, but it allows a SIFT Trust to use its normal growth room remaining as of December 4, 2008 in a single year, rather than staging a portion of the normal growth room over the 2009 and 2010 years.

As a result of the enactment of the SIFT Provisions in 2007, the Fund's future income taxes disclosed in its financial statements were adjusted to include temporary differences between the accounting and tax bases of the Fund's assets and liabilities, as further described in Note 11 to the Fund's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008. In addition, the reported estimated net present value of future net revenues from Enerplus' oil and natural gas reserves on an "after-tax" basis now reflects the impact of the SIFT Tax on Enerplus' reserves. Enerplus continues to evaluate alternatives to determine the optimal structure for its unitholders beyond 2010. Enerplus is currently hesitant to make structural changes prior to the end of 2010 unless opportunities arise, as Enerplus believes this exemption period has value for its unitholders. Unless circumstances change within the current capital markets or the regulatory, tax or political environment, Enerplus currently believes that it will most likely convert into a dividend paying corporation. However, Enerplus is keeping its options open at this time. Enerplus does not expect that a conversion to a corporation would have a major impact on its

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      3



underlying operating strategy or business affairs. Enerplus expects that such a conversion can be achieved without creating a taxable event for most unitholders. However, going forward, the tax treatment of Enerplus' distributions or dividends may be different for its unitholders or shareholders, as the case may be, depending on the unitholder's tax jurisdiction and whether the unitholder is holding its investment in a taxable account or tax-deferred account.

For additional information (including with respect to Enerplus' anticipated tax horizon), see "Operational Information – Tax Horizon" and "Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Enerplus' Structure and Ownership of the Trust Units" in this Annual Information Form.

Acquisition of Gross Overriding Royalty Interests in U.S.

On January 31, 2007, Enerplus acquired various gross overriding royalty ("GORR") interests in the state of Wyoming for total consideration of $61 million. This acquisition represented a modest addition to Enerplus' assets in the United States and established a new area which Enerplus believes has significant natural gas development potential. The subject assets produce natural gas from the EnCana Corporation-operated Jonah gas field in Wyoming, which is one of the largest natural gas fields in the U.S. The acquisition consisted of a GORR of approximately 0.5% on approximately 650 producing natural gas wells in the Jonah field. Enerplus is not required to expend any development capital or operating costs on these assets.

Acquisition of Kirby Oil Sands Partnership

On April 10, 2007, Enerplus acquired an undivided 90% interest in Kirby Oil Sands Partnership (including the managing partner's 0.01% partnership interest) for aggregate consideration of $182.8 million, payable by the issuance of 1,104,945 Trust Units at a price of $49.55 per Trust Unit, and the remaining $128.1 million in cash. On June 22, 2007, Enerplus acquired the remaining 10% interest in Kirby Oil Sands Partnership for cash consideration of $20.3 million, for a total purchase price of $203.1 million. As part of the transaction, Enerplus also acquired the petroleum and natural gas rights owned by the vendors in the lands to which the Kirby Lease relates, excluding the petroleum and natural gas rights in any section of land on which there is an existing petroleum or natural gas well, but only to the deepest formation penetrated by such well.

For additional information relating to the Kirby Project, see "Operational Information – Enerplus' Play Types – Oil Sands – Kirby Project".

Acquisition of Focus Energy Trust

On February 13, 2008, the Fund completed its acquisition of Focus pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta). Pursuant to the arrangement, the Fund acquired all of the assets and assumed all of the liabilities of Focus, Focus unitholders received 0.425 of an Enerplus Trust Unit for each Focus trust unit, and all of the trust units of Focus were redeemed. Additionally, the Fund assumed the exchangeable limited partnership units of Focus Limited Partnership (a subsidiary of Focus, since renamed EELP), which became exchangeable into Trust Units of the Fund. The Fund issued an aggregate of 30,149,752 Trust Units to former Focus unitholders in the transaction, and as of December 31, 2008 Enerplus also had outstanding an aggregate of 7,238,000 EELP Exchangeable LP Units, exchangeable into 3,076,000 Trust Units. Each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit is exchangeable for an Enerplus Trust Units on the basis of 0.425 of an Enerplus Trust Unit for each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit, and each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit, has voting rights and entitlements to cash distributions in accordance with such exchange ratio. For a description of the EELP Exchangeable LP Units and the agreements relating thereto, see "Information Regarding Enerplus Exchangeable Limited Partnership" in Appendix "F" to this Annual Information Form.

As a result of the arrangement, Enerplus acquired all of Focus' oil and natural gas properties and assets and related facilities, and the result of operations from the Enerplus properties and assets are included in Enerplus' 2008 results of operations from February 13, 2008 forward. In conjunction with the arrangement, Enerplus increased the size of its syndicated Bank Credit Facility by $400 million to $1.4 billion. See "Debt of Enerplus".

The Fund filed a Business Acquisition Report in respect of the Focus acquisition on the Fund's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com on April 3, 2008 and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov on April 4, 2008.

Disposition of Joslyn Project

On July 31, 2008, Enerplus completed the sale of its 15% working interest in the Joslyn oil sands lease to Occidental Petroleum Corporation for net proceeds of approximately $502 million, after adjustments and transaction costs. The proceeds of the sale were used to reduce bank

4      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



debt. The Joslyn project is an oil sands project operated by Total E&P Canada Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Total S.A. Joslyn is located in northeastern Alberta and contains both mining and SAGD development potential. Enerplus had invested approximately $115 million on its 15% interest in the Joslyn project since its inception in 2002. Enerplus does not expect to incur any liability for cash taxes in connection with the transaction and Enerplus anticipates the transaction will have an immaterial impact on its long term taxability.

Revisions to Alberta Royalty Regime

In December 2008, the Government of Alberta passed into law a "New Royalty Framework" which introduces new royalty rates for conventional oil, natural gas and bitumen effective January 1, 2009 that are sensitive to price and production levels and will apply to both new and existing oil sands projects and conventional oil and gas activities. Certain transitional rates and short-term incentives outside of the New Royalty Framework have also been provided by the Government of Alberta. In 2008, approximately 61% of Enerplus' aggregate crude oil and natural gas production was in Alberta. For additional information regarding the various jurisdictions where Enerplus operates and has oil and gas production, see "Operational Information – Summary of Principal Production Locations". The net reserves volumes and estimated net present value of future net revenue attributable to Enerplus' reserves located in Alberta contained in the reserves reported under "Oil and Natural Gas Reserves" in this Annual Information Form reflect Alberta's New Royalty Framework. For additional details, see "Industry Conditions – Royalties and Incentives" and "Risk Factors – Risks Related to Enerplus' Business and Operations – The new Alberta royalty regime may adversely impact Enerplus and its operations and reserves".

Strategic Positioning in the Current Economic and Industry Environment

Enerplus is planning a conservative approach to 2009 with reductions in capital spending and cash distributions to its unitholders in light of the low commodity prices and capital market uncertainty in effect in the fourth quarter of 2008 and early 2009. Enerplus intends to preserve its financial strength and maintain flexibility so that it is in a position to take advantage of future opportunities to add quality assets in what it expects will prove to be an attractive acquisition market. Enerplus intends to defer many of its internal development projects and effectively retain them in its inventory for future development beyond 2009. Over the course of 2009, Enerplus intends to manage its capital spending and distributions to unitholders at a level which will minimize increases in its debt levels outside of any acquisition activity.

Enerplus currently plans to spend approximately $300 million of development capital in 2009, a decrease of 48% from its 2008 development capital spending levels. Enerplus' plans include $240 million of spending on its Canadian conventional assets, $35 million in the U.S. and $25 million on oil sands. Enerplus' program is directed toward high value optimization and development projects, maintaining the integrity of its existing infrastructure and investment in new development areas, given its desire to add opportunities in emerging resource plays. This capital spending forecast also includes an estimate of cost savings that Enerplus expects as a result of the slowdown in industry activity and does not reflect any acquisition or divestment activity that may occur as a normal part of its business. Enerplus will review its 2009 capital program and distributions on an ongoing basis throughout the year in the context of prevailing economic conditions and make adjustments as deemed necessary. Enerplus expects that up to one-third of its capital spending will occur in the first quarter of 2009 as a result of winter access areas and the continuation of its ongoing program from 2008.

As part of this strategy to preserve Enerplus' balance sheet strength and better position itself for potential acquisition opportunities, Enerplus has also reduced the amount of the monthly cash distributions payable to unitholders and holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units. The distribution paid on February 20, 2009 and the distribution payable on March 20, 2009 have been lowered to $0.18 per Trust Unit ($0.0765 per EELP Exchangeable LP Unit) from the $0.25 per Trust Unit ($0.10625 per EELP Exchangeable LP Unit) paid in January 2009. For additional information, see "Distributions to Unitholders".

See "Risk Factors – Risks Related to Enerplus' Business and Operations – Enerplus' strategy in the current economic and industry environment may subject Enerplus to certain risks".

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      5


Operational Information

OVERVIEW

Enerplus' operational strategies and activities are directed towards maximizing value and cash distributions to unitholders over the long term. Enerplus utilizes its technical and operating expertise to increase value through a focused and disciplined acquisition strategy directed at high quality assets and through development and optimization activities on new and existing oil, natural gas and bitumen properties. In the current economic environment, Enerplus has placed a priority on growth-oriented acquisitions over the development of its existing asset base. Enerplus typically funds its acquisitions by drawing from its existing credit facility, the issuance of Trust Units, or a combination of both.

Enerplus' acquisition and development activities are generally focused on "resource plays", which are typically large and aerially extensive accumulations of discovered oil, natural gas and bitumen with limited geological risk. Resource plays typically cover large geographic areas and require many wells to develop the play over time. With a large number of wells generating relatively predictable production and decline profiles, the timing, cost, production rates and reserve additions associated with the resource play can be more accurately predicted. Resource plays generally exhibit lower production decline rates over the long term and a longer reserve life. Enerplus' five resource play types include: (i) crude oil waterfloods, as Enerplus owns interests in 12 major and 15 minor waterflood properties throughout western Canada; (ii) shallow natural gas (which includes some CBM properties) in southeast and central Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan; (iii) tight natural gas; (iv) Bakken/tight oil in Montana and southeast Saskatchewan; and (v) oil sands in northeast Alberta. Additionally, Enerplus has interests in other conventional oil and natural gas properties throughout western Canada. Each of these play types and property interests is described in detail under "– Description of Principal Properties and Operations – Enerplus' Play Types" below.

Historically, Enerplus has focused on lower risk development activities and typically experienced approximately 99% drilling success by avoiding certain higher risk exploration type drilling. Enerplus' development projects include infill drilling, step-out drilling, joint venture arrangements, farmouts, waterflood implementation and other activities. Optimization of Enerplus' existing assets takes the form of downhole recompletions and stimulations, enhancement of artificial lift, water injection, facility optimization and other activities. These activities are typically smaller projects with attractive rates of return given the limited capital investment required and rapid payback. On higher risk activities, Enerplus would generally partner through joint venture or farmout arrangements and take smaller working interests in higher risk play types to limit exposure in any one well without sacrificing the ability to participate in attractive areas such as the Deep Basin or the Foothills areas of Alberta. Additionally, Enerplus' acquisitions generally concentrated on longer-life properties with more predictable production and reserves.

Enerplus intends to continue to develop and optimize its assets as described above and continue to acquire stable, long-life projects. However, as noted above, Enerplus currently intends to place increased focus on the acquisition of more growth-oriented, high quality assets and intends to pursue more greenfield exploration properties and earlier stage resource plays which Enerplus believes have scalable, repeatable drilling and development potential. Additionally, on the development side, Enerplus has directed approximately 25% of its 2009 capital expenditure program towards growth projects in its tight natural gas and tight oil resource plays, as Enerplus believes that these areas will provide greater value growth opportunities in the future. Enerplus intends to continue to mitigate risk, as it has historically done, by undertaking an active price risk management program and other risk mitigation actions as it deems appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF PRINCIPAL PROPERTIES AND OPERATIONS

Outlined below is a description of Enerplus' oil and natural gas operations and Enerplus' main types of operational activities, or "play types". All production information represents Enerplus' company interest in production from these properties, which includes overriding royalty interests of Enerplus but is calculated before deduction of royalty interests owned by others. All references to reserve volumes represent Enerplus' estimated company interest reserves (before deduction of royalties) contained in the Sproule Report or NSAI Report, as applicable, using forecast prices and costs. See "Presentation of Enerplus' Oil and Gas Reserves, Resources and Production Information".

All of Enerplus' oil and natural gas property interests are located in western Canada in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba and in the United States in the states of Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and Utah. All of Enerplus' major properties have related field production facilities and infrastructure to accommodate Enerplus' production. Production volumes for the year ended December 31, 2008 from Enerplus' properties consisted of approximately 41% crude oil and NGLs and 59% natural gas on a BOE

6      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



basis. Enerplus' 2008 average daily production was comprised of 34,581 bbls/d of crude oil, 4,627 bbls/d of NGLs and 338.9 MMcf/d of natural gas for a total of 95,687 BOE/d, an increase of approximately 16% on a BOE basis when compared to 2007 average daily production of 34,506 bbls/d of crude oil, 4,104 bbls/d of NGLs and 262.2 MMcf/d of natural gas, for a total of 82,319 BOE/d. Enerplus exited 2008 with average daily production of approximately 96,400 BOE/d, which was impacted by unexpected downtime at two non-operated facilities that resulted in lost production of approximately 1,600 BOE/d. These issues were resolved by year-end. If not for these events, Enerplus expects that its 2008 exit rate production would have been approximately 98,000 BOE/d. Approximately 70% of Enerplus' 2008 production was operated by Enerplus and the remaining 30% was operated by industry partners. As at December 31, 2008, the oil and natural gas property interests held by Enerplus were estimated to contain Proved plus Probable Reserves of 120,694 Mbbls of light and medium crude oil, 45,929 Mbbls of heavy crude oil, 17,817 Mbbls of NGLs and 1,487,668 MMcf of natural gas, for a total of 432,385 MMBOE. See "Oil and Natural Gas Reserves".

The following table outlines Enerplus' average daily production in 2008 and its reserves as at December 31, 2008, in each case on a company interest basis, for each of Enerplus' five resource plays and its other conventional oil and natural gas properties.

    Crude Oil
Waterflood
  Shallow
Natural
Gas
  Tight
Natural
Gas
  Bakken/
Tight Oil
  Oil Sands   Other
Conventional
Oil and Gas
  Total  

2008 Average Daily Production                              
Crude oil (bbls/d)   14,210   205   63   9,314     10,789   34,581  
Natural gas (Mcf/d)   9,976   140,561   77,579   9,106     101,647   338,869  
NGLs (bbls/d)   409   34   2,077       2,107   4,627  

Total (BOE/d)   16,282   23,666   15,070   10,831     29,838   95,687  


Reserves at December 31, 2008 (MMBOE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Proved Reserves                              
  Proved Developed Producing   67.1   62.4   35.7   27.3     74.3   266.8  
  Proved Developed Non-Producing     0.3   2.0   1.4     0.9   4.6  
  Proved Undeveloped   6.9   23.7   6.7   2.1     7.7   47.1  

Total Proved Reserves   74.0   86.4   44.4   30.8     82.9   318.5  
Probable Reserves   21.7   35.6   17.0   9.8     29.8   113.9  

Total Proved plus Probable Reserves   95.7   122.0   61.4   40.6     112.7   432.4  

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      7


SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

During the year ended December 31, 2008, on a BOE basis, approximately 61% of Enerplus' production was derived from Alberta, 17% from Saskatchewan, 11% from Montana, 8% from British Columbia and 3% from other jurisdictions (primarily Manitoba, Wyoming and North Dakota). The following table describes the average daily production from Enerplus' principal producing properties and their primary resource play type during the year ended December 31, 2008. All properties listed in the table (other than "Other") are located in Alberta unless otherwise noted.

2008 Average Daily Production

        Product
        Crude Oil
             
Property   Primary Play Type   Heavy   Light and Medium   NGLs   Natural Gas   Total  

 
        (bbls/d)   (bbls/d)   (bbls/d)   (Mcf/d)   (BOE/d)  
Sleeping Giant, Montana, U.S.A.   Bakken/Tight Oil     9,297     9,099   10,814  
Shackleton, Saskatchewan   Shallow Gas         63,621   10,604  
Tommy Lakes, British Columbia   Tight Gas     30   653   29,617   5,619  
Brooks   Conventional   2,565     62   11,861   4,604  
Pembina 5 Way   Waterflood     2,126   128   2,339   2,644  
Bantry   Shallow Gas     5     15,026   2,509  
Joarcam   Waterflood     1,534   76   5,181   2,474  
Medicine Hat Glauconitic "C" Unit   Waterflood   2,003       489   2,085  
Verger   Shallow Gas         11,719   1,953  
Pine Creek   Tight Gas     15   454   8,815   1,938  
Hanna Garden   Shallow Gas     2   4   10,201   1,706  
Giltedge   Waterflood   1,561       160   1,588  
Elmworth   Tight Gas       335   7,097   1,518  
Medicine Hat South   Shallow Gas         8,268   1,378  
Benjamin   Tight Gas       8   8,109   1,360  
Chinchaga   Conventional       17   8,038   1,357  
Virden, Manitoba   Waterflood     1,143       1,143  
Valhalla   Conventional     229   81   4,548   1,068  
Progress   Conventional     386   77   3,512   1,048  
Joffre   Shallow Gas         6,164   1,027  
Mitsue   Waterflood     744   120   833   1,003  
Shorncliff   Conventional   927     9   228   974  
Other   N/A   1,287   10,727   2,603   123,944   35,273  

 
TOTAL   N/A   8,343   26,238   4,627   338,869   95,687  

 

COSTS INCURRED IN 2008 AND SUMMARY OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

In the financial year ended December 31, 2008, Enerplus made the following expenditures:

    Property Acquisition Costs
  Exploration   Development  
    Proved   Unproved   Costs   Costs  

 
    ($ in millions)
Canada   1,733.7   70.1   27.4   449.3  
United States   0.1   .4   5.8   63.7  

 
Total   1,733.8   70.5   33.2   513.0  

 

8      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


The following table outlines the capital expenditures made by Enerplus in 2008 with respect to each of its five resource plays and its other conventional oil and natural gas properties.

    Crude Oil
Waterflood
  Shallow
Natural
Gas
  Tight
Natural
Gas
  Bakken/
Tight Oil
  Oil Sands   Other
Conventional
Oil and Gas
  Total  

    (in $ millions)
Capital expenditures   84   159   81   99   51   104   578  

EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

The primary operational focus of Enerplus is to pursue attractive risk/return growth opportunities through the development of existing properties and the acquisition of new properties: see "– Overview" above. Enerplus will also continue its ongoing property rationalization program on a selective basis and any sale proceeds may be used to acquire interests in existing core areas or new properties with attractive exploration or development opportunities.

During 2008, Enerplus participated in the drilling of 1,061 gross oil and natural gas wells (643 net wells) with a 99% net well success rate, plus 11 gross (3.1 net) service wells. The majority of Enerplus' drilling activity was in the shallow natural gas areas at Shackleton, Saskatchewan and Bantry, Verger and Medicine Hat in Alberta. Enerplus also had active operated drilling and facility programs in oil dominated areas such as Pembina, Giltedge, southeast Saskatchewan, Virden (in Manitoba) and Montana. The Hanna/Badlands shallow natural gas area, the Joffre CBM area in Alberta, the Deep Basin area of northwestern Alberta and the Foothills region of western Alberta were the focus areas of non-operated drilling activity in 2008. The following table summarizes the number and type of wells that Enerplus drilled or participated in the drilling of for the year ended December 31, 2008, in each of Canada and the United States. Wells have been classified in accordance with the definitions of such terms in NI 51-101.

    Canada
  United States
 
    Development Wells
  Exploratory Wells
  Development Wells
  Exploratory Wells
 
Category of Well   Gross   Net   Gross   Net   Gross   Net   Gross   Net  

 
Crude oil wells   198   64.0   8   2.7   14   9.7   1   1.0  
Natural gas wells   801   553.6   32   9.8          
Service wells   11   3.1              
Dry and abandoned wells   6   2.4   1   1.0       1   0.1  

 
Total   1,016   623.1   41   13.5   14   9.7   2   1.1  

 

The following table summarizes the number and type of wells that Enerplus drilled, or participated in the drilling of, during 2008 in each of its five resource plays and its other conventional oil and natural gas properties, on a gross and net well basis.

    Crude Oil
Waterflood
  Shallow
Natural
Gas
  Tight
Natural
Gas
  Bakken/
Tight Oil
  Oil Sands   Other
Conventional
Oil and Gas
  Total  

Gross wells(1)   65   637   76   16     267   1,061  
Net wells(1)   40   520   20   11     53   643  

Note:

(1)
Does not include service wells.

Enerplus currently intends to focus its development activities in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, the Williston Basin in southeast Saskatchewan and on the Sleeping Giant property in Montana and North Dakota, although Enerplus also considers acquisitions (and subsequent development activities on such acquired properties) outside of these areas. Enerplus anticipates that approximately 56% of Enerplus' 2009 conventional spending will be directed at natural gas resource plays with the remainder on oil. Enerplus' planned 2009 natural gas program will be concentrated on shallow natural gas and tight natural gas projects which provide an attractive return with natural gas prices at or better than $5.00/Mcf. Enerplus' oil program is directed primarily at its U.S. Bakken/tight oil assets and optimization projects with attractive returns with oil prices at or better than US$40.00/bbl. Included in Enerplus' plans is approximately $50 million of

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      9



spending on growth-oriented projects in the Montney natural gas play in northeastern B.C. and northwestern Alberta, the Bakken oil play in the Williston Basin and a few other select resource plays. Enerplus anticipates drilling several pilot wells to test reservoir quality and productivity and accumulate additional prospective lands in key areas. Enerplus intends to also continue to look for acquisition and joint venture opportunities as a way to advance and accelerate its growth in resource plays that target tight natural gas and tight oil. Enerplus intends to fund its development activities through internally generated cash flow, as well as through debt or the issuance of Trust Units where required. Enerplus does not anticipate that the cost of funding these development activities will have a material effect on Enerplus' disclosed oil and gas reserves or future net revenue attributable to those reserves. Enerplus' currently planned 2009 capital expenditures for each of its resource plays and its other conventional oil and natural gas assets is as follows:

    Crude Oil
Waterflood
  Shallow
Natural
Gas
  Tight
Natural
Gas
  Bakken/
Tight Oil
  Oil Sands   Other
Conventional
Oil and Gas
  Total  

    (in $ millions)
2009 planned capital expenditures   45   75   78   42   25   35   300  

OIL AND NATURAL GAS WELLS AND UNPROVED PROPERTIES

The following table summarizes, as at December 31, 2008, Enerplus' interests in producing wells and in non-producing wells which were not producing but which may be capable of production, along with Enerplus' interests in unproved properties (as defined in NI 51-101). Although many wells produce both oil and natural gas, a well is categorized as an oil well or a natural gas well based upon the proportion of oil or natural gas production that constitutes the majority of production from that well.

    Producing Wells
  Non-Producing Wells
  Unproved Properties (thousand of acres)
    Oil
  Natural Gas
  Oil
  Natural Gas
         
    Gross   Net   Gross   Net   Gross   Net   Gross   Net   Gross   Net  

 
 
Alberta   3,537   1,376.0   6,982   3,458.7   982   410.4   756   229.2   812.5   330.7  
Saskatchewan   2,474   481.8   2,415   2,196.6   447   57.6   211   184.1   468.8   431.8  
British Columbia   212   27.0   306   166.6   57   9.2   106   41.7   260.0   132.4  
Manitoba   567   316.0       40   25.4       52.3   48.9  
Montana   227   131.3       5   3.5       49.8   42.2  
North Dakota   2   2.0               40.0   25.8  
Utah   1   1.0               5.8   3.7  
Oil Sands (Alberta)                   63.3   50.5  

 
 
Total   7,020   2,335.1   9,703   5,821.9   1,531   506.1   1,073   455   1,752.5   1,066.0  

 
 

Enerplus expects its rights to explore, develop and exploit on approximately 205,200 net acres of unproved properties to expire prior to December 31, 2009 in the ordinary course. Enerplus has no material work commitments on such properties and, where Enerplus determines appropriate, it can extend expiring leases by either making the necessary applications to extend or performing the necessary work.

10      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



ENERPLUS' RESOURCE PLAY TYPES

Outlined below is a description of each of Enerplus' five resource play types and its other conventional oil and natural gas properties.

Crude Oil Waterfloods

GRAPHIC

In a crude oil waterflood play, water is injected into the producing reserves formation to supplement the original reservoir pressure and provide a drive mechanism to move additional oil to the producing well. Pressure maintenance and the production of oil from water injection can result in a production profile with more predictable and stable declines and higher recovery of reserves. Infill drilling and well/injector optimization are effective methods of enhancing reserve recovery even further. Enerplus' crude oil waterflood properties are comprised of approximately 12 major properties located across the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. In 2008, Enerplus' five largest waterflood producing properties were Pembina 5 Way, Joarcam, Giltedge, the Medicine Hat Glauconitic "C" Unit, Giltedge and Virden, all of which are located in Alberta with the exception of Virden, which is in Manitoba. Enerplus operates over 80% of its crude oil waterflood production. All of Enerplus' major waterflood areas have associated crude oil production installations for emulsion treating and injection or water disposal. In addition, the Joarcam property also has facilities for natural gas compression, dehydration and processing. Approximately 17% of Enerplus' production for the year ended December 31, 2008 and approximately 22% of Enerplus' Proved plus Probable Reserves as at December 31, 2008 were related to its crude oil waterflood assets.

Enerplus invested $84 million in this resource play in 2008. Capital spending was largely focused at the Giltedge, Pembina and Silver Heights properties in Alberta and the Virden, Manitoba property where Enerplus drilled a total of 40 net wells. Capital efficiency in this resource play was impacted by the ongoing maintenance costs associated with these properties as a percentage of total capital and a higher percentage of investment in infrastructure projects to upgrade facilities which Enerplus expects will support longer-term development.

Enerplus expects to significantly decrease its 2009 capital spending significantly on its waterflood assets to approximately $45 million due to the marginal economics of crude oil projects at current price levels. However, Enerplus plans to continue identifying development prospects in its most attractive projects to be well-positioned to restart these programs when oil prices rebound and/or cost structures improve. Enerplus currently anticipates that the allocated funds will be used for on-going production optimization projects which have the most attractive economics as well as the completion and tie-in of wells that were drilled in the fourth quarter of 2008.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      11



Shallow Natural Gas

GRAPHIC

Shallow natural gas, which includes certain CBM properties, has been a core development play for Enerplus since the late 1990s. The shallow natural gas formations in southern Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan consist of massive, tightly packed sandstone that covers an area of over 10,000 square kilometres. These zones are typically less than 800 metres in depth and upper Cretaceous in age, with most production coming from the Milk River, Medicine Hat, and Second White Specks producing zones.

The key to success in the shallow natural gas play is the ability to execute large, multi-well development programs efficiently and to manage the post-drilling operations of these low pressure wells.

Shallow natural gas represented approximately 25% of Enerplus' average daily production volumes in 2008, an increase of 61% over 2007, and approximately 28% of Enerplus' Proved plus Probable Reserves as at December 31, 2008, up from approximately 21% at 2007 year-end, reflecting the additional working interests acquired in the Shackleton field held by Focus. Over 80% of Enerplus' shallow natural gas production is operated by Enerplus. In 2008, Enerplus' five largest shallow natural gas producing properties were the Shackleton field in southwest Saskatchewan and the Bantry, Verger, Hanna Garden, and Medicine Hat South properties in Alberta. All of these properties have associated pipeline infrastructure and compression facilities.

Given the inventory resulting from the Focus acquisition and strong natural gas prices for most of 2008, Enerplus invested $159 million in this resource play in 2008, drilling 520 net shallow natural gas wells in 2008, with most of Enerplus' capital spending at Shackleton in Saskatchewan and Bantry, Verger and Medicine Hat in Alberta.

With softening natural gas prices in late 2008 and early 2009, Enerplus has reduced its projected spending levels on this resource play for 2009 to approximately $75 million, representing approximately 25% of Enerplus' total capital spending budget. Enerplus currently plans to drill approximately 226 net wells and continue to focus on infill drilling at Shackleton, Bantry and Verger where it believes that its most attractive opportunities exist. Enerplus anticipates that over 80% of its total conventional wells drilled in 2009 will be shallow natural gas wells targeting the Milk River and Medicine Hat formations.

12      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Tight Natural Gas

GRAPHIC

Enerplus' tight natural gas resource play is a growing component of its asset base and has almost doubled in size from 2007 mainly due to the acquisition of the Tommy Lakes property in British Columbia as part of the Focus acquisition, which Enerplus operates. This play represented 16% of Enerplus' average daily production in 2008 and 14% of its Proved plus Probable Reserves as at December 31, 2008. In addition to Tommy Lakes, Enerplus' highest producing tight natural gas properties in 2008 were Pine Creek, Elmworth and Benjamin, all of which are in Alberta. This play type includes mostly multi-zone tight natural gas plays such as Cardium, Nikannassin, Montney, Bluesky and Halfway zones as well as many others.

Enerplus more than doubled its capital spending on this resource play in 2008 compared to 2007 to $81 million and increased the number of net wells drilled from six to 20. Almost 40% of these expenditures were made at Tommy Lakes to complete and tie-in 17 wells in early 2008. Due to favourable weather conditions, Enerplus was able to accelerate its 2009 capital spending in this area with approximately $14 million spent in 2008 for its 2008/09 winter program. The remaining investment in this resource play in 2008 was primarily directed at Enerplus' Ansell and Elmworth properties in Alberta.

Enerplus currently expects that its spending levels on this resource play for 2009 will remain relatively constant compared to 2008, at approximately $78 million. Enerplus' plans include ongoing development at Tommy Lakes with a 14 well program, including a few step-out wells aimed at expanding the play and the piloting of a horizontal well. Enerplus also expects to continue to add to its tight natural gas land positions in other areas and to begin delineating the new lands purchased in 2008.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      13



Bakken/Tight Oil

GRAPHIC

Enerplus owns an approximate 70% average working interest in certain producing wells in the Sleeping Giant Bakken oil field in Richland County, Montana, which was acquired through the separate acquisitions of Lyco Energy Corporation and Sleeping Giant LLC in 2005 and which is one of Enerplus' largest producing properties. Production from this area is from the Middle Bakken dolomite formation at a depth of approximately 10,000 feet and consists of light sweet crude oil (42o API) and some associated natural gas. Enerplus' Bakken/tight oil resource play represented approximately 11% of its 2008 average daily production, with virtually all of this production coming from the Sleeping Giant project, and represented approximately 9% of Enerplus' Proved plus Probable Reserves as at December 31, 2008. These properties are predominantly operated by Enerplus.

In 2008, Enerplus continued to invest in the Sleeping Giant property, spending approximately $70 million. Enerplus also expanded its Bakken interests with the purchase of approximately 30,000 acres of undeveloped land in southeast Saskatchewan. In total, Enerplus invested approximately $99 million in this resource play in 2008. In particular, Enerplus continued its third well per section development drilling program at Sleeping Giant in 2008 and drilled 11 net wells and "refrac'd" 16 net wells (a "refrac" consists of the restimulation of a producing formation within an existing wellbore to enhance production and add new incremental reserves). Enerplus also initiated a full optimization program and tested a variety of techniques to improve production. These efforts added approximately $8 million to its 2008 operating costs which also resulted in approximately 600 BOE/d of increased production. Enerplus expects to reduce its optimization activities in 2009 and expects an improvement in operating costs as 2009 progresses.

For 2009, Enerplus has currently allocated approximately $42 million of capital expenditures to its Bakken/tight oil resource play, the majority of which will be invested at Sleeping Giant. Enerplus plans on concentrating its spending on refracs (with 24 planned) and modest drilling, subject to commodity price and/or cost improvements. Enerplus has also identified approximately 15 third well per section drilling locations, approximately 40 fourth well per section drilling locations and 120 refrac wells remaining in its inventory at Sleeping Giant. Enerplus is also participating in a carbon dioxide (CO2) pilot project on an existing Enerplus-operated producing well with two other industry partners. Injection commenced in January 2009 and Enerplus expects to be able to provide an update on these activities later in 2009. Outside of Sleeping Giant, Enerplus is also pursuing investments in other tight oil resource plays in both the U.S. and Canada.

14      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Oil Sands

GRAPHIC

As a result of disposing of its 15% interest in the Joslyn oil sands project for proceeds of approximately $502 million on July 31, 2008, as described above under "General Development of Enerplus Resources Fund – Developments in the Past Three Years – Disposition of Joslyn Project", Enerplus' oil sands portfolio currently includes its operated SAGD Kirby Project and its joint venture with and equity ownership in Laricina. Enerplus invested a total of $51 million in its oil sands portfolio in 2008, $41 million of which was spent on the Kirby Project with approximately $10 million spent on the Joslyn project prior to its disposition.

Kirby Project:

Enerplus acquired the Kirby Lease in 2007 for an aggregate purchase price of $203.1 million. The Kirby Project is a 100% working interest, Enerplus-operated SAGD project which Enerplus currently believes has potential production capacity, through staged development, of 30,000 to 40,000 bbls/d of bitumen. The Kirby Lease covers 43,360 gross acres (over 67 sections) of land in the Athabasca oil sands fairway near several other major SAGD development projects currently on production. Enerplus believes that the Kirby Lease may contain a number of potential oil sands pay zones. While the Kirby Lease does not have current production or Proved or Probable Reserves attributed to it, the independent GLJ Oil Sands Resources Report effective December 31, 2008 indicates a "best estimate" of 414 MMbbls of aggregate contingent bitumen resources within the Kirby Lease, as outlined in the table below. Of this amount, 118 MMbbls of contingent resources are attributed to the Wabiskaw D formation within the Kirby Lease, which Enerplus has targeted for initial development. Enerplus anticipates targeting the remaining McMurray formations for subsequent developments. Enerplus' current development plans include developing the property in phases, with Phase 1 having production capability of 10,000 bbls/d of bitumen and Phase 2 having incremental production capacity of 20,000 to 30,000 bbls/d of bitumen.

In 2008, Enerplus completed its first winter delineation drilling program at the Kirby Lease. A total of 58 delineation wells were drilled, including two source water wells and a water disposal well. As a result of this program, GLJ reported an increase of 170 MMbbls to the estimated contingent resources contained in the Kirby Lease, an increase of 70% over the 244 MMbbls best estimate of contingent resources at the time of purchase in 2007. Enerplus also confirmed that it has an adequate source of saline water (which is non-potable water) for Phase 1 of the Kirby Project and that it has a deeper reservoir zone capable of handling its disposal water for the life of the project. Enerplus submitted the development application for Phase 1 to the regulatory authorities ahead of schedule in September 2008.

Despite the significant advancements made on the Kirby Project in 2008, Enerplus' 2009 capital program for the Kirby Project has been reduced significantly due to the fall in crude oil prices. Enerplus intends to work with regulators and its stakeholders with a goal of obtaining the required regulatory approvals by late 2009. Once the required regulatory approvals are obtained, Enerplus' board of directors will determine whether to sanction proceeding with the project at that time. Given the downturn in commodity prices, Enerplus has elected to defer any additional delineation activity this year, but plans to complete a three dimensional seismic program over 20 sections of its northern

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      15



lease area, which is designed to position Enerplus for future delineation drilling should it move forward with Phase 2 of the Kirby Project. Enerplus also plans to complete a more detailed geological review of all potential oil sands zones in the Kirby Lease, which it believes should result in additional contingent resources being identified on the Kirby Lease.

GLJ, a private independent petroleum consulting firm based in Calgary, Alberta, has evaluated, estimated and subsequently prepared the GLJ Oil Sands Resources Report, which includes an estimate of the contingent bitumen resources associated with the Kirby Lease as of December 31, 2008, in accordance with the standards contained in the COGE Handbook. The GLJ Oil Sands Resources Report has provided the contingent resource estimates for the Kirby Lease on a bitumen basis rather than a synthetic crude oil basis as, at present, there are no definitive plans to provide an upgraded product.

The contingent resource estimate for the Kirby Lease set forth below is presented as the "best estimate" of the quantity that will actually be recovered, meaning that it is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the best estimate, and if probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the best estimate. The recovery and resource estimates provided herein are estimates only. Actual contingent resources (and any volumes that may be reclassified as reserves) and future production from such contingent resources may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein.

    Best Estimate
of Contingent
Bitumen Resources
As of December 31, 2008
   

    (MMbbls )  
Wabiskaw Formation (initial project development area)   118    
McMurray North   191    
McMurray South   105    

Total Kirby Lease Contingent Resource Estimate   414    

There is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce, or that Enerplus will produce, any portion of the volumes currently classified as "contingent resources". The primary contingencies which currently prevent the classification of Enerplus' disclosed contingent resources associated with the Kirby Project as "reserves" consist of: further reservoir studies; delineation drilling; facility design; preparation of firm development plans including determination of the specific scope and timing of the project; requirement for regulatory approvals; the uncertainty regarding marketing plans for production from the subject areas; improved estimation of project costs; and Enerplus' internal approvals. There are a number of inherent risks and contingencies associated with the development of the Kirby Project, including commodity price fluctuations, project costs and those other risks and contingencies described above and under "Risk Factors" in this Annual Information Form and particularly under "Risk Factors – Risks Related to Enerplus' Business and Operations – The Kirby Project is in the early development stage and is subject to numerous risks".

For additional information regarding the disclosure of contingent resources, see "Presentation of Enerplus' Oil and Gas Reserves, Resources and Production Information – Disclosure of Contingent Resources".

Laricina:

In 2005, Enerplus formed a joint venture with Laricina, a private oil sands company focused on SAGD development in the Athabasca oil sands fairway that is led by the former Chief Executive Officer of Deer Creek Energy Limited. As part of this joint venture, Enerplus swapped a 1% working interest in the Joslyn oil sands lease for approximately 20% equity value in Laricina. Enerplus now estimates that it owns approximately 12% of the total outstanding equity of Laricina. Included in the sale was an area of mutual interest agreement which was designed to allow Enerplus and Laricina to jointly pursue additional in-situ oil sands ventures. Enerplus has participated in four land acquisitions with Laricina since the sale, and the agreement has now expired. In 2008, Enerplus invested a minimal amount in respect of these landholdings.

16      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Other Conventional Oil and Gas Assets

GRAPHIC

In addition to the play types outlined above, Enerplus also owns other conventional oil and natural gas assets across western Canada. These assets include a diversified portfolio of similar working interests in both operated and non-operated crude oil and natural gas projects and consist of various reservoir types. Major conventional assets include the Brooks, Chinchaga, Valhalla, Progress and Shorncliff properties in Alberta. Production from these other conventional oil and natural gas properties represented approximately 31% of Enerplus' average daily production in 2008, and these other conventional oil and gas reserves accounted for approximately 26% of Enerplus' estimated total Proved plus Probable Reserves as of December 31, 2008. Enerplus operates approximately 55% of the production from these assets and controls approximately 70% of the capital spending on these assets.

Major facilities included in Enerplus' conventional oil and natural gas properties include: (i) a 22% interest in the oil emulsion treating and water disposal facility at Hayter, Alberta; (ii) a 100% interest in the Pine Creek gas compression facility, (iii) an 11% interest in the Progress sour gas plant; (iv) a 15% interest in the Sylvan Lake gas plant, (v) an 8% interest in the Minnehik Buck Lake sour gas plant, (vi) a 9% interest in the Hanlan-Robb gas plant, (vii) a 100% interest in Brooks North and South Oil batteries and water disposal facilities, and (viii) a 2% interest in the Ram River sweetening and refrigeration facility.

Capital investment on these other conventional oil and natural gas properties of $104 million in 2008 was slightly lower than in 2007. These expenditures comprised approximately 18% of Enerplus' aggregate capital spending in 2008 and 20% of Enerplus' 2008 conventional oil and gas expenditures, down from 33% of Enerplus' conventional spending in 2007 as Enerplus placed increased focus on its core resource plays in 2008.

As a result of Enerplus continuing to concentrate its capital spending in its core resource play areas, coupled with the decrease in commodity prices in effect in early 2009, Enerplus expects that, in 2009, its investment in this category will decrease significantly to approximately $35 million, representing a reduction of 66% as compared to 2008. Enerplus will monitor economic conditions throughout the year and will be prepared to adjust its allocation of capital among the various play types as required.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      17


QUARTERLY PRODUCTION HISTORY

The following table sets forth Enerplus' average daily production volumes, on a company interest basis, for each fiscal quarter in 2008 and for the entire year, separately for production in Canada and the United States, and in total.

    Year Ended December 31, 2008
    First
Quarter
  Second
Quarter
  Third
Quarter
  Fourth
Quarter
  Total for
Year
 

 
Canada                      
Crude oil                      
  Light and medium oil (bbls/d)   16,192   17,429   16,756   17,253   16,905  
  Heavy oil (bbls/d)   7,542   8,223   8,728   8,869   8,343  

 
Total crude oil (bbls/d)   23,734   25,652   25,484   26,122   25,248  
Natural gas liquids (bbls/d)   4,603   4,810   4,557   4,529   4,627  

 
Total liquids (bbls/d)   28,337   30,462   30,041   30,651   29,875  
Natural gas (Mcf/d)   295,799   346,554   329,047   333,046   326,138  

 
Total Canada (BOE/d)   77,637   88,221   84,883   86,158   84,232  

 

United States

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Light and medium crude oil (bbls/d)   9,522   9,834   8,635   9,312   9,333  
Natural gas (Mcf/d)   11,947   12,795   12,756   13,393   12,731  

 
Total United States (BOE/d)   11,513   11,967   10,761   11,544   11,455  

 

Total Enerplus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Crude oil                      
  Light and medium oil (bbls/d)   25,714   27,263   25,391   26,565   26,238  
  Heavy oil (bbls/d)   7,542   8,223   8,728   8,869   8,343  

 
Total crude oil (bbls/d)   33,256   35,486   34,119   35,434   34,581  
Natural gas liquids (bbls/d)   4,603   4,810   4,557   4,529   4,627  

 
Total liquids (bbls/d)   37,859   40,296   38,676   39,963   39,208  
Natural gas (Mcf/d)   307,746   359,349   341,803   346,439   338,869  

 
Total Enerplus (BOE/d)   89,150   100,188   95,644   97,702   95,687  

 

18      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


QUARTERLY NETBACK HISTORY

The following tables set forth Enerplus' average netbacks received for each fiscal quarter in 2008 and for the entire year, separately for production in Canada and the United States. Netbacks are calculated on the basis of prices received before the effects of commodity derivative instruments but after transportation costs, less related royalties and related production costs. For multiple product well types, production costs are entirely attributed to that well's principal product type. As a result, no production costs are attributed to Enerplus' NGLs production or United States natural gas production as those costs have been attributed to the applicable wells' principal product type.

    Year Ended December 31, 2008
Light and Medium Crude Oil ($ per bbl)     First
Quarter
    Second
Quarter
    Third
Quarter
    Fourth
Quarter
    Total for
Year
   

 
Canada                                  
Sales price(1)   $ 90.19   $ 116.75   $ 114.10   $ 56.83   $ 94.41    
Royalties     (13.25 )   (18.34 )   (18.17 )   (8.62 )   (14.60 )  
Production costs(2)     (17.23 )   (19.41 )   (21.20 )   (20.99 )   (19.75 )  

 
Netback   $ 59.71   $ 79.00   $ 74.73   $ 27.22   $ 60.06    

 

United States

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Sales price(1)   $ 90.30   $ 118.27   $ 112.02   $ 56.02   $ 94.09    
Royalties(3)     (19.88 )   (26.14 )   (24.93 )   (12.35 )   (20.78 )  
Production costs(2)     (3.89 )   (5.82 )   (5.91 )   (5.64 )   (5.30 )  

 
Netback   $ 66.53   $ 86.31   $ 81.18   $ 38.03   $ 68.01    

 

Total Enerplus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Sales price(1)   $ 90.23   $ 117.30   $ 113.39   $ 56.55   $ 94.30    
Royalties(3)     (15.70 )   (21.15 )   (20.47 )   (9.93 )   (16.80 )  
Production costs(2)     (12.29 )   (14.51 )   (16.00 )   (15.61 )   (14.61 )  

 
Netback   $ 62.24   $ 81.64   $ 76.92   $ 31.01   $ 62.89    

 
 
    Year Ended December 31, 2008
Heavy Oil ($ per bbl)     First
Quarter
    Second
Quarter
    Third
Quarter
    Fourth
Quarter
    Total for
Year
   

 
Canada/Total Enerplus                                  
Sales price(1)   $ 74.45   $ 99.85   $ 101.31   $ 46.07   $ 80.15    
Royalties     (14.67 )   (18.70 )   (19.29 )   (9.12 )   (15.39 )  
Production costs(2)     (12.47 )   (17.68 )   (14.40 )   (16.68 )   (15.38 )  

 
Netback   $ 47.31   $ 63.47   $ 67.62   $ 20.27   $ 49.38    

 
 
    Year Ended December 31, 2008
Natural Gas Liquids ($ per bbl)     First
Quarter
    Second
Quarter
    Third
Quarter
    Fourth
Quarter
    Total for
Year
   

 
Canada/Total Enerplus                                  
Sales price(1)   $ 69.75   $ 80.55   $ 81.20   $ 43.55   $ 68.93    
Royalties     (17.83 )   (22.66 )   (20.95 )   (8.90 )   (17.64 )  
Production costs(2)                        

 
Netback   $ 51.92   $ 57.89   $ 60.25   $ 34.65   $ 51.29    

 

(continues on next page)

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      19


 
    Year Ended December 31, 2008
Natural Gas ($ per Mcf)     First
Quarter
    Second
Quarter
    Third
Quarter
    Fourth
Quarter
    Total for
Year
   

 
Canada                                  
Sales price(1)   $ 7.47   $ 9.80   $ 8.17   $ 7.01   $ 8.14    
Royalties     (1.42 )   (1.88 )   (1.54 )   (1.34 )   (1.55 )  
Production costs(2)     (1.29 )   (1.17 )   (1.35 )   (1.08 )   (1.22 )  

 
Netback   $ 4.76   $ 6.75   $ 5.28   $ 4.59   $ 5.37    

 

United States

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Sales price(1)   $ 8.95   $ 11.80   $ 10.39   $ 4.81   $ 8.93    
Royalties(3)     (1.28 )   (2.11 )   (1.76 )   (0.86 )   (1.50 )  
Production costs(2)                        

 
Netback   $ 7.67   $ 9.69   $ 8.63   $ 3.95   $ 7.43    

 

Total Enerplus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Sales price(1)   $ 7.52   $ 9.87   $ 8.25   $ 6.92   $ 8.17    
Royalties(3)     (1.41 )   (1.89 )   (1.54 )   (1.32 )   (1.55 )  
Production costs(2)     (1.24 )   (1.12 )   (1.30 )   (1.04 )   (1.17 )  

 
Netback   $ 4.87   $ 6.86   $ 5.41   $ 4.56   $ 5.45    

 
 
    Year Ended December 31, 2008
Total ($ per BOE)     First
Quarter
    Second
Quarter
    Third
Quarter
    Fourth
Quarter
    Total for
Year
   

 
Canada                                  
Sales price(1)   $ 58.85   $ 76.58   $ 70.00   $ 45.97   $ 62.97    
Royalties     (10.65 )   (13.98 )   (12.65 )   (8.30 )   (11.42 )  
Production costs(2)     (9.72 )   (10.06 )   (10.90 )   (10.09 )   (10.20 )  

 
Netback   $ 38.48   $ 52.54   $ 46.45   $ 27.58   $ 41.35    

 

United States

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Sales price(1)   $ 83.97   $ 109.81   $ 102.20   $ 50.77   $ 86.59    
Royalties(3)     (17.77 )   (23.73 )   (22.09 )   (10.96 )   (18.60 )  
Production costs(2)     (3.22 )   (4.79 )   (4.74 )   (4.55 )   (4.32 )  

 
Netback   $ 62.98   $ 81.29   $ 75.37   $ 35.26   $ 63.67    

 

Total Enerplus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Sales price(1)   $ 62.10   $ 80.56   $ 73.62   $ 46.54   $ 65.79    
Royalties(3)     (11.57 )   (15.14 )   (13.71 )   (8.61 )   (12.27 )  
Production costs(2)     (8.88 )   (9.43 )   (10.21 )   (9.44 )   (9.50 )  

 
Netback   $ 41.65   $ 55.99   $ 49.70   $ 28.49   $ 44.02    

 

Notes:

(1)
Net of transportation costs but before the effects of commodity derivative instruments.
(2)
Production costs are costs incurred to operate and maintain wells and related equipment and facilities, including operating costs of support equipment used in oil and gas activities and other costs of operating and maintaining those wells and related equipment and facilities. Examples of production costs include items such as field staff labour costs, costs of materials, supplies and fuel consumed and supplies utilized in operating the wells and related equipment (such as power, chemicals and lease rentals), repairs and maintenance costs, property taxes, insurance costs, costs of workovers, net processing and treating fees, overhead fees, taxes (other than income, capital, withholding or U.S. state production taxes) and other costs.
(3)
Includes U.S. state production taxes.

20      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


ABANDONMENT AND RECLAMATION COSTS

In connection with its operations, Enerplus will incur abandonment and reclamation costs for surface leases, wells, facilities and pipelines. Enerplus budgets for and recognizes as a liability the estimated present value of the future asset retirement obligations associated with its property, plant and equipment. Enerplus estimates such costs through a model that incorporates data from Enerplus' operating history, industry information sources and cost formulas used by Alberta's Energy Resources Conservation Board, together with other operating assumptions. Enerplus expects all of its net wells to incur these costs. Enerplus anticipates the total amount of such costs, net of estimated salvage value for such equipment, to be approximately $644 million on an undiscounted basis and $103 million discounted at 10%. The calculations of future net revenue under "Oil and Natural Gas Reserves" in this Annual Information Form have excluded approximately $301 million on an undiscounted basis and $29 million discounted at 10% as these calculations do not reflect any costs for abandonment and reclamation for facilities and wells for which no reserves have been attributed. In the next three financial years, Enerplus anticipates that a total of approximately $52.4 million on an undiscounted basis and $45.5 million discounted at 10% will be incurred in respect of abandonment and reclamation costs.

TAX HORIZON

Canada

Under Enerplus' current structure, taxable income of the Canadian Operating Subsidiaries is transferred through interest, royalty and other distribution payments to the Fund, which in turn, allocates all of its taxable income to its unitholders. No material cash Canadian income taxes were paid by the Fund or its Canadian Operating Subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2008. However, an income tax liability of $24 million was triggered in 2008 in connection with the acquisition of Focus but was included in the assumed working capital liabilities. Enerplus anticipates that the majority of these payments will be recovered.

As described in further detail under "General Development of Enerplus Resources Fund – Developments in the Past Three Years – Changes to Taxation of Income Trusts and Enerplus' Strategy Post-2010" and "Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Enerplus' Structure and Ownership of the Trust Units", the Canadian federal government has implemented the SIFT Tax which will generally tax income trusts beginning in 2011 at the same effective tax rates as Canadian corporations. The most important variables that will determine the level of cash taxes incurred by Enerplus in a given year will be the price of crude oil and natural gas, capital spending and the amount of tax pools at the time of conversion.

With the current forward prices for commodity prices and its current plans with respect to production, costs and capital spending, Enerplus does not expect a significant change to its overall tax costs until 2013, even if it were to convert to a corporation during 2010. Even after 2013, Enerplus expects that its capital spending will help shelter taxes and would expect cash taxes to average approximately 15% of cash flow, which is not dissimilar to other oil and gas production companies. If crude oil and natural gas prices were to strengthen beyond the levels anticipated by the current forward market, Enerplus' tax pools would be utilized more quickly and it may experience higher than expected cash taxes or payment of such taxes in an earlier time period. However, Enerplus emphasizes that it is difficult to give guidance on future taxability as it operates within an industry that constantly changes given acquisitions, divestments, capital spending, distributions and overall commodity prices. See "Risk Factors – Risks Related to Enerplus' Structure and the Ownership of the Trust Units – Changes in tax or other laws may adversely affect unitholders."

United States

A total of $47.8 million of U.S. income related cash taxes were incurred with respect to U.S. operations during the year ended December 31, 2008. Enerplus' U.S. operations are subject to income taxes payable on the taxable income determined under U.S. income tax rules and regulations. As funds are repatriated back to Canada, withholding taxes as required by U.S. tax law would become payable. As a result, Enerplus' U.S. operations are expected to continue to incur U.S. income related cash taxes in the future.

For additional information, see Notes 1(h) and 11 to the Fund's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the information under the heading "Taxes" in the Fund's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2008.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      21



MARKETING ARRANGEMENTS AND FORWARD CONTRACTS

Crude Oil and NGLs

Enerplus' crude oil and NGLs production is marketed to a diverse portfolio of intermediaries and end users on 30 day continuously renewing contracts whose terms fluctuate with monthly spot market prices. Enerplus received an average price (net of transportation costs but before the effects of commodity derivative instruments) of $94.30/bbl for its light and medium crude oil, $80.15/bbl for its heavy crude oil and $68.93/bbl for its NGLs for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to $70.31/bbl for its light and medium crude oil, $50.14/bbl for its heavy crude oil and $51.35/bbl for its NGLs for the year ended December 31, 2007. Enerplus has a transportation commitment to deliver 2,480 bbls/d of Canadian production on the Plains Marketing Canada Joarcam Pipeline until March 31, 2010.

Natural Gas

In marketing its natural gas production, Enerplus' efforts are directed to achieve a mix of contracts and customers. Enerplus sells approximately one-fifth of its natural gas production under aggregator contracts wherein a large pool of reserve-based natural gas production is aggregated, managed and sold at AECO and downstream under long term transportation and sales contracts to a variety of end users. These entire sales proceeds and transportation costs are pooled and shared equitably to all supply producers. In 2008, these aggregator contracts returned a price slightly lower than the monthly Alberta spot market price. Effective January 1, 2009, Enerplus' aggregator commitments were reduced to approximately 6% of Enerplus' natural gas production due to the decontracting of two of the three aggregator commitments.

Enerplus' percentage of 2008 revenues attributable to natural gas (net of transportation costs but before the effects of commodity derivative instruments) was 45% compared to 41% in 2007. The average price received by Enerplus (net of transportation costs but before the effects of commodity derivative instruments) for its natural gas in 2008 was $8.17/Mcf compared to $6.45/Mcf in the year ended December 31, 2007. Within its sales portfolio of aggregator, downstream and spot natural gas, Enerplus sold approximately 84% of its natural gas split evenly between the daily and monthly AECO market indices and 16% against the monthly NYMEX indices.

As of December 31, 2008, Enerplus held 5 MMcf/d of firm transportation commitments on the Alliance Pipeline, in effect until October 31, 2015, under which Enerplus delivers natural gas into the U.S. Midwest area. Effective January 1, 2009, Enerplus acquired an additional 4 MMcf/d of direct transportation commitments on the Alliance Pipeline through 2015, which were previously held by an aggregator on behalf of Enerplus. Prior to their expiry in 2008, Enerplus also held transportation commitments into the U.S. Midwest of 10 MMcf/d on each of the Foothills and Northern Border pipelines and 5 MMcf/d on each of the TransCanada and Viking pipelines. These contracts were not renewed. The remainder of Enerplus' natural gas production is sold primarily in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia at prevailing spot market prices. Enerplus holds multiple contracts of various terms greater than one year for transportation on the major gathering pipeline systems of those provinces. The contracts comprise approximately 143 MMcf/d in Alberta, 48 MMcf/d in British Columbia and approximately 70 MMcf/d in Saskatchewan.

Future Commitments and Forward Contracts

Enerplus may use various types of derivative financial instruments and fixed price physical sales contracts to manage the risk related to fluctuating commodity prices. Absent such hedging activities, all of the crude oil and NGLs and the majority of natural gas production of Enerplus is sold into the open market at prevailing market prices, which exposes Enerplus to the risks associated with commodity price fluctuations and foreign exchange rates. See "Risk Factors". Information regarding Enerplus' financial instruments is contained in Note 12 to the Fund's audited annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 and under the headings "Pricing" and "Price Risk Management" in the Fund's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2008, each of which is available through the internet on Enerplus' website at www.enerplus.com, on Enerplus' SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

22      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Oil and Natural Gas Reserves

SUMMARY OF RESERVES

All of Enerplus' reserves, including its U.S. reserves, have been evaluated in accordance with NI 51-101. Sproule, an independent petroleum consulting firm based in Calgary, Alberta, has evaluated properties which comprise approximately 93% of the net present value (discounted at 10%, using forecast prices and costs) of Enerplus' Proved plus Probable Canadian conventional oil and natural gas reserves. Enerplus has evaluated the balance of the Canadian conventional properties using similar evaluation parameters, including the same forecast price, inflation and exchange rate assumptions utilized by Sproule. Sproule has reviewed Enerplus' evaluation of these properties.

NSAI, independent petroleum consultants based in Dallas, Texas, have evaluated all of Enerplus' conventional oil and natural gas reserves located in the United States. For internal consistency in Enerplus' reserves reporting, NSAI has used Sproule's forecast prices, inflation and exchange rates.

The following sections and tables summarize, as at December 31, 2008, Enerplus' oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves and the estimated net present values of future net revenues associated with such reserves, together with certain information, estimates and assumptions associated with such reserve estimates. All information relating to Canadian reserves is contained in the Sproule Report and all information relating to United States reserves is contained in the NSAI Report. The data contained in the tables is a summary of the evaluations, and as a result the tables may contain slightly different numbers than the evaluations themselves due to rounding. Additionally, the numbers in the tables may not add due to rounding.

All estimates of future net revenues are stated prior to provision for interest and general and administrative expenses and after deduction of royalties and estimated future capital expenditures, and both before and after income taxes. Enerplus' U.S. operations are subject to cash income taxes, and as a result Enerplus' U.S. reserves are disclosed net of the taxes Enerplus estimates will be payable after taking into account inter-company debt within Enerplus' structure. The Canadian federal government has implemented the SIFT Tax which is designed to generally tax income trusts such as Enerplus at the same effective tax rates as Canadian corporations, effective for the 2011 tax year, and the after-tax estimates of the net present value of future net revenue from Enerplus' reserves include the estimated impact of the SIFT Tax. The estimated net present value of future net revenues attributable to Enerplus' reserves in Alberta is based upon the new Alberta royalty framework which was passed into law in December 2008 as well as the transitional royalty rates made available to oil and gas producers in respect of certain new wells spud on or after November 19, 2008, but does not include the effects of the short-term royalty incentives announced by the Government of Alberta on March 3, 2009. For additional information, see "General Development of Enerplus Resources Fund – Developments in the Past Three Years", "Operational Information – Tax Horizon", "Industry Conditions" and "Risk Factors" in this Annual Information Form.

With respect to pricing information in the following reserves information, the wellhead oil prices were adjusted for quality and transportation based on historical actual prices. The natural gas prices were adjusted, where necessary, based on historical pricing based on heating values and the differing costs of service applied by various purchasers. The NGLs prices were adjusted to reflect historical average prices received.

It should not be assumed that the present worth of estimated future cash flows shown below is representative of the fair market value of the reserves. There is no assurance that such price and cost assumptions will be attained and variances could be material. The recovery and reserve estimates of Enerplus' crude oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves provided herein are estimates only. Actual reserves may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein. Readers should review the definitions and information contained in "Presentation of Enerplus' Oil and Gas Reserves, Resources and Production Information" in conjunction with the following tables and notes.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      23


Summary of Oil and Gas Reserves
As of December 31, 2008
Forecast Prices and Costs

    OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES
    Light & Medium Oil
  Heavy Oil
  Natural Gas
RESERVES CATEGORY   Company Interest   Gross   Net   Company Interest   Gross   Net   Company Interest   Gross   Net  

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)  
Proved Developed Producing                                      
  Canada   64,043   63,348   55,873   26,979   26,944   22,273   813,021   794,745   675,720  
  United States   23,159   23,101   19,369         33,928   25,044   29,765  

 
 
  Total   87,202   86,449   75,242   26,979   26,944   22,273   846,949   819,789   705,485  

 
 
Proved Developed Non-Producing                                      
  Canada   243   243   211         15,355   15,352   11,625  
  United States   1,216   1,216   1,011         1,532   991   1,366  

 
 
  Total   1,459   1,459   1,222         16,887   16,343   12,991  

 
 
Proved Undeveloped                                      
  Canada   4,139   4,129   3,660   6,160   6,160   4,859   197,490   195,947   171,020  
  United States   1,753   1,753   1,473         5,208   1,936   4,897  

 
 
  Total   5,892   5,882   5,133   6,160   6,160   4,859   202,698   197,883   175,917  

 
 
Total Proved Reserves                    
  Canada   68,425   67,720   59,744   33,139   33,104   27,132   1,025,866   1,006,044   858,365  
  United States   26,128   26,070   21,853         40,668   27,971   36,028  

 
 
  Total   94,553   93,790   81,597   33,139   33,104   27,132   1,066,534   1,034,015   894,393  

 
 
Probable Reserves                                      
  Canada   19,274   19,045   16,017   12,790   12,765   10,148   397,651   391,623   331,274  
  United States   6,867   6,850   5,748         23,483   17,702   20,557  

 
 
  Total   26,141   25,895   21,765   12,790   12,765   10,148   421,134   409,325   351,831  

 
 
Total Proved Plus Probable Reserves                                      
  Canada   87,699   86,765   75,761   45,929   45,869   37,280   1,423,517   1,397,667   1,189,639  
  United States   32,995   32,920   27,601         64,151   45,673   56,585  

 
 
  Total   120,694   119,685   103,362   45,929   45,869   37,280   1,487,668   1,443,340   1,246,224  

 
 

(continues on next page)

24      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


 
    OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES
    Natural Gas Liquids
  Total
RESERVES CATEGORY   Company Interest   Gross   Net   Company Interest   Gross   Net  

 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)  
Proved Developed Producing                          
  Canada   11,416   11,222   8,101   237,942   233,972   198,867  
  United States   80     80   28,894   27,275   24,410  

 
  Total   11,496   11,222   8,181   266,836   261,247   223,277  

 
Proved Developed Non-Producing                          
  Canada   360   359   259   3,162   3,160   2,408  
  United States   4     4   1,475   1,380   1,244  

 
  Total   364   359   263   4,637   4,540   3,652  

 
Proved Undeveloped                          
  Canada   1,163   1,157   877   44,377   44,104   37,899  
  United States   29     29   2,650   2,076   2,318  

 
  Total   1,192   1,157   906   47,027   46,180   40,217  

 
Total Proved Reserves                          
  Canada   12,939   12,738   9,237   285,481   281,236   239,174  
  United States   113     113   33,019   30,731   27,972  

 
  Total   13,052   12,738   9,350   318,500   311,967   267,146  

 
Probable Reserves                          
  Canada   4,714   4,648   3,368   103,053   101,729   84,745  
  United States   51     51   10,832   9,801   9,225  

 
  Total   4,765   4,648   3,419   113,885   111,530   93,970  

 
Total Proved Plus Probable Reserves                          
  Canada   17,653   17,386   12,605   388,534   382,965   323,919  
  United States   164     164   43,851   40,532   37,197  

 
  Total   17,817   17,386   12,769   432,385   423,497   361,116  

 

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      25


Summary of Net Present Value of Future Net Revenue
Attributable to Oil and Gas Reserves
As of December 31, 2008
Forecast Prices and Costs

    NET PRESENT VALUE OF FUTURE NET REVENUE DISCOUNTED AT (%/YEAR)
       
    Before Deducting Income Taxes
  After Deducting Income Taxes
    Unit  
RESERVES CATEGORY   0%   5%   10%   15%   20%   0%   5%   10%   15%   20%     Value(1)  

 
 
    (in $ millions)     ($/BOE)  
Proved developed producing                                                
  Canada   9,018   5,817   4,359   3,521   2,972   7,560   5,055   3,880   3,190   2,730   $ 21.92  
  United States   1,348   914   685   548   459   1,013   693   523   420   352   $ 28.06  

 
 
  Total   10,366   6,731   5,044   4,069   3,431   8,573   5,748   4,403   3,610   3,082   $ 22.59  

 
 
Proved developed non-producing                                                
  Canada   107   75   57   45   38   89   64   50   40   34   $ 23.67  
  United States   66   45   32   25   18   38   26   17   13   10   $ 25.72  

 
 
  Total   173   120   89   70   56   127   90   67   53   44   $ 24.37  

 
 
Proved undeveloped                                                
  Canada   1,102   662   414   260   157   897   518   313   186   101   $ 10.92  
  United States   75   42   24   12   5   55   32   19   10   4   $ 10.35  

 
 
  Total   1,177   704   438   272   162   952   550   332   196   105   $ 10.89  

 
 
Total Proved                                                
  Canada   10,227   6,554   4,830   3,826   3,167   8,546   5,637   4,243   3,416   2,865   $ 20.19  
  United States   1,489   1,001   741   585   482   1,106   751   559   443   366   $ 26.49  

 
 
  Total   11,716   7,555   5,571   4,411   3,649   9,652   6,388   4,802   3,859   3,231   $ 20.85  

 
 
Probable                                                
  Canada   4,625   2,083   1,197   789   565   3,484   1,581   914   607   438   $ 14.12  
  United States   644   279   155   101   73   412   174   94   59   41   $ 16.80  

 
 
  Total   5,269   2,362   1,352   890   638   3,896   1,755   1,008   666   479   $ 14.39  

 
 
Proved Plus Probable                                                
  Canada   14,852   8,637   6,027   4,615   3,732   12,030   7,218   5,157   4,023   3,303   $ 18.61  
  United States   2,133   1,280   896   686   555   1,518   925   653   502   407   $ 24.09  

 
 
  Total   16,985   9,917   6,923   5,301   4,287   13,548   8,143   5,810   4,525   3,710   $ 19.17  

 
 

Note:

(1)
Calculated using net present value of future net revenue before deducting income taxes, discounted at 10% per year. The unit values are based on net reserves volumes.

26      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Summary of Oil and Gas Reserves
As of December 31, 2008
Constant Prices and Costs

    OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES
    Light & Medium Oil
  Heavy Oil
  Natural Gas
RESERVES CATEGORY   Company Interest   Gross   Net   Company Interest   Gross   Net   Company Interest   Gross   Net  

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)  
Proved Developed Producing                                      
  Canada   55,649   54,957   51,833   21,975   21,940   19,458   781,856   763,647   670,709  
  United States   21,002   20,948   17,568         30,731   21,895   27,096  

 
 
  Total   76,651   75,905   69,401   21,975   21,940   19,458   812,587   785,542   697,805  
Proved Developed Non-Producing                                      
  Canada   207   207   188         15,273   15,270   12,335  
  United States   1,215   1,215   1,011         1,533   991   1,366  

 
 
  Total   1,422   1,422   1,199         16,806   16,261   13,701  

 
 
Proved Undeveloped                                      
  Canada   3,610   3,600   3,360   5,569   5,569   4,890   176,047   174,687   155,073  
  United States   610   610   524         3,880   628   3,793  

 
 
  Total   4,220   4,210   3,884   5,569   5,569   4,890   179,927   175,315   158,866  

 
 
Total Proved Reserves                                      
  Canada   59,466   58,764   55,381   27,544   27,509   24,348   973,176   953,604   838,117  
  United States   22,827   22,773   19,103         36,144   23,514   32,255  

 
 
  Total   82,293   81,537   74,484   27,544   27,509   24,348   1,009,320   977,118   870,372  

 
 
Probable Reserves                                      
  Canada   18,256   18,029   16,733   10,771   10,746   9,416   392,021   385,903   340,234  
  United States   6,386   6,370   5,350         20,061   15,335   17,534  

 
 
  Total   24,642   24,399   22,083   10,771   10,746   9,416   412,082   401,238   357,768  

 
 
Total Proved Plus Probable Reserves                                      
  Canada   77,722   76,793   72,114   38,315   38,255   33,764   1,365,197   1,339,507   1,178,351  
  United States   29,213   29,143   24,453         56,205   38,849   49,789  

 
 
  Total   106,935   105,936   96,567   38,315   38,255   33,764   1,421,402   1,378,356   1,228,140  

 
 

(continues on next page)

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      27


 
    OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES
    Natural Gas Liquids
  Total
RESERVES CATEGORY   Company Interest   Gross   Net   Company Interest   Gross   Net  

 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)  
Proved Developed Producing                          
  Canada   10,914   10,719   7,747   218,848   214,891   190,823  
  United States   79     79   26,203   24,597   22,163  

 
  Total   10,993   10,719   7,826   245,051   239,488   212,986  

 
Proved Developed Non-Producing                          
  Canada   357   357   259   3,108   3,108   2,502  
  United States   6     6   1,476   1,380   1,245  

 
  Total   363   357   265   4,584   4,488   3,747  

 
Proved Undeveloped                          
  Canada   1,147   1,141   864   39,668   39,425   34,960  
  United States   28     28   1,285   715   1,184  

 
  Total   1,175   1,141   892   40,953   40,140   36,144  

 
Total Proved Reserves                          
  Canada   12,418   12,217   8,870   261,624   257,424   228,285  
  United States   113     113   28,964   26,692   24,592  

 
  Total   12,531   12,217   8,983   290,588   284,116   252,877  

 
Probable Reserves                          
  Canada   4,514   4,449   3,230   98,878   97,541   86,085  
  United States   41     41   9,771   8,926   8,313  

 
  Total   4,555   4,449   3,271   108,649   106,467   94,398  

 
Total Proved Plus Probable Reserves                          
  Canada   16,932   16,666   12,100   360,502   354,965   314,370  
  United States   154     154   38,735   35,618   32,905  

 
  Total   17,086   16,666   12,254   399,237   390,583   347,275  

 

28      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Summary of Net Present Value of Future Net Revenue
Attributable to Oil and Gas Reserves
As of December 31, 2008
Constant Prices and Costs

    NET PRESENT VALUE OF FUTURE NET REVENUE DISCOUNTED AT (%/YEAR)
       
    Before Deducting Income Taxes
  After Deducting Income Taxes
    Unit  
RESERVES CATEGORY   0%   5%   10%   15%   20%   0%   5%   10%   15%   20%     Value(1)  

 
 
    (in $ millions)     ($/BOE)  
Proved Developed Producing                                                
  Canada   3,816   2,881   2,355   2,011   1,767   3,597   2,763   2,283   1,964   1,734   $ 12.34  
  United States   553   428   351   299   262   464   378   318   275   243   $ 15.84  

 
 
  Total   4,369   3,309   2,706   2,310   2,029   4,061   3,141   2,601   2,239   1,977   $ 12.71  

 
 
Proved Developed Non-Producing                                                
  Canada   67   51   41   34   28   60   46   36   31   26   $ 16.39  
  United States   29   19   12   8   5   32   20   14   10   7   $ 9.64  

 
 
  Total   96   70   53   42   33   92   66   50   41   33   $ 14.14  

 
 
Proved Undeveloped                                                
  Canada   336   181   83   18   (26 ) 283   146   59   1   (39 ) $ 2.37  
  United States   19   12   8   5   3   22   14   9   5   3   $ 6.76  

 
 
  Total   355   193   91   23   (23 ) 305   160   68   6   (36 ) $ 2.52  

 
 
Total Proved                                                
  Canada   4,219   3,113   2,479   2,063   1,769   3,940   2,955   2,378   1,995   1,721   $ 10.86  
  United States   601   459   371   312   270   518   412   341   290   253   $ 15.09  

 
 
  Total   4,820   3,572   2,850   2,375   2,039   4,458   3,367   2,719   2,285   1,974   $ 11.27  

 
 
Probable                                                
  Canada   1,674   912   574   396   289   1,280   706   451   315   233   $ 6.67  
  United States   209   118   77   55   42   197   104   62   42   30   $ 9.26  

 
 
  Total   1,883   1,030   651   451   331   1,477   810   513   357   263   $ 6.90  

 
 
Proved Plus Probable                                                
  Canada   5,893   4,025   3,053   2,459   2,058   5,220   3,661   2,829   2,310   1,954   $ 9.71  
  United States   810   577   448   367   312   715   516   403   332   283   $ 13.61  

 
 
  Total   6,703   4,602   3,501   2,826   2,370   5,935   4,177   3,232   2,642   2,237   $ 10.08  

 
 

Note:

(1)
Calculated using net present value of future net revenue before deducting income taxes, discounted at 10% per year. The unit values are based on net reserves volumes.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      29


Forecast Prices and Costs

The forecast price and cost case assumes no legislative or regulatory amendments, and includes the effects of inflation. The estimated future net revenue to be derived from the production of the reserves includes the following price forecasts supplied by Sproule and the following inflation and exchange rate assumptions:

    CRUDE OIL
  NATURAL GAS
  NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS
         
    WTI   Edmonton   Hardisty   Cromer   30 day   Henry   Edmonton Par Price
         
Year   Cushing Oklahoma   Par Price 40° API(1)   Heavy 12° API   Medium 29.3° API   spot
@ AECO
  Hub
Price
  Propanes   Butanes   Pentanes Plus   Inflation Rate   Exchange Rate  

 
 
 
    ($US/bbl)   ($Cdn/bbl)   ($Cdn/bbl)   ($Cdn/bbl)   ($Cdn/mmbtu)   ($US/mmbtu)   ($Cdn/bbl)   ($Cdn/bbl)   ($Cdn/bbl)   (%/year)   ($US/$Cdn)  
2009   53.73   65.35   47.05   58.16   6.82   6.30   40.70   51.15   66.93   2.0   0.80  
2010   63.41   72.78   54.58   66.23   7.56   7.32   43.16   54.25   75.54   2.0   0.85  
2011   69.53   79.95   59.96   72.76   7.84   7.56   47.42   59.59   81.88   2.0   0.85  
2012   79.59   86.57   67.53   79.65   8.38   8.49   51.34   64.53   88.66   2.0   0.90  
2013   92.01   94.97   74.08   87.38   9.20   9.74   56.33   70.79   97.27   2.0   0.95  
Thereafter   **   **   **   **   **   **   **   **   **   **   0.95  

 
 
 

Notes:

(1)
Edmonton refinery postings for 40o API, 0.4% sulphur content crude oil.
(2)
Escalation varies after 2013.

In 2008, Enerplus received a weighted average price (net of transportation costs but before hedging) of $80.15/bbl for heavy crude oil, $94.30/bbl for light and medium crude oil, $68.93/bbl for NGLs and $8.17/Mcf for natural gas.

Constant Prices and Costs

The constant price and cost case assumes the continuance of product prices at December 31, 2008 and operating costs projected for 2009, and the continuance of current laws and regulations. Product prices have not been escalated beyond this date nor have operating and capital costs been increased on an inflationary basis. The future net revenue to be received from the production of the reserves was based on the following prices in effect as at December 31, 2008 and the following inflation and exchange rate assumptions:

    CRUDE OIL
  NATURAL GAS
  NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS
         
    WTI   Edmonton   Hardisty   Cromer   30 day   Henry   Edmonton Par Price
         
Year   Cushing Oklahoma   Par Price 40° API(1)   Heavy 12° API   Medium 29.3° API   spot
@ AECO
  Hub
Price
  Propanes   Butanes   Pentanes Plus   Inflation Rate   Exchange Rate  

 
 
 
    ($US/bbl)   ($Cdn/bbl)   ($Cdn/bbl)   ($Cdn/bbl)   ($Cdn/mmbtu)   ($US/mmbtu)   ($Cdn/bbl)   ($Cdn/bbl)   ($Cdn/bbl)   (%/year)   ($US/$Cdn)  
Constant   44.60   45.51   26.11   39.59   6.34   5.63   41.67   38.11   56.19     0.821  

 
 
 

Note:

(1)
Edmonton refinery postings for 40o API, 0.4% sulphur content crude oil.

30      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Undiscounted Future Net Revenue by Reserves Category

The undiscounted total future net revenue by reserves category as of December 31, 2008, using forecast prices and costs, is set forth below:

Reserves Category   Revenue   Royalties and
Production
Taxes
  Operating
Costs
  Develop-
ment
Costs
  Abandon-
ment
and
Reclamation
Costs
  Future Net
Revenue
Before
Income
Taxes
  Income
Taxes
  Revenue
After
Income
Taxes
 

    (in $ millions)
Proved Reserves                                  
  Canada   20,323   3,209   5,943   713   231   10,227   1,681   8,546  
  United States   2,703   674   454   60   26   1,489   383   1,106  

  Total   23,026   3,883   6,397   773   257   11,716   2,064   9,652  

Proved Plus Probable Reserves                                  
  Canada   29,313   4,784   8,535   866   276   14,852   2,822   12,030  
  United States   3,847   956   666   60   32   2,133   615   1,518  

  Total   33,160   5,740   9,201   926   308   16,985   3,437   13,548  

Net Present Value of Future Net Revenue by Reserves Category

The net present value of future net revenue before income taxes by reserves category and production group as of December 31, 2008, using forecast prices and costs and discounted at 10% per year, is set forth below:

Reserves Category   Production Group   Net Present Value of
Future Net Revenue
Before Income Taxes
(Discounted at 10%/year)
    Unit Value(3)  

        (in $ millions)     ($/Bbl/$/Mcf)  
Canada                
Proved Reserves   Light and Medium Crude Oil(1)   1,510   $ 25.27  
    Heavy Oil(1)   707   $ 26.06  
    Natural Gas(2)   2,613   $ 3.27  

Proved Plus Probable Reserves   Light and Medium Crude Oil(1)   1,817   $ 23.98  
    Heavy Oil(1)   885   $ 23.74  
    Natural Gas(2)   3,324   $ 2.99  

United States                
Proved Reserves   Light and Medium Crude Oil(1)   692   $ 31.67  
    Heavy Oil(1)        
    Natural Gas(2)   49   $ 3.88  

Proved Plus Probable Reserves   Light and Medium Crude Oil(1)   830   $ 30.07  
    Heavy Oil(1)        
    Natural Gas(2)   66   $ 3.59  

Notes:

(1)
Including net present value of solution gas and other by-products.
(2)
Including net present value of by-products, but excluding solution gas and by-products from oil wells.
(3)
Calculated using net oil or net gas reserves and forecast price and cost assumptions.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      31


Estimated Production for Gross Reserves Estimates

The volume of production estimated for 2009 in preparing the estimates of gross Proved Reserves and gross Probable Reserves is set forth below. Canadian production has been estimated by Sproule and U.S. production has been estimated by NSAI.

    Gross Proved Reserves
    Canada
  United States
Product Type   Estimated 2009
Aggregate
Production
  Estimated 2009
Average Daily Production
  Estimated 2009
Aggregate
Production
  Estimated 2009
Average Daily Production
 

 
Crude Oil                  
  Light and Medium Crude Oil   5,771 Mbbls   15,812 bbls/d   2,989 Mbbls   8,188 bbls/d  
  Heavy Oil   3,330 Mbbls   9,123 bbls/d   – Mbbls   – bbl/d  

 
Total Crude Oil   9,101 Mbbls   24,935 bbls/d   2,989 Mbbls   8,188 bbls/d  
Natural Gas Liquids   1,508 Mbbls   4,131 bbls/d   – Mbbls   – bbls/d  

 
Total Liquids   10,609 Mbbls   29,066 bbls/d   2,989 Mbbls   8,188 bbls/d  
Natural Gas   114,668 MMcf   314,160 Mcf/d   2,834 MMcf   7,763 Mcf/d  

 
Total   29,721 MBOE   81,426 BOE/d   3,461 MBOE   9,482 BOE/d  

 
 
    Gross Probable Reserves
    Canada
  United States
Product Type   Estimated 2009
Aggregate
Production
  Estimated 2009
Average Daily Production
  Estimated 2009
Aggregate
Production
  Estimated 2009
Average Daily Production
 

 
Crude Oil                  
  Light and Medium Crude Oil   235 Mbbls   644 bbls/d   142 Mbbls   389 bbls/d  
  Heavy Oil   87 Mbbls   238 bbls/d   – Mbbls   – bbl/d   

 
Total Crude Oil   322 Mbbls   882 bbls/d   142 Mbbls   389 bbls/d  
Natural Gas Liquids   88 Mbbls   241 bbls/d   – Mbbl    – bbls/d  

 
Total Liquids   410 Mbbls   1,123 bbls/d   142 Mbbls   389 bbls/d  
Natural Gas   6,014 MMcf   16,474 Mcf/d   406 MMcf   1,112 Mcf/d  

 
Total   1,412 MBOE   3,869 BOE/d   210 MBOE   575 BOE/d  

 

Future Development Costs

The amount of development costs deducted in the estimation of net present value of future net revenue is as follows (see also "Operational Information – Exploration and Development Activities"):

    CANADA
  UNITED STATES
    Proved Reserves
  Proved Plus
Probable Reserves

  Proved Reserves
  Proved Plus
Probable Reserves

Year   Undiscounted   Discounted
at 10%/year
  Undiscounted   Discounted
at 10%/year
  Undiscounted   Discounted
at 10%/year
  Undiscounted   Discounted
at 10%/year
 

 
    (in $ millions)
2009   297   286   338   325   57   55   57   55  
2010   197   170   234   203   3   2   3   2  
2011   148   117   176   138          
2012   50   36   74   53          
2013   15   10   25   16          
Remainder   6   2   19   10          

 
Total   713   621   866   745   60   57   60   57  

 

32      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


RECONCILIATION OF RESERVES

Enerplus replaced approximately 78% of its produced reserves in 2008, essentially keeping its year-end 2008 total Proved plus Probable Reserves consistent as compared to year-end 2007. Through the Focus acquisition and Enerplus' development activities, Enerplus added over 90 MMBOE of Proved plus Probable Reserves. However, the sale of the Joslyn oil sands project and Enerplus' 2008 production more than offset these additions. Enerplus' Proved Reserves as a percentage of total reserves increased by 8% (from 66% at December 31, 2007 to 74% at December 31, 2008) given the higher percentage of Proved Reserves attributable to the Focus assets, whereas the majority of the reserves associated with the Joslyn oil sands lease were in the Probable Reserves category.

In 2008, Enerplus added approximately 20.0 MMBOE of Proved plus Probable Reserves through its conventional development program including: (i) 3.4 MMBOE of Proved plus Probable Reserves added as a result of price forecast revisions by its external independent reserves evaluators as higher long-term prices extended the life and expected reserves in some areas even though the near-term price outlook was lower than in 2007; (ii) 6.0 MMBOE of Proved plus Probable Reserves were added on the Focus assets, primarily at Shackleton and other minor properties; and (iii) 3.0 MMBOE of Proved plus Probable Reserves were added at Sleeping Giant. Since acquiring this property in 2005, reserves have increased by 48% through the addition of 17.4 MMBOE of Proved plus Probable Reserves, including the replacement of 13.3 MMBOE of produced reserves.

However, Enerplus also experienced negative reserves revisions of 13.6 MMBOE, including the following: (i) 5.6 MMBOE were eliminated due to performance issues associated with its Verger, Hanna Garden and Medicine Hat South shallow natural gas properties, as well as with its Mitsue non-operated oil property; (ii) approximately 5.0 MMBOE of reserves were eliminated from Enerplus' shallow natural gas undeveloped locations, the majority of which were at its Medicine Hat North and Verger shallow natural gas properties, where lower than expected results combined with a reduced capital budget have resulted in a reduction in future spending plans on these properties; and (iii) 2.5 MMBOE of reserves were eliminated at Enerplus' Mount Benjamin property, as the operator is not planning on drilling in the current commodity price environment.

The following tables reconcile Enerplus' oil and natural gas reserves (on both a company interest and a gross reserves basis) from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008, by country and in total, using forecast prices and costs. Certain columns may not add due to rounding.

Reconciliation of Company Interest Reserves

CANADA
  Light & Medium Oil
  Heavy Oil
  Bitumen
Factors   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable    

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)    
December 31, 2007   67,386   17,837   85,223   31,215   10,948   42,163   8,568   54,930   63,498    
Acquisitions   3,585   944   4,529                
Divestments               (8,568 ) (54,930 ) (63,498 )  
Discoveries   114   37   151                
Extensions and Improved Recovery   2,922   1,072   3,994   1,899   486   2,385          
Economic Factors   604   303   907   200   171   371          
Technical Revisions   1   (919 ) (918 ) 2,879   1,185   4,064          
Production   (6,187 )   (6,187 ) (3,054 )   (3,054 )        

 
 
December 31, 2008   68,425   19,274   87,699   33,139   12,790   45,929          

 
 

(continues on next page)

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      33


 
CANADA
  Natural Gas Liquids
  Associated and
Non-Associated Gas
(Natural Gas)

  Total
Factors   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable    

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)    
December 31, 2007   11,673   3,797   15,470   829,122   308,276   1,137,398   257,029   138,891   395,920    
Acquisitions   2,714   831   3,545   337,623   119,352   456,975   62,570   21,667   84,237    
Divestments               (8,568 ) (54,930 ) (63,498 )  
Discoveries   6   1   7   635   212   847   226   73   299    
Extensions and Improved Recovery   331   168   499   24,953   7,976   32,929   9,311   3,055   12,366    
Economic Factors   94   32   126   7,961   4,070   12,031   2,225   1,184   3,409    
Technical Revisions   (186 ) (115 ) (301 ) (55,062 ) (42,235 ) (97,297 ) (6,484 ) (6,887 ) (13,371 )  
Production   (1,693 )   (1,693 ) (119,366 )   (119,366 ) (30,828 )   (30,828 )  

 
 
December 31, 2008   12,939   4,714   17,653   1,025,866   397,651   1,423,517   285,481   103,053   388,534    

 
 
 
UNITED STATES
  Light & Medium Oil
  Heavy Oil
  Bitumen
Factors   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable  

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)  
December 31, 2007   26,637   6,719   33,356              
Acquisitions                    
Divestments                    
Discoveries                    
Extensions and Improved Recovery   2,429   521   2,950              
Economic Factors                    
Technical Revisions   465   (373 ) 92              
Production   (3,403 )   (3,403 )            

 
 
December 31, 2008   26,128   6,867   32,995              

 
 
 
UNITED STATES
  Natural Gas Liquids
  Associated and
Non-Associated Gas
(Natural Gas)

  Total
   
Factors   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable    

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)    
December 31, 2007   112   30   142   36,955   27,938   64,893   32,908   11,406   44,314    
Acquisitions                      
Divestments                      
Discoveries                      
Extensions and Improved Recovery   16   11   27   3,940   1,952   5,892   3,102   857   3,959    
Economic Factors                      
Technical Revisions   (2 ) 10   8   4,433   (6,407 ) (1,974 ) 1,202   (1,431 ) (229 )  
Production   (13 )   (13 ) (4,660 )   (4,660 ) (4,193 )   (4,193 )  

 
 
December 31, 2008   113   51   164   40,668   23,483   64,151   33,019   10,832   43,851    

 
 

(continues on next page)

34      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


 
TOTAL ENERPLUS
  Light & Medium Oil
  Heavy Oil
  Bitumen
   
Factors   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable    

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)    
December 31, 2007   94,023   24,556   118,579   31,215   10,948   42,163   8,568   54,930   63,498    
Acquisitions   3,585   944   4,529                
Divestments               (8,568 ) (54,930 ) (63,498 )  
Discoveries   114   37   151                
Extensions and Improved Recovery   5,351   1,593   6,944   1,899   486   2,385          
Economic Factors   604   303   907   200   171   371          
Technical Revisions   466   (1,292 ) (826 ) 2,879   1,185   4,064          
Production   (9,590 )   (9,590 ) (3,054 )   (3,054 )        

 
 
December 31, 2008   94,553   26,141   120,694   33,139   12,790   45,929          

 
 
 
TOTAL ENERPLUS
  Natural Gas Liquids
  Associated and
Non Associated Gas
(Natural Gas)

  Total
   
Factors   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable    

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)    
December 31, 2007   11,785   3,827   15,612   866,077   336,214   1,202,291   289,937   150,297   440,234    
Acquisitions   2,714   831   3,545   337,623   119,352   456,975   62,570   21,667   84,237    
Divestments               (8,568 ) (54,930 ) (63,498 )  
Discoveries   6   1   7   635   212   847   226   73   299    
Extensions and Improved Recovery   347   179   526   28,893   9,928   38,821   12,413   3,912   16,325    
Economic Factors   94   32   126   7,961   4,070   12,031   2,225   1,184   3,409    
Technical Revisions   (188 ) (105 ) (293 ) (50,629 ) (48,642 ) (99,271 ) (5,282 ) (8,318 ) (13,600 )  
Production   (1,706 )   (1,706 ) (124,026 )   (124,026 ) (35,021 )   (35,021 )  

 
 
December 31, 2008   13,052   4,765   17,817   1,066,534   421,134   1,487,668   318,500   113,885   432,385    

 
 

Reconciliation of Gross Reserves

CANADA
  Light & Medium Oil
  Heavy Oil
  Bitumen
   
Factors   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable    

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)    
December 31, 2007   66,672   17,645   84,317   31,175   10,924   42,099   8,568   54,930   63,498    
  Acquisitions   3,582   942   4,524                
  Divestments               (8,568 ) (54,930 ) (63,498 )  
  Discoveries   114   37   151                
  Extensions and Improved Recovery   2,863   1,038   3,901   1,896   486   2,382          
  Economic Factors   604   303   907   200   171   371          
  Technical Revisions   (27 ) (920 ) (947 ) 2,861   1,184   4,045          
  Production   (6,088 )   (6,088 ) (3,028 )   (3,028 )        

 
 
December 31, 2008   67,720   19,045   86,765   33,104   12,765   45,869          

 
 

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ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      35


 
CANADA
  Natural Gas Liquids
  Associated
and Non-Associated Gas
(Natural Gas)

  Total
   
Factors   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable    

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)    
December 31, 2007   11,481   3,730   15,211   804,128   301,400   1,105,528   251,917   137,462   389,379    
  Acquisitions   2,714   831   3,545   337,591   119,332   456,923   62,561   21,662   84,223    
  Divestments               (8,568 ) (54,930 ) (63,498 )  
  Discoveries   6   1   7   617   209   826   223   73   296    
  Extensions and Improved Recovery   322   165   487   24,701   7,875   32,576   9,198   3,001   12,199    
  Economic Factors   94   32   126   7,961   4,070   12,031   2,225   1,184   3,409    
  Technical Revisions   (217 ) (111 ) (328 ) (53,112 ) (41,263 ) (94,375 ) (6,235 ) (6,723 ) (12,958 )  
  Production   (1,662 )   (1,662 ) (115,842 )   (115,842 ) (30,085 )   (30,085 )  

 
 
December 31, 2008   12,738   4,648   17,386   1,006,044   391,623   1,397,667   281,236   101,729   382,965    

 
 
 
UNITED STATES
  Light & Medium Oil
  Heavy Oil
  Bitumen
 
Factors   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable  

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)  
December 31, 2007   26,588   6,703   33,291              
  Acquisitions                    
  Divestments                    
  Discoveries                    
  Extensions and Improved Recovery   2,429   521   2,950              
  Economic Factors                    
  Technical Revisions   435   (374 ) 61              
  Production   (3,382 )   (3,382 )            

 
 
December 31, 2008   26,070   6,850   32,920              

 
 
 
UNITED STATES
  Natural Gas Liquids
  Associated and
Non-Associated Gas
(Natural Gas)

  Total
   
Factors   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable    

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)    
December 31, 2007         24,676   24,551   49,227   30,701   10,795   41,496    
  Acquisitions                      
  Divestments                      
  Discoveries                      
  Extensions and Improved Recovery         2,387   818   3,205   2,827   657   3,484    
  Economic Factors                      
  Technical Revisions         4,242   (7,667 ) (3,425 ) 1,141   (1,651 ) (510 )  
  Production         (3,334 )   (3,334 ) (3,938 )   (3,938 )  

 
 
December 31, 2008         27,971   17,702   45,673   30,731   9,801   40,532    

 
 

(continues on next page)

36      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


 
TOTAL ENERPLUS
  Light & Medium Oil
  Heavy Oil
  Bitumen
   
Factors   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable    

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)    
December 31, 2007   93,260   24,348   117,608   31,175   10,924   42,099   8,568   54,930   63,498    
  Acquisitions   3,582   942   4,524                
  Divestments               (8,568 ) (54,930 ) (63,498 )  
  Discoveries   114   37   151                
  Extensions and Improved Recovery   5,292   1,559   6,851   1,896   486   2,382          
  Economic Factors   604   303   907   200   171   371          
  Technical Revisions   408   (1,294 ) (886 ) 2,861   1,184   4,045          
  Production   (9,470 )   (9,470 ) (3,028 )   (3,028 )        

 
 
December 31, 2008   93,790   25,895   119,685   33,104   12,765   45,869          

 
 
 
TOTAL ENERPLUS
  Natural Gas Liquids
  Associated and
Non-Associated Gas
(Natural Gas)

  Total
   
Factors   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable   Proved   Probable   Proved Plus Probable    

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MMcf)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)   (MBOE)    
December 31, 2007   11,481   3,730   15,211   828,804   325,951   1,154,755   282,618   148,257   430,875    
  Acquisitions   2,714   831   3,545   337,591   119,332   456,923   62,561   21,662   84,223    
  Divestments               (8,568 ) (54,930 ) (63,498 )  
  Discoveries   6   1   7   617   209   826   223   73   296    
  Extensions and Improved Recovery   322   165   487   27,088   8,693   35,781   12,025   3,658   15,683    
  Economic Factors   94   32   126   7,961   4,070   12,031   2,225   1,184   3,409    
  Technical Revisions   (217 ) (111 ) (328 ) (48,870 ) (48,930 ) (97,800 ) (5,094 ) (8,374 ) (13,468 )  
  Production   (1,662 )   (1,662 ) (119,176 )   (119,176 ) (34,023 )   (34,023 )  

 
 
December 31, 2008   12,738   4,648   17,386   1,034,015   409,325   1,443,340   311,967   111,530   423,497    

 
 

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      37


UNDEVELOPED RESERVES

The following tables disclose the volumes of Proved Undeveloped Reserves and Probable Undeveloped Reserves of Enerplus that were first attributed in the years indicated.

Proved Undeveloped Reserves

    Crude Oil
             
Year(1)   Heavy   Light &
Medium
  Bitumen   NGLs   Natural
Gas
  Total  

 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Bcf)   (MBOE)  
Aggregate Prior to 2006   3,797   5,381   9,308   1,274   196.0   52,427  
2006   282   2,551     150   31.0   8,150  
2007   858   4,782     215   24.1   9,865  
2008   1,100   3,496     173   13.6   7,036  

 

Probable Undeveloped Reserves

    Crude Oil
             
Year(1)   Heavy   Light &
Medium
  Bitumen   NGLs   Natural
Gas
  Total  

 
    (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Bcf)   (MBOE)  
Aggregate Prior to 2006   126   4,791   47,747   471   103.7   70,427  
2006   39   1,052   6,935   90   13.0   10,283  
2007   1,007   1,214   4,064   101   17.7   9,342  
2008   665   1,246     169   10.8   3,880  

 

Note:

(1)
First attributed volumes include additions during the year and do not include revisions to previous undeveloped reserves.

Enerplus attributes Proved and Probable Undeveloped Reserves based on accepted engineering and geological practices as defined under NI 51-101. These practices include the determination of reserves based on the presence of commercial test rates from either production tests or drill stem tests, extensions of known accumulations based upon either geological or geophysical information and the optimization of existing fields. Enerplus has been very active for the last several years in drilling and developing these Undeveloped Reserves, and based on the estimates of future capital expenditures, Enerplus expects this to continue.

SIGNIFICANT FACTORS OR UNCERTAINTIES

Other than the factors disclosed or described in the tables above, Enerplus does not anticipate any other significant economic factors or other significant uncertainties which may affect any particular components of its reserves data.

For further information, see "Risk Factors – Enerplus' actual reserves and resources will vary from its reserve and resource estimates, and those variations could be material".

PROVED AND PROBABLE RESERVES NOT ON PRODUCTION

Enerplus has approximately 7,450.0 MBOE of Proved plus Probable Reserves which are capable of production but which, as of December 31, 2008, were not on production. These reserves have generally been non-producing for periods ranging from a few months to more than five years. In general, these reserves are related to commercially producible volumes that are not producing due to production requirements of other reserve formations or zones in the same well bore, or are related to reserves volumes which require the completion of infrastructure before production can begin.

38      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Supplemental Operational Information

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTMENTS

In 2008, Enerplus acquired approximately 84.0 MMBOE of company interest Proved plus Probable conventional oil and natural gas reserves, and approximately 20,000 BOE/d of production (18,000 BOE/d annualized from the closing date) through the acquisition of Focus completed on February 13, 2008, as described under "General Development of Enerplus Resources Fund – Developments in the Past Three Years – Acquisition of Focus Energy Trust". On July 31, 2008, Enerplus completed the sale of its 15% working interest in the Joslyn oil sands lease to Occidental Petroleum Corporation for net proceeds of approximately $502 million, after adjustments and transaction costs, as described under "General Development of Enerplus Resources Fund – Developments in the Past Three Years – Disposition of Josyln Project". The following table outlines all of Enerplus' acquisition and divestment activity in 2008.

2008 Acquisition and Divestment Summary

    Cost/
Proceeds
  Estimated
Proved plus
Probable
Reserves
  Production   Cost of Proved
plus Probable
Reserves
  Cost per Daily
Barrel of
Production
 

Conventional Oil and Natural Gas   (in $ millions)   (MBOE)   (BOE/d)   ($/BOE)   ($/BOE/d)  
Acquisitions, net of divestments   1,770.0 (1) 84,237   20,668   21.01   85,640  

Oil Sands Divestments   502.0   63,498     14.36 (2) n/a  

Notes:

(1)
After adjustment for working capital and excluding future development.
(2)
Includes future development capital.

EQUITY INVESTMENTS

During 2008, Enerplus continued the strategy of investing equity in junior energy businesses with the potential for strategic benefits to Enerplus. To date, Enerplus has made investments in companies involved in conventional exploration and production in Canada and abroad, oil sands development and oil sands infrastructure. The relationships associated with these investments have provided insight into potentially attractive plays and technologies, increased deal flow, competitive advantages on acquisitions and enhanced monetization of non-core assets.

Enerplus may continue the strategy in 2009 on a selective basis. Since the implementation of this strategy, Enerplus has invested approximately $82 million in over ten investments, has realized sales proceeds of over $59 million and has a current portfolio carried at a cost of approximately $47 million at December 31, 2008.

HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT

Enerplus places a high priority on preserving the quality of its environment and protecting the health and safety of its employees, contractors and the public in the communities in which it lives and works. Enerplus actively participates in industry-recognized programs at the highest possible levels in an effort to support continuous improvement.

Health and Safety

Enerplus' 2008 safety performance decreased slightly as compared to Enerplus' performance in 2007 but remained generally better than the average when compared to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers ("CAPP") industry average. In 2008, Enerplus had an employee recordable injury frequency rate of 0.42 injuries per 200,000 man hours compared to 0.17 injuries per 200,000 man hours in 2007. In addition, Enerplus' contractor lost-time injury frequency increased from 0.10 injuries per 200,000 man hours in 2007 to a rate of 0.25 injuries in 2008. While the majority of incidents were of a lower severity, Enerplus endeavours to be proactive in the prevention of all incidents.

Health, safety and environmental ("HSE") risks influence workplace practices, operating costs and the establishment of regulatory standards. Enerplus maintains a comprehensive HSE management system designed to:

increase emphasis on safety awareness and to promote continuous improvement and safety excellence;
provide staff with the training and resources needed to complete work safely;

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      39


incorporate hazard assessment and risk management as an integral part of everyday business; and
monitor performance to ensure that its operations comply with all legal obligations and the internally-imposed standards.

Enerplus continues to research, develop and implement proactive prevention measures and safety management program improvements that are designed to support its continued focus and commitment for an injury-free workplace. Enerplus management maintains its commitment towards improved health and safety performance by supporting a culture in which all employees and contractors embrace safety in their day-to-day activities.

Environment

Enerplus is committed to meeting its responsibilities to protect the environment through a variety of programs and actively monitoring its compliance with all regulators. In particular, Enerplus engages in the following activities:

Enerplus participates in the CAPP Stewardship Program at the highest level (platinum). Enerplus' participation in this program requires its commitment to continuous improvement in its HSE management system, including sound planning and implementation, open communication and demonstrated performance and a thorough external audit of its activities at least once every five years;
Site restoration (remediation, reclamation and abandonment) expenditures increased 20% year-over-year to $24.6 million in 2008. Reclamation and site abandonment expenditures for 2008 totaled $10.3 million, up $2.1 million from 2007 expenditures, due mainly to an increase in the number of wells abandoned during the year. Remediation expenditures for 2008 totaled $14.3 million, up from $12.3 million in 2007. Site restoration occurs when areas are returned to their original state once operations have been completed;
In 2008, Enerplus continued to enhance its pipeline gathering system integrity efforts, predominantly through the application of corrosion inhibitors. As is often the case with the application of new inhibitor programs, there was an initial increase in pipeline breaks in 2008, as the failure rate per thousand kilometers of pipeline (45 failures over 7,270 kilometers of operated gathering pipeline) increased by approximately 35% over 2007 levels, to levels comparable to those experienced by Enerplus in 2005 and 2006. Enerplus expects the increased failure rate experienced in 2008 to recede in 2009; and
Enerplus has a site inspection program and a corrosion risk management program designed to ensure compliance with HSE legislation and regulations. Enerplus carries insurance to cover a portion of its property losses, liability and business interruption. HSE updates and risks are reviewed regularly by the HSE committee of the board of directors of EnerMark.

Enerplus endeavours to carry out its activities and operations in compliance with all relevant and applicable environmental regulations and good industry practice. At present, Enerplus believes that it is, and intends to continue to be, in compliance with all material applicable environmental laws and regulations and has included appropriate amounts in its capital expenditure budget to continue to meet its ongoing environmental obligations. The costs incurred by Enerplus in respect of continued environmental compliance and site restoration costs amounted to approximately 4% of the total development expenditures incurred by Enerplus in 2008. Specific greenhouse gas regulations have been enacted in Alberta and British Columbia. In Alberta, while Enerplus does not operate facilities that qualify as large emitters (see "Industry Conditions – Environmental Regulation"), Enerplus is required to pay its share of the costs at non-operated large emitter facilities, and in 2008 this cost was just under $0.1 million. In British Columbia, Enerplus is subject to the carbon tax introduced in mid 2008. The cost of this tax is estimated to be $0.5MM annually. Until there is more certainty with respect to the federal greenhouse gas regulations, Enerplus is unable to estimate the future potential costs in this area. See "Industry Conditions – Environmental Regulation" and "Risk Factors".

Overall, Enerplus believes its HSE initiatives confirm its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and the health and safety of its employees, contractors and the general public in the communities in which it operates.

INSURANCE

Enerplus carries insurance coverage to protect its assets at or above the standards typical within the oil and natural gas industry. Insurance levels are determined and acquired by Enerplus after considering the perceived risk of loss, coverage determined appropriate and the overall cost. Coverages currently in place include protection against third party liability, property damage or loss, and, for certain properties, business interruption. In addition, liability coverage is also carried for directors and officers of Enerplus.

PERSONNEL

As at December 31, 2008, Enerplus employed a total of 811 persons.

40      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Information Respecting Enerplus Resources Fund

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST UNITS AND THE TRUST INDENTURE

The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Trust Indenture and the Trust Units. For a complete description, reference should be made to the Trust Indenture, a copy of which may be viewed at the offices of, or obtained from, the Trustee. A copy of the Trust Indenture was filed on the Fund's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com on May 30, 2008 and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov on June 11, 2008.

General

The Fund was created, and the Trust Units are issued, pursuant to the Trust Indenture. The Trust Indenture, among other things, provides for the administration of the Fund, the investment of the Fund's assets, the calculation and payment of distributions to unitholders, the calling of and conduct of business at meetings of unitholders, the appointment and removal of the Trustee, redemptions of Trust Units and the payment of distributions by the Fund to its unitholders. Among other things, material amendments to the Trust Indenture, the early termination of the Fund and the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the property of the Fund require the approval by extraordinary resolution (i.e., 662/3% of the votes cast) of the unitholders. See "– Meetings of Unitholders and Voting" and "– Amendments to the Trust Indenture" below.

Trust Units and Other Securities of the Fund

The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Trust Units and an unlimited number of Special Voting Rights. Each Trust Unit represents an equal undivided beneficial interest in the Fund and all Trust Units share equally in all distributions from the Fund and in the net assets of the Fund upon the termination or winding-up of the Fund. Each Trust Unit entitles the holder thereof to one vote at meetings of unitholders. No unitholder will be liable to pay any further amounts or assessments in respect of the Trust Units. No conversion or pre-emptive rights attach to the Trust Units.

The Trust Indenture provides that the directors of EnerMark may from time to time authorize the creation and issuance of options, rights, warrants or similar rights to acquire Trust Units or other securities convertible or exchangeable into Trust Units, on the terms and conditions as the directors of EnerMark may determine. A right, warrant, option or other similar security is not considered to be a Trust Unit and a holder of such securities is not considered to be a unitholder of Enerplus. Additionally, the directors of EnerMark may authorize the creation and issuance of debentures, notes and other indebtedness of the Fund on such terms and conditions as the directors of EnerMark may determine.

For description of the Special Voting Right issued on February 13, 2008 in connection with the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit assumed by Enerplus in connection with its acquisition of Focus, see Appendix "F" – "Information Regarding Enerplus Exchangeable Limited Partnership".

The Trustee

Computershare Trust Company of Canada is the Trustee of the Fund and also acts as transfer agent and registrar for the Trust Units. The Trust Indenture provides that, subject to the specific limitations and the grant of powers to EnerMark contained in the Trust Indenture, the Trustee has full, absolute and exclusive power, control and authority over the property of the Fund and over the affairs of the Fund to the same extent as if the Trustee were the sole owner of such property in its own right, and may do all such acts and things as it, in its sole judgment and discretion, deems necessary or incidental to, or desirable for, the carrying out of the duties of the Trustee as established pursuant to the Trust Indenture. In particular, among other things, the Trustee is responsible for making the payment of distributions or other property to unitholders, maintaining certain records of the Fund and providing certain reports to unitholders.

However, certain powers, authorities and obligations have been granted to EnerMark in the Trust Indenture, including the responsibility for the general administration and management of the day to day affairs and operations of the Fund. Other powers and responsibilities may be delegated to such other persons as the Trustee may deem necessary or desirable. See "– Responsibilities of and Delegation to EnerMark" below.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      41


The Trustee shall be removed by notice in writing delivered by EnerMark to the Trustee if the Trustee fails to meet certain criteria stated within the Trust Indenture or with the approval of at least 662/3% of the votes cast at a meeting of unitholders called for that purpose. The Trustee or any successor may resign upon 60 days notice to EnerMark. Such resignation or removal shall become effective upon the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee. If the Trustee is removed by EnerMark, EnerMark may appoint a successor trustee. If the Trustee resigns or is removed by unitholders, its successor must be either appointed by EnerMark or the unitholders. If a successor trustee does not accept its appointment as trustee, a court may appoint the successor trustee.

The Trust Indenture provides that the Trustee shall exercise the powers and discharge the duties of its office honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Fund and its unitholders and shall exercise the degree of care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. To the extent the performance of certain duties and activities has been granted, allocated or delegated to EnerMark in the Trust Indenture, or to the extent that the Trustee has relied on EnerMark in carrying out the Trustee's duties, the Trustee is deemed to have satisfied its standard of care.

The Trustee will not be liable for: (i) any action taken in good faith in reliance on prima facie properly executed documents or for the disposition of monies or securities; (ii) any depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale of any security or assets; (iii) any inaccuracy in any evaluation or advice of EnerMark or any retained expert or other advisor, or any reliance on any such evaluation or advice; (iv) the disposition of monies or securities; or (v) any action or failure to act of EnerMark or any other person to whom the Trustee has properly delegated its duties. These provisions, however, will not protect the Trustee in cases of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or disregard of its obligations and duties, nor shall it protect the Trustee in any case where the Trustee fails to act in accordance with the standard of care described above. The Trustee may retain an expert or advisor in connection with the performance of its duties under the Trust Indenture and may act or refuse to act on the advice of any such expert or advisor without liability.

The Trustee, where it has met its standard of care, shall be indemnified by the Fund, EnerMark and ERC for any costs or liabilities imposed upon the Trustee in consequence of its performance of its duties, but shall have no additional recourse against the Fund's unitholders. In addition, the Trust Indenture contains other customary provisions limiting the liability of the Trustee. The Trustee is entitled to receive from the Fund the fees that may be agreed upon in writing by EnerMark, on behalf of the Fund, and the Trustee, and is entitled to be reimbursed by the Fund for its expenses incurred in acting as trustee.

Responsibilities of and Delegation to EnerMark

Under the Trust Indenture, in addition to the duties of EnerMark described elsewhere in this Annual Information Form, EnerMark has been allocated the responsibility for the general administration and management of the affairs and day-to-day operations of the Fund. The Trustee is also authorized to delegate any of the powers and duties granted to it (to the extent not prohibited by law) to any person as the Trustee may deem necessary or desirable. All significant operational and strategic matters relating to the Fund have been either granted or delegated to EnerMark in the Trust Indenture including, among other things, the responsibility to: (i) determine the timing and terms of future offerings or repurchases of Trust Units and other securities of the Fund; (ii) undertake all matters relating to borrowings by the Fund, including the granting of security and subordination agreements by the Fund; (iii) vote all securities held by the Fund (subject to restrictions in the Trust Indenture); (iv) approve the Fund's public disclosure documents; (v) undertake all matters pertaining to any take-over bid, merger, amalgamation, arrangement, substantial asset acquisition or similar transaction involving the Fund; (vi) ensure compliance by the Fund with its continuous disclosure obligations under applicable securities laws; (vii) provide investor relations services; (viii) prepare and cause to be provided to unitholders all information to which unitholders are entitled under the Trust Indenture and under applicable laws; (ix) call and hold meetings of unitholders and prepare, approve and arrange for the distribution of required materials, including notices of meetings and information circulars, in respect of all such meetings; (x) compute, determine, approve and direct the Trustee to make distributions to unitholders; and (xi) use its best efforts to ensure the Fund maintains its status as a mutual fund trust under the Tax Act. The Trust Indenture permits EnerMark to delegate its responsibilities, but no such delegation will relieve EnerMark of its obligations under the Trust Indenture. If, however, EnerMark delegates its responsibilities to a third party and in so doing does not breach its standard of care, EnerMark will not be liable for the acts or omissions of such delegate.

In exercising its powers and discharging its duties under the Trust Indenture, EnerMark is required to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the Fund and the unitholders, and shall exercise the same degree of care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person, having responsibilities of a similar nature to those set forth in the Trust Indenture, would exercise in comparable circumstances. The Trust Indenture also sets forth certain rights, restrictions and limitations which pertain to the performance by EnerMark of

42      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



the duties granted to it under the Trust Indenture or delegated to it by the Trustee. The Trust Indenture provides that the Trustee shall have no liability to any unitholder or other person as a result of the granting and allocation of certain powers and responsibilities to EnerMark pursuant to the Trust Indenture or the delegation by the Trustee of any of its powers and duties to EnerMark.

Certain Restrictions on Powers of the Trustee and EnerMark

The Trust Indenture provides that neither the Trustee nor EnerMark may, without approval of the Fund's unitholders by ordinary resolution (meaning approval by a majority of the votes cast), vote shares of EnerMark to appoint, remove or replace the directors of EnerMark or appoint or change the auditors of the Fund, except to fill a vacancy in the office of auditors. Additionally, the Trust Indenture provides that neither the Trustee nor EnerMark may, without approval of the unitholders by extraordinary resolution (meaning approval by at least 662/3% of the votes):

(i)
amend the Trust Indenture (except in certain circumstances described under "– Amendments to the Trust Indenture" below);

(ii)
sell, assign, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of, or agree to do so, all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Fund, other than (A) in conjunction with an internal reorganization of the direct or indirect assets of the Fund as a result of which the Fund has the same direct or indirect interest in such property and assets that it had prior to the reorganization, or (B) pursuant to a pledge relating to indebtedness of the Fund or its subsidiaries;

(iii)
authorize the termination, liquidation or winding-up of the Fund; or

(iv)
authorize the combination, merger or similar transaction between the Fund and any other person that is not an affiliate or associate of the Fund, except in connection with an internal reorganization of the Fund and its affiliates (but for greater certainty, a take-over bid by or on behalf of the Fund, an acquisition by or on behalf of the Fund by way of plan of arrangement or the acquisition by the Fund of all or substantially all of the assets of another person shall not be subject to the approval of the unitholders).

Additionally, neither the Trustee nor EnerMark shall take, or fail to take, any actions which would result in the Fund not qualifying as a "mutual fund trust" under the Tax Act.

The Trustee has delegated the voting of securities held by the Fund (primarily being the common shares of EnerMark) to EnerMark, subject to restrictions on voting those securities contained in the Trust Indenture. In certain circumstances, including those described above, before the Fund (through EnerMark) may vote these securities, a vote of the unitholders of the Fund on the matter must first be held in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Indenture. EnerMark shall then be required to vote the applicable securities held by the Fund in favour of, or in opposition to, the matter in equal proportion to the votes cast by the unitholders of the Fund in favour of, or in opposition to, the matter, as applicable.

Non-Resident Ownership Provisions

As long as the Fund is able to meet the "TCP Exception" described under "Risk Factors – Risks Related to Enerplus' Structure and Ownership of the Trust Units – Changes in tax and other laws may adversely affect unitholders", there is no specified limitation in the Tax Act as to the level of non-Canadian resident ownership of the Trust Units. However, absent the TCP Exception, in order for the Fund to maintain its status as a mutual fund trust under the Tax Act, it may be necessary for the Fund to ensure that it has not been established or maintained primarily for the benefit of non-residents of Canada ("non-residents") within the meaning of the Tax Act or to otherwise restrict the number of Trust Units held by non-residents. Accordingly, the Trust Indenture provides that, from time to time, EnerMark may restrict the number of Trust Units owned by non-residents and take all necessary steps to monitor the ownership of the Trust Units such that the Fund maintains the status of a unit trust and mutual fund trust for the purposes of the Tax Act. The Trust Indenture also provides that, if at any time EnerMark becomes aware that the number of Trust Units owned by non-residents exceeds a restricted number of Trust Units as determined by EnerMark, or that such a situation is imminent, EnerMark, on behalf of the Fund, will make a public announcement of the situation and will take steps to ensure no additional Trust Units are issued or transferred to non-residents, and may require non-residents (generally chosen in the inverse order of acquisition or registration of the Trust Units) to sell their Trust Units, or a portion thereof, in order to reduce the level of non-resident ownership below the determined threshold. The Fund's transfer agent may require declarations as to residency to effect these provisions.

As a result of the uncertainty involved in the methodology used to determine the proportion of non-resident ownership, any reasonable and bona fide exercise by EnerMark of its discretion in making a determination as to the proportion of non-resident ownership shall be binding

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      43


and shall not subject the Trustee, EnerMark or the Fund's transfer agent to any liability for any violation of non-resident ownership restrictions under the Tax Act. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Trust Indenture, non-residents are not entitled to vote on any resolutions to amend the non-resident ownership provisions contained in the Trust Indenture.

For additional information regarding non-resident ownership restrictions and developments, see "Risk Factors – Risks Related to Enerplus' Structure and Ownership of the Trust Units".

Investments of the Fund

The Fund is a limited purpose trust which is restricted to investing in investments or properties described in Section 132(6)(b) of the Tax Act including, without limitation, any investments or property acquired directly or indirectly from the issue of Trust Units. However, the Fund cannot hold property or investments which would result in the Fund not being either a "unit trust" or a "mutual fund trust" for the purposes of the Tax Act. At present, the directly held assets of the Fund are securities of certain of its wholly-owned Operating Subsidiaries and the royalty interests issued to the Fund by EnerMark, ERC and Enerplus Oil & Gas. The Fund may also dispose of any of its investments or properties, and also may invest cash which is not being used immediately for the purposes required in the Trust Indenture in short-term financial instruments guaranteed by a Canadian chartered bank or the federal or a provincial government of Canada.

Distributions to Unitholders

The Fund makes distributions to unitholders from the cash payments that it receives, directly or indirectly, from its Operating Subsidiaries. It receives income from royalty, interest, dividend and distribution payments received, directly or indirectly, from its Operating Subsidiaries. These Operating Subsidiaries may retain a portion of their operating cash flow to repay debt or fund capital expenditure and working capital requirements. In determining what amount of its income is distributable, the Fund deducts all taxes (including withholding tax) and all expenses and liabilities of the Fund which are due or accrued and which are chargeable to income. The Trust Indenture provides that the amount of cash distributions that are to be paid to the Fund's unitholders in any period, and the timing of those distributions, is within EnerMark's discretion.

Under the Trust Indenture, EnerMark has the authority to determine the timing and the number of distribution record dates within the year. Currently, the Fund has established a monthly distribution, with the 10th day of each calendar month as a distribution record date and the 20th day of such month as the corresponding distribution payment date. The January 20 payment date is an exception as its corresponding record date is December 31 of the immediately preceding year. Under certain circumstances, including where the Fund does not have sufficient cash to pay the full distribution to be made on a distribution payment date, the distribution payable to unitholders may, at the option of EnerMark, include a distribution of Trust Units having a value equal to the cash shortfall.

Once a distribution record date has been set, the Fund must declare the amount of cash distributions, if any, that will be paid on or before that date and may pay out the distribution on the corresponding distribution payment date. The Trust Indenture provides that EnerMark, on behalf of the Fund and the Trustee, may declare payable to the unitholders on a pro rata basis all or any part of the "net income" and "net realized capital gains" of the Fund (as defined in the Trust Indenture and not as calculated in accordance with GAAP), together with such other amounts as EnerMark may determine, for that period ending on the distribution record date to the extent those amounts were not previously declared payable. The authority to determine the amount of cash distributions, if any, that will be paid on a given distribution date, and to administer these payments, has been granted to EnerMark. On December 31 of each fiscal year, an amount equal to the net income of the Fund for such fiscal year (generally determined in accordance with the Tax Act) plus any net realized capital gains of the Fund, to the extent that either is not previously declared payable by the Fund to its unitholders in such fiscal year, will be payable to unitholders immediately prior to the end of that fiscal year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund may retain that amount of cash that is determined to be necessary to pay any tax liability of the Fund, and those amounts will not be payable as distributions by the Fund to unitholders. See "Distributions to Unitholders" for additional information regarding the cash distributions paid by the Fund to its unitholders.

For a description of the monthly payments to be made on the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit, see Appendix "F" – Information Regarding Enerplus Exchangeable Limited Partnership".

44      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



Meetings of Unitholders and Voting

The Trust Indenture provides that there shall be an annual meeting of the Fund's unitholders (which may include any holders of voting rights then outstanding) at a time and place determined by EnerMark for the purpose of: (i) the presentation of the audited financial statements of the Fund for the prior fiscal year; (ii) directing and instructing the Fund as to the manner in which it (through EnerMark) shall vote the shares of EnerMark held by the Fund in respect of the election of the directors of EnerMark; (iii) appointing the auditors of the Fund for the ensuing year; and (iv) transacting such other business as EnerMark or the Trustee may determine or as may be properly brought before the meeting.

The Trust Indenture provides that special meetings of unitholders may be convened at any time and for any purpose by the Trustee or EnerMark and must be convened if requisitioned in writing by unitholders representing not less than 20% of the Trust Units then outstanding. A requisition will be required to state in reasonable detail the business proposed to be transacted at the meeting.

At all meetings of the Fund's unitholders, each holder is entitled to one vote in respect of each Trust Unit held. Unitholders may attend and vote at all meetings of the unitholders either in person or by proxy, and a proxy holder does not have to be a unitholder. Two persons present in person or represented by proxy and representing no less than 5% of the votes attached to all outstanding Trust Units will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meetings. If a quorum is not present at any such meeting, the meeting will stand adjourned until at least one day later and to such place and time as the chairman of the meeting determines, and the unitholders present in person or by proxy at such adjourned meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business which might have been dealt with at the original meeting in accordance with the notice calling the original meeting. Provided due and proper notice to unitholders is given in accordance with the Trust Indenture, a resolution executed by unitholders holding the requisite number of the outstanding Trust Units entitled to vote shall have the same effect as if it had been passed by that percentage of votes cast at a meeting of unitholders.

The Trust Indenture contains provisions as to the notice required and other procedures with respect to the calling and holding of meetings of unitholders and the holders of other securities of the Fund. All activities necessary to organize any such meeting will be undertaken by EnerMark.

Redemption Right

Each unitholder is entitled to require the Fund to redeem at any time or from time to time, at the demand of the unitholder and upon receipt by the Fund of a duly completed and properly executed notice requesting such redemption, all or any part of the Trust Units registered in the name of the unitholder at a price per Trust Unit equal to the lesser of:

(i)
85% of the market price (as defined in the Trust Indenture) of the Trust Units on the principal market on which the Trust Units are quoted for trading during the 10 day trading period commencing immediately after the date on which the Trust Units were tendered to the Fund for redemption; and

(ii)
the closing market price on the principal market on which the Trust Units are quoted for trading, on the date that the Trust Units were so tendered for redemption.

The price that unitholders receive for Trust Units surrendered for redemption during any calendar month will be paid to the unitholder on the last day of the following month. However, there is a limitation on the amount of cash that the Fund can pay for redemptions. The maximum amount of cash that the Fund can pay for all Trust Units surrendered for redemption in any calendar month and the preceding calendar month cannot exceed $500,000, although EnerMark has the ability to waive this limitation at its discretion. If a unitholder is not entitled to receive a cash payment for Trust Units surrendered for redemption as a result of such limitations, a unitholder will receive notes or other investments of the Fund, subject to receipt of any applicable regulatory approvals. If at the time that a unitholder surrenders his or her Trust Units for redemption, the Trust Units are not listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange or another market which EnerMark considers, in its sole discretion, provides representative fair market value prices for the Trust Units, or if the normal trading of the Trust Units has been suspended or halted, the unitholder will receive a price per Trust Unit equal to 85% of the fair market value as determined by EnerMark as at the redemption date. Once a Trust Unit is presented for redemption, the holder is no longer entitled to receive distributions from the Fund.

It is anticipated that the redemption right will not be the primary mechanism for unitholders to dispose of their Trust Units. Notes and other assets of the Fund which may be distributed in specie to unitholders in connection with a redemption will not be listed on any stock exchange and no market is expected to develop in such notes or in the other assets of the Fund. Notes and other Fund assets so distributed are expected to be subject to resale restrictions under applicable securities laws and are not expected to be qualified investments for registered

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      45



retirement savings plans, registered education savings plans, registered retirement income funds, registered disability savings plans, tax free savings accounts or deferred profit savings plans, each as defined in the Tax Act.

Repurchase of Trust Units

The Fund is entitled, from time to time, to purchase Trust Units for cancellation or otherwise at a price per Trust Unit and on a basis which is determined by EnerMark. Such purchases will be made in compliance with applicable securities legislation and the rules prescribed under applicable stock exchange or regulatory policies. Any such purchases will constitute an "issuer bid" under Canadian provincial securities legislation and, if such a purchase is not exempt, must be conducted in accordance with the applicable requirements thereof.

Term and Termination of the Fund

The Trustee shall commence to wind up the affairs of the Fund when there are no longer any Trust Units outstanding. However, the Fund may be terminated earlier if the unitholders vote by extraordinary resolution (meaning 662/3% of the votes cast) to terminate the Fund at any meeting of unitholders duly called for that purpose, following which the Trustee shall commence to wind up the affairs of the Fund. However, such a vote may be held only if requested in writing by the holders of at least 25% of the Trust Units or if called by the Trustee following the refusal of the Trustee or EnerMark to redeem Trust Units. The quorum requirement for such a meeting is at least 20% of the issued and outstanding Trust Units represented in person or by proxy.

Upon being required to commence to wind up the affairs of the Fund, the Trustee will give notice to the unitholders designating the time at which unitholders may surrender their Trust Units for cancellation and the date at which the register of the Fund shall be closed.

After the date on which the Trustee is required to commence to wind up the affairs of the Fund, the Trustee will generally carry on no activities except for the purpose of winding up the affairs of the Fund and, for this purpose, the Trustee will continue to be vested with and may exercise all or any of the powers conferred upon the Trustee under the Trust Indenture.

Reporting to Unitholders

The accounts of the Fund are audited at least annually by an independent recognized firm of chartered accountants selected by the unitholders, and the financial statements of the Fund, together with the report of the auditors, are mailed by the Fund to registered unitholders and unitholders who elect to receive such information under applicable securities laws within appropriate regulatory time periods in each calendar year. The fiscal year-end of the Fund is December 31.

The Trust Indenture provides that a unitholder has the right, upon payment of reasonable production costs, to obtain a copy of the Trust Indenture and the right to inspect and, on payment of the reasonable charges of the registrar therefor, to obtain a list of the registered holders of the Trust Units for purposes connected with the Fund.

Auditors

The Trust Indenture generally mirrors the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) regarding the appointment, removal and resignation of auditors. The Trust Indenture states that the appointment or removal of the Fund's auditors (as well as the appointment of a new auditor upon such removal) must be approved by the Fund's unitholders. However, if the Fund's auditors resign or are removed by the unitholders without a successor properly appointed, the board of directors of EnerMark has the power to appoint new auditors to fill the vacancy created by the resignation or removal. The new auditors will hold office until the next annual meeting of the Fund's unitholders. The current auditors of the Fund are Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Chartered Accountants.

Amendments to the Trust Indenture

The Trust Indenture may be amended from time to time by the Trustee, EnerMark and ERC. Material amendments to the Trust Indenture require approval by at least 662/3% of the votes cast at a meeting of the unitholders called for that purpose. However, the Trustee, EnerMark and ERC may, without the approval of the unitholders, make amendments to the Trust Indenture for the purposes of:

(i)
ensuring that the Fund will comply with any applicable laws or requirements of any governmental agency or authority of Canada or of any province;

(ii)
ensuring that the Fund will maintain its status as a "unit trust" or "mutual fund trust" pursuant to the Tax Act;

46      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


(iii)
ensuring that such additional protection is provided for the interests of unitholders as the Trustee or EnerMark may consider expedient;

(iv)
removing any conflicts or inconsistencies between the provisions of the Trust Indenture or any supplemental indenture and any prospectus filed with any regulatory or governmental body with respect to the Fund, or any applicable law or regulation of any jurisdiction, if, in the opinion of the Trustee, such an amendment will not be detrimental to the interests of the unitholders;

(v)
adding to the provisions of the Trust Indenture such additional covenants and enforcement provisions as, in the opinion of counsel, are necessary or advisable, or making such provisions not inconsistent with the Trust Indenture as may be necessary or desirable with respect to matters or questions arising under the Trust Indenture, provided that the same are not, in the opinion of the Trustee, prejudicial to the interests of the unitholders;

(vi)
modifying any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture, including relieving EnerMark from any of its obligations, conditions or restrictions, provided that such modification or relief shall be or become operative or effective only if, in the opinion of the Trustee, such modification or relief is not prejudicial to the interests of the unitholders; and

(vii)
for any other purpose not inconsistent with the terms of the Trust Indenture, including the correction or rectification of any ambiguities, defective or inconsistent provisions, errors, mistakes or omissions therein, provided that, in the opinion of the Trustee, the rights of the unitholders are not prejudiced thereby.

The determinations to be made by the Trustee and the discretion to be exercised by the Trustee in the foregoing provisions has been delegated to EnerMark, provided that such an amendment would not prejudice the rights of the Trustee.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ROYALTY AGREEMENTS AND OTHER PAYMENTS MADE TO THE FUND

The Fund's primary direct sources of cash are payments received from 95%, 99% and 99% net royalty interests issued to the Fund by EnerMark, ERC and Enerplus Oil & Gas, respectively, on the production from their oil and natural gas properties, and dividend and distribution payments received by the Fund from certain of its subsidiaries. Additionally, the Fund indirectly receives payments of interest and principal on unsecured, subordinated debt issued among certain of the Fund's subsidiaries, including by EnerMark. Outlined below is a description of the royalties granted by EnerMark, ERC and Enerplus Oil & Gas to the Fund and the inter-company subordinated debt issued by certain subsidiaries of the Fund.

Royalty Agreements

Pursuant to separate royalty agreements with the Fund, each of EnerMark, ERC and Enerplus Oil & Gas have granted to the Fund a 95%, 99% and 99% royalty, respectively, on the income from their respective oil and natural gas properties and operations. The royalties are paid to the Fund on or about the 20th day of the second month following the month to which such income relates. The net cash flow received by the Fund from EnerMark, ERC and Enerplus Oil & Gas pursuant to the royalty agreements is equal to the gross production revenue from their oil and natural gas operations, less certain permitted deductions (generally being operating costs, other third party royalties, general and administrative expenses, debt service charges, taxes on the properties and site restoration and abandonment costs). Unitholders may also receive distributions of the net proceeds received from the sale of properties, although it is anticipated that these proceeds will generally be used to repay debt or purchase additional properties and assets.

Under the royalty agreements, the properties in respect of which the Fund has been granted a royalty interest may be encumbered by security interests given by EnerMark, ERC and Enerplus Oil & Gas to secure loans provided to EnerMark, including pursuant to EnerMark's Credit Facilities. Such security interests may rank ahead of the royalty interests of the Fund. Further, each of EnerMark, ERC and Enerplus Oil & Gas have the option at any time to apply any amount of gross production revenues to the repayment of debt. The Fund has entered into a subordination agreement pursuant to which the royalty payments to the Fund by EnerMark, ERC and Enerplus Oil & Gas are subordinated and will rank junior to the indebtedness of EnerMark to its lenders and the holders of its Senior Unsecured Notes.

Pursuant to the respective royalty agreements, EnerMark, ERC and Enerplus Oil & Gas have the right to dispose of properties and the associated royalties. The royalty agreements continue in force for as long as the applicable operating company has an interest in the properties covered by its respective royalty agreement. The royalty agreements and the royalty indenture (described below) may be amended in writing from time to time. All decisions in respect of such amendments are made by the board of directors of EnerMark on behalf of all parties to those agreements.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      47


The royalty from ERC is paid to the Fund as payments on royalty units issued by ERC to the Fund pursuant to an amended and restated royalty indenture dated June 21, 2001 between ERC and the Trustee. All of the royalty units are held by the Trustee on behalf of the Fund.

Unsecured, Subordinated Promissory Notes

Certain of the Fund's direct and indirect subsidiaries have issued unsecured, subordinated promissory notes and indebtedness to other of the Fund's subsidiaries to facilitate the payment of cash from the Operating Subsidiaries to the Fund for subsequent distribution to unitholders. For instance, EnerMark has issued unsecured, subordinated promissory notes to another subsidiary of the Fund, which subsequently pays distributions to the Fund. The subordinated notes bear interest at various annual rates, expire at various dates and the principal amounts of the notes vary as additional funds are loaned and principal repayments are made on the notes. The payment of principal and interest on the notes is subordinated to the prior payment in full of all other debt of EnerMark, other than debt which, by its terms or by operation of law, ranks equal with the subordinated notes. The Fund and the Fund's subsidiary which directly holds the EnerMark notes have each entered into a subordination agreement pursuant to which the payment by EnerMark of obligations under the subordinated notes is subordinated and will rank junior to the indebtedness of EnerMark to its lenders and the holders of its Senior Unsecured Notes. Other inter-company indebtedness within the Fund's corporate structure has similar terms.

Payments on Securities Held by the Fund

The Fund receives distribution and dividend payments on certain securities it holds directly, including cash distributions on the limited partnership units of each of Enerplus Finance Limited Partnership and Enerplus Limited Partnership II, which directly or indirectly receive cash payments from the Operating Subsidiaries.

Subordination of Royalty, Interest, Distribution and Dividend Payments from Subsidiaries of the Fund

As stated above, the terms of the existing royalty agreements and the subordinated debt issued by EnerMark, together with the terms of EnerMark's Credit Facilities and Senior Unsecured Notes, result in the royalty, interest, distribution and dividend payments made directly or indirectly from the Fund's subsidiaries to the Fund being subordinate to payments made, or required to be made, on indebtedness to third parties. As a result, royalty, interest, distribution and dividend payments made directly or indirectly from the Fund's subsidiaries to the Fund, and the related cash distributions from the Fund to unitholders, may be adversely affected if EnerMark or other subsidiaries of the Fund are in default of such third party indebtedness or if there are variations in the terms of the indebtedness to third parties, including interest rates or the timing or principal repayments. See "Risk Factors".

MANAGEMENT AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Under the terms of the Trust Indenture, subject to certain powers remaining with the Trustee, EnerMark has been allocated the responsibility for the general administration and management of the affairs and day-to-day operations of the Fund. See "Information Respecting Enerplus Resources Fund – Description of the Trust Units and the Trust Indenture – Responsibilities of and Delegation to EnerMark" and "Directors and Officers".

Information regarding the Fund's corporate governance and the duties and procedures of the EnerMark board of directors and its committees is contained under the heading "Statement of Corporate Governance Practices" in the Fund's information circular and proxy statement dated March 13, 2009. Enerplus fully complies with the provisions of National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices, National Instrument 52-109 – Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings and National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees adopted by the Canadian Securities Administrators, and intends to fully comply with all other securities regulatory or stock exchange requirements relating to corporate governance. As mentioned above, all governance and management functions for Enerplus are contained within the Fund's indirect wholly-owned Operating Subsidiary, EnerMark.

48      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


UNITHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

On March 5, 1999, the Fund adopted a Unitholder Rights Plan Agreement (the "Rights Plan"), which was approved by Enerplus' unitholders on April 23, 1999 and was renewed for an additional three years by the Enerplus unitholders at each of the 2002, 2005 and 2008 annual general and special meetings of unitholders. The Rights Plan must next be renewed and approved by the Fund's unitholders at the annual general and special meeting to be held in 2011. The Rights Plan, under which Computershare Trust Company of Canada acts as rights agent, generally provides that, following the acquisition by any person or entity of 20% or more of the issued and outstanding Trust Units (except pursuant to certain permitted or excepted transactions) and upon the occurrence of certain other events, each holder of Trust Units, other than such acquiring person or entity, shall be entitled to acquire Trust Units at a discounted price. The Rights Plan is similar to other shareholder or unitholder rights plans adopted in the energy sector. A copy of the Rights Plan was filed as a "Security holder document" on May 12, 2008 on the Fund's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, was filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov on May 13, 2008, and is available on the Fund's website at www.enerplus.com under "Corporate Governance".

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      49


Debt of Enerplus

The Fund or its subsidiaries may, with the approval of the board of directors of EnerMark, borrow, incur indebtedness, give any guarantee or enter into any subordination agreement, or pledge or provide any security interest or encumbrance on any property of the Fund or its subsidiaries. At present, all third party indebtedness of Enerplus is incurred directly by its primary Operating Subsidiary, EnerMark. As at December 31, 2008, EnerMark had senior debt facilities comprised of a $1.4 billion bank credit facility (the "Bank Credit Facility") and US$229 million of senior unsecured notes (the "Senior Unsecured Notes") (collectively, the "Credit Facilities"). The Credit Facilities are the legal obligation of EnerMark and are guaranteed by the Fund's other material subsidiaries. Payments on the Credit Facilities have priority over payments to the Fund and over claims of and future distributions to unitholders. In the event of a breach or a default, or a failure to refinance, distributions from the Fund to unitholders may be reduced or suspended. However, unitholders have no direct liability with respect to the Credit Facilities.

Set forth below is a description of the material terms of the Bank Credit Facility and the Senior Unsecured Notes. A copy of the Bank Credit Facility (including all amendments thereto) and a form of each series of Senior Unsecured Notes (including all amendments thereto) has been filed on March 18, 2008 as a "Material document" on the Fund's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and on Form 6-K on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

BANK CREDIT FACILITY

The $1.4 billion Bank Credit Facility is an unsecured, covenant-based credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions that currently is scheduled to mature in November 2010, subject to further extension by the lenders. As at December 31, 2008, $380.9 million was outstanding under this facility. This bank debt carries floating interest rates that Enerplus expects to range between 55.0 and 110.0 basis points over bankers' acceptance rates, depending on Enerplus' ratio of Consolidated Senior Debt to Consolidated EBITDA (each as defined below).

In addition to the standard representations, warranties and covenants commonly contained in a credit facility of this nature, there are the following financial covenants:

the ratio of Consolidated Senior Debt to Consolidated EBITDA at the end of any fiscal quarter shall not exceed 3:1, except that upon the completion of a Material Acquisition (as defined below), and for a period extending to the end of the second full quarter thereafter, this limit increases to 3.5:1;
the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt (as defined below) to Consolidated EBITDA at the end of any fiscal quarter shall not exceed 4:1; and
the ratio of Consolidated Senior Debt to Total Capitalization (as defined below) shall not exceed 50%, except that upon the completion of a Material Acquisition, and for a period extending to the end of the second full quarter thereafter, this limit increases to 55%.

With respect to these financial covenants, the following definitions apply to the Fund and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis:

Consolidated EBITDA:   The aggregate of the last four quarters':
      net income;
      interest expense;
      all provisions for federal, provincial or other income and capital taxes;
      depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion; and
      other non-cash amounts.
Consolidated Senior Debt:   All indebtedness and obligations in respect of amounts borrowed excluding Subordinated Debt.
Consolidated Total Debt:   The aggregate of Consolidated Senior Debt and Subordinated Debt.
Material Acquisition:   An acquisition or series of acquisitions which increases the tangible assets of Enerplus by more than 5%.

50      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Subordinated Debt:   Debt which, by its terms, is subordinated to the Bank Credit Facility (but excludes convertible debentures which allow the Fund to issue Trust Units or other securities of the Fund in satisfaction of interest or principal).
Total Capitalization:   The aggregate of Consolidated Senior Debt and the Fund's unitholders' equity (calculated in accordance with GAAP as shown on the Fund's consolidated balance sheet).

SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES

Enerplus has issued twelve year (with a ten year average life) Senior Unsecured Notes which total US$229 million through issuances of US$175 million on June 19, 2002 and US$54 million on October 1, 2003, as summarized below:

Terms of Notes   US$175 million   US$54 million  

Issued:   June 19, 2002   October 1, 2003  
Maturity:   June 19, 2014   October 1, 2015  
Coupon rate:   6.62%   5.46%  
Semi-annual interest paid yearly on:   June 19 and December 19   April 1 and October 1  
Principal payments in five annual equal installments beginning:   June 19, 2010   October 1, 2011  

In addition to standard representations, warranties and covenants, the Senior Unsecured Notes also contain the following key financial covenants:

the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined below) for the four immediately preceding fiscal quarters to consolidated interest expense shall be not less than 4.0 to 1.0;
Consolidated Debt (as defined below) is limited to 60% of the present value of Enerplus' Proved Reserves (discounted at 10% and based on forecast prices and costs); and
the ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA for each period of four consecutive fiscal quarters shall not exceed 3.0 to 1.0, but is permitted to be up to 3.5 to 1.0 for a maximum of six months.

For purposes of the above covenants, "Consolidated Debt" and "Consolidated EBITDA" have the same meanings as "Consolidated Senior Debt" and "Consolidated EBITDA", respectively, in the definitions relating to the Bank Credit Facility.

Concurrent with the issuance of the US$175 million notes on June 19, 2002, Enerplus entered into a cross-currency swap whereby the amount of the notes was fixed for purposes of interest and principal repayments at a notional CDN$268,328,000. Interest payments are made on a floating rate basis, set at the rate for three month Canadian bankers' acceptances, plus 1.18%. In September 2007, Enerplus entered into foreign exchange swaps that effectively fix the five principal payments on the US$54 million notes at an aggregate notional amount of $55.1 million.

Additional information regarding EnerMark's debt arrangements is contained in Note 7 to the Fund's audited annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 and under the heading "Liquidity and Capital Resources – Long-Term Debt" in Enerplus' management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2008. Notwithstanding that it is unsecured, the indebtedness of Enerplus to its lenders and senior noteholders ranks senior to and is in priority to the royalty, interest, distribution and dividend payments that are made to the Fund by its Operating Subsidiaries and other subsidiaries, and therefore ahead of distributions from the Fund to its unitholders. See "Information Respecting Enerplus Resources Fund – Description of the Royalty Agreements and Other Payments Made to the Fund" and "Risk Factors".

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      51


Distributions to Unitholders

Unitholders of record on a distribution record date are entitled to receive distributions which are paid by the Fund to its unitholders on the corresponding distribution payment date. Enerplus has established the 10th day of each calendar month as a distribution record date with the 20th day of such month being the corresponding distribution payment date, with the exception of the January 20th payment date which is preceded by a distribution record date of December 31 of the prior year. Distributions to unitholders that are not resident in Canada may be subject to Canadian withholding tax and are subject to foreign exchange rate risk on such payments.

As a result of its acquisition of Focus effective February 13, 2008, as of December 31, 2008 Enerplus also had outstanding a total of 7,238,000 EELP Exchangeable LP Units, each of which is exchangeable, for no additional consideration, into 0.425 of a Trust Unit (for an aggregate of 3,076,000 Trust Units). Accordingly, each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit is entitled to receive 0.425 of the amount of distributions paid by the Fund in respect of a Trust Unit. See Appendix "F" – "Information Regarding Enerplus Exchangeable Limited Partnership".

CASH DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund may, on or before any distribution record date, declare cash distributions payable to the unitholders. See "Information Respecting Enerplus Resources Fund – Description of the Trust Units and the Trust Indenture – Distributions to Unitholders".

Although the Fund intends to make monthly cash distributions to its unitholders, these cash distributions are not assured. The amount available to the Fund to pay distributions depends on the level of net cash flow received by the Fund from its Operating Subsidiaries pursuant to the royalty agreements and, directly or indirectly, as interest, principal, dividend and distribution payments. Distributions for a period generally represent net cash flow of the Operating Subsidiaries from the period approximately two months prior to the period in which the distribution is made.

The amount of cash distributions paid by the Fund to unitholders is dependent on the amount of cash flow paid to the Fund by its Operating Subsidiaries and can vary significantly from period to period for a number of reasons, including among other things: (i) the Operating Subsidiaries' operational and financial performance (including fluctuations in the quantity of Enerplus' oil, NGLs and natural gas production and the sales price that Enerplus realizes for such production (after hedging contract receipts and payments)); (ii) fluctuations in the costs to produce oil, NGLs and natural gas, including royalty burdens, and to administer and manage the Fund and its subsidiaries; (iii) the amount of cash required or retained for debt service or repayment, (iv) amounts required to fund capital expenditures and working capital requirements; and (v) foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Certain of these amounts are, in part, subject to the discretion of the board of directors of EnerMark, which regularly evaluates the Fund's distribution payout with respect to anticipated cash flows, debt levels, capital expenditures plans and amounts to be retained to fund acquisitions and expenditures. In addition, the level of distributions per Trust Unit will be affected by the number of outstanding Trust Units and other securities that may be entitled to receive cash distributions, such as the EELP Exchangeable LP Units. In the past, the level of cash retained has historically varied between approximately 10% and 40% of Enerplus' total annual cash flow from operating activities. For the year ended December 31, 2008, approximately 38% of the cash flow from operating activities was retained.

The after-tax return from an investment in the Fund's Trust Units to unitholders subject to Canadian income tax can be made up of both a return on and a return of capital. That composition may change over time, thus affecting an investor's after-tax return. For Canadian resident unitholders, returns on capital are generally taxed as ordinary income in the hands of a unitholder. Returns of capital are generally tax-deferred (and reduce the holder's cost base in the Trust Units for tax purposes). For unitholders who are not residents of Canada, a 15% withholding tax is levied on returns of capital by the Fund.

An investment in the Trust Units is subject to a number of risks that should be considered by an investor. The market value of the Trust Units may deteriorate if the Fund is unable to meet its cash distribution targets in the future, and that deterioration may be material. See "Risk Factors".

52      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



DISTRIBUTION HISTORY

The following cash distributions have been paid or declared payable by Enerplus to its unitholders since the beginning of 2005:

Month of Record and Payment Date     2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  

January(1)   $ 0.25   $ 0.42   $ 0.42   $ 0.42   $ 0.35  
February     0.18     0.42     0.42     0.42     0.35  
March     0.18     0.42     0.42     0.42     0.35  
April     N/A     0.42     0.42     0.42     0.35  
May     N/A     0.42     0.42     0.42     0.35  
June     N/A     0.42     0.42     0.42     0.35  
July     N/A     0.42     0.42     0.42     0.35  
August     N/A     0.42     0.42     0.42     0.37  
September     N/A     0.47     0.42     0.42     0.37  
October     N/A     0.47     0.42     0.42     0.37  
November     N/A     0.38     0.42     0.42     0.42  
December     N/A     0.38     0.42     0.42     0.42  

Note:

(1)
The record date for the distribution was December 31 of the prior year.

Monthly cash distributions paid to U.S. resident unitholders are converted to U.S. dollars based upon the actual Canadian to U.S. dollar exchange rate on the distribution payment date.

The historical distribution payments described above may not be reflective of future distribution payments, and future distribution payouts are not assumed. Future distributions will be subject to review by the board of directors of EnerMark taking into account the prevailing circumstances at the relevant time. See "Risk Factors" in this Annual Information Form, and in particular see the risk factors entitled: "Volatility in oil and natural gas prices could have a material adverse effect on Enerplus' results of operations and financial condition which, in turn, could affect the market price of Trust Units and the amount of distributions to unitholders"; "An increase in operating costs or a decline in Enerplus' production level could have a material adverse effect on results of operations and financial condition and, therefore, could reduce distributions to unitholders"; "Enerplus' distributions may be reduced during periods in which it makes capital expenditures or debt repayments using cash flow"; "If Enerplus is unable to add or develop additional reserves or its resources, the value of the Trust Units and the Fund's distributions to unitholders would be expected to decline"; "Enerplus' third party indebtedness may limit the timing or amount of the distributions that the Fund pays to unitholders" and "Changes in tax and other laws may adversely affect unitholders".

CANADIAN TAX REPORTING MATTERS

The Fund currently qualifies as a mutual fund trust under the Canadian Tax Act and each year the Fund has historically transferred all of its taxable income to unitholders by way of distributions. For Canadian tax purposes, approximately 2% of the Fund's 2008 distributions was a return of capital and approximately 98% was taxable to unitholders as other income. See "Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Enerplus' Structure and the Ownership of the Trust Units".

U.S. TAX REPORTING MATTERS

For U.S. tax reporting purposes, Enerplus believes that the Fund should be considered to be a corporation (but not a "passive foreign investment corporation") and that its Trust Units should be equity as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles.

Based upon the computation of current and accumulated earnings and profit in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, approximately 92% of the distributions paid by the Fund during 2008 were considered to be dividends. Under the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-27, 117 Stat. 752), the dividend portion of Enerplus' 2008 distributions should be considered "Qualified Dividends" eligible for a reduced 15% rate of tax applicable to long-term capital gains. This 15% tax rate is currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2010 and there is no assurance that this reduced tax rate for "Qualified Dividends" will be renewed in its present form by the U.S. government at such time.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      53


U.S. unitholders who received cash distributions were subject to at least a 15% Canadian withholding tax. The withholding tax is applied to both the income portion of the distribution as computed under Canadian tax law, and the portion of the distribution which was a return of capital. U.S. taxpayers may be eligible for a foreign tax credit with respect to Canadian withholding taxes paid, subject to certain limitations. U.S. unitholders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to distributions paid by the Fund, including with respect to the taxation of distributions, dividends or similar payments if the SIFT income tax provisions apply to the Fund beginning in 2011 or if the Fund converts to a corporation or other form of entity.

For additional information, see "Risk Factors – Risks Related to Enerplus' Structure and the Ownership of the Trust Units" and "Risk Factors – Risks Particular to United States and Other Non-Resident Unitholders".

54      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Industry Conditions

OVERVIEW

The oil and natural gas industry is subject to extensive controls and regulation governing its operations (including land tenure, exploration, development, production, refining, transportation and marketing) imposed by legislation enacted by various levels of government. The oil and natural gas industry is also subject to various agreements among the various federal, provincial and state governments with respect to pricing and taxation of oil and natural gas. Although it is not expected that any of these controls, regulations or agreements will affect Enerplus' operations in a manner materially different than they would affect other Canadian oil and gas issuers of similar size, the controls, regulations and agreements should be considered carefully by investors in the oil and gas industry. All current legislation is a matter of public record and Enerplus is unable to predict what additional legislation or amendments may be enacted. Outlined below are some of the principal aspects of legislation, regulations and agreements governing the oil and gas industry.

The discussion below focuses on the Canadian oil and natural gas industry (and particularly Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, which accounted for approximately 86% of Enerplus' 2008 production). Enerplus also owns oil and natural gas properties and related assets in the province of Manitoba and in Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and Utah in the United States. Enerplus' U.S. oil and natural gas operations are regulated by administrative agencies under statutory provisions of the states where such operations are conducted and by certain agencies of the federal government for operations on federal leases. These statutory provisions regulate matters such as the exploration for and production of crude oil and natural gas, including provisions related to permits for the drilling of wells, bonding requirements in order to drill or operate wells, the location of wells, the method of drilling and casing wells, the surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled, and the abandonment of wells. Enerplus' U.S. operations are also subject to various conservation laws and regulations which regulate matters such as the size of drilling and spacing units or proration units, the number of wells which may be drilled in an area, and the unitization or pooling of crude oil and natural gas properties. In addition, state conservation laws sometimes establish maximum rates of production from crude oil and natural gas wells, generally prohibit the venting or flaring of natural gas, and impose certain requirements regarding the ratability or fair apportionment of production from fields and individual wells.

Additionally, the regulatory scheme as it relates to oil sands is somewhat different from that related to oil and gas generally. In Alberta, the regulation of oil sands operations, pipelines, upgraders and cogeneration facilities is undertaken jointly by the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board (the "ERCB") (which generally regulates the oil and gas industry pursuant to various statutes, including the Oil Sands Conservation Act (Alberta)), the Alberta Utilities Commission (the "AUC") (with respect to certain natural gas transmission matters) and by Alberta Environment pursuant to Alberta's Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. In addition to requiring certain approvals prior to the construction and operation of oil sands recovery projects, pipelines, upgraders and cogeneration facilities, the legislation allows the ERCB to inspect and investigate and, where a practice employed or a facility used is hazardous to human health or the environment, to make remedial orders. Similar powers are available to Alberta Environment. Certain changes to oil sands recovery operations, pipelines, upgraders and cogeneration facilities also require the approval of the ERCB, Alberta Environment, or both. The construction, operation, decommissioning and reclamation of facilities as part of a scheme to recover bitumen from oil sands, extract and upgrade products therefrom, and transport those products to market, may invoke regulation by the federal government under various federal statutes and regulations, including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (Canada), the Fisheries Act (Canada) and the Navigable Waters Protection Act (Canada). Certain approvals or authorizations may be needed prior to construction, operation or modification of facilities or operational practices. Inspections and investigations may result in remedial orders.

PRICING AND MARKETING – OIL

Producers of oil negotiate sales contracts directly with oil purchasers, resulting in a market price for oil. The price depends, in part, on oil type and quality, prices of competing fuels, distance to market, the value of refined products, the supply/demand balance and other contractual terms, as well as on the world price of oil. Crude oil exported from Canada is subject to regulation by the National Energy Board (the "NEB") and the Government of Canada. Oil exports may be made pursuant to export contracts with terms not exceeding one year in the case of light crude oil, and not exceeding two years in the case of heavy crude oil, provided that an order approving any such export has been obtained from the NEB. Any oil export to be made pursuant to a contract of longer duration (to a maximum of 25 years) requires an exporter to obtain an export licence from the NEB and the issue of such a licence requires the approval of the Governor in Council.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      55



PRICING AND MARKETING – NATURAL GAS

The price of natural gas sold in intraprovincial, interprovincial and international trade is determined by negotiation between buyers and sellers. The price depends, in part, on natural gas quality, prices of competing natural gas and other fuels, distance to market, access to downstream transportation, length of contract term, seasonal factors, weather conditions, the value of refined products, the supply/demand balance and other contractual terms. Natural gas exported from Canada is subject to regulation by the NEB and the Government of Canada. Exporters are free to negotiate prices and other terms with purchasers, provided that the export contracts must continue to meet certain criteria prescribed by the NEB and the Government of Canada. Natural gas exports for a term of less than two years or for a term of two to 20 years (in quantities of not more than 30,000 cubic metres per day), must be made pursuant to an NEB order. Any natural gas export to be made pursuant to a contract of longer duration (to a maximum of 25 years) or a larger quantity requires an exporter to obtain an export licence from the NEB and the issue of such a licence requires the approval of the Governor in Council.

The governments in the Canadian provinces where Enerplus operates also regulate the volume of natural gas which may be removed from those provinces for consumption elsewhere, based on such factors as reserve availability, transportation arrangements and market considerations.

THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT ("NAFTA")

On January 1, 1994, NAFTA became effective among the governments of Canada, the United States of America and Mexico. In the context of energy resources, Canada continues to remain free to determine whether exports to the United States or Mexico will be allowed, provided that any export restrictions do not: (i) reduce the proportion of energy resource exported relative to domestic use (based upon the proportion prevailing in the most recent 36 month period); (ii) impose an export price higher than the domestic price; and (iii) disrupt normal channels of supply. All three countries are generally prohibited from imposing minimum export or import price requirements and, except as permitted in the enforcement of countervailing and anti-dumping orders and undertakings, minimum or maximum import price requirements.

NAFTA contemplates the reduction of Mexican restrictive trade practices in the energy sector and prohibits discriminatory border restrictions and export taxes. NAFTA also contemplates clearer disciplines on regulators to ensure fair implementation of any regulatory changes and to minimize disruption of contractual arrangements, which is important for Canadian natural gas exports.

ROYALTIES AND INCENTIVES

General

In addition to federal regulations, each province in Canada has legislation and regulations which govern land tenure, royalties, production rates, environmental protection and other matters. In all Canadian jurisdictions, producers of oil and natural gas are required to pay annual rental payments in respect of Crown leases, and royalties and freehold production taxes in respect of oil and natural gas produced from Crown and freehold lands, respectively. The royalty regime is a significant factor in the profitability of oil and natural gas production. Royalties payable on production from lands other than Crown-owned lands are determined by negotiations between the freehold mineral owner and the lessee. Crown royalties are determined by government regulation and are generally calculated as a percentage of the value of the gross production. The rate of royalties payable generally depends in part on prescribed reference prices, well productivity, geographical location, field discovery date and the type or quality of the petroleum product produced. Other royalties and royalty-like interests are from time to time carved out of the working interest owner's interest through non-public transactions. These are often referred to as overriding royalties, gross overriding royalties or net profits or net carried interests.

From time to time, the federal and provincial governments in Canada have established incentive programs which have included royalty rate reductions (including for specific wells), royalty holidays and tax credits for the purpose of encouraging oil and natural gas exploration or enhanced planning projects, although the trend is toward eliminating these types of programs in favour of long term programs which enhance predictability for producers. If applicable, oil and natural gas royalty holidays and reductions would reduce the amount of Crown royalties paid by oil and gas producers to the provincial governments.

Province of Alberta

The Province of Alberta imposes royalties of varying rates on the production of crude oil, natural gas, and bitumen from lands in which it owns the mineral rights. In December 2008, the Government of Alberta passed into law a new royalty framework which introduces new

56      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



royalty rates for conventional oil, natural gas and bitumen effective January 1, 2009 that are linked to price and production levels and which apply to both new and existing oil sands projects and conventional oil and gas activities.

The new royalty formula for conventional oil operates on a sliding rate formula containing separate elements that account for the world oil price and well production. Royalty rates for conventional oil range up to 50%, with rate component caps once the WTI price of conventional oil reaches $116 per barrel (in Canadian dollars) or at a well productivity of 157 bbls/d. Royalties for natural gas liquids are set at 40% for pentanes and 30% for butanes and propane. Under the new royalty regime, natural gas royalties are set by a sliding rate formula sensitive to a combination of price and production volume, and to a lesser extent well depth. New natural gas royalty rates range from 5% to 50% with rate caps at a natural gas price of $18.72/Mcf or at a well productivity of 568 Mcf/d.

Under the new royalty framework, the Government of Alberta will increase its historical royalty share from oil sands development by introducing price-sensitive formulas which are applied both before and after specified allowed costs have been recovered. The base royalty starts at 1% and rises with the world oil price, as reflected by the WTI crude oil price, when it is above $55 per barrel (in Canadian dollars), to a maximum of 9% when the WTI crude oil price is $120 per barrel (in Canadian dollars) or higher. After payout of specified allowed costs, the net royalty on oil sands starts at 25% and increases for every dollar the WTI crude oil price is above $55 per barrel to 40% when the WTI crude oil price is $120 per barrel or higher.

The Government of Alberta has provided oil and gas producers drilling certain new wells spud on or after November 19, 2008 with a one-time option of selecting, for a five year period, either transitional royalty rates or the rates contained in the new royalty framework described above when drilling a new conventional oil or natural gas well between 1,000 and 3,500 metres in depth. All wells drilled between 2009 and the end of 2013 that adopt these transitional rates will be required to shift to the new royalty framework on January 1, 2014. All current wells and oil sands projects were moved to the new royalty framework effective January 1, 2009.

On March 3, 2009, the Government of Alberta announced a short-term incentive program to encourage the drilling of new wells over the next twelve months. The program provides for a maximum 5% royalty rate for the first twelve months of production and royalty credits of $200 per meter drilled. The royalty credit benefit is capped as a percentage of royalties that will be owed by a producer for the government's 2009-10 fiscal year. That percentage ranges from 10% to 50% and is determined by a producer's 2008 production level. Enerplus expects that its percentage will be 10%.

In the fall of 2008 the Government of Alberta held initial consultation meetings with stakeholders towards developing a Shallow Rights Reversion policy whereby undeveloped natural gas mineral rights above productive zones may revert back to the government. At this time the impact, if any, of the Shallow Rights Reversion policy to Enerplus is not known.

See "Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Enerplus Business and Operations – The new Alberta royalty regime may adversely impact Enerplus and its operations and reserves".

Province of Saskatchewan

In Saskatchewan, the amount payable as a royalty in respect of oil depends on the vintage of the oil, the type of oil, the quantity of oil produced in a month and the value of the oil. For Crown royalty and freehold production tax purposes, crude oil is considered "heavy oil", "southwest designated oil" or "non heavy oil other than southwest designated oil". The conventional royalty and production tax classifications ("fourth tier oil" introduced October 1, 2002, "third tier oil", "new oil" or "old oil") of oil production are applicable to each of the three crude oil types. The Crown royalty and freehold production tax structure for crude oil is price sensitive and varies between the base royalty rates of 5% for all "fourth tier oil" to 20% for "old oil". Marginal royalty rates are 30% for all "fourth tier oil" to 45% for "old oil".

The amount payable as a royalty in respect of natural gas is determined by a sliding scale based on a reference price (which is the greater of the amount obtained by the producer and a prescribed minimum price), the quantity produced in a given month, the type of natural gas and the vintage of the natural gas. As an incentive for the production and marketing of natural gas which may have been flared, the royalty rate on natural gas produced in association with oil is less than on non-associated natural gas. The royalty and production tax classifications of gas production are "fourth tier gas" introduced October 1, 2002, "third tier gas", "new gas" and "old gas". The Crown royalty and freehold production tax for gas is price sensitive and varies between the base royalty rate of 5% for "fourth tier gas" and 20% for "old gas". The marginal royalty rates are between 30% for "fourth tier gas" and 45% for "old gas".

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      57


On October 1, 2002, the following changes were made to the royalty and tax regime in Saskatchewan:

A new Crown royalty and freehold production tax regime applicable to associated natural gas (gas produced from oil wells) that is gathered for use or sale. The royalty/tax is payable on associated natural gas produced from an oil well that exceeds approximately 65 thousand cubic meters in a month.
A modified system of incentive volumes and maximum royalty/tax rates applicable to the initial production from oil wells and gas wells with a finished drilling date on or after October 1, 2002 was introduced. The incentive volumes are applicable to various well types and are subject to a maximum royalty rate of 2.5% and a freehold production tax rate of zero per cent.
The elimination of the re-entry and short section horizontal oil well royalty/tax categories. All horizontal oil wells with a finished drilling date on or after October 1, 2002 receive the "fourth tier" royalty/ tax rates and new incentive volumes.

In 1975 the Government of Saskatchewan introduced a Royalty Tax Rebate ("RTR") as a response to the federal government disallowing Crown royalties and similar taxes as a deductible business expense for income tax purposes. As of January 1, 2007, the ability to carry forward the remaining balance of any unused RTR will be limited to the years following the federal government's reintroduction of the full deduction of provincial resource royalties from federal and provincial taxable income.

Province of British Columbia

Producers of oil and natural gas in the Province of British Columbia are required to pay annual rental payments with respect to the Crown leases and royalties and freehold production taxes in respect of oil and gas produced from Crown and freehold lands. The amount payable as a royalty in respect of oil depends on the type of oil, the value of the oil, the quantity of oil produced in a month, and the vintage of the oil. Generally, the vintage of oil is based on the determination of whether the oil is produced from a pool discovered before October 31, 1975 (old oil), between October 31, 1975 and June 1, 1998 (new oil), or after June 1, 1998 (third-tier oil). The royalty rates are calculated in three stages, which take into account the vintage of the oil, if the oil produced has already been sold and any royalty exempt value applicable (exempt wells). Oil produced from newly discovered pools may be exempt from the payment of a royalty for the first 36 months of production or 11,450 m3 produced, whichever comes first; and the royalties for third-tier oil are the lowest reflecting the higher costs of exploration and extraction that the producers would incur. The royalty payable on natural gas is determined by a sliding scale based on a reference price, which is the greater of the price obtained by the producer, and a prescribed minimum price. However, when the reference price is below the select price (a parameter used in the royalty rate formula), the royalty rate is fixed. As an incentive for the production and marketing of natural gas, which may have been flared, natural gas produced in association with oil has a lower royalty then the royalty payable on non-conservation gas.

On May 30, 2003, the Ministry of Energy and Mines for the Province of British Columbia announced an Oil and Gas Development Strategy for the Heartlands (the "Strategy"). The Strategy is a comprehensive program to address road infrastructure, targeted royalties and regulatory reduction, and British Columbia service sector opportunities. In addition, the Strategy is expected to result in economic and employment opportunities for communities in British Columbia's heartlands.

Some of the financial incentives in the Strategy include:

Royalty credits of up to $30 million annually towards the construction, upgrading, and maintenance of road infrastructure in support of resource exploration and development. Funding will be contingent upon an equal contribution from industry.
Changes to provincial royalties: new royalty rates for low productivity natural gas to enhance marginally economic resources plays, royalty credits for deep gas exploration to locate new sources of natural gas, and royalty credits for summer drilling to expand the drilling season.

On February 27, 2007 the Government of British Columbia unveiled the Energy Plan outlining the Province's strategy towards the environment and which includes targeting for zero net greenhouse gas emissions, promoting new investments in innovation, and becoming the world's leader in sustainable environmental management. With regards to the oil and gas industry, the objective is to achieve clean energy through conservation and energy efficient practices, whilst competitiveness is advocated in order to attract investment for the development of the oil and gas sector. Among the changes to be implemented are: (i) a new Net Profit Royalty Program; (ii) the creation of a Petroleum Registry; (iii) the establishing of an infrastructure royalty program (combining roads and pipelines); (iv) the elimination of routine flaring at producing wells; (v) the creation of policies and measures for the reduction of emissions; (vi) the development of unconventional resources such as tight gas and coalbed gas; and (vii) a new Oil and Gas Technology Transfer Incentive Program that encourages the research,

58      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



development and use of innovative technologies to increase recoveries from existing reserves and promotes responsible development of new oil and gas reserves.

See "Risk Factors – Risks Related to Enerplus' Business and Operations".

LAND TENURE

Crude oil and natural gas located in the western Canadian provinces is owned predominantly by the respective provincial governments. Provincial governments grant rights to explore for and produce oil and natural gas pursuant to leases, licences and permits for varying periods and on conditions set forth in provincial legislation including requirements to perform specific work or make payments. Oil and natural gas located in such provinces can also be privately owned and rights to explore for and produce such oil and natural gas are granted by lease on such terms and conditions as may be negotiated.

Oil produced from oil sands owned by the Province of Alberta is produced under provincial Crown oil sands leases. While such leases may historically have had initial terms which varied in length, continuations beyond the initial terms are now subject to standardized criteria as provided for in the Oil Sands Tenure Regulation (Alberta). A lease may generally be continued after the initial term provided certain minimum levels of exploration or production have been achieved and all lease rentals (including escalating rentals) have been timely paid, subject to certain exceptions. The surface rights required for pipelines, upgraders and co-generation facilities are generally governed by leases, easements, rights-of-way, permits or licenses granted by landowners or governmental authorities.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

The oil and natural gas industry is currently subject to environmental regulation pursuant to provincial and federal legislation. Environmental legislation provides for restrictions and prohibitions on releases or emissions of various substances produced or utilized in association with certain oil and gas industry operations. In addition, legislation requires that well, pipeline and facility sites be abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of provincial authorities. As well, applicable environmental laws may impose remediation obligations with respect to a property designated as a contaminated site upon certain responsible persons, which include persons responsible for the substance causing the contamination, persons who caused release of the substance and any past or present owner, tenant or other person in possession of the site. Compliance with such legislation can require significant expenditures. A breach of such legislation may result in the imposition of material fines and penalties, the suspension or revocation of necessary licenses and authorizations, civil liability for pollution damage or the issuance of clean-up orders.

In Alberta, environmental compliance is governed by the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (Alberta) (the "EPEA") and the Oil and Gas Conservation Act (Alberta), both of which impose certain environmental responsibilities on oil and natural gas operators and working interest holders in Alberta and impose penalties for violations. The EPEA also imposes certain environmental responsibilities on the operators of oil sands in-situ extraction projects, pipelines, upgraders and cogeneration plants. In certain instances, the EPEA imposes significant penalties for violations. In Saskatchewan, environmental compliance is governed by the Environmental Management and Protection Act (Saskatchewan) and the Oil and Gas Conservation Act (Saskatchewan). In British Columbia, energy projects may be subject to review pursuant to the provisions of the Environmental Assessment Act (British Columbia), which rolls the previous processes for the review of major energy projects into a single environmental assessment process that contemplates public participation in the environmental review. Additionally, in 2008, the Government of British Columbia instituted a carbon tax that applies to all fuel users in the province.

In 1994, the United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change came into force and three years later led to the Kyoto Protocol which requires participating countries, upon ratification, to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol in late 2002, and the Canadian federal government continues to evaluate other proposals and legislative measures that would achieve similar objectives. The upstream Canadian oil and gas sector is in discussions with various federal and provincial levels of government regarding the development of greenhouse gas regulations for the industry. The Alberta provincial government has instituted emission reduction targets for large emitters (e.g., 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year at a single facility), which could result in increased capital expenditures and operating costs. Currently, Enerplus does not operate any facility classed within this large emitter category. However, once on-stream, Enerplus believes that the Kirby Project would be within this range. Also, in late 2007 the Canadian federal government put forth an obligation for all industries to submit 2006 emissions information (by May 31, 2008) on all facilities emitting greater than 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Enerplus has complied with this requirement. It is believed this information will be used toward the forthcoming implementation plan. On March 10, 2008, the Canadian federal government proposed new regulations as part of

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its "Turning the Corner" plan that would require all facilities emitting more than 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year to reduce emissions over time, and oil sands projects starting operations in 2012 and beyond to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, largely through carbon capture technology. The potential impact on oil sands producers is currently unclear given the draft nature of the regulations and the fact that carbon capture technology has not yet been proven on a large scale. In addition to Alberta, certain other Canadian provincial governments (e.g., British Columbia and Saskatchewan) have also released emission reduction targets. However, until implementation plans are developed, it is impossible to assess the impact on specific industries and any individual businesses within an industry. See "Risk Factors – Risks Related to Enerplus' Business and Operations – Enerplus' operation of oil and natural gas wells could subject it to environmental claims and liability".

Enerplus believes that it is, and intends to continue to be, in material compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and is committed to meeting its responsibilities to protect the environment wherever it operates or holds working interests. Enerplus anticipates that this compliance may result in increased expenditures of both a capital and expense nature as a result of increasingly stringent laws relating to the protection of the environment. Enerplus believes that it is reasonably likely that the trend in environmental legislation and regulation will continue toward stricter standards.

WORKER SAFETY

Oilfield operations must be carried out in accordance with safe work procedures, rules and policies contained in provincial safety legislation. Such legislation requires that every employer ensures the health and safety of all persons at any of its work sites and all workers engaged in the work of that employer, and that every employer ensure that all of its employees are aware of their duties and responsibilities under the applicable legislation. Such legislation also provides for accident reporting procedures. Penalties under applicable occupational health and safety legislation include significant fines and incarceration.

60      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Risk Factors

Unitholders and prospective investors should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with other information contained in this Annual Information Form, before investing in the Trust Units. Trust Units are inherently different from capital stock of a corporation, although many of the business risks to which Enerplus is subject are similar to those that would be faced by a corporation engaged in the oil and gas business. The following risk factors have been organized into separate sections dealing with risks related to Enerplus' business and operations, risks relating to ownership of the Trust Units and Enerplus' structure and risks specifically applicable to unitholders who are not residents of Canada.

In particular, Enerplus directs unitholders and prospective investors to the description of the risks under the heading "Risk Factors – Risks Related to Enerplus' Structure and the Ownership of the Trust Units – Changes in tax and other laws may adversely affect unitholders" as the implementation of the SIFT Tax may have a significant impact on Enerplus' corporate or trust structure, business, operations and financial condition, as well as the value of the Trust Units to unitholders.

RISKS RELATED TO ENERPLUS' BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

Volatility in oil and natural gas prices, or the continuation of current oil and natural gas prices, could have a material adverse effect on Enerplus' results of operations and financial condition which, in turn, could affect the market price of Trust Units and the amount of distributions to unitholders.

Enerplus' results of operations and financial condition are dependent on the prices it receives for the oil and natural gas it sells. Oil and natural gas prices have fluctuated widely during recent years, are currently at a depressed level and are likely to continue to be volatile in the future. Oil and natural gas prices may fluctuate in response to a variety of factors beyond Enerplus' control, including:

global energy production and policy, including the ability of OPEC to set and maintain production levels in order to seek to influence prices for oil;
political conditions, including the risk of hostilities in the Middle East and global terrorism;
global and domestic economic conditions;
the level of consumer demand;
the supply and price of imported oil and liquefied natural gas;
the production and storage levels of North American natural gas;
currency fluctuations;
weather conditions;
the price and availability of alternative fuels;
the proximity of reserves and resources to, and capacity of, transportation facilities;
the availability of refining capacity;
the effect of world-wide energy conservation measures; and
government regulations.

Any decline in crude oil or natural gas prices, or the continuation of current oil and natural gas prices, may have a material adverse effect on Enerplus' operations, financial condition, borrowing ability, levels of reserves and resources and the level of expenditures for the development of Enerplus' oil and natural gas reserves or resources. Certain oil or natural gas wells may become uneconomic to produce if current market conditions fail to improve, thereby impacting Enerplus' production volumes. Any resulting decline in Enerplus' cash flow could reduce distributions paid to the Fund's unitholders.

Enerplus may use financial derivative instruments and other hedging mechanisms to try to limit a portion of the adverse effects resulting from volatility in natural gas and oil commodity prices. To the extent Enerplus hedges its commodity price exposure, it may forego the benefits it would otherwise experience if commodity prices were to increase. In addition, Enerplus' commodity hedging activities could expose it to losses. These losses could occur under various circumstances, including if the other party to Enerplus' hedge does not perform its obligations under the hedge agreement.

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Enerplus' strategy in the current economic and industry environment may subject Enerplus to certain risks.

As described under "General Development of the Fund – Developments in the Past Three Years – Strategic Positioning in the Current Economic and Industry Environment", in light of the current economic and commodity price environment, Enerplus has reduced its 2009 capital spending plans and its distributions to unitholders in an effort to minimize further increases in debt levels and position itself to capitalize on acquisition opportunities. There are certain risks associated with this strategy, including that:

reduced capital spending will decrease future production and cash flow available for distributions;
reducing cash distributions to unitholders may reduce the trading price or value of the Trust Units in the market; and
Enerplus may not be able to execute an attractive acquisition.

Additionally, if the current low commodity prices continue in effect, Enerplus may be required to further revise its strategy, and any further changes may adversely affect the cash distributions to unitholders or the value or trading price of the Trust Units.

Enerplus' distributions may be reduced during periods in which it makes capital expenditures or debt repayments using cash flow.

To the extent that Enerplus uses cash flow from its Operating Subsidiaries to finance acquisitions, development costs and other significant capital expenditures, the net cash flow that the Fund receives from those Operating Subsidiaries will be reduced. Hence, the timing and amount of capital expenditures may affect the amount of net cash flow received by the Fund and, as a consequence, the amount of cash available to distribute to Enerplus' unitholders. To the extent that external sources of capital, including debt or the issuance of additional Trust Units, becomes limited or unavailable, Enerplus' ability to make the necessary capital investments to maintain, develop or expand its oil and gas reserves and resources and to invest in assets, as the case may be, will be impaired. To the extent that Enerplus is required to use cash flow to finance capital expenditures, property acquisitions or asset acquisitions, as the case may be, the level of its cash distributions may be reduced or even eliminated. See "General Development of Enerplus Resources Fund – Developments in Past Three Years – Strategic Positioning in the Current Economic and Industry Environment".

The board of directors of EnerMark has the discretion to determine the extent to which cash flow from the Fund's Operating Subsidiaries will be allocated to the payment of debt service charges as well as the repayment of outstanding debt. Funds used for such purposes will not be payable to the Fund. As a consequence, the amount of funds retained by the Fund's Operating Subsidiaries to pay debt service charges or reduce debt will reduce the amount of cash distributed to the Fund's unitholders during those periods in which funds are so retained. In addition, variations in interest rates and scheduled principal repayments, if required under the terms of the Credit Facilities, could result in significant changes in the amount required to be applied to debt service before payment of any amounts by the Operating Subsidiaries to the Fund. Certain covenants in agreements with lenders may also limit payments by these subsidiaries to the Fund. Although Enerplus believes that its existing Credit Facilities are sufficient, there can be no assurance that the current amount will continue to be available or will be adequate for the financial obligations of Enerplus or that additional funds can be obtained as required or on terms which are economically advantageous to Enerplus. Furthermore, if the Fund's Operating Subsidiaries are unable to pay their debt service charges or otherwise commit an event of default such as bankruptcy, lenders may rank senior to securities or royalties of the Operating Subsidiaries which are held by the Fund, which will result in a decrease of the amount of cash paid to the Fund and subsequently distributed from the Fund to its unitholders.

The retention of cash flow in the Operating Subsidiaries of the Fund to finance capital expenditures or debt repayments may result in current income taxes being incurred by the Canadian Operating Subsidiaries and/or increased incomes taxes payable by U.S. Operating Subsidiaries or other direct or indirect subsidiaries of the Fund. Payment of cash income taxes may in turn reduce the cash distribution made by the Fund to unitholders.

A return on an investment in the Fund is not comparable to the return on an investment in a fixed-income security. The recovery of an initial investment in the Fund is at risk, and the anticipated return on such investment is based on many performance variables. Although the Fund intends to make cash distributions to unitholders of the Fund, these cash distributions may be reduced or suspended. Cash distributions are not guaranteed. The actual amount distributed will depend on numerous factors including: the financial performance of the Operating Subsidiaries of the Fund, debt obligations, commodity prices, production levels, working capital requirements, future capital requirements, applicable law (including income tax laws, royalty rates and environmental laws) and other factors beyond the control of the Fund. In

62      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


addition, the market value of the Fund's Trust Units may decline if the Fund's cash distributions decline in the future, and that decline may be material.

Enerplus may require additional financing to maintain and expand its assets and operations.

The current global economic downturn has made it difficult to raise equity and other capital, or to do so on economically favourable terms. In the normal course of making capital investments to maintain and expand Enerplus' oil, NGLs, natural gas and bitumen reserves and resources, additional Trust Units may be issued which may result in a decline in production per Trust Unit and reserves and/or resources per Trust Unit. Additionally, from time to time, Enerplus may issue Trust Units or other securities from treasury in order to reduce debt, complete acquisitions and maintain a more optimal capital structure. Enerplus may also dispose of existing properties or assets as a means of financing alternative projects or developments. Conversely, to the extent that external sources of capital, including the availability of debt financing from banks or other creditors or the issuance of additional Trust Units or other securities, becomes limited, unavailable or available on less favourable terms, Enerplus' ability to make the necessary capital investments to maintain or expand its oil, NGLs, natural gas and bitumen reserves and resources will be impaired. To the extent that Enerplus is required to use additional cash flow to finance capital expenditures or property acquisitions or to pay debt service charges or to reduce debt, the level of cash flow for distribution to the Fund's unitholders may be reduced.

Enerplus' Credit Facilities and any replacement credit facility may not provide sufficient liquidity.

The amounts available under Enerplus' Credit Facilities may not be sufficient for future operations, or Enerplus may not be able to obtain additional financing on attractive economic terms, if at all. Enerplus' Bank Credit Facility is generally available on a three year term, extendable each year with a bullet payment required at the end of three years if the facility is not renewed. If this occurs, Enerplus may need to obtain alternate financing. In 2008, Enerplus chose not to extend the term of its Credit Facilities due to the volatility in the credit capital markets and the potential negative impact on the terms of the Credit Facilities that may have resulted through the renewal process. As a result, the Credit Facilities are effectively now under a two year term, expiring in November 2010. Additionally, Enerplus must repay principal in five equal annual installments on approximately $268.3 million of Senior Unsecured Notes commencing June 19, 2010 and on $55.1 million of Senior Unsecured Notes commencing October 1, 2011. See "Debt of Enerplus". Any failure of a member of the lending syndicate to fund its obligations under the Credit Facilities or to renew its commitment in respect of such Credit Facilities, or failure of Enerplus to obtain replacement financing or financing on favourable terms, may have a material adverse effect on Enerplus' business, and distributions to unitholders may be materially reduced or eliminated, as repayment of such debt has priority over the payment of cash from the Operating Subsidiaries to the Fund and, as a result, from the Fund to unitholders.

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could adversely affect Enerplus' business.

The price that Enerplus receives for a majority of its oil and natural gas is based on United States dollar denominated benchmarks, and therefore the price that Enerplus receives in Canadian dollars is affected by the exchange rate between the two currencies. A material increase in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the United States dollar, as occurred through the first three fiscal quarters of 2008, may negatively impact Enerplus' net production revenue by decreasing the Canadian dollars Enerplus receives for a given sale in United States dollars while offering limited relief to Enerplus' cost structure, as a majority of its costs are incurred in Canadian dollars. Enerplus conducts certain of its business and operations in the United States and is therefore exposed to foreign currency risk on both revenues and costs to the extent the value of the Canadian dollar decreases relative to the United States dollar. Enerplus currently has in place a cross-currency swap associated with the US$175 million of Senior Unsecured Notes issued by EnerMark in June 2002 and the foreign exchange swaps that effectively fix the principal payments on its US$54 million of Senior Unsecured Notes issued in October 2003, each as described in Notes 7(b), 9 and 12(d) to the Fund's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008. Also see "Debt of Enerplus – Senior Unsecured Notes".

If Enerplus is unable to add or develop additional reserves or resources, the value of the Trust Units and the Fund's distributions to unitholders would be expected to decline.

Enerplus adds to its oil and natural gas reserves primarily through acquisitions and ongoing development of reserves and resources, together with certain exploration activities. As a result, the level of Enerplus' future oil and natural gas reserves are highly dependent on its success in developing and exploiting its reserve and resource base and acquiring additional reserves and/or resources. Exploitation and development

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risks arise for Enerplus and, as a result, may affect the value of the Trust Units and distributions to unitholders due to the uncertain results of searching for and producing oil and natural gas using imperfect scientific methods. Additionally, if capital from external sources is not available or is not available on commercially advantageous terms, Enerplus' ability to make the necessary capital investments to maintain, develop or expand its oil and natural gas reserves and resources will be impaired. Even if the necessary capital is available, Enerplus cannot assure that it will be successful in acquiring additional reserves or resources on terms that meet its investment objectives. Without these additions, Enerplus' reserves will deplete and, as a consequence, either its production or the average life of its reserves will decline. Either decline may result in a reduction in the value of the Trust Units and in a reduction in cash distributions to the Fund's unitholders.

Enerplus' proposed increased focus on growth-oriented projects and acquisitions may expose Enerplus' results of operations to increased risks.

As described under "Operational Information – Overview", Enerplus intends to increase its focus on and exposure to growth- oriented projects and acquisitions. Whereas historically Enerplus focused on lower risk development projects, in 2009 Enerplus intends to spend approximately $50 million on growth-oriented projects such as tight natural gas plays in the Montney zone in northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta and tight oil plays in the Bakken formation. These types of resource plays are earlier stage development projects (and in certain cases are more of an exploration nature) than Enerplus has typically participated in and, as a result, there is more risk that Enerplus' expenditures on land, seismic and drilling may not provide economic returns. Additionally, to the extent that Enerplus acquires properties or assets with a higher risk exploration profile, the risk associated with such acquisitions and future development of such properties carries similar risks.

Enerplus' actual reserves and resources will vary from its reserve and resource estimates, and those variations could be material.

The value of the Trust Units depends upon, among other things, the reserves and resources attributable to Enerplus' properties. The actual reserves and resources contained in Enerplus' properties will vary from the estimates summarized in this Annual Information Form and those variations could be material. Estimates of reserves and resources are by necessity projections, and thus are inherently uncertain. The process of estimating reserves or resources requires interpretations and judgements on the part of petroleum engineers, resulting in imprecise determinations, particularly with respect to new discoveries. Different engineers may make different estimates of reserve or resource quantities and revenues attributable thereto based on the same data. Ultimately, actual reserves and resources attributable to Enerplus' properties will vary and be revised from current estimates, and those variations and revisions may be material. The reserve and resource information contained in this Annual Information Form is only an estimate. A number of factors are considered and a number of assumptions are made when estimating reserves and resources. These factors and assumptions include, among others:

historical production in the area compared with production rates from similar producing areas;
future commodity prices, production and development costs, royalties and capital expenditures;
initial production rates;
production decline rates;
ultimate recovery of reserves and resources;
success of future exploitation activities;
marketability of production;
effects of government regulation; and
other government levies that may be imposed over the producing life of reserves and resources.

Reserve and resource estimates are based on the relevant factors, assumptions and prices on the date the evaluations were prepared. Many of these factors are subject to change and are beyond Enerplus' control. If these factors, assumptions and prices prove to be inaccurate, Enerplus' actual reserves and resources could vary materially from its estimates. Additionally, all such estimates are, to some degree, uncertain, and classifications of reserves and resources are only attempts to define the degree of uncertainty involved. For these reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable quantities of oil and natural gas, the classification of such reserves and resources based on risk of recovery and associated contingencies, and the estimates of future net revenues expected therefrom, prepared by different engineers or by the same engineers at different times, may vary substantially.

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Estimates with respect to reserves and resources that may be developed and produced in the future (particularly oil sands reserves and resources) are often based upon volumetric or probabilistic calculations and upon analogy to similar types of reserves or resources, rather than upon actual production history. Estimates based on these methods generally are less reliable than those based on actual production history. Subsequent evaluation of the same reserves or resources based upon production history may result in variations or revisions in the estimated reserves or resources, and any such variations or revisions could be material.

Reserve and resource estimates may require revision based on actual production experience. Such figures have been determined based upon assumed oil, natural gas and NGLs prices and operating costs. Market price fluctuations of commodity prices may render uneconomic the recovery of certain categories of petroleum or natural gas or grades of bitumen. Moreover, short term factors relating to oil sands reserves or resources may impair the profitability of Enerplus' Kirby oil sands project in any particular period. No assurance can be provided as to the gravity or quality of bitumen produced from Enerplus' Kirby oil sands project. Additionally, as development plans for the Kirby Project are developed or modified, the volume and estimated value of the any reserves or resources attributed to the such project may vary.

In addition, references to "contingent resources" or "resources" in this Annual Information Form do not constitute, and should be distinguished from, references to "reserves". For additional information, see "Presentation of Enerplus' Oil and Natural Gas Reserves, Resources and Production Information" and "Operational Information – Enerplus' Play Types – Oil Sands".

Enerplus' third party indebtedness may limit the timing or amount of the distributions that the Fund pays to unitholders.

The payments of interest and principal with respect to Enerplus' third party indebtedness, including the Credit Facilities, rank ahead of payments of cash from the Operating Subsidiaries to the Fund and therefore reduce amounts available for distribution from the Fund to unitholders. Enerplus has an unsecured Bank Credit Facility available to it at variable interest rates. In addition, Enerplus has swapped both its US$175 million and US$54 million Senior Unsecured Notes with fixed interest rates into Canadian dollar denominated debt. Variations in interest rates and scheduled principal repayments could result in significant changes to the amount of the cash flow required to be applied by the Operating Subsidiaries to their debt before payment of any amounts by them to the Fund. The agreements governing the Bank Credit Facility and the Senior Unsecured Notes each stipulate that if Enerplus is in default or fails to comply with certain covenants, the Fund's ability to make distributions to unitholders may be restricted. In addition, the Fund's right to receive payments from its Operating Subsidiaries is expressly subordinated to the rights of the lenders under the Bank Credit Facility and the holders of the Senior Unsecured Notes. See "Debt of Enerplus".

Enerplus may not realize the anticipated benefits of its acquisitions or dispositions.

From time to time, Enerplus may acquire additional oil and natural gas properties and related assets. Achieving the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions will depend in part on successfully consolidating functions and integrating operations, procedures and personnel in a timely and efficient manner, as well as Enerplus' ability to realize the anticipated growth opportunities and synergies from combining and integrating the acquired assets and properties into Enerplus' existing business. These activities will require the dedication of substantial management effort, time and capital and other resources which may divert management's focus and capital and other resources from other strategic opportunities and from operational matters during this process. The integration process may result in the loss of key employees and the disruption of ongoing business, customer and employee relationships that may adversely affect Enerplus' ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of future acquisitions.

Furthermore, potential investors should be aware that certain acquisitions, and in particular acquisitions in oil sands assets such as the acquisition of Kirby in the second quarter of 2007 or other higher risk/higher growth assets and the development of those assets, has required and will require significant capital expenditures from Enerplus, and Enerplus may not receive cash flow from operations from these acquisitions for several years or may receive cash flow in an amount less than anticipated. Accordingly, the timing and amount of capital expenditures may affect the amount of cash payments received by Enerplus from its Operating Subsidiaries and may adversely affect the amount of cash distributions paid to the Fund's unitholders.

Enerplus may also from time to time dispose of properties and assets. These dispositions may consist of non-core properties or assets or may consist of assets or properties that are being monetized in order to fund alternative projects or development by Enerplus. There can be no assurance that Enerplus will realize the amount of desired proceeds from such dispositions or that such dispositions will be viewed positively by the financial markets, and such dispositions may negatively affect the trading price of the Trust Units.

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When making acquisitions, Enerplus forms estimates of future performance of the assets to be acquired that may prove to be inaccurate.

When acquiring assets, Enerplus is subject to inherent risks associated with predicting the future performance of those assets. Enerplus makes certain estimates and assumptions respecting the prospectivity and characteristics of the assets it acquires which may not be realized over time. As such, assets acquired may not possess the value Enerplus attributed to them, which could adversely impact Enerplus' cash flows and distributions to its unitholders. To the extent that Enerplus makes acquisitions with higher growth potential, the higher risks often associated with such potential may result in increased chances that actual results may vary from Enerplus' initial estimates.

An initial assessment of an acquisition may be based on a report by engineers or firms of engineers that have different evaluation methods, approaches and assumptions than those of Enerplus' engineers, and these initial assessments may differ significantly from Enerplus' subsequent assessments.

An increase in operating costs or a decline in Enerplus' production level could have a material adverse effect on results of operations and financial condition and, therefore, could reduce distributions to unitholders.

Higher operating costs for Enerplus' properties will directly decrease the amount of cash flow received by the Fund and, therefore, may reduce distributions to Enerplus' unitholders. Electricity, chemicals, supplies, energy services and labour costs are a few of Enerplus' operating costs that are susceptible to material fluctuation.

The level of production from Enerplus' existing properties may decline at rates greater than anticipated due to unforeseen circumstances, many of which are beyond Enerplus' control. A significant decline in production could result in materially lower revenues and cash flow and, therefore, could reduce the amount available for distributions to unitholders.

Since a portion of Enerplus' properties are not operated by Enerplus, results of operations may be adversely affected by the failure of third party operators.

The continuing production from a property, and to some extent the marketing of that production, is dependent upon the ability of the operators of Enerplus' properties. Approximately 30% of Enerplus' daily production is from properties operated by third parties. This results in significant reliance on third party operators in making estimates of future capital expenditures. To the extent a third party operator fails to perform these duties properly, faces capital or liquidity constraints or becomes insolvent, Enerplus' results of operations will be negatively impacted and its cash flow may be reduced.

Further, the operating agreements governing the properties not operated by Enerplus typically require the operator to conduct operations in a good and "workmanlike" manner. These operating agreements generally provide, however, that the operator has no liability to the other non-operating working interest owners for losses sustained or liabilities incurred, except for liabilities that may result from gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

Enerplus is subject to risk of default by the counterparties to Enerplus' contracts.

Enerplus is subject to the risk that the counterparties to its risk management contracts, marketing arrangements and operating agreements and other suppliers of products and services may default on their obligations under such agreements or arrangements, including as a result of liquidity requirements or insolvency, particularly in light of the current economic situation. A failure by such counterparties to make payments or perform their operational or other obligations to Enerplus may adversely affect the results of operations, cash flows and financial position of Enerplus and the distributions that may be made to unitholders.

The new Alberta royalty regime may adversely impact Enerplus and its operations and reserves.

In December 2008, the Government of Alberta passed into law a "New Royalty Framework", effective January 1, 2009. The Government of Alberta has offered oil and gas producers a one-time option to select, for a five year period, transitional royalty rates as an alternative to the new royalty framework in respect of certain new wells spud on or after November 19, 2008. Additionally, on March 3, 2009, the Government of Alberta announced a short-term incentive program to encourage the drilling of new wells over the next twelve months, which includes lower initial royalty rates and certain royalty credits. See "Industry Conditions – Royalties and Incentives" and "General Development of Enerplus Resources Fund – Developments in Past Three Years – Revisions to Alberta Royalty Regime". In 2008, approximately 61% of Enerplus' crude oil and natural gas production was from Alberta. Given that Enerplus has not yet completed a fiscal

66      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



period operating under the New Royalty Framework and the fact that the New Royalty Framework is sensitive to commodity price and production levels, it is not possible at this time to determine the full impact of the new Alberta royalty framework (including the transitional royalty rates and short-term incentives) on Enerplus' financial condition and operations, and in particular the extent to which the New Royalty Framework could reduce Enerplus' cash flow, which could in turn reduce the cash otherwise available for distribution by the Fund to its unitholders. Enerplus' reserves and the estimated future net revenue associated therewith, as contained in the reserve reports summarized in this Annual Information Form, reflect the revised royalty rates contemplated by the new Alberta royalty regime. Any adverse impact on Enerplus from the New Royalty Framework will be particularly felt in periods of high to mid-level commodity prices.

Enerplus' operations are subject to certain risks and liabilities inherent in the oil and natural gas business, some of which may not be covered by insurance.

Enerplus' business and operations, including the drilling of oil and natural gas wells and the production and transportation of oil and natural gas, are subject to certain risks inherent in the oil and natural gas business. These risks and hazards include encountering unexpected formations or pressures, blow-outs, craterings and fires. Enerplus' operations may also subject it to the risk of vandalism or terrorist threats, including eco-terrorism, such as the bombing of several pipelines in northeastern British Columbia (an area in which Enerplus operates) in late 2008 and early 2009. The foregoing hazards could result in personal injury, loss of life, reduced production volumes or environmental and other damage to Enerplus' property and the property of others. Enerplus cannot fully protect against all of these risks, nor are all of these risks insurable. Although Enerplus carries liability, business interruption and property insurance in respect of such matters, there can be no assurance that insurance will be adequate to cover all losses resulting from such events or that the lost production will be restored in a timely manner. Enerplus may become liable for damages arising from these events against which it cannot insure or against which it may elect not to insure because of high premium costs or other reasons. While Enerplus has both safety and environmental policies in place to protect its operators and employees and to meet regulatory requirements in areas where they operate, any costs incurred to repair damages or pay liabilities would reduce funds available for distribution to the Fund's unitholders.

The properties and assets that Enerplus may acquire in the future are subject to operational risks.

The risk factors set forth in this Annual Information Form relating to the oil and natural gas business and the operations, reserves and resources of Enerplus apply equally in respect of any future properties or assets that Enerplus may acquire. Enerplus generally conducts certain due diligence in connection with acquisitions, but there can be no assurance that Enerplus will identify all of the potential risks and liabilities related to the subject properties.

The Kirby properties acquired by Enerplus in the second quarter of 2007 currently contain certain producing and shut-in natural gas wells that may penetrate or otherwise result in the applicable petroleum and natural gas zones coming into communication with the bitumen resources on the Kirby Lease. There is a risk that if the production of natural gas from these zones penetrates or otherwise comes into communication with the bitumen resources in the Kirby Lease, there may be a loss of steam or steam chamber pressure in the SAGD bitumen extraction process and adversely affect SAGD recovery of bitumen. Enerplus did not acquire these wells, or the conventional petroleum and natural gas zones from which they produce or which are producible by these wells, or the accompanying abandonment, reclamation and environmental obligations associated with these wells, pursuant to the Kirby acquisition. The Kirby acquisition agreement provides that the vendors retain the rights to such wells and zones, and if it is determined that there is communication between the natural gas production zones and the bitumen resources, the parties intend to enter into an agreement whereby the vendors would agree to take such commercially reasonable actions or authorize Enerplus to take such actions as may be necessary to mitigate such risk and, if appropriate, shut-in any potentially penetrating or communicating well. However, no assurance can be provided that the production or potential of natural gas over bitumen on the Kirby Lease will not pose a risk to the SAGD recovery of the bitumen resources on the lease.

The Kirby oil sands project is in the early development stage and is subject to numerous risks.

Enerplus' Kirby Project is currently in the early development stage. There is a risk that Enerplus' Kirby Project, including any future phases or expansions, may not proceed, or that the Kirby Project will not be completed as planned, on time or on budget. Additionally, if the Kirby Project does proceed, there is a risk that the Kirby Project may have delays in development or commercial start-up, interruption of operations or increased costs due to many factors, including, without limitation:

the economic viability of the Kirby Project or certain portions thereof;

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construction or facility performance falling below expected levels of output or efficiency;
breakdown or failure of equipment or processes;
reservoir performance;
design, construction, contractor or operator errors that affect operations;
non-performance by third party designers, contractors and suppliers or failure of third parties to construct the infrastructure required for the Kirby Project to successfully proceed;
labour disputes, disruptions or declines in productivity;
increases in materials or labour costs;
shortages of, or delays in, accessing sufficient numbers of qualified workers and required equipment and services;
delays in obtaining, or conditions imposed by, regulatory approvals;
changes in project scope;
disruption delays in the availability of transportation services;
conditions improved by regulatory approvals;
violation of permit requirements;
disruption in the supply of energy;
delays induced by weather and catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, storms or explosions; and
reliance on technologies that have not yet been demonstrated to be commercially applicable in oil sands applications.

Any such delays will likely increase the costs of such projects and may require additional financing, which may not be available or may only be available on unfavourable terms.

Given the early stage of development of the Kirby Project, various changes to the project scope and development plans may be made during implementation of or prior to completing the project. The information contained in this Annual Information Form regarding the Kirby Project (including, without limitation, current resource evaluations) and the development of such project is conditional upon an improvement in the current economics and commodity prices, receipt of all regulatory approvals, the capital requirements of the project and Enerplus' other projects, certain economic factors, no material changes being made to the project or its scope and the overall continuation of the project as currently planned.

The development of the Kirby Lease may require significant financing, which may not be available or may only be available on unfavourable terms. At the current time, there are no announced plans to construct or contract with an upgrader to upgrade the quality of the bitumen that may be produced by the Kirby Project. As a result, there are a number of risks involved in transporting and marketing the bitumen that may be produced from the Kirby Project, including securing supplies of diluent or synthetic light oil to blend with the bitumen in order to move it to market economically and, as there are fewer markets for non-upgraded bitumen, those markets typically demand a price discount relative to lighter crude oil.

The recovery of bitumen and heavy oil using the SAGD process is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of Enerplus' control.

Current SAGD technologies for in-situ recovery of heavy oil and bitumen are energy intensive, requiring significant consumption of natural gas or other fuels in the production of steam which is used in the recovery process. The amount of steam required in the production process can also vary and impact costs. The quality and performance of the reservoir can also impact the timing and levels of production using this technology. Commercial application of this technology for bitumen is relatively new, and accordingly in the absence of long-term operating history there can be no assurances with respect to the sustainability of SAGD operations. Although SAGD technology has been tested in other oil sands operations, there can be no assurance that SAGD utilization on the Kirby Lease will achieve similar results as in other situations or produce bitumen and heavy oil at the expected levels or costs, on schedule or at all.

Severe weather conditions can cause reduced production and in some situations result in higher costs. SAGD bitumen recovery facilities and development and expansion of production can entail significant capital outlays. Equipment failures could result in damage to Enerplus' facilities or wells and liability to third parties against which Enerplus may not be able to fully insure or may elect not to insure because of high premium costs or for other reasons.

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If Enerplus' SAGD facilities do not operate as planned, Enerplus' revenue, cash flow, earnings and cash distributions may be reduced.

The performance of Enerplus' SAGD facilities may differ from its expectations. The variances from these expectations may include, without limitation, the ability to operate at the expected level of throughput or production and the reliability or availability of the facilities. Additionally, the operating costs of oil sands projects are significant components of the cost of production of the bitumen. The operating costs of the Enerplus' oil sands projects may vary considerably during the operating period. If the facilities do not perform to Enerplus' expectations or as required by regulatory approvals, Enerplus may be required to invest additional capital to correct deficiencies or Enerplus may not be able to produce the expected level of production. If these expectations are not met or operating costs are higher than anticipated, Enerplus' revenue, cash flow, earnings and cash distributions to the Fund's unitholders could be reduced.

Enerplus may be unable to compete successfully with other organizations in the oil and natural gas industry.

The oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive. Enerplus competes for capital, acquisitions of reserves and/or resources, undeveloped lands, skilled personnel, access to drilling rigs, service rigs and other equipment, access to processing facilities, pipeline and refining capacity and in many other respects with a substantial number of other organizations, many of which may have greater technical and financial resources than Enerplus. Some of these organizations not only explore for, develop and produce oil and natural gas but also conduct refining operations and market oil and other products on a world-wide basis. As a result of these complementary activities, some of Enerplus' competitors may have greater and more diverse competitive resources to draw upon.

As a result of the SIFT Tax, Enerplus will, subject to its level of then-available tax pools, effectively be taxed at a level similar to Canadian corporations starting in 2011 (assuming Enerplus does not violate the "normal growth" safe harbour provisions prior to such date). Therefore, Enerplus' proposed bids for Canadian corporate and property acquisitions may be affected and adjusted for the impact of the SIFT Tax, and Enerplus may not have the same access to capital with respect to corporate and property acquisitions which it has previously experienced. The SIFT Tax may put Enerplus at a competitive disadvantage to other industry participants such as pension resource corporations, U.S. flow-through entities such as master limited partnerships and limited liability companies, and U.S. corporations that are able to minimize Canadian tax through the use of inter-company debt and cross-border tax planning measures.

Enerplus' operation of oil and natural gas wells could subject it to environmental claims and liability.

The oil and natural gas industry is subject to extensive environmental regulation pursuant to local, provincial and federal legislation in Canada and federal and state laws and regulations in the United States. A breach of that legislation may result in the imposition of fines or the issuance of "clean up" orders. Legislation regulating Enerplus' industry may be changed to impose higher standards and potentially more costly obligations. For example, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as the Kyoto Protocol, which would require (among other things) significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, was ratified by Canada in late 2002, and the Canadian federal government continues to evaluate other proposals and legislative measures that would achieve similar environmental objectives. One such measure is the "Turning the Corner" plan details announced on March 10, 2008, in which the Canadian federal government proposed new regulations that would require all facilities emitting more than 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year to reduce emissions over time, and oil sands projects starting operations in 2012 and beyond to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, largely through carbon capture technology. The potential impact on oil sands producers (including Enerplus with respect to its Kirby Project) is currently unclear given the draft nature of the regulations and the fact that carbon capture technology has not yet been proven on a large scale, although the cost of implementation of the new measures could be significant. Although the outcome of this process is unknown at this time, the implementation of more stringent environmental legislation or regulatory requirements may result in additional costs for oil and natural gas producers such as Enerplus. Additionally, in 2008, the Government of British Columbia instituted a carbon tax and a "cap and trade" system for large emitters of greenhouse gases. See "Industry Conditions – Environmental Regulation".

Enerplus is not fully insured against certain environmental risks, either because such insurance is not available or because of high premium costs. In particular, insurance against risks from environmental pollution occurring over time (as opposed to sudden and catastrophic damages) is not available on economically reasonable terms. Accordingly, Enerplus' properties may be subject to liability due to hazards that cannot be insured against, or that have not been insured against due to prohibitive premium costs or for other reasons.

Enerplus does not establish a separate reclamation fund for the purpose of funding its estimated future environmental and reclamation obligations. Enerplus cannot assure prospective investors that it will be able to satisfy its future environmental and reclamation obligations.

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Any site reclamation or abandonment costs incurred in the ordinary course, in a specific period, will be funded out of cash flows and, therefore, will reduce the amounts available for distribution to unitholders. Should Enerplus be unable to fully fund the cost of remedying an environmental claim, Enerplus might be required to suspend operations or enter into interim compliance measures pending completion of the required remedy.

Government regulations and required regulatory approvals may impact Enerplus' operations.

The oil and gas industry operates under federal, provincial, state and municipal legislation and regulation governing such matters as land tenure, prices, royalties, production rates, environmental protection controls, income, the exportation of crude oil, natural gas and other products, as well as other matters. The industry is also subject to regulation by governments in such matters as the awarding or acquisition of exploration and production rights, oil sands or other interests (including the terms and conditions relating to the Kirby Lease and Kirby Project), the imposition of specific drilling obligations, environmental protection controls, control over the development and abandonment of fields and mine sites (including restrictions on production), and possibly expropriation or cancellation of contract rights. See "Industry Conditions".

To the extent that Enerplus fails to comply with applicable government regulations or regulatory approvals, Enerplus may be subject to fines, enforcement proceedings (including "enforcement ladders" with varying penalties) and the restriction or complete revocation of rights to conduct its business, or to apply for regulatory approvals necessary to conduct its business, in the ordinary course.

Government regulations may be changed from time to time in response to economic or political conditions. The exercise of discretion by governmental authorities under existing regulations, the implementation of new regulations or the modification of existing regulations affecting the crude oil and natural gas industry could reduce demand for crude oil and natural gas, increase Enerplus' costs and have a material adverse impact on Enerplus. For example, the Government of Alberta has passed into law, effective January 1, 2009, significant revisions to the royalty regime in place in Alberta. See "Risk Factors – The new Alberta royalty regime may adversely impact Enerplus and its operations and reserves" and "Industry Conditions – Royalties and Incentives".

Enerplus' future adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards may adversely impact the Fund's reported financial results.

The requirement for Enerplus to implement International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") to replace Canadian GAAP effective January 1, 2011 may materially affect the Fund's financial results as reported in its financial statements and may require Enerplus to amend its Credit Facilities to address the changes in accounting principles. As of the date of this Annual International Form, Enerplus has to yet determined its accounting policies and is unable to quantify the impact IFRS will have on its Financial Statements. For additional information, see "Future Accounting Changes" in the Fund's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2008.

A decline in Enerplus' ability to market oil and natural gas production could have a material adverse effect on its production levels or on the price that Enerplus receives for production which, in turn, could reduce distributions to its unitholders.

Enerplus' business depends in part upon the availability, proximity and capacity of oil and natural gas gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities. Canadian federal and provincial, as well as United States federal and state, regulation of oil and gas production, processing and transportation, tax and energy policies, general economic conditions, and changes in supply and demand could adversely affect Enerplus' ability to produce and market oil and natural gas. For example, pipeline and transportation constraints experienced by oil producers in Montana, North Dakota and southeast Saskatchewan became more pronounced in 2008 as a result of strong crude oil prices experienced in the first three quarters of the year and the corresponding increased drilling and development activities in these regions. If these constraints remain unresolved, Enerplus' ability to transport its crude oil production in these regions may be impaired and could adversely impact Enerplus' production volumes or realized prices from these areas. Reduced production and/or restrictions on the marketing or transportation of Enerplus' production or a decline in Enerplus' realized prices may adversely affect Enerplus' cash flow from operations and distributions to the Fund's unitholders.

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If Enerplus expands beyond its current areas of operations or expands the scope of operations beyond oil and natural gas production, Enerplus may face new challenges and risks. If Enerplus is unsuccessful in managing these challenges and risks, its results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Enerplus' operations and expertise are currently focused on conventional oil and natural gas and coalbed methane production and development in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, the Williston Basin and the northern United States, together with its participation in the development of oil sands reserves and resources in the Kirby Project. In the future, Enerplus may acquire oil and natural gas properties and assets outside this geographic area. In addition, the Trust Indenture does not limit Enerplus' activities to oil and natural gas production and development, and Enerplus could acquire other energy related assets, such as oil and natural gas processing plants or pipelines. Expansion of Enerplus' activities into new areas may present challenges and risks that it has not faced in the past, including dealing with additional regulatory matters. If Enerplus does not manage these challenges and risks successfully, its results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Delays in payment for business operations could adversely affect the Fund's distributions to unitholders.

In addition to the usual delays in payment by purchasers of oil and natural gas to Enerplus or to the operators of Enerplus' properties (and the delays of those operators in remitting payment to Enerplus), payments between any of these parties may also be delayed by:

capital or liquidity constraints experienced by such parties, including restrictions imposed by lenders;
accounting delays;
delays in the sale or delivery of products;
delays in the connection of wells to a gathering system;
weather-related delays such as freeze-offs, flooding and premature thawing;
blowouts or other accidents;
adjustments for prior periods;
recovery by the operator of expenses incurred in the operation of the properties; or
the establishment by the operator of reserves for these expenses.

Any of these delays could reduce the amount of cash distributions to Enerplus' unitholders in a given period and expose Enerplus to additional third party credit risks.

The loss of Enerplus' key management and other personnel could impact its business.

Unitholders are entirely dependent on the management of Enerplus with respect to the acquisition of oil and natural gas properties and assets, the development and acquisition of additional reserves and resources, the management and administration of all matters relating to Enerplus' properties and the administration of the Fund. The loss of the services of key individuals could have a detrimental effect on the Fund. Investors should carefully consider whether they are willing to rely on the management of Enerplus before investing in the Trust Units.

Conflicts of interest may arise between Enerplus and its directors and officers.

Circumstances may arise where directors and officers of Enerplus are directors or officers of corporations or other entities involved in the oil and gas industry which are in competition to the interests of Enerplus. See "Directors and Officers – Conflicts of Interest". No assurances can be given that opportunities identified by such persons will be provided to Enerplus.

Lower oil and gas prices increase the risk of write-downs of Enerplus' oil and gas property investments.

Under Canadian GAAP, the net capitalized cost of oil and gas properties is subject to a cost-recovery or "ceiling" test, which is based on future prices and estimated future pre-tax net revenue from Proved Reserves, calculated on an undiscounted basis. If the net capitalized costs exceed the estimated "recoverable amounts", a second test is performed. The second test is based on future prices and estimated future pre-tax net revenue from Proved plus Probable Reserves discounted at the risk-free rate. The amount by which the net capitalized costs exceed the discounted value will be charged to net income.

Under U.S. GAAP, the net capitalized cost of oil and gas properties, net of deferred income taxes, is limited to the present value of after-tax future net revenue from Proved Reserves, discounted at 10%, and based on constant prices at year end. The amount by which the net capitalized costs exceed the discounted value will be charged to net income. Generally speaking, and particularly in a low commodity price

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environment, the use of constant prices and discounting results in a greater likelihood of a ceiling test write-down under U.S. GAAP than Canadian GAAP.

A decline in oil and gas prices may result in the estimated "recoverable amounts" of our oil and natural gas properties to be less than the carrying value on the balance sheet, ultimately resulting in a charge against our earnings. While these write-downs would not affect cash flow, the charge to earnings may be viewed unfavourably in the market. At December 31, 2008, the application of the impairment test under U.S. GAAP resulted in a write down of $1.4 billion ($1.1 billion net of tax) of capitalized costs. There was no impairment of capitalized costs under Canadian GAAP.

In certain circumstances, Enerplus may be required under Canadian GAAP or U.S. GAAP to write down the value of the goodwill recorded on its balance sheet and incur a non-cash charge against its income.

Canadian and U.S. GAAP require that goodwill balances recorded on the balance sheet be assessed for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the balance might be impaired. The impairment assessment is subject to management estimates and assumptions and factors that may be considered include, but are not limited to, a decline in the Trust Unit price, a change in the fair value of Enerplus' oil and natural gas reserves and other assets and liabilities, the current activity level in oil and natural gas property markets and general economic conditions. An impairment would result in a write-down of the goodwill value and a non-cash charge against net income. Enerplus' goodwill balance of approximately $634 million was assessed for impairment as of December 31, 2008 and no impairment existed at that time.

Unforeseen title defects may result in a loss of entitlement to production and reserves and resources.

From time to time, Enerplus conducts title reviews in accordance with industry practice prior to purchases of assets. However, if conducted, these reviews do not guarantee that an unforeseen defect in the chain of title will not arise and defeat Enerplus' title to the purchased assets. If this type of defect were to occur, Enerplus' entitlement to the production and reserves (and, if applicable, resources) from the purchased assets could be jeopardized and, as a result, distributions to unitholders may be reduced. Furthermore, from time to time, Enerplus may have disputes with industry partners as to ownership rights of certain properties or resources, including disputes as to the rights of holders of coal rights versus the rights of holders of natural gas rights with respect to coalbed methane properties.

RISKS RELATED TO ENERPLUS' STRUCTURE AND THE OWNERSHIP OF THE TRUST UNITS

Distributions on the Fund's Trust Units are variable.

The actual cash flow available for distribution to the Fund's unitholders is dependent on the amount of cash flow paid to the Fund by its Operating Subsidiaries and can vary significantly from period to period for a number of reasons, including among other things: (i) the Operating Subsidiaries' operational and financial performance (including fluctuations in the quantity of Enerplus' oil, NGLs and natural gas production and the sales price that Enerplus realizes for such production (after hedging contract receipts and payments)); (ii) fluctuations in the costs to produce oil, NGLs and natural gas, including royalty burdens, and to administer and manage the Fund and its subsidiaries; (iii) the amount of cash required or retained for debt service or repayment, (iv) amounts required to fund capital expenditures and working capital requirements; and (v) foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Certain of these amounts are, in part, subject to the discretion of the board of directors of EnerMark, which regularly evaluates the Fund's distribution payout with respect to anticipated cash flows, debt levels, capital expenditures plans and amounts to be retained to fund acquisitions and expenditures. In addition, the level of distributions per Trust Unit will be affected by the number of outstanding Trust Units and other securities that may be entitled to receive cash distributions, such as the EELP Exchangeable LP Units. Distributions may be increased, reduced or suspended entirely depending on Enerplus' operations and the performance of its assets. The market value of the Trust Units may deteriorate if the Fund is unable to meet distribution expectations in the future, and that deterioration may be material.

Changes in tax and other laws may adversely affect unitholders.

Income tax laws, such as the treatment of mutual fund trusts or the taxation of the Fund's distributions to unitholders, or other laws or government incentive programs relating to the oil and gas industry, may be changed or interpreted in a manner that adversely affects the Fund and its unitholders. Additionally, tax laws and tax treaties in foreign countries in which Enerplus operates or has financing structures

72      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



may be changed or interpreted in a manner which is detrimental to Enerplus' operations and financial structure, and therefore the Fund's unitholders.

Changes to Taxation of Income Trusts

On June 22, 2007, the legislation to implement the SIFT Tax received Royal Assent and became law. See "General Development of Enerplus Resources Fund – Developments in the Past Three Years – Changes to Taxation of Income Trusts and Enerplus' Strategy Post-2010". Enerplus expects that the implementation of the SIFT Tax will result in adverse tax consequences to Enerplus and certain unitholders (and in particular tax-exempt or tax-deferred Canadian residents and taxable non-residents of Canada) and may impact the level of cash distributions from the Fund to its unitholders. In particular:

the Fund may be required to pay taxes, or higher amounts of taxes, in the future or in years earlier than it would under existing tax laws, which could decrease the ability of the Fund to pay monthly cash distributions or the amount of cash distributions available to its unitholders (see "Operational Information – Tax Horizon" for a description of Enerplus' tax position and certain assumptions related thereto);
the estimated net present value of future net revenues, on an after-tax basis, from Enerplus' oil, NGLs, natural gas reserves and bitumen reserves may be decreased as a result of the application of taxes to which Enerplus has historically not been subject; and
the trading price and liquidity of the Trust Units may be adversely affected.

Management of Enerplus believes that the SIFT Tax has reduced, and may further reduce, the value of the Trust Units, which may increase the cost to the Fund of raising capital in the public capital markets. In addition, management of Enerplus believes that the SIFT Tax: (a) has substantially, if not completely, eliminated any competitive advantage that the Fund and other Canadian energy trusts have enjoyed relative to their corporate peers in raising capital in a tax efficient manner; and (b) may place the Fund and other Canadian energy trusts at a competitive disadvantage relative to certain of their industry competitors, including non-taxable pension entities and U.S. master limited partnerships and limited liability companies, which will continue to not be subject to entity level taxation. The SIFT Tax may also make the Trust Units less attractive as consideration for acquisitions in the future. As a result, it may become more difficult for Enerplus to compete effectively for acquisition opportunities. There can be no assurance that Enerplus will be able to generate sufficient tax pools and/or reorganize its legal and tax structure in order to mitigate, in whole or in part, the expected impact of the SIFT Tax.

Additionally, as described under "General Development of Enerplus Resources Fund – Developments in the Past Three Years – Changes to Taxation of Income Trusts and Enerplus' Strategy Post-2010", any "undue expansion" beyond certain "normal growth" parameters could result in the transition period being terminated with the loss of the benefit to the Fund of that transitional period. As a result, the adverse tax consequences resulting from the SIFT Tax could be borne sooner than January 1, 2011.

While these guidelines are such that it is unlikely they would affect Enerplus' ability to raise the capital required to maintain and grow Enerplus' existing operations in the ordinary course during the transition period, they are expected to adversely affect Enerplus' ability to undertake certain significant acquisitions. While the Canadian federal government has announced its intention to accelerate recognition of the safe harbour growth limits, the guidelines, which are incorporated by reference into the statute, may be amended from time to time, and may be amended without an Act of the Canadian Parliament. Therefore, no assurance can be provided that such safe harbour provisions will remain in effect in the current form or that the Fund will not be subject to the SIFT Tax prior to 2011.

Potential Future Conversion to a Corporation or Other Form of Entity

As a result of the above-described changes to the taxation of income trusts, the Fund may determine to convert from an income trust structure to a corporate or other form of entity, prior to the Fund becoming subject to the SIFT Tax for the financial year beginning January 1, 2011. Enerplus is currently hesitant to make structural changes prior to the end of 2010 unless opportunities arise, as Enerplus believes this exemption period has value for its unitholders. Unless circumstances change within the current capital markets or the regulatory, tax or political environment, Enerplus currently believes that it will most likely convert into a dividend paying corporation. However, Enerplus is keeping its options open at this time. If the Fund does complete a conversion to a corporate or other form of structure, the nature of a unitholder's investment will change, and although at this time Enerplus believes that such a conversion may be completed without creating a taxable event for most unitholders for Canadian and U.S. federal income tax purposes, no assurance can be given that such a conversion will not give rise to income tax liability. However, going forward, there can be no assurance that the taxation of future payments received from Enerplus in a corporate or other form will not give rise to tax consequences that are more adverse to securityholders than the current

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treatment of distributions to the Fund's unitholders, and may differ depending on the unitholder's tax jurisdiction and whether the unitholder is holding its investment in a taxable or tax-deferred account.

After 2010, the most important variables that will determine the level of cash taxes incurred by Enerplus in a given year will be the price of crude oil and natural gas, capital spending and the amount of tax pools at the time of conversion. With the current forward prices for commodity prices and its current plans with respect to production, costs and capital spending, Enerplus does not expect a significant change to its overall tax costs until 2013, even if it were to convert to a corporation during 2010. Even after 2013, Enerplus expects that its capital spending will help shelter taxes and would expect cash taxes to average approximately 15% of cash flow, which is not dissimilar to other oil and gas production companies. However, if crude oil and natural gas prices were to strengthen beyond the levels anticipated by the current forward market, Enerplus' tax pools would be utilized more quickly and it may experience higher than expected cash taxes or payment of such taxes in an earlier time period. However, Enerplus emphasizes that it is difficult to give guidance on future taxability as it operates within an industry that constantly changes given acquisitions, divestments, capital spending, distributions and overall commodity prices.

Mutual Fund Trust Status

Generally speaking, the Tax Act provides that a trust will permanently lose its "mutual fund trust" status (which is essential to the income trust structure) if there is a time when it is maintained primarily for the benefit of non-residents of Canada (which is generally interpreted to mean that the majority of unitholders must not be non-residents of Canada), unless at that time, "all or substantially all" of the trust's property consisted of property other than taxable Canadian property (the "TCP Exception"). Based on the most recent information obtained by Enerplus through its transfer agent and financial intermediaries, in February 2009 an estimated 65% of the Fund's issued and outstanding Trust Units were held by non-residents of Canada (as defined in the Tax Act). The Fund has determined that it currently meets the requirements of the TCP Exception, and as a result, the Fund's Trust Indenture does not have a specific limit on the percentage of Trust Units that may be owned by non-residents.

However, there is no assurance that the TCP Exception will continue to be available to the Fund or that the Canadian federal government will not introduce new changes or proposals to tax regulations directed at non-resident ownership which, given the Fund's level of non-resident ownership, may result in the Fund losing its mutual fund trust status or could otherwise detrimentally affect Enerplus and the market price of the Trust Units. Enerplus intends to continue to take the necessary measures in order to ensure the Fund continues to qualify as a mutual fund trust under the Tax Act, as it currently exists. Enerplus may not be able to take steps necessary to ensure that the Fund maintains its mutual fund trust status. Even if the Fund is successful in taking such measures, these measures could be adverse to certain holders of Trust Units, particularly "non-residents" of Canada (as defined in the Tax Act). For additional information regarding these matters, including the ability of Enerplus to adopt non-resident ownership constraints if required in order to ensure that the Fund maintains its mutual fund status and the consequences if the Fund lost its mutual fund trust status, see "Information Respecting Enerplus Resources Fund – Description of the Trust Units and the Trust Indenture – Non-Resident Ownership Provisions" and "Risk Factors – There would be material adverse consequences if the Fund lost its status as a mutual fund trust under Canadian tax laws".

Other Potential Legislative Changes

Additionally, legislation may be implemented to limit the investment in income funds and royalty trusts by certain investors or to change the manner in which these entities are taxed. Tax authorities having jurisdiction over Enerplus or the unitholders may disagree with how Enerplus calculates its income for tax purposes or could change administrative practices to Enerplus' detriment or the detriment of its unitholders.

There would be material adverse tax consequences if the Fund lost its status as a mutual fund trust under Canadian tax laws.

Enerplus intends and anticipates that the Fund will continue to qualify as a mutual fund trust for purposes of the Tax Act. The Fund may not, however, always be able to satisfy any future requirements for the maintenance of mutual fund trust status. See "– Changes in tax and other laws may adversely affect unitholders" above and "General Development of Enerplus Resources Fund – Developments in the Past Three Years – Changes to Taxation of Income Trusts and Enerplus' Strategy Post-2010". Should the status of the Fund as a mutual fund trust be lost

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or successfully challenged by a relevant tax authority, certain adverse consequences may arise for the Fund and its unitholders. Some of the significant consequences of losing mutual fund trust status are as follows:

The Fund would be taxed on certain types of income distributed to unitholders, including income generated by the royalties held by the Fund. Payment of this tax may have adverse consequences for some unitholders, particularly unitholders that are not residents of Canada and residents of Canada that are otherwise exempt from Canadian income tax.
The Fund would cease to be eligible for the capital gains refund mechanism available under Canadian tax laws if it ceased to be a mutual fund trust.
Trust Units held by unitholders that are not residents of Canada would become taxable Canadian property. These non-resident holders would be subject to Canadian income tax on any gains realized on a disposition of Trust Units held by them.
If the Trust Units were not listed on a stock exchange that is a "designated stock exchange" for the purposes of the Tax Act (which currently includes the TSX and the NYSE), Trust Units would not constitute qualified investments for registered retirement savings plans ("RRSPs"), registered retirement income funds ("RRIFs"), registered education savings plans ("RESPs"), registered disability savings plans ("RDSPs"), tax free savings accounts ("TFSAs") or deferred profit sharing plans ("DPSPs"). If, at the end of any month, one of these exempt plans (other than an RDSP or a TFSA) holds Trust Units that are not qualified investments, the plan must pay a tax equal to 1% of the fair market value of the Trust Units at the time the Trust Units were acquired by the exempt plan. An RRSP, RRIF, RDSP or TFSA holding non-qualified Trust Units would be subject to taxation on income attributable to the Trust Units. If an RESP holds non-qualified Trust Units, it may have its registration revoked by the Canada Revenue Agency. If an RDSP or a TFSA holds non-qualified Trust Units it must pay a tax equal to 50% of the value of the Trust Units at the time they ceased to be qualified investments.
The Fund would no longer be exempt from the application of the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Tax Act.

The rights of an Enerplus unitholder differ from those associated with other types of investments.

The Trust Units should not be viewed by investors as shares in a corporation involved in the oil and gas business. The Trust Units represent an equal fractional beneficial interest in the Fund. Although the Trust Indenture generally provides a unitholder of the Fund with substantially all of the material protections, rights and remedies as a shareholder would have under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), the ownership of the Trust Units does not provide unitholders with the statutory rights normally associated with ownership of shares of a corporation, including, for example, the right to bring statutory "oppression" or "derivative" actions or the right to dissent and be paid the "fair market value" of their securities in respect of certain significant transactions involving the Fund. Additionally, the Fund and/or its unitholders may not be able to benefit from or utilize insolvency or restructuring legislation to the same extent as if the Fund were a corporation as the Fund is not a legally recognized entity within the definitions of statutes such as the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) or the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada). As a result, if a restructuring of the Fund was necessary, the Fund may not be able to access the remedies available thereunder, and, in the event of such a restructuring, the position of the Fund's unitholders may be different than those of a Corporation. The unavailability of these statutory rights may also reduce the ability of the Fund's unitholders to seek legal remedies against other parties on Enerplus' behalf.

The Trust Units are not "deposits" within the meaning of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (Canada) and are not insured under the provisions of that Act or any other legislation. Furthermore, the Fund is not a trust company and, accordingly, is not registered under any trust and loan company legislation as it does not carry on or intend to carry on the business of a trust company. In addition, although the Fund is a "mutual fund trust" as defined by the Tax Act, the Fund is not a "mutual fund" as defined by applicable securities legislation.

The Trust Units are also unlike conventional debt instruments in that there is no principal amount owing directly to unitholders. The Trust Units will have no value when reserves or resources from Enerplus' properties can no longer be economically produced or marketed. Unitholders will only be able to obtain a return of the capital they invested during the period when reserves or resources may be economically recovered and sold. Accordingly, the distributions unitholders receive over the life of an investment may not meet or exceed the initial capital investment.

Changes in market-based factors may adversely affect the trading price of the Trust Units.

The market price of the Trust Units is primarily a function of anticipated distributions to unitholders and the value of the properties owned by Enerplus. The market price of the Trust Units is therefore sensitive to a variety of market-based factors including, but not limited to, interest

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      75



rates and the comparability of the Fund's Trust Units to other yield-oriented securities. Any changes in these market-based factors may adversely affect the trading price of the Trust Units.

The issuance of additional Trust Units in lieu of cash distributions could negatively affect the value of the Trust Units and result in the payment of taxes.

The Trust Indenture provides that an amount equal to the taxable income of the Fund will be payable each year to the Fund's unitholders in order to reduce the Fund's taxable income to zero. Where in a particular year, the Fund does not have sufficient cash to distribute such an amount, the Trust Indenture provides that additional Trust Units may be distributed to unitholders in lieu of cash payments. In such a case, unitholders will generally be required to include an amount equal to the fair market value of those Trust Units in their taxable income, notwithstanding that they do not directly receive a cash payment.

The redemption right of unitholders is limited.

Unitholders have a limited right to require the Fund to repurchase Trust Units, which is referred to as a redemption right. See "Description of the Trust Units and the Trust Indenture – Redemption Right". It is anticipated that the redemption right will not be the primary mechanism for unitholders to liquidate their investment. The Fund's ability to pay cash in connection with a redemption is subject to limitations. Any securities which may be distributed in specie to unitholders in connection with a redemption may not be listed on any stock exchange and a market may not develop for such securities. In addition, there may be resale restrictions imposed by law upon the recipients of the securities pursuant to the redemption right.

The limited liability of the Fund's unitholders is uncertain.

Notwithstanding the fact that Alberta (the Fund's governing jurisdiction) has adopted legislation purporting to limit trust unitholder liability, because of uncertainties in the law relating to investment trusts, there is a risk that a unitholder could be held personally liable for obligations of the Fund in respect of contracts or undertakings which the Fund enters into and for certain liabilities arising otherwise than out of contracts, including claims in tort, claims for taxes and possibly certain other statutory liabilities. Enerplus has structured itself and attempted to conduct its business in a manner which mitigates the Fund's liability exposure and where possible, limit its liability to Fund property. However, such protective actions may not completely avoid unitholder liability. Notwithstanding Enerplus' attempts to limit unitholder liability, unitholders may not be protected from liabilities of the Fund to the same extent that a shareholder is protected from the liabilities of a corporation. Further, although the Fund has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless each unitholder from any costs, damages, liabilities, expenses, charges and losses suffered by a unitholder resulting from or arising out of the unitholder not having limited liability, Enerplus cannot assure prospective investors that any assets would be available in these circumstances to reimburse unitholders for any such liability. However, personal liability to unitholders of a trust in Canada is minimal where the beneficiaries are not controlling the day-to-day activities of the trust and there is no direct contact between the beneficiaries of the trust and parties who contract with the trust, each of which conditions is satisfied in the case of the Fund and its unitholders. Legislation that proposes to limit trust unitholder liability has been implemented in Alberta (which is the Fund's governing jurisdiction) but there is no assurance that such legislation will eliminate all risk of unitholder liability. Additionally, the Alberta legislation does not affect the liability of unitholders with respect to any act, default, obligation or liability that arose prior to July 1, 2004.

RISKS PARTICULAR TO UNITED STATES AND OTHER NON-RESIDENT UNITHOLDERS

In addition to the risk factors set forth above (and in particular those set forth under "Risks Related to Enerplus' Structure and the Ownership of the Trust Units – Changes in tax and other laws may adversely affect unitholders"), the following risk factors are particular to unitholders who are not residents of Canada.

United States unitholders may be subject to passive foreign investment company rules.

United States unitholders (meaning, for the purposes of this section, tax residents for United States federal income tax purposes as defined under Section 7701 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the "Code")) should be aware that the United States Internal Revenue Service may determine that the Fund is a "passive foreign investment company" (a "PFIC") under Section 1297(a) of the Code for the 2008 taxable year and in subsequent taxable years. The Fund will be a PFIC if at least 75% of its income consists of dividends, interest, and other passive items or if 50% or more of the average value of its assets (on a gross value basis) consist of assets that would produce

76      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



passive income. To date, Enerplus has received advice that the Fund should not be considered a PFIC for the years 2002 through 2007, and Enerplus does not expect to be considered a PFIC for 2008 or 2009.

If the Fund is or becomes a PFIC, adverse United States federal income tax consequences may apply. Any gain recognized on the sale of Trust Units and any excess distributions (as defined under Section 1291(b) of the Code) paid on the Trust Units must be ratably allocated to each day in a United States unitholder's holding period for the Trust Units. The amount of any such gain or excess distribution allocated to prior years of such United States unitholder's holding period for the Trust Units generally will be subject to United States federal income tax at the highest tax rate applicable to ordinary income in each such prior year, and the United States unitholder will be required to pay interest on the resulting tax liability for each such prior year, calculated as if such tax liability had been due in each such prior year.

Alternatively, a United States unitholder that makes a "qualified electing fund" election generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on such United States unitholder's pro rata share of the Fund's "net capital gain" and "ordinary earnings" (calculated under United States federal income tax rules), regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed by the Fund. United States unitholders should be aware that there can be no assurance that the Fund will satisfy record keeping requirements or that it will supply United States unitholders with required information under the "qualified electing fund" rules in the event that the Fund is a PFIC and a United States unitholder wishes to make a "qualified electing fund" election. As a second alternative, a United States unitholder may make a "mark-to-market election" if the Fund is a PFIC and the Trust Units are marketable stock regularly traded on a securities exchange or other market the United States Secretary of the Treasury determines as adequate. A retroactive election is permitted only in accordance with the United States Treasury Regulations and in some circumstances will require the permission of the United States Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. Additionally, United States holders will not be able to make the "mark-to-market election" with respect to the Fund's Operating Subsidiaries should they be determined to be PFICs. A United States unitholder that makes a "mark-to-market election" generally will include in gross income, for each taxable year in which the Fund is a PFIC, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of the Trust Units as of the close of such taxable year over (b) such United States unitholder's tax basis in such Trust Units. United States unitholders are strongly urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of the Fund's possible classification as a PFIC and the consequences of such classification.

United States and other non-resident unitholders may be subject to additional taxation.

The Tax Act and the tax treaties between Canada and other countries may impose additional withholding or other taxes on the cash distributions or other property paid by the Fund to unitholders who are not residents of Canada, and these taxes may change from time to time. Since January 1, 2005, a 15% Canadian withholding tax is applied to return of capital portion of distributions made to non-resident unitholders. See "Distributions to Unitholders – U.S. Tax Reporting Matters".

Additionally, the reduced "Qualified Dividend" rate of 15% tax applied to the Fund's distributions under current U.S. tax laws is scheduled to expire at the end of 2010 and there is no assurance that this reduced tax rate will be renewed in its present form by the U.S. government at such time.

Furthermore, the changes to the Tax Act relating to the SIFT Tax, such as the recharacterization of trust distributions as corporate dividends, could have unexpected effects on the taxation of cash distributions or other property paid by the Fund to unitholders who are not residents of Canada. These effects may vary depending upon the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction and the terms of any applicable tax treaty between Canada and the country in which a particular unitholder resides. See "Risk Factors – Risks Related to Enerplus' Structure and Ownership of the Trust Units – Changes in tax and other laws may adversely affect unitholders".

Non-resident unitholders are subject to foreign exchange risk on the distributions that they may receive from the Fund.

The Fund's distributions are declared in Canadian dollars and converted to foreign denominated currencies at the spot exchange rate at the time of payment. As a consequence, investors are subject to foreign exchange risk. To the extent that the Canadian dollar weakens with respect to their currency, the amount of the distribution will be reduced when converted to their home currency.

The ability of United States and other non-resident unitholder investors to enforce civil remedies may be limited.

The Fund is a trust organized under the laws of Alberta, Canada, and Enerplus' principal place of business is in Canada. Most of the directors and officers of Enerplus are residents of Canada and most of the experts who provide services to Enerplus (such as its auditors and some of its

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      77



independent reserve and resource engineers) are residents of Canada, and all or a substantial portion of their assets and Enerplus' assets are located within Canada. As a result, it may be difficult for investors in the United States or other non-Canadian jurisdictions (a "Foreign Jurisdiction") to effect service of process within such Foreign Jurisdiction upon such directors, officers and representatives of experts who are not residents of the Foreign Jurisdiction or to enforce against them judgments of courts of the applicable Foreign Jurisdiction based upon civil liability under the securities laws of such Foreign Jurisdiction, including United States federal securities laws or the securities laws of any state within the United States. In particular, there is doubt as to the enforceability in Canada against Enerplus or any of its directors, officers or representatives of experts who are not residents of the United States, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts of liabilities based solely upon the United States federal securities laws or the securities laws of any state within the United States.

78      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Market for Securities

The Trust Units are listed and posted for trading on the TSX and the NYSE. The trading symbol for the Trust Units on the TSX is "ERF.UN" and on the NYSE is "ERF".

The following table sets forth certain trading information for the Trust Units on the TSX and the NYSE in 2008.

    TSX
  NYSE
 
Month     High     Low   Volume     High     Low   Volume  

 
January   $ 41.12   $ 34.02   8,508,339   US$ 41.45   US$ 33.15   5,391,700  
February     43.17     38.35   11,697,052     43.37     38.11   3,941,300  
March     44.75     40.16   11,647,932     44.31     39.16   4,248,000  
April     47.29     43.44   9,107,644     47.10     42.43   4,685,100  
May     49.85     44.61   9,703,976     50.63     43.71   4,061,500  
June     49.00     45.90   9,606,708     48.17     45.51   3,738,200  
July     48.15     39.54   8,820,699     47.47     39.17   8,880,545  
August     46.18     40.18   8,248,044     43.46     37.61   6,600,863  
September     45.24     35.57   12,483,717     42.32     33.64   12,407,840  
October     39.75     24.50   16,171,197     37.45     20.26   19,916,980  
November     32.84     22.01   10,527,969     28.57     17.07   11,848,967  
December     29.06     21.53   11,155,897     22.60     17.28   11,442,812  

 

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      79


Directors and Officers

DIRECTORS OF ENERMARK

The directors of EnerMark are nominated by the unitholders of the Fund at each annual meeting of unitholders. All directors serve until the next annual meeting or until a successor is elected or appointed. The name, municipality of residence, year of appointment as a director of EnerMark and principal occupation for the past five years for each director of EnerMark are set forth below.

Name and Residence   Director Since   Principal Occupation for Past Five Years  

Edwin V. Dodge(4)(6)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  May 2004   Corporate director since 2004. Prior thereto, Chief Operating Officer of Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (a public Canadian national rail company).  
Robert B. Hodgins(2)(3)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  December 2007   Independent businessman since November 2004. Prior thereto, Chief Financial Officer of Pengrowth Energy Trust (a TSX and NYSE-listed energy trust).  
Gordon J. Kerr
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  May 2001   President and Chief Executive Officer of Enerplus.  
Douglas R. Martin(1)(7)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  September 2000   President of Charles Avenue Capital Corp. (a private merchant banking company).  
David P. O'Brien(3)(8)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  March 2008   Corporate director, including Chairman of EnCana Corporation (a TSX and NYSE-listed oil and gas company) since April 2002 and Chairman of the Royal Bank of Canada (a TSX and NYSE-listed Canadian chartered bank) since February 2004.  
Glen D. Roane(2)(4)
Canmore, Alberta, Canada
  June 2004   Corporate director.  
W.C. (Mike) Seth(3)(5)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  August 2005   President of Seth Consultants Ltd. (a private consulting firm) since June 2006. From July 2005 to June 2006, Mr. Seth was Chairman of McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd. ("McDaniel") (a petroleum engineering consulting firm). Prior thereto, President and Managing Director of McDaniel.  
Donald T. West(5)(6)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  April 2003   Businessman.  
Harry B. Wheeler(2)(5)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  January 2001   President of Colchester Investments Ltd. (a private investment firm).  
Clayton H. Woitas(5)(6)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  March 2008   President of Range Royalty Management Ltd. (a private energy company) since June 2006. Prior thereto, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Profico Energy Management Ltd. (a private oil and gas company).  
Robert L. Zorich(3)(4)(9)
Houston, Texas, USA
  January 2001   Managing Director of EnCap Investments L.P. (a private firm that provides private equity financing to the oil and gas industry).  

Notes:

(1)
Chairman of the board of directors and ex officio member of all committees of the board of directors.
(2)
The Audit & Risk Management Committee is comprised of Robert B. Hodgins as Chairman, Glen D. Roane and Harry B. Wheeler.
(3)
The Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee is comprised of Robert L. Zorich as Chairman, Robert B. Hodgins, David P. O'Brien and W.C. (Mike) Seth.
(4)
The Compensation & Human Resources Committee is comprised of Glen D. Roane as Chairman, Edwin V. Dodge and Robert L. Zorich.
(5)
The Reserves Committee is comprised of W.C. (Mike) Seth as Chairman, Harry B. Wheeler, Donald T. West and Clayton H. Woitas.
(6)
The Health, Safety & Environment Committee is comprised of Edwin V. Dodge as Chairman, Donald T. West and Clayton H. Woitas.
(7)
From 1991 to 2000, Mr. Martin was director of Coho Energy, Inc. ("Coho"), an oil and natural gas corporation that was listed on the TSE and NASDAQ. In 1999, Coho filed for protection under United States federal bankruptcy law, from which it was released in April, 2000. The directors of Coho were not held responsible for any actions. Mr. Martin resigned as a director of Coho in April of 2000.
(8)
Mr. O'Brien was a director of Air Canada in April 2003 when Air Canada filed for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada). Mr. O'Brien resigned as a director from Air Canada in November 2003.
(9)
In late 1997, Mr. Zorich was appointed to the board of directors of Benz Energy Inc. ("Benz"), a Vancouver Stock Exchange (later the Canadian Venture Exchange and now the TSX Venture Exchange) listed company at the time, as a representative of Mr. Zorich's employer, EnCap Investments L.P., which had provided certain financing to Benz. On November 8, 2000, Benz, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Texstar Petroleum Inc., jointly filed a petition for protection under United States federal bankruptcy law, and on January 19, 2001, the shares of Benz were made subject to a cease trade order by the Alberta Securities Commission and suspended from trading on the Canadian Venture Exchange Inc. for failing to file required financial information.

80      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


OFFICERS OF ENERMARK

The name, municipality of residence, position held and principal occupation for the past five years for each officer of EnerMark are set out below:

Name and Residence   Office   Principal Occupation for Past Five Years  

Gordon J. Kerr
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  President & Chief Executive Officer   President & Chief Executive Officer of Enerplus.  
Garry A. Tanner
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer   Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Enerplus since April 2006. Prior thereto, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Enerplus.  
Ian C. Dundas
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Senior Vice President, Business Development   Senior Vice President, Business Development since August 2004. Prior thereto, Vice President and Director, Business Development of Enerplus.  
Robert J. Waters
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer   Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Enerplus.  
Jo-Anne M. Caza
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications   Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications since January 2008. Prior thereto, Vice President, Investor Relations of Enerplus.  
Raymond J. Daniels
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Vice President, Oil Sands   Vice President, Oil Sands of Enerplus since December 2007. Prior thereto, Vice President, Surmont Development, Surmont Opportunity Manager and Asset Manager, Central Region, each with ConocoPhillips Canada.  
Rodney D. Gray
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Vice President, Finance   Vice President, Finance of Enerplus since February 2005. Prior thereto, Controller, Finance of Enerplus.  
Dana W. Johnson
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
  President, U.S. Operations   President, U.S. Operations of Enerplus since May 2008. Prior thereto, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Quicksilver Resources Canada Inc., (a wholly-owned subsidiary of NYSE-listed Quicksilver Resources Inc., an oil and gas exploration and production company) since January 2005 and U.S. Eastern Region Manager since 2004.  
Lyonel G. Kawa
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Vice President, Information Services   Vice President, Information Services since January 2007. Prior thereto, Manager, Information Systems and Technology with Burlington Resources Canada Ltd. (an oil and gas exploration and production company) since July 2004. Prior thereto, Team Leader with TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. (a public energy transportation and infrastructure company).  
Robert A. Kehrig
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Vice President, Resource Development   Vice President, Resource Development of Enerplus since October 2008. Prior thereto, Manager in Enerplus' Business Development group.  
Jennifer F. Koury
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Vice President, Corporate Services   Vice President, Corporate Services of Enerplus since October 2006. Prior thereto, a private consultant.  
Eric G. Le Dain
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Vice President, Regulatory, Environment and Marketing   Vice President, Regulatory, Environment and Marketing of Enerplus since December 2008. Prior thereto, Vice President, Marketing of Enerplus since September 2006. Prior thereto, Executive Director of Energy Marketing of UBS Commodities Canada Ltd. (a financial services company).  
David A. McCoy
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary   Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of Enerplus.  
Daniel M. Stevens
Crossfield, Alberta, Canada
  Vice President, Development Services   Vice President, Development Services of Enerplus.  
Kenneth W. Young
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Vice President, Land   Vice President, Land of Enerplus since November 2008. Prior thereto, Vice President, Land at Avant Garde Energy Corp. (a private oil and gas exploration and production company) since 2008. Prior thereto, independent consultant since 2007. Prior thereto, Vice President, Land of Zargon Oil & Gas Ltd. (a subsidiary of Zargon Energy Trust, an oil and gas income trust).  
Jodine J. Jenson Labrie
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  Controller, Finance   Controller, Finance of Enerplus since March 2006. Prior thereto, Manager, Finance and Senior Financial Accountant of Enerplus.  

TRUST UNIT OWNERSHIP

As of March 10, 2009, the directors and officers named above beneficially own, or control or exercise direction over, directly or indirectly, an aggregate of 633,870 Trust Units, representing approximately 0.39% of the outstanding Trust Units as of that date, and 4,122,759 EELP

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      81



Exchangeable LP Units, representing approximately 59.66% of the outstanding EELP Exchangeable LP Units as of that date. In the aggregate, such securities represent approximately 1.43% of the aggregate voting securities of the Fund.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Certain of the directors and officers named above may be directors or officers of issuers which are in competition with Enerplus, and as such may encounter conflicts of interests in the administration of their duties with respect to Enerplus. In situations where conflicts of interest arise, Enerplus expects the applicable director or officer to declare the conflict and, if a director of EnerMark, abstain from voting in respect of such matters on behalf of Enerplus.

See "Risk Factors – Potential Conflicts of Interest".

AUDIT & RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure regarding Enerplus' Audit & Risk Management Committee required under National Instrument 52-110 adopted by certain of the Canadian securities regulatory authorities is contained in Appendix "D" to this Annual Information Form.

Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Actions

Enerplus is involved in various claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. While the outcome of these matters is uncertain and there can be no assurance that such matters will be resolved in Enerplus' favour, Enerplus does not currently believe that the outcome of any pending or threatened proceedings related to these or other matters, or the amounts which Enerplus may be required to pay by reason thereof, would have a material adverse impact on its financial position, results of operation or liquidity. Enerplus is not and was not during 2008 a party to, and none of Enerplus' property is or was during 2008 the subject of, any legal proceeding that involves a claim for damages (exclusive of interests and costs) greater than 10% of its current assets as at December 31, 2008, and Enerplus has no knowledge of any such proceeding being contemplated.

Interest of Management and Others in Material Transactions

To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of EnerMark, none of the directors or executive officers of EnerMark and no person or company that is the direct or indirect beneficial owner of, or who exercises control or direction over, more than 10% of any class or series of the Fund's securities, nor any associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing, has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction with Enerplus since January 1, 2006 or in any proposed transaction that has materially affected or is reasonably expected to materially affect Enerplus.

82      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



Material Contracts and Documents Affecting the
Rights of Securityholders

Enerplus is not a party to any contracts material to its business or operations, other than contracts entered into in the normal course of business. A copy of the Bank Credit Facility (including all amendments thereto) and a form of each series of Senior Unsecured Notes (including all amendments thereto) was filed on March 18, 2008 as a "Material document" on the Fund's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and on Form 6-K on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

A copy of the Trust Indenture, which is described under "Information Respecting Enerplus Resources Fund – Description of the Trust Units and the Trust Indenture", was filed on the Fund's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com on May 30, 2008 and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov on June 11, 2008. A copy of the Fund's Unitholder Rights Plan Agreement, which is described under "Information Respecting Enerplus Resources Fund – Unitholder Rights Plan", was filed on the Fund's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com on May 12, 2008 and was filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov on May 13, 2008, and is available on the Fund's website at www.enerplus.com under "Corporate Governance".

Interests of Experts

Sproule prepared the Sproule Report in respect of the reserves attributable to Enerplus' Canadian conventional oil and natural gas properties, a summary of which is contained in this Annual Information Form. As of the date of the Sproule Report, the "designated professionals" (as defined in Form 51-102F2 – Annual Information Form of the Canadian securities regulatory authorities) of Sproule, as a group, beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding Trust Units. NSAI prepared the NSAI Report in respect of Enerplus' U.S. conventional oil and natural gas properties, a summary of which is contained in this Annual Information Form. As of the date of the NSAI Report, the designated professionals of NSAI, as a group, beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding Trust Units. GLJ prepared the GLJ Oil Sands Resources Report in respect of the contingent and prospective bitumen resources attributable to the Kirby Lease (together with interests in certain minor non-operated oil sands projects), a summary of which is contained in this Annual Information Form. As of the date of the GLJ Oil Sands Resources Report, the designated professionals of GLJ, as a group, beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding Trust Units.

The auditors of the Fund are Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Chartered Accountants, Calgary, Alberta. Deloitte & Touche LLP has confirmed that it is independent within the meaning of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta, the Securities Acts administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the requirements of the Independence Standards Board.

Registrar and Transfer Agent

The registrar and transfer agent for the Trust Units in Canada is Computershare Trust Company of Canada, at its principal offices in Calgary, Alberta and Toronto, Ontario. Computershare Trust Company N.A. at its principal offices in Golden, Colorado is the transfer agent for the Trust Units in the United States.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      83



Additional Information

Additional information relating to the Fund may be found on the Fund's company profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, on the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov and on the Fund's website at www.enerplus.com. Additional information, including directors' and officers' remuneration and indebtedness, principal holders of the Fund's securities and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, as applicable, is contained in the Fund's information circular dated March 13, 2009 for its 2009 annual general meeting of unitholders. Furthermore, additional financial information relating to the Fund is provided in the Fund's audited consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for year ended December 31, 2008. Unitholders who wish to receive printed copies of these documents free of charge should contact the Fund's Investor Relations department using the contact information included on the final page of this Annual Information Form.

84      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


appendix a

 

Appendix "A"
Report on Reserves Data by Independent Qualified Reserves Evaluator or Auditor

Terms to which a meaning is ascribed in CSA Staff Notice 51-324 – Glossary to NI 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities, have the same meaning herein.

To the board of directors of Enerplus Resources Fund (the "Company"):

1.
We have evaluated the Company's Reserves Data as at December 31, 2008. The reserves data are estimates of proved reserves and probable reserves and related future net revenue as at December 31, 2008, estimated using forecast prices and costs.

2.
The Reserves Data are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Reserves Data based on our evaluation.

    We carried out our evaluation in accordance with standards set out in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (the "COGE Handbook"), prepared jointly by the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (Calgary Chapter) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum (Petroleum Society).

3.
Those standards require that we plan and perform an evaluation to obtain reasonable assurance as to whether the reserves data are free of material misstatement. An evaluation also includes assessing whether the reserves data are in accordance with principles and definitions presented in the COGE Handbook.

4.
The following table sets forth the estimated future net revenue attributed to proved plus probable reserves, estimated using forecast prices and costs on a before tax basis and calculated using a discount rate of 10 percent, included in the reserves data of the Company evaluated by us as of December 31, 2008, and identifies the respective portions thereof that we have audited, evaluated and reviewed and reported on to the Company's management and the Board of Directors:
Independent Qualified Reserves Evaluator   Description and Preparation Date of   Location of Reserves (Country or Foreign   Net Present Value of Future Net Revenue
(10% discount rate)

or Auditor   Evaluation Report   Geographic Area)   Audited     Evaluated     Reviewed     Total  

            (in $ millions)
Sproule   Evaluation of the P&NG Reserves in Canada of Enerplus Resources Fund, As of December 31, 2008, prepared July 2008 to February 2009   Canada   Nil   $ 5,589   $ 438   $ 6,027  

5.
In our opinion, the reserves data evaluated by us have, in all material respects, been determined and are presented in accordance with the COGE Handbook.

6.
We have no responsibility to update the report referred to in paragraph 4 for events and circumstances occurring after its preparation date.

7.
Because the reserves data are based on judgments regarding future events, actual results will vary and the variations may be material. However, any variations should be consistent with the fact that reserves are categorized according to the probability of their recovery.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      A-1


Executed as to our report referred to above:

Sproule Associates Limited
Calgary, Alberta
February 12, 2009
  "Robert R. Warholm"
Robert R. Warholm, P. Eng.
Manager, Engineering

 

 

"
Michael W. Maughan"
Michael W. Maughan, C.P.G., P. Geol.
Vice-President, Geoscience

 

 

"
R. Keith MacLeod"
R. Keith MacLeod, Eng.
President

A-2      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


appendix b

 

Appendix "B"
Report on Reserves Data by Independent
Qualified Reserves Evaluator or Auditor

Terms to which a meaning is ascribed in CSA Staff Notice 51-324 – Glossary to NI 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities, have the same meaning herein.

To the board of directors of EnerMark Inc. (the "Company"):

1.
We have prepared an evaluation of the Company's reserves data as at December 31, 2008. The reserves data are estimates of proved reserves and probable reserves and related future net revenue as at December 31, 2008, estimated using forecast prices and costs.

2.
The reserves data are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the reserves data based on our evaluation.

    We carried out our evaluation in accordance with standards set out in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (the "COGE Handbook") prepared jointly by the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (Calgary Chapter) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum (Petroleum Society).

3.
Those standards require that we plan and perform an evaluation to obtain reasonable assurance as to whether the reserve data are free of material misstatement. An evaluation also includes assessing whether the reserves data are in accordance with principles and definitions presented in the COGE Handbook.

4.
The following table sets forth the estimated future net revenue (before deduction of income taxes) attributed to proved plus probable reserves, estimated using forecast prices and costs and calculated using a discount rate of 10 percent, included in the reserves data of the Company evaluated by us for the year ended December 31, 2008, and identifies the respective portions thereof that we have audited, evaluated and reviewed and reported on to the Company's board of directors:
Independent Qualified   Description and Preparation Date of   Location of Reserves (Country or Foreign   Net Present Value of Future Net Revenue
(before U.S. federal income taxes,
10% discount rate)

Reserves Evaluator   Evaluation Report   Geographic Area)     Audited     Evaluated     Reviewed     Total  

              (US$ thousands)
Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.   Estimate of Reserves and Future Revenue to the Enerplus Resources (USA) Corporation Interest as of December 31, 2008, dated February 12, 2009   Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming, USA   $   $ 819,175.7   $   $ 819,175.7  

5.
In our opinion, the reserves data respectively evaluated by us have, in all material respects, been determined and are in accordance with the COGE Handbook.

6.
We have no responsibility to update our reports referred to in paragraph 4 for events and circumstances occurring after their respective preparation dates.

7.
Because the reserves data are based on judgments regarding future events, actual results will vary and the variations may be material. However, any variations should be consistent with the fact that reserves are categorized according to the probability of their recovery.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      B-1


Executed as to our report referred to above:

    NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Dallas, Texas, USA
February 25, 2009

 

 

/s/
C.H. (SCOTT) REES III, P.E.
C.H. (Scott) Rees III, P.E.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

B-2      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


appendix c

 

Appendix "C"

Report of Management and Directors
on Reserves Data and Other Information

Terms to which a meaning is described in CSA Staff Notice 51-324 – Glossary to NI 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities have the same meaning herein.

Management of EnerMark Inc. ("EnerMark"), on behalf of Enerplus Resources Fund (the "Fund"), are responsible for the preparation and disclosure of information with respect to the Fund's oil and gas activities in accordance with securities regulatory requirements. This information includes reserves data which are estimates of proved reserves and probable reserves and related future net revenue as at December 31, 2008, estimated using forecast prices and costs.

Independent qualified reserves evaluators have evaluated and reviewed the Fund's reserves data. The reports of the independent qualified reserves evaluators are presented as Appendices "A and "B" to this Annual Information Form.

The Reserves Committee of the board of directors of EnerMark has:

(a)
reviewed EnerMark's procedures for providing information to the independent qualified reserves evaluators;

(b)
met with the independent qualified reserves evaluators to determine whether any restrictions affected the ability of the independent qualified reserves evaluators to report without reservation; and

(c)
reviewed the reserves data with management and the independent qualified reserves evaluators.

The Reserves Committee of the board of directors of EnerMark has reviewed EnerMark's procedures for assembling and reporting other information associated with oil and gas activities and has reviewed that information with management. The board of directors of EnerMark has, on the recommendation of the Reserves Committee, approved:

(a)
the content and filing with securities regulatory authorities of Form 51-101F1 containing reserves data and other oil and gas information;

(b)
the filing of Forms 51-101F2 which are the reports of the independent qualified reserves evaluators on the reserves data; and

(c)
the content and filing of this report.

Because the reserves data are based on judgements regarding future events, actual results will vary and the variations may be material. However, any variations should be consistent with the fact that reserves are categorized according to the probability of their recovery.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      C-1


ENERPLUS RESOURCES FUND
By EnerMark Inc.
   

 

 

 
"Gordon J. Kerr"
Gordon J. Kerr
President & Chief Executive Officer
   

 

 

 
"Garry A. Tanner"
Garry A. Tanner
Executive Vice President &
Chief Operating Officer
   

 

 

 
"Harry B. Wheeler"
Harry B. Wheeler
Director
   

 

 

 
"W.C. (Mike) Seth"
W.C. (Mike) Seth
Director
   

March 13, 2009

C-2      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


appendix d

 

Appendix "D"

Audit & Risk Management Committee Disclosure
Pursuant to National Instrument 52-110

A. THE AUDIT & RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE'S CHARTER

The charter of the Audit & Risk Management Committee (the "Committee") of the board of directors of EnerMark is attached as Schedule 1 to this Appendix "D".

B. COMPOSITION OF THE AUDIT & RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The current members of the Committee are Robert B. Hodgins (Chairman), Glen D. Roane and Harry B. Wheeler. Each member of the Committee is independent and financially literate within the meaning of National Instrument 52-110.

C. RELEVANT EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Name (Director Since)   Principal Occupation and Biography  

Robert B. Hodgins (B.A. (Business), C.A.
(November 2007)

Other Public Directorships
  AltaGas Income Trust (energy midstream services)
  Enerflex Systems Income Fund (oil and gas services)
  Fairborne Energy Ltd. (oil and gas exploration and production company)
  MGM Energy Corp. (oil and gas exploration and production company)
  Mr. Hodgins has been an independent businessman since November 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Hodgins served as the Chief Financial Officer of Pengrowth Energy Trust (a TSX and NYSE-listed energy trust) from 2002 to 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Hodgins held the position of Vice President and Treasurer of Canadian Pacific Limited (a diversified energy, transportation and hotels company) from 1998 to 2002 and was Chief Financial Officer of TransCanada PipeLines Limited (a TSX and NYSE-listed energy transportation company) from 1993 to 1998. Mr. Hodgins received a Bachelor of Arts in Business from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario in 1975 and received a Chartered Accountant designation and was admitted as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 1977 and Alberta in 1991.  

Mr. Glen D. Roane (B.A., MBA)
(June 2004)

Other Public Directorships
  Destiny Resource Services Corp. (oil and gas service business)
  Badger Income Fund (provider of non-destructive excavation services)
  Mr. Roane is a corporate director and has served as a board member of many TSX-listed companies including (in addition to those public entities listed herewith of which he currently serves as a director) Repap Enterprises Inc., Ranchero Energy Inc., Forte Resources Inc., Valiant Energy Inc., Maxx Petroleum Ltd. and NQL Energy Services Inc., since his retirement from TD Asset Management Inc., a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (a publicly traded Canadian chartered bank) in 1997. In addition to serving as a director of the public entities listed herewith, Mr. Roane is the Chairman of Tarpon Energy Services Ltd., a private energy services company, and a director of GBC North American Fund Inc., a Canadian mutual fund corporation. Mr. Roane is also a member of the Alberta Securities Commission. Mr. Roane holds a Bachelor of Arts and an MBA from Queen' University in Kingston, Ontario.  

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      D-1


Name (Director Since)   Principal Occupation and Biography  

Mr. Harry B. Wheeler (B.Sc. (Geology))
(January 2001)

Other Public Directorships
  Nil
  Mr. Wheeler has been the President of Colchester Investments Ltd., a private investment firm, since 2000. From 1962 to 1966, Mr. Wheeler worked with Mobil Oil in Canada and Libya and from 1967 to 1972 was employed by International Resources Ltd., in London, England and Denver, Colorado. He was a Director of Quintette Coal Ltd., Vice President of Amalgamated Bonanza Petroleum Ltd. and operator of his private company before founding Cabre Exploration Ltd. ("Cabre"), a public oil and gas company, in 1980. Mr. Wheeler was Chairman of Cabre until it was acquired by EnerMark Income Fund (a predecessor of Enerplus) in December 2000. Mr. Wheeler is currently a director of Magellan Resources Ltd., a private oil and gas company. Mr. Wheeler graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1962 with a degree in Geology.  

D. PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Committee has implemented a policy restricting the services that may be provided by the Fund's auditors and the fees paid to the Fund's auditors. Prior to the engagement of the Fund's auditors to perform both audit and non-audit services, the Committee pre-approves the provision of the services. In making their determination regarding non-audit services, the Committee considers the compliance with the policy and the provision of non-audit services in the context of avoiding impact on auditor independence. All audit and non-audit fees paid to Deloitte & Touche LLP in 2008 and 2007 were pre-approved by the Committee. Based on the Committee's discussions with management and the independent auditors, the Committee is of the view that the provision of the non-audit services by Deloitte & Touche LLP described above is compatible with maintaining that firm's independence from the Fund.

E. EXTERNAL AUDITOR SERVICE FEES

The aggregate fees paid by the Fund to Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Chartered Accountants, the auditors of the Fund, for professional services rendered in the Fund's last two fiscal years are as follows:

      2008       2007  

 
      (in $ thousands)
Audit fees(1)   $ 772.5     $ 751.4  
Audit-related fees(2)            
Tax fees(3)     106.3       132.6  
All other fees(4)            

 
    $ 878.8     $ 884.0  

 

Notes:

(1)
Audit fees were for professional services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP for the audit of the Fund's annual financial statements and reviews of the Fund's quarterly financial statements, as well as services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
(2)
Audit-related fees are for assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Fund's financial statements and not reported under "Audit fees" above.
(3)
Tax fees were for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. The fees were for services performed by the Fund's auditors' tax division except those tax services related to the audit.
(4)
All other fees are fees for products and services provided by the Fund's auditors other than those described as "Audit fees", "Audit-related fees" and "Tax fees".

D-2      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Schedule 1 to Appendix "D"

 

Audit & Risk Management Committee Charter

I. AUTHORITY

The Audit & Risk Management Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Fund shall be comprised of three or more Directors as determined from time to time by resolution of the Board. Consistent with the appointment of other Board committees, the members of the Committee shall be elected by the Board at the first meeting of the Board following each annual meeting of Unitholders of Enerplus Resources Fund (the "Fund") or at such other time as may be determined by the Board. The Chairman of the Committee shall be designated by the Board, provided that if the Board does not so designate a Chairman, the members of the Committee, by majority vote, may designate a Chairman. The presence in person or by telephone of a majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of the Committee. All actions of the Committee will require the vote of a majority of its members present at a meeting of the Committee at which a quorum is present.

Because of the Committee's demanding role and responsibilities, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee reviews any invitation to Committee members to join the audit committee of any other company or corporation. Where a member of the Committee simultaneously serves on the audit committee of more than three (3) public companies, including the Committee, the Board determines whether such simultaneous service impairs the ability of such member to serve effectively on the Committee.

Members of the Committee do not receive any compensation from the Fund other than compensation as directors and committee members. Prohibited compensation includes fees paid, directly or indirectly, for services as consultant or as legal or financial advisor, regardless of the amount, but excludes any compensation approved by the Board and that is paid to the directors as members of the Board and its committees.

II. PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE

The Committee's mandate is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to:

1.
financial reporting and continuous disclosure of the Fund;

2.
the Fund's internal controls and policies, the certification process and compliance with regulatory requirements over financial matters;

3.
evaluating and monitoring the performance and independence of the Fund's external auditors; and

4.
monitoring the manner in which the business risks of the Fund are being identified and managed.

The Committee shall report to the Board on a regular basis with regard to such matters. The Committee has direct responsibility to recommend the appointment of the external auditors and authority to fix their remuneration. The Committee may take such actions, as it deems necessary to satisfy itself that the Fund's auditors are independent of management. It is the objective of the Committee to maintain free and open means of communications (including the annual proxy information circular) among the Board, the external auditors, and the financial senior management of the Fund.

III. COMPOSITION AND COMPETENCY OF THE COMMITTEE

Each member of the Committee shall be unrelated to the Fund and, as such, shall be free from any relationship that may interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgement as a member of the Committee. All members of the Committee shall be financially literate and at least one member of the Committee shall have accounting or related financial management expertise – "literate" or "literacy" and "expertise" as defined by applicable securities legislation. Members are encouraged to enhance their understanding of current issues through means of their preference.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      D-3


IV. MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE

The Committee shall meet with such frequency and at such intervals as it shall determine is necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities. As part of its purpose to foster open communications, the Committee shall meet at least quarterly with management and the Corporation's external auditors in separate executive sessions to discuss any matters that the Committee or each of these groups or persons believes should be discussed privately. The Chairman works with the Chief Financial Officer and external auditors to establish the agendas for Committee meetings, ensuring that each party's expectations are understood and addressed. The Committee, in its discretion, may ask members of management or others to attend its meetings (or portions thereof) and to provide pertinent information as necessary. The Committee shall maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings and the Committee's activities and provide copies of such minutes to the Board.

V. DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE

Evaluating and monitoring the performance and independence of external auditors

1.
Make recommendations to the Board on the appointment of external auditors of the Fund;

2.
Review and approve the Fund's external auditors' annual engagement letter, including the proposed fees contained therein;

3.
Review the performance of the external auditors and make recommendations to the Board regarding their replacement when circumstances warrant. The review shall take into consideration the evaluation made by management of the external auditors' performance and shall include:

(a)
Review annually the external auditors' quality control, any material issues raised by the most recent quality control review, or peer review, of the firm, or any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities of the firm within the preceding five years, and any steps taken to deal with such issues;

(b)
Obtain assurances from the external auditors that the audit was conducted in accordance with Canadian and US generally accepted auditing standards; and

(c)
Ensure that management interacts professionally with the auditors and confirm such behavior annually with both parties; and

4.
Oversee the independence of the external auditors by, among other things:

(a)
requiring the external auditors to deliver to the Committee on a periodic basis a formal written statement detailing all relationships between the external auditors and the Fund;

(b)
reviewing and approving the Fund's hiring policies regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of current and former external auditors;

(c)
actively engaging in a dialogue with the external auditors with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the external auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action to satisfy itself of the auditors' independence;

(d)
Pre-approve the nature of non-audit related services and the fees thereon;

(e)
conducting private sessions with the external auditors and encouraging direct communications between the Chairman of the Committee and the audit partner;

(f)
instructing the Fund's external auditors that they are ultimately accountable to the Committee and the Board and that the Committee and the Board are responsible for the selection (subject to Unitholder approval), evaluation and termination of the Fund's external auditors;

(g)
have a private meeting with the external auditors at every quarterly Committee meeting; and

(h)
obtain annually the auditors' views on competency and integrity of the audit committee and senior financial executives.

Oversight of annual and quarterly financial statements, management discussion and analysis and press releases

5.
Review and approve the annual audit plan of the external auditors, including the scope of audit activities, and monitor such plan's progress and results quarterly and at year end;

D-4      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


6.
Confirm, through private discussions with the external auditors and management, that no restrictions are being placed on the scope of the external auditors' work;

7.
Review the appropriateness of management's representation letter transmitted to the external auditors;

8.
Receipt of certifications from the CEO and CFO; and

9.
Review with management the adequacy of financial results and disclosure in the management discussion and analysis and press release and recommend approval to the Board:

(a)
obtain satisfactory answers from management following the review of the financial documents;

(b)
the qualitative judgments of the external auditors about the appropriateness, not just the acceptability, of accounting principles and financial disclosure practices used or proposed to be adopted by the Fund and, particularly, their views about alternate accounting treatments and their effects on the financial results;

(c)
the methods used to account for significant unusual transactions;

(d)
the effect of significant accounting policies in controversial or emerging areas for which there is a lack of authoritative guidance or consensus;

(e)
management's process for formulating sensitive accounting estimates and the reasonableness of these estimates;

(f)
significant recorded and unrecorded audit adjustments;

(g)
any material accounting issues among management and the external auditors;

(h)
other matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the external auditors under generally accepted auditing standards;

(i)
management's acknowledgement of its responsibility towards the financial statements;

(j)
significant legal, compliance or regulatory matters that may have a material effect on the financial statements or the business of the organization (including material notices to, or inquiries received from, governmental agencies); and

(k)
receive the report from the Reserves Committee over the appropriateness of reported reserves and resources.

Oversight of financial reporting process, internal controls, the continuous disclosure and certification process and compliance with regulatory requirements

10.
Establishment of the Fund's Whistleblower Policy for the submission, receipt, retention and treatment of complaints and concerns regarding accounting and auditing matters, and review any developments and responses on reports received thereunder;

11.
Review the adequacy and effectiveness of the financial reporting system and internal control policies and procedures with the external auditors and management. Ensure that the Fund complies with all new regulations in this regard;

12.
Review with management the Fund's internal controls, and evaluate whether the Fund is operating in accordance with prescribed policies and procedures;

13.
Review with management and the external auditors any reportable condition and material weaknesses affecting internal controls;

14.
Review the management disclosure and oversight Committee's CEO and CFO certification processes to ensure compliance with US and Canadian requirements;

15.
Receive periodic reports from the external auditors and management to assess the impact of significant accounting or financial reporting developments proposed by the CICA, the AICPA, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC, the relevant Canadian securities commissions, stock exchanges or other regulatory body, or any other significant accounting or financial reporting related matters that may have a bearing on the Fund; and

16.
Review annually the report of the external auditor on the Fund's internal controls over financial reporting describing any material issues raised by the most recent reviews of internal controls and management information systems or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities and any recommendations made and steps taken to deal with any such issues.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      D-5


Review of Business Risks

17.
Review with management the process followed to do the Fund's risk assessment and the policies to monitor, mitigate and report such business risks.

Other Matters

18.
Review of appointment or dismissal of senior financial executives;

19.
Conduct or authorize investigations into any matters within the Committee's scope of responsibilities, including retaining outside counsel or other consultants or experts for this purpose;

20.
Review the disclosure made in the Annual Report, Annual Information Form, 40-F and the Information Circular regarding the Audit & Risk Management Committee;

21.
Establish and maintain a free and open means of communication between the Board, the Committee, the external auditors, and management;

22.
Perform such additional activities, and consider such other matters, within the scope of its responsibilities, as the Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate; and

23.
Once a year, the Committee reviews the adequacy of its Charter and brings to the attention of the Board required changes, if any, for approval. The Committee is also reviewed annually by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, which reports its findings to the Board.

While the Committee has the duties and responsibilities set forth in this Charter, the Committee is not responsible for planning or conducting the audit or for determining whether the Fund's financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Similarly, it is not the responsibility of the Committee to resolve disagreements, if any, between management and the external auditors. While it is acknowledged that the Committee is not legally obliged to ensure that the Fund complies with all laws and regulations, the spirit and intent of this Charter is that the Committee shall take reasonable steps to encourage the Fund to act in full compliance therewith.

D-6      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


appendix e

 

Appendix "E"

SFAS No. 69 Supplemental Reserve Information

The following disclosures have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Statement No. 69 – Disclosures about Oil and Gas Producing Activities ("SFAS No. 69"). The disclosures include Proved reserves, future net cash flows, and costs incurred attributable to our conventional crude oil and natural gas operations and our SAGD-recoverable bitumen projects. The Proved Reserves using constant prices and costs disclosed herein are determined according to the definition of "proved reserves" under NI 51-101 which differs from the definition provided in the SEC rules, however the difference should not be material. See "Presentation of Enerplus' Oil and Gas Reserves, Resources and Production Information" in this Annual Information Form.

All cost information in this section is stated in Canadian dollars and is calculated in accordance with United States of America Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("U.S. GAAP").

A. PROVED OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVE QUANTITIES

Users of this information should be aware that the process of estimating quantities of "Proved Developed" and "Proved Undeveloped" crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and bitumen reserves is very complex, requiring significant subjective decisions in the evaluation of all available geological, engineering and economic data for each reservoir. The data for a given reservoir may change substantially over time as a result of numerous factors including, but not limited to, additional development activity, evolving production history, and continual reassessment of the viability of production under varying economic conditions. Consequently, material revisions to existing reserve estimates occur from time to time. Although every reasonable effort is made to ensure that reserve estimates reported represent the most accurate assessments possible, the significance of the subjective decisions required and variances in available data for reservoirs make these estimates generally less precise than other estimates presented in connection with financial statement disclosures.

Proved Reserves are the estimated quantities of oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and bitumen which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under economic and operating conditions that existed at year end. Future fluctuations in prices, production rates, or changes in political or regulatory environments could cause the Fund's reserves to be materially different from that presented.

Proved Developed Reserves are reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. Proved Undeveloped Reserves are reserves that are expected to be recovered from known accumulations where a significant expenditure is required.

Subsequent to December 31, 2008, no major discovery or other favorable or adverse event is believed to have caused a material change in the estimates of Proved Reserves as of that date.

The Fund's December 31, 2008 Proved crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves are located in western Canada, primarily in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as in the United States, primarily in the states of Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming. The Fund's net Proved Reserves summarized in the following chart represent the Fund's lessor royalty, overriding royalty, and working interest share of the gross remaining reserves, after deduction of any Crown, freehold and overriding royalties:

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      E-1


    Canada
  United States
  Total
   
    Oil and NGLs   Natural Gas   Bitumen   Oil and NGLs   Natural Gas   Oil and NGLs   Natural Gas   Bitumen    

 
 
    (Mbbls)   (Mmcf)   (Mbbls)   (Mbbls)   (Mmcf)   (Mbbls)   (MMcf)   (Mbbls)    
Proved Developed and Undeveloped Reserves at December 31, 2005   106,669   786,724   9,215   19,937   11,109   126,606   797,833   9,215    

 
 
Purchases of reserves in place   1,044   4,162     333   283   1,377   4,445      
Sales of reserves in place   (30 ) (107 ) (532 )     (30 ) (107 ) (532 )  
Discoveries and extensions   1,981   22,854     367   321   2,348   23,175      
Revisions of previous estimates   (1,895 ) (44,035 ) (294 ) 218   1,318   (1,677 ) (42,717 ) (294 )  
Improved recovery   2,788   22,347     1,727   1,111   4,515   23,458      
Production   (9,259 ) (74,484 )   (3,113 ) (1,804 ) (12,372 ) (76,288 )    

 
 
Proved Developed and Undeveloped Reserves at December 31, 2006   101,298   717,461   8,389   19,469   12,338   120,767   729,799   8,389    

 
 
Purchases of reserves in place   4   2,851     124   13,311   128   16,162      
Sales of reserves in place     (2,587 )         (2,587 )    
Discoveries and extensions   1,411   18,387         1,411   18,387      
Revisions of previous estimates   (275 ) 3,931   35   292   6,193   17   10,124   35    
Improved recovery   2,387   6,676     5,744   4,722   8,131   11,398      
Production   (8,680 ) (72,262 )   (3,031 ) (3,435 ) (11,711 ) (75,697 )    

 
 
Proved Developed and Undeveloped Reserves at December 31, 2007   96,145   674,457   8,424   22,598   33,129   118,743   707,586   8,424    

 
 
Purchases of reserves in place   5,241   296,849         5,241   296,849      
Sales of reserves in place       (8,424 )         (8,424 )  
Discoveries and extensions   2,034   18,225         2,034   18,225      
Revisions of previous estimates   (7,802 ) (57,449 )   (1,820 ) 553   (9,622 ) (56,896 )    
Improved recovery   1,939   2,699     1,290   2,676   3,229   5,375      
Production   (8,958 ) (96,664 )   (2,852 ) (4,103 ) (11,810 ) (100,767 )    

 
 
Proved Developed and Undeveloped Reserves at December 31, 2008   88,599   838,117     19,216   32,255   107,815   870,372      

 
 
Proved Developed Reserves                                    
  December 31, 2005   101,048   652,825     13,354   7,442   114,402   660,267      
  December 31, 2006   95,734   584,846   2,687   18,977   11,961   114,711   596,807   2,687    
  December 31, 2007   90,715   533,654   2,341   19,707   26,839   110,422   560,493   2,341    
  December 31, 2008   79,485   683,044     18,664   28,462   98,149   711,506      

 
 

B. CAPITALIZED COSTS RELATED TO OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES

The capitalized costs and related accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, including impairments, relating to the Fund's oil and gas exploration, development and producing activities are as follows:

      2008     2007     2006    

      (in $ thousands)          
Capitalized costs(1)   $ 7,322,721   $ 5,245,528   $ 4,689,444    
Less accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization     (4,005,780 )   (1,970,467 )   (1,608,186 )  

Net capitalized costs   $ 3,316,941   $ 3,275,061   $ 3,081,258    

Note:

(1)
Includes capitalized costs of proved and unproved properties.

E-2      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


C. COSTS INCURRED IN OIL AND GAS PROPERTY ACQUISITION, EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

Costs incurred in connection with oil and gas producing activities are as follows:

    For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
      Canada     United States     Total  

      (in $ thousands)        
Acquisition of properties:                    
  Proved   $ 1,733,742   $ 115   $ 1,733,857  
  Unproved     70,069     448     70,517  
Exploration costs     27,360     5,822     33,182  
Development costs     445,111     63,661     508,772  
Asset retirement costs     48,097     168     48,265  

    $ 2,324,379   $ 70,214   $ 2,394,593  

 
    For the Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
      Canada     United States     Total  

      (in $ thousands)        
Acquisition of properties:                    
  Proved   $ 10,215   $ 60,954   $ 71,169  
  Unproved     212,154     915     213,069  
Exploration costs     33,994     13,770     47,764  
Development costs     231,889     91,557     323,446  
Asset retirement costs     52,179     262     52,441  

    $ 540,431   $ 167,458   $ 707,889  

 
    For the Year Ended December 31, 2006
 
      Canada     United States (1)   Total  

      (in $ thousands)        
Acquisition of properties:                    
  Proved   $ 35,323   $ 15,990   $ 51,313  
  Unproved     20,006     201     20,207  
Exploration costs     32,510     1,202     33,712  
Development costs     325,459     115,284     440,743  
Asset retirement costs     17,743     588     18,331  

    $ 431,041   $ 133,265   $ 564,306  

Note:

(1)
Property acquisition costs include costs incurred to purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire oil and gas properties, including an allocation of purchase price on business combinations that result in property acquisitions. Development costs include the costs of drilling and equipping development wells and facilities to extract, gather and store oil and gas, along with an allocation of overhead. Development costs also include capitalized interest for development projects that have not reached commercial production. Exploration costs include costs related to the discovery and the drilling and completion of exploratory wells in new crude oil and natural gas reservoirs. Asset retirement costs represent capitalized asset retirement costs during the year. No gains or losses on retirement activities were realized, due to settlements approximating the estimates.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      E-3


D. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES

The following table sets forth revenue and direct cost information relating to the Fund's oil and gas producing activities for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:

    For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
   
      Canada     United States     Total    

      (in $ thousands)          
Revenue                      
  Sales(1)   $ 1,655,831   $ 265,579   $ 1,921,410    
Deduct(2)                      
  Production Costs(3)     342,161     37,580     379,741    
  Depletion, depreciation, amortization, accretion and impairment     1,711,270     275,448     1,986,718    
  Current and Deferred income tax provision     (375,056 )   6,137     (368,919 )  

Results of operations for oil and gas producing activities   $ (22,544 ) $ (53,586 ) $ (76,130 )  

 
    For the Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
      Canada     United States     Total  

      (in $ thousands)        
Revenue                    
  Sales(1)   $ 1,025,822   $ 228,183   $ 1,254,005  
Deduct(2)                    
  Production Costs(3)     286,248     10,000     296,248  
  Depletion, depreciation, amortization, accretion and impairment     299,217     103,752     402,969  
  Current and Deferred income tax provision (recovery)     70,827     30,204     101,031  

Results of operations for oil and gas producing activities   $ 369,530   $ 84,227   $ 453,757  

 
    For the Year Ended December 31, 2006
   
      Canada     United States (4)   Total    

      (in $ thousands)          
Revenue                      
  Sales(1)   $ 1,079,251   $ 219,519   $ 1,298,770    
Deduct(2)                      
  Production Costs(3)     266,493     7,357     273,850    
  Depletion, depreciation, amortization, accretion and impairment     295,975     111,232     407,207    
  Current and Deferred income tax provision     (55,409 )   19,845     (35,564 )  

Results of operations for oil and gas producing activities   $ 572,192   $ 81,085   $ 653,277    

Notes:

(1)
Sales are presented net of royalties and third party obligations.
(2)
The costs deducted in the schedule exclude corporate overhead, interest expense and other costs which are not directly related to oil and gas producing activities.
(3)
Production costs include transportation costs.

E. STANDARDIZED MEASURE OF DISCOUNTED FUTURE NET CASH FLOWS RELATING TO PROVED OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVE QUANTITIES

The following information has been developed utilizing procedures described by SFAS No. 69 and is based on crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and bitumen reserve and production volumes estimated by the independent engineering consultants of the Fund. It may be useful for certain comparison purposes, but should not be solely relied upon in evaluating the Fund or its performance. Further, information contained in the following table should not be considered as representative of realistic assessments of future cash flows, nor should the "standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows" be viewed as representative of the current value of the Fund's reserves.

The future cash flows presented below are based on sales prices, cost rates, and statutory income tax rates in existence as of the period end date. It is expected that material revisions to some estimates of crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and bitumen reserves may occur in

E-4      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



the future, development and production of the reserves may occur in periods other than those assumed, and actual prices realized and costs incurred may vary significantly from those used.

Management does not rely upon the following information in making investment and operating decisions. Such decisions are based upon a wide range of factors, including estimates of Probable Reserves as well as Proved Reserves, and varying price and cost assumptions considered more representative of a range of possible economic conditions that may be anticipated.

The following tables set forth the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows from projected production of the Fund's crude oil and natural gas reserves:

    As at December 31, 2008
 
      Canada     United States     Total  

      (in $ millions)        
Future cash inflows   $ 8,645   $ 891   $ 9,536  
Future production costs     3,679     244     3,923  
Future development and asset retirement costs     747     46     793  
Future income tax expenses     279     83     362  

Future net cash flows   $ 3,940   $ 518   $ 4,458  
Deduction: 10% annual discount factor     1,562     177     1,739  

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows   $ 2,378   $ 341   $ 2,719  

 
    As at December 31, 2007
 
      Canada     United States     Total  

      (in $ millions)        
Future cash inflows   $ 11,520   $ 2,035   $ 13,555  
Future production costs     3,776     297     4,073  
Future development and asset retirement costs     587     75     662  
Future income tax expenses     1,058     427     1,485  

Future net cash flows   $ 6,099   $ 1,236   $ 7,335  
Deduction: 10% annual discount factor     2,818     527     3,345  

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows   $ 3,281   $ 709   $ 3,990  

 
    As at December 31, 2006
 
      Canada     United States     Total  

      (in $ millions)        
Future cash inflows   $ 10,197   $ 1,185   $ 11,382  
Future production costs     3,826     98     3,924  
Future development and asset retirement costs     569     22     591  
Future income tax expenses         240     240  

Future net cash flows   $ 5,802   $ 825   $ 6,627  
Deduction: 10% annual discount factor     2,744     305     3,049  

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows   $ 3,058   $ 520   $ 3,578  

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      E-5


F. CHANGES IN STANDARDIZED MEASURE OF DISCOUNTED FUTURE CASH FLOW RELATING TO PROVED OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES

The following table summarizes the principal sources of change in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows:

      2008     2007     2006    

      (in $ millions)          
Beginning of year   $ 3,990   $ 3,578   $ 5,406    
  Sales of oil and natural gas produced, net of production costs     (1,608 )   (972 )   (1,028 )  
  Net changes in sales prices and production costs     (1,276 )   1,197     (1,963 )  
  Changes in previously estimated development costs incurred during the period     235     145     240    
  Changes in estimated future development costs     (135 )   (221 )   (210 )  
  Extension, discoveries and improved recovery, net of related costs     63     416     725    
  Purchase of reserves in place     680     42     31    
  Sales of reserves in place     (27 )   (4 )   (3 )  
  Net change resulting from revisions in previous quantity estimates     88     (8 )   (130 )  
  Accretion of discount     376     312     442    
  Net change income taxes     333     (496 )   68    

End of year   $ 2,719   $ 3,990   $ 3,578    

Note:

(1)
The schedules above are calculated using year-end prices, costs, statutory tax rates and existing Proved oil and gas reserves. The value of exploration properties and probable reserves, future exploration costs, future changes in oil and gas prices and in production and development costs are excluded.

E-6      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


appendix f 

 

Appendix "F"

Information Regarding
Enerplus Exchangeable Limited Partnership

INFORMATION CONCERNING ENERPLUS EXCHANGEABLE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

Capitalized terms referred to in this section and not otherwise defined in this Annual Information Form have the same meaning as set forth in the Exchangeable Unit Provisions attached as Schedule "A" to the EELP Agreement, a copy of which was filed on the Fund's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com as a "Security holders document" on February 19, 2008 (as amended by a filing completed on April 1, 2008) and on the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov on Form 6-K on February 20, 2008 (as amended by a filing completed on April 2, 2008).

General

EELP is a limited partnership formed under the laws of Alberta. The head and principal office of EELP is located at The Dome Tower, Suite 3000, 333 - 7th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 2Z1. The general partner of EELP is EnerMark, an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. The EELP General Partner is entitled to receive a distribution in each fiscal year equal to 0.001% of the net income of EELP. The partners of EELP must at all times not be Non-Residents.

The business of EELP consists of conducting, and acquiring, investing in, holding, transferring, disposing of and otherwise dealing with securities of whatever nature and kind of, or issued by, the Fund or any associate or affiliate of the Fund or any associate or affiliate thereof, or of, or issued by, any other corporation, partnership, trust or other person involved, directly or indirectly, in any business which involves exploring for or drilling, extracting, gathering, processing, transporting, buying, storing or selling of petroleum, natural gas, natural gas liquids, water, minerals or other related products, power or other forms of energy, and all related businesses and such other businesses as the Board of Directors may determine, and activities ancillary and incidental thereto, whether carried on directly or indirectly or through another person.

Partnership Units

EELP is authorized to issue an unlimited number of EELP A Units and EELP Exchangeable LP Units. The EELP General Partner may, in respect of EELP, also issue at any time units of any class or series or secured and unsecured debt obligations, debt obligations convertible into any class or series of units, or options, warrants, rights, appreciation rights or subscription rights relating to any class or series of units, to the EELP General Partner, to limited partners or any other person who is not a Non-Resident and is not Tax-Exempt. Each unit ranks equally with each other unit of the same class or series and entitles the holder thereof to the same rights and obligations as the holder of any other unit of the same class or series and no limited partner is entitled to any privilege, priority or preference in relation to any other limited partner holding units of the same class or series.

In addition, on a distribution of assets in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of EELP, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of EELP among its partners for the purpose of winding-up its affairs: (a) the holders of EELP A Units will be distributed an amount equal to the Exchange Ratio Percentage of the aggregate of all of the liabilities of the Fund and all other subsidiaries of the Fund that are not direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of EELP; and (b) the balance of the assets of EELP will be distributed: (i) as to that proportion of such assets equal to the result obtained by dividing the amount of such assets by the sum of (A) the number of EELP Exchangeable LP Units multiplied by the Exchange Ratio Percentage and (B) the number of Trust Units, in each case as outstanding on the date of such distribution, in respect of each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit outstanding; and (ii) as to the remaining portion of such assets, to the holders of EELP A Units rateably in accordance with the number of EELP A Units held thereby.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      F-1


EELP A Units

EELP A Units are only permitted to be issued to, and held by, the Fund or an affiliate thereof. Holders of EELP A Units are entitled to one vote for each EELP A Unit on any Ordinary LP Resolution or Extraordinary LP Resolution of EELP. A holder of EELP A Units is entitled to receive, and the EELP General Partner shall, subject to applicable law, from time to time pay distributions on each EELP A Unit as the EELP General Partner determines. Such distributions will be paid out of money, assets or property of EELP properly applicable to the payment of distributions or out of authorized but unissued EELP A Units, as applicable.

EELP Exchangeable LP Units

In 2006, EELP (then named Focus Limited Partnership) issued 10,000,000 EELP Exchangeable LP Units to securityholders of Profico Energy Management Ltd. ("Profico") who elected to receive and were entitled to receive EELP Exchangeable LP Units instead of, or in addition to, trust units of Focus in consideration for their Profico common shares pursuant to the acquisition by Focus of Profico. As of December 31, 2008, there were 7,238,000 EELP Exchangeable LP Units issued and outstanding, exchangeable into an aggregate of 3,076,000 Trust Units of the Fund. The EELP Exchangeable LP Units may also be issued in respect of other acquisitions made by EELP from time to time. The EELP General Partner shall ensure, in good faith and in its sole discretion, the economic equivalence of EELP Exchangeable LP Units to Trust Units, after giving effect to the 0.425 exchange ratio.

The principal terms of EELP Exchangeable LP Units are:

(a)
EELP Exchangeable LP Units are exchangeable for no additional consideration for 0.425 of a Trust Unit at the option of the holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the EELP Agreement, the EELP Support Agreement and the EELP Voting and Exchange Agreement. See below under "– EELP Voting and Exchange Agreement – Exchange Right";

(b)
each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit entitles the holder thereof to receive non-interest bearing loans from EELP equal to cash distributions made by the Fund on a Trust Unit, multiplied by 0.425. See below under "– Distribution Rights";

(c)
the holder of each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit will be entitled to direct the Voting and Exchange Trustee to vote the Special Voting Right at all meetings of the Fund's unitholders on the basis of 0.425 of a vote for each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit;

(d)
the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units will not be entitled as such to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the partners of EELP or to vote at any such meeting. However, holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units will be entitled to vote separately as a class in respect of proposals to add to, change or remove any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to EELP Exchangeable LP Units or in respect of any other amendment to the applicable partnership agreement which will have an adverse impact on the holders of such EELP Exchangeable LP Units. See below under "– Voting Rights";

(e)
EELP Exchangeable LP Units will not be transferable except as set out below under "– Transfer of EELP Exchangeable LP Units"; and

(f)
EELP will be entitled to acquire all of EELP Exchangeable LP Units in exchange for Trust Units in certain specified circumstances, including there being outstanding fewer than 1,000,000 EELP Exchangeable LP Units or in the event of certain transactions which may involve a change of control of the Fund. See below under "– Redemption Right".

The exchange, voting and distribution rights associated with EELP Exchangeable LP Units and the associated Special Voting Right as described below in greater detail are subject to standard anti dilution provisions.

Distribution Rights

Holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units are entitled to receive, and EELP will, subject to applicable law, on each date on which the Fund declares a distribution on Trust Units, declare a loan in respect of each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit:

(a)
in the case of a cash distribution declared on Trust Units, in an amount in cash for each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit equal to the cash distribution declared on each Trust Unit, multiplied by 0.425; or

(b)
in the case of a distribution declared on Trust Units in property other than cash or Trust Units, in such type and amount of property for each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit as is the same as, or economically equivalent to, the type and amount of property declared as a distribution on each Trust Unit, multiplied by 0.425.

Any amount or value of property loaned in respect of EELP Exchangeable LP Units pursuant to these distribution entitlements will not constitute a distribution of profits or other compensation by way of income in respect of such EELP Exchangeable LP Units but rather will

F-2      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



constitute a non-interest bearing loan of the amount thereof, or in the case of property, the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors as of the date of such loan, to the holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units receiving the same, which loan will be repayable by such holder to EELP on the earlier of: (a) January 1 of the calendar year next following the loan; (b) the 5th business day preceding any Insolvency Event; (c) the business day prior to the redemption of EELP Exchangeable LP Units in respect of which the loans were made (pursuant to the Retraction Right or any redemption by EELP); (d) the business day prior to the purchase of EELP Exchangeable LP Units in respect of which the loan was made pursuant to the Liquidation Call Right; and (e) the business day prior to any other transfer of EELP Exchangeable LP Units in respect of which the loan was made. On the date on which the loan is repayable as determined in the immediately preceding sentence, EELP will make a distribution in respect of each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit equal to the amount of the loan outstanding in respect thereof. EELP will set off and apply the amount of any such distribution against the obligations of any holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units under any loan outstanding in respect thereof and each holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units will have the right to set off and apply any amount owed by such holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units under any loan outstanding in respect thereof against the amount of any such distribution.

Transfer of EELP Exchangeable LP Units

No holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units may sell, assign, encumber, grant a security interest in, cause EELP to redeem or otherwise dispose of or transfer (or permit any of the foregoing to occur), whether voluntarily or involuntarily or otherwise, its EELP Exchangeable LP Units, except in accordance with operation of law or with respect to a re-registration of certificates evidencing EELP Exchangeable LP Units that does not involve a change in beneficial ownership.

Retraction Right

Pursuant to the Retraction Right, holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units will be entitled at any time prior to January 8, 2017 to require EELP to redeem any or all of EELP Exchangeable LP Units held by such holder for the Retraction Price, which shall be satisfied by EELP causing to be delivered to such holder the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration (defined in Schedule "A" to the EELP Agreement as "Class B Unit Consideration") representing the Retraction Price.

Holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units may effect such exchange by presenting a certificate or certificates to the EELP General Partner or the transfer agent as may be specified by EELP representing the number of EELP Exchangeable LP Units the holder desires to have EELP redeem together with such other documents as may be required to effect the transfer of EELP Exchangeable LP Units under the EELP Agreement and such additional documents and instruments as the transfer agent for EELP Exchangeable LP Units and the EELP General Partner may reasonably require to effect the exchange together with a duly completed Retraction Request.

EELP will thereafter cause the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration to be delivered to the holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units. For greater clarity, the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration will consist, in part, of 0.425 of a Trust Unit for each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit redeemed.

Liquidation Right

Subject to the Liquidation Call Right of the Fund or its applicable subsidiary described below, in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of EELP, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of EELP among its partners for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, a holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units will be entitled, subject to applicable law, to receive from the assets of EELP, in respect of each such EELP Exchangeable LP Unit held on the Liquidation Date, the Liquidation Amount, which shall be satisfied by EELP causing to be delivered to such holder the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration representing the Liquidation Amount. For greater clarity, the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration will consist, in part, of 0.425 of a Trust Unit for each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit.

Liquidation Call Right

Upon the occurrence of an event as described above under "– Liquidation Right", pursuant to the Liquidation Call Right, the Fund or its applicable subsidiary will have the overriding right to purchase from all but not less than all of the holders (other than the Fund and its affiliates) of EELP Exchangeable LP Units on the Liquidation Date all but not less than all of such holders' EELP Exchangeable LP Units for the Liquidation Amount and, upon the exercise of this right, the holders thereof will be obligated to sell such EELP Exchangeable LP Units to the Fund or its applicable subsidiary. For the purposes of completing the purchase of EELP Exchangeable LP Units pursuant to the Liquidation Call

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      F-3



Right, the Fund or its applicable subsidiary will deposit or cause to be deposited with the transfer agent for such EELP Exchangeable LP Units, on or before the Liquidation Date, the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration representing the Liquidation Amount. Upon the surrender to the transfer agent by a holder of such EELP Exchangeable LP Units of its certificate(s) representing EELP Exchangeable LP Units, together with such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of EELP Exchangeable LP Units pursuant to the EELP Agreement, the transfer agent will deliver the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration to which such holder is entitled. For greater clarity, the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration will consist, in part, of 0.425 of a Trust Unit for each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit subject to the Liquidation Call Right.

Redemption Right

Subject to applicable law, EELP shall, on the Redemption Date, redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding EELP Exchangeable LP Units for the Redemption Price. Payment of the total Redemption Price shall be made by delivery of the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration representing the total Redemption Price to each holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units. For greater clarity, the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration will consist, in part, of 0.425 of a Trust Unit for each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit redeemed.

For the purposes of the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit provisions, "Redemption Date" means the date, if any, established by the Board of Directors for the redemption by EELP of all but not less than all of the outstanding EELP Exchangeable LP Units (other than EELP Exchangeable LP Units held by the Fund or its affiliates), pursuant to the Redemption Right, which date shall be no earlier than January 8, 2017, unless:

(a)
there are less than 1,000,000 EELP Exchangeable LP Units outstanding (other than EELP Exchangeable LP Units held by the Fund or its affiliates), such numbers to be adjusted as determined by the Board of Directors, in good faith and in its sole discretion, to give effect to any subdivision, consolidation or distribution in specie of EELP Exchangeable LP Units, any issue or distribution of rights, options or warrants to acquire EELP Exchangeable LP Units (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire EELP Exchangeable LP Units), any issue or distribution of other securities or rights or evidences of indebtedness or assets, or any other capital reorganization or other transaction affecting EELP Exchangeable LP Units, in which case the Redemption Date shall be the business day determined by the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors shall give such number of days' prior written notice to the registered holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units and the Voting and Exchange Trustee as the Board of Directors may determine to be reasonably practicable in such circumstances;

(b)
a Trust Control Transaction occurs in respect of EELP, in which case, provided that the Board of Directors determines, in good faith and in its sole discretion, that it is not reasonably practicable to substantially replicate the terms and conditions of EELP Exchangeable LP Units, in connection with such a Trust Control Transaction and that the redemption of all but not less than all of the outstanding EELP Exchangeable LP Units is necessary to enable the completion of such Trust Control Transaction in accordance with its terms, the redemption date shall be the business day determined by the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors shall give such number of days' prior written notice to the registered holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units and to the Voting and Exchange Trustee as the Board of Directors may determine to be reasonably practicable in such circumstances;

(c)
a Change of Law occurs, in which case the redemption date shall be the business day determined by the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors shall give such number of days' prior written notice to the registered holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units and the Voting and Exchange Trustee as the Board of Directors may determine to be reasonably practicable in such circumstances;

(d)
a Class B Unit Voting Event is proposed, in which case, provided that the Board of Directors has determined, in good faith and in its sole discretion, that it is not reasonably practicable to accomplish the business purpose intended by the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Voting Event, which business purpose must be bona fide and not for the primary purpose of causing the occurrence of a Redemption Date, the redemption date shall be the business day prior to the record date for any meeting or vote of the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units, to consider the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Voting Event and the Board of Directors shall give such number of days' prior written notice of such redemption to the registered holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units and the Voting and Exchange Trustee as the Board of Directors may determine to be reasonably practicable in such circumstances; or

(e)
an Exempt Class B Unit Voting Event is proposed and the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units fail to take the necessary action at a meeting or other vote of holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units, to approve or disapprove, as applicable, the Exempt EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Voting Event, in which case the redemption date shall be the business day following the day on which the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units fail to take such action,

F-4      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


provided, however, that the accidental failure or omission to give any notice of redemption under clauses (a), (b) or (c) above to any of such holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units shall not affect the validity of any such redemption.

In the case of paragraph (a) above, EELP will, at least 30 days before any such Redemption Date, send or cause to be sent to each holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units a notice in writing of the redemption by EELP of EELP Exchangeable LP Units held by such holder.

Automatic Redemption

Holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units are obligated to notify EELP of any event or circumstance which would result in such holder becoming or being deemed to become a Non-Resident, as soon as practicable and, in any event, at least 30 days prior to the anticipated Change of Residency Date. On and as of the fifth business day prior to the Change of Residency Date in respect of a holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units, all but not less than all of such holder's EELP Exchangeable LP Units will be and be deemed to be transferred to EELP for the Automatic Redemption Price per EELP Exchangeable LP Unit, which shall be satisfied by EELP depositing or causing to be deposited with the transfer agent for such EELP Exchangeable LP Units the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration representing the Automatic Redemption Price. Upon the surrender to the transfer agent by a holder of such EELP Exchangeable LP Units of its certificate(s) representing EELP Exchangeable LP Units, together with such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of EELP Exchangeable LP Units pursuant to the EELP Agreement, the transfer agent will deliver the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration to which such holder is entitled.

For greater clarity, the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration will consist, in part, of 0.425 of a Trust Unit for each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit subject to the Automatic Redemption.

EELP AGREEMENT

Voting Rights

The holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units will not be entitled as such to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the partners of EELP or to vote at any such meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units will be entitled to vote separately as a class in respect of certain amendments to the EELP Agreement. See "– Amendment and Approval" below. On every vote taken at every such meeting each holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units shall be entitled to one vote in respect of each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit held by such holder.

Pursuant to the Fund's Trust Indenture, the Special Voting Right has been issued in conjunction with EELP Exchangeable LP Units issued. Each Special Voting Right entitles the holder thereof to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the Fund's unitholders and to vote at any such meeting. Pursuant to the EELP Voting and Exchange Agreement, each of the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units is entitled to instruct the Voting and Exchange Trustee to vote the Special Voting Right in respect of the number of Trust Units into which its EELP Exchangeable LP Units are exchangeable. The Special Voting Right issued to the Voting and Exchange Trustee by the Fund entitles the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units to 0.425 of a vote at meetings of the Fund's unitholders for each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit, but has none of the other rights attached to Trust Units. See "– EELP Voting and Exchange Agreement – Voting Rights".

Amendment and Approval

Amendments to the EELP Agreement may be proposed by the EELP General Partner and, subject to the following limitations, will be deemed to be effective if approved by the EELP General Partner:

(a)
the amendment provisions themselves may not be amended without the unanimous consent of the holders of the limited partnership units of EELP;

(b)
no amendment shall be made to the EELP Agreement which would have the effect of, among other things: (i) preventing the loans or distributions to the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units or adversely affecting the rights of the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units under the EELP Support Agreement; (ii) changing the provision in the EELP Agreement that restricts certain distributions or payments on EELP A Units or issuances of securities ranking superior to EELP Exchangeable LP Units; (iii) changing the liability of a limited partner; (iv) allowing any limited partner to exercise control over the business of EELP; (v) changing the right of a limited partner to vote on resolutions; or (vi) changing EELP from a limited partnership to a general partnership, without such amendment being passed by an Extraordinary LP Resolution;

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      F-5


(c)
no amendment shall be made to the EELP Agreement which would have the effect of adding, changing or removing any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to EELP Exchangeable LP Units, or which would have an adverse impact on the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units unless such amendment is approved by a class vote of 662/3% of the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units; and

(d)
no amendment shall be made which would have the effect of adversely affecting the rights and obligations of the EELP General Partner becoming effective before 45 days after the resolution approving such amendment.

Partners must be notified of the full details of any amendments to the EELP Agreement within 30 days of the effective date of the amendment.

EELP VOTING AND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

Capitalized terms referred to in this section and not otherwise defined in this Annual Information Form have the same meaning as set forth in the EELP Voting and Exchange Agreement, a copy of which was filed on the Fund's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com as a "Security holders document" on June 9, 2008 and on the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov on Form 6-K on June 11, 2008.

Voting Rights

In accordance with the EELP Voting and Exchange Agreement, the Fund has issued the Special Voting Right to the Voting and Exchange Trustee, for the benefit of the holders (other than the Fund and its affiliates) of EELP Exchangeable LP Units. The Special Voting Right carries a number of votes, exercisable at any meeting at which the Fund's unitholders are entitled to vote, equal to the number of Trust Units into which EELP Exchangeable LP Units are then exchangeable multiplied by the number of votes to which the holder of one Trust Unit is then entitled. With respect to any written consent sought from the Fund's unitholders, each vote attached to the Special Voting Right will be exercisable in the same manner as set forth above.

Each holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units on the record date for any meeting at which the Fund's unitholders are entitled to vote is entitled to instruct the Voting and Exchange Trustee to exercise that number of votes attached to the Special Voting Right which relate to EELP Exchangeable LP Units held by such holder. The Voting and Exchange Trustee will exercise each vote attached to the Special Voting Right only as directed by the relevant holder and, in the absence of instructions from a holder as to voting, will not exercise such votes.

The Voting and Exchange Trustee sends to the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units the notice of each meeting at which the Fund's unitholders are entitled to vote, together with the related meeting materials and a statement as to the manner in which the holder may instruct the Voting and Exchange Trustee to exercise the votes attaching to the Special Voting Right, at the same time as the Fund sends such notice and materials to the Fund's unitholders. The Voting and Exchange Trustee also sends to the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units copies of all information statements, interim and annual financial statements, reports and other materials sent by the Fund to its unitholders at the same time as such materials are sent to the unitholders. To the extent such materials are provided to the Voting and Exchange Trustee by the Fund, the Voting and Exchange Trustee also sends to the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units all materials sent by third parties to the Fund's unitholders, including dissident proxy circulars and tender and exchange offer circulars, as soon as possible after such materials are first sent to unitholders.

All rights of a holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units to exercise votes attached to the Special Voting Right will cease and be terminated immediately upon: (a) the delivery to the Voting and Exchange Trustee of the certificates representing such EELP Exchangeable LP Units in connection with the exercise by that holder of the Exchange Right (unless the Fund shall not have delivered the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration in exchange therefor); (b) the occurrence of the automatic exchange of EELP Exchangeable LP Units for Trust Units pursuant to the Automatic Exchange Right; (c) the redemption of EELP Exchangeable LP Units pursuant to EELP Exchangeable LP Units provisions or upon the effective date of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of EELP pursuant EELP Exchangeable LP Units provisions; (d) the automatic redemption of EELP Exchangeable LP Units pursuant to EELP Exchangeable LP Units provisions; (e) the purchase of EELP Exchangeable LP Units from the holder by EELP; or (f) the purchase of EELP Exchangeable LP Units from the holder by the Fund or its applicable subsidiary pursuant to the Liquidation Call Right pursuant to EELP Exchangeable LP Units provisions.

With the exception of administrative changes for the purpose of adding covenants for the protection of the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units, making necessary amendments or curing ambiguities or clerical errors (in each case provided that the EELP General Partner, on behalf of EELP, is of the opinion that such amendments are not prejudicial to the interests of the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units), the EELP Voting and Exchange Agreement may not be amended without the approval of the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units.

F-6      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM



Exchange Right

Pursuant to the Exchange Right granted in the EELP Voting and Exchange Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Insolvency Event, the Voting and Exchange Trustee on behalf of the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units, has the right to require the Fund to purchase any or all of the applicable EELP Exchangeable LP Units held by such holders and the Automatic Exchange Rights for: (a) an amount per EELP Exchangeable LP Unit equal to the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Price on the last business day prior to the day of closing of the purchase and sale of such EELP Exchangeable LP Units pursuant to the Exchange Right; and (b) the assumption by the Fund of any Partnership Loan Indebtedness in respect of such EELP Exchangeable LP Unit. The EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Price may be satisfied only by the Fund delivering to the Voting and Exchange Trustee, on behalf of the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units, the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration representing the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Price. For greater clarity, the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Consideration will consist, in part, of 0.425 of a Trust Unit for each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit subject to the Exchange Right.

Exchange Right Subsequent to Retraction

Where a holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units has elected to exercise its Retraction Right in respect of any or all of its EELP Exchangeable LP Units, and EELP notifies such holder that it is unable to redeem all such securities as a result of applicable law, the Retraction Request will be deemed to constitute notice from the holder to the Voting and Exchange Trustee instructing the Voting and Exchange Trustee to exercise the Exchange Right.

Automatic Exchange Right

Pursuant to the Automatic Exchange Right granted in the EELP Voting and Exchange Agreement, the Fund must give the Voting and Exchange Trustee written notice of a Liquidation Event in the following manner:

(a)
in the event of any determination by the Fund to institute voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up proceedings with respect to the Fund or to effect any other distribution of assets of the Fund among the its unitholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, at least 60 days prior to the proposed effective date of such liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or other distribution; and

(b)
promptly following the earlier of (i) receipt by the Fund of notice of, and (ii) the Fund otherwise becoming aware of, any threatened or instituted claim, suit, petition or other proceedings with respect to the involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Fund or to effect any other distribution of assets of the Fund among the its unitholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, in each case where the Fund has failed to contest in good faith any such proceeding commenced in respect of the Fund within 30 days of becoming aware thereof.

Following receipt of such notice of a Liquidation Event, the Voting and Exchange Trustee will give notice, in the form provided by the Fund, to the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units describing the Automatic Exchange Right. Immediately prior to the effective time of the Liquidation Event, and in order to enable the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units to participate on a pro rata basis with the holders of Trust Units (after giving effect to the 0.425 exchange ratio) in the distribution of the Fund's assets in connection with a Liquidation Event, the Fund will exchange EELP Exchangeable LP Units for Trust Units based upon the EELP Exchangeable LP Unit Price applicable at that time, which for greater certainty will be on the basis of 0.425 of a Trust Unit for each EELP Exchangeable LP Unit.

EELP SUPPORT AGREEMENT

Capitalized terms referred to herein and not otherwise defined in this Annual Information Form have the same meaning as set forth in the EELP Support Agreement, a copy of which was filed on the Fund's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com as a "Security holders document" on February 19, 2008 and on the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov on Form 6-K on February 20, 2008.

The EELP Support Obligation

Under the EELP Support Agreement, so long as any EELP Exchangeable LP Units not owned by the Fund or its affiliates are outstanding, the Fund will, among other things:

(a)
take all such actions and do all such things as are reasonably necessary or desirable to enable and permit EELP, in accordance with applicable law, to pay and otherwise perform its obligations with respect to the satisfaction of the Liquidation Amount, the Retraction Price, the Redemption Price or the Automatic Redemption Price in respect of each of its issued and outstanding EELP Exchangeable LP Units (other than EELP Exchangeable LP Units owned by the Fund or its affiliates) upon its liquidation, dissolution or winding-up or

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      F-7


    any other distribution of its assets among its partners for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the delivery of a Retraction Request by a holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units, or a redemption of EELP Exchangeable LP Units by EELP; and

(b)
not (and will ensure that each of its affiliates does not) exercise its vote as a partner to initiate the voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of EELP or any other distribution of the assets of EELP among its partners for the purpose of winding-up its affairs nor take any action or omit to take any action that is designed to result in the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of EELP or any other distribution of the assets of EELP among its partners for the purpose of winding-up its affairs.

The EELP Support Agreement also provides that so long as any EELP Exchangeable LP Units not owned by the Fund or its affiliates are outstanding, the Fund will not, without prior approval of EELP and the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units:

(a)
issue or distribute Trust Units (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire Trust Units) to the holders of all or substantially all of the then outstanding Trust Units by way of distribution, other than an issue of Trust Units (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire Trust Units) to holders of Trust Units who exercise an option to receive distributions in Trust Units (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire Trust Units) in lieu of receiving cash distributions, or pursuant to any distribution reinvestment plan; or

(b)
issue or distribute rights, options or warrants to the holders of all or substantially all of the then outstanding Trust Units entitling them to subscribe for or to purchase Trust Units (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire Trust Units); or

(c)
issue or distribute to the holders of all or substantially all of the then outstanding Trust Units: (i) securities of the Fund of any class other than Trust Units (other than securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire Trust Units); (ii) rights, options or warrants other than those referred to in paragraph (b) above; (iii) evidences of indebtedness of the Fund; or (iv) other assets of the Fund,

unless the economic equivalent on a per EELP Exchangeable LP Unit basis (after giving effect to the 0.425 exchange ratio) of such rights, options, warrants, securities, shares, evidences of indebtedness or other assets is issued or loaned simultaneously to the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units.

In addition, the Fund may not without the prior approval of EELP and the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units: (i) subdivide, redivide or change the then outstanding Trust Units into a greater number of Trust Units: (ii) reduce, combine, consolidate or change the then outstanding Trust Units into a lesser number of Trust Units; or (iii) reclassify or otherwise change Trust Units or effect a merger, reorganization or other transaction affecting Trust Units unless the same or an economically equivalent change (after giving effect to the 0.425 exchange ratio) is made simultaneously to, or in the rights of the holders of, EELP Exchangeable LP Units.

In the event that a tender offer, share exchange offer, issuer bid, take-over bid or similar transaction with respect to Trust Units is proposed by the Fund or is proposed to the Fund or its unitholders and is recommended by the Fund, or the board of directors of EnerMark on its behalf, or is otherwise effected or to be effected with the consent or approval of the Fund, or the board of directors of EnerMark on its behalf, and EELP Exchangeable LP Units are not redeemed by EELP, the Fund will use its reasonable best efforts expeditiously and in good faith to take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units (other than the Fund or its affiliates) to participate in such transaction to the same extent and on an economically equivalent basis as the Fund's unitholders (after giving effect to the 0.425 exchange ratio).

The EELP Support Agreement also provides that, as long as any outstanding EELP Exchangeable LP Units are owned by any person other than the Fund or any of its affiliates, the Fund will, unless approval to do otherwise is obtained from EELP and from the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units pursuant to EELP Exchangeable LP Units provisions, remain the direct or indirect beneficial owner of all issued and outstanding voting interests in the capital of EELP and the EELP General Partner, provided that the Fund will not be in violation of this obligation if any person or group of persons acquires all or substantially all of the assets of the Fund or Trust Units pursuant to any merger of the Fund pursuant to which the Fund is not the surviving entity. With the exception of administrative changes for the purpose of adding covenants for the protection of the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units, making certain necessary amendments or curing ambiguities or clerical errors (in each case provided that the Board of Directors is of the opinion that such amendments are not prejudicial to the interests of the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units), the EELP Support Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an agreement in writing executed by EELP, the EELP General Partner, and the Fund and approved by the holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units pursuant to EELP Exchangeable LP Units provisions.

F-8      ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM


Under the EELP Support Agreement, each of the Fund and, in respect of EELP Exchangeable LP Units, EELP have agreed to not, and will cause its affiliates not to, exercise any voting rights attached to EELP Exchangeable LP Units held by it or by its affiliates on any matter considered at meetings of holders of EELP Exchangeable LP Units (including any approval sought from such holders in respect of matters arising under the EELP Support Agreement).

Upon notice from EELP of any event that requires EELP to cause to be delivered Trust Units to any holder of EELP Exchangeable LP Units, the Fund shall forthwith issue and deliver the requisite number of Trust Units to be received by, and issued to or to the order of, the former holder of the surrendered EELP Exchangeable LP Units as EELP shall direct. All such Trust Units shall be duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable and shall be free and clear of any lien, claim or encumbrance.

QUALIFICATION OF TRUST UNITS

The Fund has agreed to make such filings and seek such regulatory consents and approvals as are necessary so that Trust Units issuable upon the exchange of EELP Exchangeable LP Units will be issued in compliance with applicable laws in Canada and may be traded freely on the TSX or such other exchange on which Trust Units may be listed, quoted or posted for trading from time to time.

ACTIONS BY THE EELP GENERAL PARTNER UNDER THE EELP SUPPORT AGREEMENT AND THE EELP VOTING AND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

The EELP General Partner, on behalf of EELP, will take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or advisable to perform and comply with all provisions of the EELP Support Agreement and the EELP Voting and Exchange Agreement applicable to EELP.

ENERPLUS RESOURCES 2008 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM      F-9


GRAPHIC

Enerplus Resources Fund

The Dome Tower
3000, 333 - 7th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T2P 2Z1
Telephone: 403.298.2200
Toll free: 1.800.319.6462
Fax: 403.298.2211

www.enerplus.com




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