Whittier Announces Closing of Westhoff Ranch Acquisition

Whittier Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:WHIT) announced
today that it has completed the previously disclosed acquisition of a
75% operated working interest (59.5% average revenue interest) in the
Westhoff Ranch Field for approximately $19.9 million in cash before
closing adjustments. The effective date of this transaction is
February 1, 2006. A previously announced second acquisition of certain
oil and gas properties owned by Imperial Petroleum, Inc. is expected
to close in early July 2006.
   The Westhoff Ranch Field is a 2,300 acre property located in
Jackson County, Texas. Current net production is 171 barrels of oil
per day and 2.1 million cubic feet of gas per day, or 3.1 million
cubic feet of gas equivalents per day. Whittier has identified four
locations to drill in 2006 and over 40 behind-pipe opportunities.
Approximately $2 million of additional capital spending has been
budgeted to develop this property in 2006 and approximately $4 million
of capital investment has been identified for 2007.
   Bryce Rhodes, President and CEO of Whittier, commented, "We are
enthusiastic about the prospects this property presents for the
Company. The Westhoff Ranch Field provides an immediate increase in
production and substantial behind pipe and undeveloped reserves to
exploit over the next two years." Added Mr. Rhodes, "The closing of
the Westhoff acquisition reflects our ability to execute our strategy
to grow our business and enhance shareholder value through a
combination of acquiring, exploiting and exploring oil and gas
properties."

   About Whittier Energy Corporation

   Whittier Energy Corporation is an independent oil and gas
exploration and production company headquartered in Houston, Texas,
with operations in Texas and Louisiana. Whittier Energy also holds
non-operated interests in fields located in the Gulf Coast, Oklahoma,
Wyoming and California. To find out more about Whittier Energy
Corporation (NASDAQ:WHIT), visit www.whittierenergy.com.

   Forward-Looking Statements

   Certain statements included in this news release are intended as
"forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. The Company cautions that actual future results
may vary materially from those expressed or implied in any
forward-looking statements. More information about the risks and
uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements are found
in the Company's SEC filings, which are available free of charge on
the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.