Enerplus announces cash distribution amount for January 2005

Enerplus Resources Fund is pleased to announce
that a cash distribution in the amount of CDN$0.35 (thirty-five cents) per
unit will be payable on January 20, 2005, to all Unitholders of record at the
close of business on December 31, 2004. The ex-distribution date for this
payment is December 29, 2004.

The CDN$0.35 per unit is equivalent to approximately US$0.29 per unit if
converted using a Canadian/US dollar exchange ratio of 1.22. The US dollar
equivalent distribution will be based upon the actual US/Canadian exchange
rate applied on the payment date and will be net of any Canadian withholding
taxes that may apply.

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