CALGARY, ALBERTA, Sep 13, 2010 (Marketwire via COMTEX) --

Pengrowth Corporation, administrator of Pengrowth Energy Trust (collectively "Pengrowth") (TSX: PGF.UN | PowerRating) (NYSE

: PGH | PowerRating) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Steve De Maio as Vice President In-Situ Development & Operations, effective immediately. In his new position, Mr. De Maio will be responsible for Pengrowth's Lindbergh Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) project and overall In-Situ heavy oil business.

Most recently, as Vice-President of Project Development at Connacher Oil and Gasproject. Mr. De Maio was also involved with work on Connacher's first 10,000 bpd Great Divide POD 1 SAGD Project. Limited, Mr. De Maio managed the planning, construction and regulatory aspects of the Algar SAGD Project located in northeastern Alberta, a $375 million, 10,000 barrel per day (bpd) heavy oil

Previous to his work with Connacher, Mr. De Maio worked with Deer Creek Energy Limited as a Project Manager on the surface facilities of the Joslyn SAGD project.

Mr. De Maio was also the founder and President of Efficient Energy Resources Ltd., a small alternate energy provider.

"Steve brings more than 18 years of progressive heavy oil senior leadership experience dedicated to key areas of In-Situ and SAGD engineering, regulatory and environmental management and multi-pad drilling" said Derek Evans, Pengrowth's President and Chief Executive Officer. "I strongly believe Steve's extensive experience makes him an ideal candidate to take our Lindbergh and overall In-Situ heavy oil business forward".

Mr. De Maio holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Calgary.