Exhibit 99.1

		NEWS RELEASE
		Contacts: Manuel Mondragon, Vice President of Finance investorrelations@wtoffshore.com 713-297-8024
		Ken Dennard / ksdennard@drg-e.com
		Lisa Elliott / lelliott@drg-e.com
		DRG&E / 713-529-6600

W&T OFFSHORE REPORTS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

HOUSTON — May 5, 2009 — W&T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI) today provides financial and operational results for the first quarter 2009. Some of the highlights for the first quarter 2009 include:

Revenues, Net Income/Loss and EPS: Net loss for the first quarter of 2009 was $230.7 million, or $3.04 per common share, on revenues of $117.4 million, compared to net income for the same quarter of 2008 of $79.8 million, or $1.05 per common share, on revenues of $356.5 million. Net loss for the first quarter of 2009 reflects the impact of a $210.2 million ceiling test impairment and a $1.0 million unrealized derivative gain ($0.9 million after-tax). Without the effect of the ceiling test impairment and the unrealized derivative gain, net loss for the first quarter of 2009 would have been $41.2 million, or $0.54 per common share. Net income for the first quarter of 2008 included an unrealized derivative loss of $6.2 million ($4.1 million after-tax). Without the effect of the unrealized derivative loss, net income for the first quarter of 2008 would have been $83.9 million, or $1.10 per common share. See “Non-GAAP Information” later in this press release. We recorded a net loss principally due to a ceiling test impairment, a lower realized price of $5.48 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (“Mcfe”), versus $11.57 per Mcfe (unhedged) in 2008, and the decrease in sales volumes for oil and natural gas related to the deferral of production caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

Cash Flow from Operating Activities and Adjusted EBITDA: EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures and are hereinafter defined in “Non-GAAP Information” later in this press release. Net cash provided by operating activities for the

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three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased 86% to $34.4 million from $242.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008. The decrease was mainly a result of lower realized prices and lower volumes. First quarter 2009 Adjusted EBITDA was $56.2 million compared to $279.2 million during first quarter 2008, or an 80% decrease.

Production and Prices: We sold 12.6 billion cubic feet (“Bcf”) of natural gas at an average price of $5.08 per thousand cubic feet (“Mcf”) in the first quarter of 2009. We also sold 1.5 million barrels (“MMBbls”) of oil and natural gas liquids at an average price of $36.29 per barrel (“Bbl”) during the same period. For the first quarter of 2008, we sold 17.7 Bcf of natural gas at an average price of $8.70 per Mcf and 2.2 MMBbls of oil and natural gas liquids at an average price of $92.52 per Bbl. On a natural gas equivalent (“Bcfe”) basis, we sold 21.4 Bcfe at an average price of $5.48 per Mcfe in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 30.8 Bcfe sold at an average price of $11.57 per Mcfe in the first quarter of 2008.

Production increased 36% during the first quarter of 2009 compared to fourth quarter of 2008. During the fourth quarter of 2008, we sold 10.5 billion cubic feet (“Bcf”) of natural gas at an average price of $5.90 per thousand cubic feet (“Mcf”) and 1.0 million barrels (“MMBbls”) of oil and natural gas liquids at an average price of $48.59 per barrel (“Bbl”). On a natural gas equivalent (“Bcfe”) basis, we sold 16.2 Bcfe at an average price of $6.68 per Mcfe.

Lease Operating Expenses: LOE for the first quarter of 2009 decreased to $45.1million, or $2.10 per Mcfe, from $49.8 million, or $1.62 per Mcfe, in the first quarter of 2008. Included in lease operating expenses for the first quarter of 2009 are $5.0 million of hurricane remediation costs related to Hurricanes Ike and Gustav that were either not yet recovered from our insurance underwriters or are not covered by insurance.

Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion: DD&A decreased to $91.5 million, or $4.27 per Mcfe, in the first quarter of 2009 from $145.5 million, or $4.72 per Mcfe, in the first quarter of 2008. DD&A decreased primarily as a result of lower depreciable base (due to an impairment charge at year-end 2008 of $1.2 billion) and lower production volumes compared to 2008.

Ceiling Test Impairment: The Company incurred a non-cash ceiling test impairment of $210.2 million to the carrying value of the Company’s proved oil and gas properties as of March 31, 2009, through application of the full cost ceiling limitation as prescribed by the SEC. The impairment is primarily attributable to lower prices for natural gas at March 31, 2009.

Liquidity: Our cash balance at March 31, 2009 was $251.0 million. We just completed the semi-annual redetermination of our borrowing base, which is now set at $405 million. Also during May, we paid off our Term Loan B with a draw under the revolving portion of our Credit Agreement, which results in a remaining revolver availability of $200 million.

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Capital Expenditures and Operations Update: The level of our investment in oil and natural gas properties changes from time to time depending on numerous factors, including the prices of oil and natural gas, acquisition opportunities and the results of our exploration and development activities. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, capital expenditures for oil and natural gas properties of $128.4 million included $35.8 million for exploration activities, $88.2 million for development activities and $4.4 million for seismic, capitalized interest and other leasehold costs. Our development and exploration capital expenditures consisted of $16.8 million in the deepwater, $0.1 million on the deep shelf and $107.1 million on the conventional shelf and other projects. Cash from operating activities and cash on hand financed our capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

Drilling Highlights: In the first quarter of 2009, the Company drilled or participated in the drilling of four conventional shelf wells, three of which were commercially successful.

Non-commercial Wells

After the close of the first quarter, the Company drilled or participated in the drilling of three wells, two of which were commercially successful:

Commercial Wells

Non-commercial Wells

Tracy W. Krohn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We have had success with our drilling program so far in 2009 and will change our focus in the second half of the year to build cash for new strategic opportunities. Although our credit line was negatively impacted by lower commodity prices, we believe that our liquidity is ample to take advantage of acquisition or joint venture opportunities. In addition, by pursuing assets that banks will lend against, we can expand the size of the acquisition target.”

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Outlook: Guidance for the second quarter and full year 2009 is shown in the table below, which represents the Company’s best estimate of likely future results, and is affected by the factors described below in “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Second Quarter and Revised Full-Year 2009 Production and Cost Guidance:

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Conference Call Information: W&T will hold a conference call to discuss financial and operational results on Tuesday May 5, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:30 a.m. Central Time. To participate, dial (480) 629-9868 a few minutes before the call begins. The call will also be broadcast live over the Internet from the Company’s website at www.wtoffshore.com. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the end of the call until Tuesday, May 12, 2009, and may be accessed by calling (303) 590-3030 and using the pass code 4065057.

About W&T Offshore

W&T Offshore is an independent oil and natural gas company focused primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, including exploration in the deepwater and deep shelf regions, where it has developed significant technical expertise. W&T has grown through acquisition, exploitation and exploration and now holds working interests in over 148 fields in federal and state waters and a majority of its daily production is derived from wells it operates. For more information on W&T Offshore, please visit its Web site at www.wtoffshore.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, based on what we believe are reasonable assumptions. No assurance can be given, however, that these events will occur. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, among other things, market conditions, oil and gas price volatility, uncertainties inherent in oil and gas production operations and estimating reserves, unexpected future capital expenditures, competition, the success of our risk management activities, governmental regulations, uncertainties and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (www.sec.gov).

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Operating Data

(Unaudited)

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Non-GAAP Information

Certain financial information included in our financial results are not measures of financial performance recognized by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are “Adjusted Net Income,” “EBITDA,” and “Adjusted EBITDA.” Our management uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of our performance. These disclosures may not be viewed as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures, which may be reported by other companies.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income

“Adjusted Net Income” does not include the unrealized derivative (gain) loss, the impairment of oil and natural gas properties and associated tax effects. Adjusted Net Income is presented because the timing and amount of the derivative items cannot be reasonably estimated and affect the comparability of operating results from period to period, and current periods to prior periods.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA

We define EBITDA as net income (loss) plus income tax expense (benefit), net interest expense, depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion and impairment of oil and natural gas properties. Adjusted EBITDA excludes the unrealized gain or loss related to our derivative contracts. Although not prescribed under generally accepted accounting principles, we believe the presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide useful information regarding our ability to service debt and to fund capital expenditures and help our investors understand our operating performance and make it easier to compare our results with those of other companies that have different financing, capital and tax structures. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for net income, as an indication of operating performance or cash flows from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as we calculate them, may not be comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA measures reported by other companies. In addition, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent funds available for discretionary use.

The following table presents a reconciliation of our consolidated net income to consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.

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