Forbes Energy Services Reports Selected Operating Data for December 2009

    




    
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<p>ALICE, Texas, <chron>Jan. 14</chron> /CNW/ -- Forbes Energy Services Ltd. (TSX: FRB) today announced its rig and trucking hours billed for the month of <chron>December 2009</chron>.</p>
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                                     For the month ending
                                     --------------------
                      December 31, 2009 November 30, 2009 December 31, 2008
                      ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
    Working days               20                 19               20
    Rig hours
      U.S.                 18,296             17,804           27,272
      Mexico                5,976              5,520               --
                            -----              -----              ---
      Total rig hours      24,272             23,324           27,272
    
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    Truck hours            78,130             74,478           95,401

    
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<p>Working days represent the week days in the month less holidays.  Rig and truck hours represent actual hours billed to customers.</p>
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<p><person>John Crisp</person>, Forbes Energy's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our daily well service rig hours and trucking hours were in line with year-end seasonal expectations.  We are looking forward to improvements in the first quarter of 2010 based on indications from our customers.  <location>Mexico</location> hours also continue to show improvement as our new management team continues to streamline operations and implement more effective equipment scheduling.  Overall, utilization is trending upwards in our operating areas while pricing remains flat."</p>
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<p>Forbes Energy Services cautions that several factors other than those discussed above may impact the Company's operating results and that a particular trend regarding the factors above may or may not be indicative of the Company's current or future financial performance.</p>
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<p>Forbes Energy Services Ltd. is an independent oilfield services contractor that provides a broad range of drilling-related and production-related services to oil and natural gas companies, primarily onshore in Texas, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and <location>Mexico</location>.</p>
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    Contacts:          Forbes Energy Services Ltd.
                       ---------------------------
                       L. Melvin Cooper, SVP & CFO
                       361-664-0549
    
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                       DRG&E
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                       Ken Dennard, Managing Partner
                       Ben Burnham, AVP
                       713-529-6600








    

For further information: L. Melvin Cooper, SVP & CFO, Forbes Energy Services Ltd., [phone]; Ken Dennard, Managing Partner, or Ben Burnham, AVP, both of DRG&E, for Forbes Energy Services Ltd., [phone]