ALICE, Texas, Jan. 14 /CNW/ -- Forbes Energy Services Ltd. (TSX: FRB)

today announced its rig and trucking hours billed for the month of December

2009.

For the month ending

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December 31, 2009 November 30, 2009 December 31, 2008

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Working days 20 19 20

Rig hours

U.S. 18,296 17,804 27,272

Mexico 5,976 5,520 --

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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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Working days represent the week days in the month less holidays. Rig and

truck hours represent actual hours billed to customers.

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John Crisp, 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. Mexico

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."

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.

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 Mexico.

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Contacts: Forbes Energy Services Ltd.

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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

-30-

/For further information: L. Melvin Cooper, SVP & CFO, Forbes Energy

Services Ltd., +1-361-664-0549; Ken Dennard, Managing Partner, or Ben Burnham,

AVP, both of DRG&E, for Forbes Energy Services Ltd., +1-713-529-6600/