EXHIBIT 99.1

                      [PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC. LETTERHEAD]




NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



                               
For further information, contact: Robert R. Brooksher, Vice President - Corporate Communications
                                  (337) 232-7028


                  PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC. ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF
                           $20 MILLION STOCK OFFERING

Lafayette, Louisiana - February 20, 2002 - PetroQuest Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:
PQUE) announced today the closing of the previously announced offering of
4,545,455 shares of its common stock in an underwritten offering by Johnson Rice
& Company, L.L.C. The shares were sold to the public for $4.40 per share. After
underwriting discounts, the Company realized proceeds of approximately $19.2
million.

The net proceeds of the offering will be used to fund exploration and
development activities, pay down debt and for other general corporate purposes.
The Company will use substantially all of the net proceeds to reduce
indebtedness under its bank credit facility, and then intends to use its bank
credit facility and funds provided from operations to fund exploration and
development activities and for other general corporate purposes.

Copies of the prospectus can be obtained from Johnson Rice & Company, L.L.C.,
639 Loyola Avenue, Suite 2775, New Orleans, Louisiana 70113.

PetroQuest Energy Inc. is an independent energy company engaged in the
exploration, development, acquisition and production of oil and natural gas
reserves in the Gulf Coast Basin, both onshore and in shallow waters offshore.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements
are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected. Among those risks, trends and
uncertainties are our estimate of the sufficiency of our existing capital
sources, our ability to raise additional capital to fund cash requirements for
future operations, the uncertainties involved in estimating quantities of proved
oil and natural gas reserves and in projecting future rates of production, the
timing of development expenditures and the operating hazards attendant to the
oil and gas business. In particular, careful consideration should be given to
cautionary statements made in the various reports PetroQuest has filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. PetroQuest undertakes no duty to update or
revise these forward-looking statements.