-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 5LfhmPzvO/6fBIp59mFDcQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-005131.txt : 20040128
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-005131.hdr.sgml : 20040128
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040128165325
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-005131
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040126
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040128

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PETROQUEST ENERGY INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000872248
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				721440714
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 E KALISTE SALOOM RD SUITE 6000
		CITY:			LAFAYETTE
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70508
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3372327028

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 E KALISTE SALOOM RD SUITE 6000
		CITY:			LAFAYETTE
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70508

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	OPTIMA PETROLEUM CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19950726

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RUCKS WILLIAM W IV
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000939484

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19020
		FILM NUMBER:		04549746

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		600 JEFFERSON STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 701
		CITY:			LAFAYETTE
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70501
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3182328460

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		600 JEFFERSON STREET SUITE 701
		CITY:			LAFAYETTE
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70501
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>h12226_1wwr.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000872248</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PETROQUEST ENERGY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PQUE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000939484</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RUCKS WILLIAM W IV</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>600 JEFFERSON STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 701</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LAFAYETTE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>LA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>70505</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonstatutory stock option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>3.17</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-01-26</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-01-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">20,000 shares vested on January 26, 2004; 6,667 shares will vest on April 30, 2004; 6,667 shares will vest on May 23, 2004; 6,666 shares will vest on April 30, 2005</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ William W. Rucks IV</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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