Forbes Energy Services (FLSS) 10-Q 14 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	8-May-14
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Forbes Energy Services Ltd.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001434842	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	21,702,716

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$24,189	$26,409
Accounts receivable - trade, net of allowance of $4.0 million and $4.0 million for 2014 and 2013, respectively	88,676	82,209
Accounts receivable - related parties	244	185
Accounts receivable - other	680	592
Prepaid expenses and other	10,412	14,004
Total current assets	124,201	123,399
Property and equipment, net	335,476	341,869
Other intangible assets, net	24,438	25,154
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $4.4 million and $3.7 million for 2014 and 2013, respectively	6,156	6,860
Restricted cash	1,380	1,380
Other assets	1,831	1,896
Total assets	493,482	500,558
Current liabilities	'	'
Current portions of long-term debt	8,122	9,374
Accounts payable - trade	18,374	27,016
Accounts payable - related parties	152	559
Accrued dividends	61	61
Accrued interest payable	7,575	1,367
Accrued expenses	14,793	14,727
Total current liabilities	49,077	53,104
Long-term debt	289,020	290,266
Deferred tax liability	20,879	21,610
Total liabilities	358,976	364,980
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)	'	'
Temporary equity	'	'
Series B senior convertible preferred shares	14,570	14,560
Shareholders' equity	'	'
Common stock, $.04 par value, 112,500 shares authorized, 21,618 and 21,474 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	865	859
Additional paid-in capital	193,732	193,527
Accumulated deficit	-74,661	-73,368
Total shareholders' equity	119,936	121,018
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$493,482	$500,558

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for accounts receivable	$4	$4
Accumulated amortization of deferred financing costs	$4.40	$3.70
Common stock, par value	$0.04	$0.04
Common stock, shares authorized	112,500,000	112,500,000
Common stock, shares issued	21,618,000	21,472,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	21,618,000	21,472,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues	'	'
Well servicing	$69,093	$50,164
Fluid logistics	40,818	51,574
Total revenues	109,911	101,738
Expenses	'	'
Well servicing	52,403	40,338
Fluid logistics	30,361	37,433
General and administrative	8,475	7,334
Depreciation and amortization	13,251	13,002
Total expenses	104,490	98,107
Operating income	5,421	3,631
Other income	'	'
Interest income	2	4
Interest expense	-7,247	-6,995
Loss from continuing operations before taxes	-1,824	-3,360
Income tax benefit	-531	-761
Loss from continuing operations	-1,293	-2,599
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit of $0 and $68, respectively	0	-127
Net loss	-1,293	-2,726
Preferred stock dividends	-194	-194
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	($1,487)	($2,920)
Loss per share of common stock from continuing operations	'	'
Basic and diluted loss per share (in usd per share)	($0.07)	($0.13)
Loss per share of common stock from discontinued operations	'	'
Basic and diluted loss per share (in usd per share)	$0	($0.01)
Loss per share of common stock	'	'
Basic and diluted loss per share (in usd per share)	($0.07)	($0.14)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding	'	'
Basic and diluted (in shares)	21,593	21,280

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Tax expense (benefit) from discontinued operations	$0	($68)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Preferred Shares	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Deficit
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$121,018	$14,560	$859	$193,527	($73,368)
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	588	21,474	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	313	'	'	313	'
Net loss	-1,293	'	'	'	-1,293
Issuance of restricted stock	92	'	6	86	'
Issuance of restricted stock, shares	'	'	144	'	'
Preferred shares dividends and accretion	-194	10	'	-194	'
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$119,936	$14,570	$865	$193,732	($74,661)
Ending Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2014	'	588	21,618	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net loss	($1,293)	($2,726)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation expense	12,536	12,287
Amortization expense	715	715
Share-based compensation	841	750
Deferred tax benefit	-731	-953
Loss on disposal of assets, net	0	281
Bad debt expense	57	807
Amortization of deferred financing cost	704	369
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-6,605	10,458
Accounts receivable - related party	-59	-56
Prepaid expenses and other assets	2,107	-3,251
Accounts payable - trade	-8,569	1,316
Accounts payable - related party	-407	55
Accrued expenses	61	-2,772
Accrued interest payable	6,208	6,211
Net cash provided by operating activities	5,565	23,491
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	556
Purchases of property and equipment	-5,959	-8,744
Change in restricted cash	0	60
Net cash used in investing activities	-5,959	-8,128
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Payments of debt	-1,206	-1,575
Payment of tax withholding obligations related to restricted stock	-436	-51
Dividends paid on Series B Senior Convertible Preferred Shares	-184	-184
Net cash used in financing activities	-1,826	-1,810
Effect of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	0	6
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-2,220	13,559
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'
Beginning of period	26,409	17,619
End of period	$24,189	$31,178

Organization_and_Nature_of_Ope

Organization and Nature of Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Organization and Nature of Operations	'
	Organization and Nature of Operations
	Nature of Business
	Forbes Energy Services Ltd., or FES Ltd is an independent oilfield services contractor that provides a wide range of well site services to oil and natural gas drilling and producing companies to help develop and enhance the production of oil and natural gas. These services include fluid hauling, fluid disposal, well maintenance, completion services, workovers and re-completions, plugging and abandonment, and tubing testing. Our operations are concentrated in the major onshore oil and natural gas producing regions of Texas, with additional locations in Mississippi, in Pennsylvania and, prior to the disposition of our assets in Mexico in January 2012, which is discussed below, in Mexico. We believe that our broad range of services, which extends from initial drilling, through production, to eventual abandonment, is fundamental to establishing and maintaining the flow of oil and natural gas throughout the life cycle of our customers' wells. Our headquarters and executive offices are located at 3000 South Business Highway 281, Alice, Texas 78332. We can be reached by phone at (361) 664-0549.
	As used in these Consolidated Financial Statements, the “Company,” the “Forbes Group,” “we,” and “our” mean FES Ltd and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, except as otherwise indicated.

Risk_and_Uncertainties

Risk and Uncertainties	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Risk and Uncertainties	'
	Risk and Uncertainties
	As 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, our revenue, profitability, cash flows and future rate of growth are substantially dependent on our ability to (1) maintain adequate equipment utilization, (2) maintain adequate pricing for the services we provide, and (3) maintain a trained work force. Failure to do so could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
	Because our revenues are generated primarily from customers who are subject to the same factors generally impacting the oil and natural gas industry, our operations are also susceptible to market volatility resulting from economic, cyclical, weather related, or other factors related to such industry. Changes in the level of operating and capital spending in the industry, decreases in oil and natural gas prices, or industry perception about future oil and natural gas prices could materially decrease the demand for our services, adversely affecting our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	Interim Financial Information
	The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Forbes Group are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or “GAAP” for interim financial reporting. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted. Therefore, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read along with the annual audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Forbes Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. In management’s opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement are reflected in the interim periods presented. Interim results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 may not be indicative of results that will be realized for the full year ending December 31, 2014. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss has been omitted from the current quarter since there were no differences between net loss and comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated balance sheets and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Management believes that these estimates and assumptions provide a reasonable basis for the fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity" ("ASU 2014-08"). ASU 2014-08 raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. It is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted but only for disposals that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The Company does not believe this pronouncement will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible Assets
	Other intangible assets are subject to amortization for the period of time which the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to future cash flows under the guidance of ASC 350.
	Our major classes of intangible assets subject to amortization under ASC 350 consist of our customer relationships, trade names, safety training program and dispatch software. The Company expenses costs associated with extensions or renewals of intangible assets. There were no such extensions or renewals in the three months ended March 31, 2014 or March 31, 2013. Amortization expense is calculated using the straight-line method over the period indicated. Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 was $0.7 million. Estimated amortization expense for the years 2014 through 2017 is $2.9 million per year and in 2018 is $2.7 million. The weighted average amortization period remaining for intangible assets is 8.5 years.
	The following sets forth the identified intangible assets by major asset class:
			As of March 31, 2014							As of December 31, 2013
		Useful	Gross		Accumulated			Net Book		Gross		Accumulated			Net Book
		Life	Carrying		Amortization			Value		Carrying		Amortization			Value
		(years)	Value							Value
			(in thousands)
	Customer relationships	15	$	31,896	$	(13,290	)	$	18,606	$	31,896	$	(12,758	)	$	19,138
	Trade names	15	8,050		(3,354		)	4,696		8,050		(3,220		)	4,830
	Safety training program	15	1,182		(492		)	690		1,182		(473		)	709
	Dispatch software	10	1,135		(710		)	425		1,135		(681		)	454
	Other	10	58		(37		)	21		58		(35		)	23
			$	42,321	$	(17,883	)	$	24,438	$	42,321	$	(17,167	)	$	25,154

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Compensation	'
	Share-Based Compensation
	Incentive Compensation Plans
	From time to time, the Company grants stock options, restricted stock units, or other awards to its employees, including executive officers, and directors. Prior to July 9, 2012, these awards were granted pursuant to the Company's 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan, or the 2008 Plan. On July 9, 2012, at the Company's 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Company's shareholders approved the Company's 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan, or the 2012 Plan. No further awards will be made under the 2008 Plan, however, outstanding awards granted under the 2008 Plan will remain subject to the terms and conditions of the 2008 Plan. Any shares of common stock that are available to be granted under the 2008 Plan, but which are not subject to outstanding awards under the 2008 Plan, including shares that become available due to the future lapse or forfeiture of outstanding awards, will be added to the 1,022,500 shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2012 Plan. After taking into account the restricted stock units granted through March 31, 2014 (as discussed in the Restricted Stock Units paragraph below), there were 886,819 shares available for future grants under the 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan. There have been no stock option awards issued under the 2012 Plan.
	Stock Options
	The following table presents a summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
		Shares		Weighted-			Weighted-	Aggregate
				Average			Average	Intrinsic
				Exercise			Remaining	Value
				Price			Contractual
							Term
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,400,425		$	6.99		6.47	$	316,994
	Stock options:
	Granted	—
	Exercised	—
	Forfeited	(1,800	)	9.32				$	—
	Options outstanding at March 31, 2014	1,398,625		$	6.98		6.23 years	$	629,256
	Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014	1,212,475		$	6.65		6.05 years	$	629,256
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014	1,212,475		$	6.65		6.05 years	$	629,256
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, the Company recorded total stock-based compensation expense related to stock options of $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively. There was no stock-based compensation cost capitalized for the three months ended March 31, 2014 or March 31, 2013. As of March 31, 2014, total unrecognized stock-based compensation cost for stock options amounted to $0.7 million (net of estimated forfeitures) and is expected to be recorded over a weighted-average period of 0.4 years.
	Restricted Stock Units
	The following table presents a summary of restricted stock unit grant activity for the period ended March 31, 2014:
		Number of Units			Grant Date Average Fair Value Per Unit
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	674,789			$	3.49
	Granted	461,527				3.85
	Vested	(396,936	)			3.73
	Forfeited	—
	Nonvested at March 31, 2014	739,380			$	3.58
	In the three months ended March 31, 2014, participants utilized a net withholding exercise method, in which restricted stock units were surrendered to cover payroll withholding tax. The cumulative net shares issued to the participants were 228,600 out of 347,509 vested shares of restricted stock units. The total pretax cash outflow, as included in withholding tax payments in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, for this net withholding exercise was $0.4 million.
	Stock compensation expense for the restricted stock units granted for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 was $0.4 million. The remaining compensation expense of $2.5 million will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.23 years.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consisted of the following:
		Estimated	March 31,			December 31,
		Life in Years	2014			2013
			(in thousands)
	Well servicing equipment	3-15 years	$	415,271		$	411,237
	Autos and trucks	5-10 years	109,366			103,443
	Disposal wells	5-15 years	39,501			43,754
	Building and improvements	5-30 years	13,864			13,544
	Furniture and fixtures	3-15 years	5,498			5,395
	Land		1,802			1,876
			585,302			579,249
	Accumulated depreciation		(249,826		)	(237,380		)
			$	335,476		$	341,869
	Depreciation expense was $12.5 million for the three and months ended March 31, 2014 and $12.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, respectively.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-Term Debt
	Long-term debt at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	9% Senior Notes	$	280,000		$	280,000
	Third party equipment notes and capital leases	14,160			15,109
	Insurance notes	2,982			4,531
		297,142			299,640
	Less: Current portion	(8,122		)	(9,374		)
		$	289,020		$	290,266
	9% Senior Notes
	On June 7, 2011, FES Ltd issued $280.0 million in principal amount of 9% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “9% Senior Notes”). The proceeds of the 9% Senior Notes were used to purchase and/or redeem 100% of the First Priority Floating Rate Notes due 2014 and the outstanding Second Priority Notes (as defined below) issued by Forbes Energy Services LLC and Forbes Energy Capital Inc. The 9% Senior Notes mature on June 15, 2019, and require semi-annual interest payments, in arrears, at an annual rate of 9% on June 15 and December 15 of each year, until maturity commencing December 15, 2011. No principal payments are due until maturity.
	The 9% Senior Notes are guaranteed by the current domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subs”) of FES Ltd, which include Forbes Energy Services LLC (“FES LLC”), C.C. Forbes, LLC (“CCF”), TX Energy Services, LLC (“TES”), Superior Tubing Testers, LLC (“STT”) and Forbes Energy International, LLC (“FEI LLC”). All of the Guarantor Subs are 100% owned and each guarantees the securities on a full and unconditional and joint and several basis, subject to customary release provisions. Prior to January 12, 2012, FES Ltd had two 100% owned indirect Mexican subsidiaries, or the Non-Guarantor Subs, that had not guaranteed the 9% Senior Notes. In January 2012, one of those two Mexican subsidiaries was sold along with the business and substantially all of our long-lived assets located in Mexico. Prior to January 12, 2012, FES Ltd had a branch office in Mexico and conducted operations independent of the Non-Guarantor Subs. The Guarantor Subs represent the substantial majority of the Company's operations. The Forbes Group may, at its option, redeem all or part of the 9% Senior Notes from time to time at specified redemption prices and subject to certain conditions required by the indenture governing the 9% Senior Notes (the “9% Senior Indenture”). The Forbes Group is required to make an offer to purchase the notes and to repurchase any notes for which the offer is accepted at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if there is a change of control. The Forbes Group is required to make an offer to repurchase the notes and to repurchase any notes for which the offer is accepted at 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, following certain asset sales.
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the assets of the Non-Guarantor Subs and the operations of the Non-Guarantor Subs for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were minor as defined by Regulation S-X.
	The Forbes Group is permitted under the terms of the 9% Senior Indenture to incur additional indebtedness in the future, provided that certain financial conditions set forth in the 9% Senior Indenture are satisfied. The Forbes Group is subject to certain covenants contained in the 9% Senior Indenture, including provisions that limit or restrict the Forbes Group's and certain future subsidiaries' abilities to incur additional debt, to create, incur or permit to exist certain liens on assets, to make certain dispositions of assets, to make payments on certain subordinated indebtedness, to pay dividends or certain other payments to equity holders, to engage in mergers, consolidations or other fundamental changes, to change the nature of its business or to engage in transactions with affiliates. Due to cross-default provisions in the indenture governing our 9% Senior Notes and the loan agreement governing our revolving credit facility, with certain exceptions, a default and acceleration of outstanding debt under one debt agreement would result in the default and possible acceleration of outstanding debt under the other debt agreement. Accordingly, an event of default could result in all or a portion of our outstanding debt under our debt agreements becoming immediately due and payable. If this occurred, we might not be able to obtain waivers or secure alternative financing to satisfy all of our obligations simultaneously, which would adversely affect our business and operations.
	The Company is in compliance with the covenants in the indenture governing the 9% Senior Notes at March 31, 2014.
	Revolving Credit Facility
	On September 9, 2011, FES Ltd. and its current domestic subsidiaries entered into a loan and security agreement with Regions Bank, SunTrust Bank, CIT Bank and Capital One Leverage Finance Corp., as lenders, and Regions Bank, as agent for the secured parties, or the Agent. This loan and security agreement was amended in December 2011, July 2012 and July 2013. On the July 2013 amendment, the CIT Bank opted out of the lending group, with Regions Bank increasing its participation by taking the CIT Bank's position. The loan and security agreement initially provided for an asset based revolving credit facility with a maximum initial borrowing credit of $75.0 million, subject to borrowing base availability. The third amendment increased the maximum borrowing credit to $90.0 million, subject to borrowing base availability, any reserves established by the facility agent in its discretion, compliance with a fixed charge coverage ratio covenant if availability under the facility falls below certain thresholds and, for borrowings above $75.0 million, compliance with the debt incurrence covenant in the indenture governing the 9% Senior Notes that prohibits the incurrence of debt except for certain limited exceptions, including indebtedness incurred under the permitted credit facility debt basket to the greater of $75.0 million or 18% of our Consolidated Tangible Assets (as defined in the 9% Senior Indenture) reported for the last fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available. As of March 31, 2014, 18% of our Consolidated Tangible Assets was approximately $83.3 million. Under the loan and security agreement, our borrowing base at any time is equal to (i) 85% of eligible accounts, which are determined by Agent in its reasonable discretion, plus (ii) the lesser of 85% of the appraised value, subject to certain adjustments, of our well services equipment that has been properly pledged and appraised, is in good operating condition and is located in the United States, or 100% of the net book value of such equipment, minus (iii) any reserves established by the Agent in its reasonable discretion. As of March 31, 2014, the borrowing base was $90.0 million and borrowing availability was $77.4 million.
	As amended, the loan and security agreement has a stated maturity of July 26, 2018. There was nothing drawn on this facility and $5.9 million in letters of credit outstanding against the facility at March 31, 2014.
	Prior to the third amendment, at our option, borrowings under this credit facility would have borne interest at a rate equal to either (i) the LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin of between 2.25% to 2.75% based on borrowing availability or (ii) a base rate plus an applicable margin of between 1.25% to 1.75% based on borrowing availability, where the base rate was equal to the greater of the prime rate established by Regions Bank, the overnight federal funds rate plus 0.50% or the LIBOR rate for a one month period plus 1.00%. The third amendment decreased the revolving interest rate whereby borrowings under the Loan Agreement will bear interest at a rate equal to either (a) the LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin of between 2.00% to 2.50% based on borrowing availability or (b) a base rate plus an applicable margin of between 1.00% to 1.50% based on borrowing availability, where the base rate is equal to the greater of the prime rate established by Regions Bank, the overnight federal funds rate plus 0.5% or the LIBOR rate for a one month period plus 1%.
	In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the facility, a fee of 0.375% per annum will accrue on unutilized availability under the credit facility. We are required to pay a fee of between 2.25% to 2.75%, based on borrowing availability, with respect to the principal amount of any letters of credit outstanding under the facility. We are also responsible for certain other administrative fees and expenses.
	FES LLC, FEI LLC, TES, CCF and STT are the borrowers under the loan and security agreement. Their obligations have been guaranteed by one another and by FES Ltd. Subject to certain exceptions and permitted encumbrances, including the exemption of real property interests from the collateral package, the obligations under this facility are secured by a first priority security interest in all of our assets.
	We are able to voluntarily repay outstanding loans at any time without premium or penalty (subject to the fees discussed above). If at any time our outstanding loans under the credit facility exceed the availability under our borrowing base, we may be required to repay the excess. Further, we are required to use the net proceeds from certain events, including certain judgments, tax refunds or insurance awards to repay outstanding loans, however, we may reborrow following such repayments if the conditions to borrowing are met.
	The loan and security agreement contains customary covenants for an asset-based credit facility, which include (i) restrictions on certain mergers, consolidations and sales of assets; (ii) restrictions on the creation or existence of liens; (iii) restrictions on making certain investments; (iv) restrictions on the incurrence or existence of indebtedness; (v) restrictions on transactions with affiliates; (vi) requirements to deliver financial statements, report and notices to the Agent and (vii) a springing requirement to maintain a consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (which is defined in the loan and security agreement) of 1.1:1.0 in the event that our excess availability under the credit facility falls below the greater of $11.3 million or 15.0% of our maximum credit under the facility for sixty consecutive days; provided that, the restrictions described in (i)-(v) above are subject to certain exceptions and permissions limited in scope and dollar value. The loan and security agreement also contains customary representations and warranties and event of default provisions. As of March 31, 2014 we are in compliance with all applicable covenants in the loan and security agreement.
	Third Party Equipment Notes and Capital Leases
	The Forbes Group financed the purchase of certain vehicles and equipment through commercial loans and capital leases with aggregate principal amounts outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 of approximately $14.2 million and $15.1 million, respectively. These loans are repayable in a range of 42 to 60 monthly installments with the maturity dates ranging from May 2014 to January 2018. Interest accrues at rates ranging from 4.7% to 8.4% and is payable monthly. The loans are collateralized by equipment purchased with the proceeds of such loans. The Forbes Group paid total principal payments of approximately $1.2 million for three months ended March 31, 2014 and approximately $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	Insurance Notes
	During October of 2012 and 2013, the Forbes Group entered into promissory notes for the payment of insurance premiums in an aggregate principal amount outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 of approximately $3.0 million and $4.5 million, respectively. The Company signed a new insurance note effective October 15, 2013 for $5.9 million at an interest rate of 2.9%. The amount outstanding could be substantially offset by the cancellation of the related insurance coverage.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
	The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable-trade, accounts receivable-related parties, accounts receivable – other, accounts payable – trade, accounts payable – related parties, and insurance notes, approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair values of third party notes and equipment notes approximate their carrying values, based on current market rates at which the company could borrow funds with similar maturities. (Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy).
		March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	9.0% Senior Notes	$	280,000	$	280,700	$	280,000	$	275,800
	The fair value of our 9% Senior notes is a level one input within the fair value hierarchy and is based on the dealer quoted market prices at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	The Forbes Group enters into transactions with related parties in the normal course of conducting business. The following tables represent related party transactions.
		As of
		March 31,		December 31, 2013
		2014
		(in thousands)
	Related parties cash and cash equivalents balances:
	Balance at Texas Champion Bank (1)	$	895	$	698
	Balance at Brush Country Bank (2)	456		469
	Related parties receivable:
	Alice Environmental Services, LP/Alice Environmental Holding LLC (4)	$	—	$	1
	Dorsal Services, Inc. (3)	61		61
	Wolverine Construction, Inc. (7)	183		123
		$	244	$	185
	Related parties payable:
	Alice Environmental Services, LP/Alice Environmental Holding LLC (4)	$	110	$	218
	Dorsal Services, Inc. (3)	42		256
	Tasco Tool Services, Inc. (5)	—		16
	JITSU Services, LLC (10)	—		30
	Texas Quality Gate Guard Services, LLC (8)	—		29
	Texas Water Disposal, LLC (11)	—		10
		$	152	$	559
		Three months ended March 31
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Related parties capital expenditures:
	Resonant Technology Partners (6)	$	—	$	36
		$	—	$	36
	Related parties revenue activity:
	Alice Environmental Services, LP/Alice Environmental Holding LLC (4)	$	1	$	—
	CJ Petroleum Service LLC (12)	—		—
	Dorsal Services, Inc. (3)	2		17
	Tasco Tool Services, Inc. (5)	—		20
	Wolverine Construction, Inc. (7)	59		—
	Texas Water Disposal LLC (11)	57		—
		$	119	$	37
	Related parties expense activity:
	Alice Environmental Services, LP/Alice Environmental Holding LLC (4)	$	622	$	463
	Dorsal Services, Inc. (3)	193		22
	Tasco Tool Services, Inc. (5)	70		9
	FCJ Management, LLC (13)	9		9
	Resonant Technology Partners (6)	—		93
	JITSU Services, LLC (10)	61		101
	Texas Quality Gate Guard Services, LLC (8)	—		65
	Animas Holdings, LLC (9)	89		19
		$	1,044	$	781
	(1)The Company has a deposit relationship with Texas Champion Bank. Travis Burris, one of the directors of FES Ltd., is also the President, Chief Executive Officer, and director of Texas Champion Bank. Mr. Crisp, our President and Chief Executive Officer, serves on the board of directors.
	(2)Messrs. Crisp and Forbes are directors and shareholders of Brush Country Bank, an institution with which the Company conducts business and has deposits.
	(3)Dorsal Services, Inc. provides trucking services to the Company. Mr. Crisp, an executive officer and director and Denyce Crisp, the ex-wife of John Crisp, are partial owners of Dorsal Services, Inc.
	(4)Messrs. John E. Crisp and Charles C. Forbes, Jr., executive officers and directors of FES Ltd., are also owners and managers of Alice Environmental Holdings, LLC or AEH, and indirect owners and managers of Alice Environmental Services, LP, or AES. The Company leases or rents land and buildings, disposal wells, aircraft, and other equipment from AES.
	(5)Tasco Tool Services, Inc. is a down-hole tool company that is partially owned and managed by a company that is owned by Mr. Forbes, both an executive officer and director of FES Ltd., along with Robert Jenkins a manager of one of the subsidiaries of FES Ltd. Tasco rents and sells tools to the Company from time to time.
	(6)Resonant Technology Partners is a computer networking group that provides services to the Company. Travis Burris, a director of the Company had a noncontrolling interest in the computer networking company, which was sold in July 2012.
	(7)Wolverine Construction, Inc. is an entity that is owned by two sons and a brother of Mr. Crisp, an executive officer and director of FES Ltd., and a son of Mr. Forbes, an executive officer and director of FES Ltd. Wolverine provided construction and site preparation services to certain customers of the Company.
	(8)Texas Quality Gate Guard Services, LLC, or Texas Quality Gate Guard Services, is an entity owned by Messrs. Crisp and Forbes and a son of Mr. Crisp, an executive officer and director of FES Ltd. Texas Quality Gate Guard Services has provided security services to the Company.
	(9)Animas Holdings, LLC or Animas, is a property and disposal company that is owned by the two sons of Mr. Crisp and three children of Mr. Forbes and Ms. Forbes. The Company pays Animas for waste water disposal and lease facilities.
	(10)JITSU Services, LLC or JITSU, is a financial leasing company owned by Janet Forbes, a director of the Company and Mr. Crisp. The Company currently leases ten vacuum trucks from JITSU.
	(11) Texas Water Disposal, LLC. is partially owned by a brother of Mr. Crisp, an executive officer and director of FES Ltd. Texas Water Disposal is a company that owns a salt water disposal well that is used by the Company.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Concentrations of Credit Risk
	FDIC insurance coverage is currently $250,000 per depositor at each financial institution, and our non-interest bearing cash balances exceeded federally insured limits. The Company restricts investment of temporary cash investments to financial institutions with high credit standings. The Company's customer base consists primarily of multi-national and independent oil and natural gas producers. The Company does not require collateral on its trade receivables. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 the Company's largest customer, five largest customers, and ten largest customers constituted 16.3%, 40.5%, and 55.3% of consolidated revenues, respectively. The loss of any one of our top five customers would have a materially adverse effect on the revenues and profits of the company. Further, our trade accounts receivable are from companies within the oil and natural gas industry and as such the Company is exposed to normal industry credit risks. As of March 31, 2014, the Company's largest customer, five largest customers, and ten largest customers constituted 13.2%, 36.3%, and 50.0% of accounts receivable, respectively. The Company continually evaluates its reserves for potential credit losses and establishes reserves for such losses.
	Self-Insurance
	The Company is self-insured under its Employee Group Medical Plan for the first $250,000 per individual. As of October 15, 2013, the Company purchased new auto liability and general liability insurance policies and is now self-insured for the first $0.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, claimed under these policies. Incurred and unprocessed claims under all policies as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 amount to approximately $5.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively. These claims are unprocessed; therefore their values are estimated and included in accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	Litigation
	The Company is subject to various other claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any of these claims and actions, separately or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows, although we cannot guarantee that a material adverse effect will not occur.
	Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
	We are often party to certain transactions that require off-balance sheet arrangements such as performance bonds, guarantees, operating leases for equipment, and bank guarantees that are not reflected in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. These arrangements are made in our normal course of business and they are not reasonably likely to have a current or future material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or cash flows.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information
		Three months ended March 31
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Cash paid for
	Interest	$	338		$	418
	Income tax	$	—		$	—
	Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities
	Changes in accounts payable related to capital expenditures	$	(73	)	$	460
	Capital leases on equipment	$	257		$	414
	Preferred stock dividends and accretion costs	$	10		$	10

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings per Share	'
	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share takes into account the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock, such as options and convertible preferred stock, were exercised and converted into common stock. Potential common stock equivalents that have been issued by the Forbes Group relate to outstanding stock options and unvested restricted stock units which are determined using the treasury stock method, and the Series B Senior Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series B Preferred Stock"), which are determined using the "if-converted" method. In applying the if-converted method, conversion is not assumed for purposes of computing diluted EPS if the effect would be antidilutive. As of March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, there were 1,398,625 and 1,845,175 options to purchase common stock outstanding, respectively and 588,059 Series B Senior Convertible Preferred Stock. The preferred stock is convertible at a rate of nine shares of common stock to one share of Series B Preferred Stock.
	The Series B Preferred Stock are participating securities as they participate in undistributed earnings with common stock, whether that participation is conditioned upon the occurrence of a specified event or not. A participating security is included in the computation of basic EPS using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, basic EPS for the Company’s common stock is computed by dividing net income applicable to common shares by the weighted-average common stock outstanding during the period. Under the certificate of designation for our Series B Preferred Stock (the “Series B Certificate of Designation”), if at any time the Company declares a dividend in cash which is greater in value than five percent on a cumulative basis over the previous twelve month period of the then current “Common Share Fair Market Value,” as that term is defined in the Series B Certificate of Designation, the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a dividend payable in cash equal to the amount in excess of five percent of the then Common Share Fair Market Value per common share they would have received if all outstanding Series B Preferred Stock had been converted into common shares. There were no earnings allocated to the Series B Preferred Stock for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 since there was a net loss for those periods and earnings for the quarter were not in excess of amounts prescribed by the Series B Certificate of Designation for our Series B Preferred Stock. Diluted EPS for the Company’s common stock is computed using the more dilutive of the two-class method or the if-converted method. The following table sets forth the reconciliation of weighted average shares outstanding and diluted weighted average shares outstanding:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Weighted average shares outstanding	21,593			21,280
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock	—			—
	Dilutive effect of preferred stock	—			—
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	21,593			21,280
	There were 1,398,625 stock options, 739,380 units of unvested restricted stock, and 5,292,531 shares of common stock equivalents underlying the Series B Preferred Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2014 that were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2014 because their effect would have been antidilutive.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per share:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Basic and diluted:
	Net loss	$	(1,293	)		$	(2,726	)
	Preferred stock dividends and accretion	(194		)		(194		)
	Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$	(1,487	)		$	(2,920	)
	Weighted-average common shares	21,593				21,280
	Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.07	)		$	(0.14	)

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company’s tax benefit from application of the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was estimated to be 29.1% based on pre-tax loss of $1.8 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company's effective tax rate was an expense of 22.7%. The difference between the effective rate and 35.0% statutory rate is mainly due to Texas Margins Tax and non-deductible expenses.
	The Forbes Group is subject to the Texas Margins Tax. The Texas Margins Tax is a tax equal to one percent of Texas-sourced revenue reduced by the greater of (a) cost of goods sold (as defined by Texas law), (b) compensation (as defined by Texas law) or (c) thirty percent of the Texas-sourced revenue. The Forbes Group accounts for the revised Texas Franchise tax in accordance with ASC 740, as the tax is derived from a taxable base that consists of income less deductible expenses. As of March 31, 2014, the annual franchise tax expense is estimated to be approximately $0.3 million for 2014.

Business_Segment_Information

Business Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segment Information	'
	Business Segment Information
	The Forbes Group has determined that it has two reportable segments organized based on its products and services—well servicing and fluid logistics. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
	Well Servicing
	At March 31, 2014, our well servicing segment utilized our fleet of 168 owned well servicing rigs, which was comprised of 157 workover rigs and 11 swabbing rigs, as well as nine tubing testing units, five coiled tubing spreads, and related assets and equipment. These assets are used to provide (i) well maintenance, including remedial repairs and removal and replacement of downhole production equipment, (ii) well workovers, including significant downhole repairs, re-completions and re-perforations, (iii) completion and swabbing activities, (iv) plugging and abandonment services, and (v) pressure testing of oil and natural gas production tubing and scanning tubing for pitting and wall thickness using tubing testing units.
	Fluid Logistics
	The fluid logistics segment utilizes our fleet of owned or leased fluid transport trucks and related assets, including specialized vaccum, high pressure pump and tank trucks, frac tanks, salt water disposal wells and facilities, and related equipment. These assets are used to provide transport, store and dispose of a variety of drilling and produced fluids used in and generated by oil and natural gas production activities. These services are required in most workover and completion projects and are routinely used in the daily operation of producing wells.
	The following tables set forth certain financial information from continuing operations with respect to the Company’s reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013:
		Three months ended March 31,
		Well Servicing			Fluid Logistics			Consolidated
	2014	(in thousands)
	Operating revenues	$	69,093		$	40,818		$	109,911
	Direct operating costs	52,403			30,361			82,764
	Segment profits	$	16,690		$	10,457		$	27,147
	Depreciation and amortization	$	5,885		$	7,366		$	13,251
	Capital expenditures	2,345			3,798			6,143
	Total assets	593,238			482,198			1,075,436
	Long lived assets	196,151			139,325			335,476
	2013
	Operating revenues	$	50,164		$	51,574		$	101,738
	Direct operating costs	40,338			37,433			77,771
	Segment profits	$	9,826		$	14,141		$	23,967
	Depreciation and amortization	$	5,692		$	7,310		$	13,002
	Capital expenditures	4,401			5,429			9,830
	Total assets	538,877			472,078			1,010,955
	Long lived assets	198,453			146,482			344,935
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Reconciliation of the Forbes Group Operating Income (Loss) As Reported:	(in thousands)
	Segment profits	$	27,147		$	23,967
	General and administrative expense	8,475			7,334
	Depreciation and amortization	13,251			13,002
	Operating income	5,421			3,631
	Other income and expenses, net	(7,245		)	(6,991		)
	Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(1,824	)	$	(3,360	)
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Reconciliation of the Forbes Group Assets As Reported:	(in thousands)
	Total reportable segments	$	1,075,436		$	1,068,042
	Elimination of internal transactions	(1,661,811		)	(1,640,530		)
	Parent	1,079,857			1,073,046
	Total assets	$	493,482		$	500,558

Equity_Securities

Equity Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Equity Securities	'
	Equity Securities
	Common Stock
	Holders of common stock have no pre-emptive, redemption, conversion, or sinking fund rights. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of common stock. Unless a different majority is required by law or by the bylaws, resolutions to be approved by holders of common stock require approval by a simple majority of votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, the holders of common stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in the Company's assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all of its debts and liabilities, subject to any liquidation preference on any issued and outstanding preferred stock.
	Series B Senior Convertible Preferred Stock
	Under our Series B Certificate of Designation, we are authorized to issue 825,000 shares of Series B Senior Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), par value $0.01 per share. On May 28, 2010 the Company completed a private placement of 580,800 shares of Series B Preferred Stock at a price per share of CAD $26.37 for an aggregate purchase price in the amount of approximately USD $14.5 million based on the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and Canadian dollars then in effect of $1.00 to CDN $1.0547. The Company received net proceeds of USD $13.8 million after closing fee paid to investors of USD $0.3 million and legal fees and other offering costs of USD $0.4 million. This is presented as temporary equity on the balance sheet. The common stock into which the Series B Preferred Stock is convertible has certain demand and “piggyback” registration rights.
	The Company paid a closing fee to the Investors of $0.3 million which is netted with the proceeds from the sale of the Series B Preferred Stock in temporary equity on the consolidated balance sheet. The value of the Series B Preferred Stock, for accounting purposes, is being accreted up to redemption value from the date of issuance to the earliest redemption date of the instrument using the effective interest rate method. If the Series B Preferred Stock had been redeemed as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the redemption amount applicable at each date would have been approximately $14.6 million.
	Dividends
	The Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to receive preferential dividends equal to five percent (5.0%) per annum of the original issue price per share, payable quarterly in February, May, August and November of each year. Such dividends may be paid by the Company in cash or in kind (in the form of additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock). In the event that the payment in cash or in kind of any such dividend would cause the Company to violate a covenant under its debt agreements, the obligation to pay, in cash or in kind, will be suspended until the earlier to occur of (i) and only to the extent any restrictions under the debt agreements lapse or are no longer applicable or (ii) February 16, 2015. During any such suspension period, the preferential dividends shall continue to accrue and accumulate. As shares of the Series B Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of our common stock, each dividend paid in kind will have a dilutive effect on our shares of common stock.
	Preferred stock dividends are recorded at their fair value. If paid in cash, the amount paid represents fair value. If paid in kind, the fair value of the preferred stock dividends is determined using valuation techniques that include a component representing the intrinsic value of the dividends (which represents the fair value of the common stock into which the preferred stock could be converted) and an option component (which is determined using a Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model). Dividends and accretion for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 was $0.2 million in each period. The Company has paid in cash all required quarterly dividends through March 31, 2014.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations
	On January 12, 2012, the Company completed the previously announced sale of substantially all of its assets located in Mexico, as well as its equity interest in Forbes Energy Services México Servicios de Personal, S. de R.L. de C.V., for aggregate cash consideration of approximately $30.0 million (excluding amounts paid to cover certain Mexican taxes). The Company recognized a gain on disposal of approximately $2.9 million in 2012 on this transaction.
	The following table presents the results of discontinued operations:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Revenues	$	—	$	—
	Expenses
	General and administrative	—		195
	Total expenses	—		195
	Operating loss	—		(195		)
	Loss before income taxes	—		(195		)
	Income tax benefit	—		(68		)
	Net loss	$	—	$	(127	)

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Interim Financial Information	'
	Interim Financial Information
	The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Forbes Group are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or “GAAP” for interim financial reporting. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted. Therefore, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read along with the annual audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Forbes Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. In management’s opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement are reflected in the interim periods presented. Interim results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 may not be indicative of results that will be realized for the full year ending December 31, 2014. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated balance sheets and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Management believes that these estimates and assumptions provide a reasonable basis for the fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity" ("ASU 2014-08"). ASU 2014-08 raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. It is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted but only for disposals that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The Company does not believe this pronouncement will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets	'
	The following sets forth the identified intangible assets by major asset class:
			As of March 31, 2014							As of December 31, 2013
		Useful	Gross		Accumulated			Net Book		Gross		Accumulated			Net Book
		Life	Carrying		Amortization			Value		Carrying		Amortization			Value
		(years)	Value							Value
			(in thousands)
	Customer relationships	15	$	31,896	$	(13,290	)	$	18,606	$	31,896	$	(12,758	)	$	19,138
	Trade names	15	8,050		(3,354		)	4,696		8,050		(3,220		)	4,830
	Safety training program	15	1,182		(492		)	690		1,182		(473		)	709
	Dispatch software	10	1,135		(710		)	425		1,135		(681		)	454
	Other	10	58		(37		)	21		58		(35		)	23
			$	42,321	$	(17,883	)	$	24,438	$	42,321	$	(17,167	)	$	25,154

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Stock Option Activity	'
	The following table presents a summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
		Shares		Weighted-			Weighted-	Aggregate
				Average			Average	Intrinsic
				Exercise			Remaining	Value
				Price			Contractual
							Term
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,400,425		$	6.99		6.47	$	316,994
	Stock options:
	Granted	—
	Exercised	—
	Forfeited	(1,800	)	9.32				$	—
	Options outstanding at March 31, 2014	1,398,625		$	6.98		6.23 years	$	629,256
	Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014	1,212,475		$	6.65		6.05 years	$	629,256
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014	1,212,475		$	6.65		6.05 years	$	629,256
Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Activity	'
	The following table presents a summary of restricted stock unit grant activity for the period ended March 31, 2014:
		Number of Units			Grant Date Average Fair Value Per Unit
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	674,789			$	3.49
	Granted	461,527				3.85
	Vested	(396,936	)			3.73
	Forfeited	—
	Nonvested at March 31, 2014	739,380			$	3.58

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Summary of Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment consisted of the following:
		Estimated	March 31,			December 31,
		Life in Years	2014			2013
			(in thousands)
	Well servicing equipment	3-15 years	$	415,271		$	411,237
	Autos and trucks	5-10 years	109,366			103,443
	Disposal wells	5-15 years	39,501			43,754
	Building and improvements	5-30 years	13,864			13,544
	Furniture and fixtures	3-15 years	5,498			5,395
	Land		1,802			1,876
			585,302			579,249
	Accumulated depreciation		(249,826		)	(237,380		)
			$	335,476		$	341,869

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long Term Debt	'
	Long-term debt at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	9% Senior Notes	$	280,000		$	280,000
	Third party equipment notes and capital leases	14,160			15,109
	Insurance notes	2,982			4,531
		297,142			299,640
	Less: Current portion	(8,122		)	(9,374		)
		$	289,020		$	290,266

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Summary of the Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments	'
		March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	9.0% Senior Notes	$	280,000	$	280,700	$	280,000	$	275,800

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Related Party Transactions	'
	The following tables represent related party transactions.
		As of
		March 31,		December 31, 2013
		2014
		(in thousands)
	Related parties cash and cash equivalents balances:
	Balance at Texas Champion Bank (1)	$	895	$	698
	Balance at Brush Country Bank (2)	456		469
	Related parties receivable:
	Alice Environmental Services, LP/Alice Environmental Holding LLC (4)	$	—	$	1
	Dorsal Services, Inc. (3)	61		61
	Wolverine Construction, Inc. (7)	183		123
		$	244	$	185
	Related parties payable:
	Alice Environmental Services, LP/Alice Environmental Holding LLC (4)	$	110	$	218
	Dorsal Services, Inc. (3)	42		256
	Tasco Tool Services, Inc. (5)	—		16
	JITSU Services, LLC (10)	—		30
	Texas Quality Gate Guard Services, LLC (8)	—		29
	Texas Water Disposal, LLC (11)	—		10
		$	152	$	559
		Three months ended March 31
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Related parties capital expenditures:
	Resonant Technology Partners (6)	$	—	$	36
		$	—	$	36
	Related parties revenue activity:
	Alice Environmental Services, LP/Alice Environmental Holding LLC (4)	$	1	$	—
	CJ Petroleum Service LLC (12)	—		—
	Dorsal Services, Inc. (3)	2		17
	Tasco Tool Services, Inc. (5)	—		20
	Wolverine Construction, Inc. (7)	59		—
	Texas Water Disposal LLC (11)	57		—
		$	119	$	37
	Related parties expense activity:
	Alice Environmental Services, LP/Alice Environmental Holding LLC (4)	$	622	$	463
	Dorsal Services, Inc. (3)	193		22
	Tasco Tool Services, Inc. (5)	70		9
	FCJ Management, LLC (13)	9		9
	Resonant Technology Partners (6)	—		93
	JITSU Services, LLC (10)	61		101
	Texas Quality Gate Guard Services, LLC (8)	—		65
	Animas Holdings, LLC (9)	89		19
		$	1,044	$	781
	(1)The Company has a deposit relationship with Texas Champion Bank. Travis Burris, one of the directors of FES Ltd., is also the President, Chief Executive Officer, and director of Texas Champion Bank. Mr. Crisp, our President and Chief Executive Officer, serves on the board of directors.
	(2)Messrs. Crisp and Forbes are directors and shareholders of Brush Country Bank, an institution with which the Company conducts business and has deposits.
	(3)Dorsal Services, Inc. provides trucking services to the Company. Mr. Crisp, an executive officer and director and Denyce Crisp, the ex-wife of John Crisp, are partial owners of Dorsal Services, Inc.
	(4)Messrs. John E. Crisp and Charles C. Forbes, Jr., executive officers and directors of FES Ltd., are also owners and managers of Alice Environmental Holdings, LLC or AEH, and indirect owners and managers of Alice Environmental Services, LP, or AES. The Company leases or rents land and buildings, disposal wells, aircraft, and other equipment from AES.
	(5)Tasco Tool Services, Inc. is a down-hole tool company that is partially owned and managed by a company that is owned by Mr. Forbes, both an executive officer and director of FES Ltd., along with Robert Jenkins a manager of one of the subsidiaries of FES Ltd. Tasco rents and sells tools to the Company from time to time.
	(6)Resonant Technology Partners is a computer networking group that provides services to the Company. Travis Burris, a director of the Company had a noncontrolling interest in the computer networking company, which was sold in July 2012.
	(7)Wolverine Construction, Inc. is an entity that is owned by two sons and a brother of Mr. Crisp, an executive officer and director of FES Ltd., and a son of Mr. Forbes, an executive officer and director of FES Ltd. Wolverine provided construction and site preparation services to certain customers of the Company.
	(8)Texas Quality Gate Guard Services, LLC, or Texas Quality Gate Guard Services, is an entity owned by Messrs. Crisp and Forbes and a son of Mr. Crisp, an executive officer and director of FES Ltd. Texas Quality Gate Guard Services has provided security services to the Company.
	(9)Animas Holdings, LLC or Animas, is a property and disposal company that is owned by the two sons of Mr. Crisp and three children of Mr. Forbes and Ms. Forbes. The Company pays Animas for waste water disposal and lease facilities.
	(10)JITSU Services, LLC or JITSU, is a financial leasing company owned by Janet Forbes, a director of the Company and Mr. Crisp. The Company currently leases ten vacuum trucks from JITSU.
	(11) Texas Water Disposal, LLC. is partially owned by a brother of Mr. Crisp, an executive officer and director of FES Ltd. Texas Water Disposal is a company that owns a salt water disposal well that is used by the Company.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
		Three months ended March 31
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Cash paid for
	Interest	$	338		$	418
	Income tax	$	—		$	—
	Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities
	Changes in accounts payable related to capital expenditures	$	(73	)	$	460
	Capital leases on equipment	$	257		$	414
	Preferred stock dividends and accretion costs	$	10		$	10

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Weighted Average and Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding	'
	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of weighted average shares outstanding and diluted weighted average shares outstanding:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Weighted average shares outstanding	21,593			21,280
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock	—			—
	Dilutive effect of preferred stock	—			—
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	21,593			21,280
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per share:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Basic and diluted:
	Net loss	$	(1,293	)		$	(2,726	)
	Preferred stock dividends and accretion	(194		)		(194		)
	Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$	(1,487	)		$	(2,920	)
	Weighted-average common shares	21,593				21,280
	Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.07	)		$	(0.14	)

Business_Segment_Information_T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Financial Information with Respect to Reportable Segments	'
	The following tables set forth certain financial information from continuing operations with respect to the Company’s reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013:
		Three months ended March 31,
		Well Servicing			Fluid Logistics			Consolidated
	2014	(in thousands)
	Operating revenues	$	69,093		$	40,818		$	109,911
	Direct operating costs	52,403			30,361			82,764
	Segment profits	$	16,690		$	10,457		$	27,147
	Depreciation and amortization	$	5,885		$	7,366		$	13,251
	Capital expenditures	2,345			3,798			6,143
	Total assets	593,238			482,198			1,075,436
	Long lived assets	196,151			139,325			335,476
	2013
	Operating revenues	$	50,164		$	51,574		$	101,738
	Direct operating costs	40,338			37,433			77,771
	Segment profits	$	9,826		$	14,141		$	23,967
	Depreciation and amortization	$	5,692		$	7,310		$	13,002
	Capital expenditures	4,401			5,429			9,830
	Total assets	538,877			472,078			1,010,955
	Long lived assets	198,453			146,482			344,935
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Reconciliation of the Forbes Group Operating Income (Loss) As Reported:	(in thousands)
	Segment profits	$	27,147		$	23,967
	General and administrative expense	8,475			7,334
	Depreciation and amortization	13,251			13,002
	Operating income	5,421			3,631
	Other income and expenses, net	(7,245		)	(6,991		)
	Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(1,824	)	$	(3,360	)
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Reconciliation of the Forbes Group Assets As Reported:	(in thousands)
	Total reportable segments	$	1,075,436		$	1,068,042
	Elimination of internal transactions	(1,661,811		)	(1,640,530		)
	Parent	1,079,857			1,073,046
	Total assets	$	493,482		$	500,558

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Summary of Discontinued Operations	'
	The following table presents the results of discontinued operations:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Revenues	$	—	$	—
	Expenses
	General and administrative	—		195
	Total expenses	—		195
	Operating loss	—		(195		)
	Loss before income taxes	—		(195		)
	Income tax benefit	—		(68		)
	Net loss	$	—	$	(127	)

Intangible_Assets_Intangible_A

Intangible Assets (Intangible Assets by Major Asset Class) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Intangible Assets	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	$42,321	$42,321
Accumulated Amortization	-17,883	-17,167
Net Book Value	24,438	25,154
Customer relationships	'	'
Intangible Assets	'	'
Useful Life (years)	'15 years	'
Gross Carrying Value	31,896	31,896
Accumulated Amortization	-13,290	-12,758
Net Book Value	18,606	19,138
Trade names	'	'
Intangible Assets	'	'
Useful Life (years)	'15 years	'
Gross Carrying Value	8,050	8,050
Accumulated Amortization	-3,354	-3,220
Net Book Value	4,696	4,830
Safety training program	'	'
Intangible Assets	'	'
Useful Life (years)	'15 years	'
Gross Carrying Value	1,182	1,182
Accumulated Amortization	-492	-473
Net Book Value	690	709
Dispatch software	'	'
Intangible Assets	'	'
Useful Life (years)	'10 years	'
Gross Carrying Value	1,135	1,135
Accumulated Amortization	-710	-681
Net Book Value	425	454
Other	'	'
Intangible Assets	'	'
Useful Life (years)	'10 years	'
Gross Carrying Value	58	58
Accumulated Amortization	-37	-35
Net Book Value	$21	$23

Intangible_Assets_Narrative_De

Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Amortization expenses	$0.70	$0.70
Estimated amortization expenses for intangible assets year 1	2.9	'
Estimated amortization expenses for intangible assets year 2	2.9	'
Estimated amortization expenses for intangible assets year 3	2.9	'
Estimated amortization expenses for intangible assets year 4	2.9	'
Estimated amortization expenses for intangible assets year 5	$2.70	'
Weighted average amortization period remaining for intangible assets	'8 years 6 months	'

ShareBased_Compensation_Stock_

Share-Based Compensation (Stock Options) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Options outstanding, shares, beginning balance	1,400,425	'	1,845,175
Granted, shares	0	'	'
Exercised, shares	0	'	'
Forfeited, shares	-1,800	'	'
Options outstanding, shares, ending balance	1,398,625	1,400,425	1,845,175
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price, beginning balance (in usd per share)	$6.99	'	'
Forfeited, weighted average exercise price (in usd per share)	$9.32	'	'
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price, ending balance (in usd per share)	$6.98	$6.99	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term	'6 years 2 months 22 days	'6 years 5 months 19 days	'
Forfeited, aggregate intrinsic value	$0	'	'
Options outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	$629,256	$316,994	'
Vested and expected to vest, shares	1,212,475	'	'
Vested and expected to vest, weighted average exercise price (in usd per share)	$6.65	'	'
Vested and expected to vest, weighted average remaining contractual term	'6 years 0 months 18 days	'	'
Vested and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value	629,256	'	'
Exercisable, shares	1,212,475	'	'
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in usd per share)	$6.65	'	'
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual term	'6 years 0 months 18 days	'	'
Exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	$629,256	'	'

ShareBased_Compensation_Restri

Share-Based Compensation (Restricted Stock Units) (Details) (Restricted Stock Units, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock Units	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding, shares, beginning balance	674,789
Granted, shares	461,527
Vested, shares	-396,936
Foreited, shares	0
Nonvested, shares, ending balance	739,380
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price, beginning balance (in usd per share)	$3.49
Granted, weighed average exercise price (in usd per share)	$3.85
Vested, weighed average exercise price (in usd per share)	$3.73
Forfeited, weighed average exercise price (in usd per share)	'
Nonvested, weighted average exercise price, ending balance (in usd per share)	$3.58

ShareBased_Compensation_Narrat

Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Jul. 09, 2012
			Stock Options	Stock Options	Restricted Stock Units	Restricted Stock Units	2012 Plan	2012 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock authorized for issuance	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,022,500
Shares available for future grants	'	'	'	'	'	'	886,819	'
Cumulative net shares issued to the participants	'	'	'	'	228,600	'	'	'
Restricted stock, shares subject to netting for tax withholdings, vested shares	'	'	'	'	347,509	'	'	'
Payment of tax withholding obligations related to restricted stock	$436,000	$51,000	'	'	$400,000	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	841,000	750,000	400,000	300,000	400,000	400,000	'	'
Capitalized share-based compensation expense	'	'	0	0	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation costs, stock options	'	'	700,000	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation costs, awards other than options	'	'	'	'	2,500,000	'	'	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation costs, period for recognition	'	'	'4 months 24 days	'	'2 years 2 months 23 days	'	'	'
Amount recorded to accrue for the executive stock bonus for the performance based management bonus plan	'	'	'	'	'	$100,000	'	'

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	$12,500,000	$12,300,000	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	585,302,000	'	579,249,000
Accumulated depreciation	-249,826,000	'	-237,380,000
Property and equipment, net	335,476,000	'	341,869,000
Well servicing equipment	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	415,271,000	'	411,237,000
Well servicing equipment | Maximum	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated life	'15 years	'	'
Well servicing equipment | Minimum	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated life	'3 years	'	'
Autos and trucks	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	109,366,000	'	103,443,000
Autos and trucks | Maximum	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated life	'10 years	'	'
Autos and trucks | Minimum	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated life	'5 years	'	'
Disposal wells	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	39,501,000	'	43,754,000
Disposal wells | Maximum	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated life	'15 years	'	'
Disposal wells | Minimum	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated life	'5 years	'	'
Building and improvements	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	13,864,000	'	13,544,000
Building and improvements | Maximum	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated life	'30 years	'	'
Building and improvements | Minimum	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated life	'5 years	'	'
Furniture and fixtures	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	5,498,000	'	5,395,000
Furniture and fixtures | Maximum	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated life	'15 years	'	'
Furniture and fixtures | Minimum	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated life	'3 years	'	'
Land	'	'	'
Summary of Property and equipment	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$1,802,000	'	$1,876,000

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_De

Long-Term Debt (Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instruments [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$297,142	$299,640
Less: Current portion	-8,122	-9,374
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, noncurrent	289,020	290,266
Senior notes | 9% Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instruments [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	280,000	280,000
Third party equipment notes and capital leases	'	'
Debt Instruments [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	14,160	15,109
Insurance notes	'	'
Debt Instruments [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$2,982	$4,531

LongTerm_Debt_Narrative_Detail

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 07, 2011

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 15, 2013

NonGuarantorSubsidiaries

Senior notes

Senior notes

Senior notes

Third party equipment notes and capital leases

Third party equipment notes and capital leases

Third party equipment notes and capital leases

Third party equipment notes and capital leases

Third party equipment notes and capital leases

Insurance notes

Insurance notes

Insurance notes

9% Senior Notes

9% Senior Notes

9% Senior Notes

Minimum

Maximum

installments

installments

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, face amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

$280,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5,900,000

Percentage of floating rate notes redeemed from senior notes proceeds

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, maturity date

'

'

'

'

15-Jun-19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, stated interest rate

'

'

'

'

9.00%

9.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.90%

Non-Guarantor subsidiaries ownership pecentage

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of non-guarantor subsidiaries

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Non-Guarantor subsidiaries ownership pecentage

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of principal amount for debt repurchase post change in control

'

'

'

'

101.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, following certain asset sales

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt and capital lease obligations

'

297,142,000

299,640,000

'

280,000,000

280,000,000

'

14,160,000

'

15,109,000

'

'

2,982,000

4,531,000

'

Debt instrument, number of installments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

42

60

'

'

'

Debt instrument, effective interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.70%

8.40%

'

3.30%

'

Debt instrument, principal payments made

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,200,000

1,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Insurance notes outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,000,000

$4,500,000

'

LongTerm_Debt_Revolving_Credit

Long-Term Debt (Revolving Credit Facility) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 09, 2011

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Minimum

Maximum

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

Overnight Federal Funds Rate [Member]

Overnight Federal Funds Rate [Member]

One Month LIBOR [Member]

One Month LIBOR [Member]

Minimum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Minimum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capcity

'

$90

$75

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18% of our consolidated tangible net assets

'

83.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowing base percentage eligible accounts

'

85.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowing base percentage of the appraised Value

'

85.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of net book value of such equipment

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, borrowing availability

'

77.4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letters of credit outstanding

5.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis

'

'

'

'

'

'LIBOR

'LIBOR

'

'

'

'

'prime rate

'prime rate

'

'

'

'

'overnight federal funds rate

'overnight federal funds rate

'LIBOR rate for a one month period

'LIBOR rate for a one month period

Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

2.25%

2.50%

2.75%

'

'

1.00%

1.25%

1.50%

1.75%

0.50%

0.50%

1.00%

1.00%

Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage

'

0.38%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, letter of credit, pincipal borrowing fees Percentage

'

'

'

2.25%

2.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio

'

110.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Customary covenants for asset based credit facility

'

$11.30

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of maximum credit under the facility

'

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (Senior notes, 9% Senior Notes, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	9.00%	9.00%
Carrying Amount	'	'
Summary of the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments	'	'
9.0% Senior Notes	280,000	280,000
Fair Value	'	'
Summary of the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments	'	'
9.0% Senior Notes	280,700	275,800

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties receivable	$244	'	$185
Related parties payable	152	'	559
Related parties capital purchases	0	36	'
Related parties revenue activity	119	37	'
Related parties purchasing activity	1,044	781	'
Texas Champion Bank	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties cash balances	895	'	698
Brush Country Bank	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties cash balances	456	'	469
AES	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties receivable	0	'	1
Related parties payable	110	'	218
Related parties revenue activity	1	0	'
Related parties purchasing activity	622	463	'
CJ Petroleum Service	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties revenue activity	0	0	'
Dorsal Services	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties receivable	61	'	61
Related parties payable	42	'	256
Related parties revenue activity	2	17	'
Related parties purchasing activity	193	22	'
Tasco Tool Services	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties payable	0	'	16
Related parties revenue activity	0	20	'
Related parties purchasing activity	70	9	'
Resonant Technology Partners	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties capital purchases	0	36	'
Related parties purchasing activity	0	93	'
Wolverine Construction	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties receivable	183	'	123
Related parties revenue activity	59	0	'
JITSU Services	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties payable	0	'	30
Related parties purchasing activity	61	101	'
Texas Quality Gate Guard Services	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties payable	0	'	29
Related parties purchasing activity	0	65	'
Texas Water Disposal	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties payable	0	'	10
Related parties revenue activity	57	0	'
FCJ	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties purchasing activity	9	9	'
Animas Holdings	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related parties purchasing activity	$89	$19	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
FDIC insurance coverage per depositor	$250,000	'
Auto Liability and General Liability Insurances	'	'
Gain Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'
Self insurance basic coverage	500,000	1,000,000
Employee Group Medical Plan	'	'
Gain Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'
Self insurance basic coverage	250,000	'
Self insurance reserve	$5,700,000	$1,200,000
Customer concentration risk | Consolidated revenues | Largest customer	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage	16.30%	'
Customer concentration risk | Consolidated revenues | Ten largest customers	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage	55.30%	'
Customer concentration risk | Consolidated revenues | Five largest customers	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage	40.50%	'
Customer concentration risk | Accounts receivable | Largest customer	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage	13.20%	'
Customer concentration risk | Accounts receivable | Ten largest customers	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage	50.00%	'
Customer concentration risk | Accounts receivable | Five largest customers	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage	36.30%	'

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash paid for	'	'
Interest	$338	$418
Income tax	0	0
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities	'	'
Changes in accounts payable related to capital expenditures	-73	460
Capital leases on equipment	257	414
Preferred stock dividends and accretion costs	$10	$10

Earnings_per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings per Share (Narrative) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock options outstanding	1,398,625	1,400,425	1,845,175
Series B Preferred Stock	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Convertible preferred shares outstanding	588,059	'	588,059
Preferred stock convertible rate to common shares	9	'	'

Earnings_per_Share_Weighted_an

Earnings per Share (Weighted and Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Reconciliation) (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding	21,593	21,280
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock	0	0
Dilutive effect of preferred stock	0	0
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	21,593	21,280

Earnings_per_Share_Antidilutiv

Earnings per Share (Antidilutive Securities) (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock Options	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	1,398,625
Restricted Stock	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	739,380
Common stock equivalents underlying the Series B Preferred Stock outstanding	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	5,292,531

Earnings_per_Share_Computation

Earnings per Share (Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted[Abstract]	'	'
Net loss	($1,293)	($2,726)
Preferred stock dividends and accretion	-194	-194
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	($1,487)	($2,920)
Weighted-average common shares	21,593	21,280
Basic and diluted net loss per share	($0.07)	($0.14)

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Effective income tax rate, continuing operations	29.10%	22.70%
Pre-tax loss	$1,824,000	$3,360,000
Federal statutory income tax rate	35.00%	'
Other tax expense	$300,000	'

Business_Segment_Information_D

Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	segment
	coiled_tubing_spread
	well_servicing_rig
	workover_rig
	swabbing_rig
	tubing_testing
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	2	'	'
Number of well servicing rigs	168	'	'
Number of workover rigs	157	'	'
Number of swabbing rigs	11	'	'
Number of tubing testing units	9	'	'
Number of coiled tubing spreads	5	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Operating income	$5,421	$3,631	'
Depreciation and amortization	13,251	13,002	'
Assets	493,482	'	500,558
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Elements for Bank Presentation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	5,421	3,631	'
General and administrative expense	8,475	7,334	'
Depreciation and amortization	13,251	13,002	'
Other income and expenses, net	-7,245	-6,991	'
Loss from continuing operations before taxes	-1,824	-3,360	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item, Consolidated [Abstract]	'	'	'
Assets	493,482	'	500,558
Reportable segments	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Operating revenues	109,911	101,738	'
Direct operating costs	82,764	77,771	'
Operating income	27,147	23,967	'
Depreciation and amortization	13,251	13,002	'
Capital expenditures	6,143	9,830	'
Assets	1,075,436	1,010,955	1,068,042
Long lived assets	335,476	344,935	'
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Elements for Bank Presentation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	27,147	23,967	'
Depreciation and amortization	13,251	13,002	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item, Consolidated [Abstract]	'	'	'
Assets	1,075,436	1,010,955	1,068,042
Reportable segments | Well Servicing	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Operating revenues	69,093	50,164	'
Direct operating costs	52,403	40,338	'
Operating income	16,690	9,826	'
Depreciation and amortization	5,885	5,692	'
Capital expenditures	2,345	4,401	'
Assets	593,238	538,877	'
Long lived assets	196,151	198,453	'
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Elements for Bank Presentation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	16,690	9,826	'
Depreciation and amortization	5,885	5,692	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item, Consolidated [Abstract]	'	'	'
Assets	593,238	538,877	'
Reportable segments | Fluid Logistics	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Operating revenues	40,818	51,574	'
Direct operating costs	30,361	37,433	'
Operating income	10,457	14,141	'
Depreciation and amortization	7,366	7,310	'
Capital expenditures	3,798	5,429	'
Assets	482,198	472,078	'
Long lived assets	139,325	146,482	'
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Elements for Bank Presentation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	10,457	14,141	'
Depreciation and amortization	7,366	7,310	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item, Consolidated [Abstract]	'	'	'
Assets	482,198	472,078	'
Segment reconciling items	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	13,251	13,002	'
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Elements for Bank Presentation [Abstract]	'	'	'
General and administrative expense	8,475	7,334	'
Depreciation and amortization	13,251	13,002	'
Elimination of internal transactions	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Assets	-1,661,811	'	-1,640,530
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item, Consolidated [Abstract]	'	'	'
Assets	-1,661,811	'	-1,640,530
Parent	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Assets	1,079,857	'	1,073,046
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item, Consolidated [Abstract]	'	'	'
Assets	$1,079,857	'	$1,073,046

Equity_Securities_Narrative_De

Equity Securities (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	28-May-10	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	28-May-10
	USD ($)	USD ($)	Series B Preferred Stock	Series B Preferred Stock	Series B Preferred Stock	Series B Preferred Stock	Series B Preferred Stock
			USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	CAD
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	'	'	825,000	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share)	'	'	$0.01	'	'	'	'
Number of shares issued in private placement	'	'	580,800	'	'	'	'
Private placement price per share (in cad per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	26.37
Private placement, aggregate purchase price	'	'	$14,500,000	'	'	'	'
Exchange rate between USD and CAD	'	'	1.0547	'	'	'	'
Private placement, net proceeds	'	'	13,800,000	'	'	'	'
Closing fee	'	'	300,000	'	'	'	'
Legal fees and other costs	'	'	400,000	'	'	'	'
Redemption amount if Series B preferred stock is redeemed	'	'	'	14,600,000	'	14,600,000	'
Preferred stock dividend rate, percentage	'	'	'	5.00%	'	'	'
Preferred stock dividends and accretion costs	$10,000	$10,000	'	$200,000	$200,000	'	'

Discontinued_Operations_Narrat

Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 12, 2012
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Cash consideration	$30
Gain on disposal	$2.90

Discontinued_Operations_Result

Discontinued Operations (Results of Discontinued Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Expenses	'	'
General and administrative	$8,475	$7,334
Total expenses	104,490	98,107
Net loss	0	-127
Discontinued Operations	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'
Revenues	0	0
Expenses	'	'
General and administrative	0	195
Total expenses	0	195
Operating loss	0	-195
Loss before income taxes	0	-195
Income tax benefit	0	-68
Net loss	$0	($127)