PetroQuest Energy, an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development, acquisition and production of oil and natural gas reserves, has appointed Edward Abels as general counsel and corporate secretary, effective Feb. 1.

Prior to joining PetroQuest, Abels acted as general counsel for Texas Crude Energy, was a shareholder at law firm Greenberg Traurig, and held various in-house counsel positions at Statoil Gulf of Mexico; Union Oil Company of California; and KN Energy.