ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORP
10-Q, 1997-05-15
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)                          FORM 10-Q

    (X)      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                      For the Quarter Ended March 31, 1997
                                       or
    (   )    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                         Commission File Number 0-19118

                          ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

         Nevada                                               74-2584033
       ------------                                      -------------------
        (State or Other Jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
         Incorporation or Organization)                   Identification Number)

         500 N. Loop  1604 E, Suite 100, San Antonio, Texas         78232
        ---------------------------------------------------        ----------
         (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                  (Zip Code)

         Registrant's telephone number, including area code      (210)490-4788
                                                                  ------------
                                 Not Applicable
         (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed
                               since last report)

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter  period that the registrant
was  required  to file such  reports),  and (2) has been  subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] or No [ ]

         The number of shares of the issuer's common stock outstanding as of May
1, 1997, was:

                  Class                                 Shares Outstanding
                  -----                               -----------------------
         Common Stock, $.01 Par Value                       5,761,024

                                     1 of 15


<PAGE>



                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                   FORM 10 - Q
                                      INDEX


                                     PART I
                              FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1 - Financial Statements(Unaudited)
            Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 1997
               and December 31,1996      ...................................3
            Consolidated Statements of Operations -
               Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996...................5
            Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
               Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996...................6
            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements......................8

ITEM 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                  Condition and Results of Operations......................10


                                     PART II
                                OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1 - Legal proceedings.................................................13
ITEM 2 - Changes in Securities.............................................13
ITEM 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities...................................13
ITEM 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders...............13
ITEM 5 - Other Information.................................................13
ITEM 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K..................................13
         Signatures........................................................14



                                        2

<PAGE>



                 Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries

                         Part I - Financial Information


                          Item 1 - Financial Statements

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                             March 31   December 31
                                                               1997        1996
                                                            (Unaudited)
                                                            -----------------------
                                                                 (In Thousands)

<S>                                                          <C>          <C>     
Assets
Current assets:
   Cash ..................................................   $ 18,688     $  8,290
   Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
     accounts:
        Joint owners .....................................      2,310        1,601
        Oil and gas production sales .....................      9,055       11,400
        Affiliates .......................................       --             94
        Other ............................................        714        1,289
                                                             --------     --------
                                                               12,079       14,384

   Equipment inventory ...................................        627          451
   Other currents assets .................................        326          187
                                                             --------     --------
Total current assets .....................................     31,720       23,312

Property and equipment ...................................    312,716      310,043
   Less  accumulated depreciation, depletion and
     amortization: .......................................     45,564       38,653
                                                             --------     --------
        Net property and equipment based on the full
           cost method of accounting for oil and gas
           properties, of which $35,268 and $37,268
           at March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996,
           respectively, were excluded from amortization .    267,152      271,390

Deferred financing fees, net of accumulated
     amortization of $577 and $280 at March 31, 1997
     and December 31, 1996, respectively .................      9,142        9,335

Restricted cash ..........................................         90           90
Other assets .............................................        716          715
                                                             --------     --------
  Total assets ...........................................   $308,820     $304,842
                                                             ========     ========

</TABLE>




           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


                                        3

<PAGE>

                 Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries

                         Part I - Financial Information

                          Item 1 - Financial Statements

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)


                                                             March 31   December 31
                                                               1997        1996
                                                            (Unaudited)
                                                            -----------------------
                                                                 (In Thousands)

<S>                                                          <C>          <C>     
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable .......................................  $   6,900    $  9,96O
   Oil and gas production payable .........................      2,190       2,378
   Accrued interest .......................................      9,299       3,206
   Income tax payable .....................................        145         145
   Other accrued expenses .................................      1,931       1,132
   Payable to affiliates ..................................       --            58
                                                             ---------    --------
         Total current liabilities ........................     20,465      16,879

Long-term debt:
   Senior notes ...........................................    215,000     215,000
   Other ..................................................        153          32
                                                             ---------    --------
                                                               215,153     215,032

Other long-term obligations ...............................        134          87
Deferred income taxes .....................................     32,504      32,928
Minority interest in foreign subsidiary ...................      2,076       2,157
Future site restoration ...................................      2,099       2,103

Shareholders' equity:
   Preferred stock 8%, 1,000,000 shares;
     issued and outstanding, 45,741 shares
     at March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996  .............       --          --
   Common stock, par value $.01 per share - authorized
    50,000,000 shares; issued, 5,814,047
    and 5,806,812 shares at March 31, 1997 and
    December 31, 1996, respectively .......................         58          58
   Additional paid-in capital .............................     51,064      50,926
   Accumulated deficit ....................................    (11,155)    (12,517)
Treasury stock,  at cost, 60,463 and 74,711 shares at
    March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively ....       (319)       (405)
   Foreign currency translation adjustment ................     (3,259)     (2,406)
                                                             ---------    --------
Total shareholders' equity ................................     36,389      35,656
                                                             ---------    --------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity ................   $308,820    $304,842
                                                             =========    ========
</TABLE>



           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


                                        4

<PAGE>



                 Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries

                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                               March 31
                                                       ------------------------
                                                            1997         1996
                                                       ------------------------
                                                          (In thousands except 
                                                       share and per share data)
Revenue:
    Oil & gas production sales .......................    $ 17,910     $  4,439
    Processing revenue ...............................         996         --
    Rig revenues .....................................          53           37
    Other ............................................         257            1
                                                          --------     --------
                                                            19,216        4,477
Operating costs and expenses:
    Lease operating and production taxes .............       3,349        1,164
    Gas processing costs .............................         412         --
    Depreciation, depletion, and amortization ........       6,674        1,451
    General and administrative .......................         938          339
    Rig Operations ...................................          52           36
                                                          --------     --------
                                                            11,425        2,990
                                                          --------     --------
Operating Income .....................................       7,791        1,487

Other (income) expense:
    Interest income ..................................         (96)         (57)
    Interest expense .................................       6,084          851
    Amortization of deferred financing fees ..........         297           64
    Other ............................................          32         --
                                                          --------     --------
                                                             6,317          858

Income from operations before taxes ..................       1,474          629
Income tax expense ...................................          20         --
Minority interest in income
      of consolidated foreign subsidiary .............        --             30
                                                          --------     --------
Net income ...........................................       1,454          599
Less dividend requirement on cumulative
      preferred stock ................................          91           91
                                                          --------     --------
Net income applicable to common stock ................    $  1,363     $    508
                                                          ========     ========
Net income per share:

    Net income per common and dilutive
      common equivalent share ........................    $    .22     $    .08
                                                          ========     ========
  Net income per common and common
      equivalent share - assuming full dilution ......    $    .22     $    .08
                                                          ========     ========
  
         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements



                                        5

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                 Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                   (Unaudited)



                                                             Three Months Ended
                                                                  March 31
                                                          ------------------------
                                                                1997         1996
                                                          ------------------------
                                                                 (In thousands) 

<S>                                                            <C>        <C>     
Operating Activities
Net income ..................................................  $  1,454   $    599

Adjustments to  reconcile  net income  (loss) to net
 cash  provided by (used in) operating activities:
    Minority interest in income of foreign subsidiary .......      --           30

    Depreciation, depletion, and amortization ...............     6,674      1,451
    Amortization of deferred financing fees .................       297         64
    Issuance of common stock for compensation ...............       139       --

    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable ...................................     2,305        222
      Equipment inventory ...................................      (176)       (15)
      Other assets ..........................................      (139)       (89)
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses .................     3,774       (376)
      Oil & gas production payable ..........................      (188)      (134)
                                                               --------    -------  
   Net cash provided by operating activities ................    14,140      1,752


Investing Activities
Capital expenditures, including purchases and
    development of properties ...............................   (12,284)    (4,105)
Increase in minority interest in equity of foreign subsidiary      --        2,000
Proceeds from sale of oil and gas producing properties ......     9,008     16,050
Purchase of investment in partnership .......................      --       (2,000)
Increase in other assets ....................................      --         (366)
                                                               --------    -------
Net cash provided (used) in investing activities ............  $ (3,276)  $ 11,579
</TABLE>











           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


                                        6

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                 Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries

                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                            Three Months Ended
                                                                  March 31
                                                          ------------------------
                                                                1997         1996
                                                          ------------------------
                                                                 (In thousands) 

<S>                                                            <C>        <C>     
Financing Activities
Issuance of common stock ....................................  $   --     $     25
Issuance of treasury stock ..................................      --          (63)
Dividends paid on preferred stock ...........................       (91)       (91)
Proceeds from long term borrowings ..........................       168       --
Payments on long-term borrowings ............................      --      (12,003)
Deferred financing fees .....................................      (119)      --
Decrease in deferred income tax .............................      (424)      --
Loan origination fees .......................................      --          (43)
                                                               --------   --------  
Net cash  used for financing activities .....................      (466)   (12,175)
                                                               --------   --------  
Increase (decrease) in cash .................................    10,398      1,156

Cash at beginning of period .................................     8,380      4,384
                                                               --------   --------  

Cash at end of period, including restricted cash ............  $ 18,778   $  5,540
                                                               ========   ========  
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid ...............................................  $     44   $    869
                                                               ========   ========  

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing 
  and financing activity:
Accrual of preferred dividends ..............................  $   --     $     91
                                                               ========   ========  

</TABLE>












           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements



                                        7

<PAGE>




                 Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                                   (Unaudited)
                                 March 31, 1997

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

    The accounting  policies followed by Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation and its
subsidiaries (the "Company") are set forth in the notes to the Company's audited
financial  statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended
December 31, 1996 which is incorporated herein by reference.  Such policies have
been  continued  without  change.  Also,  refer to the notes to those  financial
statements for additional details of the Company's financial condition,  results
of  operations,  and cash flows.  All the material items included in those notes
have not changed except as a result of normal transactions in the interim, or as
disclosed  within this report.  The consolidated  financial  statements have not
been  audited by  independent  accountants,  but in the  opinion of  management,
reflect all  adjustments  necessary  for a fair  presentation  of the  financial
position and results of operations.  Any and all adjustments are of a normal and
recurring nature.

    The consolidated  financial  statements  include the accounts of the Company
and  its  wholly  owned  foreign  subsidiary  Canadian  Abraxas  Petroleum  Ltd.
("Canadian   Abraxas"),   and  its  78%  owned  foreign   subsidiary  Grey  Wolf
Exploration,  Ltd.,  ("Grey  Wolf").  Grey Wolf has  consolidated  its 67% owned
interest in Cascade Oil and Gas, Ltd. ("Cascade").  Minority interest represents
the minority shareholders'  proportionate share of the equity and income of both
Grey Wolf and Cascade.

    Canadian  Abraxas  , Grey  Wolf  and  Cascade  assets  and  liabilities  are
translated to U.S.  dollars at  period-end  exchange  rates.  Income and expense
items are translated at average rates of exchange  prevailing during the period.
Translation adjustments are accumulated as a separate component of shareholders'
equity.

Note 2. Net Income  Per  Share

    Net income per common share is computed by dividing net income (adjusted for
dividends on preferred stock) by the weighted average number of shares of common
stock outstanding during the period,  options and warrants that are dilutive and
the shares that would be issued in conjunction with the Contingent Value Rights.
Income per common  and  common  equivalent  share  assuming  full  dilution  was
determined on the assumption  that the preferred stock was converted into common
stock at the beginning of the period if dilutive.  Common stock  equivalents are
not  considered  in the  computation  of net income per common share for periods
with a loss, as their effect is anti-dilutive.

In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No.
128 "Earnings per Share",  which is required to be adopted on December 31, 1997.
Under the  statement,  primary  earnings  per share will be replaced  with basic
earnings per share and fully  diluted  earnings per share will be replaced  with
diluted earnings per share. The new requirements for calculating  basic earnings
per share exclude the dilutive effect of stock options,  warrants and Contingent
Value Rights.  If the new requirements  had been implemented  basic earnings per
share would have been $.23 and $.08 as of March 31, 1997 and 1996  respectively,
fully diluted earnings per share remains the same under both methods.

Note 3. Acquisition and Divestiture

    In January  1997,  Canadian  Abraxas sold its interest in the Hoole Area for
approximately $9.3 million.  The Hoole area consists of 9,728 gross acres (3,311
net acres) and 6.0 gross wells (3.2 net wells),  none of which were  operated by
Canadian Abraxas, and a natural gas processing plant.







                                        8

<PAGE>



Note 4. Long Term Debt

    In November  1996, the Company  entered into a credit  facility with Bankers
Trust Company, ING Capital and Union Bank of California (the "Credit Facility").
The Credit  Facility  provides for a revolving line of credit and had an initial
availability of $20.0 million,  subject to a borrowing base condition.  Interest
rate  charged on the  outstanding  balance of the Credit  Facility is based on a
facility  usage grid that  ranges  from LIBOR plus 1.25% to LIBOR plus 2.0%,  or
prime plus .50%. In February 1997, the  availability  under the Credit  Facility
was increased to $40.0 million.

Note 5.  Summary Financial Information of Canadian Abraxas Petroleum Ltd.

    The following is summary financial information of Canadian Abraxas, a wholly
owned  subsidiary  of the  Company.  Canadian  Abraxas is jointly and  severally
liable with the Company for the entire  balance of the  Company's  and  Canadian
Abraxas' 11.5% Senior Notes (the "Notes")  ($215,000,000),  of which $84,612,000
was utilized by Canadian  Abraxas in connection with the acquisition of Canadian
Gas Gathering  Systems,  Inc. The Company has not presented  separate  financial
statements and other disclosures  concerning Canadian Abraxas because management
has determined that such information is not material to the holders of the Notes
and the Company's Common Stock.


- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Assets                     Liabilities and Shareholders Equity
                           (In Thousands)

Total current assets...  $ 19,140    Total current liabilities ....  $  6,817
Oil and gas properties.   104,395    11.5% Senior Notes due 2004...    84,612
Other assets...........     3,182    Other liabilities.............    34,536
                        ---------    Shareholder's equity..........       752
                         $126,717                                    --------
                        =========                                    $126,717
                                                                     ========
                                  
Revenues ..........................................................  $  5,951
Operating costs & expenses.........................................    (3,929)
Interest expense...................................................    (2,568)
Other Income (expense).............................................        65
Income tax.........................................................       (17)
                                                                     --------
    Net loss.......................................................  $   (498)
                                                                     ========


Note 6.  Reclassifications

    Certain balances for 1996 have been reclassified for comparative purposes.



















                                        9

<PAGE>





                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                     PART I


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations

    The following is a discussion of the Company's financial condition,  results
of operations,  liquidity and capital resources.  This discussion should be read
in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the
notes  thereto,  included in the Company's  Annual report on Form 10-K filed for
the year ended December 31, 1996, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Results of Operations

    The  factors  which  most  significantly  affect  the  Company's  results of
operations  are (1) the sales prices of crude oil and natural gas, (2) the level
of total  sales  volumes  of crude  oil and  natural  gas,  (3) the level of and
interest rates on borrowings  and (4) the level and success of  exploration  and
development activity.

    Selected  operating data. The following  table sets forth certain  operating
data of the Company for the periods presented.

                                                           Three Months Ended
                                                                March 31,
                                                         ----------------------
                                                           1997           1996
                                                         --------      --------
Operating Revenue (in thousands):
 Crude Oil Sales ...................................      $ 4,500      $   2,225
 Natural Gas Sales .................................       10,332          1,717
 Natural Gas Liquids Sales .........................        3,078            497
 Processing Revenue ................................          996           --
 Rig Operations ....................................           53             37
 Other .............................................          257              1
                                                          $19,216      $   4,477

Operating Income (in thousands) ....................      $ 7,791      $   1,487
Crude Oil Production (MBBLS) .......................        218.0          118.4
Natural Gas Production (MMCFS) .....................      4,938.0          954.2
Natural Gas Liquids Production (MBBLS) .............        238.1           39.1
Average Crude Oil Sales Price ($/BBL) ..............      $ 20.64      $   18.78
Average Natural Gas Sales Price ($/MCF) ............      $  2.09      $    1.86
Average Liquids Sales Price ($/BBL) ................      $ 12.93      $   12.75


    OPERATING REVENUE.  During the three months ended March 31, 1997,  operating
revenue from crude oil,  natural gas and natural gas liquid sales increased 303%
to $17.9  million  compared to $4.4  million in the three months ended March 31,
1996.  The  increase in revenue is due to an increase in crude oil,  natural gas
and natural gas liquids production during the period. The increase in volumes is
primarily  attributable to increased  production from properties acquired during
the fourth quarter of 1996 as well as increased  production  attributable to the
Company's  ongoing  development  program  on its  existing  properties.  Oil and
natural gas liquids  volumes  increased 190% to 456.1 Mbbls from 157.5 Mbbls for
the same period in 1996. Oil and natural gas liquids production  attributable to
the properties  acquired in the fourth quarter 1996  contributed 242 MBbls while
production  from existing  properties  increased by 57 MBbls.  Natural gas sales
volumes increased from 1,000 MMcf to 4,900 MMcf for the three months ended March
31, 1997, of which production from properties  acquired in the fourth quarter of
1996 contributed 3,701 MMcf.  Production from existing properties  increased 199
MMcf over the same period of 1996.  Average  sales prices were $20.64 per Bbl of
crude oil, $12.93 per Bbl of natural gas liquid and $2.09 per Mcf of natural gas
for the quarter  ended March 31, 1997 compared with $18.78 per Bbl of crude oil,
$12.75  per Bbl of natural  gas  liquid and $1.86 per Mcf of natural  gas in the
same period of 1996.

                                       10

<PAGE>





    LEASE  OPERATING   EXPENSES.   Lease  operating  expenses  and  natural  gas
processing  costs ("LOE") for the three months ended March 31, 1997 increased to
$3.8 million  compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 1996. The increase
in LOE was due  primarily to an increase in the number of wells the Company owns
for the quarter  ended March 31, 1997  compared to the same period of 1996.  The
Company's  LOE on a per BOE basis for the three  months ended March 31, 1997 was
$2.62 compared to $3.68 for the same period of 1996.

    G&A  EXPENSES.  G&A  expenses  increased  from  $339,000 for the first three
months  of 1996 to  $938,000  for the same  period  of  1997.  The  increase  is
primarily  due to the hiring of  additional  staff,  including  an  increase  in
personnel at the Company's Canadian administrative office, to manage and develop
properties  acquired  in the fourth  quarter of 1996.  G&A  expense on a per BOE
basis  decreased from $1.07 for the quarter ended March 31, 1996 to $.73 for the
same period of 1997.

    DEPRECIATION,  DEPLETION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSES. Depreciation,  depletion
and amortization  ("DD&A") expense increased by $5.2 million to $6.7 million for
the three months  ended March 31, 1997,  from $1.5 million in the same period of
1996. The Company's DD&A on a per BOE basis for the three months ended March 31,
1997 was $5.22 per BOE compared to $4.59 in 1996.

    INTEREST  EXPENSE AND PREFERRED  DIVIDENDS.  Interest  expense and preferred
dividends  ("Interest  and  Dividends")  increased to $6.1 million for the first
three months of 1997 from $900,000 for the same period of 1996. This increase is
attributable  to  increased  borrowings  by the Company to finance  acquisitions
consummated during 1996.  Long-term debt increased from $30 million at March 31,
1996 to $215.2 million at March 31, 1997.

    GENERAL . The Company's  revenues,  profitability  and future rate of growth
are substantially dependent upon prevailing prices for crude oil and natural gas
and the volumes of crude oil,  natural  gas and natural gas liquids  produced by
the Company.  The price of natural gas received by the Company  increased during
the first quarter of 1997, but there can be no assurance  that operating  income
and net earnings will be achieved in future periods. In addition,  the Company's
proved  reserves will decline as crude oil,  natural gas and natural gas liquids
are produced unless the Company is successful in acquiring properties containing
proved reserves or conducts successful  exploration and development  activities.
In the event  natural  gas  prices  return to  depressed  levels or if crude oil
prices begin to decrease,  or if the Company's  production levels decrease,  the
Company's  revenues,  cash  flow  from  operations  and  profitability  will  be
materially adversely affected.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

    Capital expenditures  including property divestitures during the first three
months of 1997 were $3.3  million  compared  to $(9.6)  million  during the same
period of 1996.  The table  below sets  forth the  components  of these  capital
expenditures on a historical basis for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and
1996.

                                                           Three Months Ended
                                                                March 31
                                                           1997           1996
Expenditure category (in thousands):
    Property acquisitions ........................      $   --         $  2,186
    Development ..................................        11,851          3,738
    Divestitures .................................        (9,008)       (16,050)
    Facilities and other .........................           433            546
                                                        --------       --------
Total ............................................      $  3,276       $ (9,580)
                                                        ========       ========

    At March 31,  1997,  the  Company had  current  assets of $31.7  million and
current  liabilities  of $20.5  million  resulting  in working  capital of $11.2
million.  This compares to working  capital of $6.4 million at December 31, 1996
and $4.2 million at March 31, 1996.  The material  components  of the  Company's
current  liabilities  at March 31, 1997 include trade  accounts  payable of $6.9
million, revenues due third parties of $2.2 million and accrued interest of $9.3
million.

    The  Company's  current  budget for capital  expenditures  for the last nine
months of 1997 is $29.9 million.  Such  expenditures  will be made primarily for
the development of existing properties other than acquisition expenditures.

                                       11

<PAGE>



Additional  capital  expenditures  may be made  for  acquisitions  of  producing
properties if such opportunities arise, the Company currently has no agreements,
arrangements of undertakings  regarding any material  acquisitions.  The Company
has no material long-term capital commitments and is consequently able to adjust
the level of its expenditures as circumstances dictate.  Additionally, the level
of capital  expenditures  will vary during  future  periods  depending on market
conditions and other related economic factors.

    The Company's  Credit Facility  contains a number of covenants  that,  among
other  things,  restricts  the  ability  of the  Company  to (I)  incur  certain
indebtedness or guarantee obligations,  (ii) prepay other indebtedness including
the Notes, (iii) make investments, loans or advances, (iv) create certain liens,
(v) make certain payments, dividends and distributions,  (vi) merge with or sell
assets to  another  person or  liquidate,  (vii) sell or  discount  receivables,
(viii)  engage  in  certain  intercompany  transactions  and  transactions  with
affiliates,  (ix) change its  business,  (x)  experience a change of control and
(xi) make  amendments  to its charter,  by-laws and other debt  instruments.  In
addition,  under the Credit  Facility,  the  Company is  required to comply with
specified  financial ratios and tests,  including  minimum debt service coverage
ratios, maximum funded debt to EBITDA tests, minimum net worth tests and minimum
working capital tests.

    On November 14, 1996, the Company and Canadian Abraxas completed the sale of
$215.0 million  aggregate  principal amount of Senior Notes due November 1, 2004
(the  "Notes").  The notes are joint and  several  obligations  of  Abraxas  and
Canadian Abraxas and were issued under the terms off an Indenture dated November
14, 1996. The Indenture provides,  among other things, that the Company may not,
and may not cause or permit  certain  of its  subsidiaries,  including  Canadian
Abraxas,  to,  directly or  indirectly,  create or otherwise  cause to permit to
exist or become  effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of such
subsidiary  to pay  dividends  or make  distributions  on or in  respect  of its
capital  stock,  make loans or advances or pay debts owed to Abraxas,  guarantee
any  indebtedness of Abraxas or transfer any of its assets to Abraxas except for
such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of: (I) applicable
law;  (ii)  the   Indenture;   (iii)  the  Credit   Facility;   (iv)   customary
non-assignment  provisions  of any  contract  or any lease  governing  leasehold
interests  of such  subsidiaries;  (v)  any  instrument  governing  indebtedness
assumed by the Company in an  acquisition,  which  encumbrance or restriction is
not  applicable  to  such  subsidiaries  or the  properties  or  assets  of such
subsidiaries  other than the entity or the properties or assets of the entity so
acquired;  (vi)  customary  restrictions  with  respect to  subsidiaries  of the
Company  pursuant to an  agreement  that has been  entered in to for the sale or
disposition of capital stock or assets of such subsidiaries to be consummated in
accordance  with the terms of the  Indenture  solely in respect of the assets or
capital stock to be sold or disposed of; (vii) any instrument  governing certain
liens  permitted  by the  Indenture,  to the extent and only to the extent  such
instrument restricts the transfer or other disposition of assets subject to such
lien; or (viii) an agreement  governing  indebtedness  incurred to refinance the
indebtedness issued, assumed or incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in
clause (ii), (iii) or (v) above; provided, however, that the provisions relating
to  such   encumbrance  or  restriction   contained  in  any  such   refinancing
indebtedness  are no less  favorable to the holders of the Notes in any material
respect  as  determined  by the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Company  in their
reasonable  and good  faith  judgement  than  the  provisions  relating  to such
encumbrance or restriction  contained in the applicable agreement referred to in
such clause (ii), (iii) or (v).

    In August  1995,  the  Company  entered  into a rate swap  agreement  with a
previous  lender  relating to $25.0 million of principal  amount of  outstanding
indebtedness.  This  agreement  was  assumed by the Banks in  connection  with a
Bridge Facility that was subsequently paid off. Under the agreement, the Company
pays a fixed rate of 6.15% while the Banks will pay a floating rate equal to the
USD-LIBOR-BBA  rate for one month  maturities,  quoted on the  eighteenth day of
each  month,  to  the  Company.  Settlements  are  due  monthly.  The  agreement
terminates  in August 1998.  At March 31, 1997,  the fair value of this swap, as
determined by BT CO was approximately $66,000.

    Operating  activities  during the three months ended March 31, 1997 provided
$14.1 million cash to the Company compared to $1.8 million in the same period in
1996.  Net income plus  non-cash  expense  items  during 1997 and net changes in
operating  assets and liabilities  accounted for most of these funds.  Investing
activities  required  $3.3  million net during the first  three  months of 1997,
$12.3  million was  utilized  for the  development  of crude oil and natural gas
properties  and  other  facilities,  divestiture  of gas  processing  facilities
provided $9.0 million.  This compares to $11.6 million  provided during the same
period  of 1996,  primarily  from  divestitures  of crude  oil and  natural  gas
properties. Financing activities required $466,000 for the first three months of
1997 compared to requiring $12.2 million for the same period of 1996.



                                       12

<PAGE>



    As a result of the  acquisition of certain  partnership  interests and crude
oil and natural gas  properties  in 1990 and 1991,  an  ownership  change  under
Section 382 of the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended  (Section  382),
occurred  in December  1991.  Accordingly,  it is  expected  that the use of net
operating  loss carry  forwards  generated  prior to  December  31, 1991 of $4.9
million will be limited to  approximately  $235,000 per year.  During 1992,  the
Company acquired 100% of the common stock of an unrelated  corporation.  The use
of net operating loss carry forwards of $1.1 million acquired in the acquisition
are limited to  approximately  $115,000 per year. As a result of the issuance of
additional shares of Common Stock for acquisitions and sales of Common Stock, an
additional  ownership  change  under  Section  382  occurred  in  October  1993.
Accordingly,  it is  expected  that  the use of all  net  operating  loss  carry
forwards  generated  through  October  1993 of $8.2  million  will be limited to
approximately  $1.0 million per year subject to the lower limitations  described
above. Of the $8.2 million net operating loss carry forwards existing at October
1993, it is anticipated that the maximum net operating loss that may be utilized
before it expires is $5.7 million. Future changes in ownership may further limit
the use of the Company's carry forwards. In addition to Section 382 limitations,
uncertainties  exist as to the future  utilization  of the operating  loss carry
forwards under the criteria set forth under FASB  Statement No. 109.  Therefore,
the Company has established a valuation  allowance of $5.6 million  deferred tax
assets at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

    Based upon the current level of operations,  the Company  believes that cash
flow from operations and the Company's credit facility, will be adequate to meet
its anticipated  requirements  for working  capital,  capital  expenditures  and
scheduled  interest  payments through 1997. A depressed price for natural gas or
crude oil will have a material  adverse  effect on the Company's  cash flow from
operations  and  anticipated  levels of  working  capital,  and could  force the
Company to revise its planned capital expenditures.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This  report  includes  "forward-looking  statements"  within the meaning of
Section  27A of the  Securities  Act and Section 21E of the  Exchange  Act.  All
statements  other than  statements of historical  facts  included in this report
regarding the Company's financial position, business strategy, budgets and plans
and  objectives  of  management  for  future   operations  are   forward-looking
statements.  Although the Company  believes that the  expectations  reflected in
such  forward-looking  statements are reasonable,  it can give no assurance that
such expectations will prove to have been correct.  Important factors that could
cause  actual  results  to differ  materially  from the  Company's  expectations
("Cautionary  Statements")  are disclosed  under "Risk Factors" in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K which is  incorporated  by reference  herein and this
report. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking  statements attributable
to the Company,  or persons  acting on its behalf,  are  expressly  qualified in
their entirety by the Cautionary Statements.

                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                     PART II
                                OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings
           None

Item 2.    Changes in Securities
           None

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities
           None

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
           None

Item 5.    Other Information
           None

Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
           (a) Exhibits: 11 Statement Re:  Computation of earnings per share
                 Exhibit 27 Financial data schedule
           (b) Reports on Form 8-K: None

                                       13

<PAGE>




                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   SIGNATURES



    Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                          ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION

                                  (Registrant)



    Date:  May 14,1997                     By:/s/
                                              ---------------
                                           ROBERT L.G. WATSON,
                                           President and Chief
                                           Executive Officer


    Date:  May 14, 1997                    By:/s/
                                              ---------------
                                           CHRIS WILLIFORD,
                                           Executive Vice President and
                                           Principal Accounting Officer































                                       14






                          Exhibit (11) - Statement Re:
                        Computation of Earnings Per Share



                                                           Three Months Ended
                                                                 March 31
                                                           1997          1996
                                                        ------------------------

Primary:
    Average shares outstanding .....................     5,739,134     5,800,779
    Net effect of dilutive stock options-
       based on the Treasury/Stock
       method using average market price ...........       330,639        16,555


    Assumed issuance under existing
         Contingent Value Rights agreement .........       106,400       916,622
                                                        ----------    ----------
Totals .............................................     6,176,173     6,733,956
Net income .........................................    $1,362,334    $  507,461
Per share amount ...................................    $      .22    $      .08

Fully diluted:
    Average shares outstanding .....................     5,739,134     5,800,779
    Net effect of dilutive stock options-
       based on the Treasury Stock Method
       using qtr.-end market price .................       274,857        16,555
    Assumed conversion of 8%
       convertible preferred stock .................       508,233       508,233
    Assumed issuance under existing
       Contingent Value Rights agreement ...........       106,400       916,622
                                                        ----------    ----------
Totals .............................................     6,628,624     7,242,189
Net income .........................................    $1,453,816    $  598,943
Per share amount ...................................    $      .22    $      .08


                                       15

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<ARTICLE>                     5
       
<S>                             <C>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         18688
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  12115
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (36)
<INVENTORY>                                      627
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               31720
<PP&E>                                        312716
<DEPRECIATION>                                (45564)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                308820
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          20465
<BONDS>                                       215000
                              0
                                        0
<COMMON>                                          58
<OTHER-SE>                                     36331
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  308820
<SALES>                                        19216
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               19216
<CGS>                                              0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  11425
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 233
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              6084
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 1474
<INCOME-TAX>                                      20
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             1454
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                    1363
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    .22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    .22
        


</TABLE>


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