ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORP
10-K, 1997-03-31
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K
                                   (Mark One)

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

                   For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1996

   [  ]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 Identification Number)
   Incorporation or Organization)

                        500 N. Loop 1604 East, Suite 100
                            San Antonio, Texas 78232

  Registrant's telephone number,
  including area code                                (210)  490-4788

           SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
                                      None

           SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
                     Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

        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 for 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 No __

        Indicate by check mark if disclosure of  delinquent  filers  pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,
to the best of  registrant's  knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or  information
statements  incorporated  by  reference  in Part  III of this  Form  10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]

        The aggregate market value of the voting stock (which consists solely of
shares of Common Stock) held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of March 21,
1997, (based upon the average of the $10.50 per share "Bid" and $10.75 per share
"Asked" prices), was approximately $45,911,049 on such date.

        The number of shares of the issuer's  Common  Stock,  par value $.01 per
share,  outstanding as of March 21, 1997 was 5,732,101 shares of which 4,878,049
shares were held by non-affiliates.

Documents  Incorporated  by  Reference:   Portions  of  the  registrant's  Proxy
Statement  relating to the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May
23, 1997 have been incorporated by reference herein (Part III).


                                        1

<PAGE>



                          ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION
                                    FORM 10-K
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                     PART I
                                                                        Page

Item 1.  Business. ........................................................4
            General  ......................................................4
            Principal Areas of Activity....................................5
            Markets and Customers..........................................6
            Risk Factors...................................................7
            Regulation of Crude Oil and Natural Gas Activities............13
            Natural Gas Price Controls....................................14
            State Regulation of Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production......15
            Environmental Regulation......................................18
            Employees.....................................................18
            Recent Activities.............................................18

Item 2.  Properties.......................................................19
            Exploratory and Developmental Acreage.........................19
            Productive Wells..............................................19
            Reserves Information..........................................20
            Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production and Sales Price .........21
            Drilling Activities...........................................22
            Office Facilities.............................................23
            Other Properties..............................................23

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings................................................23

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of
              Security Holders............................................23
Item 4a.Executive Officers of the Company.................................23

                                     PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity
              and Related Stockholder Matters.............................24
            Market Information............................................24
            Holders.......................................................24
            Dividends.....................................................24

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data..........................................25

Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
            Financial Condition and Results of Operations.................25
            Results of Operations.........................................25
            Liquidity and Capital Resources...............................28













                                        2

<PAGE>





Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data......................31

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
              on Accounting and Financial Disclosure......................31



                                    PART III



Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers................................32

Item 11.  Executive Compensation..........................................32

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management..33

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..................33



                                     PART IV



Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules,
               and Reports on Form 8-K....................................33





                                        3

<PAGE>





                                     PART I

Item 1. Business

General

           Abraxas Petroleum Corporation, a Nevada corporation ("Abraxas" or the
"Company") is an independent  energy company  engaged in the exploration for and
the  acquisition,  development  and  production  of crude  oil and  natural  gas
primarily along the Texas Gulf Coast, the Permian Basin of western Texas, Canada
and Wyoming. The Company's business strategy is to acquire and develop producing
crude oil and  natural  gas  properties  and  related  assets  that  contain the
potential for increased value through exploitation and development.  The Company
utilizes a disciplined  acquisition strategy,  focusing its efforts on producing
properties  and related  assets  possessing  the  following  characteristics:  a
concentration of operations;  significant,  quantifiable  development potential;
historically  low operating  expenses;  and the potential to reduce  general and
administrative  expenses  per  barrel of crude  oil  equivalent  ("BOE").  Since
December 31, 1990, the Company has made 16 acquisitions of crude oil and natural
gas producing properties totaling an estimated 46.0 million barrels of crude oil
equivalent  ("MMBOE")  of proved  reserves  at an  average  acquisition  cost of
approximately $3.83 per BOE.

           Since  January  1996,  the Company has had  operations  in the United
States  and  Canada and since  November  1996,  the  Company's  operations  have
consisted of two segments:  exploration and production and natural gas gathering
and  processing.  The revenues and operating  earnings for each country and each
industry  segment and the identifiable  assets  attributable to each country and
each industry segment for the year ended December 31, 1996 are set forth in Note
15 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.

           At  December  31,  1996,  the  Company  operated  364 wells and owned
non-operated  interests in 155 net wells.  Average net daily  production for the
year ended December 31, 1996 was 1,985 barrels ("Bbls") of crude oil and natural
gas liquids and 17,397 thousand cubic feet ("Mcf") of natural gas. The Company's
proved  reserves and present value  (discounted at 10%) of estimated  future net
cash flows  (before  income  taxes) of proved crude oil and natural gas reserves
("Present  Value of  Proved  Reserves")  has  increased  from an  estimated  889
thousand   barrels  of  crude  oil   equivalent   ("MBOE")  and  $11.9  million,
respectively,  at January 1, 1991 to an estimated 47.5 MMBOE and $415.9 million,
respectively, at January 1, 1997. Of the Company's proved reserves at January 1,
1997,  86.6%  were  classified  as proved  developed  reserves  and 87.5% of the
Present Value of Proved  Reserves at such date was  attributable  to such proved
developed  reserves.  The Company also owned varying interests in 13 natural gas
processing plants or compression  facilities with capacity of 128.0 MMCF per day
and 197 miles of natural gas gathering systems.

           Since January 1, 1991,  the Company's  principal  means of growth has
been through the  acquisition  and subsequent  development  and  exploitation of
producing  properties and related  assets.  The Company  intends to continue its
growth strategy emphasizing reserve additions through its exploitation  efforts.
There can be no assurance that attractive acquisition  opportunities will arise,
that the Company will be able to consummate  acquisitions  in the future or that
sufficient  external or internal  funds will be available to fund the  Company's
acquisitions.   The  Company  may  also  use,  where  appropriate,  it's  equity
securities as all or part of the consideration for such acquisitions.

           Although the Company  intends to devote most of its  resources to the
exploitation and development of the producing properties  acquired,  the Company
intends to selectively  participate in the exploration for new reserves of crude
oil and natural gas. The Company intends to develop prospects  internally and to
participate  with industry  partners in prospects  generated by other parties in
its exploration activities.

           The Company periodically evaluates, and from time to time has elected
to sell,  certain  of its mature  producing  properties.  Such sales  enable the
Company to maintain  financial  flexibility,  reduce  overhead  and redeploy the
proceeds therefrom to activities that the Company believes to have a potentially
higher financial return. See "Recent Activities".




                                        4

<PAGE>



Principal Areas Of Activity

Texas Gulf Coast and South Texas

           Portilla Field, San Patricio County, Texas The Company acquired a 50%
working  interest in the Portilla  Field in April 1993 and the  remaining 50% in
November  1996.  The field,  discovered  in the 1950's by Superior  Oil Company,
produces from numerous Miocene, Frio and Vicksburg age sands from depths between
4,000 feet and 9,000 feet. A report prepared by independent  petroleum engineers
showed estimated net proved reserves of 3.3 million barrels  ("MMBbls") of crude
oil and natural gas  liquids and 5.0 billion  cubic feet  ("Bcf") of natural gas
from this field,  with a Present  Value of Proved  Reserves of $36.1  million at
January 1, 1997.  For the year ended  December 31, 1996,  the field  produced an
average of  approximately  611 net Bbls of crude oil and 219 net Bbls of natural
gas liquids per day and sold approximately  1,867 net Mcf of natural gas per day
from 33 active  wells.  The Company  also owns a 100%  interest in a natural gas
processing  plant with capacity of approximately 20 MMcf per day. The Company is
the  operator of the natural gas  processing  plant and all of the wells in this
field.

           East White Point  Field,  San  Patricio  County,  Texas.  The Company
acquired an approximate 30% working  interest in this field in April 1993 and an
additional  30%  interest in November  1996.  The field  produces  crude oil and
natural gas from numerous  sands in the Lower Frio  formation from 9,000 feet to
13,000  feet.  A report  prepared  by  independent  petroleum  engineers  showed
estimated net proved reserves of 3.2 MMBbls of crude oil and natural gas liquids
and 29.7 Bcf of  natural  gas from this  field  with a  Present  Value of Proved
Reserves of $60.0 million at January 1, 1997. The Company  operates 11 wells and
Marathon Oil Company ("Marathon") operates another 10 wells in which the Company
has an interest in this field.  For the year ended  December 31, 1996, the field
produced an average of approximately  184 net Bbls of crude oil and 250 net Bbls
of natural  gas  liquids  per day and sold 3,266 net Mcf of natural  gas per day
from 19 active  wells.  The Company also owns an  approximate  43% interest in a
natural gas  processing  plant.  The Company is the operator of this natural gas
processing plant.

           Stedman Island Field,  Nueces County,  Texas.  The Company acquired a
25% working  interest in this field in April 1993, an additional  25% in October
1995 and the remaining 50% in November  1996.  The field  produces crude oil and
natural  gas from the Frio  sands at depths of 8,500 to  10,000  feet.  A report
prepared by independent petroleum engineers showed estimated net proved reserves
of 519.7  MBbls of crude oil and natural gas liquids and 10.1 Bcf of natural gas
from this  field with a Present  Value of Proved  Reserves  of $16.5  million at
January 1, 1997.  During 1996, the field produced an average of approximately 50
net Bbls of crude oil and natural gas liquids and 966 net Mcf of natural gas per
day.

Permian Basin - West Texas

           Delaware Area (Howe,  ROC,  Block 16, Taurus,  Gomez,  N.E. Oates and
Nine  Mile  Draw  Fields).  In  connection  with the  acquisition  of  producing
properties located in West Texas from a group of sellers in July 1994 (the "West
Texas  Properties"),  the Company acquired working interests ranging from 18% to
100% in 35 wells,  29 of which are operated by the Company.  The fields  produce
from Devonian, Wolfcamp, Ellenburger and Cherry Canyon sands from depths ranging
from 6,500 feet to 17,600  feet.  A report  prepared  by  independent  petroleum
engineers  showed  estimated net proved  reserves of 4.6 MMBbls of crude oil and
natural gas liquids and 29.9 Bcf of natural gas in these fields,  with a Present
Value of Proved  Reserves of $91.9  million at January 1, 1997.  During 1996 the
Company  drilled 22 wells in this area and  produced an average of 6,509 net MCF
of natural  gas and 650 net Bbls of crude oil and  natural  gas  liquids per day
from these fields.

           Sharon Ridge and  Westbrook  Fields,  Scurry and  Mitchell  Counties,
Texas.  The Company  drilled its first wells in the Westbrook  Field in 1978 and
operated  approximately 40 wells prior to 1992. The two fields produce crude oil
from Permian age  carbonates  between  1,700 feet and 3,500 feet.  In 1992,  the
Company  acquired  working  interests  ranging from 57.5% to 100% and became the
operator  of 124 wells in the  Sharon  Ridge  Field,  which is  adjacent  to the
Westbrook  Field. A report prepared by independent  petroleum  engineers  showed
estimated net proved reserves of 1.4 MMBbls of crude oil and natural gas liquids
from this field,  with a Present  Value of Proved  Reserves  of $8.4  million at
January 1, 1997. For the year ended  December 31, 1996, the Company  produced an
average of  approximately  171 net Bbls of crude oil per day from these  fields.
The Company is currently investigating waterflooding and development drilling to
enhance production.



                                        5

<PAGE>



Canada

           In January  1996,  the  Company  invested  $3.0  million in Grey Wolf
Exploration Ltd., ("Grey Wolf"), a privately held Canadian  corporation,  which,
in  turn,  invested  in  newly-issued  shares  of  Cascade  Oil  and  Gas  Ltd.,
("Cascade"), an Alberta-based corporation whose shares are traded on the Alberta
Stock Exchange.  The Company owns 78% of the  outstanding  capital stock of Grey
Wolf and,  through Grey Wolf,  the Company owns 52% of the  outstanding  capital
stock of Cascade. Cascade owns 4.3 net producing crude oil and natural gas wells
and 12,000  net acres of  undeveloped  leases in  southwestern  Saskatchewan.  A
report prepared by independent  petroleum  engineers showed estimated net proved
reserves of 120 MBbls of crude oil, with a Present  Value of Proved  Reserves of
$1.3 million (CDN) approximately $950,000 (U.S.), at January 1, 1997.


           In November 1996,  the Company's  wholly owned  subsidiary,  Canadian
Abraxas Petroleum Limited ("Canadian  Abraxas") acquired 100% of the outstanding
capital  stock of CGGS Canadian Gas Gathering  Systems Inc.  ("CGGS").  Canadian
Abraxas owns  producing  properties in western  Canada  consisting  primarily of
natural gas  reserves  and  interests  ranging  from 10% to 100% in 197 miles of
natural  gas  gathering   systems  and  11  natural  gas  processing  plants  or
compression  facilities  (the  "Canadian  Abraxas  Plants"),  four of which  are
operated by Canadian Abraxas. The Canadian Abraxas Properties consist of 154,968
gross acres (86,327 net acres) and 120 gross wells (68.8 net wells), 48 of which
are operated by Canadian  Abraxas.  As of January 1, 1997, the Canadian  Abraxas
Properties  had total  proved  reserves of 10,382 MBOE (88.5%  natural gas) with
Present  Value  of  Proved  Reserves  of  $85.4  million,  88.6%  of  which  was
attributable  to proved  developed  reserves.  The Canadian  Abraxas  Plants had
aggregate net natural gas  processing  capacity of 98.3 MMcf per day at December
31, 1996. For the twelve months ended  December 31, 1996,  the Canadian  Abraxas
Plants  processed  an average of 182.8 gross MMcf (65.7 net MMcf) of natural gas
per day, of which 19.6% (9.7% net) was custom processed for third parties.

Wyoming

           On September 30, 1996, the Company acquired  producing  properties in
the  Wamsutter  area of  southwestern  Wyoming (the "Wyoming  Properties").  The
Wyoming Properties consist of 19,587 gross acres (14,091 net acres) and 25 gross
wells (20.4 net wells),  22 of which are operated by the  Company.  In addition,
the Company acquired various  overriding  royalty interests in four wells. As of
January 1, 1997,  the  Wyoming  properties  had proven  reserves  of 10,570 MBOE
(69.2%  natural gas) with Present  Value of Proved  Reserves of $108.2  million,
89.5% of which was attributable to proved developed reserves.

Markets and Customers

           The  revenues  generated  by  the  Company's  operations  are  highly
dependent  upon the  prices  of,  and  demand  for  crude oil and  natural  gas.
Historically,  the markets for crude oil and natural gas have been  volatile and
are likely to continue to be volatile in the future.  The prices received by the
Company  for its  crude oil and  natural  gas  production  and the level of such
production  are  subject to wide  fluctuations  and depend on  numerous  factors
beyond the Company's control including seasonality,  the condition of the United
States and the  Canadian  economies  (particularly  the  manufacturing  sector),
foreign  imports,  political  conditions  in  other  oil-producing  and  natural
gas-producing  countries, the actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries and domestic  regulation,  legislation and policies.  Decreases in the
prices of crude oil and natural gas have had,  and could have in the future,  an
adverse  effect on the carrying value of the Company's  proved  reserves and the
Company's revenues, profitability and cash flow.

           In order to manage its  exposure to price risks in the  marketing  of
its crude oil and natural  gas,  the Company  from time to time has entered into
fixed price delivery  contracts,  financial  swaps and crude oil and natural gas
futures  contracts  as  hedging  devices.  To ensure a fixed  price  for  future
production,  the Company may sell a futures  contract and thereafter  either (i)
make physical  delivery of crude oil or natural gas to comply with such contract
or (ii) buy a matching  futures contract to unwind its futures position and sell
its production to a customer.  Such contracts may expose the Company to the risk
of financial loss in certain circumstances, including instances where production
is less than expected,  the Company's  customers fail to purchase or deliver the
contracted quantities of crude oil or natural gas, or a sudden, unexpected event
materially  impacts  crude oil or natural gas prices.  Such  contracts  may also
restrict  the ability of the Company to benefit  from  unexpected  increases  in
crude oil and natural gas prices.



                                        6

<PAGE>



           In connection with the reacquisition of the Portilla and Happy Fields
in  November  1996,  the Company  assumed  certain  commodity  swaps on variable
volumes of oil and gas. The agreements settle monthly with amounts either due to
or  from  Christiania  Bank,  New  York  Branch  ("Christiania")  based  on  the
differential between a fixed and a variable price for crude oil and natural gas.
During 1997, the  approximate  monthly volume of crude oil sales subject to this
swap  agreement  is 15,800  barrels at a fixed price of $17.20.  This  agreement
reduces to  approximately  13,200 barrels per month in 1998,  11,000 barrels per
month in 1999,  9,100  barrels per month in 2000 and 8,200  barrels per month in
2001 until  November 1. The fixed price paid to the Company  over this five year
period averages  $17.55 per barrel.  The natural gas component of this agreement
calls for approximately  54,000 MMBTU per month at a fixed price of $1.80 during
1997 with volumes decreasing to 37,000 MMBTU per month in 1998, 24,000 MMBTU per
month in 1999,  19,000  MMBTU per month in 2000,  and 15,000  MMBTU per month in
2001  through  October.  The fixed price paid to the Company over this five year
period averages $1.84 per MMBTU.

           The Company has also  entered into two fixed price  agreements,  each
relating to  approximately  3,750 net MMBTU per day of natural gas. The first of
these two  agreements  expires on March 31,  1997 and calls for a fixed price of
$1.52 per MMBTU  being  paid to the  Company.  The second  agreement  expires on
October 31, 1997 and provides a fixed price of $1.42 per MMBTU to the Company.

           The Company has also recently entered into a costless collar relating
to 1,000  barrels a day of oil sales for the  period  February  1, 1997  through
December  31, 1997.  This  agreement  guarantees  a minimum  price of $19.00 per
barrel to the Company and  provides  that any amount  above $25.60 per barrel be
remitted by the Company to the counterparty to the agreement.

           Substantially  all of the  remainder of the  Company's  crude oil and
natural gas is sold at current market prices under short term  contracts,  as is
customary  in the  industry.  During the year ended  December  31,  1996,  seven
purchasers  accounted  for  approximately  66% of the  Company's  crude  oil and
natural gas sales.  The Company believes that there are numerous other companies
available to purchase the Company's  crude oil and natural gas and that the loss
of any or all of these  purchasers  would not  materially  affect the  Company's
ability to sell crude oil and natural gas.

Risk Factors

Industry Conditions; Impact on Company's Profitability

           The Company's  revenues,  profitability and future rate of growth are
substantially  dependent upon  prevailing  prices for crude oil and natural gas.
Crude oil and natural  gas prices can be  extremely  volatile  and prior to 1996
were depressed by excess total domestic and imported supplies.  While prices for
crude oil and  natural  gas  increased  during  1996 and have  remained at these
levels during the first quarter of 1997,  there can be no assurance that current
price  levels for crude oil and  natural gas can be  sustained.  Prices are also
affected by actions of state and local  agencies,  the United States and foreign
governments and international  cartels.  These external factors and the volatile
nature of the energy  markets  make it difficult  to estimate  future  prices of
crude oil and natural gas. Any substantial or extended  decline in the prices of
crude oil and natural gas would have a material  adverse effect on the Company's
financial  condition and results of operations,  including reduced cash flow and
borrowing capacity.  All of these factors are beyond the control of the Company.
Sales  of  crude  oil and  natural  gas  are  seasonal  in  nature,  leading  to
substantial  differences  in cash flow at  various  times  throughout  the year.
Federal  and  state  regulation  of crude oil and  natural  gas  production  and
transportation,  general economic  conditions,  changes in supply and changes in
demand all could  adversely  affect the Company's  ability to produce and market
its crude oil and natural gas. If market  factors  were to change  dramatically,
the financial  impact on the Company could be substantial.  The  availability of
markets  and the  volatility  of product  prices  are beyond the  control of the
Company and thus represent a significant risk.

           In  addition,  declines in crude oil and  natural  gas prices  might,
under  certain  circumstances,  require a  write-down  of the book  value of the
Company's  crude oil and natural gas  properties.  If such  declines were severe
enough,  they could result in the  occurrence  of an event of default  under the
Company's  outstanding  indebtedness  that could require the sale of some of the
Company's  producing  properties under unfavorable  market conditions or require
the Company to seek additional equity capital. See "Management's  Discussion and
Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and  Results of  Operations  - Liquidity  and
Capital Resources".



                                        7

<PAGE>



           In order to manage its  exposure to price risks in the  marketing  of
its crude oil and natural  gas,  the Company  from time to time has entered into
fixed price delivery  contracts,  financial  swaps and crude oil and natural gas
futures  contracts  as  hedging  devices.  To ensure a fixed  price  for  future
production,  the Company may sell a futures  contract and thereafter  either (i)
make physical  delivery of crude oil or natural gas to comply with such contract
or (ii) buy a matching  futures contract to unwind its futures position and sell
its production to a customer.  Such contracts may expose the Company to the risk
of financial loss in certain circumstances, including instances where production
is less than expected,  the Company's  customers fail to purchase or deliver the
contracted quantities of crude oil or natural gas, or a sudden, unexpected event
materially  impacts  crude oil or natural gas prices.  Such  contracts  may also
restrict  the ability of the Company to benefit  from  unexpected  increases  in
crude oil and natural gas prices.

Losses From Operations

           The Company has  experienced  recurring  losses.  For the years ended
December  31,  1993,  1994 and 1995,  the  Company  recorded  net losses of $2.4
million, $2.4 million and $1.2 million,  respectively.  Although the Company had
net income of $ 1.5 million for the year ended  December 31, 1996,  there can be
no  assurance  that the  Company  will not  experience  operating  losses in the
future.

Operating Hazards; Uninsured Risks

           The nature of the crude oil and natural gas business involves certain
operating  hazards  such as crude  oil and  natural  gas  blowouts,  explosions,
formations  with abnormal  pressures,  cratering and crude oil spills and fires,
any of which could result in damage to or  destruction  of crude oil and natural
gas wells,  destruction  of  producing  facilities,  damage to life or property,
suspension of  operations,  environmental  damage and possible  liability to the
Company. In accordance with customary industry practices,  the Company maintains
insurance  against  some,  but not all, of such risks and some,  but not all, of
such  losses.  The  occurrence  of such an event not fully  covered by insurance
could have a material  adverse effect on the financial  condition and results of
operations of the Company.

Leverage and Debt Service

           The  Company's  level of  indebtedness  will have  several  important
effects on its future  operations  including  (i) a  substantial  portion of the
Company's cash flow from operations will be dedicated to the payment of interest
on its indebtedness and will not be available for other purposes; (ii) covenants
contained in the  Company's  debt  obligations  will require the Company to meet
certain financial tests and other  restrictions  which will limit its ability to
borrow  additional  funds or to dispose  of assets and may affect the  Company's
flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in its business, including
possibly  limiting  acquisition  activities;  and (iii) the Company's ability to
obtain  additional  financing  in  the  future  for  working  capital,   capital
expenditures,  acquisitions,  interest payments,  scheduled  principal payments,
general corporate purposes or other purposes may be limited.

           As of December 31, 1996, the Company's  total debt and  stockholders'
equity were  approximately  $215.0 million and $35.7 million,  respectively.  In
addition,  the Company had $20.0 million of unused borrowing  capacity under the
Credit  Facility (as defined below) at December 31, 1996. The Company intends to
incur  additional  indebtedness  in the  future in  connection  with  acquiring,
developing and exploiting producing  properties,  although the Company's ability
to incur  additional  indebtedness  may be limited by the terms of the indenture
(the  "Indenture")  governing  its 11.5% Senior Notes Due 2004 (the "Notes") and
the Credit Facility.

           The  Company's  ability to meet its debt service  obligations  and to
reduce  its total  indebtedness  will be  dependent  upon the  Company's  future
performance,  which  will be  subject  to  general  economic  conditions  and to
financial,  business and other factors  affecting the operations of the Company,
many of which are beyond its control. Based upon the current level of operations
and the  historical  production of the producing  properties  and related assets
currently  owned by the Company,  the Company  believes  that its cash flow from
operations  as well as  borrowing  capabilities  will be  adequate  to meet  its
anticipated  requirements for working capital,  capital  expenditures,  interest
payments,  scheduled  principal payments and general corporate or other purposes
for the foreseeable future. See the Company's  Consolidated Financial Statements
and the notes  thereto and  "Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial
Condition  and  Results of  Operations  Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources."  No
assurance can be given,  however,  that the Company's  business will continue to
generate  cash  flow  from  operations  at or above  current  levels or that the
historical  production of the producing  properties and related assets currently
owned by the Company can be sustained in the future.

                                        8

<PAGE>



If the Company is unable to generate cash flow from  operations in the future to
service  its debt,  it may be  required  to  refinance  all or a portion  of its
existing debt or to obtain additional financing.  There can be no assurance that
such  refinancing  would be possible or that any additional  financing  could be
obtained.  In  addition,  the  Notes  are  subject  to  certain  limitations  on
redemption.

           The Company's  Credit  Facility ("the Credit  Facility") with Bankers
Trust Company, as agent, ING (U.S.) Capital  Corporation,  as co-agent and Union
Bank of  California,  N.A.  (collectively  the  "Banks")  contains  a number  of
covenants,  including the following:  (1) the ratio of current assets to current
liabilities  (exclusive  of any part of the loan which is current)  shall not be
less than 1:1, (2) the ratio of (a) EBITDA to (b) Interest expense,  measured as
of the last day of any calendar  quarter for the twelve month period then ended,
shall not be less than 1.50 to 1.00 as of the last day of any  calendar  quarter
through  June 30, 1997 or to be less than 1.75 to 1.00 as of the last day of any
calendar  quarter  after June 30, 1997 and (3)  Consolidated  Tangible Net Worth
must be greater than  $30,000,000 at any time. The Credit Facility also contains
covenants related to maintaining  corporate existence,  maintaining title to all
of the  collateral  free and clear of all liens  except for the Banks  liens and
those permitted by the Banks,  maintaining all mineral  interests in good repair
and in compliance with all laws,  maintaining  insurance,  paying all taxes, not
paying  dividends  except as required on the Company's  Series 1995-B  Preferred
Stock and not selling any of the collateral  securing the loans.  The Company is
currently in compliance with these covenants.

Restrictions Imposed by Terms of the Company's Indebtedness

           The Indenture and the Credit Facility  restrict,  among other things,
the  Company's  ability  to incur  additional  indebtedness,  incur  liens,  pay
dividends or make certain other restricted  payments,  consummate  certain asset
sales,  enter into certain  transactions  with affiliates,  merge or consolidate
with any other  person or sell,  assign,  transfer,  lease,  convey or otherwise
dispose of all or substantially  all of the assets of the Company.  In addition,
the Credit Facility  contains  additional and more  restrictive  covenants.  The
Indenture and the Credit Facility also require the Company to maintain specified
financial ratios and satisfy certain  financial tests. The Company's  ability to
meet such  financial  ratios  and tests may be  affected  by events  beyond  its
control,  and there can be no  assurance  that the Company will meet such ratios
and tests. See "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of  Operations - Liquidity  and Capital  Resources."  A breach of any of
these covenants could result in a default under the Indenture  and/or the Credit
Facility.  Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Credit Facility,
the lenders thereunder could elect to declare all amounts  outstanding under the
Credit  Facility,  together with accrued  interest,  to be  immediately  due and
payable.  If the Company were unable to repay those amounts,  such lenders could
proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that  indebtedness.  If
the  lenders   under  the  Credit   Facility   acelerate  the  payment  of  such
indebtedness,  there can be no assurance that the assets of the Company would be
sufficient to repay in full such indebtedness and the other  indebtedness of the
Company,  including the Notes.  Substantially  all of the Company's U.S. assets,
including,  without  limitation,  working  capital and  interests  in  producing
properties and related assets owned by the Company, and the proceeds thereof are
pledged as security under the Credit Facility. See "Management's  Discussion and
Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and  Results of  Operations  - Liquidity  and
Capital Resources."

Substantial Capital Requirements

           The Company  makes,  and will continue to make,  substantial  capital
expenditures for the  acquisition,  exploitation,  development,  exploration and
production of crude oil and natural gas reserves.  Historically, the Company has
financed  these  expenditures  primarily  with cash flow from  operations,  bank
borrowings and the offering of its equity securities.  The Company believes that
it will have  sufficient  capital to finance planned  capital  expenditures.  If
revenues or the Company's borrowing base under the Credit Facility decrease as a
result of lower  crude oil and natural gas  prices,  operating  difficulties  or
declines in reserves,  the Company may have limited  ability to finance  planned
capital  expenditures  in the future.  There can be no assurance that additional
debt or equity  financing or cash  generated by operations  will be available to
meet these requirements.  See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources."







                                        9

<PAGE>



Integration of Operations; Foreign Operations

           The  Company's  future   operations  and  earnings  will  be  largely
dependent upon the Company's ability to integrate the operations of CGGS and the
Wyoming Properties into the previous  operations of the Company.  The operations
of CGGS and the Wyoming  Properties vary in geography from that of the Company's
previous  operations,  and with respect to CGGS,  to some  extent,  in scope and
type, from the Company's previous operations. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to successfully integrate such operations with those of the
Company,  and a failure  to do so would have a  material  adverse  effect on the
Company's   financial   position,   results  of   operations   and  cash  flows.
Additionally,  although  the  Company  does  not  currently  have  any  specific
acquisition  plans, the need to focus  management's  attention on integration of
the new operations, as well as other factors, may limit the Company's ability to
successfully pursue acquisitions or other opportunities  related to its business
for the foreseeable future. Also,  successful  integration of operations will be
subject  to  numerous  contingencies,  some of  which  are  beyond  management's
control.  These contingencies  include general and regional economic conditions,
prices for crude oil and natural  gas,  competition  and changes in  regulation.
Even if the  Company  is  successful  in  integrating  the new  operations,  the
acquisition  of CGGS in  particular  has  significantly  increased the Company's
dependence  on  international  operations,  specifically  those in  Canada,  and
therefore the Company is subject to various additional  political,  economic and
other uncertainties.  Among other risks, the Company's operations are subject to
the risks of  restrictions  on  transfers  of funds,  export  duties and quotas,
domestic and international  customs and tariffs, and changing taxation policies,
foreign   exchange   restrictions,   political   conditions   and   governmental
regulations.  In addition, the Company will receive a substantial portion of its
revenue in Canadian dollars. As a result,  fluctuations in the exchange rates of
the Canadian dollar with respect to the U.S. dollar could have an adverse effect
on the Company's financial  position,  results of operations and cash flows. The
Company may from time to time engage in hedging programs  intended to reduce the
Company's exposure to currency fluctuations.

Future Availability of Natural Gas Supply

           To obtain  volumes of  committed  natural gas  reserves to supply the
Canadian  Abraxas Plants,  the Company will contract to process natural gas with
various  producers.  Future natural gas supplies available for processing at the
Canadian  Abraxas  Plants will be  affected by a number of factors  that are not
within the  Company's  control,  including  the  depletion  rate of natural  gas
reserves  currently  connected to the Canadian  Abraxas Plants and the extent of
exploration  for,  production and  development of, and demand for natural gas in
the  areas in which the  Company  will  operate.  Long-term  contracts  will not
protect  the  Company  from  shut-ins  or supply  curtailments  by  natural  gas
supplies.  Although  CGGS was  historically  successful in  contracting  for new
natural gas  supplies  and in  renewing  natural  gas supply  contracts  as they
expired,  there  is no  assurance  that the  Company  will be able to do so on a
similar basis in the future.

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

           At March 21, 1997,  the Company had 5,732,101  shares of Common Stock
outstanding of which 854,052 shares were held by affiliates.  Of the shares held
by  non-affiliates,  1,330,000  shares were sold in  November  1995 in a private
placement (the "Private  Placement") of 1,330,000  units each  consisting of one
share of Common Stock and one Contingent  Value Right ("CVR").  In addition,  at
March 21,  1997,  the  Company  had 550,810  shares of Common  Stock  subject to
outstanding  options  granted under certain stock option plans (of which 149,482
shares were vested at March 21, 1997),  437,500 shares issuable upon exercise of
warrants and up to 1,995,000  shares of Common Stock  issuable  upon maturity of
the CVRs in November 1997. The actual number of shares issuable upon maturity of
the CVRs is  dependent  upon the  difference  between the target price (which is
$12.50 in 1997) and the median of the  averages of the closing bid prices of the
Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market during three consecutive  20-trading day
periods immediately preceding the maturity date.

           All of the shares of Common Stock held by affiliates  are  restricted
or control  securities  under Rule 144  promulgated  under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The shares of the Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of the stock  options have been  registered  under the  Securities
Act. In addition,  the Company has filed a registration  statement  covering the
shares of the Common  Stock  issued in the Private  Placement  and the shares of
Common  Stock  issuable  upon  maturity of the CVRs.  All of such shares will be
offered only by means of a prospectus.  The shares of the Common Stock  issuable
upon  exercise of the warrants are subject to certain  registration  rights and,
therefore, will be eligible for resale in the public market after a registration
statement covering such shares has been declared  effective.  Sales of shares of


                                       10

<PAGE>



Common Stock under Rule 144 or pursuant to a registration statement could have a
material  adverse  effect on the price of the Common  Stock and could impair the
Company's  ability to raise  additional  capital  through the sale of its equity
securities.

Competition

           The Company  encounters  strong  competition from major oil companies
and independent operators in acquiring properties and leases for the exploration
for, and production of, crude oil and natural gas.  Competition is  particularly
intense with respect to the acquisition of desirable  undeveloped  crude oil and
natural gas leases. The principal competitive factors in the acquisition of such
undeveloped  crude  oil and  natural  gas  leases  include  the  staff  and data
necessary to identify,  investigate and purchase such leases,  and the financial
resources  necessary to acquire and develop such leases.  Many of the  Company's
competitors have financial resources, staff and facilities substantially greater
than those of the Company. In addition, the producing,  processing and marketing
of crude oil and natural gas is affected by a number of factors which are beyond
the control of the Company, the effect of which cannot be accurately predicted.

           The  principal   raw  materials  and  resources   necessary  for  the
exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas are leasehold  prospects
under which crude oil and natural gas reserves may be discovered,  drilling rigs
and related equipment to explore for such reserves and  knowledgeable  personnel
to conduct all phases of crude oil and natural gas operations.  The Company must
compete for such raw materials and resources with both major crude oil companies
and independent  operators.  Although the Company believes its current operating
and financial  resources are adequate to preclude any significant  disruption of
its  operations in the immediate  future,  the  continued  availability  of such
materials and resources to the Company cannot be assured.

           The  Company  will  face   significant   competition   for  obtaining
additional  natural gas supplies for gathering and  processing  operations,  for
marketing NGLs, residue gas, helium, condensate and sulfur, and for transporting
natural gas and liquids. The Company's principal  competitors will include major
integrated oil companies and their  marketing  affiliates and national and local
gas gatherers,  brokers,  marketers and distributors of varying sizes, financial
resources  and  experience.  Certain  competitors,  such as major  crude oil and
natural gas companies,  have capital  resources and control  supplies of natural
gas substantially greater than the Company. Smaller local distributors may enjoy
a marketing advantage in their immediate service areas. The Company will compete
against other companies in its natural gas processing business both for supplies
of natural gas and for customers to which it will sell its products. Competition
for natural gas supplies is based primarily on location of natural gas gathering
facilities  and  natural  gas  gathering   plants,   operating   efficiency  and
reliability and ability to obtain a satisfactory  price for products  recovered.
Competition for customers is based primarily on price and delivery capabilities.


Reliance on Estimates of Proved  Reserves and Future Net Revenues;  Depletion of
Reserves

           There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of
proved  reserves and in projecting  future rates of production and the timing of
development  expenditures,  including  many  factors  beyond the  control of the
Company. The reserve data set forth in this report represent only estimates.  In
addition,  the  estimates  of future net  revenues  from proved  reserves of the
Company and the present value thereof are based upon certain  assumptions  about
future production levels, prices and costs that may not prove to be correct over
time. In particular, estimates of crude oil and natural gas reserves, future net
revenue from proved  reserves and the Present  Value of Proved  Reserves for the
crude oil and natural gas  properties  described in this report are based on the
assumption that future crude oil and natural gas prices remain the same as crude
oil and natural gas prices at December 31, 1996.  The average sales prices as of
such dates used for purposes of such estimates were $23.19 per Bbl of crude oil,
$16.31 per Bbl of NGLs and $2.96 per Mcf of  natural  gas.  Also  assumed is the
Company's making future capital  expenditures of approximately  $23.1 million in
the aggregate  necessary to develop and realize the value of proved  undeveloped
reserves on its properties.  Any significant variance in these assumptions could
materially affect the estimated quantity and value of reserves set forth herein.
See "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations  -  Liquidity  and  Capital   Resources"   and  "Business  -  Reserve
Information."





                                       11

<PAGE>



Certain Business Risks

           The Company  intends to continue  acquiring  producing  crude oil and
natural gas  properties  or  companies  that own such  properties.  Although the
Company  performs  a review  of the  acquired  properties  that it  believes  is
consistent with industry practices,  such reviews are inherently incomplete.  It
generally is not feasible to review in depth every individual  property involved
in each  acquisition.  Ordinarily,  the Company will focus its review efforts on
the  higher-valued  properties and will sample the remainder.  However,  even an
in-depth  review  of all  properties  and  records  may not  necessarily  reveal
existing  or  potential  problems  nor will it  permit  the  Company  to  become
sufficiently familiar with the properties to assess fully their deficiencies and
capabilities.  Inspections  may not  always  be  performed  on every  well,  and
environmental problems, such as ground water contamination,  are not necessarily
observable even when an inspection is undertaken.  Furthermore, the Company must
rely on information,  including financial, operating and geological information,
provided by the seller of the properties  without being able to verify fully all
such information and without the benefit of knowing the history of operations of
all such properties.

           In addition, a high degree of risk of loss of invested capital exists
in  almost  all  exploration  and  development   activities  which  the  Company
undertakes.  No  assurance  can be given that  crude oil or natural  gas will be
discovered to replace reserves currently being developed,  produced and sold, or
that  if  crude  oil or  natural  gas  reserves  are  found,  they  will be of a
sufficient  quantity to enable the Company to recover  the  substantial  sums of
money  incurred  in  their  acquisition,  discovery  and  development.  Drilling
activities  are  subject  to  numerous   risks,   including  the  risk  that  no
commercially productive crude oil or natural gas reservoirs will be encountered.
The cost of drilling,  completing and operating  wells is often  uncertain.  The
Company's  operations  may be  curtailed,  delayed or  cancelled  as a result of
numerous factors including title problems,  weather  condition,  compliance with
governmental  requirements and shortages or delays in the delivery of equipment.
The  availability  of a ready market for the  Company's  natural gas  production
depends on a number of factors,  including,  without limitation,  the demand for
and supply of natural gas, the  proximity of natural gas reserves to  pipelines,
the capacity of such pipelines and governmental regulations.

Depletion of Reserves

           The rate of  production  from crude oil and  natural  gas  properties
declines as reserves  are  depleted.  Except to the extent the Company  acquires
additional   properties   containing   proved  reserves,   conducts   successful
exploration  and  development   activities  or,  through  engineering   studies,
identifies  additional  behind-pipe zones or secondary  recovery  reserves,  the
proved  reserves of the Company will decline as reserves  are  produced.  Future
crude oil and natural gas  production  is therefore  highly  dependent  upon the
Company's level of success in acquiring or finding additional reserves.  See " -
Certain Business Risks."

           The Company's ability to continue to acquire producing  properties or
companies that own such properties  assumes that major  integrated oil companies
and  independent  oil companies  will continue to divest many of their crude oil
and  natural  gas  properties.  There can be no  assurance,  however,  that such
divestitures  will  continue  or that the Company  will be able to acquire  such
properties at acceptable prices or develop additional reserves in the future. In
addition,  under  the  terms of the  Indenture  and the  Credit  Agreement,  the
Company's ability to obtain additional  financing in the future for acquisitions
and capital expenditures may be limited.

Title to Properties

           As is  customary  in the  crude oil and  natural  gas  industry,  the
Company  performs a minimal title  investigation  before  acquiring  undeveloped
properties,  which  generally  consists of  obtaining a title  report from legal
counsel  covering  title to the major  properties  and due diligence  reviews by
independent  landmen of the remaining  properties.  The Company believes that it
has satisfactory title to such properties in accordance with standards generally
accepted in the crude oil and natural gas industry.  A title opinion is obtained
prior to the  commencement of any drilling  operations on such  properties.  The
Company's properties are subject to customary royalty interests,  liens incident
to operating  agreements,  liens for current  taxes and other  burdens,  none of
which the Company believes materially  interferes with the use of, or affect the
value of, such  properties.  All of the Company's  United States  properties are
also subject to the liens of the Banks.





                                       12

<PAGE>



Government Regulation

           The Company's business is subject to certain federal, state and local
laws and regulations relating to the exploration for and development, production
and marketing of crude oil and natural gas, as well as environmental  and safety
matters.  Such laws and  regulations  have  generally  become more  stringent in
recent years, often imposing greater liability on a larger number of potentially
responsible  parties.   Because  the  requirements  imposed  by  such  laws  and
regulations  are  frequently  changed,  the  Company  is unable to  predict  the
ultimate cost of compliance with such  requirements.  There is no assurance that
laws and  regulations  enacted  in the  future  will not  adversely  affect  the
Company's financial condition and results of operations.

Dependence on Key Personnel

           The Company  depends to a large  extent on Robert L. G.  Watson,  its
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, for its management
and business and financial contacts. The unavailability of Mr. Watson would have
a materially adverse effect on the Company's business.  The Company's success is
also  dependent  upon  its  ability  to  employ  and  retain  skilled  technical
personnel.  While  the  Company  has not to  date  experienced  difficulties  in
employing or retaining such personnel,  its failure to do so in the future could
adversely  affect  its  business.   The  Company  has  entered  into  employment
agreements  with Mr.  Watson  and each of the  Company's  vice  presidents.  The
employment agreements terminate on December 31, 1997 except that the term may be
extended for an  additional  year if by December 1 of the prior year neither the
Company  nor the  officer  has given  notice that it does not wish to extend the
term.  Except in the event of a change in control,  Mr. Watson's and each of the
vice president's employment is terminable at will by the Company for any reason,
without notice or cause.

Limitations   on  the   Availability   of  the  Company's  Net  Operating   Loss
Carryforwards

         At December  31,  1996,  the Company  had,  subject to the  limitations
discussed  below,  $17.5 million of net  operating  loss  carryforwards  for tax
purposes,  of which  approximately  $16.1 million are available for  utilization
without limitation.  These loss carryforwards will expire from 2002 through 2010
if not utilized. 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  carryforwards  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  outstanding  capital  stock  of  an  unrelated
corporation.  The use of the net operating loss carryforwards of $1.1 million of
the unrelated  corporation 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 stock,  an  additional  ownership  change under Section 382 occurred in
October  1993.  Accordingly,  it is expected that the use of the $8.2 million of
net operating loss carryforwards  generated through October 1993 will be limited
to approximately $1 million per year subject to the lower limitations  described
above and $7.2 million in the aggregate. Future changes in ownership may further
limit the use of the  Company's  carryforwards.  In  addition to the Section 382
limitations,  uncertainties  exist as to the future utilization of the operating
loss  carryforwards  under the criteria set forth under FASB  Statement No. 109.
Therefore, the Company has established a valuation allowance of $5.7 million and
$5.7   million  for   deferred  tax  assets  at  December  31,  1996  and  1995,
respectively.


Regulation of Crude Oil and Natural Gas Activities

Regulatory Matters

           The  Company's  operations  are affected from time to time in varying
degrees by political developments and federal,  state, provincial and local laws
and regulations.  In particular, oil and gas production operations and economics
are, or in the past have been, affected by price controls, taxes,  conservation,
safety,  environmental,  and other laws relating to the petroleum  industry,  by
changes in such laws and by constantly changing administrative regulations.






                                       13

<PAGE>



           Price  Regulations.  In the recent past,  maximum  selling prices for
certain  categories of crude oil, natural gas,  condensate and NGLs were subject
to federal  regulation.  In 1981, all federal price controls over sales of crude
oil, condensate and NGLs were lifted. Effective January 1, 1993, the Natural Gas
Wellhead Decontrol Act (the "Decontrol Act") deregulated  natural gas prices for
all "first sales" of natural gas, which includes all sales by the Company of its
own production.  As a result, all sales of the Company's  domestically  produced
crude oil, natural gas, condensate and NGLs may be sold at market prices, unless
otherwise committed by contract.

           Natural  gas  exported  from Canada is subject to  regulation  by the
National  Energy Board ("NEB") and the government of Canada.  Exporters are free
to  negotiate  prices and other  terms with  purchasers,  provided  that  export
contracts  in  excess  of two  years  must  continue  to meet  certain  criteria
prescribed by the NEB and the  government  of Canada.  As is the case with crude
oil, natural gas exports for a term of less than two years must be made pursuant
to an NEB order, or, in the case of exports for a longer  duration,  pursuant to
an NEB license and Governor in Council approval.

           The  government  of Alberta also  regulates the volume of natural gas
that may be removed from Alberta for consumption elsewhere based on such factors
as   reserve   availability,    transportation    arrangements   and   marketing
considerations.

           The North  American  Free Trade  Agreement.  On January 1, 1994,  the
North  American Free Trade  Agreement  ("NAFTA")  among the  governments  of the
United  States,  Canada and Mexico  became  effective.  In the context of energy
resources,  Canada  remains  free to  determine  whether  exports to the U.S. or
Mexico will be allowed provided that any export  restrictions do not: (i) reduce
the proportion of energy resources  exported relative to the total supply of the
energy  resource  (based upon the  proportion  prevailing  in the most recent 36
month period);  (ii) impose an export price higher than the domestic  price;  or
(iii) disrupt normal channels of supply. All three countries are prohibited from
imposing minimum export or import price requirements.

           NAFTA  contemplates  the  reduction  of  Mexican   restrictive  trade
practices in the energy sector and prohibits  discriminatory border restrictions
and export  taxes.  The  agreement  also  contemplates  clearer  disciplines  on
regulators  to ensure  fair  implementation  of any  regulatory  changes  and to
minimize disruption of contractual arrangements, which is important for Canadian
natural gas exports.

           Natural Gas Regulation.  Historically,  interstate pipeline companies
generally acted as wholesale  merchants by purchasing natural gas from producers
and  reselling  the gas to local  distribution  companies  and large end  users.
Commencing in late 1985, the Federal Energy  Regulatory  Commission (the "FERC")
issued a series of orders that have had a major impact on interstate natural gas
pipeline operations,  services,  and rates, and thus have significantly  altered
the marketing and price of natural gas. The FERC's key rule making action, order
No. 636 ("Order 636"),  issued in April 1992,  required each interstate pipeline
to, among other things,  "unbundle" its  traditional  bundled sales services and
create  and make  available  on an open  and  nondiscriminatory  basis  numerous
constituent  services (such as gathering  services,  storage services,  firm and
interruptible  transportation  services,  and  standby  sales and gas  balancing
services),  and to adopt a new ratemaking  methodology to determine  appropriate
rates for those  services.  To the  extent  the  pipeline  company  or its sales
affiliate makes natural gas sales as a merchant,  it does so pursuant to private
contracts in direct  competition  with all of the sellers,  such as the Company;
however,  pipeline  companies and their  affiliates  were not required to remain
"merchants" of natural gas, and most of the interstate  pipeline  companies have
become  "transporters only." In subsequent orders, the FERC largely affirmed the
major features of Order 636 and denied a stay of the  implementation  of the new
rules pending  judicial  review.  By the end of 1994, the FERC had concluded the
Order 636  restructuring  proceedings,  and, in general,  accepted  rate filings
implementing Order 636 on every major interstate pipeline. However, even through
the  implementation  of  Order  636  on  individual   interstate   pipelines  is
essentially complete, many of the individual pipeline restructuring proceedings,
as well as Order 636  itself and the  regulations  promulgated  thereunder,  are
subject to pending appellate review and could possibly be changed as a result of
future court orders.  The Company cannot predict  whether the FERC's orders will
be affirmed on appeal or what the effects will be on its business.

            In  recent  years  the FERC  also  has  pursued  a  number  of other
important policy initiatives which could  significantly  affect the marketing of
natural gas. Some of the more notable of these  regulatory  initiatives  include
(I) a series of orders in individual pipeline proceedings  articulating a policy
of generally  approving the voluntary  divestiture of interstate  pipeline owned
gathering  facilities by interstate pipelines to their affiliates (the so-called
"spin down" of  previously  regulated  gathering  facilities  to the  pipeline's


                                       14

<PAGE>




nonregulated  affiliates),  (ii) the  completion  of  rule-making  involving the
regulation of pipelines with marketing affiliates under Order No. 497, (iii) the
FERC's ongoing efforts to promulgate  standards for pipeline electronic bulletin
boards and electronic data exchange,  (iv) a generic inquiry into the pricing of
interstate  pipeline  capacity,  (v)  efforts to refine  the FERC's  regulations
controlling  operation of the secondary market for released  pipeline  capacity,
and  (vi)  a  policy   statement   regarding   market   based  rates  and  other
non-cost-based rates for interstate pipeline  transmission and storage capacity.
Several of these initiatives are intended to enhance  competition in natural gas
markets,  although  some,  such as "spin downs," may have the adverse  effect of
increasing the cost of doing business on some in the industry as a result of the
monopolization of those facilities by their new,  unregulated  owners.  The FERC
has attempted to address some of these concerns in its orders  authorizing  such
"spin downs," but it remains to be seen what effect these  activities  will have
on access to markets and the cost to do business. As to all of these recent FERC
initiatives, the ongoing, or, in some instances,  preliminary evolving nature of
these regulatory  initiatives  makes it impossible at this time to predict their
ultimate impact on the Company's business.

           Recent  orders of the FERC have been more  liberal in their  reliance
upon  traditional  tests for  determining  what  facilities are  "gathering" and
therefore exempt from federal regulatory  control.  In many instances,  what was
once  classified as  "transmission"  may now be classified as  "gathering."  The
Company transports certain of its natural gas through gathering facilities owned
by others, including interstate pipelines,  under existing long term contractual
arrangements.  With respect to item (i) in the preceding  paragraph,  on May 27,
1994,  the FERC issued orders in the context of the "spin off" or "spin down" of
interstate pipeline owned gathering facilities.  A "spin off" is a FERC-approved
sale of such facilities to a non-affiliate. A "spin down" is the transfer by the
interstate  pipeline of its gathering  facilities  to an affiliate.  A number of
spin offs and spindowns have been approved by the FERC and implemented. The FERC
held  that  it  retains  jurisdiction  over  gathering  provided  by  interstate
pipelines,  but  that it  generally  does not have  jurisdiction  over  pipeline
gathering affiliates, except in the event of affiliate abuse (such as actions by
the affiliate  undermining open and  nondiscriminatory  access to the interstate
pipeline).  These  orders  require  nondiscriminatory  access for all sources of
supply and prohibit the tying of pipeline  transportation service to any service
provided by the pipeline's gathering  affiliate.  On November 30, 1994, the FERC
issued a series of rehearing  orders largely  affirming the May 27, 1994 orders.
The FERC now  requires  interstate  pipelines to not only seek  authority  under
Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act of 1938 (the "NGA") to abandon  certificated
facilities,  but also to seek authority  under Section 4 of the NGA to terminate
service from both certificated and  uncertificated  facilities.  On December 31,
1994, an appeal was filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to
overturn  three of the FERC's  November 30,  1994,  orders.  The Company  cannot
predict what the ultimate  effect of the FERC's  orders  pertaining to gathering
will have on its production and marketing,  or whether the Appellate  Court will
affirm the FERC's orders on these matters.

           State and Other  Regulation.  All of the  jurisdictions  in which the
Company  owns  producing  crude oil and natural gas  properties  have  statutory
provisions  regulating  the  exploration  for and  production  of crude  oil and
natural gas,  including  provisions  requiring permits for the drilling of wells
and  maintaining  bonding  requirements  in order to drill or operate  wells and
provisions  relating to the location of wells, the method of drilling and casing
wells,  the  surface  use and  restoration  of  properties  upon which wells are
drilled and the plugging and abandoning of wells.  The Company's  operations are
also subject to various  conservation  laws and  regulations.  These include the
regulation of the size of drilling and spacing units or proration  units and the
density of wells  which may be drilled and the  unitization  or pooling of crude
oil and natural gas  properties.  In this  regard,  some states allow the forced
pooling or  integration of tracts to facilitate  exploration  while other states
rely on voluntary pooling of lands and leases. In addition,  state  conservation
laws establish maximum rates of production from crude oil and natural gas wells,
generally  prohibit  the  venting or flaring of natural  gas and impose  certain
requirements regarding the ratability of production.  Some states, such as Texas
and Oklahoma,  have, in recent years, reviewed and substantially revised methods
previously used to make monthly  determinations of allowable rates of production
from fields and individual  wells.  The effect of these  regulations is to limit
the amounts of crude oil and natural gas the Company can produce from its wells,
and to limit the number of wells or the location at which the Company can drill.








                                       15

<PAGE>



           State regulation of gathering  facilities  generally includes various
safety,  environmental,  and  in  some  circumstances,  non-discriminatory  take
requirements,  but  does not  generally  entail  rate  regulation.  Natural  gas
gathering has received greater regulatory scrutiny at both the state and federal
levels in the wake of the interstate pipeline restructuring under Order 636. For
example,   Oklahoma  recently  enacted  a  prohibition  against   discriminatory
gathering rates and certain Texas regulatory  officials have expressed  interest
in evaluating similar rules.

Royalty Matters

           United States.  By a letter dated May 3, 1993,  directed to thousands
of producers holding  interests in federal leases,  the United States Department
of the Interior (the "DOI")  announced its  interpretation  of existing  federal
leases to  require  the  payment  of  royalties  on past  natural  gas  contract
settlements  which were  entered  into in the 1980s and 1990s to resolve,  among
other things, take-or-pay and minimum take claims by producers against pipelines
and other buyers. The DOI's letter sets forth various theories of liability, all
founded on the DOI's  interpretation  of the term  "gross  proceeds"  as used in
federal leases and pertinent federal regulations.  In an effort to ascertain the
amount of such potential  royalties,  the DOI sent a letter to producers on June
18,  1993,  requiring  producers to provide all data on all natural gas contract
settlements, regardless of whether natural gas produced from federal leases were
involved  in the  settlement.  The Company  received a copy of this  information
demand letter. In response to the DOI's action,  in July 1993,  various industry
associations  and others filed suit in the United States  District Court for the
Northern  District  of West  Virginia  seeking  an  injunction  to  prevent  the
collection  of royalties on natural gas contract  settlement  amounts  under the
DOI's  theories.  The lawsuit,  styled  "Independent  Petroleum  Association  v.
Babbitt," was  transferred  to the United States  District  Court in Washington,
D.C.  On June 4,  1995,  the Court  issued a ruling in this  case  holding  that
royalties  are payable to the United  States on natural gas contract  settlement
proceeds in  accordance  with the  Minerals  Management  Service's  May 3, 1993,
letter to  producers.  This ruling was  appealed  and is now pending in the D.C.
Circuit Court of Appeals.  The DOI's claim in a bankruptcy  proceeding against a
producer based upon an interstate  pipeline's  earlier buy-out of the producer's
natural  gas sale  contract  was  rejected by the  Federal  Bankruptcy  Court in
Lexington,  Kentucky, in a proceeding styled "Century Offshore Management Corp."
While  the  facts  of the  Court's  decision  do not  involve  all of the  DOI's
theories, the Court found on those at issue that the DOI's theories were without
legal merit, and the Court's reasoning  suggests that the DOI's other claims are
similarly  deficient.  This decision was upheld in the District Court and is now
on appeal in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Because both the  "Independent
Petroleum  Association  v.  Babbitt" and  "Century  Offshore  Management  Corp."
decisions  have  been  appealed,  and  because  of  the  complex  nature  of the
calculations necessary to determine potential additional royalty liability under
the DOI's  theories,  it is impossible  to predict  what, if any,  additional or
different  royalty  obligation  the DOI may assert or  ultimately be entitled to
recover  with  respect  to any of  the  Company's  prior  natural  gas  contract
settlements.

           Canada. In addition to Canadian federal regulation, each province has
legislation  and  regulations  that govern land  tenure,  royalties,  production
rates,  environmental  protection  and other  matters.  The royalty  regime is a
significant factor in the profitability of crude oil and natural gas production.
Royalties payable on production from lands other than Crown lands are determined
by  negotiations  between the mineral owner and the lessee.  Crown royalties are
determined  by  governmental  regulation  and  are  generally  calculated  as  a
percentage  of the  value of the  gross  production,  and the rate of  royalties
payable  generally  depends  in  part  on  prescribed  preference  prices,  well
productivity,  geographical  location,  field  discovery  date  and the type and
quality of the petroleum product produced.

           From time to time the governments of Canada, Alberta and Saskatchewan
have established incentive programs which have included royalty rate reductions,
royalty  holidays and tax credits for the purpose of  encouraging  crude oil and
natural gas exploration or enhanced planning projects.

           Regulations  made  pursuant to the Mines and Minerals  Act  (Alberta)
provide  various  incentives for exploring and developing  crude oil reserves in
Alberta.  Crude oil produced from qualifying development wells that were spudded
on or after  November 1, 1991, and prior to August 1, 1993 (or spudded in August
but licensed prior thereto) are eligible for a 12-month royalty  exemption up to
a maximum of CDN$400,000. Exploration wells spudded on or after November 1, 1991
and prior to April 1, 1992,  or if drilled in northern  Alberta or the Foothills
area of Alberta prior to April 1, 1993, are entitled to a 24-month  exemption to
a maximum of CDN$1.0 million.  A 24-month royalty  reduction (up to December 31,
1996) is available for crude oil produced from qualifying  horizontal extensions
commenced  prior  to  January  1,  1995.  Crude  oil  produced  from  horizontal
extensions  commenced at least five years after the well was originally  spudded
may also qualify for a royalty  reduction.  Wells  drilled prior to September 1,
1990, and  reactivated between November 1, 1991 and October 1, 1992, having had

                                       16

<PAGE>



no production  between September 1, 1990 and November 1, 1991, are entitled to a
five year royalty  exemption to a maximum of 4,000 cubic metres.  An 8,000 cubic
metres  exemption is available to  production  from a well that has not produced
for a 12-month period, if resuming  production in October,  November or December
of 1992 or January  of 1993,  or for a 24-month  period if  resuming  production
after  January 31, 1993.  In addition,  crude oil  production  from eligible new
field and new pool wildcat  wells and deeper pool test wells spudded or deepened
after  September  30, 1992,  is entitled to a 12-month  royalty  exemption (to a
maximum of $1 million). Crude oil produced from low productivity wells, enhanced
recovery  schemes (such as injection  wells) and  experimental  projects is also
subject to royalty reductions.

           The Alberta  government also introduced the Third Tier Royalty with a
base rate of 10% and a rate cap of 25% from oil pools discovered after September
30, 1992. The new oil royalty reserved to the Crown has a base rate of 10% and a
rate cap of 30% and for old oil a base rate of 10% and a rate cap of 35%.

           Effective January 1, 1994, the calculation and payment of natural gas
royalties  became subject to a simplified  process.  The royalty reserved to the
Crown, subject to various incentives,  is between 15% or 30%, in the case of new
natural gas, and between 15% and 35%, in the case of old natural gas,  depending
upon a prescribed or corporate  average  reference  price.  Natural gas produced
from qualifying exploratory gas wells spudded or deepened after July 1, 1985 and
before June 1, 1988  continues  to be  eligible  for a royalty  exemption  for a
period of 12 months,  or such later time that the value of the exempted  royalty
quantity  equals  a  prescribed  maximum  amount.   Natural  gas  produced  from
qualifying  intervals  in eligible  natural  gas wells  spudded or deepened to a
depth below 2,500 meters is also subject to a royalty  exemption,  the amount of
which depends on the depth of the well.

           In  Alberta,  a producer  of crude oil or natural  gas is entitled to
credit  against  the  royalties  payable  to the Crown by virtue of the  Alberta
Royalty  Tax  Credit  ("ARTC")   program.   The  ARTC  program  is  based  on  a
price-sensitive  formula,  and the ARTC rate  currently  varies  between 75% for
prices  for crude oil at or below  CDN $100 per cubic  metre and 35% for  prices
above CDN $210 per cubic metre. The ARTC rate is currently  applied to a maximum
of CDN $2.0  million of Alberta  Crown  royalties  payable for each  producer or
associated  group of producers.  Crown  royalties on production  from  producing
properties acquired from corporations  claiming maximum entitlement to ARTC will
generally not be eligible for ARTC. The rate is established  quarterly  based on
average "par price",  as determined by the Alberta  Department of Energy for the
previous quarterly period.

           Crude  oil and  natural  gas  royalty  holidays  and  reductions  for
specific  wells  reduce the  amount of Crown  royalties  paid to the  provincial
governments.  The ARTC  program  provides  a rebate on Crown  royalties  paid in
respect of eligible producing properties.

           The Government of Saskatchewan  revised its fiscal regime for the oil
and gas industry  effective January 1, 1994. Some royalties on wells existing as
of that date will remain  unchanged and therefore  subject to various periods of
royalty/tax  reduction.  While a number of incentives were eliminated or reduced
(such as incentives for vertical infill wells and lower cost horizontal  wells),
new  incentive  programs were  initiated to encourage  greater  exploration  and
development  activity  in the  province.  The  new  fiscal  regime  provides  an
incentive to encourage  the drilling of new vertical oil wells through a revised
royalty/tax structure for new vertical oil wells and incremental production from
new or expanded  water flood  projects.  This "third tier" Crown royalty rate is
price  sensitive  and varies  between heavy and non-heavy oil (from a minimum of
10% for heavy oil at a base  price to a maximum  of 35% for  non-heavy  oil at a
price above the base price). Previous time-based royalty/tax holidays applicable
to vertically drilled oil wells have been replaced with volume-based royalty/tax
reduction  incentives  in which a maximum  royalty  of 5% will  apply to various
volumes depending on the depth and nature of the well (up to 25,000 cubic metres
of oil in the case of deep exploratory wells). The maximum royalty applicable to
the  first  12,000  cubic  metres of oil has been  increased  from 5% to 10% for
production from certain horizontal wells. In addition,  royalty/tax holidays for
deep  horizontal  oil wells have been replaced with a 25,000 cubic metres volume
incentive (5% maximum royalty).  Oil production from qualifying  reactivated oil
wells are subject to a maximum  new royalty  rate of 5% for the first five years
following  re-activation in the case of wells reactivated after 1993 and shut-in
or suspended  prior to January 1, 1993.  With respect to qualifying  exploratory
natural gas wells,  the first 25 million  cubic  metres of natural gas  produced
will be subject to an incentive maximum royalty rate of 5%.




                                       17

<PAGE>



Environmental Matters

           The Company's operations are subject to numerous federal,  state, and
local laws and  regulations  controlling  the  discharge of  materials  into the
environment  or  otherwise  relating  to  the  protection  of  the  environment,
including the Comprehensive  Environment Response,  Compensation,  and Liability
Act  ("CERCLA"),  also  known as the  "Federal  Superfund  Law."  Such  laws and
regulations, among other things, impose absolute liability upon the lessee under
a lease  for  the  cost of  clean  up of  pollution  resulting  from a  lessee's
operations,  subject the lessee to liability for pollution damages,  may require
suspension or cessation of operations in affected areas, and impose restrictions
on the  injection  of liquids  into  subsurface  aquifers  that may  contaminate
groundwater.   The  Company  maintains   insurance  against  costs  of  clean-up
operations,  but it's not  fully  insured  against  all such  risks.  A  serious
incident  of  pollution  may,  as it has in the  past,  also  result  in the DOI
requiring  lessees  under  federal  leases to suspend or cease  operation in the
affected  area.  In  addition,  the recent trend  toward  stricter  standards in
environmental legislation and regulation may continue. For instance, legislation
has been  proposed in Congress from time to time that would  reclassify  certain
crude oil and natural gas  production  wastes as "hazardous  wastes" which would
make the  reclassified  exploration  and production  wastes subject to much more
stringent  handling,  disposal,  and clean up requirements.  If such legislation
were  to be  enacted,  it  could  have a  significant  impact  on the  Company's
operating  costs,  as well as the crude oil and natural gas industry in general.
State  initiatives to further regulate the disposal of crude oil and natural gas
wastes are also pending in certain states,  and these various matters could have
a similar impact on the Company.

           The Company's  Canadian  operations are also subject to environmental
regulation  pursuant  to local,  provincial  and federal  legislation.  Canadian
environmental legislation provides for restrictions and prohibitions on releases
or emissions of various  substances  produced in association  with certain crude
oil and natural gas industry operations and can affect the location of wells and
facilities and the extent to which exploration and development is permitted.  In
addition,  legislation  requires that well and facilities sites be abandoned and
reclaimed  to the  satisfaction  of  provincial  authorities.  A breach  of such
legislation  may  result in the  imposition  of fines or  issuance  of  clean-up
orders.  Environmental legislation in Alberta has undergone a major revision and
has been  consolidated in the  Environmental and Enhancement Act . Under the new
Act, environmental standards and compliance for releases, clean-up and reporting
are stricter.  Also, the range of enforcement actions available and the severity
of  penalties  have  been  significantly  increased.  These  changes  will  have
incremental effect on the cost of conducting operations in Alberta.

           The  Company  is not  currently  involved  in any  administrative  or
judicial proceedings arising under domestic or foreign federal,  state, or local
environmental  protection  laws and  regulations  which  would  have a  material
adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.


Employees

           As of March 21, 1997,  Abraxas and its  subsidiaries had 64 full-time
employees,  including two executive officers,  four non-executive officers, four
petroleum engineers, one landman, two geologists, 24 secretarial, accounting and
clerical  personnel and 27 field personnel.  Additionally,  Abraxas also retains
contract  pumpers  on  a  month-to-month   basis.  Abraxas  retains  independent
geologic, geophysical and engineering consultants from time to time on a limited
basis and expects to continue to do so in the future.


Recent Activities

           In January 1997, Canadian Abraxas sold its interest in the Hoole Area
(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 are operated by Canadian  Abraxas.  As of January 1, 1997,  the Hoole Area
natural gas properties had total proved  reserves of 1,268.0 MBOE with a Present
Value of Proved  Reserves of $11.2  million,  all of which was  attributable  to
proved  developed  reserves.  The Hoole Area  natural gas  processing  plant had
aggregate net natural gas  processing  capacity of 32.0 MMCF per day at December
31, 1996.  For the twelve months ended December 31, 1996, the Hoole Area natural
gas processing  plant processed an average of 18.9 gross MMCF (9.5 net MMCF ) of
natural  gas per day,  of which 4.4% (2.2% net) was custom  processed  for third
parties.



                                       18

<PAGE>



Item 2. Properties.

Exploratory and Developmental Acreage

           Abraxas'  principal  crude oil and natural gas properties  consist of
non-producing and producing crude oil and natural gas leases, including reserves
of crude oil and natural gas in place.  The following table  indicates  Abraxas'
interest in developed and undeveloped acreage as of December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                  Developed and Undeveloped Acreage
                                                        As of December 31, 1996

                                      Developed Acreage(1)           Undeveloped Acreage(2)
             State                Gross Acres(3)  Net Acres(4)    Gross Acres(3)  Net Acres(4)

<S>                                    <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>   
           Canada                      88,085(5)    47,140(5)        92,284         41,005
           Texas                       41,115       23,153           22,477         13,864
           Wyoming                      5,239        3,620           14,020          9,476
           N. Dakota                    1,864        1,021             --              --
           Alabama                        720           23             --              --
           Kansas                         640          142             --              --
           Montana                        320           10             --              --
           New Mexico                     320           42             --              --
                      TOTAL           138,303       75,151          128,781         64,345
</TABLE>

(1)   Developed  acreage  consists of acres spaced or  assignable  to productive
      wells.
(2)   Undeveloped  acreage is considered to be those leased acres on which wells
      have not been  drilled  or  completed  to a point  that  would  permit the
      production of commercial  quantities of oil and gas, regardless of whether
      or not such acreage contains proved reserves.
(3)   Gross acres refers to the number of acres in which  Abraxas owns a working
      interest.
(4)   Net acres  represents  the  number  of acres  attributable  to an  owner's
      proportionate working interest and/or royalty interest in a lease (e.g., a
      50% working  interest in a lease  covering 320 acres is  equivalent to 160
      net acres).
(5)   Includes  9,728  gross  acres and 3,311 net acres in the Hoole  Area.  See
      "Business - Recent Activities".

Productive Wells

           The  following  table sets forth the total  gross and net  productive
wells of Abraxas,  expressed  separately  for crude oil and  natural  gas, as of
December 31, 1996:

                               Productive Wells(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

       STATE/                    CRUDE                      NATURAL
      COUNTRY                     OIL                         GAS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------


                         Gross(2)      Net(3)         Gross(2)    Net(3)

      Texas               258.0        180.6            98.0       63.6
      Canada(4)            15.0         12.5           132.0       55.2(4)
      Kansas                4.0          0.8              --         --
      N. Dakota             4.0          1.7              --         --
      Alabama               2.0          0.1             1.0        0.1
      Montana               1.0          0.1              --         --
      Wyoming               1.0          0.1            29.0       21.3
      New Mexico             --           --             1.0        0.1
                          -----        -----           -----      -----    
                TOTAL     285.0        195.9           261.0      140.3
- ------------

(1)   Productive wells are producing wells and wells capable of production.


                                       19

<PAGE>



(2)   A gross  well is a well in which  Abraxas  owns a  working  interest.  The
      number of gross wells is the total number of wells in which Abraxas owns a
      working interest.
(3)   A net well is deemed to exist when the sum of fractional ownership working
      interests in gross wells equals one. The number of net wells is the sum of
      Abraxas' fractional working interest owned in gross wells.
(4)   Includes  6.0  gross  wells  and 3.2 net  wells  in the  Hoole  Area.  See
      "Business - Recent Activities".

      Substantially   all  of  Abraxas'  existing  crude  oil  and  natural  gas
properties  are  pledged  to secure  Abraxas'  indebtedness  under  its'  credit
agreement.  See "Management's  Discussion of Financial  Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources".

Reserves Information

           The crude oil and natural gas reserves of Abraxas have been estimated
as of  January  1, 1997,  January  1, 1996 and  January 1, 1995 and of  Canadian
Abraxas as of January 1, 1997,  by  DeGolyer &  MacNaughton,  of Dallas,  Texas.
Crude oil and natural gas  reserves,  and the  estimates of the present value of
future net revenues therefrom,  were determined based on then current prices and
costs.  Reserve  calculations  involved the  estimate of future net  recoverable
reserves  of crude oil and  natural  gas and the timing and amount of future net
revenues to be received therefrom.  Such estimates are not precise and are based
on  assumptions  regarding a variety of factors,  many of which are variable and
uncertain.


           The  following  table  sets  forth  certain   information   regarding
estimates of Abraxas' crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves as
of January 1, 1997, January 1, 1996 and January 1, 1995.

                                            ESTIMATED PROVED RESERVES
                                    ----------------------------------------
                                       Proved       Proved          Total
                                      Developed   Undeveloped       Proved
                                    -----------   -----------    -----------
As of January 1, 1995
    Crude Oil, Bbls                   3,616,510     3,032,818      6,649,328
    Natural Gas Liquids, Bbls         2,089,168       417,994      2,507,162
    Natural Gas, Mcf                 48,973,212    18,605,881     67,579,093

As of January 1, 1996
    Crude Oil, Bbls                   3,991,804     1,516,012      5,507,816
    Natural Gas Liquids, Bbls         2,007,777       751,649      2,759,426
    Natural Gas, Mcf                 44,025,782    10,542,825     54,568,607

As of January 1, 1997 (1)
    Crude Oil, Bbls                   7,871,308(2)  1,930,240      9,801,548(2)
    Natural Gas Liquids, Bbls         7,089,755     1,144,341      8,234,096
    Natural Gas, Mcf                157,660,157    19,599,554    177,259,711


      (1)  Includes   reserves  of  Canadian   Abraxas   (Including  1,268  MBOE
           attributable to the Hoole Area).

      (2)  Includes  120,400  barrels of crude oil reserves  owned by Cascade of
           which 57,600 barrels are applicable to the minority  interest's share
           of the reserves.

      There are  numerous  uncertainties  inherent in  estimating  crude oil and
natural gas reserves and their estimated  values,  including many factors beyond
the control of the producer.  The reserve data set forth herein  represent  only
estimates. Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground
accumulations  of crude oil and  natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact
manner.  The  accuracy of any  reserve  estimate is a function of the quality of
available data and of engineering and geological  interpretation  and judgement.
As a result, estimates of different engineers often vary. In addition, estimates
of reserves  are subject to  revision  by the results of  drilling,  testing and
production  subsequent  to the  date of  such  estimates.  Accordingly,  reserve
estimates are often  different  from the quantities of crude oil and natural gas
that are ultimately  recovered.  The  meaningfulness of such estimates is highly
dependent upon the accuracy of the assumptions upon which they are based.



                                       20

<PAGE>




      In  general,  the  volume of  production  from crude oil and  natural  gas
properties  declines as reserves are depleted.  Except to the extent the Company
acquires   properties   containing   proved  reserves  or  conducts   successful
exploration  and  development  activities,  or both, the proved  reserves of the
Company will decline as reserves are produced.  The  Company's  future crude oil
and natural gas  production  is  therefore  highly  dependent  upon its level of
success in acquiring or finding additional reserves.

      The  Company  files  reports of its  estimated  crude oil and  natural gas
reserves  with the  Department  of  Energy  and the  Bureau of the  Census.  The
reserves  reported  to these  agencies  are  required  to be reported on a gross
operated  basis and  therefore  are not  comparable to the reserve data reported
herein.


Crude Oil, Natural Gas Liquids, and Natural Gas Production and Sales Prices

      The  following  table  presents the net crude oil, net natural gas liquids
and net natural gas production  for Abraxas,  the average sales price per Bbl of
crude oil and natural gas  liquids and per Mcf of natural gas  produced  and the
average cost of production per BOE of production sold, for the three years ended
December 31, 1996:

                                         1996        1995        1994
                                      ---------   ---------   ---------
     Crude oil production (Bbls)        425,188     401,445     355,710
     Natural gas production (Mcf)     6,350,069   3,552,671   2,392,855
     Natural gas liquids
       Production (Bbls)                299,509     143,380     113,157
     Average sales price per
       Bbl of crude oil($)               $20.85      $17.16      $15.47
     Average sales price per
       Mcf of natural gas($)              $1.97       $1.47       $1.85
     Average sales price per
       Bbl. of natural gas liquids       $14.55      $10.83      $10.54
     Average cost of production
       ($) per BOE  produced (1)          $3.28       $3.81       $4.26

     (1) Oil and gas were combined by converting  gas to a barrel oil equivalent
     ("BOE") on the basis of 6 Mcf gas =1 Bbl of oil.  Production  costs include
     direct operating costs, ad valorem taxes and gross production taxes.
























                                       21

<PAGE>




Drilling Activities

           The  following  table  sets  forth  Abraxas'  gross  and net  working
interests in  exploratory,  development,  and service wells  drilled  during the
three years ended December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    1996                    1995                       1994
                            ---------------------     ---------------------    -----------------------  
                             Gross(1)     Net(2)       Gross(1)     Net(2)      Gross(1)       Net(2)
                            ---------    --------     ---------    --------    ---------      --------
<S>                             <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>            <C>           <C>    
Exploratory(3)                    -           -           -           -            -              -
  Productive(4)                   -           -           -           -            -              -

     Crude oil                   2.0         1.2          1          .72           -              -
     Natural gas                 2.0         1.2          -           -            1              2
  Dry holes(5)                   4.0         1.4          1            1           2              5
                            ---------    --------     ----------   --------    ---------      --------
  Total                          8.0         3.8          2          1.72          3              7
                            =========    ========     ==========   ========    =========      ========
Development(6)
  Productive                                              -           -            -              -
     Crude oil                  20.0        15.8         12          9.1           3            1.5
     Natural gas                10.0         3.7          2           .6           6            2.1
  Service(7)                     1.0         1.0          -           -            -              -
  Dry holes(5)                    -           -           1           .3           -              -
                            ---------    --------     ----------   --------    ---------      --------
  Total                         31.0        20.5         15         10.0           9            3.6
                            =========    ========     ==========   ========    =========      ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------

(1)    A gross well is a well in which Abraxas owns an interest.
(2)    The  number  of net wells  represents  the total  percentage  of  working
       interests  held in all wells  (e.g.,  total  working  interest  of 50% is
       equivalent  to 0.5  net  well.  A  total  working  interest  of  100%  is
       equivalent to 1.0 net well).
(3)    An  exploratory  well is a well drilled to find and produce  crude oil or
       natural  gas in an  unproved  area,  to find a new  reservoir  in a field
       previously  found to be  producing  crude oil or  natural  gas in another
       reservoir, or to extend a known reservoir.
(4)    A productive  well is an exploratory or a development  well that is not a
       dry hole.
(5)    A dry hole is an exploratory or development well found to be incapable of
       producing  either crude oil or natural gas in  sufficient  quantities  to
       justify completion as a crude oil or natural gas well.
(6)    A  development  well is a well drilled  within the proved area of a crude
       oil or natural gas reservoir to the depth of stratigraphic  horizon (rock
       layer or formation)  noted to be productive for the purpose of extracting
       proved crude oil or natural gas reserves.
(7)    A service well is used for water injection in secondary recovery projects
       or for the disposal of produced water.













                                       22

<PAGE>



Office Facilities

           The Company's executive and administrative offices are located at 500
N. Loop 1604 East,  Suite 100, San Antonio,  Texas 78232. The Company owns a 16%
limited partnership  interest in the Partnership which owns the office building.
The Company also has an office in Midland,  Texas. These offices,  consisting of
approximately  12,650 square feet in San Antonio and 960 square feet in Midland,
are leased until March 2006 from  unaffiliated  parties at an aggregate  rate of
$13,166 per month.


Other Properties

           The  Company  owns 10  acres  of  land,  an  office  building,  shop,
warehouse and house in Sinton,  Texas,  160 acres of land in Coke County,  Texas
and a 50% interest in  approximately  2.0 acres of land in Bexar County,  Texas.
All  three  properties  are used for the  storage  of  tubulars  and  production
equipment.  The  Company  also owns 20  vehicles  which are used in the field by
employees.


Item 3. Legal Proceedings

           From time to time, the Company is involved in litigation  relating to
claims  arising out of its  operations in the normal  course of business.  As of
March 21, 1997,  the Company was not engaged in any legal  proceedings  that are
expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on
the Company.


Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

           No matter was submitted to a vote of security  holders of the Company
during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.


Item 4a. Executive Officers of the Company

           Certain  information  is set forth  below  concerning  the  executive
officers of the Company,  each of whom has been selected to serve until the 1997
annual  meeting  of  directors  and  until his  successor  is duly  elected  and
qualified.

           Robert L. G. Watson,  age 46, has served as President  and a director
of the Company since 1977. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Watson was employed
in various petroleum  engineering  positions.  From 1970 to 1972, Mr. Watson was
employed by DeGolyer & MacNaughton,  an independent  petroleum  engineering firm
and from 1972  through  1977,  Mr.  Watson  was  employed  by  Tesoro  Petroleum
Corporation, a crude oil and natural gas exploration and production company. Mr.
Watson received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from
Southern Methodist University in 1972 and Master of Business Administration from
the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1974.

           Chris E. Williford, age 45, was elected Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief  Financial  Officer of the Company in January 1993,  and as Executive Vice
President  and a  director  of the  Company in May 1993.  Prior to  joining  the
Company,  Mr.  Williford was Chief Financial  Officer of American Natural Energy
Corporation,  a crude oil and natural gas  exploration  and production  company,
from July 1989 to December 1992 and President of Clark Resources  Corp., a crude
oil and natural gas exploration and production company, from January 1987 to May
1989.  Mr.  Williford  received a degree of  Bachelor  of  Science  in  Business
Administration from Pittsburg State University in 1973.









                                       23

<PAGE>






                                     PART II



Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.



Market Information


           Abraxas  Common  Stock is  traded  on the  NASDAQ  Stock  Market  and
commenced  trading  on May 7, 1991.  The  following  table  sets  forth  certain
information  as to the high and low bid  quotations  quoted on NASDAQ  for 1994,
1995 and 1996.  Information  with  respect to  over-the-counter  bid  quotations
represents prices between dealers, does not include retail mark-ups,  mark-downs
or commissions, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.


                     Period                                High         Low
                     ----------                           ------       ----- 
          1994
                     First Quarter........................$13.50       $9.00
                     Second Quarter........................13.50        9.75
                     Third Quarter.........................13.13        9.00
                     Fourth Quarter .......................11.50        9.25
           1995
                     First Quarter........................$10.25       $8.50
                     Second Quarter.........................9.63        8.00
                     Third Quarter..........................8.88        7.94
                     Fourth Quarter.........................8.88        6.13
           1996
                     First Quarter.........................$7.75       $4.13
                     Second Quarter.........................7.25        5.00
                     Third Quarter..........................7.13        4.75
                     Fourth Quarter........................10.50        5.75


Holders


           As of March 21, 1997  Abraxas had  5,732,101  shares of common  stock
outstanding and had approximately 1,900 Stockholders of record.


Dividends

           Abraxas has not paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock and it is
not presently determinable when, if ever, Abraxas will pay cash dividends in the
future.  The Credit  Agreement and the Indenture,  prohibits the payment of cash
dividends and stock dividends on the Company's Common Stock.  See  "Management's
Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of  Operations -
Liquidity and Capital Resources".








                                       24

<PAGE>



Item 6. Selected Financial Data

           The  following   selected   financial   data  are  derived  from  the
consolidated  financial  statements  of  Abraxas.  The  data  should  be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related notes, and other
financial information included herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Year Ended December 31,
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1996       1995        1994       1993         1992
                                               ---------    --------    --------   --------     -------
                                                           (In thousands, except per share data)

<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>    
Total revenue                                   $ 26,653    $13,817     $11,349     $ 7,494     $ 2,691
Income (loss) from continuing operations        $  1,940    $(1,209)    $   113     $(1,580)    $(1,072)
Income (loss) per common share and common
  equivalent from continuing operations         $    .23    $  (.34)    $   .02     $  (.91)    $ (1.23)
Weighted average shares
  outstanding                                      6,794      4,635       4,310       1,947       1,074
Total Assets                                    $304,842    $85,067     $75,361     $43,396     $18,017
Long-term debt                                  $215,032    $41,601     $41,296     $12,529     $ 6,602
Total shareholders' equity                      $ 35,656    $37,062     $28,502     $25,143     $ 2,233

</TABLE>

Item 7. Management's  Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results
Of Operations

           The following is a discussion of the Company's consolidated 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. See "Financial Statements".

Results of Operations

           The factors which most significantly  affect the Company's results of
operations  are (1) the sales  prices of crude  oil,  natural  gas  liquids  and
natural  gas,  (2) the level of total  sales  volumes of crude oil,  natural gas
liquids 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:

                                                       Years Ended December 31
                                                    1996        1995      1994
Operating revenue (in thousands):
   Natural gas sales.....................        $12,526     $6,889    $5,501
   Crude oil sales........................         8,864      5,218     4,420
   Natural gas liquid sales..............          4,359      1,553     1,193
  Gas Processing Revenue.................            600        --        --
  Other..................................            304        157       235
                                                 -------    -------   -------
  Total operating revenue................        $26,653    $13,817   $11,349
                                                 =======    =======   =======
   Operating income (loss) in thousands...        $8,826     $2,883    $2,923
  Natural gas production (Mmcfs)..........       6,350.0    3,552.7   2,392.9
  Crude oil production (Mbbls)............         425.2      401.4     355.7
  Natural gas liquids production (Mbbls)..         299.5      143.4     113.2
  Average natural gas sales price ($/Mcf).         $1.97      $1.47     $1.85
  Average crude oil sales price ($/Bbl)...        $20.85     $17.16    $15.47
  Average natural gas liquids sales price
    ($/Bbl)...............................        $14.55     $10.83    $10.54

                                       25

<PAGE>



Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 1996 to Year Ended December 31, 1995

           Operating Revenue. During the year ended December 31, 1996, operating
revenue from crude oil,  natural gas and natural gas liquids sales,  and natural
gas  processing  revenues  increased  92% from  $13.7  million  in 1995 to $26.3
million.  This increase was primarily  attributable  to increased  crude oil and
natural gas  liquids  sales  volumes of 33.0% and  natural gas sales  volumes of
78.7%  which  was  attributable  to  increased  production  from  the  producing
properties  that the  Company  owned for the  entire  year as well as  producing
properties  acquired during the year. This increase more than offset the loss of
operating  revenue from the Portilla and Happy fields  during the portion of the
year that the Company did not own the properties.  During 1995, the Portilla and
Happy Fields  contributed  $4.6 million in  operating  revenue  compared to $2.0
million in 1996.  Crude oil and NGLs sales volumes  increased  from 545 MBbls to
725 MBbls,  from 1995 to 1996 and natural gas sales volumes  increased  from 3.6
BCF to 6.4 BCF,  from 1995 to 1996 as a result of increased  production  volumes
from the Company's  properties other than Portilla and Happy in 1996 as compared
to 1995 and the  acquisitions of the Wyoming  Properties,  the stock of CGGS and
the  Company's  ongoing  development   drilling  program.   Portilla  and  Happy
contributed 226.0 MBbls of crude oil and NGLs (41.5% of Company total) and 492.6
MMcf of natural  gas (13.9% of Company  total)  during  1995 as compared to 91.7
MBbls of crude oil and NGLs  (12.7% of Company  total) and 215.6 MMcf of natural
gas (3.4% of Company  total) for 1996.  Average sales prices were $20.85 per Bbl
of crude oil, $14.55 per Bbl of natural gas liquids and $1.97 per Mcf of natural
gas for the year ended  December 31, 1996  compared with $17.16 per Bbl of crude
oil,  $10.83 per Bbl of natural gas liquid and $1.47 per MMcf of natural gas for
the year ended  December  31,  1995.  A general  strengthening  of crude oil and
natural  gas prices at the  wellhead  during 1996  resulted in a higher  average
sales  prices  received by the Company  during the year ended  December 31, 1996
compared to the same period in 1995.

           Lease Operating  Expenses.  Lease operating  expenses and natural gas
processing  costs  ("LOE"),  increased  by 41.2% from $4.3  million for the year
ended  December 31, 1995 to $6.1 million for the same period of 1996,  primarily
due to the  greater  number of wells  owned by the  Company  for the year  ended
December 31, 1996  compared to the year ended  December 31, 1995.  The Company's
LOE on a per BOE basis for 1996 was $3.28 per BOE as  compared  to $3.81 per BOE
in 1995.

           G & A Expenses.  General and administrative  expenses increased 85.5%
from $1.0 million for the year ended  December 31, 1995, to $1.9 million for the
year ended  December 31, 1996,  as a result of the Company's  hiring  additional
staff,  including  establishment of a Canadian  administrative office, to manage
the additional properties acquired by the Company and subsequent  development of
those  properties.  The Company's G & A expense on a per BOE basis was $1.08 per
BOE in 1996 compared to $0.92 per BOE for 1995.

           DD & A Expenses.  Due to the  increase in sales  volumes of crude oil
and natural gas,  depreciation,  depletion and  amortization  expense  increased
76.8% from $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1995 to $9.6 million for
the year ended  December 31, 1996. The Company's DD&A expense on a per BOE basis
for 1996 was $5.38 per BOE as compared to $4.78 per BOE in 1995.

           Interest  Expense  and  Preferred  Dividends.  Interest  expense  and
preferred  dividends  increased 54.5%, from $4.3 million to $6.6 million for the
year end  December  31,  1996,  compared to the 1995  period.  This  increase is
attributable to increased  borrowings by the Company to finance the acquisitions
consumated during 1996.  Long-term debt increased from $41.6 million at December
31, 1995 to $215.0 million at December 31, 1996.

Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 1995 to Year Ended December 31, 1994

           Operating Revenue. During the year ended December 31, 1995, operating
revenue from crude oil,  natural gas and natural gas liquids sales  increased by
22.9% from $11.1 million in 1994 to $13.7  million.  This increase was primarily
attributable  to an increase in crude oil and natural gas liquids  sales volumes
of 16% and natural gas sales  volumes of 48%. The  increases in sales volumes of
crude oil,  natural gas liquids and natural gas from 1994 to 1995 were primarily
a result of the acquisition of 80% of the overriding royalty interest previously
granted to a lender (the "ORRI") and the West Texas Properties by the Company in
June 1994 and July 1994  respectively,  and the  Company's  ongoing  development
drilling program.  Average sales prices were $17.16 per Bbl of crude oil, $10.83
per Bbl of natural  gas  liquids  and $1.47 per Mcf of natural  gas for the year
ended  December 31, 1995 compared  with $15.47 per Bbl of crude oil,  $10.54 per



                                       26

<PAGE>




Bbl of natural  gas  liquid and $1.85 per Mcf of natural  gas for the year ended
December  31,  1994.  A general  weakening of natural gas prices at the wellhead
during the first nine  months of 1995  resulted in a lower  average  natural gas
sales  price  received by the Company  during the year ended  December  31, 1995
compared to the same period in 1994.  This decrease was  partially  offset by an
increase  in crude oil prices  received  by the  Company in 1995 as  compared to
1994.

           Lease Operating  Expenses.  LOE increased 17.3% from $3.7 million for
the year ended  December  31, 1994 to $4.3  million for the same period of 1995,
primarily  due to the greater  number of wells  owned by the Company  during the
year ended  December 31, 1995 compared to the year ended  December 31, 1994. The
Company's LOE on a per BOE basis for the year ended  December 31, 1994 was $4.26
per BOE as compared to $3.81 per BOE for the year ended December 31, 1995.

           G & A Expenses.  G & A expenses  increased by 28.6%, from $810,000 to
$1.0 million,  from the year ended  December 31, 1994 to the year ended December
31, 1995 as a result of hiring  additional  staff to manage and develop the West
Texas  Properties.  The Company's G & A expenses on a per BOE basis for the year
ended  December 31, 1994 were $0.93 per BOE as compared to $0.92 per BOE for the
year ended December 31, 1995.

           DD & A Expenses.  Due to the  increase in sales  volumes of crude oil
and natural gas,  depreciation,  depletion and  amortization  expense  increased
43.4% from $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1994 to $5.4 million for
the year ended December 31, 1995. The Company's DD&A expenses on a per BOE basis
for the year ended December 31, 1994 was $4.37 per BOE compared to $4.78 per BOE
in 1995.

           Interest  Expenses  and  Preferred  Dividends.  As a  result  of  the
Company's  borrowing  $28 million to acquire the West Texas  Properties  in July
1994, interest expense increased 62.5% from $2.4 million in 1994 to $3.9 million
in 1995.  Long term debt  increased  from $41.3  million at December 31, 1994 to
$41.6 million at December 31, 1995.

           The Company has incurred operating losses and net losses for a number
of years. 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.  Natural gas prices increased  substantially  during 1996. For the year
ended December 31, 1996 average  natural gas prices realized by the Company were
$1.97 per Mcf compared with $1.47 per Mcf at December 31, 1995 and $1.85 per Mcf
at December 31, 1994.  Although the Company had  operating and net income during
1996,  there can be no assurance that operating  income and net earnings will be
achieved in future  periods.  At December 31, 1996,  U.S.  crude oil prices were
$23.55 per Bbl  compared  to $18.13 at  December  31, 1995 and $15.59 per Bbl at
December 31, 1994.  In addition,  because 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,  the  Company's
reserves and production will decrease. 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.

















                                       27

<PAGE>



Liquidity and Capital Resources

           Capital expenditures in 1994, 1995 and 1996 were $40.9 million,  $9.7
million  and  $172.9  million,  respectively.  The table  below  sets  forth the
components of these  capital  expenditures  on a historical  basis for the three
years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996.

                                     Year Ended December 31
                              ------------------------------------
                                         (In thousands)
                                 1996         1995        1994
                              ---------    ---------    --------
Expenditure category:
 Property acquisition (1)      $154,484     $   719      $33,709
 (Divestitures)                    (242)     (2,556)         (70)
 Development                     18,465      11,472        7,151
 Facilities and other               206         139          158
                               --------     -------      -------
       Total                   $172,913     $ 9,774      $40,948
                               ========     =======      =======

      (1) Acquisition  costs includes 45,741 shares of Preferred Stock valued at
      $4.6 million in 1994.

           Acquisitions  of  crude  oil and  natural  gas  producing  properties
beginning  during 1991 and  continuing  through the year ended December 31, 1996
account for the majority of the capital  expenditures  made by the Company since
January 1, 1991. These  expenditures  were funded through  internally  generated
cash flow,  borrowings from the Company's  previous  lenders and the Banks,  the
issuance  of shares of the  Company's  Common and  Preferred  Stock to  property
sellers and the issuance of the Senior Notes.

           At December 31, 1996, the Company had current assets of $23.3 million
and current  liabilities of $16.9 million  resulting in working  capital of $6.4
million.  This compares to working capital of $2.6 million at December 31, 1995.
The material  components of the Company's  current  liabilities  at December 31,
1996 include trade accounts payable of $10.0 million, revenues due third parties
of $2.4  million and  accrued  interest of $3.2  million.  Shareholders'  equity
decreased  from $37.1  million at December 31, 1995 to $35.7 million at December
31, 1996 primarily due to an unrealized foreign currency translation  adjustment
of $2.4 million.

           The Company's current budget for capital  expenditures for 1997 other
than acquisition  expenditures is $35.2 million.  Such expenditures will be made
primarily  for  the  development  of  existing  properties.  Additional  capital
expenditures  may be  made  for  acquisition  of  producing  properties  if such
opportunities  arise, but the Company currently has no agreements,  arrangements
or 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.

        On November  14,  1996,  Abraxas and Canadian  Abraxas  consummated  the
offering of $215 million of the Notes.  Interest on the Notes accrues from their
date of original  issuance  (the "Issue Date") and is payable  semi-annually  in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year,  commencing on May 1, 1997, at the
rate of 11.5% per annum.  The Notes are redeemable,  in whole or in part, at the
option of Abraxas and Canadian  Abraxas,  on or after  November 1, 2000,  at the
redemption  prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date
of redemption,  if redeemed during the 12-month period  commencing on November 1
of the years set forth below:

           Year                                Percentage
           ----                                ----------
           2000                                   105.75%
           2001                                  102.875%
           2002 and thereafter                       100%

        In  addition,  at any time on or prior to November 1, 1999,  Abraxas and
Canadian  Abraxas  may,  at  their  option,  redeem  up to 35% of the  aggregate
principal  amount of the Notes  originally  issued with the net cash proceeds of
one or more  equity  offerings,  at a  redemption  price  equal to 111.5% of the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed,  plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the date of redemption;  provided, however, that after giving effect
to any such redemption,  at least $139.75 million aggregate  principal amount of
the Notes remains outstanding.



                                       28

<PAGE>



        The Notes are joint and  several  obligations  of Abraxas  and  Canadian
Abraxas,  and rank pari  passu in right of payment  to all  existing  and future
unsubordinated  indebtedness  of Abraxas and  Canadian  Abraxas.  The Notes rank
senior in right of payment to all future  subordinated  indebtedness  of Abraxas
and  Canadian  Abraxas.  The Notes are,  however,  effectively  subordinated  to
secured  indebtedness of Abraxas and Canadian Abraxas to the extent of the value
of the assets securing such indebtedness.

        The Notes are  unconditionally  guaranteed,  jointly and  severally,  by
certain of Abraxas' and Canadian  Abraxas' future  subsidiaries (the "Subsidiary
Guarantors"). The guarantees are general unsecured obligations of the Subsidiary
Guarantors  and  rank  pari  passu in right  of  payment  to all  unsubordinated
indebtedness of the Subsidiary  Guarantors and senior in right of payment to all
subordinated  indebtedness  of the  Subsidiary  Guarantors.  The  Guarantees are
effectively subordinated to secured indebtedness of the Subsidiary Guarantors to
the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. As of December
31, 1996, Abraxas, Canadian Abraxas and the Subsidiary Guarantors had no secured
indebtedness outstanding.

        Upon a Change of Control  (as  defined in the  Indenture  governing  the
Notes),  each  holder of the Notes  will have the right to require  Abraxas  and
Canadian  Abraxas to  repurchase  all or a portion of such  holder's  Notes at a
redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and
unpaid  interest to the date of  repurchase.  In addition,  Abraxas and Canadian
Abraxas  will be  obligated  to offer  to  repurchase  the  Notes at 100% of the
principal  amount  thereof  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  to the date of
repurchase in the event of certain asset sales.

        The net  proceeds to Abraxas and  Canadian  Abraxas from the offering of
the  Notes  were  approximately  $207.0  million  after  deducting  underwriting
discounts  and  estimated  offering  expenses  payable by Abraxas  and  Canadian
Abraxas.  Abraxas and  Canadian  Abraxas  used the net proceeds to (i) repay all
amounts  outstanding  under its bridge  facility  dated  September 30, 1996 with
Bankers Trust Company  ("BT") and other lenders in the amount of $85.0  million,
(ii) acquire the  outstanding  capital  stock of CGGS for $94.7  million,  (iii)
acquire the Portilla and Happy  properties  and repay certain  indebtedness  for
$27.5 million and (iv) provide  working capital for general  corporate  purposes
including future acquisitions and development of producing properties.

        After  consummation  of the Offering and application of the net proceeds
therefrom,  the Company  increased its total  outstanding  debt to approximately
$215.1 million. In addition,  on November 14, 1996, the Company entered into the
Credit Facility  concurrently with the consummation of the Offering.  The Credit
Facility provides for a revolving line of credit with an initial availability of
$20.0 million,  subject to certain  customary  conditions  including a borrowing
base condition.

        Commitments available under the Credit Facility are subject to borrowing
base  redeterminations to be performed  semi-annually and, at the option of each
of the Company and the Banks,  one  additional  time per year.  Any  outstanding
principal  balance in excess of the  borrowing  base will be due and  payable in
three  equal  monthly  payments  after a  borrowing  base  redetermination.  The
borrowing  base will be  determined  in BT's  sole  discretion,  subject  to the
approval of the Banks, based on the value of the Company's reserves as set forth
in the reserve report of the Company's  independent  petroleum  engineers,  with
consideration given to other assets and liabilities.

        The Credit  Facility  has an initial  revolving  term of two years and a
reducing period of three years from the end of the initial two-year period.  The
commitment under the Credit Facility will be reduced during such reducing period
by eleven equal quarterly  reductions.  Quarterly reductions will equal 8.2% per
quarter with the remainder due at the end of the three-year reducing period.

        The applicable  interest rate charged on the outstanding  balance of the
Credit  Facility is based on a facility usage grid. If the borrowings  under the
Credit Facility represent an amount less than or equal to 33.3% of the available
borrowing  base,  then the applicable  interest rate charged on the  outstanding
balance  will be either (a) an adjusted  rate of the London  Inter-Bank  Offered
Rate  ("LIBOR")  plus  1.25% or (b) the prime rate of BT (which is based on BT's
published  prime rate) plus 0.50%.  If the borrowings  under the Credit Facility
represent  an amount  greater  than or equal to 33.3% but less than 66.7% of the






                                       29

<PAGE>



available  borrowing base, then the applicable  interest rate on the outstanding
principal  will be either  (a) LIBOR plus 1.75% or (b) the prime rate of BT plus
0.50%. If the borrowings  under the Credit Facility  represent an amount greater
than or equal to 66.7% of the  available  borrowing  base,  then the  applicable
interest rate on the  outstanding  principal will be either (a) LIBOR plus 2.00%
or (b) the prime rate of BT plus 0.50%.  LIBOR elections can be made for periods
of one, three or six months.

        The Credit  Facility  contains a number of covenants  that,  among other
things, restrict 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.

        The Credit  Facility  contains  customary  events of default,  including
nonpayment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of
representations  or warranties in any material respect,  cross default and cross
acceleration to certain other indebtedness,  bankruptcy,  material judgments and
liabilities  and change of  control.  The  Indenture  also  contains a number of
covenants and events of default  including  covenants  restricting,  among other
things, the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, incur liens, pay
dividends or make certain other restricted  payments,  consummate  certain asset
sales,  enter into certain  transactions  with affiliates,  merge or consolidate
with any other  person or sell,  assign,  transfer,  lease,  convey or otherwise
dispose of all or  substantially  all of the assets of the Company and events of
default including nonpayment of principal or interest on the Notes, violation of
covenants,  cross  default  on  other  indebtedness,   bankruptcy  and  material
judgments.

        The Indenture  also provides 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 in l 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 December 31, 1996, the fair value of this swap, as
determined  by BT CO was  approximately  $200,000  and was  recorded as interest
expense at December 31, 1996.





                                       30

<PAGE>



        In connection with the  re-acquisition of the Portilla and Happy Fields,
the Company assumed a commodity price hedge on variable volumes of crude oil and
natural gas. Monthly  settlements with amounts either due to or from Christiania
are based on the differential between a fixed and a variable price for crude oil
and natural gas. During 1997, the approximate  monthly volume of crude oil sales
subject to this  agreement  is 15,800  barrels at a fixed price of $17.20.  This
agreement  reduces to  approximately  13,200  barrels per month in 1998,  11,000
barrels per month in 1999, 9,100 barrels per month in 2000 and 8,200 barrels per
month in 2001 until  November 1. The fixed  price paid to the Company  over this
five year period averages  $17.55 per barrel.  The natural gas component of this
agreement  calls for  approximately  54,000  MMBTU per month at a fixed price of
$1.80  during 1997 with  volumes  decreasing  to 37,000 MMBTU per month in 1998,
24,000 MMBTU per month in 1999,  19,000 MMBTU per month in 2000 and 15,000 MMBTU
per month in 2001 through October. The fixed price paid to the Company over this
five year period averages $1.84 per MMBTU.

        The  Company has also  entered  into two fixed  price  agreements,  each
relating to  approximately  3,750 net Mcf per day of natural  gas.  The first of
these two  expires  on March 31,  1997 and calls for a fixed  price of $1.52 per
MMBTU being paid to the  Company.  The second  agreement  expires on October 31,
1997 and provides a fixed price of $1.42 per MMBTU to the Company.

        The Company has also recently entered into a costless collar relating to
1,000  barrels a day of oil  sales  for the  period  February  1,  1997  through
December  31, 1997.  This  agreement  guarantees  a minimum  price of $19.00 per
barrel to the Company and  provides  that any amount  above $25.60 per barrel be
remitted by the Company to the counterparty to the agreement.

        Operating activities for the year ended December 31, 1996 provided $13.5
million of cash to the Company.  Investing  activities  required  $172.6 million
during 1996 primarily for the  acquisition of the Wyoming  Properties,  CGGS and
the Portilla and Happy Fields. Financing provided $163.0 million during 1996.

        For the year ended December 31, 1995, operating activities provided $4.5
million of cash.  Investing  activities required $10.1 million primarily for the
development  of  existing   properties.   Total  cash  provided  from  financing
activities  for 1995 was $9.8  million  as the  result of the sale of  1,330,000
shares of Common Stock and  contingent  value rights during  November 1995 which
resulted in net proceeds of $10.1 million.

        During  1994,  operating  activities  provided  $4.4  million  of  cash.
Investing  activities  during 1994 utilized  $36.0 million of cash primarily for
the acquisition of the ORRI and the West Texas  Properties for $29.0 million and
the development of producing  properties of $7.2 million.  The Company  borrowed
$40.9 million during 1994,  repaid $12.7 million of long term debt,  sold Common
Stock for  proceeds of $1.5  million and paid  financing  fees and  dividends on
preferred stock resulting in a net  contribution of $29.2 million from financing
activities.

        The  Company is heavily  dependent  on crude oil and  natural gas prices
which have historically been volatile. Although the Company has hedged a portion
of its natural gas  production  and intends to continue  this  practice,  future
crude oil and natural  gas price  declines  would have a negative  impact on the
Company's overall results, and therefore, its liquidity.  Furthermore, low crude
oil and natural gas prices could affect the  Company's  ability to raise capital
on terms favorable to the Company.

        At December  31,  1996,  the  Company  had,  subject to the  limitations
discussed below,  $20.1 million of net operating loss carryforwards for U.S. tax
purposes,  of which  approximately  $17.5 million are available for  utilization
without limitation.  These loss carryforwards will expire from 2002 through 2010
if not utilized. At December 31, 1996, the company had approximately $830,000 of
net operating loss carryforwards for Canadian tax purposes which expire in 2003.
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
carryforwards  generated  prior to  December  31, 1991 of $4.9  million  will be
limited to  approximately  $235,  000 per year.  As a result of the  issuance of
additional  shares  of  Common  Stock for  acquisitions  and sales of stock,  an
additional  ownership  change  under  Section  382  occurred  in  October  1993.
Accordingly,  it is  expected  that  the  use of all  U.S.  net  operating  loss
carryforwards generated through October 1993 or $8.2 million will be limited to
approximately  $1 million per year  subject to the lower  limitations  described
above. Of the $8.2 million net operating loss carryforwards,  it is anticipated
that the maximum net operating  loss  that may be utilized before it expires is

                                       31

<PAGE>



$7.2  million.  Future  changes in  ownership  may further  limit the use of the
Company's   carryforwards.   In  addition   to  the  Section  382   limitations,
uncertainties  exist  as  to  the  future  utilization  of  the  operating  loss
carryforwards  under the  criteria  set forth  under  FASB  Statement  No.  109.
Therefore, the Company has established a valuation allowance of $5.7 million and
$5.7   million  for   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 with The Banks, 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, reserve
estimates,  development and exploitation opportunities and projects, behind pipe
zones,  classification of reserves,  projected costs,  potential  reserves,  and
plans and  objectives of management  for future  operations  including,  but not
limited to, statements  including,  any of the terms  "anticipates",  "expects",
"estimates",  "believes"  and  similar  terms  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" and elsewhere in this report
including,   without   limitation,   in  conjunction  with  the  forward-looking
statements   included  in  this  report.   All   subsequent   written  and  oral
forward-looking statements attributable to the Company, or persons acting on its
behalf, are expressed qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements.


Item 8. Financial Statements.

           For the financial  statements and supplementary data required by this
Item 8, see the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules.


Item  9.  Changes  in and  Disagreements  with  Accountants  on  Accounting  and
Financial Disclosure.

           Not Applicable.


                                    PART III


Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

           There is  incorporated  in this Item 10 by reference  that portion of
the  Company's  definitive  proxy  statement  for  the  199  annual  meeting  of
shareholders  which appears  therein under the caption  "Election of Directors".
See also the information in Item 4a of Part I of this Report.

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

           There is  incorporated  in this Item 11 by reference  that portion of
the  Company's  definitive  proxy  statement  for the  1997  annual  meeting  of
shareholders which appears therein under the caption  "Executive  Compensation",
except for those  parts under the  captions  "Compensation  Committee  Report on
Executive Compensation", "Report on Repricing Options" and "Performance Graph".




                                       32

<PAGE>



Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

           There is  incorporated  in this Item 12 by reference  that portion of
the  Company's  definitive  proxy  statement  for the  1997  annual  meeting  of
shareholders  which appears  therein under the caption  "Securities  Holdings of
Principal Shareholders, Directors and Officers".

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

           There is  incorporated  in this Item 13 by reference  that portion of
the  Company's  definitive  proxy  statement  for the  1997  Annual  Meeting  of
Shareholders which appears therein under the caption "Certain Transactions."


                                     PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)1.      Consolidated Financial Statements                              Page

           Report of Ernst & Young, LLP, Independent Auditors.............F-2

           Consolidated Balance Sheets,
             December 31, 1996 and 1995...................................F-3

           Consolidated Statements of Operations,
             Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994................F-5

           Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
              Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994................F-7

           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
             Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.................F-8

           Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.....................F-10



(a)2.      Financial Statement Schedules


           All schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable,  not
required under the instructions or the information requested is set forth in the
consolidated financial statements or related notes thereto.


















                                       33

<PAGE>




Item 14 (b): Reports on Form 8-K Filed in the Fourth Quarter of 1996:


        Form 8-K dated October 15. 1996 and amended on December 15, 1996


              Item 2.  Acquisition  or Disposition of Assets - acquisition
                       of Enserch Properties.

              Item 7.  Financial   Statements  and  Exhibits  -  financial
                       statements of Enserch Properties


        Form 8-K dated November 7, 1996


              Item 5.     Other Events - pricing of Senior Notes placement


        Form 8-K dated November 27, 1996 and amended on January 27, 1997


              Item 2.  Acquisition  or Disposition of Assets - acquisition
                       of Canadian Gas Gathering Systems,  Inc. Acquisition of
                       Portilla - 1996 L.P. Limited Partnership interest.

              Item 5.  Other Events - Senior Notes  Offering,  CVR maturity
                       extension

              Item 7.  Financial  Statements  and Exhibits - Financial
                       statements of CGGS and Portilla-1996 L.P.
































                                       34

<PAGE>



(a)3.        Exhibits

             The following Exhibits have previously been filed by the Registrant
or are included following the Index to Exhibits.

Exhibit Number.                                Description

3.1 Articles of Incorporation of Abraxas. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-4,  No.  33-36565  (the  "S-4  Registration
Statement")).

3.2  Articles of Amendment to the  Articles of  Incorporation  of Abraxas  dated
October 22, 1990 (Filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the S-4 Registration  Statement).  3.3
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Abraxas dated December
18, 1990.
(Filed as Exhibit 3.4 to the S-4 Registration Statement).

3.4 Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Abraxas dated June
8, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 3.4 to the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form
S-3, No. 333-398 (the "S-3 Registration Statement")).

3.5 Amended  and  Restated  Bylaws of Abraxas.  (Filed as Exhibit 3.5 to the S-3
Registration Statement).

3.6  Certificate  of Designation  of Series 1995-B  Preferred  Stock of Abraxas.
(Filed as Exhibit 3.6 to the S-3 Registration Statement).

3.7 Articles of Incorporation of Canadian Abraxas.  (Filed as Exhibit 3.7 to the
Company's  and  Canadian  Abraxas'  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-4,  No.
333-18673 (the "Exchange Offer Registration Statement")).

3.8 By-Laws of Canadian  Abraxas.  (Filed as Exhibit 3.8 to the  Exchange  Offer
Registration Statement).

4.1 Specimen Common Stock  Certificate of Abraxas.  (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the
S-4 Registration Statement).

4.2 Specimen  Preferred Stock  Certificate of Abraxas.  (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 1995).

4.3 Rights  Agreement  dated as of  December 6, 1994  between  Abraxas and First
Union  National Bank of North  Carolina  ("FUNB").  (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on December 6, 1994).

4.4 Contingent Value Rights Agreement dated November 17, 1995 by and between the
Company and FUNB (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's  Current  Report on Form
8-K dated November 21, 1995).

4.5 First  Amendment to Contingent  Value Rights  Agreement dated May 2, 1996 by
and between the Company and FUNB.  (Filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the S-3 Registration
Statement).

4.6 Indenture dated November 14, 1996 by and among the Company, Canadian Abraxas
and IBJ Schroder Bank and Trust Company.  (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 27, 1996).

4.7 Form of Note.  (Filed as  Exhibit  4.7 to the  Exchange  Offer  Registration
Statement).

4.8 Specimen Common Stock Certificate of Canadian Abraxas. (Filed as Exhibit 4.8
to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement).




                                       35

<PAGE>



*10.1 Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation 1984  Non-Qualified  Stock Option Plan, as
amended and restated.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's  Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed April 14, 1993).

*10.2 Abraxas Petroleum Corporation 1984 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended
and restated. (Filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
filed April 14, 1993).

*10.3 Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  1993 Key  Contributor  Stock Option Plan.
(Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K filed April
14, 1993).

*10.4  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  401(k) Profit  Sharing  Plan.  (Filed as
Exhibit 10.4 to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement).

*10.5  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  Director  Stock Option  Plan.  (Filed as
Exhibit 10.5 to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement).

*10.6 Abraxas Petroleum Corporation Restricted Share Plan for Directors.  (Filed
as Exhibit 10.20 to the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 12,
1994).

*10.7 Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  1994 Long Term Incentive Plan.  (Filed as
Exhibit  10.21 to the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K filed on April 12,
1994).

*10.8 Abraxas Petroleum  Corporation Incentive Performance Bonus Plan. (Filed as
Exhibit  10.24 to the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K filed on April 12,
1994).

10.9 Registration Rights and Stock Registration Agreement dated as of August 11,
1993 by and  among  Abraxas,  EEP and  Endowment  Energy  Partners  II,  Limited
Partnership  ("EEP II").  (Filed as Exhibit 10.33 to the Company's  Registration
Statement  on Form  S-1,  Registration  No.  33-66446  (the  "S- 1  Registration
Statement")).

10.10 First Amendment to Registration  Rights and Stock  Registration  Agreement
dated June 30, 1994 by and among Abraxas, EEP and EEP II. (Filed as Exhibit 10.3
to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 14, 1994).

10.11 Second Amendment to Registration  Rights and Stock Registration  Agreement
dated September 2, 1994 by and among Abraxas,  EEP and EEP II. (Filed as Exhibit
10.3 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 1995)

10.12 Third Amendment to Registration  Rights and Stock  Registration  Agreement
dated November 17, 1995 by and among Abraxas,  EEP and EEP II. (Filed as Exhibit
10.17 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 1995)

10.13  Common  Stock  Purchase  Warrant  dated as of December  18, 1991  between
Abraxas and EEP. (Filed as Exhibit 12.3 to the Company's  Current Report on Form
8-K filed January 9, 1992).

10.14 Common Stock Purchase  Warrant dated as of August 1, 1993 between  Abraxas
and EEP. (Filed as Exhibit 10.35 to the S-1 Registration Statement).

10.15 Common Stock  Purchase  Warrant dated August 11, 1993 between  Abraxas and
EEP II. (Filed as Exhibit 10.36 to the S-1 Registration Statement).

10.16 Common Stock  Purchase  Warrant dated August 11, 1993 between  Abraxas and
Associated Energy Managers, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.37 to the S-1 Registration
Statement).

10.17 Letter dated  September 2, 1994 from Abraxas to EEP and EEP II.  (Filed as
Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 1995)





                                       36

<PAGE>



10.18 Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement dated as of November 14, 1996 among
Abraxas,  Bankers Trust Company, Inc. (U.S.) Capital Corporation and the Lenders
named  therein.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's  Current Report on Form
8-K filed November 27, 1996).

10.19  Warrant  Agreement  dated as of July 27, 1994  between  Abraxas and FUNB.
(Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's  Current Report on Form 8-K filed August
5, 1994).

10.20 Warrant Agreement dated as of December 16, 1994, between Abraxas and FUNB.
(Filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March
31, 1995).

10.21 First  Amendment to Warrant  Agreement dated as of August 31, 1995 between
Abraxas and FUNB. (Filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the S-3 Registration Statement).

10.22 Form of Indemnity  Agreement between Abraxas and each of its directors and
officers. (Filed as Exhibit 10.30 to the S-1 Registration Statement).

*10.23 Employment  Agreement between Abraxas and Robert L. G. Watson.  (Filed as
Exhibit 10.23 to the S-3 Registration Statement).

*10.24 Employment  Agreement  between Abraxas and Chris E. Williford.  (Filed as
Exhibit 10.24 to the S-3 Registration Statement).

*10.25  Employment  Agreement  between Abraxas and Robert  Patterson.  (Filed as
Exhibit 10.25 to the S-3 Registration Statement).


*10.26  Employment  Agreement  between Abraxas and Stephen T. Wendel.  (Filed as
Exhibit 10.26 to the S-3 Registration Statement).

10.27 Common Stock and Contingent  Value Rights  Purchase  Agreement dated as of
November 17, 1995 by and among  Abraxas and the  Purchasers  named in Schedule l
thereto.  (Filed as Exhibit  10.1 to the  Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K
dated November 21, 1995.)

10.28  Registration  Agreement  dated November 17, 1995 by and among the Company
and the  parties  named in  Schedule  I thereto.  (Filed as Exhibit  10.2 to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 21, 1995.)

10.29 Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Grey Wolf Exploration,  Ltd.
(Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January
17, 1995.)

10.30 Subscription Agreement between Grey Wolf Exploration, Ltd. and Cascade Oil
and Gas Ltd. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's  Current Report on Form 8-K
dated January 17, 1995.)

10.31 Purchase Agreement dated November 14, 1996 by and among Abraxas,  Canadian
Abraxas,  BT Securities  Corporation,  Jefferies & Company,  Inc. and ING Baring
(U.S.) Securities Corporation (collectively,  the "Initial Purchasers").  (Filed
as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K filed November 27,
1996).

10.32  Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated  November  14,  1996 by and  among
Abraxas, Canadian Abraxas, and the Initial Purchasers. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to
the Company's Current Report on Form 8- K filed November 27, 1996).

10.33 Share Sale Agreement dated October 29, 1996 by and among Abraxas, Canadian
Abraxas,  CGGS Canadian Gas Gathering Systems Inc. ("CGGS") and the shareholders
of CGGS.  (Filed as Exhibit  10.3 to the  Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K
filed November 27, 1996).






                                       37

<PAGE>






10.34 Purchase and Sale Agreement dated September 18, 1996 by and among Abraxas,
Acco,  LLC,   Massachusetts  Bay  Transportation   Authority   Retirement  Fund,
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Separate Account No. 175, The General Mills,
Inc.  Master Trust:  Pooled Real Estate Fund and State Street  Research  Energy,
Inc.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K filed
November 27, 1996).

10.35 Purchase and Sale Agreement dated May 22, 1996 between Abraxas and Enserch
Exploration, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form
8-K filed October 15, 1996).

10.36  Management  Agreement  dated  November  14, 1996 by and between  Canadian
Abraxas and Cascade Oil & Gas Ltd. (Filed as Exhibit 10.36 to the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement).

11.1 Earnings per share Computation Statement

18.1 Letter regarding change in accounting principle.  (Filed as Exhibit 18.1 to
the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 12, 1994).

22.1  Subsidiaries  of Abraxas.  (Filed as Exhibit  22.1 to the  Exchange  Offer
Registration Statement).

23.1 Consent of Independent Auditors. (Filed as Exhibit 23.1 to The Registrant's
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 1997).

23.2 Consent of independent, third party, Petroleum Engineers. (Filed as Exhibit
23.2 to The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 1997).

27.1 Financial Data Schedule.


*       Management Compensatory Plan or Agreement.





























                                       38

<PAGE>
                          INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                                                        Page

Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries

Report of Independent Auditors ..........................................F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1995 and 1996 ...............F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
   December 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996 ....................................F-5
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years
   ended December 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996 ..............................F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
   December 31, 1994,1995, and 1996 .....................................F-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ..............................F-10


                                      F-1
<PAGE>










                         Report of Independent Auditors



The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Abraxas Petroleum Corporation

         We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Abraxas
Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the
related consolidated  statements of operations,  shareholders'  equity, and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended  December 31, 1996.  These
financial  statements are the  responsibility of the Company's  management.  Our
responsibility  is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based on
our audits.

         We conducted our audits in accordance with generally  accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

         In our opinion,  the  financial  statements  referred to above  present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Abraxas
Petroleum  Corporation  and  Subsidiaries at December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the
consolidated  results of their  operations  and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity  with generally
accepted accounting principles.



                                                ERNST & YOUNG LLP

San Antonio, Texas
March 21, 1997


                                      F-2
<PAGE>


                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                     ASSETS


                                                                 December 31
                                                            --------------------
                                                               1995       1996
                                                            ---------   --------
                                                                (In thousands)

Current assets:
   Cash ..................................................   $  4,250   $  8,290
   Accounts receivable, less allowance
     for doubtful accounts:
       Joint owners ......................................      1,335      1,601
       Oil and gas production sales ......................      2,946     11,400
       Affiliates, officers, and shareholders ............         53         94
       Other .............................................         60      1,289
                                                             --------   --------
                                                                4,394     14,384

   Equipment inventory ...................................         80        451
   Other current assets ..................................        125        187
                                                             --------   --------
     Total current assets ................................      8,849     23,312

Property and equipment ...................................    104,997    310,043
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion,
  and amortization .......................................     29,919     38,653
                                                             --------   --------
   Net property and equipment  based on the full cost
     method of  accounting  for oil and gas  properties
     of which $-0- and $37,268 at December 31, 1995 and
     1996, respectively, were excluded from amortization .     75,078    271,390
Deferred financing fees, net of accumulated amortization
   of $289 and $280 at December 31, 1995 and 1996,
   respectively ..........................................        354      9,335
Restricted cash ..........................................        134         90
Marketable securities ....................................        326       --
Other assets .............................................        326        715
                                                             ========   ========
   Total assets ..........................................   $ 85,067   $304,842
                                                             ========   ========




                             See accompanying notes.

                                      F-3

<PAGE>


                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)


                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


                                                                December 31
                                                           --------------------
                                                              1995       1996
                                                           ---------   --------
                                                               (In thousands)
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities .....  $   3,929    $   9,960
   Oil and gas production payable .....................      1,787        2,378
   Accrued interest ...................................        363        3,206
   Income taxes payable ...............................       --            145
   Other accrued expenses .............................         46        1,132
   Dividends payable on preferred stock ...............         91         --
   Payable to affiliates ..............................       --             58
                                                         ---------    ---------

     Total current liabilities ........................      6,216       16,879

Long-term debt:
   Senior notes .......................................       --        215,000
   Financing agreements ...............................     41,557         --
   Other ..............................................         44           32
                                                         ---------    ---------

                                                            41,601      215,032

Other long-term obligations ...........................       --             87
Deferred income taxes .................................        187       32,928
Minority interest in foreign subsidiary ...............       --          2,157
Future site restoration ...............................       --          2,103

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders' equity:
   Preferred  stock 8%,  authorized  1,000,000 shares;
     issued and  outstanding 45,741 shares
     at December 31, 1995 and 1996 ....................       --           --
   Common stock, par value $.01 per share - authorized
     50,000,000 shares; issued 5,799,762 and 5,806,812
     shares at December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively         58           58
   Additional paid-in capital .........................     50,914       50,926
   Unrealized holding loss on securities ..............       (244)        --
   Accumulated deficit ................................    (13,664)     (12,517)
   Treasury stock, at cost, 2,571, and 74,711 shares
     at December 31, 1995 and 1996, respective.........         (1)        (405)
   Foreign currency translation adjustment ............       --         (2,406)

                                                         ---------    ---------
Total shareholders' equity ............................     37,063       35,656
                                                         ---------    ---------
      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity ......  $  85,067    $ 304,842
                                                         =========    =========



                             See accompanying notes.

                                      F-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


                                                    Year Ended December 31
                                             ------------------------------------
                                                1994         1995          1996
                                             ----------    ---------    ---------
                                                  (In thousands except shares 
                                                      and per share data)
Revenue:
<S>                                         <C>             <C>        <C>       
   Oil and gas production revenues ........ $   11,114      $ 13,660   $   25,749
   Gas processing revenues ................       --            --            600
   Rig revenues ...........................        161           108          139
   Other ..................................         74            49          165
                                             ----------    ---------    ---------

                                                11,349        13,817       26,653

Operating costs and expenses:
   Lease operating and production taxes ...      3,693         4,333        5,858
   Gas processing costs ...................       --            --            262
   Depreciation, depletion, and
     amortization .........................      3,790         5,434        9,605
   Rig operations .........................        133           125          169
   General and administrative .............        810         1,042        1,933
                                             ----------    ---------    ---------
                                                 8,426        10,934       17,827
                                             ----------    ---------    ---------
Operating income ..........................      2,923         2,883        8,826

Other (income) expense:
   Interest income ........................        (16)          (34)        (254)
   Amortization of deferred financing fee .        400           214          280
   Interest expense .......................      2,359         3,911        6,241
   Loss on marketable securities ..........       --            --            235
   Other expense ..........................         67          --            138

                                             ----------    ---------    ---------
                                                 2,810         4,091        6,640
                                             ----------    ---------    ---------
Income (loss) from continuing operations
   before taxes and extraordinary items ...        113        (1,208)       2,186
Income tax expense (benefit):
   Current ................................       --            --            176
   Deferred ...............................       --            --          --
Minority interest in income of consolidated
   foreign subsidiary .....................       --            --             70
                                             ----------    ---------    ---------
Income (loss) from continuing operations
   before extraordinary items .............        113        (1,208)       1,940

</TABLE>

                                       F-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)


                                                    Year Ended December 31
                                             ------------------------------------
                                                1994         1995          1996
                                             ----------    ---------    ---------
                                                  (In thousands except shares 
                                                      and per share data)
<S>                                         <C>             <C>        <C>
Discontinued operations:
   Loss from operations of discontinued
     coal properties ...................    $     (348)    $  --      $    --
   Loss on disposal of discontinued coal   
     properties ........................          (988)       --           --
                                             ----------    ---------    ---------
Loss from discontinued operations ......        (1,336)       --           --
                                             ----------    ---------    ---------
Income (loss) before extraordinary items        (1,223)       (1,208)       1,940
Extraordinary item:
  Debt extinguishment costs ...........         (1,172)         --           (427)
                                             ----------    ---------    ---------
Net income (loss) ......................        (2,395)       (1,208)       1,513
Less dividend requirement on cumulative
   preferred stock .....................          (183)         (366)        (366)
                                             ----------    ---------    ---------
Net income (loss) applicable to common
   stock ...............................    $   (2,578)    $  (1,574)   $   1,147
                                             ==========    =========    ========= 
Earnings per common and common 
  equivalent share:
     Income (loss) from continuing
       operations ......................    $     (.02)   $     (.34) $       .23
     Discontinued operations ...........          (.31)           -           -
     Extraordinary items ...............          (.27)           -          (.06)
                                             ----------    ---------    ---------
   Net income (loss) per share  ........    $     (.60)   $     (.34) $       .17
                                             ==========    =========    =========

Weighted average shares outstanding ....     4,309,878     4,635,412    6,794,442
                                             ==========    =========    ========= 
</TABLE>

                             See accompanying notes.

                                      F-6
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                       (In thousands except share amounts)


                                                                                                      
                                   Preferred Stock               Common Stock            Treasury Stock       
                               -----------------------     -----------------------    ---------------------
                                 Shares       Amount         Shares        Amount       Shares       Amount       
                               ----------    ---------     ---------     ---------      -------     --------    
<S>                               <C>       <C>            <C>          <C>              <C>      <C>    
Balance at January 1, 1994 .         --     $     --       4,202,449    $       42         --     $     --   
   Issuance of common stock
     for compensation ......         --           --          10,033          --           --           --   
   Issuance of preferred
     stock for acquisition .       45,741        4,573          --            --           --           --   
   Options and warrants 
     exercised .............         --           --         249,408             3         --           --   
   Changes in unrealized
     holding loss on
     securities  ...........         --           --            --            --           --           --   
   Dividend on preferred
     stock .................         --           --            --            --           --           --   
   Net loss for the year ...         --           --            --            --           --           --   
                                  -------    ---------     ---------     ---------      -------     --------    
Balance at December 31, 1994       45,741        4,573     4,461,890            45         --           --   
  
 Issuance of common stock
     for compensation ......         --           --           7,872          --           --           --   
   Issuance of common stock          --           --       1,330,000            13         --           --   
   Treasury stock 
     purchased, net ........         --           --            --            --          2,571           (1)
   Changes in preferred
     stock par value .......         --         (4,573)         --            --           --           --   
   Dividend on preferred
     stock .................         --           --            --            --           --           --   
   Net loss for the year ...         --           --            --            --           --           --   
                                  -------    ---------     ---------     ---------      -------     --------
Balance at December 31, 1995       45,741         --       5,799,762            58        2,571           (1)

   Issuance of common stock
     for compensation ......         --           --           5,050          --         (2,500)           1              
   Expenses paid related to
     private placement 
     offering...............         --           --            --            --           --           --   
   Options exercised .......         --           --           2,000          --           --           --   
   Treasury stock purchased          --           --            --            --         74,640         (405)
   Dividend on preferred
     stock .................         --           --            --            --           --           --   
   Foreign currency
     translation adjustment          --           --            --            --           --           --   
   Changes in unrealized
     holding loss on
     securities ............         --           --            --            --           --           --   
   Net income for the year .         --           --            --            --           --           --   
                                  -------    ---------     ---------     ---------      -------     --------
Balance at December 31, 1996       45,741   $     --       5,806,812    $       58       74,711   $     (405)
                                  =======    =========     =========     =========      =======     ========      
</TABLE>


                             See accompanying notes.

                                      F-7
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                       (In thousands except share amounts)


                                              Unrealized                    
                                 Additional   Holding Loss                  Foreign  
                                 Paid-In          on        Accumulated    Currency  
                                 Capital      Securities      Deficit      Translation     Total
                                ---------    ------------   -----------   ------------  ----------       
<S>                            <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>             
Balance at January 1, 1994 .   $   34,614    $     --      $   (9,513)   $     --      $   25,143
   Issuance of common stock
     for compensation ......          107          --            --            --             107
   Issuance of preferred
     stock for acquisition .         --            --            --            --           4,573
   Options and warrants ....        1,496          --            --            --           1,499
     exercised
   Changes in unrealized
     holding loss on .......         --            (244)         --            --            (244)
     securities
   Dividend on preferred ...         --            --            (183)         --            (183)
     stock
   Net loss for the year ...         --            --          (2,394)         --          (2,394)

                                  -------    -----------     ---------     ---------      -------                                   
Balance at December 31, 1994       36,217          (244)      (12,090)         --          28,501
   Issuance of common stock
     for compensation ......           74          --            --            --              74
   Issuance of common stock        10,050          --            --            --          10,063
   Treasury stock
     purchased, net ........         --            --            --            --              (1)
   Changes in preferred
     stock par value .......        4,573          --            --            --            --
   Dividend on preferred ...
     stock .................         --            --            (366)         --            (366)
   Net loss for the year ...         --            --          (1,208)         --          (1,208)
                                 --------   -----------     ---------     ---------      ---------                                  
Balance at December 31, 1995       50,914          (244)      (13,664)         --          37,063

   Issuance of common stock
     for compensation ......           41          --            --            --              42
   Expenses paid related to
     private placement .....          (42)         --            --            --             (42)
     offering
   Options exercised .......           13          --            --            --              13
   Treasury stock purchased          --            --            --            --            (405)
   Dividend on preferred 
     stock  ................         --            --            (366)         --            (366)
   Foreign currency
     translation adjustment          --            --            --          (2,406)       (2,406)
   Changes in unrealized
     holding loss on 
      securities ...........         --             244          --            --             244
   Net income for the year .         --            --           1,513          --           1,513

                                 --------   -----------     ---------     ---------     ---------                                
Balance at December 31, 1996   $   50,926    $     --      $  (12,517)   $   (2,406)   $   35,656
                                 ========   ===========     =========     =========     ========= 

                             See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
                                      F-7
<PAGE>

                                                
                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


                                                    Year Ended December 31
                                             -----------------------------------
                                               1994         1995         1996
                                             ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                       (In thousands)

Operating Activities
Net income (loss) .......................   $  (2,395)   $  (1,208)   $   1,513
Adjustments to reconcile net income
   (loss) to net cash provided by
   operating activities:
     Minority interest in income of
       foreign subsidiary ...............        --           --             70
     Loss on disposal of discontinued
       operations .......................         987         --           --
     Depreciation, depletion, and
       amortization .....................       3,790        5,434        9,605
     Amortization of deferred financing
       fees .............................         467          214          280
     Issuance of common stock for
       compensation .....................         107           74           42
     Loss on marketable securities ......        --           --            235
     Net loss from debt restructurings ..       1,172         --            427
     Changes in operating assets and
       liabilities:
         Accounts receivable ............        (814)        (807)      (6,013)
         Equipment inventory ............          (9)         (29)         (82)
         Other assets ...................         (74)           2         (133)
         Accounts payable, accrued
           expenses, and dividends
           payable ......................       1,232          (79)       7,009
         Oil and gas production payable .         (62)         919          591

                                            ---------    ---------    ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities       4,401        4,520       13,544

Investing Activities
Capital expenditures, including purchases
   and development of properties ........     (36,444)     (12,330)     (87,793)
Payment for purchase of CGGS,
   net of cash acquired .................        --           --        (85,362)
Proceeds from sale of oil and gas
   properties and equipment inventory ...          70        2,556          242
Purchase of interest in real estate
   partnership ..........................        --           (311)        --
Proceeds from sale of marketable
   securities ...........................        --           --            335
Sale of common stock in Castle Minerals .         371         --           --

                                            ---------    ---------    ---------
Net cash used in investing activities ...     (36,003)     (10,085)    (172,578)


                                      F-8
<PAGE>


                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)


                                                    Year Ended December 31
                                             -----------------------------------
                                               1994         1995         1996
                                             ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                       (In thousands)
 Financing Activities
Preferred stock dividends ...............   $     (91)   $    (366)   $    (366)
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses       1,499       10,063          (29)
Purchase of treasury stock, net .........        --             (1)        (405)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings ......      40,906        5,950      305,400
Payments on long-term borrowings ........     (12,659)      (5,646)    (131,969)
Deferred financing fees .................        (451)        (186)      (9,688)
Other ...................................        --           --             87
                                            ---------    ---------    ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities      29,204        9,814      163,030
                                            ---------    ---------    ---------
Increase (decrease) in cash .............      (2,398)       4,249        3,996
Cash at beginning of year ...............       2,533          135        4,384
                                            ---------    ---------    ---------
Cash at end of year, including restricted
   cash .................................   $     135    $   4,384    $   8,380
                                            =========    =========    =========

Supplemental Disclosures
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
   information:
     Interest paid ......................   $   2,150    $   3,884    $   3,863
                                            =========    =========    =========

Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:
     During  1996,  the  Company  purchased  all of the  capital  stock  of CGGS
       Canadian  Gas  Gathering  Systems,  Inc.  for  $85,362,000,  net of  cash
       acquired.  In conjunction with the acquisition,  liabilities assumed were
       as follows (in thousands):
         Fair value of assets acquired ..........................     $ 123,970
         Cash paid for the capital stock ........................       (85,362)
                                                                      ---------
         Liabilities assumed ....................................     $  38,608
                                                                      =========

     During 1994, the Company issued  $4,574,000 of preferred  stock in exchange
       for oil and gas producing properties.



                             See accompanying notes.

                                      F-9
<PAGE>


                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                        December 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996


1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

         Abraxas   Petroleum   Corporation   (the  Company  or  Abraxas)  is  an
independent  energy company engaged in the  acquisition of and the  exploration,
development,  and  production of crude oil and natural gas  primarily  along the
Texas Gulf Coast, in the Permian Basin of west Texas,  in  southwestern  Wyoming
and in western  Canada,  and in the  gathering  and  processing  of natural  gas
primarily in western Canada. The consolidated  financial  statements include the
accounts of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries.  All  significant  intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

         The  preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally
accepted  accounting  principles  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 financial
statements  and the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Marketable Securities

         Management  determines  the  appropriate  classification  of marketable
equity  and  debt  securities  at the  time of  purchase  and  reevaluates  such
designation as of each balance sheet date.  Debt securities that the Company has
both the  positive  intent  and  ability  to hold to  maturity  are  carried  at
amortized  cost.  Debt  securities  that the Company  does not have the positive
intent and ability to hold to maturity and all marketable  equity securities are
classified  as   available-for-sale  or  trading  and  carried  at  fair  value.
Unrealized   holding   gains   and   losses   on   securities    classified   as
available-for-sale  are carried as a separate component of shareholders' equity.
Unrealized  holding  gains and losses on  securities  classified  as trading are
reported in earnings.

Concentration of Credit Risk

         Financial  instruments which  potentially  expose the Company to credit
risk consist  principally of trade receivables,  interest rate and crude oil and
natural  gas price swap  agreements.  Accounts  receivable  are  generally  from
companies  with  significant  oil  and gas  marketing  activities.  The  Company
performs ongoing credit evaluations and, generally,  requires no collateral from
its   customers.   For  further   information   regarding  the  Company's   swap
arrangements, see Notes 6 and 16.

Equipment Inventory

         Equipment  inventory  consists  of  casing,   tubing,  and  compressing
equipment and is carried at the lower of cost or market.


                                      F-10
<PAGE>


Oil and Gas Properties

         The Company  follows the full cost method of  accounting  for crude oil
and  natural  gas  properties.  Under this  method,  all costs  associated  with
acquisition of properties and successful as well as unsuccessful exploration and
development activities are capitalized. The Company does not capitalize internal
costs. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization (DD&A) of capitalized crude oil
and natural gas properties and estimated future  development  costs are based on
the  unit-of-production  method.  Net capitalized costs of crude oil and natural
gas properties are limited to the lower of unamortized cost or the cost ceiling,
defined as the sum of the  present  value of  estimated  unescalated  future net
revenues  from  proved  reserves  discounted  at 10  percent,  plus  the cost of
properties not being amortized, if any, plus the lower of cost or estimated fair
value of unproved properties included in the costs being amortized, if any, less
related income taxes.  No gain or loss is recognized upon sale or disposition of
crude oil and natural gas properties, except in unusual circumstances.

         Unevaluated  properties not currently being  amortized  included in oil
and gas  properties  were $-0- and  $37,268,000  at December  31, 1995 and 1996,
respectively.   The  properties  represented  by  these  costs  were  undergoing
exploration  activities  or are  properties  on which  the  Company  intends  to
commence  activities in the future.  The Company  believes that the  unevaluated
properties  at  December  31,  1996 will be  substantially  evaluated  in six to
thirty-six months and it will begin to amortize these costs at such time.

Other Property and Equipment

         Other  property  and  equipment  are  recorded  on the  basis  of cost.
Depreciation  of gas gathering and processing  facilities and other property and
equipment is provided  over the estimated  useful lives using the  straight-line
method. Major renewals and betterments are recorded as additions to the property
and equipment  accounts.  Repairs that do not improve or extend the useful lives
of assets are expensed.

Stock-Based Compensation

         Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 123,  "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation," encourages, but does not require, companies to record
compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value. The
Company has chosen to continue to account for stock-based compensation using the
intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting  for  Stock  Issued  to  Employees,"  and  related  interpretations.
Accordingly,  compensation  cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if
any, of the quoted market price of the Company's  stock at the date of the grant
over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock (see Note 8).

Foreign Currency Translation

         The functional  currency for the Company's  Canadian  operations is the
Canadian  dollar.  The Company  translates  the  functional  currency  into U.S.
dollars  based on the  current  exchange  rate at the end of the  period for the
balance  sheet and a weighted  average  rate for the period on the  statement of
operations. Translation adjustments are reflected as Cumulative Foreign Exchange
Translation Adjustment in Shareholders' Equity.


                                      F-11
<PAGE>


Fair Value of Financial Instruments

         The  Company   includes  fair  value   information   in  the  notes  to
consolidated   financial  statements  when  the  fair  value  of  its  financial
instruments is different from the book value. The Company assumes the book value
of those financial  instruments that are classified as current approximates fair
value  because  of the  short  maturity  of these  instruments.  For  noncurrent
financial  instruments,  the Company uses quoted market prices or, to the extent
that there are no available  quoted  market  prices,  market  prices for similar
instruments.

Restoration, Removal and Environmental Liabilities

         The  estimated  costs of  restoration  and removal of major  processing
facilities are accrued on a  straight-line  basis over the life of the property.
The estimated future costs for known environmental  remediation requirements are
accrued when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of
remediation   costs  can  be  reasonably   estimated.   These  amounts  are  the
undiscounted,  future estimated costs under existing regulatory requirements and
using existing technology.

Revenue Recognition

         The Company  recognizes  crude oil and  natural  gas  revenue  from its
interest  in  producing  wells as crude oil and  natural  gas is sold from those
wells. Revenue from the processing and gathering of natural gas is recognized in
the period the service is performed.

Deferred Financing Fees

         Deferred financing fees are being amortized on a level yield basis over
the term of the related debt.

Federal Income Taxes

         The Company records income taxes under Financial  Accounting  Standards
Board Statement No. 109 using the liability method. Under this method,  deferred
tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial
reporting  and tax bases of assets and  liabilities  and are measured  using the
enacted  tax rates and laws that  will be in  effect  when the  differences  are
expected to reverse.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

         Net income  (loss) per common  share is computed by dividing net income
(loss)  (adjusted  for  dividends  on preferred  stock) by the weighted  average
number of shares of common and common equivalent shares  outstanding  during the
period.  The  weighted  average  number of common and common  equivalent  shares
includes the number of shares that would be issuable under the Contingent  Value
Rights Agreement (CVR  Agreement),  if the current market value of the Company's
common  stock at year-end is less than a  specified  target  price (see Note 7).
Common stock equivalents, including any shares issuable under the CVR Agreement,
are not considered in the computation of periods with a loss, as their effect is
anti-dilutive.

Reclassifications

         Certain  balances  for  1994  and  1995  have  been   reclassified  for
comparative purposes.


                                      F-12
<PAGE>


2.  Acquisitions and Divestitures

Wyoming Properties Acquisition

         On  September  30,  1996,  the Company  acquired  interests  in certain
producing crude oil and natural gas properties  located in the Wamsutter area of
southwestern Wyoming (the Wyoming Properties) from Enserch Exploration, Inc. The
initially agreed to purchase price of $47,500,000 was adjusted to $45,122,000 to
reflect  adjustments of net production revenue which accrued to the Company from
April 1, 1996, the effective  date,  until closing,  net of interest owed by the
Company for the same period and transaction costs. The acquisition was accounted
for as a purchase and the purchase  price was allocated to crude oil and natural
gas  properties  based  on the  fair  values  of the  properties  acquired.  The
transaction was financed through  borrowings under the Company's bridge facility
referred to in Note 6.  Revenues and expenses from the Wyoming  Properties  have
been included in the consolidated financial statements since September 30, 1996.

CGGS Acquisition

         On November 14, 1996, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary,
Canadian Abraxas  Petroleum Limited  (Canadian  Abraxas),  purchased 100% of the
outstanding capital stock of CGGS Canadian Gas Gathering Systems Inc. (CGGS) for
approximately  $85,500,000,   net  of  the  CGGS  cash  acquired  and  including
transaction  costs. CGGS owns producing oil and gas properties in western Canada
and adjacent gas gathering  and  processing  facilities  as well as  undeveloped
leasehold properties.  Immediately after the purchase,  CGGS was merged with and
into Canadian  Abraxas.  The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase and the
purchase  price was allocated to the assets and  liabilities  based on estimated
fair values.  The transaction was financed by a portion of the proceeds from the
offering of  $215,000,000  of Notes referred to in Note 6. Revenues and expenses
from  Canadian  Abraxas  have  been  included  in  the  consolidated   financial
statements since November 14, 1996.

Grey Wolf Acquisition

         In January 1996, the Company made a $3,000,000  investment in Grey Wolf
Exploration  Ltd. (Grey Wolf), a privately held Canadian  corporation,  which in
turn invested in newly issued shares of Cascade Oil and Gas Ltd.  (Cascade),  an
Alberta,  Canada  corporation  whose  shares  are  traded on the  Alberta  Stock
Exchange.  The Company owns 78% of the  outstanding  capital stock of Grey Wolf,
and,  through Grey Wolf, the Company owns  approximately  52% of the outstanding
capital stock of Cascade.  The  acquisition  was accounted for as a purchase and
the purchase price was allocated to the assets and liabilities based on the fair
values.  Revenues and expenses have been included in the consolidated  financial
statements since January 1996. Certain officers and directors of the Company own
approximately 6% of the common stock of Grey Wolf and serve as directors of Grey
Wolf.

Portilla and Happy Fields Acquisition

         In March 1996, the Company sold all of its interest in its Portilla and
Happy  Fields  to  an  unrelated  purchaser   (Purchaser  or  Limited  Partner).
Simultaneously  with this  sale,  the  Limited  Partner  also  acquired  the 50%
overriding  royalty  interest  in the  Portilla  Field  owned by the  Commingled
Pension Trust Fund  Petroleum II, the trustee of which is Morgan  Guaranty Trust
Company of New York (Pension  Fund). In connection with the purchase of both the
Company's  interest in the  Portilla  and Happy  Fields and the  Pension  Fund's
interest in the Portilla Field  (together,  the Portilla and Happy  Properties),
the Limited  Partner  obtained a loan (Bank Loan) secured by the  Properties and
contributed the Properties to Portilla-1996,  L.P., a Texas limited  partnership
(Partnership).   A  subsidiary  of  the  Company,   Portilla-Happy   Corporation
(Portilla-Happy),  was the general  partner of the  Partnership.  The  aggregate
purchase price received by the Company was $17,600,000,  of which $2,000,000 was
used to purchase a minority interest in the Partnership.


                                      F-13
<PAGE>


         On November 14, 1996,  the Company closed an agreement with the Limited
Partner and certain  noteholders  (Noteholders) of the Partnership,  pursuant to
which the Company obtained the Limited Partner's interest in the Partnership and
the Noteholders' notes in the aggregate  principal amount of $5,920,000 (Notes),
resulting in the Company's  owning,  on a consolidated  basis, all of the equity
interests in the Partnership.  The aggregate  consideration  paid to the Limited
Partner and the Noteholders  was $6,961,000.  The Company also paid off the Bank
Loan which had an outstanding  principal  balance of approximately  $20,051,000,
and assumed a crude oil and natural gas price swap agreement (see Note 16).

         As a  result  of  obtaining  the  Limited  Partner's  interest  in  the
Partnership,  the Company  reacquired  those interests in the Portilla and Happy
Fields which it previously  owned, as well as the interest in the Portilla Field
previously  owned by the Pension  Fund.  The Company has included in its balance
sheet the amount  previously  removed from oil and gas  properties in connection
with the sale of its  interest  in the  Portilla  and Happy  Fields  during  the
quarter ended March 31, 1996,  as well as the amount of the purchase  price paid
for the Pension  Fund's  interest in the  Portilla  Field,  and all  development
drilling  expenditures  incurred  on the  properties,  less the  amount  of DD&A
related to the  properties  from the  formation of the  Partnership  through the
closing  of the  transaction.  The  purchase  was  financed  by a portion of the
proceeds  from the  offering  of the Notes  referred  to in Note 6. The  Company
recorded  its  share  of the net  loss of the  Partnership  from  March  1996 to
November 1996 of $513,000.  The Company also assumed and wrote off the remaining
deferred  financing  fees  and  organization  costs  of the  Partnership.  Gross
revenues and expenses from both the Company's  original interest in the Portilla
and Happy Fields as well as the interest in the Portilla Field  previously owned
by the Pension Fund have been included in the consolidated  financial statements
since November 14, 1996.

East White Point and Stedman Island Fields Acquisition

         In November 1996, the Company  obtained a release of the 50% overriding
royalty interest in the East White Point Field in San Patricia County, Texas and
the Stedman  Island  Field in Nueces  County,  Texas from the  Pension  Fund for
$9,271,000  before  adjustment  for  accrual  of net  revenue  to  closing.  The
acquisition was accounted for as a purchase and the purchase price was allocated
to  crude  oil and  natural  gas  properties  based on the  fair  values  of the
properties  acquired.  The transaction was financed through proceeds of the sale
of the Notes referred to in Note 6. Revenues and expenses from these  properties
have been included in the  consolidated  financial  statements since November 1,
1996. The Company recorded the net purchase price of approximately $9,271,000 to
its oil and gas properties.

Miscellaneous Working Interests

         During 1996, the Company also acquired  additional working interests in
certain  producing crude oil and natural gas properties in which the Company had
existing  working  interest  ownership.  The  net  purchase  price  amounted  to
approximately  $1,221,000.  Revenue  and  expenses  have  been  included  in the
consolidated financial statement from the date of purchase.

Texas Gulf Coast Properties Acquisition

         In October 1995, the Company acquired  additional  working interests in
certain  producing crude oil and natural gas properties in which the Company had
an  existing  working  interest  ownership.  The net  purchase  price to Abraxas
amounted to approximately $635,000.  Revenues and expenses have been included in
the consolidated financial statements since October 1, 1995.


                                      F-14
<PAGE>


West Texas Properties Acquisition

         In July 1994, the Company  acquired from various  parties  interests in
certain  producing  crude oil and natural gas  properties  located in West Texas
(the West Texas  Properties).  The net  purchase  price to Abraxas  amounted  to
approximately $28,242,000 including closing costs of approximately $383,000. The
acquisition was accounted for as a purchase and the purchase price was allocated
to  crude  oil and  natural  gas  properties  based on the  fair  values  of the
properties  acquired.  The  transaction  was financed  principally by additional
borrowings  under the Company's  credit agreement with First Union National Bank
of North  Carolina  (First  Union),  referred to in Note 6. Revenue and expenses
from the West Texas Properties have been included in the consolidated  financial
statements since July 1, 1994.

Overriding Royalty Interest Acquisition

         In June 1994,  the Company  acquired  from its prior  secured  lenders,
Endowment  Energy  Partners,  L.P.  (EEP)  and  Endowment  Energy  Co-Investment
Partnership (EECIP), 80% of the previously granted overriding royalty interests.
The net purchase price of  approximately  $5,174,000  consisted of $600,000 cash
and 45,741 shares of the Company's Series B 8% nonvoting cumulative  convertible
preferred  stock with a par value of $100 per share  (Series B Preferred) at the
time of issuance.  The preferred  shares were recorded at $4,574,100 at the date
of the  acquisition.  In  November  1995,  the  Company  exchanged  the Series B
Preferred  for an equal number of shares of its Series 1995-B  Preferred  Stock,
par value $.01 per share,  with a stated value of $100 per share.  The preferred
shares are convertible  into 508,182 shares of the Company's  common stock.  The
acquisition  was  accounted  for as a  purchase,  and  the  purchase  price  was
allocated  to crude oil and natural gas  properties  based on the fair values of
the  properties  acquired.  The cash  portion of the  transaction  was  financed
principally under the Company's credit agreement with First Union.  Revenues and
expenses  related to these  properties  have been  included in the  consolidated
financial statements since July 1, 1994.

         The condensed pro forma financial information for the periods presented
below  summarize  on an  unaudited  pro forma basis  approximate  results of the
Company's  consolidated  operations for the years ended December 31, 1994,  1995
and 1996 assuming the acquisitions of the Wyoming  Properties,  CGGS, Grey Wolf,
the Portilla and Happy  Properties,  and the East White Point and Stedman Island
Fields  occurred  at  January  1, 1995;  and the  acquisition  of the West Texas
Properties and Overriding  Royalty Interest occurred at January 1, 1994. The pro
forma  information does not necessarily  represent what the actual  consolidated
results  would have been for these  periods and is not intended to be indicative
of future results.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              December 31
                                                   -------------------------------
                                                     1994         1995      1996
                                                   --------    --------  --------- 
                                                  (In thousands except per
                                                         share data)
                                                         (Unaudited)

<S>                                                <C>         <C>        <C>     
Revenues .......................................   $ 13,972    $ 46,132   $ 60,077
                                                   ========    ========   ========

Income (loss) before discontinued operations and
  extraordinary items ..........................   $   (186)   $(16,430)  $ (6,665)
                                                   ========    ========   ========

Net income (loss) ..............................   $ (2,693)   $(16,430)  $ (7,092)
                                                   ========    ========   ========

Income (loss) per common share:
  Before discontinued operations and 
    extraordinary items ........................   $   (.13)   $  (3.54)  $   (.98)
  Net income (loss) ............................   $   (.71)   $  (3.54)  $  (1.04)
</TABLE>

Divestiture

         In July 1995,  the Company  sold its C.S.  Dean Unit for  approximately
$2,550,000.

                                      F-15
<PAGE>


3.  Marketable Securities

         In May 1993, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments
in Debt and Equity Securities" (SFAS 115),  effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1993. At December 31, 1994, the Company's  marketable  equity
securities were classified as  available-for-sale.  As of December 31, 1994, the
Company recognized a decrease of approximately $244,000 in shareholders' equity,
representing the recognition in shareholders' equity of unrealized depreciation,
net of taxes, for the Company's investment in equity securities determined to be
available-for-sale, previously carried at the lower of cost or market.

         The securities  had an original cost of $570,000.  In October 1996, the
Company  sold its  investment  in  marketable  securities,  realizing  a loss of
$235,000, which was recognized in the statement of operations for the year ended
December 31, 1996.

4.  Property and Equipment

         The  major  components  of  property  and  equipment,  at cost,  are as
follows:

                                          Estimated
                                         Useful Life   1995      1996
                                        ------------ --------  ---------
                                           Years          (In thousands)

Land, buildings, and improvements ..         15      $    177   $    269
Crude oil and natural gas properties         --       104,127    268,358
Natural gas processing plants ......         18          --       40,100
Equipment and other ................          7           693      1,316
                                                     --------   --------
                                                     $104,997   $310,043
                                                     ========   ========

5.  Related Party Transactions

         Accounts  receivable  from  affiliates,   officers,   and  shareholders
represent amounts  receivable  relating to joint interest billings on properties
which the Company operates and advances made to officers.

         In connection with a note payable to the Company's President, principal
and  interest  payments  amounted  to $333,000  and  $355,000 in the years ended
December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively. The note was fully paid in 1995.

         Wind River Resources  Corporation  ("Wind  River"),  all of the capital
stock of which is owned by the Company's President, owns a twin-engine airplane.
The airplane is available for business use by employees of the Company from time
to time at $385 per hour.  The  Company  paid Wind River a total of $81,000  and
$101,000 for use of the plane during 1995 and 1996, respectively.

         The  Company's  President  and certain  directors  of the Company  were
founders of Grey Wolf and in April 1995 purchased  900,000 shares of the capital
stock of Grey Wolf (initially representing 39% of the outstanding shares) for an
aggregate of CDN$90,000  (or CDN$0.10 per share) in cash.  In January 1996,  the
Company  purchased   20,325,096  shares  of  the  capital  stock  of  Grey  Wolf
(representing  78% of the  outstanding  shares) for an aggregate  of  $3,000,000
(approximately  CDN$4.1  million or CDN$.20  per share) in cash.  The  Company's
President and certain  directors,  as well as the two principal officers of Grey
Wolf,  currently own 13.8% of the issued and  outstanding  capital stock of Grey
Wolf.  In  addition,  the  Company's  President  owns  options to purchase up to
450,000  shares of Grey Wolf's capital stock at an exercise price of CDN$.10 per
share.


                                      F-16
<PAGE>


         In January  1996,  Grey Wolf  purchased  newly issued shares of Cascade
representing  66 2/3% of  Cascade's  capital  stock.  Certain  of the  Company's
directors  as well as the two  principal  officers  of Grey Wolf own  options to
purchase in the aggregate up to 2,600,000  shares of capital stock of Cascade at
a exercise price of CDN$.20 per share, and the Company's  President owns options
to purchase up to 800,000 shares of Cascade's capital stock at an exercise price
of CDN$.34 per share.
Cascade currently has 61,365,000 shares of capital stock outstanding.

6.  Long-Term Debt

         Long-term debt consists of the following:

                                                                  December 31
                                                                1995      1996
                                                             --------  ---------
                                                                (In thousands)


11.5% Senior Notes due 2004 (see below) ..................   $   --     $215,000
Credit facility due to Bankers Trust Company, ING
  Capital and Union Bank of California (see below) .......       --         --
Revolving lines of credit due under the First Union credit
  agreement (see below) ..................................     35,557       --
Term notes due under the First Union credit agreement
  (see below) ............................................      6,000       --
Other ....................................................         44         32
                                                             --------   --------
                                                               41,601    215,032
Less current maturities ..................................       --         --
                                                             --------   --------
                                                             $ 41,601   $215,032
                                                             ========   ========

         On November 14, 1996,  the Company and Canadian  Abraxas  completed the
sale of $215,000,000  aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due November 1,
2004 (Notes). Interest at 11.5% is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and
November  1 of each  year,  commencing  on May 1,  1997.  The Notes are  general
unsecured obligations of the Company and Canadian Abraxas and rank pari passu in
right of payment to all future  subordinated  indebtedness  of the  Company  and
Canadian Abraxas. The Notes are, however,  effectively  subordinated in right of
payment to all existing  and future  secured  indebtedness  to the extent of the
value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The Company and Canadian Abraxas
are joint and several obligors on the Notes. The Notes are redeemable,  in whole
or in part,  at the  option of the  Company  and  Canadian  Abraxas  on or after
November 1, 2000, at the redemption  price of 105.75%  through October 31, 2001,
102.87% through October 31, 2002 and 100.00%  thereafter plus accrued  interest.
In addition,  any time on or prior to November 1, 1999, the Company and Canadian
Abraxas  may  redeem up to 35% of the  aggregate  principal  amount of the Notes
originally  issued with the cash  proceeds of one or more equity  offerings at a
redemption price of 111.5% of the aggregate  principal amount of the Notes to be
redeemed plus accrued interest,  provided,  however, that after giving effect to
such  redemption,  at least  $139,750,000  aggregate  principal  amount of Notes
remains outstanding. The Notes were issued under the terms of an Indenture dated
November 14, 1996 that contains, among others, certain covenants which generally
limit the ability of the  Company to incur  additional  indebtedness  other than
specific  indebtedness  permitted  under the  Indenture,  including  the  Credit
Facility  discussed  below,   provided  however,  if  no  event  of  default  is
continuing,  the Company may incur indebtedness if after giving pro forma effect
to the incurrence of such debt both the Company's  consolidated  earnings before
interest,  taxes,  depletion and amortization  (EBITDA)  coverage ratio would be
greater than 2.25 to 1.0 if prior to November 1, 1997, and at least equal to 2.5
to 1.0 thereafter and the Company's adjusted consolidated net tangible assets as
defined are greater than 150% of the aggregate consolidated  indebtedness of the
Company.  The Indenture  also contains other  covenants  affecting the Company's
ability to pay dividends on its common stock, sell assets and incur liens.

                                      F-17
<PAGE>


         On September 30, 1996, the Company  entered into a credit facility with
Bankers Trust Company (BTCo) and ING Capital (together the Lenders), providing a
bridge  facility in the total amount of  $90,000,000  and  borrowed  $85,000,000
which was used to repay all amounts due under the First Union  credit  agreement
and to finance the purchase of the Wyoming Properties.

         On November 14, 1996, the Company repaid all amounts  outstanding under
the bridge  facility with proceeds  from the offering of  $215,000,000  of Notes
described  above and  entered  into an amended  and  restated  credit  agreement
(Credit  Facility)  with the  Lenders and Union Bank of  California.  The Credit
Facility provides for a revolving line of credit with an initial availability of
$20,000,000,  subject to a borrowing base condition. No amounts were outstanding
on December 31, 1996.

         Commitments   available  under  the  Credit  Facility  are  subject  to
borrowing base redeterminations to be performed semi-annually and, at the option
of each of the Company and the Lenders,  one additional  time per year.  Amounts
due under the  Credit  Facility  will be secured  by the  Company's  oil and gas
properties  and  plants.  Any  outstanding  principal  balance  in excess of the
borrowing  base will be due and payable in three equal monthly  payments after a
borrowing  base  redetermination.  The borrowing  base will be determined in the
agent's sole  discretion,  subject to the approval of the Lenders,  based on the
value of the  Company's  reserves  as set  forth in the  reserve  report  of the
Company's  independent  petroleum  engineers,  with consideration given to other
assets and liabilities.

         The Credit  Facility has an initial  revolving  term of two years and a
reducing period of three years from the end of the initial two-year period.  The
commitment under the Credit Facility will be reduced during such reducing period
by eleven equal quarterly  reductions.  Quarterly reductions will equal 8.2% per
quarter with the remainder due at the end of the three-year reducing period.

         The applicable  interest rate charged on the outstanding balance of the
Credit  Facility is based on a facility usage grid. If the borrowings  under the
Credit Facility represent an amount less than or equal to 33.3% of the available
borrowing  base,  then the applicable  interest rate charged on the  outstanding
balance  will be either (a) an adjusted  rate of the London  Inter-Bank  Offered
Rate  ("LIBOR") plus 1.25% or (b) the prime rate of the agent (which is based on
the agent's published prime rate) plus 0.50%. If the borrowings under the Credit
Facility  represent an amount greater than or equal to 33.3% but less than 66.7%
of the  available  borrowing  base,  then the  applicable  interest  rate on the
outstanding  principal will be either (a) LIBOR plus 1.75% or (b) the prime rate
of the agent plus 0.50%. If the borrowings  under the Credit Facility  represent
an amount greater than or equal to 66.7% of the available  borrowing  base, then
the  applicable  interest rate on the  outstanding  principal will be either (a)
LIBOR plus 2.00% or (b) the prime rate of the agent plus 0.50%.  LIBOR elections
can be made for periods of one, three or six months.

         The Credit Facility  contains a number of covenants  that,  among other
things, restrict 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.  The
Company is obligated to pay the Lenders on a quarterly basis a commitment fee of
0.50% per annum on the average  unused  portion of the commitment in effect from
time to  time.  The  Credit  Facility  contains  customary  events  of  default,
including  nonpayment  of principal,  interest or fees,  violation of covenants,
inaccuracy  of  representations  or warranties  in any material  respect,  cross
default  and cross  acceleration  to  certain  other  indebtedness,  bankruptcy,
material judgments and liabilities and change of control.


                                      F-18
<PAGE>


         As part of the bridge  facility,  the Company  entered into an interest
rate swap  agreement  (the Swap)  covering the period from September 18, 1996 to
August 18, 1998. The Swap  effectively  changes the interest rate on $25,000,000
of floating  rate debt to a fixed rate of 6.15% per annum for that time  period.
Net payments due under this  agreement are included as  adjustments  to interest
expense.  At December 31, 1996,  the fair value of this Swap,  as  determined by
BTCo was  approximately  $200,000 and has been  recorded as interest  expense at
December  31,  1996.  The  Company  is  exposed  to credit  loss in the event of
nonperformance by the counterparty. The amount of such exposure is generally the
unrealized gains in such agreement.

         In June 1994,  the Company  entered into a credit  agreement with First
Union and secured  advances  adequate to  extinguish  the total debt and accrued
interest owed to the Company's previous lenders.  The prepayment resulted in the
Company  recording an extraordinary  debt  extinguishment  charge of $1,172,000,
representing  the reduction of the deferred  financing fees related to the prior
debt. At December 31, 1995, the Company's  borrowings under the credit agreement
were  $41,557,000.  The borrowings  were composed of advances of $12,657,000 and
$22,900,000  under the  revolving  lines of credit which were due June 30, 1997,
and  $6,000,000  under the term  notes  which were also due June 30,  1997.  The
interest rate for the revolving  credit lines was, at the option of the Company,
either (a) the higher of First Union  prime plus 1/4% or the federal  funds rate
plus 3/4%,  floating,  payable monthly, or (b) LIBOR plus 2 1/4% (30-, 60-, 90-,
and  180-day  options),  with  interest  payable the earlier of maturity of each
LIBOR  tranche or  quarterly.  The interest rate for the term notes were, at the
option of the  Company,  either (a) the higher of First Union prime plus 3/4% or
the federal funds rate plus 1 1/4%, floating, payable monthly, or (b) LIBOR plus
3 1/4% (30-, 60-, 90-, and 180-day  options),  with interest payable the earlier
of maturity  of each LIBOR  tranche or  quarterly.  At December  31,  1995,  the
$12,657,000 revolver carried interest at 8.19%, the $22,900,000 revolver carried
interest  at 8.06%,  and the term notes at 8.16%.  The  revolvers  provided  for
borrowing  based  principally on the Company's crude oil and natural gas reserve
base,  which was  $44,000,000  at  December  31, 1995 and such  borrowings  were
secured  by a  first-priority  mortgage  on all of the  Company's  crude oil and
natural  gas  properties  and gas  plants,  as well as a  security  interest  in
accounts receivable,  inventory,  contracts,  and general  intangibles,  and are
guaranteed by the Company.  As discussed  above,  in September 1996, the Company
entered into a new credit facility and  extinguished  the total debt and accrued
interest owed to First Union. The prepayment  resulted in the Company  recording
an  extraordinary  debt  extinguishment  charge  of  $427,000  representing  the
reduction of the deferred financing fees related to the debt.

         The  Company's  principal  source  of funds to meet  debt  service  and
capital requirements is net cash flow provided by operating activities, which is
sensitive to the prices the Company  receives for its crude oil and natural gas.
The Company has recently entered into hedge agreements to reduce its exposure to
price risk in the spot market for natural gas. However, a substantial portion of
the Company's  production will remain subject to such price risk.  Additionally,
significant capital expenditures are required for drilling and development,  and
other equipment additions.  The Company believes that cash provided by operating
activities and other financing  sources,  including,  if necessary,  the sale of
certain assets and additional  long-term debt, will provide  adequate  liquidity
for the Company's operations, including its capital expenditure program, for the
next twelve months. No assurance,  however, can be given that the Company's cash
flow from  operating  activities  will be  sufficient  to meet  planned  capital
expenditures  and debt  service in the  future.  Should the Company be unable to
generate sufficient cash flow from operating  activities to meet its obligations
and make planned  capital  expenditures,  the Company  could be forced to reduce
such expenditures or sell assets in order to meet its obligations.

         During 1996, the Company capitalized $465,000 of interest expense.

         The fair value of the Notes  approximates  their  carrying  value as of
December 31, 1996. The Company has  approximately  $60,000 of standby letters of
credit and a $30,000  performance bond open at December 31, 1996.  Approximately
$90,000 of cash is restricted and in escrow related to the letters of credit and
bond.


                                      F-19
<PAGE>


7.  Shareholders' Equity

Common Stock

         Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share and are
not entitled to preemptive  rights to subscribe to  additional  shares of common
stock issued by the Company. Holders are entitled to receive dividends as may be
declared  by the  Board of  Directors,  subject  to the  rights  of  holders  of
preferred stock and the terms of the Company's credit agreement,  which restrict
the payment of dividends.

         In 1994, the Board of Directors adopted a Shareholders' Rights Plan and
declared a dividend of one Common Stock  Purchase  Right (Rights) for each share
of common stock. The Rights are not initially exercisable.  Subject to the Board
of Directors'  option to extend the period,  the Rights will become  exercisable
and will  detach  from the  common  stock ten days after any person has become a
beneficial owner of 20% or more of the common stock of the Company or has made a
tender offer or exchange offer (other than certain qualifying offers) for 20% or
more of the common stock of the Company.

         Once the Rights  become  exercisable,  each Right  entitles the holder,
other than the  acquiring  person,  to purchase for $20 one-half of one share of
common stock of the Company having a value of four times the purchase price. The
Company  may  redeem  the  Rights  at any time for  $.01  per  Right  prior to a
specified  period of time after a tender or  exchange  offer.  The  Rights  will
expire in November 2004, unless earlier exchanged or redeemed.

         In November 1995, the Company issued 1,330,000  units,  each consisting
of one share of common stock and one  Contingent  Value Right  (CVR),  through a
private placement, resulting in net proceeds of $10,063,000. Each CVR allows the
holder the right to acquire  additional  shares of common  stock  under  certain
circumstances.  See further discussion of CVRs below. Loss per share, calculated
on a supplemental  basis as if the foregoing event had occurred at the beginning
of 1995,  would have been  $(.19)  for the year ended  December  31,  1995.  The
supplemental  earnings per share assumes that  interest  expense would have been
reduced by $456,000 from the prepayment of $5,300,000 of long-term debt from the
proceeds of the issuance of the units for the year ended December 31, 1995.

Preferred Stock

         In June 1994,  in  connection  with the  Company's  acquisition  of the
overriding  royalty interest from EEP and EECIP,  45,741 shares of the Company's
Series B 8%, nonvoting cumulative  convertible  preferred stock with a par value
of $100 were issued. The preferred shares are convertible into 508,182 shares of
the  Company's  common stock.  Preferred  stock  dividends  during 1995 and 1996
amounted  to  $366,000.  During  1995,  the Company  exchanged  the Series B 8%,
nonvoting cumulative  convertible  preferred stock for an equal number of shares
of Series 1995-B cumulative  convertible  preferred stock which have a par value
of $.01 per share and a stated  value of $100 per share.  The Board of Directors
of the Company is  authorized  to approve the issuance of one or more classes or
series  of  preferred  stock  without  further  authorization  of the  Company's
shareholders.

Contingent Value Rights (CVR)

         The CVRs were issued under the CVR Agreement  between the Company,  the
purchasers,  and First Union, as rights agents. The CVR Agreement provides that,
subject to adjustment as described  below,  the Company shall issue for each CVR
on the Extended  Maturity Date (November 17, 1997), a number of shares of common
stock,  if any,  equal to (a) the Target Price ($12.50 on the Extended  Maturity
Date) minus the current  market value  divided by (b) the current  market value,
provided,  however,  that in no event shall more than 1.5 shares of common stock
be  issued  in  exchange  for  each  CVR at the  Extended  Maturity  Date.  Such
determination  by the Company  shall be final and binding on the Company and the
holders of CVRs.

  
                                      F-20
<PAGE>


         If the median of the average  prices of the common  stock for the three
20-trading day periods immediately  preceding the Extended Maturity Date, equals
or exceeds  $12.50 on the Extended  Maturity Date, no shares of the common stock
will be issuable with respect to the CVRs. In addition,  the CVRs will terminate
if the per share  market value equals or exceeds the Target Price for any period
of 30  consecutive  trading  days during the period from and after  November 17,
1996 to and including November 17, 1997.

         In the event that the Company  determines  that no shares of the common
stock are  issuable  with  respect to the CVRs to such  holders,  the CVRs shall
terminate and become null and void and the holders shall have no further  rights
with  respect  thereto.  If the  Maturity  Date of the CVR  Agreement  had  been
December 31, 1996,  an aggregate of 1,013,060  shares of common stock would have
been issued to the holders of the CVRs.

         Should any  additional  shares of common stock be required to be issued
under the terms of the CVR Agreement,  such issuance will be considered to be an
adjustment to the original sales price per share received in connection with the
sale of the associated common shares; accordingly, the Company will increase its
common stock account for the par value related to the  additional  shares at the
time such shares are issued with a corresponding  decrease in additional paid-in
capital account.

Treasury Stock

         During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company  purchased  74,640
shares of its  common  stock at a cost of  $405,000,  which  are  being  held as
treasury stock.

8.  Stock Option Plans and Warrants

Stock Options

         The  Company  grants  options  to  its  officers,  directors,  and  key
employees under its 1984 Incentive Stock Option Plan, Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan, Key Contributor Stock Option Plan,  Long-Term Incentive Plan, and Director
Stock Option Plan.

         The Company has elected to follow  Accounting  Principles Board Opinion
No.  25,  "Accounting  for  Stock  Issued  to  Employees"  (APB 25) and  related
Interpretations  in  accounting  for its  employee  stock  options  because,  as
discussed below,  the alternative fair value accounting  provided for under FASB
Statement No. 123,  "Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation,"  requires use of
option  valuation  models that were not  developed  for use in valuing  employee
stock  options.  Under  APB 25,  because  the  exercise  price of the  Company's
employee stock options  equals the market price of the  underlying  stock on the
date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized.

         The Company's  various stock option plans have  authorized the grant of
options to management and directors  personnel for up to  approximately  795,000
shares of the Company's  common stock.  All options  granted have ten year terms
and vest and become fully  exercisable  over four years of continued  service at
25% on each anniversary date.

         Pro forma  information  regarding  net income and earnings per share is
required  by  Statement  123,  which  also  requires  that  the  information  be
determined  as if the Company  has  accounted  for its  employee  stock  options
granted  subsequent  to December  31,  1994 under the fair value  method of that
Statement.  The fair value for these  options was estimated at the date of grant
using a Black-Scholes  option pricing model with the following  weighted-average
assumptions for 1995 and 1996,  respectively:  risk-free interest rates of 6.25%
and 6.25%;  dividend yields of -0-% and -0-%; volatility factors of the expected
market  price  of  the  Company's   common  stock  of  .383  and  .383;   and  a
weighted-average expected life of the option of six years.


                                      F-21
<PAGE>


         The  Black-Scholes  option  valuation  model was  developed  for use in
estimating the fair value of traded  options which have no vesting  restrictions
and are fully  transferable.  In addition,  option  valuation models require the
input of highly  subjective  assumptions  including  the  expected  stock  price
volatility.  Because the Company's  employee stock options have  characteristics
significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the
subjective input assumptions can materially  affect the fair value estimate,  in
management's  opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable
single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

         For purposes of pro forma disclosures,  the estimated fair value of the
options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period.  The Company's
pro forma  information  follows  (in  thousands  except for  earnings  per share
information):

                                                        1995           1996
                                                   ------------    -----------
                                                          (In thousands)

Pro forma net income (loss) ..................     $    (1,652)    $   884
Pro forma earnings per share:
  Primary ....................................     $      (.36)    $   .13

         Because Statement 123 is applicable only to options granted  subsequent
to December 31, 1994,  its pro forma  effect will not be fully  reflected  until
1997.

         A  summary  of  the  Company's  stock  option  activity,   and  related
information for the years ended December 31 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       1994                           1995                           1996
                           -----------------------------  -----------------------------  -----------------------------
                                      Weighted-Average               Weighted-Average               Weighted-Average
                            Options    Exercise Price      Options    Exercise Price     Options    Exercise Price(1)
                            (000s)                         (000s)                         (000s)
                           ---------- ------------------  ---------- ------------------  ---------  ------------------



<S>                            <C>           <C>               <C>          <C>               <C>         <C>     
Outstanding-beginning of
  year ....................    133           $   6.62          103          $  7.93           219         $  6.71 (1)
Granted ...................     27              10.45          158             9.50           358            6.58
Exercised .................    (38)              4.64            -                 -           (2)           6.75
Forfeited .................    (19)              8.91          (42)            9.86           (24)           9.21
                           ----------                     ----------                     ---------

Outstanding-end of year ...    103           $   7.93          219          $  8.69           551         $  6.63
                           ==========                     ==========                     =========

Exercisable at end of year      28           $   7.43           53          $  8.06            93         $  6.65
                           ==========                     ==========                     =========

Weighted-average fair
   value of options
   granted during the year                                                  $  2.85                       $  3.46
</TABLE>

         Exercise prices for options  outstanding as of December 31, 1996 ranged
from $5.00 to $7.50. The  weighted-average  remaining  contractual life of those
options is 8.6 years.

         (1) In March 1996, the Company  amended the exercise price to $6.75 per
share on all previously issued options with an exercise price greater than $6.75
per share.


                                      F-22
<PAGE>


Stock Awards

         In addition to stock options granted under the plans  described  above,
the Long-Term Incentive Plan also provides for the right to receive compensation
in cash, awards of common stock, or a combination thereof. In 1995 and 1996, the
Company made direct  awards of common  stock of 4,800  shares and 1,000  shares,
respectively.

         The Company also has adopted the  Restricted  Share Plan for  Directors
which  provides  for  awards of common  stock to  nonemployee  directors  of the
Company who did not, within the year immediately  preceding the determination of
the  director's  eligibility,  receive  any award  under  any other  plan of the
Company.  In 1995 and 1996,  the Company  made direct  awards of common stock of
3,072 shares and 4,050 shares, respectively.

         During 1996, the Company's  shareholders approved the Abraxas Petroleum
Corporation  Director  Stock Option Plan (Plan),  which  authorizes the grant of
nonstatutory  options to acquire an aggregate of 104,000  common shares to those
persons who are directors and not officers of the Company.  Under the Plan, each
of the seven  eligible  directors was granted an option to purchase 8,000 common
shares at $6.75. These options are included in the above table.

Stock Warrants

         In connection with the EEP and EECIP financing  agreements entered into
in 1992 and 1993, the Company  granted stock warrants  covering 90,000 shares at
$5.25 per share and  135,000  shares at $7.00 per share.  During  1994,  211,500
warrants were  exercised to purchase  common stock for  $1,323,000.  In 1995 and
1996, no warrants were exercised by EEP or EECIP.

         In connection  with an amendment and increase in the facility under the
credit  agreement with First Union and the extension of the due date on the term
note, the Company granted stock warrants to First Union covering  424,000 shares
of its  common  stock at an average  price of $9.79 a share.  The  warrants  are
exercisable  in whole or in part through  December 1999 and are  nontransferable
without the consent of the Company.

         At December 31, 1996, the Company has  approximately  6,600,000  shares
reserved for future  issuance for  conversion  of its stock  options,  warrants,
Rights,  preferred stock, CVRs, and incentive plans for the Company's  directors
and employees.


                                      F-23
<PAGE>


9.  Income Taxes

         Deferred  income  taxes  reflect  the  net  tax  effects  of  temporary
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial
reporting  purposes  and the amounts used for income tax  purposes.  Significant
components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows:

                                                   December 31
                                             ---------------------
                                                1995        1996
                                             ----------   --------
                                                 (In thousands)
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Full cost pool, including intangible
    drilling costs ........................   $    661    $ 34,298
  State taxes .............................        187         187
  Other ...................................        101          61
                                              --------    --------
Total deferred tax liabilities ............        949      34,546
Deferred tax assets:
  Depletion ...............................        242         431
  Net operating losses ....................      6,163       6,831
  Other ...................................         13          12
                                              --------    --------
Total deferred tax assets .................      6,418       7,274
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets     (5,656)     (5,656)
                                              --------    --------
Net deferred tax assets ...................        762       1,618
                                              --------    --------
Net deferred tax liabilities ..............   $    187    $ 32,928
                                              ========    ========

Significant  components  of  the  provision  for  income  taxes  are as
follows:
                                               Current     Deferred
                                              ---------   ---------

  Federal .................................   $    -      $    -
  State ...................................        -           -
  Foreign .................................        176         -
                                               -------     -------- 
                                              $    176    $    -
                                               =======     ========


         At December  31,  1996,  the Company  had,  subject to the  limitations
discussed below,  $20,094,000 of net operating loss  carryforwards  for U.S. tax
purposes,  of which it is  estimated  a maximum of  $17,562,000  may be utilized
before it expires.  These loss  carryforwards will expire from 2002 through 2010
if not utilized. At December 31, 1996, the Company had approximately $830,000 of
net operating loss carryforwards for Canadian tax purposes which expire in 2003.


         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 the U.S.
net  operating  loss  carryforwards  generated  prior to  December  31,  1991 of
$4,909,000 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 carryforwards of $1,121,000
acquired in the acquisition are limited to approximately $115,000 per year.


                                      F-24
<PAGE>


         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 carryforwards generated through October 1993(including
those  subject  to the 1991 and  1992  ownership  changes  discussed  above)  of
$8,224,000 will be limited to approximately $1,034,000 per year, subject to the
lower  limitations  described  above.  Of the  $8,224,000  net  operating  loss
carryforwards  existing at October 1993, it is anticipated  that the maximum net
operating  loss that may be  utilized  before it expires is  $5,692,000.  Future
changes in ownership may further limit the use of the Company's carryforwards.

         In addition to the Section 382 limitations,  uncertainties  exist as to
the future  utilization of the operating loss  carryforwards  under the criteria
set forth under FASB Statement No. 109. Therefore, the Company has established a
valuation  allowance of  $5,656,000  and  $5,657,000  for deferred tax assets at
December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

         The reconciliation of income tax attributable to continuing  operations
computed at the U.S. federal statutory tax rates to income tax expense is:

                                                     December 31
                                          ---------------------------------
                                              1994       1995        1996
                                            -------    --------    --------
                                                    (In thousands)

     Tax (expense) benefit at U.S.
       statutory rates (34%) ..........      $   (38)   $   411     $  (743)
     (Increase) decrease in deferred
       tax asset valuation allowance ..           31       (174)         (1)
     Higher effective rate of foreign
       operations .....................            -          -         (49)
     Percentage depletion .............            -          -         189
     Other ............................            7       (237)        428
                                             -------    --------    --------
                                             $     -    $     -     $  (176)
                                             =======    ========    ========
10.  Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

         During 1995,  the Company  entered into a  noncancelable  lease for new
primary  office  space which,  as amended,  provides for payments of $15,700 per
month through  January 1998,  $13,700 per month through March 2000,  and $19,000
per month through March 2006, at which time the lease expires.

         During the years ended  December 31, 1994,  1995, and 1996, the Company
incurred  rent  expense  of  approximately  $108,000,  $103,000,  and  $179,000,
respectively.  Future  minimum  rental  payments  are as follows at December 31,
1996:

     1997 .....................................    $  300,000
     1998 .....................................       300,000
     1999 .....................................       300,000
     2000 .....................................       300,000
     2001 .....................................       340,000
     Thereafter ...............................       970,000

         Aggregate  future minimum  rentals to be received  under  noncancelable
subleases as of December 31, 1996 amount to approximately $57,000.


                                      F-25
<PAGE>


Contingencies

         From time to time,  the Company is involved in  litigation  relating to
claims  arising  out of its  operations  in the normal  course of  business.  At
December 31, 1996, the Company was not engaged in any legal proceedings that are
expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on
the Company's financial statements.

11.  Discontinued Operations

         In January 1995,  the Company  entered into a plan to  discontinue  the
operations of its coal  properties  and  commenced the permanent  closing of the
mine. As of December 31, 1994,  the Company wrote off its investment in its coal
properties and related  equipment,  eliminated the related minority  interest in
the coal entities, and established a liability of $150,000 pursuant to a plan to
discontinue   operations   for  future  costs   related  to  closing  the  mine.
Additionally,  during 1994 the  Company  sold its  interest in Castle  Minerals,
Inc., which was acquired in 1992 to finance the coal  operations,  for $371,000,
net of  expenses  related  to the sale.  The  Company  recorded  a loss on these
transactions  in 1994 of $988,000.  The  revenues  from coal sales for the years
ended 1994 and 1995 were $104,310 and $-0-, respectively.

12.  Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

         Selected  results of operations for each of the fiscal  quarters during
the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            1st              2nd               3rd               4th
                                          Quarter          Quarter           Quarter           Quarter
                                      ---------------- ----------------- ----------------  ----------------
                                                     (In thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                      <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>       
Year Ended December 31, 1995
   Net revenue ....................      $    3,237       $   3,402        $    3,289        $    3,889
   Operating income ...............             763             931               647               542
   Net (loss) .....................            (225)            (83)             (375)             (525)
   Loss per common share ..........           (.07)            (.04)             (.10)             (.13)
Year Ended December 31, 1996
   Net revenue ....................           4,477           3,305             3,616            15,255
   Operating income ...............           1,486             365               744             6,231
   Income (loss) before
     extraordinary item ...........             599            (240)             (236)            1,817
   Net income (loss) ..............             599            (240)             (605)            1,759
   Earnings (loss) per common
     share before extraordinary
     item .........................            .08             (.06)             (.06)              .25
   Earnings (loss) per common and
     common equivalent share ......            .08             (.06)             (.12)              .24
</TABLE>

         During  the fourth  quarter  of 1996,  the  Company  completed  several
acquisitions  as described in Note 2 which  effected net revenues,  gross profit
and net income.

         Certain previously reported financial information has been reclassified
to conform with the current presentation.


                                      F-26
<PAGE>


13.  Benefit Plans

         The Company  has a defined  contribution  plan  (401(k))  covering  all
eligible  employees of the Company.  No  contributions  were made by the Company
during 1994 or 1995.  During 1996, the Company  contributed  2,500 shares of its
common stock to the Plan and recorded the fair value of $12,500 as  compensation
expense. The employee contribution  limitations are determined by formulas which
limit the upper  one-third of the plan members  from  contributing  amounts that
would cause the plan to be top-heavy. The overall contribution is limited to the
lesser of 20% of the employee's annual compensation or $9,240.

         In January 1995, the Company created the Technical  Employees Incentive
Bonus Plan,  whereby  technical  employees have an incentive to find and develop
crude oil and  natural  gas  reserves on an  economic  basis  beneficial  to the
Company  and  its  shareholders.   Participants  are  any  technical   employees
(geologist, geophysicist, engineer) not covered by another incentive bonus plan.
A participant may earn a monetary bonus of up to 65% of the  participant's  base
salary each year.  The bonuses are  determined in the first quarter of each year
and are based upon the amount of new proved developed  producing reserves booked
each  year  on  approved  exploration  and  exploitation  projects  taking  into
consideration  the cost per  equivalent  barrel of developing  the new reserves.
During 1995 and 1996, the Company incurred no bonus expense.

14.  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 for the entire balance of the Notes  ($215,000,000),  of which
$84,612,000 was utilized by Canadian  Abraxas in connection with the acquisition
of CGGS. The Company has not presented seperate  financial  statements and other
disclosures  concerning  Canadian Abraxas because management has determined that
such information is not material to the holders of the Notes.

              Assets                     Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity
- -------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------
                            (In thousands)

Total current assets ....  $   6,174   Total current liabilities ... $    3,624
Oil and gas properties ..    115,671   11.5% Senior Notes due 2004 .     84,612
Other assets ............      3,302   Other liabilities ...........     34,797
                          -----------
                           $ 125,147   Shareholder's equity ........      2,114
                          ===========
                                                                      ----------
                                                                     $  125,147
                                                                      ==========

Revenues ................................................            $    3,972
Operating costs and expenses ............................                (2,292)
Interest expense ........................................                (1,331)
Other income (expense) ..................................                    23
Income tax ..............................................                  (175)
                                                                     -----------
   Net income ...........................................           $       197
                                                                     ===========


                                      F-27
<PAGE>


15.  Business Segments

         The Company conducts its operations through two industry segments,  the
exploration for and the acquisition, development and production of crude oil and
natural  gas (E&P) and the  processing  of  natural  gas  (Processing).  The E&P
segment  acquires and explores  for,  develops,  produces and markets crude oil,
condensate natural gas liquids and natural gas. The Processing segment processes
natural gas owned by third parties. The Company's significant E&P operations are
located in the Texas Gulf Coast,  the Permian Basin of west Texas,  southwestern
Wyoming  and  western  Canada.  The  Processing  segment  engages in natural gas
gathering and processing  operations.  Natural gas gathering  operations involve
locating and  contracting  for natural gas supplies  produced from crude oil and
natural gas fields and the operation and  maintenance  of a gathering  system of
pipelines that connect such natural gas supply sources to natural gas processing
plants. Natural gas processing involves the custom processing of natural gas for
third parties.  Segment income excludes  interest  income,  interest expense and
unallocated  general corporate  expenses.  Identifiable  assets are those assets
used in the operations of the segment.  Corporate  assets  consist  primarily of
deferred financing fees and other property and equipment. The Company's revenues
are  derived  primarily  from the sale of crude  oil,  condensate,  natural  gas
liquids and natural gas to marketers and refiners and from  processing fees from
the custom  processing  of natural gas. As a general  policy,  collateral is not
required for  receivables;  however,  the credit of the  Company's  customers is
regularly  assessed.  The  Company is not aware of any  significant  credit risk
relating to its  customers  and has not  experienced  significant  credit losses
associated with such receivables.

         In 1996 seven  customers  accounted  for  approximately  66% of oil and
natural gas production  revenues and three customers accounted for approximately
54% of gas  processing  revenues.  In 1995 and 1994 one customer  accounted  for
approximately  20%  and  35%  of  oil  and  natural  gas  production   revenues,
respectively.

         Business  segment  information  about the Company's 1996  operations in
different industries is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             E&P           Processing           Total
                                                       ----------------- ----------------  ----------------
                                                                         (In thousands)

<S>                                                       <C>               <C>              <C>         
Revenues .....................................            $    26,053       $       600      $     26,653
                                                       ================= ================  ================

Operating profit .............................            $     8,737       $        19      $      8,756
                                                       ================= ================
General corporate expenses ...................                                                       (119)
Interest expense and amortization of deferred
   financing fees ............................                                                     (6,521)
                                                                                           ----------------
   Income from continuing operations before
     income taxes ............................                                               $      2,116
                                                                                           ================

Identifiable assets ..........................            $   253,707       $    40,700      $    294,407
                                                       ================= ================
Corporate assets .............................                                                     10,435
                                                                                           ----------------
   Total assets ..............................                                               $    304,842
                                                                                           ================
</TABLE>

         Depreciation  and depletion for E&P and  Processing  was  approximately
$9,143,000  and  $291,000,  respectively.   Capital  expenditures  for  E&P  and
Processing were $145,600,000 and $27,300,000, respectively.

         During 1994 and 1995 the Company's  operations were entirely in the E&P
segment.


                                      F-28
<PAGE>


         Business  segment  information  about the Company's 1996  operations in
different geographic areas is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       U.S.               Canada              Total
                                                 ------------------  ------------------ -------------------
                                                 (In thousands)

<S>                                                 <C>                 <C>               <C>           
Revenues ...................................        $      21,999       $       4,654     $       26,653

Operating profit ...........................        $       7,062       $       1,694     $        8,756
                                                 ==================  ==================
General corporate expenses .................                                                        (119)
Interest expense and amortization of
   deferred financing fees .................                                                      (6,521)
                                                                                        ===================
   Income from continuing operations before
     income taxes ..........................                                              $        2,116
                                                                                        ===================

Identifiable assets at December 31, 1996 ...        $     168,141       $     126,266     $      294,407
                                                 ==================  ==================
Corporate assets ...........................                                                      10,435
                                                                                        -------------------
   Total assets ............................                                              $      304,842
                                                                                        ===================
</TABLE>

         During  1994 and 1995 the  Company's  operations  were  entirely in the
United States.

16.  Commodity Swap Agreements

         The Company enters into commodity swap agreements (Hedge Agreements) to
reduce its  exposure  to price risk in the spot market for crude oil and natural
gas.  Pursuant to the Hedge  Agreements,  either the Company or the counterparty
thereto  is  required  to make  payment  to the other at the end of each  month.
During the period from March 1996 through November 1996, payments were exchanged
equal to the product of 5,000 MMBtu  (million  Btu's) of natural gas per day and
the difference  between a specified fixed price and a variable price for natural
gas based on the arithmetic  average of the last three trading days'  settlement
price  quoted for  natural gas  contracts  on the New York  Mercantile  Exchange
(NYMEX).  This Hedge Agreement  provided for the Company to make payments to the
counterparty  to the extent  that the market  price  exceeds  the fixed price of
$1.747 per MMBtu (thousand  Btu's) and for the  counterparty to make payments to
the  Company to the extent the market  price was less than  $1.747 per MMBtu.  A
loss of $511,000 was incurred during the period of hedged production.

         In  November  1996,  the Company  assumed  Hedge  Agreements  extending
through  October  2001 with a  counterparty  involving  the  following  notional
quantities and fixed prices:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                           Crude Oil                              Natural Gas
                             --------------------------------------  --------------------------------------
                             Notional Quantity                       Notional Quantity
                                 per Month             Fixed         per Month (MMBtu)         Fixed
                                 (barrels)             Price                                   Price
                                                     (barrel)                                 (MMBtu)
                             ------------------- ------------------  ------------------  ------------------

     <S>                            <C>               <C>                   <C>               <C>      
     1996                           20,060            $  17.53              87,406            $   1.925
     1997                           15,810            $  17.20              53,712            $   1.797
     1998                           13,175            $  17.20              36,601            $   1.793
     1999                           11,050            $  17.47              24,489            $   1.820
     2000                            9,180            $  17.78              18,794            $   1.872
     2001                            8,160            $  18.08              14,850            $   1.902

</TABLE>

                                      F-29
<PAGE>


         These Hedge Agreements  provide for the Company to make payments to the
counterparty to the extent the market prices  determined  based on the price for
west Texas intermediate light sweet crude oil on the NYMEX for crude oil and the
Inside FERC,  Tennessee Gas Pipeline  Co.;  Texas (Zone O) price for natural gas
exceeds the above fixed prices and for the  counterparty to make payments to the
Company to the extent the market  prices are less than the above  fixed  prices.
The  Company  accounts  for the  related  gains or losses (a loss of $453,000 in
1996)  in  crude  oil and  natural  gas  revenue  in the  period  of the  hedged
production. The average notional quantity of crude oil and natural gas under the
Hedge  Agreements  each  month for 1997 is equal to  approximately  19% and .5%,
respectively, of the Company's expected monthly production for 1997 based on the
Company's  January 1, 1997 reserve reports.  At December 31, 1996, the estimated
fair market value of the Hedge Agreements is a loss of $2,460,000.

         In January 1997, the Company effectively  collared its crude oil prices
between $19.00 and $25.60 per barrel on 1,000 barrels per day from February 1997
through December 1997.

17.  Subsequent Event

         On January 31, 1997 the Company  sold its interest in its crude oil and
natural gas property,  plant, and equipment in the Hoole area in Alberta, Canada
for approximately $9,300,000.

18.  Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited)

         The accompanying  table presents  information  concerning the Company's
crude  oil and  natural  gas  producing  activities  as  required  by  Financial
Accounting  Standards 69, "Disclosures about Oil and Gas Producing  Activities."
Capitalized costs relating to oil and gas producing activities are as follows:

                                                    December 31
                                              ----------------------
                                                 1995        1996
                                              ---------    ---------
                                                   (In thousands)

Proved crude oil and natural gas properties   $ 104,127    $ 231,090
Unproved properties .......................        --         37,268
                                              ---------    ---------
  Total ...................................     104,127      268,358
Accumulated depreciation, depletion, and
  amortization, and valuation allowances ..     (29,651)     (38,368)
                                              ---------    ---------
    Net capitalized costs .................   $  74,476    $ 229,990
                                              =========    =========


                                      F-30
<PAGE>


         Costs incurred in oil and gas property  acquisitions,  exploration  and
development activities are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                Years Ended December 31

                                          1994                            1995                             1996
                              ------------------------------   ------------------------------   ------------------------------
                               Total       U.S.      Canada     Total       U.S.      Canada      Total      U.S.     Canada
                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   -------- 
                                                                (In thousands)


<S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>     
Property acquisition costs:
  Proved ..................   $ 33,597   $ 33,597   $   --     $    719   $    719   $   --     $ 87,005   $ 37,609   $ 49,396
  Unproved ................          5          5       --         --         --         --       37,268      8,230     29,038
                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------

                              $ 33,602   $ 33,602   $   --     $    719   $    719   $   --     $124,273   $ 45,839   $ 78,434
                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========   ========   ========   ========   ========

Property development and
  exploration costs .......   $  7,151   $  7,151   $   --     $ 11,398   $ 11,398   $   --     $ 18,133   $ 18,115   $     18
                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

         The results of operations  for oil and gas producing  activities are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    Years Ended December 31
                                   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                1994                            1995                         1996
                                   ----------------------------    -----------------------------  ------------------------------
                                    Total       U.S.    Canada       Total       U.S.    Canada      Total     U.S.     Canada
                                   --------- --------- --------    ----------  --------- -------  ----------  --------  -------- 
                                                                      (In thousands)           

<S>                                <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>     
Revenues ...................       $ 11,114  $ 11,114   $    -     $ 13,660   $ 13,660   $    -     $ 25,749   $ 21,758 $  3,991
Production costs ...........         (3,693)   (3,693)       -       (4,333)    (4,333)       -       (5,858)    (5,193)    (665)
Depreciation, depletion,
  and amortization .........         (3,777)   (3,777)       -       (5,313)    (5,313)       -       (9,103)    (7,695)  (1,408)
General and administrative .           (202)     (202)       -         (261)      (261)       -         (483)      (401)     (82)
Income taxes ...............              -        -         -           -          -         -         (148)         -     (148)
                                   --------- --------- --------    ----------  --------- -------  ----------  --------  --------    

Results of operations from oil
  and gas producing activities
  (excluding corporate overhead
  and interest costs) ..........   $  3,442  $  3,442   $    -     $  3,753   $  3,753   $    -     $ 10,157  $   8,469 $  1,688
                                   ========= ========= ========    =========  ========   =========  ========  ========= ========   
Depletion rate per barrel
  of oil equivalent ........       $   4.35  $   4.35   $    -      $   4.67   $  4.67   $    -     $   5.12  $    5.10 $   5.29
                                   ========= ========= ========    =========  ========   =========  ========  ========= ========   
</TABLE>


                                      F-31
<PAGE>


Estimated Quantities of Proved Oil and Gas Reserves

         The following  table presents the Company's  estimate of its net proved
crude oil and natural gas reserves as of December 31, 1994,  1995, and 1996. The
Company's management  emphasizes that reserve estimates are inherently imprecise
and that estimates of new discoveries are more imprecise than those of producing
oil and gas  properties.  Accordingly,  the  estimates are expected to change as
future  information  becomes  available.  The  estimates  have been  prepared by
independent petroleum reserve engineers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              Total                    United States             Canada
                                                    --------------------------   ----------------------- --------------------------
                                                       Liquid        Natural        Liquid      Natural    Liquid         Natural
                                                     Hydrocarbons      Gas        Hydrocarbons    Gas     Hydrocarbons      Gas
                                                    -------------   ----------   ------------- --------- --------------  ---------- 
                                                      (Barrels)       (Mcf)        (Barrels)     (Mcf)     (Barrels)       (Mcf)
                                                                                                        (In Thousands)

     Proved developed and undeveloped reserves:
       <S>                                             <C>           <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>            <C>      
       Balance at December 31, 1993 ...........         4,086         16,591         4,086      16,591          -               -
         Revisions of previous estimates ......           854          5,034           854       5,034          -               -
         Extensions and discoveries ...........         2,268         15,062         2,268      15,062          -               -
         Purchase of minerals in place ........         2,417         33,288         2,417      33,288          -               -
         Production ...........................          (469)        (2,393)         (469)     (2,393)         -               -
         Sale of minerals in place ............             -             (3)            -          (3)         -               -
                                                    ----------      ---------    ----------    --------    -----------   ----------
       Balance at December 31, 1994 ...........         9,156         67,579         9,156      67,579          -               -
         Revisions of previous estimates ......        (1,328)       (18,941)       (1,328)    (18,941)         -               -
         Extensions and discoveries ...........         1,335          6,819         1,335       6,819          -               -
         Purchase of minerals in place ........           214          2,889           214       2,889          -               -
         Production ...........................          (544)        (3,553)         (544)     (3,553)         -               -
         Sale of minerals in place ............          (566)          (224)         (566)       (224)         -               -
                                                    ------------ -------------- ------------- --------------------- ---------------
       Balance at December 31, 1995 ...........         8,267         54,569         8,267      54,569          -               -
         Revisions of previous estimates ......           680         (2,561)          680      (2,561)         -               -
         Extensions and discoveries ...........         1,752         10,194         1,746      10,060          6             134
         Purchase of minerals in place ........         8,062        121,408         6,694      65,135      1,368          56,273
         Production ...........................          (724)        (6,350)         (670)     (5,042)       (54)         (1,308)
         Sale of minerals in place ............            (2)             -            (2)          -          -               -
                                                    ----------      ---------    ----------    --------    -----------   ----------

       Balance at December 31, 1996 ...........        18,035        177,260        16,715     122,161      1,320 (1)      55,099
                                                    ==========      =========    ==========    ========    ===========   ========== 
</TABLE>

(1) Includes  120,400  barrels of crude oil  reserves  owned by Cascade of which
57,600  barrels  are  applicable  to the  minority  interest's  share  of  these
reserves.

                                      F-32
<PAGE>



Estimated Quantities of Proved Oil and Gas Reserves (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                               Total                    United States             Canada
                                                    --------------------------   ----------------------- --------------------------
                                                       Liquid        Natural        Liquid      Natural    Liquid         Natural
                                                     Hydrocarbons      Gas        Hydrocarbons    Gas     Hydrocarbons      Gas
                                                    -------------   ----------   ------------- --------- --------------  ---------- 
                                                      (Barrels)       (Mcf)        (Barrels)     (Mcf)     (Barrels)       (Mcf)
                                                                                                              (In Thousands)

     Proved developed reserves:
       <S>                                               <C>          <C>            <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>      
       December 31, 1994 ....................            5,701        48,973         5,701      48,973        -             -
                                                    ==========      =========    ==========    ========    ===========   ========== 


       December 31, 1995 ....................            6,000        44,026         6,000      44,026        -             -
                                                    ==========      =========    ==========    ========    ===========   ========== 


       December 31, 1996 ....................           14,961       157,660        13,641     103,639      1,320          54,021
                                                    ==========      =========    ==========    ========    ===========   ========== 
</TABLE>


         The significant upward revision in 1994 of previous liquid hydrocarbons
and  natural gas was due  principally  to  increased  estimates  of  recoverable
reserves in existing wells as a result of drilling and workover success in 1994,
combined with the completion of geological  engineering studies on several major
fields.

         The   significant   downward   revision  in  1995  of  previous  liquid
hydrocarbons  and natural gas was due  principally  to  decreased  estimates  of
recoverable reserves in existing wells related to disappointing drilling results
principally  in the East White Point  Field,  resulting in  reclassification  of
proved undeveloped reserves to probable reserves.


                                      F-33
<PAGE>


Standardized  Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to Proved Oil
and Gas Reserves

         The following disclosures concerning the standardized measure of future
cash flows from proved  crude oil and  natural gas  reserves  are  presented  in
accordance  with  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  69.  The
standardized  measure does not purport to represent the fair market value of the
Company's proved crude oil and natural gas reserves.  An estimate of fair market
value  would also take into  account,  among  other  factors,  the  recovery  of
reserves not  classified  as proved,  anticipated  future  changes in prices and
costs, and a discount factor more  representative of the time value of money and
the risks inherent in reserve estimates.

         Under the standardized  measure,  future cash inflows were estimated by
applying  period-end  prices  at  December  31,  1996,  adjusted  for  fixed and
determinable escalations,  to the estimated future production of year-end proved
reserves.  Future cash inflows were reduced by estimated  future  production and
development  costs based on year-end  costs to determine  pre-tax cash  inflows.
Future  income  taxes were  computed by applying the  statutory  tax rate to the
excess of pre-tax cash inflows over the Company's basis in the associated proved
crude oil and  natural  gas  properties,  less the tax basis of the  properties.
Operating  loss  carryforwards,  tax credits,  and permanent  differences to the
extent  estimated  to be  available  in the future were also  considered  in the
future income tax calculations, thereby reducing the expected tax expense.

         Future net cash inflows after income taxes were discounted  using a 10%
annual discount rate to arrive at the Standardized Measure.

                                      F-34
<PAGE>


         Set forth below is the Standardized  Measure relating to proved oil and
gas reserves for:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         Years Ended December 31
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1994                                       1995                 1996
                                   --------------------------------- ---------  ------------------- --------------------------------
                                      Total       U.S.       Canada     Total      U.S.     Canada    Total        U.S.     Canada
                                   -----------  ---------   -------- ---------  ---------  -------- ----------- --------  ----------
                                                                                                  (In thousands)

<S>                                  <C>        <C>         <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>          <C>        <C>     
   Future cash inflows ..........    $ 238,028  $ 238,028   $  -     $ 243,969  $ 243,969  $  -    $ 1,009,420  $ 824,776  $184,644
   Future production and
     development costs ..........      (84,552)   (84,552)     -       (79,910)   (79,910)    -       (251,749)  (201,498)  (50,251)
   Future income tax expense ....      (26,542)   (26,542)     -       (28,015)   (28,015)    -       (207,834)  (157,508)  (50,326)
                                    -----------  ---------  -------- ---------  ---------  -------- ----------- --------   ---------
   Future net cash flows ........      126,934    126,934      -       136,044    136,044     -        549,837    465,770    84,067
   Discount .....................      (49,241)   (49,241)     -       (48,884)   (48,884)    -       (220,016)  (193,221)  (26,795)
                                    -----------  ---------  -------- ---------  ---------  -------- ----------- --------   ---------
   Standardized Measure of
     discounted future net cash
     relating to proved reserves     $  77,693  $  77,693   $  -     $  87,160  $  87,160  $  -    $   329,821  $ 272,549  $ 57,272
                                    ==========  =========   ======== =========  =========  ======== =========== ==========  ========

</TABLE>

                                      F-35
<PAGE>



Changes in Standardized  Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to
Proved Oil and Gas Reserves

         The  following  is an  analysis  of the  changes  in  the  Standardized
Measure:



                                                   Year Ended December 31
                                            ------------------------------------
                                              1994         1995          1996
                                            ---------   -----------  -----------
                                                       (In thousands)

Standardized Measure, beginning
  of year ...............................   $  32,929    $  77,693    $  87,160
Sales and transfers of oil and gas
  produced, net of production costs .....      (7,421)      (9,351)     (19,887)
Net changes in prices and development and
  production costs from prior year ......       2,450       22,560       65,917
Extensions, discoveries, and improved
  recovery, less related costs ..........      13,509       13,475       30,699
Purchases of minerals in place ..........      29,163        3,867      244,930
Sales of minerals in place ..............          (2)      (3,355)         (24)
Revision of previous quantity estimates .       7,346      (24,937)       2,257
Change in future income tax expense .....       5,804          382      (87,393)
Other ...................................      (9,377)        (943)      (2,554)
Accretion of discount ...................       3,292        7,769        8,716
                                            ---------    ---------    ---------
  Standardized Measure, end of year .....   $  77,693    $  87,160    $ 329,821
                                            =========    =========    =========


                                      F-36


<PAGE>

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  Registrant  has duly  caused this report to the signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                          ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION

        By:  /s/ Robert L.G. Watson         By: /s/ Chris Willford
             --------------------------         ----------------------------
                 Robert L.G. Watson,                Chris Williford, Executive
                 President and Principal            Vice President and
                 Executive Officer                  Principal Financial and
                                                    Accounting Officer
DATED:

Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,  this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

       Signature                  Name and Title                     Date
       ----------                ----------------                   --------
/s/ Robert L.G. Watson           Chairman of the Board, President    3/28/97
- ----------------------------     (Principal Executive Officer)
Robert L.G. Watson               and Director

/s/ Chris Williford              Exec. Vice President and             3/28/97
- ----------------------------     Treasurer (Principal Financial
Chris Williford                  and Accounting Officer) and
                                 Director

/s/ Franklin Burke               Director                             3/28/97
- ----------------------------
Franklin Burke

/s/ Robert D. Gershen            Director                             3/28/97
- ----------------------------
Robert D. Gershen

/s/ Richard M. Kleberg, III      Director                             3/28/97
- ----------------------------
Richard M. Kleberg, III

/s/ Harold Carter                Director                             3/28/97
- ----------------------------
Harold Carter

/s/ James C. Phelps              Director                             3/28/97
- ----------------------------
James C. Phelps

/s/ Paul A. Powell, Jr.          Director                             3/28/97
- ----------------------------
Paul A. Powell, Jr.

/s/ Richard M. Riggs             Director                             3/28/97
- ----------------------------
Richard M. Riggs








<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>




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

                                                            Year Months Ended
                                                               December 31

                                                          1996          1995          1994
                                                      ----------    ----------    ----------
    <S>                                               <C>           <C>            <C>      
    Primary: 
       Average shares outstanding                     5,757,105     4,635,412      4,309,878
        Net effect of dilutive stock options
           and warrants based on the treasury stock
           method using average market price              24,277        -- (1)         -- (1)

    Assumed issuance under existing
        Contingent Value Rights agreement              1,013,060        -- (1)         -- (1)
                                                      ----------   -----------     ----------
    Totals                                             6,794,442     4,635,412      4,309,878
    Net Income (loss)                                 $1,147,525   $(1,574,428)   $(2,278,000)
    Per share amount                                  $      .17   $      (.34)   $      (.60) 


    Fully diluted:                                     5,757,105     4,635,412      4,309,878
        Average shares outstanding
        Net effect of dilutive stock options
           and warranrsbased on the Treasury Stock
           method using the year-end market price        176,569        -- (1)          -- (1)
        Assumed issuance under existing Contingent
           Value Rights agreement                      1,013,060        -- (1)          -- (1)
        Assumed conversion of convertible preferred
           stock                                           -- (1)       -- (1)          -- (1)
                                                      ----------   -----------     -----------

    Totals                                             6,946,734     4,635,412      4,309,878
    Net income (loss)                                 $1,147,525   $(1,574,428)   $(2,578,000) 
    Per share amount                                  $      .17   $      (.34)   $      (.60) 

</TABLE>


(1)  Net effect if stick options,  and warrants and convertible  preferred stock
     are not included because the effect is antidilutive.

















<PAGE>





                                  Exhibit 23.1

                         Consent of Independent Auditors





         We  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in the  Registration
Statements (Form S-8 No. 33-48932)  pertaining to Abraxas Petroleum  Corporation
1984  Non-Qualified  Stock Option Plan;  (Form S-8 No.  33-48934)  pertaining to
Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  1984 Incentive Stock Option Plan; (Form S-8 No.
33-72268) pertaining to the Abraxas Petroleum  Corporation 1993 Key Contribution
Stock Option Plan; (Form S-8 No. 33-81416)  pertaining to the Abraxas  Petroleum
Corporation  Restricted  Share  Plan  for  Directors;  (Form  S-8 No.  33-81418)
pertaining to Abraxas Petroleum Corporation 1994 Long Term Incentive Plan; (Form
S-8 No.  333-17375)  pertaining to the Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  Director
Stock Option Plan; (Form S-8 No. 333-17377)  pertaining to the Abraxas Petroleum
Corporation  401 (K) Profit Sharing Plan; and (Form S-3 No.  333-398) of Abraxas
Petroleum  Corporation and the related  Prospectus of our report dated March 21,
1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Abraxas Petroleum
Corporation and subsidiaries  included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 1996.


                                             Ernst & Young LLP



San Antonio, Tx
March 21, 1997


















<PAGE>








                                  Exhibit 23.2

            Consent of independent, third party, Petroleum Engineers



                            Degolyer and MacNaughton
                                One Energy Square
                                Dallas, TX 75206


March 25, 1996

Abraxas Petroleum Corporation
500 N. Loop 1604 E., Suite 100
San Antonio, TX 78232


Gentlemen:

           We hereby consent to the  incorporation in your Annual Report on Form
10-K of the references to DeGolyer and MacNaughton in the "Reserves Information"
section on page 20 and to the use by reference of  information  contained in our
"Appraisal  Report as of December 31, 1996 on Certain Interests owned by Abraxas
Petroleum  Corporation US Properties,"  in our "Appraisal  Report as of December
31, 1996 on Certain  Interests owned by Abraxas Petroleum  Corporation  Canadian
Properties,"  and in our  "Appraisal  Report as of December  31, 1996 on Certain
Interests  owned by Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation All  Properties,"  provided,
however,  that  since the crude oil and  condensate  reserves  estimates,  as of
December 31, 1996,  set forth in these  Reports have been combined with reserves
estimates of other petroleum  consultants,  we are necessarily  unable to verify
the accuracy of the crude oil and condensate  reserves  values  contained in the
aforementioned Annual Report.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                               DeGolyer and MacNaughton








<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                           5
       
<S>                                                <C>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                     1000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                     DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                                           8290
<SECURITIES>                                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                   14420
<ALLOWANCES>                                                       36
<INVENTORY>                                                       451
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                23312
<PP&E>                                                         310043
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  38653
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                 304842
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                           16879
<BONDS>                                                        215000
                                               0
                                                         0
<COMMON>                                                           58
<OTHER-SE>                                                      35598
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                   304842
<SALES>                                                         26349
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                26653
<CGS>                                                               0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                   17827
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                  399
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                               6241
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                  2186
<INCOME-TAX>                                                        0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                              1940
<DISCONTINUED>                                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                  (427)
<CHANGES>                                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                                     1147
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                       0.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                       0.17
        



</TABLE>


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