ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORP
10-Q, 1998-05-15
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)                          FORM 10-Q

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

                      For the Quarter Ended March 31, 1998

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

                         Commission File Number 0-19118

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

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

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

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

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

        The number of shares of the issuer's common stock  outstanding as of May
8, 1998, was:

            Class                                      Shares Outstanding

     Common Stock, $.01 Par Value                          6,356,618





                                     1 of 19

<PAGE>



                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                   FORM 10 - Q
                                      INDEX


                                     PART I
                              FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1 -   Financial Statements (Unaudited)
               Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 1998
                      and December 31,1997.....................................3
               Consolidated Statements of Operations -
                      Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997...............5
               Consolidated Statement of  Stockholders Equity
                      March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997.....................6
               Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
                      Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 and 1887...............7
               Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.....................10

                                           PART II
                                      OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 -   Legal proceedings..................................................18
ITEM 2 -   Changes in Securities..............................................18
ITEM 3 -   Defaults Upon Senior Securities....................................18
ITEM 4 -   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders................18
ITEM 5 -   Other Information..................................................18
ITEM 6 -   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K...................................18
           Signatures ........................................................19



                                       2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                 Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries

                          Part 1- Financial Information

                          Item 1 - Financial Statements

                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                      March 31       December 31
                                                        1998            1997
                                                     (Unaudited)
                                                      --------------------------
                                                             (In Thousands)
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>     
Assets
Current assets:
  Cash ...........................................       $ 19,177       $  2,836
  Accounts receivable, less allowances
    for doubtful accounts:
      Joint owners ...............................          1,361          2,149
      Oil and gas production .....................          8,314         11,194
      Affiliates .................................           --               42
      Other ......................................          2,601          1,217
                                                         --------       --------
                                                           12,276         14,602

  Equipment inventory ............................            411            367
  Other current assets ...........................            482            508
                                                         --------       --------
Total current assets .............................         32,346         18,313

Property and equipment ...........................        404,613        385,442
  Less accumulated depreciation,
     depletion and amortization: .................         82,895         74,597
                                                         --------       --------
       Net property and equipment
       based on the full cost method of
       accounting for oil and gas
       properties, of which $12,584
       and $11,519 at March 31, 1998
       and December 31, 1997,
       respectively, were excluded
       from amortization .........................        321,718        310,845


Deferred financing fees, net of
  accumulated amortization of $1,867
  and $1,540 at March 31, 1998 and
   December 31, 1997, respectively ...............          9,142          8,072

Restricted cash ..................................             40             40
Other assets .....................................          1,261          1,258
                                                         --------       --------
  Total assets ...................................       $364,507       $338,528
                                                         ========       ========

</TABLE>



                 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

                                       3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries

                          Part 1- Financial Information

                          Item 1 - Financial Statements

                     Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)

                                                       March 31     December 31
                                                         1998          1997
                                                      (Unaudited)
                                                      --------------------------
                                                             (In Thousands)   
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>  
Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity
Current liabilities
  Accounts payable ...................................   $  10,581    $  17,120
  Oil and gas production payable .....................       3,129        2,819
  Accrued interest ...................................      11,635        4,622
  Income tax payable .................................         241          164
  Other accrued expenses .............................       1,061        2,732
                                                         ---------    ---------
Total current liabilities ............................      26,647       27,457

  Long-term debt:
    Senior notes .....................................     275,000      215,000
    Credit facility ..................................         100       31,500
    Other ............................................       2,363        2,117
                                                         ---------    ---------
                                                           277,463      248,617

Premium on Senior Notes ..............................       3,471         --
Deferred income taxes ................................      26,538       27,751
Minority interest in foreign .........................       4,753        4,813
subsidiary
Future site restoration ..............................       3,090        3,077

Shareholders' equity:
  Common Stock, par value $.01 per share-
    authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued,
    6,430,378 and 6,422,540 shares at
    March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997,
    respectively .....................................          63           63
  Additional paid-in capital .........................      51,206       51,118
  Accumulated deficit ................................     (23,757)     (19,185)
Treasury stock, at cost, 92,023 and
    53,023 shares at March 31, 1998 and
    December 31, 1997, respectively ..................        (680)        (281)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).........      (4,287)      (4,902)
                                                         ---------    ---------
Total shareholders' equity ...........................      22,545       26,813
                                                         ---------    ---------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity               $ 364,507    $ 338,528
                                                         =========    =========
</TABLE>




           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

                                       4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>





                        Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries

                            Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                          (Unaudited)


                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                               March 31
                                                         ----------------------
                                                           1998          1997
                                                         --------      --------                                                  
                                                          (In thousands except
                                                             per share data)
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>   
Revenue:
   Oil & gas production sales ......................     $ 14,655      $ 17,910
   Processing revenue ..............................          735           996
   Rig revenues ....................................          116            53
   Others ..........................................        1,233           257
                                                         --------      --------
                                                           16,739        19,216
Operating costs and expenses:
   Lease operating and production taxes ............        4,364         3,349
   Gas processing costs ............................          275           412
   Depreciation, depletion and
   amortization ....................................        8,252         6,674
   General and administrative ......................        1,303           938
   Rig Operations ..................................          122            52
                                                         --------      --------
                                                           14,316        11,425
                                                         --------      --------
Operating Income ...................................        2,423         7,791

Other (income) expense
   Interest income .................................         (136)          (96)
   Interest expense ................................        7,516         6,084
   Amortization of deferred financing fees .........          327           297
   Other ...........................................         --              32
                                                         --------      --------
                                                            7,707         6,317
                                                         --------      --------
Income (loss) from operations before taxes .........       (5,284)        1,474

Income tax expense (benefit)
    Current ........................................           60            20
    Deferred .......................................         (695)         --
Minority interest in income (loss)
    of consolidated foreign subsidiary .............          (77)         --
                                                         --------      --------
Net income (loss) ..................................       (4,572)        1,454
Less dividend requirement on cumulative
    preferred stock ................................         --              91
                                                         --------      --------
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock .......     $ (4,572)     $  1,363
                                                         ========      ========


Earnings (loss) per share:

    Net income (loss) per common share .............     $   (.72)     $    .24
                                                         ========      ========
    Net income (loss) per common
      share - assuming dilution ....................     $   (.72)     $    .22
                                                         ========      ========
</TABLE>


           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


                                       5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                        ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

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



                                                                                                      
                                                                                                     Accumulated  
                                         Common Stock      Treasury Stock    Additional                  Other
                                      ------------------- -----------------   Paid-In   Accumulated  Comprehensive
                                       Shares    Amount   Shares    Amount    Capital     Deficit    Income (Loss)    Total
                                      ---------- -------- -------- --------- ---------- ------------ -------------- ---------
<S>                                   <C>         <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>    
Balance at December 31, 1997          6,422,540   $ 63     53,023   $  281    $ 51,118    $ (19,185)    $ (4,902)   $ 26,813
Comprehensive income (loss):
  Net Loss                                -         -        -         -          -          (4,572)        -         (4,572)
  Other comprehensive income:
    Foreign currency
        translation adjustment            -         -        -         -          -           -              615         615
Comprehensive income (loss)               -         -        -         -          -           -             -         (3,957)
Issuance of common stock for
  compensation                            4,838     -        -         -            72        -             -             72
Stock options exercised                   3,000     -        -         -            16        -             -             16
Purchase of Treasury Stock                          -      39,000      399        -           -             -           (399)
                                      ---------- -------- -------- --------- ---------- ------------ -------------- ---------
Balance at March 31, 1998             6,430,378   $ 63     92,023   $  680    $ 51,206    $ (23,757)    $ (4,287)   $ 22,545
                                      ========== ======== ======== ========= ========== ============ ============== =========



                                  See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

</TABLE>

                                                               6
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                 Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                   (Unaudited)



                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                               March 31
                                                         ----------------------
                                                           1998          1997
                                                         --------      --------                                                  
                                                             (In thousands)
<S>                                                        <C>         <C>     
Operating Activities
Net income .............................................   $ (4,572)   $  1,454

Adjustments to reconcile  net income (loss)
  to net cash provided by (used) operating activities:
  Minority interest in income of foreign subsidiary ....        (77)       --
  Depreciation, depletion, and amortization ............      8,252       6,674
  Amortization of deferred financing fees ..............        327         297
  Amortization of premium on Senior Notes ..............       (145)       --
  Deferred income tax benefit ..........................       (695)       --
  Issuance of common stock for compensation ............         72         139

  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
  Accounts receivable ..................................      2,246       2,305
   Equipment inventory .................................        (44)       (176)
  Other assets .........................................         26        (139)
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses ................     (1,330)      3,774
  Oil & gas production payable .........................        310        (188)
                                                           --------    --------
Net cash provided by operating activities ..............      4,370      14,140

Investing Activities
Capital expenditures, including purchases and
    development of properties ..........................    (18,431)    (12,284)
Proceeds from sale of oil and gas producing properties .        129       9,008
Increase in other assets ...............................         (1)       --
                                                           --------    --------
Net cash provided (used) in investing activities .......   $(18,303)   $ (3,276)



</TABLE>






           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


                                       7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                 Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries

                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
                                   (Unaudited)



                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                               March 31
                                                         ----------------------
                                                           1998          1997
                                                         --------      --------                                                  
                                                             (In thousands)  
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>   
Financing Activities
Issuance of common stock .............................    $     16     $   --
Purchase of treasury stock ...........................        (399)        --
Dividends paid on preferred stock ....................        --            (91)
Proceeds from long term borrowings ...................      60,230          168
Premium from issuance of Senior Notes ................       3,616         --
Payments on long-term borrowings .....................     (31,404)        --
Deferred financing fees ..............................      (1,387)        (119)
Decrease in deferred income tax ......................        --           (424)
                                                          --------     --------
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities .....      30,672         (466)
                                                          --------     --------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash ..............        (398)        --
                                                          --------     --------
Increase in cash .....................................      16,341       10,398

Cash at beginning of period ..........................       2,876        8,380
                                                          --------     --------

Cash at end of period, including restricted cash .....    $ 19,217     $ 18,778
                                                          ========     ========

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid ........................................    $    503     $     44
                                                          ========     ========




</TABLE>










           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


                                       8
<PAGE>

                 Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                                   (Unaudited)
                                 March 31, 1998

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

        The accounting  policies followed by Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation and
its  subsidiaries  (the  "Company")  are set forth in the notes to the Company's
audited  financial  statements  in the Annual  Report on Form 10-K filed for the
year ended  December 31, 1997 which is  incorporated  herein by reference.  Such
policies have been continued  without change.  Also, refer to the notes to those
financial   statements  for  additional  details  of  the  Company's   financial
condition,  results  of  operations,  and cash  flows.  All the  material  items
included  in  those  notes  have  not  changed  except  as a  result  of  normal
transactions  in  the  interim,   or  as  disclosed  within  this  report.   The
consolidated   financial   statements  have  not  been  audited  by  independent
accountants, but in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments necessary
for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations. Any
and all adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature.

        The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of the
Company and its wholly owned foreign subsidiary  Canadian Abraxas Petroleum Ltd.
("Canadian  Abraxas"),  and its 46% owned foreign subsidiary Cascade Oil and Gas
Ltd.  ("Cascade").  Minority  interest  represents  the  minority  shareholders'
proportionate share of the equity and income of Cascade.

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


                                       9
<PAGE>
Note 2. Earnings Per Share

        The  following  table sets forth the  computation  of basic and  diluted
earnings per share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                               March 31
                                                         ----------------------
                                                           1998          1997
                                                         --------      --------                                                  
                                                          (In thousands except
                                                             per share data)
<S>                                                   <C>            <C>
Numerator:
  Net income (loss) ...............................   $    (4,572)   $     1,454
  Preferred stock dividends .......................          --               91
                                                      -----------    -----------
  Numerator for basic earnings per share - income
    (loss) available to common stockholders .......        (4,572)         1,363

  Effect of dilutive securities:
    Preferred stock dividends .....................          --               91
                                                      -----------    -----------

  Numerator for diluted earnings per share-income
    available to common stockholders after assumed
    conversions ...................................        (4,572)         1,454

Denominator:
  Denominator for basic earnings per share -
    weighted-average shares .......................     6,360,087      5,739,134

  Effect of dilutive securities:
    Stock options and warrants ....................          --          330,639
    Convertible preferred stock ...................          --          508,233
    Assumed issuance under the CVR Agreement ......          --          106,400
                                                      -----------    -----------
                                                             --          945,272
                                                      -----------    -----------
  Dilutive  potential  common shares
    Denominator for diluted earnings per share
    adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed
    conversions ...................................     6,360,087      6,684,406

  Basic earnings (loss) per share:
    Income (loss) .................................   $      (.72)   $       .24
                                                      ===========    ===========

  Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
    Income (loss) .................................   $      (.72)   $       .22
                                                      ===========    ===========
</TABLE>

        For the three months ended March 31, 1998,  none of the shares  issuable
in  connection  with stock  options or warrants are included in diluted  shares.
Inclusion of these shares would be  antidilutive  due to losses incurred in that
period.

                                       10
<PAGE>

Note 3.  Summary Financial Information of Canadian Abraxas Petroleum Ltd.

        The following is summary financial  information of Canadian  Abraxas,  a
wholly owned  subsidiary of the Company at March 31, 1998.  Canadian  Abraxas is
jointly and  severally  liable  with the  Company for the entire  balance of the
Company's  and  Canadian  Abraxas'  11.5%  Senior  Notes due 2004 (the  "Notes")
($275,000,000),  of which  $84,612,000  was  utilized  by  Canadian  Abraxas  in
connection with the acquisition of CGGS. The Company has not presented  separate
financial  statements and other disclosures  concerning Canadian Abraxas because
management has determined  that such  information is not material to the holders
of the Notes and the Company's Common Stock.



                   Assets                   Liabilities and Shareholders Equity
- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------

                                 (In Thousands)

Total current assets          $    2,546  Total current liabilities    $   7,011
Oil and gas properties           113,542  11.5% Senior Notes due 2004     74,682
Other assets                       3,660  Note payable to Abraxas
                              ==========
                              $  119,748      Petroleum Corporation       18,700
                              ==========
                                          Other liabilities               29,202
                                          Shareholder's equity           (9,847)
                                                                       ---------
                                                                       $ 119,748
                                                                       =========

Revenues                      $    4,974
Operating costs & expenses       (4,920)
Interest expense                 (2,355)
Income tax benefit                   601
                              ==========
     Net loss                 $  (1,700)
                              ==========



Note 4.  Contingencies

        In May 1995,  certain  plaintiffs  filed a lawsuit  against  the Company
alleging negligence and gross negligence,  tortious  interference with contract,
conversion  and waste.  In March 1998,  a jury found  against the Company in the
amount of $1,332,000 plus attorney's fees and pre-judgment  interest.  As of May
13,  1998,  no  judgment  had  been  entered.  The  Company  has  filed  various
post-judgment  motions  including  a motion  for  judgment  notwithstanding  the
verdict and a motion for new trial. If necessary,  the Company will also file an
appeal.  Management  believes,  based on the advice of legal  counsel,  that the
plaintiffs'  claims are without merit and that damages should not be recoverable
under this action;  however,  the  ultimate  effect on the  Company's  financial
position  and  results of  operations  cannot be  determined  at this time.  The
Company has not established a reserve for this matter at March 31, 1998.

   Additionally,  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  March  31,  1998,  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.

Note 5.  Reclassifications

   Certain balances for 1996 have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

                                       11
<PAGE>



                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                     PART I


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

   The following is a discussion of the Company's financial  condition,  results
of operations,  liquidity and capital resources.  This discussion should be read
in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the
notes  thereto,  included in the Company's  Annual report on Form 10-K filed for
the year ended December 31, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Results of Operations

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

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

                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                              March 31,
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                         1998            1997
                                                     -----------     ----------
Operating Revenue (in thousands):
Crude Oil Sales                                     $     2,880     $    4.500
Natural Gas Sales                                         9,786         10,332
Natural Gas Liquids Sales                                 1,989          3,078
Processing Revenue                                          736            996
Rig Operations                                              116             53
Other                                                     1,232            257
                                                    -----------     ----------
                                                    $    16,739     $   19,216
                                                    ===========     ==========

Operating Income (in thousands)                     $     2,423     $    7,791
Crude Oil Production (MBBLS)                              199.0          218.0
Natural Gas Production (MMCFS)                          6,139.2        4,938.0
Natural Gas Liquids Production (MBBLS)                    241.5          238.1
Average Crude Oil Sales Price ($/BBL)               $     14.47     $    20.64
Average Natural Gas Sales Price ($/MCF)             $      1.59     $     2.09
Average Liquids Sales Price ($/BBL)                 $      8.24     $    12.93



     OPERATING REVENUE.  During the three months ended March 31, 1998, operating
revenue  from crude oil,  natural  gas and natural  gas liquid  sales  decreased
18.18% to $14.7  million  compared to $17.9  million in the three  months  ended
March 31,  1997.  The  decrease  in revenue  was due to a decrease in crude oil,
natural  gas and natural gas liquids  prices  during the period.  Average  sales
prices were $14.47 per Bbl of crude oil, $8.24 per Bbl of natural gas liquid and
$1.59 per Mcf of natural gas for the quarter  ended March 31, 1998 compared with
$20.64 per Bbl of crude oil,  $12.93 per Bbl of natural gas liquid and $2.09 per
Mcf of natural gas in the same period of 1997. The significant decline in prices
contributed  $5.8 million of the decrease in revenue which was partially  offset
by $3.2 million attributable to increased volumes. Natural gas volumes increased
24% from 4,938 MMCFs for the period  ended March  31,1997 to 6,139 MMCFs for the
same  period  in 1998.  The  increase  in  natural  gas  volumes  was  primarily
attributable to the Company's ongoing development program. Crude oil and natural
gas liquids volumes declined .5% for the period ended March 31, 1998 compared to
the same period of 1997.


                                       12
<PAGE>

     Other operating  revenue increased from $257,000 for the first three months
of 1997 to $1.2 million for the same period of 1998. This increase is due to the
Company's  receipt of a break up fee in  connection  with the  termination  of a
proposed  merger with Vessels  Energy,  Inc. The fee was $933,000 net of related
expenses.

   LEASE OPERATING EXPENSES. Lease operating expenses and natural gas processing
costs  ("LOE")  for the three  months  ended March 31,  1998  increased  to $4.6
million  compared to $3.8  million for the same period in 1997.  The increase in
LOE was primarily due to the greater number of wells owned by the Company during
the  period  ended  March 31,  1998  compared  to the same  period of 1997.  The
Company's  LOE on a per BOE basis for the three  months ended March 31, 1998 was
$2.98 compared to $2.62 for the same period of 1997. The increase on a BOE basis
is due to a general increase in the cost of services from 1997 to 1998.

   G&A EXPENSES. G&A expenses increased from $938,000 for the first three months
of 1997 to $1.3  million for the same period of 1998.  The increase is primarily
due to the  hiring of  additional  staff to manage  and  develop  the  Company's
properties.  G&A expense on a per BOE basis increased from $0.73 for the quarter
ended March 31, 1997 to $0.89 for the same period of 1998.

   DEPRECIATION,  DEPLETION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSES.  Depreciation,  depletion
and amortization  ("DD&A") expense increased by $1.6 million to $8.3 million for
the three months  ended March 31, 1998,  from $6.7 million in the same period of
1997. The Company's DD&A on a per BOE basis for the three months ended March 31,
1998 was $5.64 per BOE compared to $5.22 in 1997. The per BOE increase is due to
higher  finding  costs added to the full cost pool in 1997 and the first quarter
of 1998.

   INTEREST  EXPENSE AND  PREFERRED  DIVIDENDS.  Interest  expense and preferred
dividends  ("Interest  and  Dividends")  increased to $7.5 million for the first
three  months of 1998  from  $6.1  million  for the same  period  of 1997.  This
increase is attributable to increased borrowings by the Company during the first
quarter of 1998.  Long-term debt increased from $215.2 million at March 31, 1997
to $277.4  million at March 31, 1998,  as a result of the  Company's  issuing an
additional $60.0 million of its 11.5% Senior Notes due 2004, Series C ("Series C
Notes") in January 1998.  Preferred dividends were eliminated on July 1, 1997 as
the result of the  conversion of all  outstanding  preferred  stock into Abraxas
Common Stock.

   GENERAL. The Company's revenues,  profitability and future rate of growth are
substantially dependent upon prevailing prices for crude oil and natural gas and
the volumes of crude oil,  natural  gas and natural gas liquids  produced by the
Company.  The prices of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids  received
by the Company  declined  during the first quarter of 1998. The average  natural
gas price  realized  by the  Company  declined to $1.59 per MCF during the first
three months of 1998 compared with $2.09 per MCF during the same period of 1997.
Crude oil prices  declined  from $20.64 per BBL during the first three months of
1997, to $14.47 per BBL for the same period of 1998.  Natural gas liquids prices
declined  to $8.24 per BBL  compared  to $12.93 per BBL in the first  quarter of
1997.  In addition,  the  Company's  proved  reserves will decline as crude oil,
natural  gas and  natural  gas  liquids  are  produced  unless  the  Company  is
successful  in  acquiring  properties  containing  proved  reserves  or conducts
successful  exploration  and  development  activities.  In the event  crude oil,
natural gas and natural gas liquids prices remain at depressed  levels or if the
Company's  production levels decrease,  the Company's  revenues,  cash flow from
operations and profitability will be materially adversely affected.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

   GENERAL.  Capital  expenditures  including property  divestitures  during the
first three months of 1998 were $18.3  million  compared to $3.3 million  during
the same  period of 1997.  The table  below sets forth the  components  of these
capital  expenditures on a historical basis for the three months ended March 31,
1998 and 1997.


                                       13
<PAGE>
                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                               March 31
                                                      -------------------------
                                                          1998           1997
                                                      ---------       ---------
Expenditure category (in thousands):
  Acquisitions .................................       $  2,359        $   --
  Development ..................................         15,945          11,851
  Divestitures .................................           (129)         (9,008)
  Facilities and other .........................            128             433
                                                       ========        ========
Total ..........................................       $ 18,303        $  3,276
                                                       ========        ========

   At March 31,  1998,  the  Company  had  current  assets of $32.3  million and
current  liabilities  of $26.6  million  resulting  in  working  capital of $5.7
million.  This compares to a working capital deficit of $9.2 million at December
31, 1997 and working  capital of $11.2  million at March 31, 1997.  The material
components of the Company's current  liabilities at March 31, 1998 include trade
accounts  payable of $10.6  million,  revenues due third parties of $3.1 million
and accrued interest of $11.6 million.

   Operating  activities  during the three months ended March 31, 1998  provided
$4.4 million cash to the Company compared to $14.1 million in the same period in
1997.  Net income plus  non-cash  expense  items  during 1998 and net changes in
operating  assets and liabilities  accounted for most of these funds.  Investing
activities  required  $18.3  million net during the first three  months of 1998,
$15.9  million was  utilized  for the  development  of crude oil and natural gas
properties and other facilities, and $2.4 million for acquisition of oil and gas
properties.  This  compares to $3.3 million  required  during the same period of
1997.  $12.3 million was utilized for the  development  of crude oil and natural
gas properties and other  facilities,  divestiture of gas processing  facilities
providing  $9.0 million.  Financing  activities  provided  $30.7 million for the
first three months of 1998 compared to requiring $166,000 for the same period of
1997.  Financing activities include the proceeds of the $60 million Senior Notes
sold in January 1998, and the corresponding premium associated with the Series C
Notes which were offset by the repayment of the existing Credit Facility, except
for $100,000 that remains outstanding.

   The  Company's  current  budget for  capital  expenditures  for the last nine
months of 1998  other  than  acquisition  expenditures  is  approximately  $50.1
million.  Such  expenditures  will be made  primarily  for  the  development  of
existing   properties.   Additional   capital   expenditures  may  be  made  for
acquisitions  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.  Should commodity prices remain at depressed levels or decline further,
reductions in the capital expenditure budget may be required.

   The Company will have three  principal  sources of liquidity  during the next
nine months:  (i) cash on hand,  (ii)  borrowing  capacity  under the  Company's
revolving  credit  facility  and  (iii)  cash flow  from  operations.  While the
availability  of capital  resources  cannot be predicted  with  certainty and is
dependent upon a number of factors  including  factors  outside of  management's
control, management believes that the net proceeds of the offering of the Series
C Notes,  the Company's cash flow from  operations plus  availability  under the
Credit  Facility  will  be  adequate  to fund  operations  and  planned  capital
expenditures.  The Company may also sell additional equity or debt securities in
order to fund operations and planned capital  expenditures as well as to finance
future acquisitions.

   LONG-TERM  INDEBTEDNESS.  The Credit  Facility has an  availability  of $40.0
million.  As of March 31, 1998 there was $100,000  outstanding  under the Credit
Facility.  The Credit Facility  contains a number of covenants that, among other
things,  restricts the ability of the Company to (I) incur certain  indebtedness
or guarantee  obligations,  (ii) prepay other indebtedness  including the Notes,
(iii) make investments,  loans or advances,  (iv) create certain liens, (v) make
certain payments, dividends and distributions, (vi) merge with or sell assets to
another person or liquidate,  (vii) sell or discount receivables,  (viii) engage
in certain  intercompany  transactions  and transactions  with affiliates,  (ix)
change its business, (x) experience a change of control and (xi) make amendments
to its  charter,  by-laws and other debt  instruments.  In  addition,  under the
Credit  Facility,  the Company is required  to comply with  specified  financial

                                       14
<PAGE>

ratios and tests, including minimum debt service coverage ratios, maximum funded
debt to EBITDA tests, minimum net worth tests and minimum working capital tests.
As of March 31,  1998,  the Company was not in  compliance  with the minimum net
worth test. The Company has received a waver of this requirement.

      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  Indentures  (as  defined  below) also
contain  a number  of  covenants  and  events  of  default  including  covenants
restricting,  among other things, the Company's and Canadian Abraxas' 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.

      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  under the Credit  Facility  (the  "Bank"),  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 the
sole discretion of Bankers Trust Company ("BT"),  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  (which  expires in  November  1998) 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
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.

   On November 14, 1996, the Company and Canadian Abraxas  completed the sale of
$215.0 million aggregate  principal amount of Senior Notes due November 1, 2004,
Series A which were  exchanged  for the Company's  and Canadian  Abraxas'  11.5%
Senior  Notes due 2004  Series B, (the  "Series B Notes") in February  1997.  In
January 1998, the Company and Canadian Abraxas completed the sale of $60 million
aggregate  principal  amount  of  Series  C  Notes.  The  Series  C  Notes  have
substantially the same terms as the Notes. The Series B Notes and Series C Notes
(together the "Notes") are joint and several obligations of Abraxas and Canadian
Abraxas.  The indentures  governing the Notes (the "Indenture")  provide,  among
other things,  that the Company may not, and may not cause or permit  certain of
its subsidiaries, including Canadian Abraxas, to, directly or indirectly, create
or otherwise  cause to permit to exist or become  effective any  encumbrance  or
restriction  on the  ability  of  such  subsidiary  to  pay  dividends  or  make
distributions  on or in respect of its capital stock,  make loans or advances or
pay debts owed to Abraxas, guarantee any indebtedness of Abraxas or transfer any
of its assets to Abraxas except for such  encumbrances or restrictions  existing
under or by reason of: (i) applicable law; (ii) the Indentures; (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


                                       15
<PAGE>

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  judgment  than  the  provisions  relating  to such
encumbrance or restriction  contained in the applicable agreement referred to in
such clause (ii), (iii) or (v).

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

   Net  Operating  Loss  Carryforwards.  At December 31, 1997,  the Company had,
subject to the limitations  discussed below, $25.1 million of net operating loss
carryforwards for U.S. tax purposes, of which approximately $22.4 million may be
utilized  before it  expires.  These loss  carryforwards  will  expire from 2002
through  2010  if  not  utilized.   At  December  31,  1997,   the  company  had
approximately  $2.9 million of net operating loss carryforwards for Canadian tax
purposes  which  expire in 2003 and  2004.  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
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 $5.7  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 $5.9  million for deferred tax assets at December 31, 1996 and 1997,
respectively.

   Based upon the current level of operations, the Company believes that cash on
hand,  cash flow from  operations  and the Company's  credit  facility,  will be
adequate  to meet its  anticipated  requirements  for working  capital,  capital
expenditures and scheduled interest payments through 1998.  Continued  depressed
prices for natural  gas,  crude oil or natural gas liquids  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.

                                       16
<PAGE>

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Information

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




                                       17
<PAGE>



                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                     PART II
                                OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
         None

Item 2.  Changes in Securities
         None

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities
         None

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

Item 5.  Other Information
         None

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
         (a) Exhibits: 11 Statement Re:  Computation of earnings per share
               Exhibit 27 Financial data schedule
         (b) Reports on Form 8-K:
               January,  27, 1998 - Pricing $60 million  principal amount of the
Series C Notes.
               February  5,  1998 -  Consummation  of  offering  of $60  million
               principal  amount  of  the  Series  C  Notes.  March  20,  1998 -
               Termination of Vessels merger.




                                       18
<PAGE>



                 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   SIGNATURES



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


                          ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION

                                  (Registrant)



   Date:  May 15,1998               By:/s/
                                    ROBERT L.G. WATSON,
                                    President and Chief
                                    Executive Officer


   Date:  May 15, 1998              By:/s/
                                    CHRIS WILLIFORD,
                                    Executive Vice President and
                                    Principal Accounting Officer


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