UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
F O R M 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report
August 22, 2000
Abraxas Petroleum Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation)
0-19118 74-2584033
(Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
500 N. Loop 1604 East, Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas 78232
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number,
including area code:
210-490-4788
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Item 4. Change in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.
On August 17, 2000, the Board of Directors of Abraxas Petroleum
Corporation (the "Company"), engaged the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche
LLP as the Company's certifying accountant for the year ended December 31, 2000.
The decision to approve the dismissal of Ernst & Young LLP and engagement of
Deloitte & Touche LLP was approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors and the Board of Directors of the Company. Ernst & Young LLP was
notified of their dismissal on August 18, 2000.
The reports of Ernst & Young LLP on the Company's financial statements
for the two fiscal years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 did not contain any
adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as
to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
In connection with the audits of the Company's financial statements for
each of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999, and in the
subsequent interim periods through August 18, 2000, there were no disagreements
with Ernst & Young LLP on any matters of accounting principles, financial
statement disclosure or audit scope and procedures which, if not resolved to the
satisfaction of Ernst & Young LLP, would have caused the firm to make reference
to the matter in their report.
The Company has requested Ernst & Young LLP to furnish a letter
addressed to the Commission stating whether it agrees with the above statements.
A copy of the letter is attached as Exhibit 16 to this report.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
16.1 Letter from Ernst & Young LLP to Securities and
Exchange Commission regarding agreement with the
statements made by registrant under Item 4 of this
Form 8-K.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By: ___________________________________
Chris Williford
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer
Dated: August 22, 2000
<PAGE>
Exhibit 16.1
August 22, 2000
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549
Gentlemen:
We have read item 4 of Form 8-K dated August 22, 2000, of Abraxas Petroleum
Corporation and are in agreement with the statements contained in, (i) the last
sentence of the first paragraph, and (ii) the second, third and fourth
paragraphs. We have no basis to agree or disagree with the statements of the
registrant contained in the first two sentences of the first paragraph.
Ernst & Young LLP
