Quarterlytics / Energy / Oil & Gas Exploration & Production / Abraxas Petroleum Corp.

Abraxas Petroleum Corp.

axas · NASDAQ Energy
Claim this profile
Ticker axas
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Energy
Industry Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
Employees 51-200
← All annual reports
FY2008 Annual Report · Abraxas Petroleum Corp.
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
2008 Annual Report

LETTER TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS:

What an amazing year! Never in my almost 40 years in the oil industry have I seen such a dramatic reversal of fortune in
such a short period of time. Unfortunately, this statement would also reflect the overall economy as well.

After a successful closing of a large acquisition in January, which incidentally has performed very well, we entered a
period of unprecedented escalation of service costs and commodity prices which led to chronic shortages and delays in
oilfield service equipment. Even though our cash flows were growing significantly, we could not get drilling rigs and
other service equipment on a timely basis. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise though at the time it was very
frustrating. Our drilling program was delayed to the point where we did not get over committed during the boom and
were able to throttle back expenditures when the bust became apparent.

Even though we did not drill as many wells as originally planned, we did drill two significant wells toward the end of the
year that will have a meaningful impact on us in the years to come. The Nordheim #2H (DeWitt County, Texas) was a
year that will have a meaningful impact on us in the years to come The Nordheim #2H (DeWitt County Texas) was a
successful horizontal well drilled to a total measured depth of 17,000 feet, including a 3,000 foot lateral in the Edwards
formation.
In preparation for a completion involving a seven stage frac, the toe of the lateral was opened up and
unexpectedly flowed naturally at rates as high as 6 MMcf of gas per day. We decided to produce the well as(cid:2)is and
postpone the opening of the remaining six sections of the lateral with a multi(cid:2)stage frac until a later date when gas
prices may be higher or service costs lower. At the time of this letter, the well was still producing in excess of 2 MMcf of
gas per day. We own a 75% working interest in this well which has four potential offset locations.

In our Brooks Draw area of east central Wyoming, the Lakeside #1H was a successful horizontal well drilled to a total
measured depth of 12,500 feet, including a 3,900 foot lateral in the Turner formation. After the seven stage frac, the
well tested at rates above 700 barrels of oil per day, and in February of 2009 was placed on production at a restricted
rate of 200 (cid:2) 300 barrels of oil per day where it continues to produce today. To our knowledge, this was the first well in
the area to use modern horizontal completion technology perfected in the Bakken formation of the northern Rockies
together with information gained from 3D seismic to help orient the lateral. We own a 100% working interest in a large
acreage position in this area, of which approximately 14,000 acres is held by production and not subject to lease
expiration. We have identified 15 additional locations on our 3D with similar natural fractures as the Lakeside #1H.
expiration We have identified 15 additional locations on our 3D with similar natural fractures as the Lakeside #1H
Depending on commodity prices and services costs, plans are being made for additional drilling as early as this summer.

Although the results from these two wells were very satisfying, due to their timing, they did not contribute to 2008
production, but they do set up a nice year(cid:2)over(cid:2)year increase for 2009.

Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”), which we own 47% of, had a busy and successful year.
In addition to
incorporating approximately 1,500 new properties from the acquisition that closed in January of 2008, the Partnership
participated in the drilling of 40 new wells, all of which were successful. The most significant of which was the Henson
#3H (Lavaca County, Texas). This horizontal well was drilled to the Edwards formation, completed with a multi(cid:2)stage
frac and flowed at rates as high as 10 MMcf of gas per day. The Partnership owns a 75% interest in this well which
continues to produce at satisfactory rates a year after drilling.

Even though we have many years of development drilling in inventory which we expect will generate comparable results
as obtained in 2008, times have changed. We are seeing friends struggle with financial distress, some of whom may not
survive this downturn. With a clean balance sheet, Abraxas will survive and we will be around to take advantage of
survive this downturn With a clean balance sheet Abraxas will survive and we will be around to take advantage of
opportunities that may turn out to be the best of my career. Our plans are to emerge from the downturn a larger,
stronger company, with a clean balance sheet and even more opportunities for the future than we have today.

Our team has grown with people fully capable of surviving the downturn, with the knowledge and desire to make
something even better for all concerned. I thank you, our shareholders, for your patience, not only for Abraxas, but our
nation and economy as a whole. They all will see a brighter day.

Yours very truly,

Robert L.G. Watson
President and Chief Executive Officer

UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549 
FORM 10-K  
(Mark One) 
⊠  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT 

OF 1934 

⃞ 

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

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2008 

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
Commission File Number 001-16071 
ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION 
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) 

Nevada 
(State or Other Jurisdiction of  
Incorporation or Organization) 

74-2584033 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 

18803 Meisner Drive 
San Antonio, TX 78258 
(Address of principal executive offices) 
(210) 490-4788 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code  
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: 

Title of each class: 
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share 

Name of each exchange on which registered: 
NASDAQ Stock Market 

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the 

Securities Act. 

Yes ⃞ 

No  ⊠ 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 

15(d) of the Exchange Act. 

Yes ⊠ 

No  ⃞ 

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.  

No  ⃞ 

Yes ⊠ 

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.  

 Yes ⊠ 

No  ⃞ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-
accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” 
and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 

Large accelerated filer ⃞ 
Non-accelerated filer    ⃞     
Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant  is  a  shell  company  (as  defined  in  Rule  12b-2  of  the 

Smaller reporting company ⃞ 

Accelerated filer  ⊠ 

Exchange Act). 

Yes ⃞ 

No  ⊠ 

As  of  June  30,  2008,  the  aggregate  market  value  of  the  common  stock  held  by  non-affiliates  of  the 

registrant was $243,774,232 based on the closing sale price as reported on the American Stock  Exchange. 

As of February 20, 2009, there were 49,621,711 shares of common stock outstanding. 

    Documents Incorporated by Reference: 

Document 

Portions  of  the  registrant’s  Proxy  Statement 
relating 
the  2009  Annual  Meeting  of 
shareholders to be held on May 21, 2009. 

to 

Parts Into Which Incorporated 

Part III 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION 
FORM 10-K 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

1 
Business ................................................................................................................................... 
9
Risk Factors .............................................................................................................................. 
Unresolved Staff Comments ....................................................................................................  21 
Properties .................................................................................................................................  22 
30
Legal Proceedings .................................................................................................................... 
30
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders .............................................................. 

Part  I 

Item 1. 
Item 1A 
Item 1B 
Item 2. 
Item 3. 
Item 4 

Part II 

Item 5. 

Item 6 
Item 7. 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities .......................................................................................  3  
1
2
Selected Financial Data ............................................................................................................  3  
Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results  
3
Of Operations ...........................................................................................................................  3  
3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk ....................................................  5  
5
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ........................................................................  5  
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and 
5
Financial Disclosure .................................................................................................................  5  
55
Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures ...........................................................................................................  5  
Item 9B.  Other Information .....................................................................................................................  56 

Item 7A 
Item 8 
Item 9. 

Part III 

Item 10 
Item 11. 
Item 12. 

Item 13. 
Item 14. 

Part IV 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance .......................................................  57 
Executive Compensation ..........................................................................................................  57 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related 
Stockholder Matters .................................................................................................................  57 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence .........................  57 
Principal Accountant Fees and Services...................................................................................  57 

Item 15. 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules ............................................................................  58 

i 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward-Looking Information 

We  make  forward-looking  statements  throughout  this  document.  Whenever  you  read  a  statement 
that is not simply a statement of historical fact (such as statements including words like “believe”, “expect”, 
“anticipate”,  “intend”,  “plan”,  “seek”,  “estimate”,  “could”,  “potentially”  or  similar  expressions),  you must 
remember  that  these  are  forward-looking  statements  and  that  our  expectations  may  not  be  correct,  even 
though  we  believe  they  are  reasonable.  The  forward-looking  information  contained  in  this  document  is 
generally  located  in  the  material  set  forth  under  the  heading  “Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” but may be found in other locations as well. These forward-
looking statements generally relate to our plans and objectives for future operations and are based upon our 
management’s reasonable estimates of future results or trends. The factors that may affect our expectations 
regarding our operations include, among others, the following: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

our success in development, exploitation and exploration activities; 

our ability to make planned capital expenditures; 

declines in our production of oil and gas; 

prices for oil and gas; 

our ability to raise equity capital or incur additional indebtedness; 

economic and business conditions; 

political  and  economic  conditions  in  oil  producing  countries,  especially  those  in  the  Middle 
East; 

price and availability of alternative fuels; 

our restrictive debt covenants; 

our acquisition and divestiture activities; 

results of our hedging activities; and 

other factors discussed elsewhere in this document. 

Part I 

Item 1. Business 

In this report, PV-10 means estimated future net revenue discounted at a rate of 10% per annum, 
before  income  taxes  and  with  no  price  or  cost  escalation  or  de-escalation  in  accordance  with  guidelines 
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. A Mcf is one thousand cubic feet of gas. MMcf is 
used to designate one million cubic feet of gas and Bcf refers to one billion cubic feet of gas. Mcfe means 
thousands of cubic feet of gas equivalents, using a conversion ratio of one barrel of oil to six Mcf of gas. 
MMcfe  means  millions  of  cubic  feet  of  gas  equivalents  and  Bcfe  means  billions  of  cubic  feet  of  gas 
equivalents. MMBtu means million British Thermal Units. The term Bbl means one barrel of oil or natural 
gas liquids and MBbls is used to designate one thousand barrels of oil or natural gas liquids. 

Information contained in this report represents the operations of Abraxas Petroleum Corporation 
and  Abraxas  Energy  Partners,  L.P.,  which  we  refer  to  as  the  Partnership  or  Abraxas  Energy  Partners, 
which  are  consolidated  for  financial  reporting  purposes.    The  interest  of  the  52.7%  owners  of  the 
Partnership  is  presented  as  minority  interest.    Abraxas  beneficially  owns  the  remaining  47.3%  of  the 
partnership  interests.  Abraxas  has  determined  that  based  on  its  control  of  the  general  partner  of  the 
Partnership,  this  47.3%  owned  entity  should  be  consolidated  for  financial  reporting  purposes.  The  terms 
“Abraxas”  or  “Abraxas  Petroleum”  refer  only  to  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  and  the  terms  “we,” 
“us,”  “our,”  or  the  “Company,”  refer  to  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation,  together  with  its  consolidated 
subsidiaries including Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P., unless the context otherwise requires.   

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
General 

We are an independent energy company primarily engaged in the development and production of 
oil  and  gas.  Historically,  we  have  grown  through  the  acquisition  and  subsequent  development  and 
exploration  of  producing  properties,  principally  through  the  redevelopment  of  old  fields  utilizing  new 
technologies such as modern log analysis and reservoir modeling techniques as well as 3-D seismic surveys 
and  horizontal  drilling.  As  a  result  of  these  activities,  we  believe  that  we  have  a  number  of  development 
opportunities  on  our  properties.  In  addition,  we  intend  to  expand  upon  our  development  activities  with 
complementary  exploration  projects  in  our  core  areas  of  operation.  Success  in  our  development  and 
exploration  activities  is  critical  in  the  maintenance  and  growth  of  our  current  production  levels  and 
associated reserves.  

At December 31, 2008, our properties were located in the Rocky Mountain, Mid-Continent, 

Permian Basin and Gulf Coast regions of the United States. 

Our Rocky Mountain properties consist of the following: 

•  Northern Rockies—Our properties in the Northern Rockies are located in the Williston Basin 
of  North  Dakota,  South  Dakota  and  Montana  and  consist  of  wells  that  produce  oil  from 
Paleozoic-aged carbonate reservoirs from the Madison formation at 8,000 feet down to the Red 
River formation at 12,000 feet, including the Bakken at 9,000 feet. 

• 

Southern  Rockies—Our  properties  in  the  Southern  Rockies  are  located  in  the  Green  River, 
Powder  River  and  Uinta  Basins  of  Wyoming,  Colorado  and  Utah  and  consist  of  wells  that 
produce oil from Cretaceous-aged fractured shales in the Mowry and  Niobrara formation and 
oil and gas from Cretaceous-aged sandstones in the  Turner, Muddy and Frontier formations. 
Well depths range from 7,000 feet down to 10,000 feet. 

  We have 894 gross (110 net) producing wells in the Rocky Mountain region. 

Our Mid-Continent properties consist of the following: 

•  Arkoma  Basin—Our  properties  in  the  Arkoma  Basin  are  located  in  Oklahoma  and  Arkansas 

and consist of wells that mainly produce gas from Hartshorne coals at 3,000 feet. 

•  Anadarko  Basin—Our  properties  in  the  Anadarko  Basin  are  located  in  Oklahoma  and  the 
Texas  Panhandle  and  consist  of  wells  that  mainly  produce  gas  from  Pennsylvanian-aged 
sandstones (Atoka/Morrow) from depths of up to 18,000 feet. 

•  ARK-LA-TEX—Our properties in the ARK-LA-TEX region principally produce from the East 
Texas/North  Louisiana  Basins  and  include  wells  that  produce  oil  and  gas  from  various 
formations. 

  We have 602 gross (103 net) producing wells in the Mid-Continent region. 

Our Permian Basin properties consist of the following: 

•  ROC Complex—Our properties in the ROC Complex are located in Pecos, Reeves and Ward 
Counties and consist of wells that produce oil and gas from multiple stacked formations from 
the Bell Canyon at 5,000 feet down to the Ellenburger at 16,000 feet.  

•  Oates SW—Our properties in the Oates SW area are located in Pecos County and consist of 
wells that produce gas from the Devonian formation at a depth of approximately 13,500 feet.  

•  Eastern Shelf – Our properties in the Eastern Shelf are predominately located in Coke, Scurry 
and  Mitchell  Counties  and  consist  of  wells  that  produce  oil  and  gas  from  the  Strawn  Reef 
formation  at  5,000  to  6,000  feet  and  oil  from  the  shallower  Clearfork  formation  at  depths 
ranging from 2,300 to 3,300 feet. 

  We have 236 gross (160 net) producing wells in the Permian Basin region. 

2 

 
Our Gulf Coast properties consist of the following: 

•  Edwards—  Our  properties  in  the  Edwards  trend  are  located  in  DeWitt  and  Lavaca  Counties 
and consist of wells that produce gas from the Edwards formation at a depth of 13,500 feet.  

• 

Portilla—The Portilla field – located in San Patricio County, was discovered in 1950 by The 
Superior  Oil  Company,  predecessor  to  Mobil  Oil  Corporation,  and  consists  of  wells  that 
produce  oil  and  gas  from  the  Frio  sands  and  the  deeper  Vicksburg  from  depths  of 
approximately 7,000 to 9,000 feet.  

•  Wilcox  –  Our  properties  in  the  Wilcox  are  located  in  Goliad,  Bee  and  Karnes  Counties  and 
consist of wells that produce gas from various sands in the Wilcox formation at depths ranging 
from 8,000 to 11,000 feet.  

  We have 79 gross (55 net) producing wells in the Gulf Coast region. 

Markets and Customers 

The  revenue  generated  by  our  operations  is  highly  dependent  upon  the  prices  of  oil  and  gas. 
Historically, the  markets for oil and gas have been volatile and are likely to continue to be volatile in the 
future. The prices we receive for our oil and gas production are subject to wide fluctuations and depend on 
numerous  factors  beyond  our  control  including  seasonality,  the  condition  of  the  United  States  economy 
(particularly the manufacturing sector), foreign imports, political conditions in other oil-producing and gas-
producing  countries,  the  actions  of  the  Organization  of  Petroleum  Exporting  Countries  and  domestic 
regulation, legislation and policies. Decreases in the prices of oil and gas have had, and could have in the 
future, an adverse effect on the carrying value of our proved reserves and our revenue, profitability and cash 
flow from operations. You should read the discussion under “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Industry 
—  Market  conditions  for  oil  and  gas,  and  particularly  volatility  of  prices  for  oil  and  gas,  could  adversely 
affect  our  revenue,  cash  flows,  profitability  and  growth”  and  “Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies” for more information relating 
to  the  effects  of  decreases  in  oil  and  gas  prices  on  us.  To  help  mitigate  the  impact  of  commodity  price 
volatility, we hedge a portion of our production through the use of fixed price swaps. See “Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – General – Commodity Prices 
and  Derivative  Activities”  and  Note  14  of  the  notes  to  our  consolidated  financial  statements  for  more 
information regarding our derivative activities. 

Substantially all of our oil and gas is sold at current market prices under short-term arrangements, 
as  is  customary  in  the  industry.  During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008,  two  purchasers  accounted  for 
approximately 29% of our oil and gas sales. We believe that there are numerous other customers available to 
purchase our oil and gas and that the loss of one or more of these purchasers would not materially affect our 
ability to sell oil and gas.  

Regulation of Oil and Gas Activities 

The  exploration,  production  and  transportation  of  all  types  of  hydrocarbons  are  subject  to 
significant governmental  regulations. Our  operations  are  affected from time to  time in  varying degrees by 
political developments and federal, state and local laws and regulations. In particular, oil and gas production 
operations and economics are, or in the past have been, affected by industry specific price controls, taxes, 
conservation,  safety,  environmental,  and  other  laws  relating  to  the  petroleum  industry,  and  by  changes  in 
such laws and by constantly changing administrative regulations.  

Price Regulations 

In the past, maximum selling prices for certain categories of oil, gas and natural gas liquids were 
subject to significant federal regulation. At the present time, however, all sales of our oil and  gas produced 
under private contracts may be sold at market prices. Congress could, however, re-enact price controls in the 
future.  If  controls  that  limit  prices  to  below  market  rates  are  instituted,  our  revenue  could  be  adversely 
affected.  

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas Regulation 

Historically, the gas industry as a whole has been more heavily regulated than the oil or other liquid 
hydrocarbons  markets.  Most  regulations  focus  on  transportation  practices.  Currently,  the  Federal  Energy 
Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) requires 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 storage services, firm and interruptible transportation services, and 
standby sales and gas balancing services), and to adopt a ratemaking methodology to determine appropriate 
rates for those services. To the extent the pipeline company or its sales affiliate markets gas as a merchant, it 
does  so  pursuant  to  private  contracts  in  direct  competition  with  all  of  the  sellers,  such  as  us;  however, 
pipeline  companies  and  their  affiliates  are  not  required  to  remain  “merchants”  of  gas,  and  most  of  the 
interstate pipeline companies have become “transporters only”, although many have affiliated marketers.  

Transportation pipeline availability and shipping cost are major factors affecting the production and 
sale  of  gas.  Our  physical  sales  of  gas  are  affected  by  the  actual  availability,  terms  and  cost  of  pipeline 
transportation.  The  price  and  terms  for  access  into  the  pipeline  transportation  systems  remain  subject  to 
extensive  Federal  regulation.  Although  FERC  does  not  directly  regulate  our  production  and  marketing 
activities,  it  does  affect  how  buyers  and  sellers  gain  access  to  and  use  of  the  necessary  transportation 
facilities and how we and our competitors sell gas in the marketplace. FERC continues to review and modify 
its regulations regarding the transportation of gas. The 2005 Energy Policy Act recently authorized FERC to 
allow gas companies subject to the FERC’s Natural Gas Act jurisdiction to provide gas storage and storage-
related services at market-based rates for new storage capacity of a storage facility placed in service after the 
date  of  the  Act’s  August  2005  passage,  thereby  enhancing  competition  in  the  market  for  interstate  gas 
storage service. 

In  recent  years  FERC  also  has  pursued  a  number  of  important  policy  initiatives  which  could 
significantly  affect  the  marketing  of  gas  in  the  United  States.  Most  of  these  initiatives  are  intended  to 
enhance competition in gas markets. FERC rules encouraging “spin downs”, or the breakout of unregulated 
gathering activities from regulated transportation services, may have the adverse effect of increasing the cost 
of  doing  business  on  some  in  the  industry,  including  us,  as  a  result  of  the  geographic  monopolization  of 
certain  facilities  by  their  new,  unregulated  owners.  Note,  however;  that  FERC  is  pursuing  an  inquiry  into 
whether it should revise its test for determining whether and under what circumstances FERC may reassert 
jurisdiction  over  gas  gathering  companies  that  have  been  “spun-down”  from  an  affiliated  interstate  gas 
pipeline to prevent abusive practices by the gatherer and its pipeline affiliate. Any action taken by FERC in 
this  proceeding  will  be  intended  by  it  to  enhance  competition  in  the  gas  transportation  sector.    As  to  all 
FERC initiatives, the ongoing, or, in some instances, preliminary and evolving nature of such matters makes 
it impossible at this time to predict their ultimate impact on our business. However, we do not believe that 
any FERC initiatives will affect us any differently than other gas producers and marketers with which we 
compete.  

FERC decisions involving onshore facilities are more liberal in their reliance upon traditional tests 
for determining what facilities are “gathering” and therefore are exempt from federal regulatory control. In 
many instances, what was in the past classified as “transmission” may now be classified as “gathering.”  We 
ship  certain  of  our  gas  through  gathering  facilities  owned  by  others.  Although  FERC  decisions  create  the 
potential for increasing the cost of shipping our gas on third party gathering facilities, our shipping activities 
have not been materially affected by these decisions. 

In summary, all FERC activities related to the transportation of gas result in improved opportunities 
to market our physical production to a variety of buyers and market places, while at the same time increasing 
access  to  pipeline  transportation  and  delivery  services.  Additional  proposals  and  proceedings  that  might 
affect  the  gas  industry  in  the  United  States  are  considered  from  time  to  time  by  Congress,  FERC,  state 
regulatory bodies and the courts. We cannot predict when or if any such proposals might become effective 
or  their  effect,  if  any,  on  our  operations.  The  oil  and  gas  industry  historically  has  been  very  heavily 
regulated; thus there is no assurance that the less stringent regulatory approach recently pursued by FERC 
and Congress will continue indefinitely into the future. 

4 

 
 
 
State and Other Regulation 

All of the jurisdictions in which we own producing oil and gas properties have statutory provisions 
regulating the exploration for and production of oil and gas. These include 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. Our 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 on an acreage basis and the density of wells which may be drilled and the 
unitization  or  pooling  of  oil  and  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 oil and gas wells generally 
prohibit the venting or flaring of 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  all  of  these  conservation  regulations  has  the  potential  to  limit  the  speed,  timing  and 
amounts of oil and gas we can produce from our wells, and to limit the number of wells or the location at 
which we can drill. 

State  regulation  of  gathering  facilities  generally  includes  various  safety,  environmental,  and  in 
some  circumstances,  non-discriminatory  take  or  service  requirements,  but  does  not  generally  entail  rate 
regulation. In the United States, gas gathering has received greater regulatory scrutiny at both the state and 
federal levels in the wake of the interstate pipeline restructuring under FERC Order 636. For example, the 
Texas  Railroad  Commission  enacted  a  Natural  Gas  Transportation  Standards  and  Code  of  Conduct  to 
provide regulatory support for the State’s more active review of rates, services and practices associated with 
the gathering and transportation of gas by an entity that provides such services to others for a fee, in order to 
prohibit such entities from unduly discriminating in favor of their affiliates. 

For  those  operations  on  Federal  or  Indian  oil  and  gas  leases,  such  operations  must  comply  with 
numerous  regulatory  restrictions,  including  various  non-discrimination  statutes,  and  certain  of  such 
operations  must  be  conducted  pursuant  to  certain  on-site  security  regulations  and  other  permits  issued  by 
various  federal  agencies.  In  addition,  on  Federal  Lands  in  the  United  States,  the  Minerals  Management 
Service (“MMS”) prescribes or severely limits the types of post production costs that are deductible  costs 
for purposes of royalty valuation of production sold off the lease. In particular, MMS prohibits deduction of 
costs  associated  with  marketer  fees,  cash  out  and  other  pipeline  imbalance  penalties,  and  or  long-term 
storage fees. Between 2003 and 2005, the MMS promulgated new rules and procedures for determining the 
value of oil produced from federal lands for purposes of calculating royalties owed to the government. As a 
general matter the oil and gas industry as a whole has resisted these rules under an assumption that royalty 
burdens  will  substantially  increase.  At  this  time,  we  are  unable  to  predict  the  ultimate  cost  and  effects  of 
these new rules on our operations. 

Environmental Matters 

Our operations are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations controlling the 
generation,  use,  storage  and  discharge  of  materials  into  the  environment  or  otherwise  relating  to  the 
protection of the environment. These laws and regulations may require the acquisition of a permit or other 
authorization before construction or drilling commences; restrict the types, quantities, and concentrations of 
various substances that can be released into the environment in connection with drilling, production, and gas 
processing  activities;  suspend,  limit  or  prohibit  construction,  drilling  and  other  activities  in  certain  lands 
lying within wilderness, wetlands, and other protected areas; require remedial measures to mitigate pollution 
from  historical  and  on-going  operations  such  as  use  of  pits  and  plugging  of  abandoned  wells;  restrict 
injection  of  liquids  into  subsurface  strata  that  may  contaminate  groundwater;  and  impose  substantial 
liabilities for pollution resulting from our operations. Environmental permits required for our operations may 
be subject to revocation, modification, and renewal by issuing authorities. Governmental authorities have the 
power  to  enforce  compliance  with  their  regulations  and  permits,  and  violations  are  subject  to  injunction, 
civil fines, and even criminal penalties. Our management believes that we are in substantial compliance with 
current  environmental  laws  and  regulations,  and  that  we  will  not  be  required  to  make  material  capital 
expenditures  to  comply  with  existing  laws.  Nevertheless,  changes  in  existing  environmental  laws  and 
regulations or interpretations thereof could have a significant impact on us as well as the oil and gas industry 

5 

 
 
in general, and thus we are unable to predict the ultimate cost and effects of future changes in environmental 
laws and regulations. 

We  are  not  currently  involved  in  any  administrative,  judicial  or  legal  proceedings  arising  under 
domestic or foreign federal, state, or local environmental protection laws and regulations, or under federal or 
state  common  law,  which  would  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  financial  position  or  results  of 
operations.  Moreover,  we  maintain  insurance  against  costs  of  clean-up  operations,  but  we  are  not  fully 
insured  against  all  such  risks.  A  serious  incident of pollution  may  result  in  the  suspension or  cessation  of 
operations in the affected area. 

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act.  The Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as Superfund, and which we refer to 
as CERCLA, and comparable state statutes impose strict, joint, and several liability, without regard to fault 
or legality of conduct, on certain classes of persons who are considered to have contributed to the release of 
a “hazardous substance” into the environment. These persons include the owner or operator of a disposal site 
or sites where a release occurred and companies that generated, disposed or arranged for the disposal of the 
hazardous substances released at the site. Under CERCLA, such persons or companies may be retroactively 
liable for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, for 
damages to natural resources, and for the costs of certain health studies. CERCLA authorizes the EPA and in 
some cases third parties, to take actions in response to threats to the public health or the environment and to 
seek to recover from the responsible classes of persons the costs they incur. In addition, it is not uncommon 
for neighboring land owners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury, property damage, and 
recovery of response costs allegedly caused by the hazardous substances released into the environment. 

In the course of the ordinary operations of our properties, certain wastes may be generated that may 
fall within CERCLA’s definition of a “hazardous substance.” We may be jointly and severally liable under 
CERCLA or comparable state statutes for all or part of the costs required to clean up sites at which these 
wastes  have  been  disposed.  Although  CERCLA  currently  contains  a  “petroleum  exclusion”  from  the 
definition of “hazardous substance,” state laws affecting our operations impose cleanup liability relating to 
petroleum and petroleum related products, including oil cleanups. 

We  currently  own  or  lease,  and  have  in  the  past  owned  or  leased,  numerous  properties  that  for 
many years have been used for the exploration and production of oil and gas. Although Abraxas Petroleum 
has utilized standard industry operating and disposal practices at the time, hydrocarbons or other wastes may 
have  been  disposed  of  or  released  on  or  under  the  properties  we  owned  or  leased  or  on  or  under  other 
locations where such wastes have been taken for disposal. In addition, many of these properties have been 
operated by third parties whose treatment and disposal or release of hydrocarbons or other wastes was not 
under our control. These properties and the wastes disposed thereon may be subject to CERCLA, RCRA (as 
defined below), and analogous state laws. Under these laws, we could be required to remove or remediate 
previously disposed wastes, including wastes disposed or released by prior owners or operators; to clean up 
contaminated property, including contaminated groundwater; or to perform remedial operations to prevent 
future contamination. 

Oil  Pollution  Act  of  1990.  United  States  federal  regulations  also  require  certain  owners  and 
operators  of  facilities  that  store  or  otherwise  handle  oil,  such  as  us,  to  prepare  and  implement  spill 
prevention, control and countermeasure plans and spill response plans relating to possible discharge of oil 
into  surface  waters.  The  federal  Oil  Pollution  Act  (“OPA”)  contains  numerous  requirements  relating  to 
prevention of, reporting of, and response to oil spills into waters of the United States. For facilities that may 
affect  state  waters,  OPA  requires  an  operator  to  demonstrate  $10  million  in  financial  responsibility.  State 
laws  mandate  oil  cleanup  programs  with  respect  to  contaminated  soil.  A  failure  to  comply  with  OPA’s 
requirements  or  inadequate  cooperation  during  a  spill  response  action  may  subject  a  responsible  party  to 
civil  or  criminal  enforcement  actions.  We  are  not  aware  of  any  action  or  event  that  would  subject  us  to 
liability under OPA, and we believe that compliance with OPA’s financial responsibility and other operating 
requirements will not have a material adverse effect on us. 

U.S.  Environmental  Protection  Agency.  U.S.  Environmental  Protection  Agency  regulations 
address the disposal of oil and gas operational wastes under three federal acts  more fully discussed in the 
paragraphs  that  follow.  The  Resource  Conservation  and  Recovery  Act  of  1976,  as  amended  (“RCRA”), 
provides  a  framework  for  the  safe  disposal  of  discarded  materials  and  the  management  of  solid  and 
hazardous  wastes.  The  direct  disposal  of  operational  wastes  into  offshore  waters  is  also  limited  under  the 
authority  of  the  Clean  Water  Act.  When  injected  underground,  oil  and  gas  wastes  are  regulated  by  the 

6 

Underground  Injection  Control  program  under  the  Safe  Drinking  Water  Act.  If  wastes  are  classified  as 
hazardous, they must be properly transported, using a uniform hazardous waste manifest, documented, and 
disposed of at an approved hazardous waste facility. We have coverage under the applicable Clean  Water 
Act permitting requirements for discharges associated with exploration and development activities.  

Resource  Conservation  Recovery  Act.  RCRA  is  the  principal  federal  statute  governing  the 
treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes. RCRA imposes stringent operating requirements, and 
liability  for failure  to  meet  such  requirements, on  a  person who  is  either  a  “generator”  or  “transporter” of 
hazardous waste or an “owner” or “operator” of a hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facility. At 
present, RCRA includes a statutory exemption that allows most oil and gas exploration and production waste 
to be classified as nonhazardous waste. A similar exemption is contained in many of the state counterparts to 
RCRA.  As  a  result,  we  are  not  required  to  comply  with  a  substantial  portion  of  RCRA’s  requirements 
because  our  operations  generate  minimal  quantities  of  hazardous  wastes.  At  various  times  in  the  past, 
proposals have been made to amend RCRA to rescind the exemption that excludes oil and gas exploration 
and  production  wastes  from  regulation  as  hazardous  waste.  Repeal  or  modification  of  the  exemption  by 
administrative,  legislative  or  judicial  process,  or  modification  of  similar  exemptions  in  applicable  state 
statutes, would increase the volume of hazardous waste we are required to manage and dispose of and would 
cause us to incur increased operating expenses. 

Clean  Water  Act.  The  Clean  Water  Act  imposes  restrictions  and  controls  on  the  discharge  of 
produced waters and other wastes into navigable waters. Permits  must  be obtained to discharge pollutants 
into  state  and  federal  waters  and  to  conduct  construction  activities  in  waters  and  wetlands.  Certain  state 
regulations  and  the  general  permits  issued  under  the  Federal  National  Pollutant  Discharge  Elimination 
System program prohibit the discharge of produced waters and sand, drilling fluids, drill cuttings and certain 
other substances related to the oil and gas industry into certain coastal and offshore waters. Further, the EPA 
has adopted regulations requiring certain oil and gas exploration and production facilities to obtain permits 
for  storm  water  discharges.  Costs  may  be  associated  with  the  treatment  of  wastewater  or  developing  and 
implementing  storm  water  pollution prevention plans.  The  Clean Water  Act  and  comparable  state  statutes 
provide  for  civil,  criminal  and  administrative  penalties  for  unauthorized  discharges  for  oil  and  other 
pollutants and impose liability on parties responsible for those discharges for the costs of cleaning up any 
environmental  damage  caused  by  the  release  and  for  natural  resource  damages  resulting  from  the  release. 
We believe that our operations comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Clean Water Act 
and state statutes enacted to control water pollution. 

Safe  Drinking  Water  Act.  Underground  injection  is  the  subsurface  placement  of  fluid  through  a 
well, such as the reinjection of brine produced and separated from oil and gas production. The Safe Drinking 
Water Act of 1974, as amended establishes a regulatory framework for underground injection, with the main 
goal being the protection of usable aquifers. The primary objective of injection well operating requirements 
is to ensure the mechanical integrity of the injection apparatus and to prevent migration of fluids from the 
injection  zone  into  underground  sources  of  drinking  water.  Hazardous-waste  injection  well  operations  are 
strictly  controlled,  and  certain wastes,  absent  an  exemption,  cannot be injected  into  underground  injection 
control wells. In Texas, no underground injection may take place except as authorized by permit or rule. We 
currently own and operate various underground injection wells. Failure to abide by our permits could subject 
us to civil and/or criminal enforcement. We believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with 
the requirements of applicable state underground injection control programs and our permits. 

Clean Air Act.  The Clean Air Act, which we refer to as the CAA, and state air pollution laws and 
regulations provide a framework for national, state and local efforts to protect air quality. The operations of 
our  properties  utilize  equipment  that  emits  air  pollutants  which  may  be  subject  to  federal  and  state  air 
pollution  control  laws.  These  laws  require  utilization  of  air  emissions  abatement  equipment  to  achieve 
prescribed emissions limitations and ambient air quality standards, as well as operating permits for existing 
equipment and construction permits for new and modified equipment. 

Permits  and  related  compliance  obligations  under  the  CAA,  as  well  as  changes  to  state 
implementation plans for controlling air emissions in regional non-attainment areas, may require oil and gas 
exploration and production operators to incur future capital expenditures in connection with the addition or 
modification  of  existing  air  emission  control  equipment  and  strategies.  In  addition,  some  oil  and  gas 
facilities  may  be  included  within  the  categories  of  hazardous  air  pollutant  sources,  which  are  subject  to 
increasing regulation under the CAA. Failure to comply with these requirements could subject a regulated 
entity to  monetary penalties, injunctions, conditions or restrictions on operations and enforcement actions. 
Oil and gas exploration and production facilities may be required to incur certain capital expenditures in the 

7 

future  for  air  pollution  control  equipment  in  connection  with  obtaining  and  maintaining  operating  permits 
and  approvals  for  air  emissions.  We  believe  that  we  are  in  compliance  in  all  material  respects  with  the 
requirements of applicable federal and state air pollution control laws. 

The  Kyoto  Protocol  to  the  United  Nations  Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change,  or  the 
Protocol,  became  effective  in  February  2005.  Under  the  Protocol,  participating  nations  are  required  to 
implement programs to reduce emissions of certain gases, generally referred to as “greenhouse gases,” that 
are  suspected  of  contributing  to  global  warming.  The  United  States  is  not  currently  a  participant  in  the 
Protocol; however, Congress has recently considered proposed legislation directed at reducing “greenhouse 
gas  emissions,”  and  certain  states  have  adopted  legislation,  regulations  and/or  initiatives  addressing 
greenhouse gas emissions from various sources, primarily power plants. Additionally, on April 2, 2007, the 
U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Massachusetts v. EPA that the EPA has authority under the CAA to regulate 
greenhouse gas emissions from mobile sources (e.g., cars and trucks). The Court also held that greenhouse 
gases  fall  within  the  CAA’s  definition  of  “air  pollutant,”  which  could  result  in  future  regulation  of 
greenhouse  gas  emissions  from  stationary  sources,  including  those  used  in  oil  and  gas  exploration  and 
production  operations.  The  oil  and  gas  industry  is  a  direct  source  of  certain  greenhouse  gas  emissions, 
namely  carbon  dioxide  and  methane,  and  future  restrictions  on  such  emissions  could  impact  our  future 
operations.  Our  properties  are  not  adversely  impacted  by  the  current  state  and  local  climate  change 
initiatives and, at this time, it is not possible to accurately estimate how potential future laws or regulations 
addressing greenhouse gas emissions would impact our business. 

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (“NORM”). NORM are materials not covered by the 
Atomic Energy Act, whose radioactivity is enhanced by technological processing such as mineral extraction 
or processing through exploration and production conducted by the oil and gas industry. NORM wastes are 
regulated  under  the  RCRA  framework,  but  primary  responsibility  for  NORM  regulation  has  been  a  state 
function. Standards have been developed for worker protection; treatment, storage and disposal of NORM 
waste;  management  of  waste  piles,  containers  and  tanks;  and  limitations  upon  the  release  of  NORM 
contaminated land for unrestricted use. We believe that our operations are in material compliance with all 
applicable NORM standards established by the various states in which we operate. 

National Environmental Policy Act.  Oil and gas exploration and production activities on federal 
lands  are  subject  to  the  National  Environmental  Policy  Act,  which  we  refer  to  as  NEPA.  NEPA  requires 
federal agencies, including the Department of Interior, to evaluate major agency actions having the potential 
to  significantly  impact  the  environment.  In  the  course  of  such  evaluations,  an  agency  will  prepare  an 
Environmental Assessment that assesses the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of a proposed 
project and, if necessary, will prepare a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement that may be made 
available for public review and comment. If we were to conduct any exploration and production activities on 
federal lands in the future, those activities would need to obtain governmental permits that are subject to the 
requirements of NEPA. This process has the potential to delay the development of oil and gas projects. 

Endangered  Species  Act.    The  Endangered  Species  Act,  which  we  refer  to  as  the  ESA,  restricts 
activities that may affect endangered or threatened species or their habitats. While some of our facilities may 
be located in areas that may be designated as habitat for endangered or threatened species, we believe that 
we  are  in  substantial  compliance  with  the  ESA.  However,  the  discovery  of  previously  unidentified 
endangered  or  threatened  species  could  cause  us  to  incur  additional  costs  or  become  subject  to  operating 
restrictions or bans in the affected areas. 

Abandonment  Costs.  All  of  our  oil  and  gas  wells  will  require  proper plugging  and  abandonment 
when they are no longer producing. We post bonds with most regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with 
our plugging responsibility. Plugging and abandonment operations and associated reclamation of the surface 
production site are important components of our environmental management system. We plan accordingly 
for the ultimate disposition of properties that are no longer producing. 

Title to Properties 

As is customary in the oil and gas industry, we make only a cursory review of title to undeveloped  
oil and gas leases at the time we acquire them. However, before drilling commences, we require a thorough 
title search to be conducted, and any material defects in title are remedied prior to the time actual drilling of 
a  well  begins.  To  the  extent  title  opinions  or  other  investigations  reflect  title  defects,  we,  rather  than  the 
seller/lessor of the undeveloped property, are typically obligated to cure any title defect at our expense. If we 
were unable to remedy or cure any title defect of a nature such that it would not be prudent to commence 

8 

 
drilling  operations  on  the  property,  we  could  suffer  a  loss  of  our  entire  investment  in  the  property.  We 
believe  that  we  have  good  title  to  our  oil  and  gas  properties,  some  of  which  are  subject  to  immaterial 
encumbrances, easements and restrictions. The oil and gas properties we own are also typically subject to 
royalty and other similar non-cost bearing interests customary in the industry. We do not believe that any of 
these encumbrances or burdens will materially affect our ownership or use of our properties. 

Competition 

We  operate  in  a  highly  competitive  environment.  The  principal  resources  necessary  for  the 
exploration and production of oil and gas are leasehold prospects under which oil and gas reserves may be 
discovered, drilling rigs and related equipment to explore for such reserves and knowledgeable personnel to 
conduct all phases of oil and gas operations. We must compete for such resources with both major oil and 
gas  companies  and  independent  operators.  Many  of  these  competitors  have  financial  and  other  resources 
substantially  greater  than  ours.  Although  we  believe  our  current  operating  and  financial  resources  are 
adequate to preclude any significant disruption of our operations in the immediate future, we cannot assure 
you that such materials and resources will be available to us. For more information, you should read “Risk 
Factors – Risks Related to Our Industry – We operate in a highly competitive industry which may adversely 
affect our operations.” and “– The unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, insurance, 
personnel  and  oil  field  services  could  adversely  affect  our  ability  to  execute  our  exploration  and 
development plans on a timely basis and within our budget.” 

Employees  

As of  February  20, 2009 we  had 65  full-time  employees. We  retain  independent geological,  land 
and  engineering  consultants  from  time  to  time  on  a  limited  basis  and  expect  to  continue  to  do  so  in  the 
future.  

Available Information 

We  file  annual,  quarterly  and  current  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other  information  with  the 
Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the 
SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC 
at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the public reference room. The SEC maintains an internet web site 
that  contains  annual,  quarterly  and  current  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other  information  that  issuers 
(including Abraxas) file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s web site is www.sec.gov.  

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K 
and other reports and amendments filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available free of 
charge  on  our  web  site  at  www.abraxaspetroleum.com  in  the  Investor  Relations  section  as  soon  as 
practicable after such reports are filed.  Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this 
Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this report or any other filing that we make with the SEC. 

Item 1A. Risk Factors 

Risks Related to Our Business 

We may not be able to fund the substantial capital expenditures that will be required for us to 

increase reserves and production.  

We must make substantial capital expenditures to develop our existing reserves and to discover new 
reserves. Historically, we have financed our capital expenditures primarily with cash flow from operations, 
borrowings under credit facilities, sales of producing properties, and sales of debt and equity securities and 
we  expect  to  continue  to  do  so  in  the  future.  Abraxas  also  anticipates  receiving  distributions  of  available 
cash from the Partnership. We cannot assure you that we will have sufficient capital resources in the future 
to finance all of our capital expenditures.  

Volatility in oil and gas prices, the timing of both  Abraxas’ and the Partnership’s drilling programs 
and  drilling  results  will  affect  both  Abraxas’  and  the  Partnership’s  cash  flow  from  operations  as  well  as 
distributions of available cash by the Partnership to Abraxas. Lower prices and/or lower production will also 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
decrease  revenues  and  cash  flow,  thus  reducing  the  amount  of  financial  resources  available  to  meet  both 
Abraxas’ and the Partnership’s  capital requirements, including reducing the amount available to pursue our 
drilling  opportunities.  If  our  cash  flow  from  operations  does  not  increase  as  a  result  of  planned  capital 
expenditures,  a  greater  percentage  of  our  cash  flow  from  operations  will  be  required  for  debt  service  and 
operating expenses and our planned capital expenditures would, by necessity, be decreased.  

The  borrowing  bases  under  Abraxas’  and  the  Partnership’s  credit  facilities  are  determined  from 
time to time by the lenders. Reductions in estimates of oil and gas reserves could result in a reduction in the 
respective  borrowing  bases,  which  would  reduce  the  amount  of  financial  resources  available  under  these 
facilities to meet our capital requirements. Such a reduction could be the result of lower commodity prices or 
production, inability to drill or unfavorable drilling results, changes in oil and gas reserve engineering, the 
lenders’  inability  to  agree  to  an  adequate  borrowing  base  or  adverse  changes  in  the  lenders’  practices 
regarding estimation of reserves.  

If cash flow from operations or our borrowing bases decrease for any reason, both Abraxas’ ability 
to undertake exploration and development activities, and the Partnerships’ ability to undertake development 
activities  could  be  adversely  affected.  The  Partnership’s  ability  to  undertake  exploration  and  development 
activities will also be effected by the limitation set forth in the Partnership’s Credit Facility limiting capital 
expenditures to $12.5 million while the Partnership’s Subordinated Credit Agreement remains outstanding.  
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations –Liquidity 
and Capital Resources – Long-Term Indebtedness.”  As a result, our ability  to replace production may be 
limited. In addition, if the borrowing bases under Abraxas’ and the Partnership’s respective credit facilities 
are  reduced,  both  Abraxas  and  the  Partnership  would  be  required  to  reduce  their  borrowings  under  their 
respective credit facilities so that such borrowings do not exceed such borrowing bases. This could further 
reduce the cash available to us for capital spending and, if either Abraxas or the Partnership did not have 
sufficient capital to reduce its respective borrowing level, Abraxas and/or the Partnership may be in default 
under their respective credit facilities. 

Abraxas has sold producing properties to provide it with liquidity and capital resources in the past 
and  both  Abraxas  and  the  Partnership  may  do  so  in  the  future.    After  any  such  sale,  we  would  expect  to 
utilize the proceeds to drill new wells on our remaining properties.  If we cannot replace the production lost 
from  properties  sold  with  production  from  the  remaining  properties,  both  Abraxas’  and  the  Partnership’s 
cash  flow  from  operations,  including  distributions  of  available  cash  from  the  Partnership,  will  likely 
decrease, which in turn, would decrease the amount of cash available for additional capital spending.  

We  may  be  unable  to  acquire  or  develop  additional  reserves,  in  which  case  our  results  of 

operations and financial condition would be adversely affected. 

 Our future oil and gas production, and therefore our success, is highly dependent upon our ability 
to find, acquire and develop additional reserves that are profitable to produce. The rate of production from 
our  oil  and  gas  properties  and  our  proved  reserves  will  decline  as  our  reserves  are  produced.    Unless  we 
acquire  additional  properties  containing  proved  reserves,  conduct  successful  development  and  exploration 
activities  or,  through  engineering  studies,  identify  additional  behind-pipe  zones  or  secondary  recovery 
reserves, we cannot assure you that our exploration and development activities will result in increases in our 
proved  reserves.  Approximately  92%  of  the  Partnership’s  and  85%  of  Abraxas’,  or  92%  of  the  estimated 
ultimate recovery of our consolidated proved developed producing reserves as of December 31, 2008, had 
been  produced.    Based  on  the  reserve  information  set  forth  in  our  reserve  report  of  December 31,  2008, 
Abraxas’  average  annual  estimated  decline  rate  for  its  net  proved  developed  producing  reserves  is  18% 
during  the  first  five  years,  13%  in  the  next  five  years,  and  approximately  7%  thereafter.    Based  on  the 
reserve information set forth in our reserve report of December 31, 2008, the Partnership’s average annual 
estimated decline rate for its net proved developed producing reserves is 10% during the first five years, 8% 
in  the  next  five  years  and  approximately  8%  thereafter.    These  rates  of  decline  are  estimates  and  actual 
production declines could be materially higher. While Abraxas has had some success in finding, acquiring 
and  developing  additional  reserves,  Abraxas  has  not  always  been  able  to  fully  replace  the  production 
volumes lost from natural field declines and prior property sales. For example, in 2006, Abraxas replaced 
only 7% of the reserves it produced.  As our proved reserves and consequently our production decline, our 
cash flow from operations, the amount of cash distributions Abraxas receives from the Partnership and the 
amount  that  we  are  able  to borrow under  our  credit  facilities  will  also  decline.  In  addition,  approximately 
65% of Abraxas’ and 39% of the Partnership’s total estimated proved reserves at December 31, 2008 were 
undeveloped. By their nature, estimates of undeveloped reserves are less certain. Recovery of such reserves 

10 

will require significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. Even if we are successful in 
our development efforts, it could take several years for a significant portion of these undeveloped reserves to 
generate positive cash flow. 

We may not find any commercially productive oil and gas reservoirs.  

We cannot assure you that the new wells we drill will be productive or that we will recover all or 
any portion of our capital investment. Drilling for oil and gas may be unprofitable. Dry holes and wells that 
are  productive  but  do  not  produce  sufficient  net  revenues  after  drilling,  operating  and  other  costs  are 
unprofitable. The inherent risk of not finding commercially productive reservoirs will be compounded by the 
fact that 65% of Abraxas and 39% of the Partnership’s, or 46% of our consolidated total estimated proved 
reserves at December 31, 2008, were undeveloped. By their nature, estimates of undeveloped reserves are 
less certain. Recovery of such reserves will require significant capital expenditures and successful drilling 
operations. In addition, our properties may be susceptible to drainage from production by other operations 
on adjacent properties. If the volume of oil and gas we produce decreases, our cash flow from operations and 
the amount of any distributions that Abraxas may receive from the Partnership will decrease.  

Our  drilling  operations  may  be  curtailed,  delayed  or  cancelled  as  a  result  of  a  variety  of  factors, 

including:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

unexpected drilling conditions;  

facility or equipment failure or accidents;  

shortages or delays in the availability of drilling rigs, equipment and crews;  

adverse weather conditions;  

compliance with environmental and governmental rules and regulations; 

title problems;  

unusual or unexpected geological formations;  

pipeline ruptures;  

fires, blowouts and explosions; and  

uncontrollable flows of oil or gas or well fluids. 

Restrictive debt covenants could limit our growth and our ability to finance our operations, fund 
our capital needs, respond to changing conditions and engage in other business activities that may be in 
our best interests. 

Abraxas’  credit  facility  and  the  Partnership’s  credit  facility  contain  a  number  of  significant 

covenants that, among other things, limit both Abraxas’ and the Partnership’s ability to: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

incur or guarantee additional indebtedness and issue certain types of preferred stock or 
redeemable stock; 

transfer or sell assets; 

create liens on assets; 

pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or make other restricted 
payments, including repurchasing, redeeming or retiring capital stock or subordinated debt 
or making certain investments or acquisitions; 

engage in transactions with affiliates; 

guarantee other indebtedness; 

•  make any change in the principal nature of our business; 

• 

permit a change of control; or 

11 

 
• 

consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of Abraxas 
and our restricted subsidiaries. 

In addition, both Abraxas’ credit facility and the Partnership’s credit facility require each of them to 
maintain  compliance  with  specified  financial  ratios  and  satisfy  certain  financial  condition  tests  and  the 
Partnership’s  Credit  Facility  limits  the  Partnership’s  capital  expenditures  to  $12.5  million  while  the 
Partnership’s  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  remains  outstanding.    Both  Abraxas’  and  the  Partnership’s 
ability to comply with these ratios and financial condition tests may be adversely affected by events beyond 
our  control,  and  we  cannot  assure  you  that  either  Abraxas  or  the  Partnership  will  meet  these  ratios  and 
financial  condition  tests.    These  financial  ratio  restrictions  and  financial  condition  tests  could  limit  both 
Abraxas’  and  the  Partnership’s  ability  to  obtain  future  financings,  make  needed  capital  expenditures, 
withstand a future downturn in our business or the economy in general or otherwise conduct necessary or 
desirable corporate activities. 

A breach of any of these covenants or either Abraxas’ or the Partnership’s inability to comply with 
the  required  financial  ratios  or  financial  condition  tests  could  result  in  a  default  under  Abraxas’  credit 
facility and/or the Partnership’s credit facility.  A default, if not cured or waived, could result in all of our 
indebtedness becoming immediately due and payable.  If that should occur, we may not be able to pay all 
such debt or to borrow sufficient funds to refinance it.  Even if new financing were then available, it may not 
be on terms that are acceptable or favorable to us. 

The  marketability  of  our  production  depends  largely  upon  the  availability,  proximity  and 

capacity of gas gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities. 

The marketability of our production depends in part upon processing and transportation facilities. 
Transportation  space  on  such  gathering  systems  and  pipelines  is  occasionally  limited  and  at  times 
unavailable due to repairs or improvements being made to such facilities or due to such space being utilized 
by other companies with priority transportation agreements. Our access to transportation options can also be 
affected by U.S. Federal and state regulation of oil and gas production and transportation, general economic 
conditions and changes in supply and demand. These factors and the availability of markets are beyond our 
control. If market factors dramatically change, the financial impact on us could be substantial and adversely 
affect our ability to produce and market oil and gas. 

An increase in the differential between NYMEX and the reference or regional index price used 

to price our oil and gas would reduce our cash flow from operations. 

Our oil and gas is priced in the local markets where it is produced based on local or regional supply 
and demand factors. The prices we receive for all of our oil and gas are lower than the relevant benchmark 
prices, such as NYMEX. The difference between the benchmark price and the price we receive is called a 
differential. Numerous factors may influence local pricing, such as refinery capacity, pipeline capacity and 
specifications,  upsets  in  the  midstream  or  downstream  sectors  of  the  industry,  trade  restrictions  and 
governmental  regulations.  Additionally,  insufficient  pipeline  capacity,  lack  of  demand  in  any  given 
operating area or other factors may cause the differential to increase in a particular area compared with other 
producing  areas.  For  example,  production  increases  from  competing  Canadian  and  Rocky  Mountain 
producers, combined with limited refining and pipeline capacity in the Rocky Mountain area, have gradually 
widened differentials in this area. 

During 2008, differentials averaged $7.07 per Bbl of oil and $1.30 per Mcf of gas.  Approximately 
39%  of  our  production  during  2008  was  from  our  Rocky  Mountain  and  Mid-Continent  properties.  
Historically,  these  regions  have  experienced  wider  differentials  than  our  Permian  Basin  and  Gulf  Coast 
properties.    As  the  percentage  of  our  production  from  the  Rocky  Mountain  and  Mid-Continent  regions 
increases, we expect that our price differentials will also increase.  Increases in the differential between the 
benchmark prices for oil and gas and the wellhead price we receive could significantly reduce our revenues 
and our cash flow from operations.  

The  Partnership’s  derivative  contract  activities  could  result  in  financial  losses  or  could  reduce 

our cash flow.  

To achieve more predictable cash flow and reduce our exposure to adverse fluctuations in the prices 
of  oil  and  gas  and  to  comply  with  the  requirements  under  the  Partnership’s  credit  facility,  we  have  and 
12 

 
 
 
 
 
expect to continue to enter into derivative contracts, which we sometimes refer to as hedging arrangements, 
for  a  significant  portion  of  our  oil  and  gas  production  that  could  result  in  both  realized  and  unrealized 
derivative  contract  losses.  The  Partnership  has  entered  into  NYMEX-based  fixed  price  commodity  swap 
arrangements on approximately 85% of its estimated oil and gas production from its estimated net proved 
developed producing reserves through December 31, 2011. The extent of our commodity price exposure is 
related  largely  to  the  effectiveness  and  scope  of  our  commodity  price  derivative  contract  activities.  For 
example, the prices utilized in our derivative instruments are NYMEX-based, which may differ significantly 
from the actual prices we receive for oil and gas which are based on the local markets where oil and gas are 
produced. The prices that we receive for our oil and gas production are lower than the relevant benchmark 
prices that are used for calculating commodity derivative positions. The difference between the benchmark 
price and the price we receive is called a differential. As a result, our cash flow could be affected if the basis 
differentials  widen  more  than  we  anticipate.  For  more  information  see  ‘‘—An  increase  in  the  differential 
between NYMEX and the reference or regional index price used to price our oil and gas would reduce our 
cash flow from operations’’. We currently do not have any basis differential hedging arrangements in place. 
Our cash flow could also be affected based upon the levels of our production. If production is higher than we 
estimate, we will have greater commodity price exposure than we intended. If production is lower than the 
nominal amount that is subject to our hedging arrangements, we may be forced to satisfy all or a portion of 
our  hedging  arrangements  without  the  benefit  of  the  cash  flow  from  our  sale  of  the  underlying  physical 
commodity, resulting in a substantial reduction in cash flows. 

If the prices at which the Partnership has hedged its oil and gas production are less than current 

market prices, its ability to maintain or increase cash distributions could be adversely affected. 

The  Partnership  has  entered  into  NYMEX-based  fixed  price  commodity  swap  arrangements  on 
approximately  85%  of  its  estimated  oil  and  gas  production  from  its  estimated  net  proved  developed 
producing  reserves  through  December  31,  2011.  The  volume  weighted  average  prices  at  which  the 
Partnership has hedged this production are $84.23 per barrel of oil and $8.27 per MMbtu of gas. The hedged 
prices of oil and gas were greater than NYMEX future prices on December 31, 2008 of $44.60 per barrel of 
oil and $5.62 per Mcf of gas. When the Partnership’s derivative contract prices are at higher than  market 
prices, the Partnership will incur realized and unrealized gains on its derivative contracts and when contract 
prices are lower than market prices, the Partnership will incur realized and unrealized losses. For the year 
ended December 31, 2008 the Partnership recognized a realized loss on oil and gas derivative contracts of 
$9.3 million and an unrealized gain of $40.5 million. The realized loss resulted in a decrease in cash flow 
from  operations  of  the  Partnership  as  well  as  negatively  impacting  cash  available  for  distribution  by  the 
Partnership. The Partnership expects to continue to enter into similar hedging arrangements in the future to 
reduce its cash flow volatility. 

The following table sets forth the Partnership’s oil and gas derivative contract position at December 31, 

2008: 

Period Covered 

Product 

Year 2009 
Year 2009 
Year 2010 
Year 2010 
Year 2011 
Year 2011 

Gas 
Oil 
Gas 
Oil 
Gas 
Oil 

Volume 
(Production per day) 
10,595 Mmbtu 
1,000 Bbl  
9,130 Mmbtu  
895 Bbl  
8,010 Mmbtu 
810 Bbl 

Weighted 
 Average 
Fixed Price 
$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 

8.45 
83.80 
8.22 
83.26 
8.10 
86.45 

We cannot assure you that the derivative contracts that we have entered into, or will enter into, will 

adequately protect us from financial loss in the future due to circumstances such as: 

• 

• 

• 

highly volatile oil and gas prices;  

our production being less than expected; or 

a counterparty to one of our hedging transactions defaulting on its contractual obligations.  

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lower oil and gas prices increase the risk of ceiling limitation write downs.  

We use the full cost method to account for our oil and gas operations. Accordingly, we capitalize 
the cost to acquire, explore for and develop oil and gas properties. Under full cost accounting rules, the net 
capitalized cost of oil and gas properties may not exceed a “ceiling limit” which is based upon the present 
value of estimated future net cash flows from proved reserves, discounted at 10%. If net capitalized costs of 
oil and gas properties exceed the ceiling limit, we must charge the amount of the excess to earnings. This is 
called a “ceiling limitation write-down.”  This charge does not impact cash flow from operating activities, 
but does reduce our stockholders’ equity and earnings. The risk that we will be required to write-down the 
carrying value of oil and gas properties increases when oil and gas prices are low. In addition, write-downs 
may occur if we experience substantial downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves. An expense 
recorded  in one  period  may  not be  reversed  in  a  subsequent  period  even  though  higher  oil  and  gas prices 
may have increased the ceiling applicable to the subsequent period. 

At  December  31,  2008,  our  net  capitalized  costs  of  oil  and  gas  properties  exceeded  the  present 
value of our estimated proved reserves by $116.4 million resulting in a write-down of $116.4 million.  We 
cannot assure you that we will not experience additional ceiling limitation writedowns in the future. 

Use of our net operating loss carryforwards may be limited.  

At  December  31,  2008,  we  had,  subject  to  the  limitation  discussed  below,  $194.4  million  of  net 
operating loss carryforwards for U.S. tax purposes. These loss carryforwards will expire through 2028 if not 
utilized.  In  addition,  as  to  a  portion  of  the  U.S.  net  operating  loss  carryforwards,  the  amount  of  such 
carryforwards that we can use annually is limited under U.S. tax law. Moreover, uncertainties exist as to the 
future utilization of the operating loss carryforwards under the criteria set forth under FASB Statement No. 
109.  Therefore,  we  have  established  a  valuation  allowance  of  $66.9  million  for  deferred  tax  assets  at 
December 31, 2006, $47.2 million at December 31, 2007 and $60.8 million at December 31, 2008. 

We  depend  on  our  Chairman,  President  and  CEO  and  the  loss  of  his  services  could  have  an 

adverse effect on our operations. 

We  depend  to a  large  extent  on  Robert  L.  G. Watson,  our  Chairman  of  the  Board,  President  and 
Chief  Executive  Officer,  for  our  management  and  business  and  financial  contacts.  Mr. Watson  may 
terminate  his  employment  agreement  with  us  at  any  time  on  30  days  notice,  but,  if  he  terminates  without 
cause,  he  would  not  be  entitled  to  the  severance  benefits  provided  under  the  terms  of  that  agreement. 
Mr. Watson is not precluded from working for, with or on behalf of a competitor upon termination of his 
employment with us. If Mr. Watson were no longer able or willing to act as our Chairman, the loss of his 
services  could  have  an  adverse  effect  on  our  operations.  In  addition,  in  connection  with  the  initial  public 
offering  by  our  previously  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Grey  Wolf  Exploration  Inc.,  we,  Grey  Wolf  and 
Mr. Watson agreed that Mr. Watson would continue to serve as our Chief Executive Officer and President 
and as the Chief Executive Officer for Grey Wolf, with Mr. Watson devoting two-thirds of his time to his 
positions  and  duties  with  us  and  one-third  of  his  time  to  his  position  and  duties  with  Grey  Wolf.  In 
consideration  for  receiving  Mr. Watson’s  services,  Grey  Wolf  makes  an  annual  payment  to  Abraxas  of 
US$100,000 and reimburses Abraxas for Mr. Watson’s expenses incurred in connection with providing such 
services. 

Risks Related to Abraxas’ Ownership of General Partner Units and Common Units of the Partnership  

The Partnership’s inability to refinance its obligations under the Subordinated Credit Agreement 
would have a material adverse impact on the liquidity, financial position and capital resources of Abraxas 
and the Partnership.   

The Partnership’s subordinated credit agreement matures on July 1, 2009.   The Partnership intends 
to  refinance  this  obligation  prior  to  its  scheduled  maturity;  however  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  the 
Partnership  will  be  successful  in  this  effort.    In  addition,  under  the  Partnership’s  subordinated  credit 
agreement, an event of default would occur if the Partnership fails to receive $20.0 million of proceeds from 
an  equity  issuance  on  or  before  April  30,  2009.    Abraxas  Energy  is  currently  in  discussions  with  Société 
Générale to amend the existing Senior Secured Credit Facility and/or the Subordinated Credit Agreement in 
the event the IPO is not completed by April 30, 2009.  The Partnership has also entered into discussions with 
other  lending  institutions  to  re-finance  the  $40  million  currently  outstanding  on  the  Subordinated  Credit 

14 

 
 
Agreement.    While  the  Company  believes  that  there  are  options  to  this  short  term  maturity  requirement, 
there are no guarantees that any of these options will be successfully implemented. If additional funds are 
obtained  by  issuing  equity  securities,  the  Partnership’s  existing  unitholders,  including  Abraxas,  would  be 
diluted and the distributions Abraxas receives from the Partnership could decrease.  To the extent that the 
Partnership is unable to refinance the indebtedness under the subordinated credit agreement, consummate an 
issuance of additional equity securities or obtain additional financing, the Partnership may be required to sell 
assets  and  reduce  capital  expenditures,  including  distributions  to  Abraxas  in  order  to  avoid  an  event  of 
default.      We  cannot  assure  you  that  the  Partnership  will  be  able  to  refinance  the  indebtedness  under  the 
Subordinated Credit Agreement, sell assets, or obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to it, if at all. 
If  an  event  of  default  were  to  occur  under  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement,  an  event  of  default  would 
also occur under the Partnership’s Credit Facility.  Upon an event of default, the Partnership’s lenders could 
foreclose  on  the  Partnership’s  assets  and  exercise  other  customary  remedies,  all  of  which  would  leave  a 
material adverse effect on the Partnership and Abraxas.   See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations  –  Long-Term  Indebtedness  Critical  Accounting  Policies  – 
Amended and Restated Partnership Credit Facility.”   

The  Partnership  may  not  have  sufficient  cash  flow  from  operations  to  pay  the  quarterly 
distributions on the general partner units and common units following establishment of cash reserves and 
payment of fees and expenses.  

Under the terms of the Partnership’s partnership agreement, the amount of cash otherwise available 
for distribution will be reduced by the Partnership’s operating expenses and the amount of any cash reserve 
amounts  that  its  general  partner  establishes  to  provide  for  future  operations,  future  capital  expenditures, 
future  debt  service  requirements  and  future  cash  distributions  to  its  unitholders,  including  Abraxas.    The 
Partnership  has  informed  Abraxas  that  the  Partnership  intends  to  reserve  a  substantial  portion  of  its  cash 
generated  from  operations  to  develop  its  oil  and  gas  properties  and  to  acquire  additional  oil  and  gas 
properties in order to maintain and grow the Partnership’s level of oil and gas reserves.  

The amount of cash the Partnership actually generates will depend upon numerous factors related to 

its business that may be beyond its control, including among other things:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the amount of oil and gas it produces; 

price of oil and gas;  

continued drilling and development of oil and gas wells;  

the level of the Partnership’s operating costs, including reimbursement of expenses to its 
general partner;  

prevailing economic conditions; and 

government regulation and taxation. 

In addition, the actual amount of cash that the Partnership will have available for distribution 
will depend on other factors, including:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the level of its capital expenditures;  

its ability to make borrowings under its credit facility to pay distributions;  

sources of cash used to fund acquisitions;  

debt service requirements and restrictions on distributions contained in its credit facility or 
future debt agreements;  

fluctuations in its working capital needs;  

general and administrative expenses;  

cash settlement of hedging positions;  

timing and collectability of receivables; and  

the amount of cash reserves, which the Partnership expects to be substantial, established 
by its general partner for the proper conduct of its business.  

15 

 
 
  
The Partnership is unlikely to be able to sustain its expected level of distributions without making 
accretive acquisitions or capital expenditures that maintain or grow its asset base.  If the Partnership does 
not  set  aside  sufficient  cash  reserves  or  make  sufficient  cash  expenditures  to  maintain  its  asset  base,  it 
will be unable to pay distributions at the expected level from cash generated from operations and would 
likely reduce distributions. 

The Partnership is unlikely to be able to sustain its expected level of distributions without making 
accretive acquisitions or capital expenditures that maintain or grow its asset base.  The Partnership will need 
to  make  capital  expenditures  to  maintain  and  grow  its  asset  base,  which  will  reduce  cash  available  for 
distributions.    Because  the  timing  and  amount  of  these  capital  expenditures  fluctuate  each  quarter,  the 
Partnership expects to reserve substantial amounts of cash each quarter to finance these expenditures over 
time.    The  Partnership  may  use  the  reserved  cash  to  reduce  indebtedness  until  it  makes  the  capital 
expenditures.  Over a longer period of time, if the Partnership does not set aside sufficient cash reserves or 
make sufficient expenditures to maintain its asset base, it may be unable to pay distributions at the expected 
level from cash generated from operations and would therefore expect to reduce cash distributions.   Under 
the  terms  of  the  Partnership  Credit  Agreement,  the  Partnership  capital  expenditures  are  limited  to  $12.5 
million  until  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  has  been  terminated.    If  the  Partnership  does  not  make 
sufficient growth capital expenditures, it may be unable to sustain its business operations and therefore will 
be unable to maintain its proposed or current level of distributions and its business, financial condition and 
results of operations would be adversely affected.  

To  fund  its  capital  expenditures,  the  Partnership  will  be  required  to  use  cash  generated  from 
operations,  additional  borrowings  or  the  issuance  of  additional  partnership  interests,  or  some 
combination thereof.  

Use of cash generated from operations by the Partnership will reduce cash available for distribution 
to Abraxas as a unitholder.  The Partnership’s ability to borrow from its credit facility or to obtain additional 
bank  financing  or  to  access  the  capital  markets  for  future  equity  or  debt  offerings  may  be  limited  by  its 
financial condition at the time of any such borrowing, financing or offering and the covenants in its then-
existing  debt  agreements,  as  well  as  by  adverse  market  conditions  resulting  from,  among  other  things, 
general  economic  conditions,  operations  and  contingencies  and  uncertainties  that  are  beyond  the 
Partnership’s control.  The Partnership’s failure to obtain the funds for necessary future capital expenditures 
could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to 
pay distributions.  Even if the Partnership is successful in obtaining the necessary funds, the terms of such 
financings  could  limit  its  ability  to  pay  distributions  to  unitholders,  including  Abraxas.    In  addition, 
incurring additional debt may significantly increase the Partnership’s interest expense and financial leverage, 
and  issuing  additional  partnership  interests may  result  in  significant  unitholder dilution  thereby  increasing 
the  aggregate  amount  of  cash  required  to  maintain  the  then-current  distribution  rate,  which  could  have  a 
material adverse effect on the Partnership’s ability to pay distributions at the then-current distribution rate.  

The  Partnership  intends  to  make  acquisitions  of  oil  and  gas  properties  to  grow  its  asset  base. 
Properties that the Partnership acquires may not produce as projected and it may be unable to determine 
reserve potential, identify liabilities associated with the properties or obtain protection from sellers against 
such liabilities, which could adversely affect its cash available for distribution.  

Part  of  the  Partnership’s  business  strategy  is  to  make  accretive  acquisitions  of  oil  and  gas 
properties. Any future acquisition will require an assessment of recoverable reserves, title, future commodity  
prices,  operating  costs,  potential  environmental  hazards,  potential  tax  and  ERISA  liabilities,  and  other 
liabilities and similar factors. Ordinarily, review efforts are focused on the higher-valued properties and are 
inherently  incomplete  because  it  generally  is  not  feasible  to  review  in  depth  every  individual  property 
involved  in  each  acquisition.  Even  a  detailed  due  diligence  review  may  not  necessarily  reveal  existing  or 
potential problems, nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess 
their  deficiencies  and  potential.  Inspections  may  not  always  be  performed  on  every  well,  and  potential 
problems,  such  as ground  water  contamination  and  other environmental  conditions  and  deficiencies  in  the 
mechanical  integrity  of  equipment  are  not  necessarily  observable  even  when  an  inspection  is  undertaken. 
Any unidentified problems could result in material liabilities and costs that negatively impact our financial 
condition and results of operations and the Partnership’s ability to make cash distributions to its unitholders, 
including Abraxas.  

16 

 
Additional potential risks related to acquisitions include, among other things:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

incorrect assumptions regarding the future prices of oil and gas or the future operating or 
development costs of properties acquired;  

incorrect estimates of the oil and gas reserves attributable to a property acquired;  

unpredictable production profiles and decline rates of properties acquired;  

an inability to integrate successfully the properties acquired;  

the assumption of liabilities;  

limitations on rights to be indemnified by the seller;  

the diversion of management's attention from other business concerns; and  

losses of key operational employees at the acquired properties.  

The Partnership’s ability to use hedging arrangements to protect it from future oil and gas price 
declines will be dependent upon oil and gas prices at the time it enters into these hedging arrangements 
and  its  future  levels  of  hedging,  and  as  a  result  of  its  future  net  cash  flow  may  be  more  sensitive  to 
commodity price changes. 

The Partnership has currently hedged a significant portion of its estimated oil and gas production 
from its net proved developed producing reserves with NYMEX-based fixed price commodity swaps.  As 
the  Partnership’s  derivative  contracts  expire,  more  of  its  future  production  will  be  sold  at  market  prices 
unless it enters into further hedging arrangements.  The Partnership’s commodity price hedging strategy and 
future hedging transactions will be determined at the discretion of its general partner, which is not under any 
future obligation to hedge a specific portion of its production.  The prices at which the Partnership hedges its 
production  in  the  future  will  be  dependent  upon  commodity  prices  at  the  time  it  enters  into  these 
arrangements, which may be substantially higher or lower than current oil and gas prices.  Accordingly, the 
Partnership’s commodity price hedging strategy may not protect it from significant declines in oil and gas 
prices received for its future production.  Conversely, the Partnership’s commodity price hedging strategy 
has  limited  and  may  in  the  future  limit  its  ability  to  realize  increased  cash  flow  from  commodity  price 
increases.  It is also possible that a substantially larger percentage of the Partnership’s future production will 
not be hedged in the next few years, which would result in its oil and gas revenues becoming more sensitive 
to commodity price changes. 

There  may  be  conflicts  of  interest  between  Abraxas  and  the  Partnership  which  could  be 

detrimental to Abraxas. 

Abraxas owns and controls the general partner of the Partnership and some of Abraxas’ directors 
and officers are directors and executive officers of the Partnership.  Conflicts of interest exist and may arise 
between  Abraxas  and  the  Partnership.    For  example,  the  Partnership  could  acquire,  develop  or  dispose  of 
producing properties without any obligation to offer Abraxas the opportunity to purchase or develop any of 
the assets.  In addition, it is currently anticipated that the executive officers of the general partner, who are 
officers of Abraxas, will devote between 30% and 60% of their time to the Partnership’s business. 

The general partner of the Partnership, which is wholly- owned by Abraxas, may be removed as  
general partner with the consent of unitholders owning at least 662/3% of the common units, including 
units beneficially owned by Abraxas.  

Holders of the common units of the Partnership are currently unable to remove the general partner 
without its consent because Abraxas beneficially owns sufficient units to be able to prevent the removal of 
the  general  partner.  The  vote  of  the  holders  of  at  least  66  2/3%  of  all  outstanding  common  units  voting 
together  as  a  single  class  is  required  to  remove  the  general  partner.  If  Abraxas’  beneficial  ownership 
decreases  below  33  1/3%,  its  subsidiary  could  be  removed  as  the  general  partner  which  would  result  in 
Abraxas no longer controlling the business of the Partnership. 

17 

 
Risks Related to Our Industry 

Market  conditions  for  oil  and  gas,  and  particularly  volatility  of  prices  for  oil  and  gas,  could 

adversely affect our revenue, cash flows, profitability and growth.   

Our  revenue,  cash  flows,  profitability  and  future  rate  of  growth  depend  substantially  upon 
prevailing prices for oil and gas. Gas prices affect us more than oil prices because 65% of our production 
and 72% of reserves were gas at December 31, 2008. Prices also affect the amount of cash flow available for 
capital expenditures and our ability to borrow money or raise additional capital. Lower prices may also make 
it uneconomical for us to increase or even continue current production levels of oil and gas. 

Prices for oil and gas are subject to large fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in the 
supply  and  demand  for  oil  and  gas,  market  uncertainty  and  a  variety  of  other  factors  beyond  our  control, 
including: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

changes in foreign and domestic supply and demand for oil and gas; 

political stability and economic conditions in oil producing countries, particularly in the 
Middle East;  

general economic conditions; 

domestic and foreign governmental regulation; and 

the price and availability of alternative fuel sources. 

The current global recession has had a significant impact on commodity prices and our operations. 

If commodity prices remain depressed our revenues, profitability and cash flow from operations may 
decrease which could cause us to alter our business plans, including reducing our drilling activities. 

Estimates of our proved reserves and future net revenue are inherently imprecise. 

The process of estimating oil and gas reserves is complex involving decisions and assumptions in 
evaluating  the  available  geological,  geophysical,  engineering  and  economic  data.  Accordingly,  these 
estimates  are  imprecise.  Actual  future  production,  oil  and  gas  prices,  revenues,  taxes,  development 
expenditures,  operating  expenses  and  quantities  of  recoverable  oil  and  gas  reserves  most  likely  will  vary 
from those estimated. Any significant variance could materially affect the estimated quantities and present 
value of reserves set forth in this report. In addition, we may adjust estimates of proved reserves to reflect 
production history, results of exploration and development, prevailing oil and gas prices and other factors, 
many of which are beyond our control. 

The estimates of our reserves are based upon various assumptions about future production levels, 
prices and costs that may not prove to be correct over time. In particular, estimates of oil and gas reserves, 
future net revenue from proved reserves and the PV-10 thereof for our oil and gas properties are based on 
the assumption that future oil and gas prices remain the same as oil and gas prices at December 31, 2008. 
The sales prices as of such date used for purposes of such estimates were $4.77 per Mcf of gas and $41.84 
per Bbl of oil. This compares with $6.33 per Mcf of gas and $87.30 per Bbl of oil as of December 31, 2007. 
These  estimates  also  assume  that  Abraxas  and  the  Partnership  will  make  future  capital  expenditures  of 
approximately  $134.1  million  in  the  aggregate  primarily  from  2009  through  2014,  which  are  necessary  to 
develop and realize the value of proved undeveloped reserves on our properties. In addition, approximately 
46%  of  our  total  estimated  proved  reserves  as  of  December 31,  2008  were  undeveloped.  By  their  nature, 
estimates of undeveloped reserves are less certain than proved developed reserves. Any significant variance 
in  actual  results  from  these  assumptions  could  also  materially  affect  the  estimated  quantity  and  value  of 
reserves set forth in this report. 

The present value of future net cash flows from our proved reserves is not necessarily the same 
as the current market value of our estimated reserves. Any material inaccuracies in our reserve estimates 
or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves, which 
could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.  

As required by SEC regulations, we base the estimated discounted future net cash flows from our 
proved  reserves  on  prices  and  costs  in  effect  on  the  day  of  the  estimate.  However,  actual  future  net  cash 
flows from our properties will be affected by factors such as:  

18 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

supply of and demand for oil and gas;  

actual prices we receive for oil and gas;  

our actual operating costs;  

the amount and timing of our capital expenditures;  

the amount and timing of actual production; and  

changes in governmental regulations or taxation.  

The  timing  of  both  our  production  and  our  incurrence  of  expenses  in  connection  with  the 
development  and  production  of  our  properties  will  affect  the  timing  of  actual  future  net  cash  flows  from 
proved  reserves,  and  thus  their  actual  present  value.  In  addition,  the  10%  discount  factor  we  use  when 
calculating discounted future net cash flow, which is required by the SEC, may not be the most appropriate 
discount factor based on interest rates in effect from time to time and risks associated with us or the oil and 
gas industry in general. Any material inaccuracies in our reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will 
materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves, which could adversely affect our business, 
results of operations and financial condition.  

Our operations are subject to the numerous risks of oil and gas drilling and production activities. 

Our oil and gas drilling and production activities are subject to numerous risks, many of which are 
beyond  our  control.  These  risks  include  the  risk  of  fire,  explosions,  blow-outs,  pipe  failure,  abnormally 
pressured  formations  and  environmental  hazards.  Environmental  hazards  include  oil  spills,  gas  leaks, 
ruptures  and  discharges  of  toxic  gases.  In  addition,  title  problems,  weather  conditions  and  mechanical 
difficulties or shortages or delays in delivery of drilling rigs and other equipment could negatively affect our 
operations. If any of these or other similar industry operating risks occur, we could have substantial losses. 
Substantial losses also may result from injury or loss  of life, severe damage to or destruction of property, 
clean-up responsibilities, regulatory investigation and penalties and suspension of operations. In accordance 
with  industry  practice,  we  maintain  insurance  against  some,  but  not  all,  of  the  risks  described  above.  We 
cannot assure you that our insurance will be adequate to cover losses or liabilities. Also, we cannot predict 
the continued availability of insurance at premium levels that justify its purchase. 

We operate in a highly competitive industry which may adversely affect our operations.  

We  operate  in  a  highly  competitive  environment.  The  principal  resources  necessary  for  the 
exploration and production of oil and gas are leasehold prospects under which oil and gas reserves may be 
discovered, drilling rigs and related equipment to explore for such reserves and knowledgeable personnel to 
conduct all phases of oil and gas operations. We must compete for such resources with both major oil and 
gas  companies  and  independent  operators.  Many  of  these  competitors  have  financial  and  other  resources 
substantially  greater  than  ours.  Although  we  believe  our  current  operating  and  financial  resources  are 
adequate to preclude any significant disruption of our operations in the immediate future, we cannot assure 
you that such materials and resources will be available to us. 

The unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, insurance, personnel and oil 
field  services  could  adversely  affect  our  ability  to  execute  our  exploration  and  development  plans  on  a 
timely basis and within our budget. 

Our  industry  is  cyclical  and,  from  time  to  time,  there  is  a  shortage  of  drilling  rigs,  equipment, 
supplies,  insurance  or  qualified  personnel.  During  these  periods,  the  costs  and  delivery  times  of  rigs, 
equipment and supplies are substantially greater. In addition, the demand for, and wage rates of, qualified 
drilling rig crews rise as the number of active rigs in service increases. As a result of increasing levels of 
exploration and production in response to strong prices of oil and gas, the demand for oilfield services has 
risen and the costs of these services are increasing. 

Our  oil  and  gas  operations  are  subject  to  various  Federal,  state  and  local  regulations  that 

materially affect our operations. 

Matters regulated include permits for drilling operations, drilling and abandonment bonds, reports 
concerning  operations,  the  spacing  of  wells  and  unitization  and  pooling  of  properties  and  taxation.  At 

19 

 
various  times,  regulatory  agencies  have  imposed  price  controls  and  limitations  on  production.  In  order  to 
conserve supplies of oil and gas, these agencies have restricted the rates of flow of oil and gas wells below 
actual  production  capacity.  Federal,  state  and  local  laws  regulate  production,  handling,  storage, 
transportation and disposal of oil and gas, by-products from oil and gas and other substances and materials 
produced or used in connection with oil and gas operations. To date, our expenditures related to complying 
with these laws and for remediation of existing environmental contamination have not been significant. We 
believe  that  we  are  in  substantial  compliance  with  all  applicable  laws  and  regulations.  However,  the 
requirements  of  such  laws  and  regulations  are  frequently  changed.  We  cannot  predict  the  ultimate  cost  of 
compliance with these requirements or their effect on our operations. 

Risks Related to the Common Stock 

Future  issuance  of  additional  shares  of  common  stock  could  cause  dilution  of  ownership 

interests and adversely affect the stock price.  

Abraxas is currently authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of common stock with such rights as 
determined by our board of directors. Abraxas may in the future issue its previously authorized and unissued 
securities, resulting in the dilution of the ownership interests of current stockholders. In addition, under the 
terms of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement entered into in connection with the transactions 
completed in May 2007 and amended in October 2008, Abraxas may be required to issue additional shares 
of  common  stock.  Under  the  terms  of  this  amended  agreement,  in  the  event  that  the  Partnership  has  not 
consummated  its  initial  public  offering  by  April  30,  2009,  which  we  refer  to  as  the  Trigger  Date,  the 
investors will have the right to convert their common units obtained in the private placement offering into 
shares of common stock.  Each common unit will be convertible into a number of shares of common stock 
equal to $16.66 divided by the volume weighted average price of the common stock for the ten (10) business 
day period immediately prior to the first business day following the Trigger Date times 0.9.   If stockholder 
approval  is  required  for  such  issuance,  Abraxas  has  agreed  to  call  a  special  meeting  of  the  stockholders 
within 60 days of April 30, 2009, which we refer to as the Exchange Filing Date, and the executive officers 
and directors of Abraxas have agreed to vote the shares of common stock then held by them in favor of such 
issuance.  Under this agreement, Abraxas also agreed within 30 days of the Trigger Date, to prepare and file 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement, which we refer to as the Exchange 
Registration Statement, to enable the resale of the common stock, which we refer to as the Exchange Shares, 
by  the  investors  or  their  transferees  from  time  to  time  over  any  national  stock  exchange  on  which  the 
common  stock  is  then  traded,  or  in  privately-negotiated  transactions.    If  the  Exchange  Registration 
Statement  is  not  declared  effective  by  the  120th  day  following  the  Trigger  Date  (which  period  would  be 
extended to the 180th day following the Trigger Date under certain circumstances), then in addition to any 
other  rights  the  investors  may  have  under  the  Exchange  and  Registration  Rights  Agreement  or  under 
applicable law, Abraxas is required to pay an amount in cash as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, 
equal to 1.0% of the product of $3.83 times the number of Exchange Shares then held by such investor for 
each 30-day period until the Exchange Registration Statement is declared effective. The potential issuance of 
such additional shares of common stock may create downward pressure on the trading price of the common 
stock. Abraxas may also issue additional shares of common stock or other securities that are convertible into 
or exercisable for common stock for capital raising or other business purposes. Future sales of substantial 
amounts of common stock, or the perception that sales could occur, could have a material adverse effect on 
the price of the common stock. 

Abraxas does not pay dividends on common stock.  

Abraxas  has  never  paid  a  cash  dividend  on  its  common  stock  and  the  terms  of  Abraxas’  credit 

facility prohibit its ability to pay dividends on Abraxas’ common stock. 

Shares eligible for future sale may depress our stock price.  

At  February  20,  2009,  Abraxas  had  49,621,711  shares  of  common  stock  outstanding  of  which 
4,334,568 shares were held by affiliates and, in addition, 2,398,778 shares of common stock were subject to 
outstanding  options  granted  under  certain  stock  option  plans  (of  which  1,965,987  shares  were  vested  at 
February 20, 2009). 

All  of  the  shares  of  common  stock  held  by  affiliates  are  restricted  or  controlled  securities  under 
Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The shares of the 

20 

common  stock  issuable  upon  exercise  of  the  stock  options  have  been  registered  under  the  Securities  Act. 
Sales of shares of common stock under Rule 144 or another exemption under the Securities Act or pursuant 
to a registration statement could have a material adverse effect on the price of the common stock and could 
impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities. 

The  price  of  Abraxas  common  stock  has  been  volatile  and  could  continue  to  fluctuate 

substantially.  

 The  Abraxas  common  stock  is  traded  on  the  NASDAQ  Stock  Market.  The  market  price  of  the 
common stock has been volatile and could fluctuate substantially based on a variety of factors, including the 
following: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

fluctuations in commodity prices; 

variations in results of operations; 

legislative or regulatory changes; 

general trends in the industry; 

•  market conditions; and 
• 

analysts’ estimates and other events in the oil and gas oil industry. 

Abraxas may issue shares of preferred stock with greater rights than the common stock.  

Subject to the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Abraxas’ articles of incorporation authorize its 
board  of  directors  to  issue  one  or  more  series  of  preferred  stock  and  set  the  terms  of  the  preferred  stock 
without seeking any further approval from holders of the common stock. Any preferred stock that is issued 
may rank ahead of the common stock in terms of dividends, priority and liquidation premiums and may have 
greater voting rights than the common stock. 

Anti takeover provisions could make a third party acquisition of Abraxas difficult.  

Abraxas’ articles of incorporation and bylaws provide for a classified board of directors, with each 
member serving a three-year term, and eliminate the ability of stockholders to call special meetings or take 
action by written consent. Each of the provisions in the articles of incorporation and bylaws could make it 
more difficult for a third party to acquire Abraxas without the approval of its board. In addition, the Nevada 
corporate  statute  also  contains  certain  provisions  that  could  make  an  acquisition  by  a  third  party  more 
difficult. 

An active market may not continue for the common stock. 

The  Abraxas  common  stock  is  quoted  on  the  NASDAQ  Stock  Market.  While  there  are  currently 
three  market  makers  in  the  common  stock,  these  market  makers  are  not  obligated  to  continue  to  make  a 
market in the common stock. In this event, the liquidity of the common stock could be adversely impacted 
and a stockholder could have difficulty obtaining accurate stock quotes. 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments  

None.  

21 

 
 
 
Item 2. Properties 

Primary Operating Areas 

The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  information  relating  to  our  properties  as  of  December  31, 

2008.  

Producing 
Wells 

894 
602 
236 
79 
1,811 

Average
Working
Interest 
12.4%
17.1%
68.0%
69.2%
23.7%

Estimated 
Net Proved 
Reserves 
(MMBOE) 
4,935.7 
3,050.4 
10,413.6 
6,716.0 
25,115.7 

Year ended 
 December 
 31, 2008 
Net 
Production 
(MBOE) 
404.2 
435.8 
545.0 
222.0 
1,607.0 

Rocky Mountain 
Mid-Continent 
Permian Basin 
Gulf Coast 

Total .................................

Rocky Mountain 

Our Rocky Mountain properties consist of the following: 

•  Northern Rockies—Our properties in the Northern Rockies are located in the Williston Basin of North 
Dakota,  South  Dakota  and  Montana  and  consist  of  wells  that  produce  oil  from  Paleozoic-aged 
carbonate  reservoirs  from  the  Madison  formation  at  8,000 feet  down  to  the  Red  River  formation  at 
12,000 feet, including the Bakken at 9,000 feet. 

•  Southern  Rockies—Our  properties  in  the  Southern  Rockies  are  located  in  the  Green  River,  Powder 
River  and  Uinta  Basins  of  Wyoming,  Colorado  and  Utah  and  consist  of  wells  that  produce  oil  from 
Cretaceous-aged  fractured  shales  in  the  Mowry  and  Niobrara  formation  and  oil  and  gas  from 
Cretaceous-aged  sandstones  in  the  Turner,  Muddy  and  Frontier  formations.  Well  depths  range  from 
7,000 feet down to 10,000 feet. 

Mid-Continent 

Our Mid-Continent properties consist of the following: 

•  Arkoma  Basin—Our  properties  in  the  Arkoma  Basin  are  located  in  Oklahoma  and  Arkansas  and 

consist of wells that mainly produce gas from Hartshorne coals at 3,000 feet. 

•  Anadarko  Basin—Our  properties  in  the  Anadarko  Basin  are  located  in  Oklahoma  and  the  Texas 
Panhandle  and  consist  of  wells  that  mainly  produce  gas  from  Pennsylvanian-aged  sandstones 
(Atoka/Morrow) from depths of up to 18,000 feet. 

•  ARK-LA-TEX—Our  properties  in  the  ARK-LA-TEX  region  principally  produce  from  the  East 
Texas/North Louisiana Basins and includes wells that produce oil and gas from various formations. 

Permian Basin 

Our Permian Basin properties consist of the following: 

•  ROC Complex—Our properties in the ROC Complex are located in Pecos, Reeves and Ward Counties 
and consist of wells that produce oil and gas from multiple stacked formations from the Bell Canyon at 
5,000 feet down to the Ellenburger at 16,000 feet.  

•  Oates SW—Our properties in the Oates SW area are located in Pecos County and consist of wells that 

produce gas from the Devonian formation at a depth of approximately 13,500 feet. 

22 

 
•  Eastern  Shelf  –  Our  properties  in  the  Eastern  Shelf  are  predominately  located  in  Coke,  Scurry  and 
Mitchell  Counties  and  consist  of  wells  that  produce  oil  and  gas  from  the  Strawn  Reef  formation  at 
5,000  to  6,000  feet  and  oil  from  the  shallower  Clearfork  formation  at  depths  ranging  from  2,300  to 
3,300 feet Wilcox – Our properties in the Wilcox are located in Goliad, Bee and Karnes Counties and 
consist of wells that produce gas from various sands in the Wilcox formation at depths ranging from 
8,000 to 11,000 feet.  

Gulf Coast 

Our Gulf Coast properties consist of the following: 

•  Edwards—Our properties fields in the Edwards trend are located in Dewitt and Lavaca counties and 
consist  of  wells  which  produce  gas  from  the  Edwards  formation  at  a  depth  of  approximately 
13,500 feet. 

•  Portilla—The Portilla field – located in San Patricio County, was discovered in 1950 by The Superior 
Oil  Company,  predecessor  to  Mobil  Oil  Corporation,  and  consists  of  wells  that  produce  oil  and  gas 
from the Frio sands and the deeper Vicksburg from depths of approximately 7,000 to 9,000 feet. 

•  Wilcox – Our properties in the Wilcox are located in Goliad, Bee and Karnes Counties and consist of 
wells  that  produce  gas  from  various  sands  in  the  Wilcox  formation  at  depths  ranging  from  8,000  to 
11,000 feet.  

Exploratory and Developmental Acreage 

Our  principal  oil  and  gas  properties  consist  of    producing  and  non-producing  oil  and  gas  leases, 
including  reserves  of  oil  and  gas  in  place.  The  following  table  indicates  our  interest  in  developed  and 
undeveloped acreage and fee mineral acreage as of December 31, 2008 

Developed  
Acreage (1) 

Gross 
Acres(4) 
63,225 
85,812 
24,574 
11,699 
Total ......................... 185,310 

Rocky Mountain (7) .....
Mid-Continent (8) ........
Permian Basin (9) ........
Gulf Coast (10) ............

Net 
Acres (5) 
32,903
21,949
17,197
6,675
78,724

Undeveloped 
Acreage(2) 

Gross 
Acres(4) 
92,317
1,957
10,882
4,837
109,993

Net 
Acres (5) 
64,376
988
8,768
2,013
76,145

Fee Mineral 
Acreage (3) 

  Gross 

Acres(4) 
-
-
12,007
-
12,007

Net 
Acres (5) 
- 
- 
5,272 
- 
5,272 

Total 
Net 
Acres (6) 
97,279
22,937
31,237
8,688
160,141

_______________ 
(1) 

Developed acreage consists of leased acres spaced or assignable to productive wells. 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

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. 

Fee  mineral  acreage  represents  fee  simple  absolute  ownership  of  the  mineral  estate  or  fraction 
thereof. 

Gross acres refers to the number of acres in which we own a working interest. 

Net acres represents the number of acres attributable to an owner’s proportionate working interest  
(e.g., a 50% working interest in a lease covering 320 gross acres is equivalent to 160 net acres). 

Includes 3,981 acres that are included in developed and undeveloped gross acres. 

The  following  shows  the  amount  of  acreage  owned  by  each  of  Abraxas  and  the  Partnership  in 
Rocky Mountain region as of December 31, 2008: 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Developed 
Acreage  

Undeveloped 
Acreage  

Gross 
Acres  

6,814 
56,411 
63,225 

Net 
 Acres  

Gross 
Acres  

Net  
Acres  

5,401
27,502
32,903

31,977
60,340
92,317

28,598
35,778
64,376

Total 
Net 
 Acres 

33,999
63,280
97,279

Abraxas  
Partnership 
Total 

(8) 

The following shows the amount of acreage owned by each of Abraxas and the Partnership in Mid-
Continent region as of December 31, 2008: 

Developed 
Acreage  

Undeveloped 
Acreage  

Gross 
Acres 

679 
85,133 
85,812 

Net 
 Acres 

16
21,933
21,949

Gross 
Acres 

Net  
Acres 

-
1,957
1,957

-
988
988

Abraxas  
Partnership 
Total 

Total 
Net 
 Acres 

16
22,921
22,937

(9) 

The  following  shows  the  amount  of  acreage  owned  by  each  of  Abraxas  and  the  Partnership  in 
Permian Basin region as of December 31, 2008: 

Developed 
Acreage  

Undeveloped 
Acreage  

Fee Mineral 
Acreage 

Gross 
Acres 
14,793 
12,425 
28,218 

Net 
 Acres 

11,323
8,388
19,711

Gross 
Acres 

Net  
Acres 

Gross 
Acres(6) 

Net  
Acres 

9,456
1,766
11,222

7,981
1,127
9,108

12,007
-
12,007

5,272
-
5,272

Abraxas  
Partnership 
Total (a) 

Total 
Net 
 Acres 

24,575
9,515
34,090

(a)  Abraxas  and  the  Partnership  have  common  ownership  in  certain  developed  and  undeveloped 

acreage with each having rights at varying depths. 

(10) 

The following shows the amount of acreage owned by each of Abraxas and the Partnership in Gulf 
Coast region as of December 31, 2008: 

Developed 
Acreage  

Undeveloped 
Acreage  

Gross 
Acres 

4,969 
6,730 
11,699 

Net 
 Acres 

Gross 
Acres 

Net  
Acres 

2,757
3,917
6,675

4,008
829
4,837

1,828
185
2,013

Abraxas  
Partnership 
Total 

Total 
Net 
 Acres 

4,585
4,103
8,688

Productive Wells 

The following table sets forth our total gross and net productive wells expressed separately for oil 

and gas, as of December 31, 2008: 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Productive Wells (1) 
As of December 31, 2008 

Oil 

Gas 

Rocky Mountain (4) ................................................
Mid-Continent (5) ...................................................
Permian Basin (6) ...................................................
Gulf Coast (7) .........................................................
Total ....................................................................

Gross (2) 
384.0
126.0
171.0
34.5
715.5

Net (3)  Gross (2) 
510.0 
476.0 
65.0 
44.5 
1,095.5 

92.9
15.3
131.7
26.7
266.6

Net (3) 

17.5
87.8
28.8
27.9
162.0

____________ 
(1) 

Productive wells are producing wells and wells capable of production. 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

A gross well is a well in which we own an interest.  

A net well is deemed to exist when the sum of fractional ownership working interests in gross wells 
equals one.  

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  productive  wells  owned  by  Abraxas  and  the  Partnership  in  the 
Rocky Mountain region as of December 31, 2008: 

Productive Wells 
As of December 31, 2008 

Oil 

Gas 

Gross  

Net  

Gross  

Net  

21.0
363.0
384.0

18.3
74.6
92.9

12.0
498.0
510.0

1.3
16.2
17.5

Abraxas 
Partnership 
Total 

(5)  

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  productive  wells  owned  by  Abraxas  and  the  Partnership  in  the 
Mid-Continent region as of December 31, 2008: 

Productive Wells 
As of December 31, 2008 

Oil 

Gas 

Gross  

Net  

Gross  

Net  

1.0
125.0
126.0

0.1
15.2
15.3

1.0
475.0
476.0

- 
87.8
87.8

Abraxas 
Partnership 
Total 

(6) 

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  productive  wells  owned  by  Abraxas  and  the  Partnership  in  the 
Permian Basin region as of December 31, 2008: 

Productive Wells 
As of December 31, 2008 

Oil 

Gas 

Gross  

Net  

Gross  

Net  

104.0
67.0
171.0

99.1
32.6
131.7

18.0
47.0
65.0

9.6
19.2
28.8

Abraxas 
Partnership 
Total 

(7) 

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  productive  wells  owned  by  Abraxas  and  the  Partnership  in  the 
Gulf Coast region as of December 31, 2008: 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Productive Wells 
As of December 31, 2008 

Oil 

Gas 

Gross  

Net  

Gross  

Net  

3.0
31.5
34.5

.5
26.2
26.7

12.0
32.5
44.5

7.0
20.9
27.9

Abraxas 
Partnership 
Total 

Reserves Information 

Oil and gas reserves have been estimated as of December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007 for all 
of  our  properties  on  those  dates  by  DeGolyer  and  MacNaughton,  of  Dallas,  Texas.  DeGolyer  and 
MacNaughton estimated reserves for properties comprising approximately 92% of the PV-10 of our oil and 
gas reserves as of December 31, 2008, and reserves for the remaining 8% of our properties were estimated 
by  Abraxas  Petroleum  personnel  because  we  determined  that  it  was  not  practical  for  DeGolyer  and 
MacNaughton  to  prepare  reserve  estimates  for  all  of  our  properties  because  we  own  a  large  number  of 
properties with relatively low values.  DeGolyer and MacNaughton’s reserve report included a total of 412 
properties,  which  comprised  approximately  92%  of  the  PV-10  of  all  our  properties  and  a  total  of  889 
properties  were  included  in  the  reserve  estimates  prepared  by  Abraxas  Petroleum  personnel  which 
comprised approximately 8% of our PV-10 at December 31, 2008. Oil and gas reserves, and the estimates of 
the present value of future net revenues there-from, were determined based on then current prices and costs. 
Reserve calculations involve the estimate of future net recoverable reserves of oil and 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.  Proved  oil  and  gas 
reserves  are  the  estimated  quantities  of  oil  and  gas  that  geological  and  engineering  data  demonstrate  with 
reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and 
operating  conditions.  Proved  developed  oil  and  gas  reserves  are  those  expected  to  be  recovered  through 
existing  wells  with  existing  equipment  and  operating  methods.  All  of  the  Company’s  proved  reserves  are 
located  in  the  continental  United  States.  Proved  reserves  were  estimated  in  accordance  with  guidelines 
established by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the FASB, which require that reserve estimates 
be  prepared  under  existing  economic  and  operating  conditions  with  no  provision  for  price  and  cost 
escalations except by contractual arrangements; therefore, year-end prices and costs were used in estimating 
net cash flows. 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding estimates of our oil, gas liquids and gas 

reserves as of December 31, 2006, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008. 

As of December 31, 2006  

Oil (MBbls) 
Gas (MMcf) 

As of December 31, 2007  

Abraxas 

Oil (MBbls) 
Gas (MMcf) 

Partnership 

Oil (MBbls) 
Gas (MMcf) 

Total 

Oil (MBbls) 
Gas (MMcf) 

Proved 
Developed 

Estimated Proved Reserves 
Proved 
Undeveloped 

Total 
Proved 

1,708 
37,333 

1,048 
33,000 

2,756 
70,333 

908 
17,969 

39 
36,126 

947 
54,095 

1,925 
22,543 

1,206 
65,460 

3,131 
88,003 

1,017 
4,574 

1,167 
29,334 

2,184 
33,908 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2008  

Abraxas 

Oil (MBbls) 
Gas (MMcf) 

Partnership 

Oil (MBbls) 
Gas (MMcf) 

Total 

Oil (MBbls) 
Gas (MMcf) 

1,147 
7,179 

4,416 
41,030 

5,563 
48,209 

1,420 
17,831 

62 
42,376 

1,482 
60,207 

2,567 
25,010 

4,478 
83,406 

7,045 
108,416 

The process of estimating oil and gas reserves is complex and involves decisions and assumptions 
in  the  evaluation  of  available  geological,  geophysical,  engineering  and  economic  data.  Therefore,  these 
estimates are imprecise. 

Actual future production, oil and gas prices, revenues, taxes, development expenditures, operating 
expenses and quantities of recoverable oil and gas reserves most likely will vary from those estimated. Any 
significant variance could materially affect the estimated quantities and present value of reserves set forth in 
this  annual  report.  In  addition,  we  may  adjust  estimates  of  proved  reserves  to  reflect  production  history, 
results of exploration and development, prevailing oil and gas prices and other factors, many of which are 
beyond our control. 

You  should  not  assume  that  the  present  value  of  future  net  revenues  referred  to  in  this  Annual 
Report  on  Form  10-K  statement  is  the  current  market  value  of  our  estimated  oil  and  gas  reserves.  In 
accordance with SEC requirements, the estimated discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves are 
generally  based  on  prices  and  costs  as  of  the  end  of  the  year  of  the  estimate,  or  alternatively,  if  prices 
subsequent to that date have increased, a price near the periodic filing date of the Company’s consolidated 
financial  statements  may  be  used.  Because  we  use  the  full  cost  method  to  account  for  our  oil  and  gas 
operations,  we  are  susceptible  to  significant  non-cash  charges  during  times  of  volatile  commodity  prices 
because the full cost pool may be impaired when prices are low. This is known as a “ceiling limitation write-
down.” This charge does not impact cash flow from operating activities but does reduce our stockholders’ 
equity and reported earnings. We have experienced ceiling limitation write-downs in the past and we cannot 
assure  you  that  we  will  not  experience  additional  ceiling  limitation  write-downs  in  the  future.  As  of 
December 31, 2008, the Company’s net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties exceeded the present value 
of its estimated proved reserves by $116.4 million ($19.2 million on Abraxas Petroleum properties and $97.1 
million on the Partnership properties).  These amounts were calculated considering 2008 year-end prices of 
$44.60 per Bbl for oil and $5.62 per Mcf for gas as adjusted to reflect the expected realized prices for our 
proved oil and gas reserves compared to each of the full cost pools. 

For more information regarding the full cost method of accounting, you should read the information 
under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical 
Accounting Policies.” 

Actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs as of the 
end  of  the  year  of  the  estimate.  Any  changes  in  consumption  by  gas  purchasers  or  in  governmental 
regulations or taxation will also affect actual future net cash flows. The timing of both the production and 
the expenses from the development and production of oil and gas properties will affect the timing of actual 
future  net  cash  flows  from  proved  reserves  and  their  present  value.  In  addition,  the  10%  discount  factor, 
which  is  required  by  the  SEC  to  be  used  in  calculating  discounted  future  net  cash  flows  for  reporting 
purposes, is not necessarily the most accurate discount factor. The effective interest rate at various times and 
the  risks  associated  with  us  or  the  oil  and  gas  industry  in  general  will  affect  the  accuracy  of  the  10% 
discount factor. 

The estimates of our reserves are based upon various assumptions about future production levels, 
prices and costs that may not prove to be correct over time. In particular, estimates of oil and gas reserves, 
future net revenue from proved reserves and the PV-10 thereof for the oil and gas properties described in 
this report are based on the assumption that future oil and gas prices remain the same as oil and gas prices at 
December  31,  2008.  The  average  sales  prices  as  of  such  date  used  for  purposes  of  such  estimates  were 
$41.74  per  Bbl  of  oil  and  $4.77  per  Mcf  of  gas.  It  is  also  assumed  that  we  will  make  future  capital 
expenditures  of  approximately  $134.1  million  in  the  aggregate  primarily  in  the  years  2009  through  2014, 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
which are necessary to develop and realize the value of proved undeveloped reserves on our properties. Any 
significant  variance  in  actual  results  from  these  assumptions  could  also  materially  affect  the  estimated 
quantity and value of reserves set forth herein.  

We file reports of our estimated oil and gas reserves with the Department of Energy. The reserves 
reported  to  this  agency  are  required  to  be  reported  on  a  gross  operated  basis  and  therefore  are  not 
comparable to the reserve data reported herein. 

Oil, Gas Liquids, and Gas Production and Sales Prices 

The following table presents our net oil and gas production, the average sales price per Bbl of oil and per 
Mcf of gas produced and the average cost of production per Boe of production sold, for the three years 
ended December 31, 2008: 

Oil production (Bbls) 
Gas production (Mcf) 
Total production (MBOE) (1) (2) 
Average sales price per Bbl of  oil (3) 
Average sales price per Mcf of gas (3) 
Average sales price per BOE (3) 
Average cost of production per BOE produced (1) 

2006  
200,436
6,515,055
1,286
62.10
5.77
38.44
9.12

$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 

2007 
196,944
5,567,668
1,125
65.30
6.46
41.70
10.02

$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 

2008 

549,887
6,342,934
1,607
81.35
7.11
61.66
16.57

$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 

__________________ 
(1) 

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

(2) 
(3) 

The following sets forth the production for Abraxas and the Partnership in 2007 and 2008: 
Average sales prices include the impact of hedging activity. 

Abraxas : 
Oil production (Bbls) 
Gas production (Mcf) 
Total production (BOE) 

Partnership : 
Oil production (Bbls) 
Gas production (Mcf) 
Total production (BOE) 

2007 

2008 

119,188 
2,815,045 
588,362 

77,756 
2,752,623 
536,527 

97,729 
838,193 
237,428 

452,158 
5,504,741 
1,369,615 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Drilling Activities 

The following table sets forth our gross and net working interests in exploratory and development 

wells drilled during the three years ended December 31, 2008: 

2006 

2007 

2008 (7) 

Gross(1) 

Net(2) 

Gross(1) 

Net(2) 

Gross(1) 

  Net(2) 

Exploratory(3) 
Productive(4) 

Oil 
Gas 
Dry holes(5) 

Total 

Development(6) 
Productive (4) 

Oil 
Gas 
Dry holes (5) 

Total 

- 
1.0 
1.0 
2.0 

2.0 
1.0 
- 

3.0 

1.0 
1.0 
2.0 

1.2 
1.0 
- 

2.2 

- 
1.0 
1.0 
2.0 

3.0 
1.0 
- 

4.0 

- 
0.6 
1.0 
1.6 

2.6 
1.0 
- 

3.6 

- 
1.0 
- 
1.0 

14.0 
35.0 

49.0 

- 
.6 
- 
.6 

7.2 
2.2 

9.4 

__________________ 
(1) 

A gross well is a well in which we own an interest. 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

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). 

An exploratory well is a well drilled to find and produce oil or gas in an unproved area, to find a 
new reservoir in a field previously found to be producing oil or gas in another reservoir, or to extend 
a known reservoir. 

A productive well is an exploratory or a development well that is not a dry hole. 

A dry hole is an exploratory or development well found to be incapable of producing either oil or 
gas in sufficient quantities to justify completion as an oil or gas well. 

A development well is a well drilled within the proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of 
stratigraphic horizon (rock layer or formation) noted to be productive for the purpose of extracting 
proved oil or gas reserves. 

(7) 

The following sets forth drilling activity for Abraxas and the Partnership for 2008: 

Exploratory: 
Gas: 

Abraxas 
Partnership 
Total exploratory 

Development: 
Oil: 

Abraxas 
Partnership 

Gas: 

Abraxas 
Partnership 

Total development 

Gross 

Net 

0.6 
- 
0.6 

6.9 
0.3 

0.9 
1.3 
9.4 

1.0 
- 
1.0 

7.0 
7.0 

2.0 
33.0 
49.0 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As  of  February  20,  2009,  we  had  no  operated  wells  but  several  non-operated  wells  in  process  of 

drilling and/or completing. 

Office Facilities 

Our executive and administrative offices are located at 18803 Meisner Drive, San Antonio, Texas 
78258, consisting of approximately 21,000 square feet. The building is owned by Abraxas, and is subject to 
a  real  estate  lien  note.  The  note  bears  interest  at  a  fixed  rate  of  6.375%,  and  is  payable  in  monthly 
installments of principal and interest of $39,754 based on a twenty year amortization. The note matures in 
May 2015 at which time the outstanding balance becomes due. The note is secured by a first lien deed of 
trust  on  the  property  and  improvements.  As  of  December  31,  2008,  $5.4  million  was  outstanding  on  the 
note. 

Other Properties 

We  own  10  acres  of  land,  an  office  building,  workshop,  warehouse  and  house  in  Sinton,  Texas,, 
603 acres of land and an office building in Scurry County, Texas,  50 acres of land in Lavaca County, Texas, 
160 acres of land in Coke County, Texas and 11,537 acres of land in Pecos County, Texas. We also own 22 
vehicles which are used in the field by employees. We own two workover rigs, which are used for servicing 
our wells. 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings 

From time to time, we are involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in 
the normal course of business. At December 31, 2008, we were not engaged in any legal proceedings that 
are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. 

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

No matter was submitted to a vote of our security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 

ended December 31, 2008. 

30 

 
 
Ιtem 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases 

Part II 

of Equity Securities 

Market Information 

Abraxas  common  stock  began  trading  on  the  American  Stock  Exchange  on  August  18,  2000,  under  the 
symbol  “ABP.”  On  July  25,  2008,  Abraxas  common  stock  began  trading  on  The  NASDAQ  Stock  Market 
under  the  symbol  "AXAS".  The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  information  as  to  the  high  and  low  sales 
price quoted for Abraxas’ common stock on the American Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. 

Period 

High 

Low 

2007

2008

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

3.47
4.68
4.73
4.85

4.35
5.41
5.31
2.48

2009

First Quarter (Through February 20, 2009) 

$ 

1.48

$ 

Holders 

2.72
2.95
3.25
3.19

3.11
3.25
2.15
0.65

0.75

As  of  February  20,  2009,  Abraxas  had  49,621,711  shares  of  common  stock  outstanding  and  had 

approximately 1,178 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.  In  addition,  our  credit  facility  prohibits  the 
payment of cash dividends on the common stock.  The Partnership pays distributions of available cash on a 
quarterly basis.  During 2008, the Partnership paid distributions of $1.65 per unit.  The Partnership’s credit 
agreement  permits  the  payment  of  distributions  under  certain  conditions.  You  should  read  the  discussion 
under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity 
and Capital Resources” for more information regarding the restrictions on Abraxas’ ability to pay dividends 
and on the Partnership’s ability to pay distributions. 

Performance Graph  

Set forth below is a performance graph comparing yearly cumulative total stockholder return on the 
Abraxas common stock with (a) the monthly index of stocks included in the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index 
and  (b)  the  Energy  Capital  Solutions  Index  (the  “ECS  Index”)  of  stocks  of  oil  and  gas  exploration  and 
production companies with a market capitalization of less than $800 million (the “Comparable Companies”). 
The  Comparable  Companies  are:  Brigham  Exploration  Co.,  Callon  Petroleum  Company,  Prime  Energy 
Corp.,  Gasco  Energy  Inc.,  Double  Eagle  Petroleum  Company,  Edge  Petroleum  Corporation,  Houston 
American  Energy  Corp.,  CREDO  Petroleum  Corporation,  TXCO  Resources,  Inc.,  NGAS  Resources  Inc., 
Parallel Petroleum Corporation and Toreador Resources Corp. 

All of these cumulative total returns are computed assuming the value of the investment in Abraxas 
common stock and each index as $100.00 on December 31, 2003, and the reinvestment of dividends at the 
frequency with which dividends were paid during the applicable years. The years compared are 2004, 2005, 
2006, 2007 and 2008.  

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance Graph

$700.00

$600.00

$500.00

$400.00

$300.00

$200.00

$100.00

$0.00

12/1/2003

3/1/2004

6/1/2004

9/1/2004

12/1/2004

3/1/2005

6/1/2005

9/1/2005

12/1/2005

3/1/2006

6/1/2006

9/1/2006

12/1/2006

3/1/2007

6/1/2007

9/1/2007

12/1/2007

3/1/2008

6/1/2008

9/1/2008

12/1/2008

Small Cap Index

S&P 500

ABP

ECS Index 
S&P 500 
ABP 

Dec. 31,
 2003 

Dec. 31,
 2004 

Dec. 31,
 2005 

Dec. 31, 
 2006 

Dec. 31, 
 2007 

Dec. 31,
 2008 

  $100.00  $141.99  $245.31  $ 260.86  $213.03  $129.35 
  $100.00  $108.99  $112.26  $ 127.55  $132.06  $ 81.23 
  $100.00  $188.62  $429.27  $ 251.22  $313.82  $ 58.54 

The  information  contained  above  under  the caption  “Performance  Graph”  is  being  “furnished”  to 
the Securities and Exchange Commission and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into 
any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as 
amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into such filing. 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data 

The following selected financial data as of and for the years ended is derived from our Consolidated 
Financial  Statements.  The  data  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  our  Consolidated  Financial  Statements 
and Notes thereto, and other financial information included herein. See “Financial Statements” in Item 8. 

Discontinued  operations  in  2004  and  2005  represent  the  results  of  operations  of  Grey  Wolf 
Exploration,  Inc.  which  was  a  wholly-owned  Canadian  subsidiary  of  Abraxas  until  February  2005.  In 
February  2005,  Grey  Wolf  closed  on  an  initial  public  offering  resulting  in  the  substantial  divestiture  of 
Abraxas’ investment in Grey Wolf.  

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue - continuing operations

Net income  (loss) 
Net income  - discontinued operations 
Net income (loss) - continuing operations 
Net income  per common share – diluted 
Weighted average shares outstanding – 

diluted (in thousands)  

Total assets 
Long-term debt, excluding current 

maturities 

Year Ended December 31, 

2004 

2005 

2006 

2007 

2008 

(Dollars in thousands except per share data) 

$ 49,216

$ 33,854
$ 12,360(2)$ 19,117(1)$
$ 12,846(1)$
$ 3,323
$
$ 6,271
$ 9,037
$
0.46
$
0.32
$

$ 51,077 $ 48,309

$
700 $ 56,702(3) $
— $
— $
$
700 $ 56,702
$
1.19
0.02 $

100,310
(52,403)(4)
—

(52,403) 
(1.07) 

38,895
$152,685

41,164
$121,866

43,862

47,593
$116,940 $147,119

$126,425

$129,527

$127,614 $ 45,900

$ (53,464)  $ (23,701)  $ (22,165)$ 55,847

49,005
211,839

130,835

4,658

$

$

$

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)   
__________________ 
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 

Includes gain on the sale of foreign subsidiary of $17.3 million net of non-cash tax of $6.1 million. 
Includes gain on debt extinguishment of $12.6 million and a deferred tax benefit of $6.1 million. 
Includes a gain on sale of assets of $59.4 million. 
Includes proved property impairment of $116.4 million. 

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

The  following  is  a  discussion  of  our  consolidated  financial  condition,  results  of  continuing 
operations,  liquidity  and  capital  resources.  This  discussion  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  our 
Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto. See “Financial Statements” in Item 8. 

General 

We are an independent energy company primarily engaged in the development and production of 
oil  and  gas.  Historically,  we  have  grown  through  the  acquisition  and  subsequent  development  and 
exploration  of  producing  properties,  principally  through  the  redevelopment  of  old  fields  utilizing  new 
technologies such as modern log analysis and reservoir modeling techniques as well as 3-D seismic surveys 
and  horizontal  drilling.  As  a  result  of  these  activities,  we  believe  that  we  have  a  number  of  development 
opportunities  on  our  properties.  In  addition,  we  intend  to  expand  upon  our  development  activities  with 
complementary  exploration  projects  in  our  core  areas  of  operation.  Success  in  our  development  and 
exploration  activities  is  critical  in  the  maintenance  and  growth  of  our  current  production  levels  and 
associated reserves. 

While  we  have  attained  positive  net  income  from  continuing  operations  in  four  of  the  last  five 
years, there can be no assurance that operating income and net earnings will be achieved in future periods. 
Our financial results depend upon many factors which significantly affect our results of operations including 
the following:   

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the sales prices of oil and gas; 

the level of total sales volumes of oil and gas; 

the availability of, and our ability to raise additional capital resources and provide liquidity 
to meet, cash flow needs; 

the level of and interest rates on borrowings; and 

the level and success of exploration and development activity. 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Prices and Hedging Activities. The results of our operations are highly dependent upon the 
prices received for our oil and gas production. The prices we receive for our production are dependent upon 
spot market prices, price differentials and the effectiveness of our derivative contracts, which we sometimes 
refer to as hedging arrangements. Substantially all of our sales of oil and gas are made in the spot market, or 
pursuant  to  contracts  based  on  spot  market  prices,  and  not  pursuant  to  long-term,  fixed-price  contracts. 
Accordingly, the prices received for our oil and gas production are dependent upon numerous factors beyond 
our  control.  Significant  declines  in  prices  for  oil  and  gas  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our 
financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and quantities of reserves recoverable on an economic 
basis.  

Recently, the prices of oil and gas have been volatile. During the first half of 2006, prices for oil and gas 
were sustained at record or near-record levels. Supply and geopolitical uncertainties resulted in significant 
price volatility during the remainder of 2006 with both oil and gas prices weakening. During 2007, oil prices 
remained strong while gas prices began 2007 strong but weakened during the course of the year. During the 
first half of 2008, prices for oil and gas were sustained at record or near-record levels, however during the 
second  half  of  2008,  and  subsequently,  there  has  been  a  significant  drop  in  prices.  New  York  Mercantile 
Exchange  (NYMEX)  futures  price  for  West  Texas  Intermediate  (WTI)  oil  averaged  $99.73  per  barrel  for  
2008. WTI oil ended 2008 at $44.60 per barrel. NYMEX Henry Hub futures price for gas averaged $8.85 
per million British thermal units (MMBtu) during 2008 and ended the year at $5.62. Subsequent to the end 
of the 2008 prices for oil and gas have continued to decline. As of February 11, 2009 the (NYMEX) futures 
price for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil was $36.22 per barrel and NYMEX Henry Hub futures price 
for gas was $4.57 per million British thermal units (MMBtu). If commodity prices continue to decline, our 
revenue and cash flow from operations could also decline.  In addition, lower commodity prices could also 
reduce the amount of oil and gas that we can produce economically. The current global recession has had a 
significant  impact  on  commodity  prices  and  our  operations.  If  commodity  prices  remain  depressed  our 
revenues,  profitability  and  cash  flow  from  operations  may  decrease  which  could  cause  us  to  alter  our 
business plans, including reducing our drilling activities. 

The  decline  in  commodity  prices  has  also  resulted  in  downward  adjustments  to  our  estimated  proved 
reserves  at  December  31,  2008.  For  2008  we  incurred  a  “ceiling  limitation  write-down”  under  applicable 
accounting rules.  Under these rules, if the net capitalized cost of oil and gas properties exceed the PV-10 of 
our  reserves,  we  must  charge  the  amount  of  the  excess  to  earnings.  As  of  December  31,  2008,  the 
Company’s net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties exceeded the present value of its estimated proved 
reserves  by  $116.4  million  ($19.2  million  for  Abraxas  Petroleum  properties  and  $97.1  million  for  the 
Partnership properties).  These amounts were calculated considering 2008 year-end prices of $44.60 per Bbl 
for oil and $5.62 per Mcf for gas as adjusted to reflect the expected realized prices for each of our oil and 
gas reserves compared to each of the full cost pools.   This charge does not impact cash flow from operating 
activities, but does reduce our stockholder’s equity and earnings.  The risk that we will be required to write-
down  the  carrying  value  of  oil  and  gas  properties  increases  when  oil  and  gas  prices  are  low.  In  addition, 
write-downs  may  occur  if  we  experience  substantial  downward  adjustments  to  our  estimated  proved 
reserves.  An expense recorded in one period may not be reversed in a subsequent period even though higher 
gas and oil prices may have increased the ceiling applicable to the subsequent period.  

The  realized  prices  that  we  receive  for  our  production  differ  from  NYMEX  futures  and  spot  market 

prices, principally due to: 

• 

• 

• 

basis differentials which are dependent on actual delivery location, 

adjustments for BTU content; and 

gathering, processing and transportation costs. 

During 2008, differentials averaged $7.07 per barrel of oil and $1.30 per Mcf of gas compared to $3.10 
per  barrel  of  oil  and  $1.00  per  Mcf  of  gas  in  2007.  We  experienced  greater  differentials  during  2008 
compared  to  prior  years  because  of  the  increased  percentage  of  our  production  from  the  Rocky  Mountain 
and Mid-Continent regions which experience higher differentials than our Texas properties.  Approximately 
39%  of  our  production  during  2008  was  from  our  Rocky  Mountain  and  Mid-Continent  properties.  
Historically,  these  regions  have  experienced  wider  differentials  than  our  Permian  Basin  and  Gulf  Coast 
properties.    As  the  percentage  of  our  production  from  the  Rocky  Mountain  and  Mid-Continent  regions 
increases, we expect that our consolidated price differentials will also increase.  Increases in the differential 

34 

 
 
 
between the benchmark prices for oil and gas and the wellhead price we receive could significantly reduce 
our revenues and our cash flow from operations. 

Under the terms of the Partnership’s credit facility, Abraxas Energy Partners was required to enter into 
derivative contracts for specified volumes, which equated to approximately 85% of the estimated oil and gas 
production  through  December  31,  2011  from  its  estimated  net  proved  developed  producing  reserves.    At 
December 31, 2008 and continuing through December 2011, the Partnership has NYMEX-based fixed price 
commodity swaps covering approximately 85% of its estimated oil and gas production from its estimated net 
proved  developed  producing  reserves  at  volume  weighted  average  prices  of  $84.23  per  barrel  of  oil  and 
$8.27 per Mmbtu of gas.  The Partnership intends to enter into derivative contracts in the future to reduce the 
impact of price volatility on its cash flow.  By removing a significant portion of price volatility on its future 
oil  and  gas  production,  the  Partnership  believes  it  will  mitigate,  but  not  eliminate,  the  potential  effects  of 
changing commodity prices on its cash flow from operations for those periods.  However, when prevailing 
market prices are higher than our contract prices, we will not realize increased cash flow on the portion of 
the  production  that  has  been  hedged.    We  have  sustained  and  in  the  future  will  sustain  realized  and 
unrealized losses on our derivative contracts if market prices are higher than our contract prices. Conversely, 
when  prevailing  market  prices  are  lower  than  our  contract  prices,  we  will  sustain  realized  and  unrealized 
gains on our derivative contracts.  For example, in 2007, the Partnership sustained an unrealized loss of $6.3 
million and a realized gain of $1.9 million.  In 2008, the Partnership incurred a realized loss of $9.3 million 
and an unrealized gain of $40.5 million. We have not designated any of these derivative contracts as a hedge 
as prescribed by applicable accounting rules. 

The following table sets forth our derivative position at December 31, 2008: 

Period Covered 

Product 

Volume 
(Production per day) 

Fixed Price 

Year 2009 
Year 2009 
Year 2010 
Year 2010 
Year 2011 
Year 2011 

 Gas 
Oil 
Gas 
Oil 
Gas 
Oil 

  10,595 Mmbtu 
  1,000 Bbl  
  9,130 Mmbtu  
  895 Bbl  
  8,010 Mmbtu 
  810 Bbl 

  $ 
  $ 
  $ 
  $ 
  $ 
  $ 

8.45 
83.80 
8.22 
83.26 
8.10 
86.45 

At December 31, 2008, the aggregate fair market value of our oil and gas derivative contracts was an 

asset of approximately $39.2 million. 

Production Volumes. Because our proved reserves will decline as oil and gas are produced, unless we 
find, acquire or develop additional properties containing proved reserves or conduct successful exploration 
and development activities, our reserves and production will decrease.  Approximately 85% of the estimated 
ultimate recovery of Abraxas’ and 92% of the Partnership’s, or 92% of our consolidated proved developed 
producing reserves as of December 31, 2008 had been produced.  Based on the reserve information set forth 
in our reserve estimates as of December 31, 2008, Abraxas’ average annual estimated decline rate for its net 
proved  developed  producing  reserves  is  18%  during  the  first  five  years,  13%  in  the  next  five  years,  and 
approximately  7%  thereafter.    Based  on  the  reserve  information  set  forth  in  our  reserve  estimates  as  of 
December  31,  2008,  the  Partnership’s  average  annual  estimated  decline  rate  for  its  net  proved  developed 
producing  reserves  is  10%  during  the  first  five  years,  8%  in  the  next  five  years  and  approximately  8% 
thereafter.  These rates of decline are estimates and actual production declines could be materially higher.  
While Abraxas has had some success in finding, acquiring and developing additional revenues, Abraxas has 
not always able to fully replace the production volumes lost from natural field declines and prior property 
sales. For example, in 2006, Abraxas replaced only 7% of the reserves it produced. In 2007, however, we 
replaced  219%  of  the  reserves  we  produced  and  in  2008,  we  replaced  555%  of  the  reserves  we  produced 
primarily  as  a  result  of  the  St.  Mary  property  acquisition  in  January  2008.  Our  ability  to  acquire  or  find 
additional  reserves  in  the  near  future  will  be  dependent,  in  part,  upon  the  amount  of  available  funds  for 
acquisition,  exploration  and  development  projects.  Please  see  “–Results  of  Operations–Selected  Operation 
Data” for a presentation of our production levels for the three years. 

We had capital expenditures during 2008 of $183.6 million including $123.6 million for the St. Mary 
property acquisition that closed in January, 2008. Capital expenditures in 2008 also included approximately 
$5.6 million for the acquisition of our corporate headquarters building. We have a capital budget for 2009 of 
approximately $32.0 million, of which $20.0 million is applicable to Abraxas and $12.0 million applicable 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
to the Partnership. Under the terms of the Partnership credit facility, the Partnership’s capital expenditures 
may  not  exceed  $12.5  million  prior  to  the termination  of  the  Partnership’s  subordinated  credit  agreement.  
For  more  information,  see  “–  Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources  –  Long-Term  Indebtedness–  Subordinated 
Credit Agreement.”   The final amount of our capital expenditures for 2009 will depend on our success rate, 
production levels, the availability of capital and commodity prices.  

The following table presents historical net production volumes for the years ended December 31, 

2006, 2007 and 2008:  

Year Ended December 31, 
2007 

2006 

2008 

Total production (MMcfe)    
Average daily production (Mcfepd)    

7,718 
21,144 

6,749 
18,492 

9,642 
26,346 

Availability  of  Capital.    As  described  more  fully  under  “Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources”  below, 
Abraxas’ sources of capital going forward will primarily be cash from operating activities, funding under the 
Credit Facility, cash on hand, distributions from the Partnership and if an appropriate opportunity presents 
itself,  proceeds  from  the  sale  of properties.    Abraxas  Energy  Partners’ principal  sources  of  capital  will  be 
cash from operating activities, borrowings under the Partnership Credit Facility, and sales of debt or equity 
securities if available to it.  At December 31, 2008, Abraxas had approximately $6.5 million of availability 
under  the  Credit  Facility  and  the  Partnership  had  approximately  $14.4  million  of  availability  under  the 
Partnership Credit Facility. 

Additionally  the  Partnership’s  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  matures  on  July  1,  2009.    The 
Partnership has intended to repay its indebtedness under the Subordinated Credit Agreement with proceeds 
from its initial public offering.  However, the equity capital markets have been negatively affected in recent 
months.    As  a  result,  we  cannot  assure  you  that  the  Partnership  will  be  successful  in  completing  the  IPO 
prior to the maturity of the Subordinated Credit Agreement. Abraxas Energy is currently in discussions with 
Société  Générale  to  amend  the  existing  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility  and/or  the  Subordinated  Credit 
Agreement in the event the IPO is not completed by April 30, 2009.  The Partnership has also entered into 
discussions  with  other  lending  institutions  to  re-finance  the  $40  million  currently  outstanding  on  the 
Subordinated  Credit  Agreement.    While  the  Company  believes  that  there  are  options  to  this  short  term 
maturity requirement, there are no guarantees that any of these options will be successfully implemented. 

Exploration  and  Development  Activity.  We  believe  that  our  high  quality  asset  base,  high  degree  of 
operational  control  and  inventory  of  drilling  projects  position  us  for  future  growth.  Our  properties  are 
concentrated in locations that facilitate substantial economies of scale in drilling and production operations 
and  more  efficient  reservoir  management  practices.  At  December  31,  2008,  we  operated  properties 
accounting  for  approximately  83%  of  our  PV-10,  giving  us  substantial  control  over  the  timing  and 
incurrence  of  operating  and  capital  expenditures.  We  have  identified  234  additional  drilling  locations  (of 
which  109  were  classified  as  proved  undeveloped  at  December  31,  2008)  on  our  existing  properties,  the 
successful  development  of  which  we  believe  could  significantly  increase  our  production  and  proved 
reserves. Over the five years ended December 31, 2008, we drilled or participated in drilling 77 gross (34.8 
net) wells of which 94.8% resulted in commercially productive wells. 

Our  future  oil  and  gas  production,  and  therefore  our  success,  is  highly  dependent  upon  our  ability  to 
find, acquire and develop additional reserves that are profitable to produce. The rate of production from our 
oil and gas properties and our proved reserves will decline as our reserves are produced unless we acquire 
additional properties containing proved reserves, conduct successful development and exploration activities 
or,  through  engineering  studies,  identify  additional  behind-pipe  zones or  secondary  recovery  reserves. We 
cannot  assure  you  that  our  exploration  and  development  activities  will  result  in  increases  in  our  proved 
reserves. In 2006, for example, Abraxas replaced only 7% of the reserves it produced. In 2007, however, we 
replaced 219% of our reserves, and in 2008, we replaced 555% of our reserves, primarily as the result of the 
St. Mary property acquisition in January 2008. If our proved reserves decline in the future, our production 
may also decline and, consequently, our cash flow from operations, distributions of available cash from the 
Partnership to Abraxas and the amount that Abraxas is able to borrow under its credit facility and that the 
Partnership will be able to borrow under its credit facility will also decline. In addition, approximately 65% 
of  Abraxas’  and  39%  of  the  Partnership’s  estimated  proved  reserves  at  December  31,  2008  were 
undeveloped. By their nature, estimates of undeveloped reserves are less certain. Recovery of such reserves 
will require significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. We may be unable to acquire 

36 

  
 
 
 
 
or  develop  additional  reserves,  in  which  case  our  results  of  operations  and  financial  condition  could  be 
adversely affected. 

Borrowings  and  Interest.    Abraxas  Energy  Partners  had  indebtedness  of  approximately  $125.6 
under  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility  and  $40  million  under  its  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  as  of 
December  31,  2008.    At  December  31,  2008  the  Partnership  had  $14.4  million  available  under  its 
Partnership Credit Facility. At December 31, 2008, Abraxas had availability of $6.5 million under its Credit 
Facility. As of December 31, 2008, there was no outstanding balance under this facility. If interest expense 
increases as a result of higher interest rates or increased borrowings, more cash flow from operations would 
be  used  to  meet  debt  service  requirements.    As  a  result,  we  would  need  to  increase  our  cash  flow  from 
operations in order to fund the development of our numerous drilling opportunities which, in turn, will be 
dependent upon the level of our production volumes and commodity prices. In order to mitigate its interest 
rate exposure, the Partnership entered into an interest rate swap, effective August 12, 2008, to fix its floating 
LIBOR-based debt.  The Partnership’s two-year interest rate swap arrangement for $100 million at a fixed 
rate of 3.367% expires on August 12, 2010.  This interest rate swap was amended in February 2009 lowering 
the Partnership’s fixed rate to 2.95%. 

Results of Operations 

Selected Operating Data. The following table sets forth certain of our operating data for the periods 

presented.  Average prices reflect realized prices including the impact of hedging activities. 

Years Ended December 31, 
(dollars in thousands, except per unit data.) 
2007 

2006 

2008 

Operating revenue(1): 

Oil sales 
Gas sales 
Rig and other  
Total operating revenues  

Operating income (loss) (2) 

Oil production (MBbls)   
Gas production (MMcf)   

Average oil sales price (per Bbl)
Average gas sales price (per Mcf)

___________________ 

$

$

$

$
$

12,446 $
37,002
1,629
51,077 $

13,633 $ 
33,273
1,403
48,309 $ 

50,954
48,130
1,226
100,310

18,383 $

15,524 $ 

(74,017)

200.4
6,515.0

196.9
5,567.7

62.10 $
5.77 $

65.30 $ 
6.46 $ 

549.9
6,342.9

81.35
7.11

(1) 
(2) 

Revenue is after the impact of hedging activities. 
Operating loss in 2008 includes $116.4 million proved property impairment.  

Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2008 to Year Ended December 31, 2007 

Operating  Revenue.  During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008,  operating  revenue  from  oil  and  gas 
sales  increased  by  $52.2  million  from  $46.9  million  in  2007  to  $99.1  million  in  2008.  The  increase  in 
revenue was due to increased production volumes in 2008 as compared to 2007 as well as higher oil and gas 
prices realized in 2008 as compared to 2007. The increase in production volumes contributed $29.1 million 
to revenue while increased commodity prices contributed $23.1 million to oil and gas production revenue.  

Oil  production  volumes  increased  from  196.9  MBbls  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2007  to 
549.9 MBbls for the same period of 2008.  The increase in oil sales volumes was primarily due to production 
from properties acquired in the St. Mary acquisition that closed on January 31, 2008. Production for the year 
ended  December  31,  2008  from  these  properties  added  313.4  MBbls  of  oil.  Gas  production  volumes 
increased from 5,568 MMcf for the year ended December 31, 2007 to 6,343 MMcf for the same period of 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2008. The properties acquired in the St. Mary acquisition contributed 1,566 MMcf of gas production during 
the year, which was partially offset by natural field declines. 

Average sales prices in 2008, before realized gain (loss) on derivative contracts were: 

• 
• 

$92.66 per Bbl of oil, and 
$  7.59  per Mcf of gas.  

Average sales prices in 2007, before realized gain (loss) on derivative contracts  were:   

• 
• 

$69.22 per Bbl of oil, and 
$  5.98 per Mcf of gas. 

Lease  Operating  Expense  and  Production  Taxes.  Lease  operating  expense,  or  LOE,  increased  from 
$11.3  million  in  2007  to  $26.6  million  in  2008.  The  increase  in  LOE  was  primarily  due  to  the  properties 
acquired  from  St.  Mary  in  January  of  2008  as  well  as  an  increase  in  ad valorem  and  severance  taxes. 
Severance and ad valorem taxes increased from $3.8 million in 2007 to $9.1 million in 2008. LOE related to 
the properties acquired in the St. Mary property acquisition added $13.1 million to LOE during 2008. LOE 
on a per BOE basis for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $16.57 per BOE compared to $10.02 for the 
same period of 2007. The increase in per BOE cost was attributable to the increase in the number of oil wells 
as a result of the St. Mary acquisition, which are generally more expensive to operate than  gas wells, as well 
as the overall increase in costs. 

G&A  Expense.  General  and  administrative,  or  G&A  expense,  excluding  stock  based  compensation  
increased  from  $5.4    million  in  2007  to $5.7  million  in  2008.  The  increase  in  G&A  was  primarily  due  to 
higher personnel expenses associated with additional staff added to manage the properties acquired from St. 
Mary. G&A expense on a per BOE basis was $3.56 for 2008 compared to $4.84 for the same period of 2007. 
The  per  BOE  decrease  was  attributable  to  the  higher  G&A  expense  being  offset  by  higher  production 
volumes during 2008 as compared to 2007. 

Stock-based Compensation. We currently utilize a standard option pricing model (i.e., Black-Scholes) to 
measure the fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors.  Options granted to employees 
and directors are valued at the date of grant and expense is recognized over the options vesting period. For 
the year ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, stock based compensation was approximately $996,000 and 
$1.4 million respectively. 

DD&A  Expense.  Depreciation,  depletion  and  amortization,  or  DD&A,  expense  increased  from  $14.3 
million  in  2007  to  $23.3  million  in  2008.  The  increase  in  DD&A  was  primarily  the  result  of  increased 
production as well as an increase in the depletion base as a result of the St. Mary acquisition. Our DD&A 
expense on a per BOE basis for 2007 was $12.71 per BOE as compared to $14.53 per BOE in 2008. The 
increase in the per BOE basis was due to the increased production volumes in 2008 as compared to 2007. 

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $10.5 million in 2008 compared to $8.4 million for in 
2007. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to the increase in long term debt incurred by the 
Partnership  as  a  result  of  the  St.  Mary  acquisition.    The  Partnerships’  debt  as  of  December  31,  2008  was 
$165.6 million compared to $45.9 million as of December 31, 2007. 

 Income taxes.  No current or deferred income tax expense or benefit has been recognized due to losses 

or loss carryforwards and valuation allowance, which has been recorded against such benefits. 

Income (loss) from derivative contracts. We account for derivative contract gains and losses based on 
realized and unrealized amounts. The realized derivative gains or losses are determined by actual derivative 
settlements  during  the  period.  Unrealized  gains  and  losses  are  based  on  the  periodic  mark  to  market 
valuation  of  derivative  contracts  in  place.  Our  derivative  contract  transactions  do  not  qualify  for  hedge 
accounting as prescribed by SFAS 133; therefore, fluctuations in the market value of the derivative contracts 
are recognized in earnings during the current period. Abraxas Energy Partners has entered into a series of 
NYMEX–based  fixed  price  commodity  swaps,  the  estimated  unearned  value  of  which  was  an  asset  of 
approximately  $39.2  million  as  of  December  31,  2008.  For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008,  the 
Partnership realized a loss of $9.3 million related to these oil and gas derivatives, and an unrealized gain of 

38 

 
 
 
$40.5  million.  This  compares  to  an  unrealized  loss  of  $6.3  million  and  a  realized  gain  of  $1.9  million  in 
2007. 

Other  Expense.  For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008  as  the  result  of  the  exchange  and 
registration rights agreement whereby Partnership unitholders, under certain circumstances can convert their 
Partnership  units  into  Abraxas  Common  Stock,  the  Company  has  recognized  an  expense  of  $7.4  million, 
including  approximately  $293,000  relating  to  shares  converted  during  the  fourth  quarter  and  $7.1  million 
representing  the  fair  value  of  potential  conversions.  This  expense  is  included  in  other  expense  on  the 
accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2008. See footnote 3 
to  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  a  further  description  of  the  exchange  and  registration  rights 
agreement. 

In August of 2008, the Partnership entered into an interest rate swap, effective August 12, 2008, to 
fix its floating LIBOR based debt.  The Partnership’s two-year interest rate swap arrangement is for $100 
million  at  a  fixed  rate  of  3.367%.    The  arrangement  expires  on  August  12,  2010.  For  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2008, the Partnership realized a loss of approximately $260,000 related to this derivative and 
an unrealized loss of $2.7 million. The estimated unearned value of this agreement was a liability of $3.0 
million  as  of  December  31,  2008.  This  interest  rate  swap  was  amended  in  February  2009  lowering  the 
Partnership’s fixed rate to 2.95%. 

Ceiling Limitation Write-down. We record the carrying value of our oil and gas properties using the full 
cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties. Under this method, we capitalize the cost to acquire, 
explore for and develop oil and gas properties.  Under the full cost accounting rules, the net capitalized cost 
of oil and gas properties less related deferred taxes, are limited by country, to the lower of the 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%, 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.  If the net capitalized cost of oil and gas properties exceeds the ceiling limit, we 
are subject to a ceiling limitation write-down to the extent of such excess. A ceiling limitation write-down is 
a charge to earnings which does not impact cash flow from operating activities. However, such write-downs 
do impact the amount of our stockholders' equity.  The cost ceiling represents the present value (discounted 
at  10%)  of  net  cash  flows  from  sales  of  future  production,  using  commodity  prices  on  the  last  day  of  the 
quarter, or alternatively, if prices subsequent to that date have increased, a price near the periodic filing date 
of the our financial statements.  As of December 31, 2008, our net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties 
exceeded the present value of our estimated proved reserves by $116.4 million ($19.2 million on Abraxas 
Petroleum  properties  and  $97.1  million  on  the  Partnership  properties).    These  amounts  were  calculated 
considering 2008 year-end prices of $44.60 per Bbl for oil and $5.62 per Mcf for gas as adjusted to reflect 
the expected realized prices for our oil and gas reserves as compared to each of the full cost pools. 

The risk that we will be required to write-down the carrying value of our oil and gas assets increases 
when oil and gas prices are depressed or volatile.  In addition, write-downs may occur if we have substantial 
downward  revisions  in  our  estimated  proved  reserves  or  if  purchasers  or  governmental  action  cause  an 
abrogation of, or if we voluntarily cancel, long-term contracts for our gas. We cannot assure you that we will 
not  experience  additional  write-downs  in  the  future.  If  commodity  prices  decline  or  if  any  of  our  proved 
reserves are revised downward, a further write-down of the carrying value of our oil and gas properties may 
be required. 

Minority  interest.  Minority  interest  represents  the  share  of  the  net  income  (loss)  of  Abraxas  Energy 
Partners  for  the  period  owned  by  the  partners  other  than  Abraxas  Petroleum.  Additionally,  in  accordance 
with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  when  cumulative  losses  applicable  to  the  minority  interest 
exceed the minority interest equity capital in the entity, such excess and any further losses applicable to the 
minority interest are charged to the earnings of the majority interest. If future earnings are recognized by the 
minority interest, such earnings will then be credited to the majority interest (Abraxas) to the extent of such 
losses  previously  absorbed  and  any  excess  earnings  will  increase  the  recorded  value.  For  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2008,  primarily  as  a  result  of  the  ceiling  test  impairment  of  the  Partnership’s  oil  and  gas 
properties,  losses  applicable  to  the  minority  interest  exceeded  the  minority  interest  equity  capital  by  $9.3 
million and, as a result, $9.3 million of the minority interest loss in excess of equity was charged to earnings 
and was reflected as a reduction of the loss applicable to the minority interest. 

39 

 
 
 
Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2007 to Year Ended December 31, 2006 

Operating Revenue. During the year ended December 31, 2007, operating revenue from oil and gas 
sales  decreased  by  $2.5  million  from  $49.4  million  in  2006  to  $46.9  million  in  2007.  The  decrease  in 
revenue was primarily due to decreased production volumes in 2007 as compared to 2006 offset by higher 
oil and gas prices realized in 2007 as compared to 2006. Lower production volumes had a negative impact of 
$5.6  million  which  was  partially  offset  by  higher  realized  prices,  excluding  derivative  activities,  which 
contributed $3.1 million to oil and gas revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007.  

Oil sales volumes decreased from 200.4 MBbls in 2006 to 196.9 MBbls during 2007. The decrease 
in oil production was primarily due to natural field declines. Gas sales volumes decreased from 6.5 Bcf in 
2006  to  5.6  Bcf  in  2007.  This  decrease  was  primarily  due  to  the  sale  of  properties  in  Live  Oak  County, 
Texas effective August 1, 2006, as well as natural field declines. Properties sold in 2006 contributed 182.3 
MMcfe  during  2006  prior  to  their  sale.  Production  from  a  Permian  Basin  well  drilled  and  brought  onto 
production in August 2005 produced 2.2 Bcf in 2006 as compared to 1.4 Bcf in 2007. The Permian Basin 
well,  the  La  Escalera  1AH  well,  provided  approximately  20%  of  our  Mcfe  production  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2007. 

Average sales prices in 2007, before realized loss on derivative contracts were: 

• 
• 

$69.22 per Bbl of oil, and 
$  5.98 per Mcf of gas.  

Average sales prices in 2006, before realized loss on derivative contracts were:   

• 
• 

$62.10 per Bbl of oil, and 
$  5.68 per Mcf of gas. 

Lease Operating Expense and Production Taxes. Lease operating expense, or LOE, decreased from 
$11.8  million  in  2006  to  $11.3  million  in  2007.  The  decrease  in  LOE  was  primarily  due  to  a  decrease  in 
ad valorem  and  severance  taxes.  Severance  and  ad valorem  taxes  decreased  from  $4.5  million  in  2006  to 
$3.8 million in 2007. The decrease was due to revisions of values of some properties resulting in a lower 
ad valorem  tax  assessment.  Excluding  taxes,  LOE  increased  from  $7.3  million  in  2006  to  $7.4  million  in 
2007. This increase was due to a general increase in the cost of field services. Our LOE on a per BOE for the 
year ended December 31, 2007 was $10.00 per BOE compared to $9.16 per BOE in 2006. The increase on a 
per BOE basis was primarily due to a decrease in production volumes in 2007 as compared to 2006. 

G&A Expense. General and administrative, or G&A expense, excluding stock based compensation  
increased from  $4.2    million  in  2006  to $5.4  million  in  2007.  The  increase  in G&A  expense  in 2007 was 
primarily  due  to  new,  incremental  G&A  costs  incurred  by  Abraxas  Energy  Partners  and  to  higher 
performance bonuses in 2007 as compared to 2006. Performance bonuses amounted to $162,000 in 2006, as 
compared to $1.1 million in 2007. Our G&A expense on a per BOE basis increased from $3.24 in 2006 to 
$4.84 in 2007. The increase in the per BOE cost was due to increased G&A expense in 2007 as compared to 
2006 as well as decreased production volumes in 2007 as compared to 2006. 

Stock-based  Compensation.  We  currently  utilize  a  standard  option  pricing  model  (i.e.,  Black-
Scholes) to measure the fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors.  Options granted to 
employees and directors are valued at the date of grant and expense is recognized over the options vesting 
period.  For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2006  and  2007,  stock  based  compensation  was  approximately 
$998,000 and $996,000 respectively. 

DD&A  Expense.  Depreciation,  depletion  and  amortization,  or  DD&A,  expense  decreased  from 
$14.9  million  in  2006  to  $14.3  million  in  2007.  The  decrease  in  DD&A  was  primarily  due  to  increased 
reserves as of December 31, 2007 as compared to December 31, 2006, as well as a decrease in production 
volumes in 2007 as compared to 2006. Our DD&A expense on a per BOE basis for 2007 was $12.71 per 
BOE as compared to $11.30 per BOE in 2006. The increase in the per BOE basis was due to the decreased 
production volumes in 2007 as compared to 2006. 

40 

 
 
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased to $8.4 million in 2007 compared to $16.8 million for 
2006. The decrease in interest expense was due to the redemption of our outstanding senior secured notes 
and refinancing and repayment of our credit facility with Wells Fargo Foothill in May 2007.  

Loss  on  debt  extinguishments.    The  loss  on  debt  extinguishment  consists  primarily  of  the  call 
premium and interest that was paid in connection with the refinancing and redemption of our senior secured 
notes in May 2007. 

Income taxes. Federal income tax and state of Texas margin tax have been recognized for the year 
ended December 31, 2007 as a result of the gain on the sale of assets during the period. No deferred income 
tax  expense  or  benefit  has  been  recognized  due  to  losses  or  loss  carryforwards  and  valuation  allowance, 
which has been recorded against such benefits. 

Gain on sale of assets. As a result of the transactions related to the formation of Abraxas Energy 
Partners, we recognized a gain of $59.4 million. This gain was calculated based on the requirements of Staff 
Accounting  Bulletin  51,  (Topic  5H)  based  on  the  fact  that  we  elected  gain  treatment  as  a  policy  and  the 
transaction  met  the  following  criteria:    (1)  there  were  no  additional  broad  corporate  reorganizations 
contemplated;  (2)  there  was  not  a  reason  to  believe  that  the  gain  would  not  be  realized,  since  there  is  no 
additional capital raising transaction anticipated nor was there a significant concern about the new entity’s 
ability to continue in existence; (3) the share price of capital raised in the private placement was objectively 
determined; (4) no repurchases of the new subsidiary’s units are planned; and (5)  we acknowledge that we 
will consistently apply the policy, and any future transactions that might result in a loss must be recorded as 
a loss in the income statement. 

Income (loss) from derivative contracts. We account for derivative contract gains and losses based 
on  realized  and  unrealized  amounts.  The  realized  derivative  gains  or  losses  are  determined  by  actual 
derivative  settlements  during  the  period.  Unrealized  gains  and  losses  are  based  on  the  periodic  mark  to 
market  valuation  of  derivative  contracts  in  place.  Our  derivative  contract  transactions  do  not  qualify  for 
hedge accounting as prescribed by SFAS 133; therefore, fluctuations in the market value of the derivative 
contracts are recognized in earnings during the current period. Abraxas Energy Partners has entered into a 
series  of  NYMEX–based  fixed  price  commodity  swaps,  the  estimated  unearned  value  of  which  was 
approximately $(9.1) million as of December 31, 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2007, we realized 
a gain on these derivative contracts of $1.9 million. As of December 31, 2007 we incurred unrealized losses 
on derivative contracts of $6.3 million. 

Minority interest. Minority interest represents the share of the net income (loss) of Abraxas Energy 
Partners for the period owned by the partners other than Abraxas Petroleum. For the year ended December 
31, 2007, the minority interest in the net loss of the Partnership was   approximately $1.8 million. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources  

General.  The  oil  and  gas  industry  is  a  highly  capital  intensive  and  cyclical  business.  Our  capital 

requirements are driven principally by our obligations to service debt and to fund the following costs: 

• 

• 

• 

the development of existing properties, including drilling and completion costs of wells;  

acquisition of interests in additional oil and gas properties; and 

production and transportation facilities. 

The  amount  of  capital  expenditures  we  are  able  to  make  has  a  direct  impact  on  our  ability  to 
increase  cash  flow  from  operations  and,  thereby,  will  directly  affect  our  ability  to  service  our  debt 
obligations  and  to  continue  to  grow  the  business  through  the  development  of  existing  properties  and  the 
acquisition of new properties. 

Abraxas’ sources of capital going forward will primarily be cash from operating activities, funding 
under its credit facility, distributions from the Partnership and if an appropriate opportunity presents itself, 
proceeds  from  the  sale  of  properties.  We  may  also  seek  equity  capital  although  we  may  not  be  able  to 
complete  any  equity  financings  on  terms  acceptable  to  us,  if  at  all.  The  Partnership’s  principal  sources  of 
capital will be cash from operating activities, borrowings under the Partnership Credit Facility, and sales of 
debt or equity securities if available to it. 

41 

  
 
 
Working Capital (Deficit). At December 31, 2008 our current liabilities of $59.3 million exceeded 
our  current  assets  of  $33.3  million  resulting  in  working  capital  deficit  of  $26.0  million.  This  compares  to 
working capital of $11.3 million as of December 31, 2007. Significant components of current liabilities as of 
December 31, 2008 consisted of trade payables of $10.7 million, revenues due third parties of $3.2 million, 
other accrued liabilities of $2.3 million, current derivative liabilities of $3.0 million and current maturities of 
long-term debt of $40.1 million, primarily related to the Partnership’s Subordinated Credit Agreement.  The 
Partnership has intended to repay its indebtedness under the Subordinated Credit Agreement with proceeds 
from its initial public offering.  However, the equity capital markets have been negatively affected in recent 
months.    As  a  result,  we  cannot  assure  you  that  the  Partnership  will  be  successful  in  completing  the  IPO 
prior to the maturity of the Subordinated Credit Agreement.  The Partnership has entered into discussions 
with the lending institutions to either extend or refinance the $40.0 million in debt under its Subordinated 
Credit Agreement, due July 1, 2009.  There can be no assurance that the Partnership will be successful in 
such negotiations.  

Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures related to our continuing operations in 2006, 2007 and 
2008  were  $26.3  million,  $26.9  million  and  $183.6  million,  respectively.  The  table  below  sets  forth  the 
components of these capital expenditures for the three years ended December 31, 2008.   

Expenditure category: 

Exploration/Development 
Acquisition 
Facilities and other 
Total 

2006 

Year Ended December 31, 
2008 
2007 
(dollars in thousands) 

$  26,117
-
229
$  26,346

$  16,793  $  49,610
  127,671
  10,000 
6,351
115 
$  26,908  $  183,632

During  2006  and  2007,  capital  expenditures  were  primarily  for  the  development  of  existing 
properties  and  a  deposit  for  the  St.  Mary  property  acquisition  that  closed  in  January  2008.  During  2008 
capital expenditures included $127.7 million for the acquisition of the St. Mary properties and other smaller 
acquisitions,  as  well  as  the  development  of  our  properties.  We  anticipate  making  capital  expenditures  for 
2009 of $20.0 million. These anticipated expenditures are subject to adequate cash flow from operations and 
availability under our revolving credit facility. The Partnership anticipates making capital expenditures for 
2009  of  $12.0  million  which  will  be  used  primarily  for  the  development  of  its  current  properties. 
Additionally, while the Subordinated Credit Agreement is outstanding, the Partnership’s capital expenditures 
are  limited  to  $12.5  million.    These  anticipated  expenditures  are  subject  to  adequate  cash  flow  from 
operations,  availability  under  Abraxas’  and  the  Partnership’s  Credit  Facilities  and,  in  Abraxas’  case, 
distributions of available cash from the Partnership. If these sources of funding do not prove to be sufficient, 
we  may  also  issue  additional  shares  of  equity  securities  although  we  may  not  be  able  to  complete  equity 
financings on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Our ability to make all of our budgeted capital expenditures 
will  also  be  subject  to  availability  of  drilling  rigs  and  other  field  equipment  and  services.  Our  capital 
expenditures could also include expenditures for the acquisition of producing properties if such opportunities 
arise.  Additionally, the level of capital expenditures will vary during future periods depending on market 
conditions  and  other  related  economic  factors.  There  has  been  a  significant  decline  in  oil  and  gas  prices 
since  the  second  quarter  of  2008.  Should  the  prices  of  oil  and  gas  continue  to  decline  and  if  our  costs  of 
operations  continue  to  increase  as  a  result  of  the  scarcity  of  drilling  rigs  or  if  our  production  volumes 
decrease, our cash flows will decrease which may result in a reduction of the capital expenditures budget. If 
we decrease our capital expenditures budget, we may not be able to offset oil and gas production volumes 
decreases caused by natural field declines and sales of producing properties, if any.  

Sources of Capital. The net funds provided by and/or used in each of the operating, investing and 
financing activities, related to continuing operations, are summarized in the following table and discussed in 
further detail below:  

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities 
Net cash used in investing activities 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities 
Total 

Year Ended December 31, 
2007 
2008 
2006 
(dollars in thousands) 
$ 18,332

$ 43,387

$ 15,561

(14,102) 
(1,458) 

$

1

 (26,908) 
 27,469
$ 18,893

(173,944) 
113,545
$ (17,012)

Operating  activities  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008  provided  $43.4  million  in  cash 
compared to providing $18.3 million in 2007. Net income plus non-cash expense items and net changes in 
operating assets and liabilities accounted for  most of these funds, including the non–cash proved property 
impairment of $116.4 million. Financing activities provided $113.5 million for the year ended December 31, 
2008 as compared to providing $27.5 million in 2007. Most of the funds provided in 2008 were the proceeds 
of  long-term  borrowing  in  connection  with  the  acquisition  of  the  St.  Mary  properties  in  January  2008. 
Investing activities used $173.9 million in 2008 including $127.7 million for the acquisition of oil and gas 
properties as well as the development of our current properties. 

Operating  activities  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2007  provided  $18.3  million  in  cash 
compared to providing $15.6 million in the same period in 2006. Net income plus non-cash expense items 
and  net  changes  in  operating  assets  and  liabilities  accounted  for  most  of  these  funds.  Financing  activities 
provided $27.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to using $1.5 million for the same 
period  of  2006.  Most  of  the  funds  provided  in  2007  were  proceeds  from  the  issuance  of  common  stock, 
proceeds  from  the  sale  of  common  units  of  the  Partnership  and  proceeds  from  the  Partnership’s  and 
Abraxas’ credit facilities. In 2006, most of the funds used were for net reductions in long-term borrowings 
from our revolving line of credit. Investing activities used $26.9 million during the year ended December 31, 
2007  compared  to  using  $14.1  million  for  the  same  period  of  2006.  Investing  activities  in  2007  included 
$16.9  million  for  the  development  of  our  existing  properties  and  $10  million  for  the  St.  Mary  property 
acquisition that was completed in January 2008. 

Operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 provided us with $15.6 million of cash. 
Expenditures in 2006 of approximately $26.3 primarily for the development of oil and gas properties offset 
by proceeds from the sale of oil and gas properties of $12.2 million. Financing activities used $1.5 million 
during  2006,  of  which  $20.4  million  was  provided  from  long-term  borrowing  offset  by  $22.4  million  of 
payments on long-term debt.  

Future  Capital  Resources.  Abraxas’  sources  of  capital  going  forward  will  primarily  be  cash  from 
operating activities, funding under the Credit Facility, cash on hand, distributions from the Partnership and if 
an  appropriate  opportunity  presents  itself,  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  properties.  Abraxas  Energy  Partners’ 
principal sources of capital will be cash from operating activities, borrowings under the Partnership Credit 
Facility,  and  sales  of  debt  or  equity  securities,  if  available  to  it.  The  credit  markets  are  undergoing 
significant  volatility  and  capacity  constraints.    Many  financial  institutions  have  liquidity  concerns, 
prompting government intervention to mitigate pressure on the credit market.  Our exposure to the current 
credit market crisis includes our Credit Facility, the Partnership Credit Facility and the Subordinated Credit 
Agreement and counterparty performance risk. 

Our Credit Facility and the Partnership Credit Facility are each subject to a borrowing base.  Our Credit 
Facility matures on June 27, 2011 and the Partnership Credit Facility matures on January 31, 2013.  Should 
current credit market volatility be prolonged for several years, future extensions of credit may contain terms 
that  are  less  favorable  than  those  in  our  Credit  Facility  and  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility.    The 
Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  matures  on  July  1,  2009.    The  Partnership  has  intended  to  re-pay  the 
amounts  due  under  this  agreement  with  the  proceeds  of  the  initial  public  offering.    However,  the  equity 
capital markets have been negatively affected in recent months.  As a result, we cannot assure you that the 
Partnership  will  be  successful  in  completing  the  IPO  prior  to  the  maturity  of  the  Subordinated  Credit 
Agreement.  In  addition,  the  Partnership’s  failure  to  receive  $20.0  million  of  proceeds  from  an  equity 
issuance  on  or  prior  to  April  30,  2009  would  be  an  event  of  default  under  the  Subordinated  Credit 
Agreement.  

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current  market  conditions  also  elevate  concern  over  counterparty  risks  related  to  our  commodity 
derivative  instruments.    The  Partnership  has  all  of  its  commodity  derivative  instruments  with  one  major 
financial institution.  Should this financial counterparty not perform, we may not realize the benefit of some 
of our hedges under lower commodity prices.  Although these derivative instruments as well as our Credit 
Facility and the Partnership Credit Facility expose us to credit risk, we monitor the creditworthiness of our 
counterparty,  and  we  are  not  currently  aware  of  any  inability  on  the  part  of  our  counterparty  to  perform 
under  our  contracts.    However,  we  are  not  able  to  predict  sudden  changes  in  the  credit  worthiness  of  our 
counterparty. 

Oil and gas prices are also volatile and have declined significantly during the second half of  2008 and 
have continued to decline since the end of the year.  Further, the decline in commodity prices has not been 
accompanied  by  a  relative  decline  in  the  prices  of  goods  and  services  that  we  use  to  drill,  complete  and 
operate our wells.  The decline in commodity prices has reduced our cash flow from operations from what it 
would have otherwise been.  To mitigate the impact of lower commodity prices on our cash flows, we have 
entered into commodity derivative contracts.  As the result of the global recession, commodity prices may 
stay depressed or reduce further, thereby causing a prolonged downturn, which could further reduce our cash 
flows from operations.  This could cause us to alter our business plans, including reducing our exploration 
and development plans.  

Our cash flow from operations will also depend upon the volume of oil and gas that we produce. 
Unless  we  otherwise  expand  reserves,  our  production  volumes  may  decline  as  reserves  are  produced.  For 
example, in 2006, Abraxas replaced only 7% of the reserves it produced. In 2007 we replaced 219% of the 
reserves we produced and in 2008, we replaced 555% of the reserves we produced, primarily as the result of 
the St. Mary property acquisition in January 2008.  In the future, if an appropriate opportunity presents itself, 
we may sell producing properties, which could further reduce our production volumes. To offset the loss in 
production volumes resulting from natural field declines and sales of producing properties, we must conduct 
successful  exploration  and  development  activities,  acquire  additional  producing  properties  or  identify 
additional  behind-pipe  zones  or  secondary  recovery  reserves.  We  believe  our  numerous  drilling 
opportunities will allow us to increase our production volumes; however, our drilling activities are subject to 
numerous risks, including the risk that no commercially productive oil and gas reservoirs will be found. If 
our proved reserves decline in the future, our production will also decline and, consequently, our cash flow 
from  operations,  distributions  from  the  Partnership  and  the  amount  that  we  are  able  to  borrow  under  our 
credit  facilities  will  also  decline.  The  risk  of  not  finding  commercially  productive  reservoirs  will  be 
compounded  by  the  fact  that  65%  of  Abraxas  Petroleum’s  and  39%  of  the  Partnership’s  total  estimated 
proved  reserves  at  December  31,  2008  were  undeveloped.  For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008,  we 
expended  approximately  $49.6  million  on  our  exploration  and  development  activities  s  and  continued 
general well maintenance and work-overs utilizing our own work-over rigs   

Contractual  Obligations. We  are  committed  to  making  cash  payments  in  the  future on  our  long-

term debt. 

We have no off-balance sheet debt or unrecorded obligations and we have not guaranteed the debt 
of  any  other  party.  Below  is  a  schedule  of  the  future  payments  that  we  are  obligated  to  make  based  on 
agreements in place as of December 31, 2008. 

Payments due in: 

Contractual Obligations  
(dollars in thousands) 

Long-term debt (1)       
Interest on long-term debt (2)      

Total      

Total 

 2009 

$170,969 $40,134 $

2010-
2011 

2012-2013 

295 $  125,936 $ 

11,895

4,584

6,261

618

$182,864 $44,718 $ 6,556 $  126,554 $ 

Thereafter
4,604
432
5,036

___________________ 
(1)  These  amounts  represent  the  balances  outstanding  under  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility,  the 
Partnership’s  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  and  Abraxas’  mortgage  on  its  headquarters  building. 
These repayments assume that we will not draw down additional funds.  

44 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2) 

Interest expense assumes the balances of long-term debt at the end of the period and current effective 
interest rates. 

We  maintain  a  reserve  for  costs  associated  with  the  retirement  of  tangible  long-lived  assets.  At 
December  31,  2008,  our  reserve  for  these  obligations  totaled  $9.9  million  for  which  no  contractual 
commitment exist. For additional information relating to this obligation, see Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

Off-Balance  Sheet  Arrangements.  At  December  31,  2008,  we  had  no  existing  off-balance  sheet 
arrangements,  as  defined  under  SEC  regulations,  that  have  or  are  reasonably  likely  to  have  a  current  or 
future  effect  on  our  financial  condition,  revenues  or  expenses,  results  of  operations,  liquidity,  capital 
expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors. 

Contingencies. From time to time, we are involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our 
operations  in  the  normal  course  of  business.  At  December 31,  2008  we  were  not  engaged  in  any  legal 
proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on us. 

Other  obligations.  We  make  and  will  continue  to  make  substantial  capital  expenditures  for  the 
acquisition,  exploration,  development  and  production  of  oil  and  gas.  In  the  past,  we  have  funded  our 
operations and capital expenditures primarily through cash flow from operations, sales of properties, sales of 
production  payments  and  borrowings  under  our  bank  credit  facilities  and  other  sources.  Given  our  high 
degree of operating control, the timing and incurrence of operating and capital expenditures is largely within 
our discretion.   

Long-Term Indebtedness 

Long-term indebtedness consisted of the following: 

December 31, 
 2008 

December 31,  
2007 

(in thousands) 

Partnership credit facility ................................................   $
Partnership subordinated credit agreement .....................  
Real estate lien note.........................................................  

Less current maturities ....................................................  

  $

125,600  $
40,000 
5,369 
170,969 
(40,134) 
130,835  $

45,900 
— 
— 
45,900 
— 
45,900 

Abraxas  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility.  On  June  27,  2007,  Abraxas  entered  into  a  new  senior 
secured revolving credit facility, which we refer to as the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility has a maximum 
commitment  of  $50.0  million.  Availability  under  the  Credit  Facility  is  subject  to  a  borrowing  base.  The 
borrowing  base  under  the  Credit  Facility,  which  is  currently  $6.5  million,  is  determined  semi-annually  by 
the  lenders  based upon our reserve  reports,  one of which must  be  prepared by our  independent  petroleum 
engineers and one of which may be prepared internally. The amount of the borrowing base is calculated by 
the lenders based upon their valuation of our proved reserves utilizing these reserve reports and their own 
internal decisions.  In addition, the lenders, in their sole discretion, may make one additional borrowing base 
redetermination during any six-month period between scheduled redeterminations and we may also request 
one  redetermination  during  any  six-month  period  between  scheduled  redeterminations.    The  lenders  may 
also make a redetermination in connection with any sales of producing properties with a market value of 5% 
or  more  of  our  current  borrowing  base.    Our  borrowing  base  at  December  31,  2008  of  $6.5  million  was 
determined  based  upon  our  reserves  at  June  30,  2008.    Our  borrowing  base  can  never  exceed  the  $50.0 
million maximum commitment amount.  Outstanding amounts under the Credit Facility will bear interest at 
(a) the greater of the reference rate announced from time to time by Société Générale, and (b) the Federal 
Funds Rate plus 0.5% of 1%, plus in each case, (c) 0.5% - 1.5% depending on utilization of the borrowing 
base,  or,  if  Abraxas  elects,  at  the  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate  plus  1.5%  -  2.5%,  depending  on  the 
utilization  of  the  borrowing  base.  Subject  to  earlier  termination  rights  and  events  of  default,  the  Credit 
Facility’s stated maturity date is June 27, 2011.  Interest will be payable quarterly on reference rate advances 
and not less than quarterly on Eurodollar advances. 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Abraxas  is  permitted  to  terminate  the  Credit  Facility,  and  may,  from  time  to  time,  permanently 
reduce  the  lenders'  aggregate  commitment  under  the  Credit  Facility  in  compliance  with  certain  notice  and 
dollar increment requirements. 

Each  of  Abraxas’  subsidiaries  other  than  the  Partnership,  Abraxas  General  Partner,  LLC  and 
Abraxas Energy Investments, LLC has guaranteed Abraxas’ obligations under the Credit Facility on a senior 
secured basis.  Obligations under the Credit Facility are secured by a first priority perfected security interest, 
subject  to  certain  permitted  encumbrances,  in  all  of  Abraxas’  and  the  subsidiary  guarantors’  material 
property and assets. 

Under  the  Credit  Facility,  Abraxas  is  subject  to  customary  covenants,  including  certain  financial 
covenants and reporting requirements.  The Credit Facility requires Abraxas to maintain a minimum current 
ratio as of the last day of each quarter of not less than 1.00 to 1.00 and an interest coverage ratio (generally 
defined  as  the  ratio  of  consolidated  EBITDA  to  consolidated  interest  expense  as  of  the  last  day  of  such 
quarter) of not less than 2.50 to 1.00. 

In addition to the foregoing and other customary covenants, the Credit Facility contains a number 

of covenants that, among other things, will restrict Abraxas’ ability to:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; 

transfer or sell assets;  

create liens on assets; 

engage in transactions with affiliates other than on an “arms-length” basis;  

•  make any change in the principal nature of its business; and 
• 

permit a change of control. 

The Credit Facility also contains customary events of default, including nonpayment of principal or 
interest,  violations  of  covenants,  cross  default  and  cross  acceleration  to  certain  other  indebtedness, 
bankruptcy and material judgments and liabilities. 

Amended and Restated Partnership Credit Facility. On May 25, 2007, the Partnership entered into 
a senior secured revolving credit facility which was amended and restated on January 31, 2008 and further 
amended on January 16, 2009, which we refer to as the Partnership Credit Facility. The Partnership Credit 
Facility has a maximum commitment of $300.0 million.  Availability under the Partnership Credit Facility is 
subject to a borrowing base.  The borrowing base under the Partnership Credit Facility, which is currently 
$140.0 million, is determined semi-annually by the lenders based upon the Partnership’s reserve reports, one 
of which must be prepared by the Partnership’s independent petroleum engineers and one of which may be 
prepared  internally.  The  amount  of  the  borrowing  base  is  calculated  by  the  lenders  based  upon  their 
valuation  of  the  Partnership’s  proved  reserves  utilizing  these  reserve  reports  and  their  own  internal 
decisions.    In  addition,  the  lenders,  in  their  sole  discretion,  may  make  one  additional  borrowing  base 
redetermination  during  any  six-month  period  between  scheduled  redeterminations.    The  lenders  may  also 
make a redetermination in connection with any sales of producing properties with a market value of 5% or 
more  of  the  Partnership’s  current  borrowing  base.    The  Partnership’s  current  borrowing  base  of  $140.0 
million was determined based upon its reserves at June 30, 2008.  The borrowing base can never exceed the 
$300.0  million  maximum  commitment  amount.    During  the  period  beginning  on  January  16,  2009  and 
ending  on  the  date  that  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  is  terminated,  outstanding  amounts  under  the 
Partnership Credit Facility bear interest at (a) the greater of (1) the reference rate announced from time to 
time  by  Société  Générale,  (2)  the  Federal  Funds  Rate  plus  0.5%,  and  (3)  a  rate  determined  by  Société 
Générale  as  the  daily  one-month  LIBOR  rate  plus,  in  each  case,  (b)  1.5%  -  2.5%,  depending  on  the 
utilization  of  the  borrowing  base,  or,  if  the  Partnership  elects,  at  the  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate  plus 
2.5% - 3.5% depending on the utilization of the borrowing base.  After the termination of the Subordinated 
Credit  Agreement,  outstanding  amounts  under  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility  will  bear  interest  at  (a)  the 
greater  of  (1)  the  reference  rate  announced  from  time  to  time  by  Société  Générale,  (2)  the  Federal  Funds 
Rate plus 0.5%, and (3) a rate determined by Société Générale as the daily one-month LIBOR rate plus, in 
each case, (b) 1.0% - 2.0%, depending on the utilization of the borrowing base, or, if the Partnership elects, 
at the London Interbank Offered Rate plus 2.0% - 3.0% depending on the utilization of the borrowing base.  
At  January  16,  2009,  the  interest  rate  on  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility  was  3.8%.    Subject  to  earlier 
termination rights and events of default, the Partnership Credit Facility’s stated maturity date is January 31, 
2013.    Interest  is  payable  quarterly  on  reference  rate  advances  and  not  less  than  quarterly  on  Eurodollar 

46 

advances.    The  Partnership  is  permitted  to  terminate  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility,  and  under  certain 
circumstances,  may  be  required,  from  time  to  time,  to  permanently  reduce  the  lenders’  aggregate 
commitment under the Partnership Credit Facility. 

Each of the general partner of the Partnership, Abraxas General Partner, LLC, which is a wholly-
owned  subsidiary  of  Abraxas  and  which  we  refer  to  as  the  GP,  and  Abraxas  Operating,  LLC,  which  is  a 
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  the  Partnership  and  which  we  refer  to  as  the  Operating  Company,  has 
guaranteed  the  Partnership’s  obligations  under  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility  on  a  senior  secured  basis.  
Obligations under  the Partnership  Credit  Facility  are  secured  by  a  first priority  perfected  security  interest, 
subject to certain permitted encumbrances, in all of the property and assets of the GP, the Partnership and 
the Operating Company, other than the GP’s general partner units in the Partnership. 

Under the Partnership Credit Facility, the Partnership is subject to customary covenants, including 
certain  financial  covenants  and  reporting  requirements.  The  Partnership  Credit  Facility  requires  the 
Partnership  to maintain  a  minimum  current  ratio  as  of the  last  day  of  each  quarter  of  1.00  to 1.00  and an 
interest coverage ratio (defined as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense) as of 
the last day of each quarter of not less than 2.50 to 1.00. The Partnership Credit Facility required it to enter 
into derivative contracts for specific volumes, which equated to approximately 85% of the estimated oil and 
gas  production  from  its  net  proved  developed  producing  reserves  through  December  31,  2011.    The 
Partnership  entered  into  NYMEX-based  fixed  price  commodity  swaps  on  approximately  85%  of  its 
estimated  oil  and  gas  production  from  its  estimated  net  proved  developed  producing  reserves  through 
December 31, 2011. 

Under the terms of the Partnership Credit Facility, the Partnership may make cash distributions if, 
after  giving  effect  to  such  distributions,  the  Partnership  is  not  in  default  under  the  Partnership  Credit 
Facility,  there  is  no  borrowing  base  deficiency  and  provided  that  (a)  no  such  distribution    shall  be  made 
using  the  proceeds  of  any  advance  unless  the  unused  portion  of  the  amount  then  available  under  the 
Partnership Credit Facility is greater than or equal to 10% of the lesser of the Partnership’s borrowing base 
(which at January 16, 2009 was $140.0 million) or the total commitment amount of  the Partnership Credit 
Facility (which at January 16, 2009 was currently $300.0 million) at such time, (b) with respect to the cash 
distribution scheduled to be made on or about May 15, 2009 attributable to the first quarter of 2009, no such 
distribution shall be made unless (i) the sum of unrestricted cash and the unused portion of the amount then 
available under the Partnership Credit Facility after giving effect to such distribution exceeds $20.0 million, 
or  (ii) the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  shall  have  terminated  and  (c)  no  cash  distribution  shall  exceed 
$0.44 per unit per quarter while the Subordinated Credit Agreement is outstanding.  Additionally, while the 
Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  is  outstanding,  the  Partnership’s  capital  expenditures  are  limited  to  $12.5 
million. 

In addition to the foregoing and other customary covenants, the Partnership Credit Facility contains 

a number of covenants that, among other things, will restrict the Partnership’s ability to: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; 

transfer or sell assets;  

create liens on assets; 

engage in transactions with affiliates;  

•  make any change in the principal nature of its business; and 
• 

permit a change of control. 

.  The Partnership Credit Facility also contains customary events of default, including nonpayment 
of  principal  or  interest,  violations  of  covenants,  cross  default  and  cross  acceleration  to  certain  other 
indebtedness  including  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  described  below,  bankruptcy  and  material 
judgments and liabilities. 

Subordinated Credit Agreement 

On  January  31,  2008,  the  Partnership  entered  into  a  subordinated  credit  agreement  which  was 
amended on January 16, 2009, which we refer to as the Subordinated Credit Agreement. The Subordinated 
Credit  Agreement  has  a  maximum  commitment  of  $40.0  million.  Outstanding  amounts  under  the 
Subordinated Credit Agreement bear interest at (a) the greater of (1) the reference rate announced from time 

47 

to  time  by  Société  Générale,  (2)  the  Federal  Funds  Rate  plus  0.5%  and  (3) a  rate  determined  by  Société 
Générale  as  the  daily  one-month  LIBOR  Offered  Rate,  plus  in  each  case  (b)  7.50%  or,  if  the  Partnership 
elects, at the greater of (a) 2.0% and (b) at the London Interbank Offered Rate, in each case, plus 8.50%. At 
January  16,  2009  the  interest  rate  on  the Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  was  10.5%.   Principal  payments 
under the Subordinated Credit Agreement must be made on May 14, 2009 in an amount, which we refer to 
as  the  May  14,  2009  Payment  Amount,  equal  to  the  lesser  of  the  amount  of  cash  distributed  to  Abraxas 
Energy Investments, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abraxas Petroleum, on or about February 14, 2009 
and $2.25 million with the balance due on the maturity date.  The maturity date may be accelerated if any 
limited partner of the Partnership, other than Perlman Value Partners, exercises its right to convert its limited 
partner units into shares of common stock of Abraxas Petroleum pursuant to the terms of the Exchange and 
Registration Rights Agreement dated May 25, 2007, as amended, among Abraxas Petroleum, the Partnership 
and the purchasers named therein.  As a result of the amendment to the Subordinated Credit Agreement, the 
date on which the purchasers, if the Partnership’s initial public offering has not been consummated prior to 
that date, may first exchange their Partnership units for Abraxas Petroleum common stock is April 30, 2009.  
Subject  to  earlier  termination  rights  and  events  of  default,  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement’s  stated 
maturity  date  is  July  1,  2009.    Interest  is  payable  quarterly  on  reference  rate  advances  and  not  less  than 
quarterly  on  Eurodollar  advances.    The  Partnership  is  permitted  to  terminate  the  Subordinated  Credit 
Agreement,  and  under  certain  circumstances,  may  be  required,  from  time  to  time,  to  make  prepayments 
under the Subordinated Credit Agreement. 

Each of the GP and the Operating Company has guaranteed the Partnership’s obligations under the 
Subordinated Credit Agreement on a subordinated secured basis.  Obligations under the Subordinated Credit 
Agreement are secured by subordinated security interests, subject to certain permitted encumbrances, in all 
of the property and assets of the Partnership, GP, and the Operating Company, other than the GP’s general 
partner units in the Partnership. 

Under  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement,  the  Partnership  is  subject  to  customary  covenants, 
including  certain  financial  covenants  and  reporting  requirements.  The  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement 
requires the Partnership to maintain a minimum current ratio as of the last day of each quarter of 1.00 to 1.00 
and an interest coverage ratio (defined as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense) 
as of the last day of each quarter of not less than 2.50 to 1.00. The Partnership Credit Facility required it to 
enter into derivative contracts for specific volumes, which equated to approximately 85% of the estimated 
oil and gas production from its net proved developed producing reserves through December 31, 2011.  The 
Partnership  entered  into  NYMEX-based  fixed  price  commodity  swaps  on  approximately  85%  of  its 
estimated  oil  and  gas  production  from  its  estimated  net  proved  developed  producing  reserves  through 
December 31, 2011. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  and  other  customary  covenants,  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement 

contains a number of covenants that, among other things, will restrict the Partnership’s ability to: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; 

transfer or sell assets;  

create liens on assets; 

engage in transactions with affiliates;  

•  make any change in the principal nature of its business; and 
• 

permit a change of control. 

The  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  also  contains  customary  events  of  default,  including 
nonpayment of principal or interest, violations of covenants, cross default and cross acceleration to certain 
other  indebtedness  including  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility,  bankruptcy  and  material  judgments  and 
liabilities.  In addition, as a result of the amendment to the Subordinated Credit Agreement, two events of 
default  were  added  to  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement.    The  first  event  of  default  would  occur  if  the 
Partnership fails to receive a letter of credit, which we refer to as the APC L/C, in its favor from Abraxas 
Petroleum equal to the May 14, 2009 Payment Amount, the Partnership fails to draw on the APC L/C on or 
before  May  14,  2009  or  the  Partnership  fails  to  use  the  proceeds  of  the  APC  L/C  to  make  the  principal 
payment  due  on  May  14,  2009.    This  event  of  default  would  not  occur  in  the  event  that  the  Partnership 
repays  the  principal  amount  due  on  May  14,  2009  with  funds  received  from  Abraxas  Petroleum.    The 
Partnership  and  Abraxas  Petroleum  have  agreed  that  upon  the  occurrence  of  such  a  payment  or  the 
Partnership’s drawing on the APC L/C that, in consideration thereof, the Partnership would issue a number 

48 

of  additional  units  to  Abraxas  Petroleum  determined  by  dividing  the  May  14,  2009  Payment  Amount  by 
110% of the average trading yields of comparable E&P MLPs based on the closing market price on May 14, 
2009 multiplied by the most recent quarterly distribution paid or declared by the Partnership times four.  The 
other  event  of  default  would  occur  if  the  Partnership  fails  to  receive  $20.0  million  of  proceeds  from  an 
equity issuance on or before April 30, 2009. 

Real Estate Lien Note 

 On  May  9,  2008  the  Company  entered  into  an  advancing  line  of  credit  in  the  amount  of  $5.4 
million for the purchase and finish out of a new building to serve as its corporate headquarters. This note 
was refinanced in November 2008.  The new note bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.375%, and is payable in 
monthly  installments  of  principal  and  interest  of  $39,754  based  on  a  twenty  year  amortization.  The  note 
matures in May 2015 at which time the outstanding balance becomes due. The note is secured by a first lien 
deed of trust on the property and improvements. As of December 31, 2008, $5.4 million was outstanding on 
the note. 

Hedging Activities 

Our results of operations are significantly affected by fluctuations in commodity prices and we seek 
to  reduce  our  exposure  to  price  volatility  by  hedging  our  production  through  swaps,  options  and  other 
commodity  derivative  instruments.  Under  the  terms  of  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility,  Abraxas  Energy 
Partners  was  required  to  enter  into  hedging  arrangements  for  specified  volumes,  which  equated  to 
approximately 85% of the estimated oil and gas production through December 31, 2011 from its net proved 
developed producing reserves. 

In order  to  mitigate  its  rate  exposure,  the  Partnership  entered  into  an  interest  rate  swap,  effective 
August 12,  2008,  to  fix  its  floating  LIBOR  based  debt.  Our  2-year  interest  rates  swap  arrangement  is  for 
$100 million at a fixed rate of 3.367%. The arrangement expires on August 12, 2010. The interest rate swap 
was amended in February 2009 lowering the Partnership’s fixed rate from 3.367% to 2.95%. 

 See  “—Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Disclosures  about  Market  Risk—Hedging  Sensitivity”  for 

further information. 

Net Operating Loss Carryforwards  

At  December  31,  2008,  we  had,  subject  to  the  limitation  discussed  below,  $194.4  million  of  net 
operating loss carryforwards for U.S. tax purposes. These loss carryforwards will expire through 2028 if not 
utilized.  

Uncertainties exist as to the future utilization of the operating loss carryforwards under the criteria 
set  forth  under  FASB  Statement  No.  109.  Therefore,  we  have  established  a  valuation  allowance  of  $47.2 
million and $60.8 million for deferred tax assets at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. 

Related Party Transactions   

Abraxas has adopted a policy that transactions between Abraxas and its officers, directors, principal 
stockholders, or affiliates of any of them, will be on terms no less favorable to Abraxas than can be obtained 
on  an  arm’s  length  basis  in  transactions  with  third  parties  and  must  be  approved  by  the  vote  of  at  least  a 
majority of the disinterested directors. 

Abraxas  performs  general  and  administrative  services  for  the  Partnership,  such  as  accounting, 
finance, land and engineering. The Partnership currently pays us $2.6 million per year, which included an 
adjustment of $1.1 million annually as a result of the St. Mary Acquisition, for performing these general and 
administrative  services.  The  amount  of  reimbursement  is  subject  to  annual  adjustments  for  inflation  and 
acquisition or other expansion adjustments.  

Pursuant to our operating agreements, the Partnership is required to reimburse us for all direct and 
indirect  expenses  associated  with  operating  our  wells.  Operating  expenses  are  the  costs  incurred  in  the 
operation  of  producing  properties.  Expenses  for  utilities,  direct  labor,  water  injection  and  disposal, 

49 

 
 
 
production taxes and materials and supplies comprise the most significant portion of our operating expenses. 
Operating expenses do not include general and administrative expenses.  

Critical Accounting Policies 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 
requires that management apply accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect results 
of  operations  and  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  in  the  financial  statements.  The  following 
represents those policies that management believes are particularly important to the financial statements and 
that require the use of estimates and assumptions to describe matters that are inherently uncertain. 

Full  Cost  Method  of  Accounting  for  Oil  and  Gas  Activities.  SEC  Regulation  S-X  defines  the 
financial accounting and reporting standards for companies engaged in oil and gas activities. Two methods 
are  prescribed:  the  successful  efforts  method  and  the  full  cost  method.  We  have  chosen  to  follow  the  full 
cost  method  under  which  all  costs  associated  with  property  acquisition,  exploration  and  development  are 
capitalized. We also capitalize internal costs that can be directly identified with our acquisition, exploration 
and development activities and do not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or 
similar  activities.  Under  the  successful  efforts  method,  geological  and  geophysical  costs  and  costs  of 
carrying  and  retaining  undeveloped  properties  are  charged  to  expense  as  incurred.  Costs  of  drilling 
exploratory  wells  that  do  not  result  in  proved  reserves  are  charged  to  expense.  Depreciation,  depletion, 
amortization and impairment of oil and gas properties are generally calculated on a well by well or lease or 
field basis versus the “full cost” pool basis. Additionally, gain or loss is generally recognized on all sales of 
oil  and  gas  properties  under  the  successful  efforts  method.  As  a  result  our  financial  statements  will  differ 
from  companies  that  apply  the  successful  efforts  method  since  we  will  generally  reflect  a  higher  level  of 
capitalized  costs  as  well  as  a  higher  depreciation,  depletion  and  amortization  rate  on  our  oil  and  gas 
properties.  

At the time it was adopted, management believed that the full cost method would be preferable, as 
earnings  tend  to  be  less  volatile  than  under  the  successful  efforts  method.  However,  the  full  cost  method 
makes us susceptible to significant non-cash charges during times of volatile commodity prices because the 
full cost pool may be impaired when prices are low. These charges are not recoverable when prices return to 
higher levels. We have experienced this situation several times over the years, most recently in 2002 and the 
current year. Our oil and gas reserves have a relatively long life. However, temporary drops in commodity 
prices  can  have  a  material  impact  on  our  business  including  impact  from  impairment  testing  procedures 
associated with the full cost method of accounting as discussed below.   

Under full cost accounting rules, the net capitalized cost of oil and gas properties may not exceed a 
“ceiling  limit”  which  is  based  upon  the  present  value  of  estimated  future  net  cash  flows  from  proved 
reserves on a pool by pool basis, discounted at 10%, plus the lower of cost or fair market value of unproved 
properties and the cost of properties not being amortized, less income  taxes. If net capitalized costs of oil 
and  gas  properties  exceed  the  ceiling  limit,  we  must  charge  the  amount  of  the  excess  to  earnings.  This  is 
called a “ceiling limitation write-down.”  This charge does not impact cash flow from operating activities, 
but does reduce our stockholders’ equity and reported earnings. The risk that we will be required to write 
down  the  carrying  value  of  oil  and  gas  properties  increases  when  oil  and  gas  prices  are  depressed.  In 
addition,  write-downs  may  occur  if  we  experience  substantial  downward  adjustments  to  our  estimated 
proved reserves or if purchasers cancel long-term contracts for our gas production. An expense recorded in 
one  period  may  not  be  reversed  in  a  subsequent  period  even  though  higher  oil  and  gas  prices  may  have 
increased the ceiling applicable to the subsequent period. We apply the full cost ceiling test on a quarterly 
basis on the date of the latest balance sheet presented. 

Estimates of Proved Oil and Gas Reserves. Estimates of our proved reserves included in this report 
are  prepared  in  accordance  with  U.S.  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  (“GAAP”)  and  SEC 
guidelines. The accuracy of a reserve estimate is a function of: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the quality and quantity of available data;  

the interpretation of that data;  

the accuracy of various mandated economic assumptions;  

and the judgment of the persons preparing the estimate. 

50 

Our  proved  reserve  information  included  in  this  report  were  predominately  based  on  evaluations 
prepared  by  independent  petroleum  engineers.  Estimates  prepared  by  other  third  parties  may  be  higher  or 
lower than those included herein. Because these estimates depend on many assumptions, all of which may 
substantially  differ from  future  actual  results,  reserve  estimates  will  be  different  from  the  quantities  of oil 
and gas that are ultimately recovered. In addition, results of drilling, testing and production after the date of 
an estimate may justify material revisions to the estimate. 

You should not assume that the present value of future net cash flows is the current market value of 
our  estimated  proved  reserves.  In  accordance  with  SEC  requirements,  we  based  the  estimated  discounted 
future  net  cash  flows  from  proved  reserves  on  prices  and  costs  on  the  date  of  the  estimate.  Actual  future 
prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs as of the date of the estimate. 

The  estimates  of  proved  reserves  materially  impact  DD&A  expense.  If  the  estimates  of  proved 
reserves decline, the rate at which we record DD&A expense will increase, reducing future net income. Such 
a  decline  may  result  from  lower  market  prices,  which  may  make  it  uneconomic  to  drill  for  and  produce 
higher cost fields. 

Asset  Retirement  Obligations.  The  estimated  costs  of  restoration  and  removal  of  facilities  are 
accrued. The fair value of a liability for an asset’s retirement obligation is recorded in the period in which it 
is incurred and the corresponding cost capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived 
asset. The liability is accreted to its then present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated 
over the useful life of the related asset. For all periods presented, we have included estimated future costs of 
abandonment and dismantlement in our full cost amortization base and amortize these costs as a component 
of our depletion expense. 

Accounting for Derivatives. We use commodity price derivative contracts to limit our exposure to 
fluctuations in oil and gas prices and interest rate swaps to hedge our interest rate risk. Fluctuations in the 
market value are recognized in earnings in the current period. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, 
(“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, was effective for us on 
January 1, 2001. SFAS 133, as amended and interpreted, establishes accounting and reporting standards for 
derivative  instruments,  including  certain  derivative  instruments  embedded  in  other  contracts,  and  for 
hedging activities. We have elected out of hedge accounting as prescribed by SFAS 133 – accordingly all of 
our derivative contracts are required to be recorded at fair value on our balance sheet, while changes in the 
fair value of our derivative contracts are recognized in earnings in the current period. Due to the volatility of 
oil and gas prices and, to a lesser extent, interest rates, our financial condition and results of operations can 
be significantly impacted by changes in the market value of our derivative instruments. As of December 31, 
2007 and 2008, the net market value of our oil and gas derivatives was a liability of $9.1 million and a net 
asset of $39.2 million, respectively. The market value of our interest rate derivative was a liability of $3.0 
million at December 31, 2008.  

Share-Based  Payments.  We  currently  utilize  a  standard  option  pricing  model  (i.e.,  Black-Scholes)  to 
measure  the  fair  value  of  stock  options  granted  to  employees  and  directors.  Additional  information  about 
management’s  assumptions  can  be  found  in  footnote  6  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements.    Options 
granted to employees and directors are valued at the date of grant and expense is recognized over the options 
vesting  period.  For  the  years  ended  December  31,  2006,  2007  and  2008,  stock  based  compensation  was 
approximately $998,000; $996,000 and $1.4 million respectively. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

Fair  Value  Measurements  (SFAS  No. 157) —  In  September  2006,  the  Financial  Accounting 
Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, which 
provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, and requires additional 
disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 also emphasizes that 
fair value is a market-based measurement, and sets out a fair value hierarchy with the highest priority being 
quoted prices in active markets. Fair value measurements are disclosed by level within that hierarchy. SFAS 
No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The 
FASB  agreed  to  defer  the  effective  date  of  Statement  157  for  one  year  for  nonfinancial  assets  and 
nonfinancial  liabilities  that  are  recognized  or  disclosed  at  fair  value  in  the  financial  statements  on  a 
nonrecurring  basis.  There  is  no  deferral  for  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities.  See  Note  13  to  the 
consolidated financial statements for more information regarding this pronouncement.  

51 

The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment 
of FASB Statement No. 115 (SFAS No. 159) — In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, which 
provides companies with an option to measure, at specified election dates, many financial instruments and 
certain other items at fair value that are not currently measured at fair value. A company that adopts SFAS 
No. 159 will report unrealized gains and losses on items, for which the fair value option has been elected, in 
earnings  at  each  subsequent  reporting  date.  This  statement  also  establishes  presentation  and  disclosure 
requirements  designed  to  facilitate  comparisons  between  entities  that  choose  different  measurement 
attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after 
November 15, 2007. We do not expect the implementation of SFAS No. 159 to have a material impact on 
our consolidated financial statements.  

In  December  2007,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No. 160,  “Noncontrolling  Interest  in  Consolidated 
Financial  Statements,  an  amendment  of  Accounting  Research  Bulletin  (ARB)  No. 51.”  SFAS  No. 160 
clarifies  that  a  noncontrolling  interest  (previously  commonly  referred  to  as  a  minority  interest)  in  a 
subsidiary  is  an  ownership  interest  in  the  consolidated  entity  and  should  be  reported  as  equity  in  the 
consolidated financial statements. The presentation of the consolidated income statement has been changed 
by SFAS No. 160, and consolidated net income attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest 
is now required to be reported separately. Previously, net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest 
was typically reported as an expense or other deduction in arriving at consolidated net income and was often 
combined with other financial statement amounts. In addition, the ownership interests in subsidiaries held by 
parties  other  than  the  parent  must  be  clearly  identified,  labeled,  and  presented  in  the  equity  in  the 
consolidated  financial  statements  separately  from  the  parent’s  equity.  Subsequent  changes  in  a  parent’s 
ownership  interest  while  the  parent  retains  its  controlling  financial  interest  in  its  subsidiary  should  be 
accounted  for  consistently,  and  when  a  subsidiary  is  deconsolidated,  any  retained  noncontrolling  equity 
interest in the former subsidiary must be initially measured at fair value. Expanded disclosures, including a 
reconciliation of equity balances of the parent and noncontrolling interest, are also required. SFAS No. 160 
is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 
2008  and  earlier  adoption  is  prohibited.  Prospective  application  is  required.  Due  to  our  investment  in 
Abraxas  Energy  Partners,  the  adoption  of  SFAS  No. 160  could  have  a  material  impact  on  our  financial 
position and results of operations, however we do not believe that it will have a material impact on our cash 
flows.  

In  December  2007,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No. 141(R),  “Business  Combinations.”  SFAS 
No. 141(R)  was  issued  in  an  effort  to  continue  the  movement  toward  the  greater  use  of  fair  values  in 
financial  reporting  and  increased  transparency  through  expanded  disclosures.  It  changes  how  business 
acquisitions are accounted for and will impact financial statements at the acquisition date and in subsequent 
periods. Certain of these changes will introduce more volatility into earnings. The acquirer must now record 
all assets and liabilities of the acquired business at fair value, and related transaction and restructuring costs 
will  be  expensed  rather  than  the  previous  method  of  being  capitalized  as  part  of  the  acquisition.  SFAS 
No. 141(R) also impacts the annual goodwill impairment test associated with acquisitions, including those 
that  close  before  the  effective  date  of  SFAS  No. 141(R).  The  definitions  of  a  “business”  and  a  “business 
combination”  have  been  expanded,  resulting  in  more  transactions  qualifying  as  business  combinations. 
SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or 
after December 31, 2008 and earlier adoption is prohibited. We cannot predict the impact that the adoption 
of SFAS No. 141(R) will have on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows with respect to 
any acquisitions completed after December 31, 2008.  

In  March  2008,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No. 161,  “Disclosures  about  Derivative  Instruments  and 
Hedging  Activities,”  which  amends  SFAS  No. 133,  “Accounting  for  Derivative  Instruments  and  Hedging 
Activities.”  Enhanced  disclosures  to  improve  financial  reporting  transparency  are  required  and  include 
disclosure  about  the  location  and  amounts  of  derivative  instruments  in  the  financial  statements,  how 
derivative instruments are accounted for and how derivatives affect an entity’s financial position, financial 
performance  and  cash  flows.  A  tabular  format  including  the  fair  value  of  derivative  instruments  and  their 
gains  and  losses,  disclosure  about  credit  risk-related  derivative  features  and  cross-referencing  within  the 
footnotes  are  also  new  requirements.  SFAS  No. 161  is  effective  for  financial  statements  issued  for  fiscal 
years  and  interim  periods  beginning  after  November 15,  2008,  with  early  application  and  comparative 
disclosures encouraged, but not required. We have not yet adopted SFAS No. 161. We do not believe that 
SFAS No. 161 will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  

52 

 
 
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting 
Principles.”  The  statement  is  intended  to  improve financial  reporting by  identifying  a  consistent hierarchy 
for  selecting  accounting  principles  to  be  used  in  preparing  financial  statements  that  are  prepared  in 
conformance with generally accepted accounting principles. Unlike Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) 
No. 69, “The Meaning of Present in Conformity With GAAP,” FAS No. 162 is directed to the entity rather 
than the auditor. The statement is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company 
Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in 
Conformity with GAAP,” and is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, 
financial condition or liquidity. 

On  December  29,  2008,  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  adopted  rule  changes  to 
modernize its oil and gas reporting disclosures.  The changes are intended to provide investors with a more 
meaningful and comprehensive understanding of oil and gas reserves.   

The  updated  disclosure  requirements  are  designed  to  align  with  current  practices  and  changes  in 
technology  that  have  taken  place  in  the  oil  and  gas  industry  since  the  adoption  of  the  original  reporting 
requirements more than 25 years ago.   

New disclosure requirements include: 

•  Permitting  the  use  of  new  technologies  to  determine  proved  reserves  if  those  technologies  have  been 

demonstrated empirically to lead to reliable conclusions about reserve volumes. 

•  Enabling companies to additionally disclose their probable and possible reserves to investors. Currently, 

the rules limit disclosure to only proved reserves. 

•  Allowing previously excluded resources, such as oil sands, to be classified as oil and gas reserves. 
•  Requiring  companies  to  report  on  the  independence  and  qualifications  of  a  preparer  or  auditor  and 
requiring  companies  to  file  reports  when  a  third  party  is  relied  upon  to  prepare  reserve  estimates  or 
conduct a reserves audit. 

•  Requiring  companies  to  report  oil  and  gas  reserves  using  an  average  price  based  upon  the  prior  12-
month  period  –  rather  than  the  year-end  price  –  to  maximize  the  comparability  of  reserve  estimates 
among  companies  and  mitigate  the  distortion  of  the  estimates  that  arises  when  using  a  single  pricing 
date. 

The new requirements are effective for registration statements filed on or after January 1, 2010, and for 
annual  reports  on  Forms  10-K  and  20-F  for  fiscal  years  ending  on  or  after  December  31,  2009. 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 

Commodity Price Risk 

As an independent oil and gas producer, our revenue, cash flow from operations, other income and 
equity earnings and profitability, reserve values, access to capital and future rate of growth are substantially 
dependent upon the prevailing prices of oil, gas and natural gas liquids. Declines in commodity prices will 
adversely  affect  our  financial  condition,  liquidity,  ability  to  obtain  financing  and  operating  results.  Lower 
commodity prices may reduce the amount of oil and gas that we can produce economically. Prevailing prices 
for such commodities are subject to wide fluctuation in response to relatively minor changes in supply and 
demand  and  a  variety  of  additional  factors  beyond  our  control,  such  as  global  political  and  economic 
conditions. Historically, prices received for oil and gas production have been volatile and unpredictable, and 
such  volatility  is  expected  to  continue.  Most  of  our  production  is  sold  at  market  prices.  Generally,  if  the 
commodity indexes fall, the price that we receive for our production will also decline. Therefore, the amount 
of revenue that we realize is partially determined by factors beyond our control. Assuming the production 
levels  we  attained  during  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008,  a  10%  decline  in  oil  and  gas,  prices  would 
have reduced our operating revenue and cash flow by approximately $10.0 million for the year.  

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedging Activity and Sensitivity 

To achieve more predictable cash flow, we reduce our exposure to fluctuations in the prices of oil 
and  gas.  We  have  and  may  continue  to  enter  into  derivative  contracts,  which  we  sometimes  refer  to  as 
hedging arrangements, for a significant portion of our oil and gas production. The Partnership Credit Facility 
required  the  Partnership  to  enter  into  hedging  arrangements  on  specified  volumes,  which  equated  to 
approximately  85%  of  the  estimated  projected  oil  and  gas  production  from  its  estimated  pro  forma  net 
proved  developed  producing  reserves  through  December  31,  2011.  The  Partnership  has  entered  into 
NYMEX-based fixed price commodity swaps on approximately 85% of its estimated oil and gas production 
from its estimated net proved developed producing reserves through December 31, 2011 at volume weighted 
average prices of $84.23 per barrel of oil and $8.27 per MMbtu of gas. 

We adopted SFAS 133 as amended by SFAS 137 and SFAS 138. Under SFAS 133, all derivative 
instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. We record our derivative instruments using the 
same method, accordingly the instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with changes in the 
market value of the derivatives being recorded in current income. 

At December 31, 2008, the Partnership had the following derivative contracts in place: 

Period Covered 

Product 

Volume 
(Production per day) 

Fixed Price 

Year 2009 
Year 2009 
Year 2010 
Year 2010 
Year 2011 
Year 2011 

Gas 
Oil 
Gas 
Oil 
Gas 
Oil 

10,595 Mmbtu 
1,000 Bbl  
9,130 Mmbtu  
895 Bbl  
8,010 Mmbtu 
810 Bbl 

$8.45 
$83.80 
$8.22 
$83.26 
$8.10 
$86.45 

We  expect  to  sustain  realized  and  unrealized  gains  and  losses  as  a  result  of  these  derivative 
contracts.  For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2007,  we  recognized  a  realized  gain  of  $1.9  million  and  an 
unrealized loss of $6.3 million, and for the year ended December 31, 2008, we recognized a realized loss of 
$9.3 million and an unrealized gain of $40.5 million on our derivative contracts. The realized losses for the 
year  ended  December  31,  2008  were  the  result  of  the  contract  prices  for  oil  being  significantly  less  than 
current market prices. The unrealized gains were the result of the drastic drop in commodity prices during 
the second half of 2008 resulting in the contract prices for oil and gas being greater that the market price. On 
December 31, 2008, NYMEX futures prices were $44.60 per barrel of oil and $5.62 per Mmbtu of gas. We 
expect  to  continue  to  sustain  realized  and  unrealized  gains  on  our  derivative  contracts  if  market  prices 
continue to be less than our contract prices. 

Interest rate risk 

The  Partnership  is  subject  to  interest  rate  risk  associated  with  borrowings  under  the  Partnership 
Credit Facility and the Subordinated Credit Agreement.  At December 31, 2008, the Partnership had $125.6 
million  in  outstanding  indebtedness  under  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility.  Outstanding  amounts  under  the 
Partnership Credit Facility bear interest at (a) the greater of (1) the reference rate announced from time to 
time  by  Société  Générale,  (2)  the  Federal  Funds  Rate  plus  0.5%,  and  (3)  a  rate  determined  by  Société 
Générale  as  the  daily  one-month  LIBOR  rate  plus,  in  each  case,  (b)  1.5%  -  2.5%,  depending  on  the 
utilization  of  the  borrowing  base,  or,  if  the  Partnership  elects,  at  the  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate  plus 
2.5% - 3.5% depending on the utilization of the borrowing base.   At December 31, 2008, the interest rate on 
the  facility  was  3.2%.  For  every  percentage  point  that  the  LIBOR  rate  rises,  our  interest  expense  would 
increase by approximately $1.3 million on an annual basis. In addition the Partnership had $40.0 million in 
outstanding  indebtedness  under  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement.  Outstanding  amounts  under  the 
Subordinated Credit Agreement bear interest at (a) the greater of (1) the reference rate announced from time 
to  time  by  Société  Générale,  (2)  the  Federal  Funds  Rate  plus  0.5%  and  (3) a  rate  determined  by  Société 
Générale  as  the  daily  one-month  LIBOR  Offered  Rate,  plus  in  each  case  (b)  7.50%  or,  if  the  Partnership 
elects, at the greater of (a) 2.0% and (b) at the London Interbank Offered Rate, in each case, plus 8.50%. At 
December 31, 2008 the interest rate on the facility was 7.7%. For every percentage point that the rate rises, 
our interest expense would increase by approximately $400,000 on an annual basis. In order to mitigate our 
interest rate exposure, we entered into an interest rate swap, effective August 12, 2008, to fix our floating 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
LIBOR  based debt.  The  arrangement  expires  on August 12,  2010.  The interest  rate  swap was  amended  in 
February 2009 lowering the Partnership’s fixed rate from 3.367% to 2.95%. 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

For  the  financial  statements  and  supplementary  data  required  by  this  Item  8,  see  the  Index  to 

Consolidated Financial Statements. 

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

None 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures  

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive 
Officer (our principal executive officer) and our Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial officer), we 
evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and 
15d-15(e)  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended  (the  “Exchange  Act”)).  Based  on  this 
evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer believe that the disclosure controls 
and  procedures  as  of  December 31,  2008  were  effective  to  ensure  that  information  we  are  required  to 
disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and 
reported  within  the  time  periods  specified  in  the  SEC’s  rules  and  forms  and  are  effective  to  ensure  that 
information required to be disclosed by us is accumulated and communicated to our management, including 
our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding 
required disclosure.  

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting  

Our  management  is  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  adequate  internal  control  over 
financial  reporting.  Internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  by,  or  under  the 
supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and implemented by the 
Company’s Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding 
the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external  purposes  in 
accordance with generally  accepted accounting principles and  includes  those policies  and  procedures that: 
(1) pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records  that,  in  reasonable  detail,  accurately  and  fairly  reflect  the 
transactions  and  dispositions  of  the  assets  of  the  Company;  (2) provide  reasonable  assurance  that 
transactions  are  recorded  as  necessary  to  permit  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  accordance  with 
generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made 
only  in  accordance  with  authorizations  of  management  and  directors  of  the  Company;  and  (3) provide 
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition 
of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent 
limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements.  Also, 
projections  of  any  evaluation  of  effectiveness  to  future  periods  are  subject  to  the  risk  that  controls  may 
become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or 
procedures may deteriorate.   

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive 
officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control 
over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the 
Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission.  Based  on  our  evaluation,  our 
management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 
2008.  

The  effectiveness  of our  internal  control over  financial  reporting  as of December 31, 2008 has been 
audited by  BDO  Seidman  LLP,  an  independent registered public  accounting  firm,  as  stated  in  their report 
which is included herein.  

55 

 
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
Changes in Internal Controls  

There  were  no  changes  in  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  during  the  quarter  ended 
December 31, 2008 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control 
over financial reporting.  

Item 9B. Other Information 

None. 

56 

  
 
  
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 

PART II 

There is incorporated in this Item 10 by reference that portion of our definitive proxy statement for 
the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which appears therein under the caption “Election of Directors – 
Board  of  Directors  and  Executive  Officers,”  “–  Code  of  Ethics”  and  “–  Committees  of  the  Board  of 
Directors.” 

Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert 

The Audit Committee of our board of directors consists of C. Scott Bartlett, Jr., Franklin A. Burke 
and  Paul  A.  Powell.    The  board  of  directors  has  determined  that  each  of  the  members  of  the  Audit 
Committee  is  independent  as  determined  in  accordance  with  the  listing  standards  of  the  NASDAQ  Stock 
Market and Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K.  In addition, the board of directors has determined that C. Scott 
Bartlett, Jr., as defined by SEC rules, is an audit committee financial expert. 

Section 16(a) Compliance 

Section 16(a) of  the  Exchange  Act  requires  Abraxas  directors  and  executive  officers  and persons 
who  own  more  than  10%  of  a  registered  class  of  Abraxas  equity  securities  to  file  with  the  Securities  and 
Exchange Commission and the NASDAQ initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership 
of  Abraxas  common  stock.    Officers,  directors  and  greater  than  10%  stockholders  are  required  by  SEC 
regulations to furnish us with copies of all such forms they file.  Based solely on a review of the copies of 
such reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required.  We believe that 
all  our  directors  and  executive  officers  complied  on  a  timely  basis  with  all  applicable  filing  requirements 
under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during 2008. 

Item 11. Executive Compensation 

There is incorporated in this Item 11 by reference that portion of our definitive proxy statement for 
the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which appears therein under the captions “Election of Directors – 
Committees  of  the  Board  of  Directors”  and  “Executive  Compensation”,  except  the  material  under  the 
caption “Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation.”  

Item 12. Security  Ownership  of  Certain  Beneficial  Owners  and  Management  and  Related 
Stockholder Matters 

There is incorporated in this Item 12 by reference that portion of our definitive proxy statement for 
the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which appears therein under the caption “Securities Holdings of 
Principal Stockholders, Directors, Nominees and Officers.” 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 

There is incorporated in this Item 13 by reference that portion of our definitive proxy statement for 
the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which appears therein under the captions “Certain Transactions” 
and “Election of Directors – Board Independence.” 

Item 14. Principal Accountants Fees and Services 

There is incorporated in this Item 14 by reference that portion of our definitive proxy statement for 
the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which appears therein under the caption “Principal Auditor Fees 
and Services.” 

57 

 
 
PART IV 

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 

(a)1. 

Consolidated Financial Statements   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on  Consolidated Financial Statements 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial 

Reporting. 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2007 and 2008 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity  for the years ended  

December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2006,  

2007 and 2008 

Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive Income (loss) for the years ended 

December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   

(a) 2. 

Financial Statement Schedules 

Page

F-2 

F-3 
F-4 
F-6 

F-7 

F-8 

F-9 
F-10 

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. 

(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 

3.2 

3.3 

3.4 

3.5 

3.6 

4.1 

4.2 

Articles  of Incorporation of Abraxas. (Filed  as  Exhibit 3.1  to  our  Registration Statement  on Form 
S-4, No. 33-36565 (the “S-4 Registration Statement”)). 

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). 

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). 

Articles  of  Amendment  to  the  Articles  of  Incorporation  of  Abraxas  dated  June  8,  1995.  (Filed  as 
Exhibit  3.4  to  our  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-3,  No.  333-00398  (the  “S-3  Registration 
Statement”)). 

Articles  of  Amendment  to  the  Articles  of  Incorporation  of  Abraxas  dated  as  of  August  12,  2000. 
(Filed as Exhibit 3.5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K (Filed April 2, 2001). 

Amended  and  Restated  Bylaws  of  Abraxas.  (Filed  as  Exhibit  3.1  to  Abraxas’  Current  Report  on 
Form 8-K. on November 17, 2008). 

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

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

*10.1  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  401(k)  Profit  Sharing  Plan.  (Filed  as  Exhibit  10.4  to  Abraxas’ 
Registration Statement on  Form  S-4,  No.  333-18673,  (the  “1996  Exchange  Offer  Registration 
Statement”)). 

*10.2   Abraxas Petroleum Corporation Amended and Restated 1994 Long Term Incentive Plan. (Filed as 

Exhibit 10.4 to Abraxas’ Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on January 12, 2005). 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*10.3  Form  of  Indemnity  Agreement  between  Abraxas  and  each  of  its  directors  and  officers.  (Filed  as 

Exhibit 10.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 14, 2007). 

*10.4  Employment Agreement between Abraxas and Robert L. G. Watson. (Filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the 

Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-95281 (the “2000 S-1 Registration Statement”)). 

*10.5  Employment  Agreement  between  Abraxas  and  Chris  E.  Williford.  (Filed  as  Exhibit  10.20  to  the 

2000 S-1 Registration Statement). 

*10.6  Employment  Agreement  between  Abraxas  and  Stephen  T.  Wendel.  (Filed  as  Exhibit  10.26  to  the 
Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-127480 (the “S-3 Registration Statement”)). 

*10.7  Employment Agreement between Abraxas and William H. Wallace. (Filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the S-

3 Registration Statement). 

*10.8  Employment Agreement between Abraxas and Lee T. Billingsley. (Filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the S-3 

Registration Statement). 

*10.9  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  2005  Non-Employee  Directors  Long-Term  Equity  Incentive  Plan. 

(Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Abraxas’ Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 6, 2005). 

*10.10  Form  of  Stock  Option  Agreement  under  the  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  2005  Non-Employee 
Directors Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Abraxas’ Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed June 6, 2005). 

*10.11  Abraxas Petroleum Corporation Senior Management Incentive Bonus Plan 2006. (Filed as Exhibit 

10.17 to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 23, 2006). 

10.12  Abraxas Petroleum Corporation 2005 Employee Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 

10.1 to Abraxas’ Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 26, 2006). 

10.13  Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement under the Abraxas 2005 Employee Long-Term Equity 
Incentive  Plan.      (Previously  filed  as  Exhibit  10.2  to  Abraxas’  Current  Report  on  Form  8-K  filed 
August 26, 2006). 

10.14  Purchase  Agreement  dated  as  of  May  25,  2007,  by  and  among  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation, 
Abraxas  Energy  Partners,  L.P.,  Abraxas  General  Partner,  LLC,  Abraxas  Operating,  LLC  and  the 
purchasers  named  therein.  (Filed  as  Exhibit  10.  2  to  Abraxas’  Current  Report  on  Form  8-K  filed 
May 31, 2007). 

10.15  Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 25, 2007, by and among Abraxas Energy Partners, 
L.P. and the purchasers named therein. (Filed as Exhibit 10. 3 to Abraxas’ Current Report on Form 
8-K filed May 31, 2007). 

10.16  Omnibus  Agreement  dated  as  of  May  25,  2007,  by  and  among  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation, 
Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P., Abraxas General Partner, LLC and Abraxas Operating, LLC. (Filed 
as Exhibit 10. 4 to Abraxas’ Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 31, 2007). 

10.17  Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P.  
(Filed as Exhibit 10.17 to Abraxas Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 17, 2008) 

10.18  Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 25, 2007 by and among Abraxas Petroleum Corporation 
and the purchasers named therein. (Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to Abraxas’ Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed May 31, 2007). 

10.19  Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant. (Filed as Exhibit 10. 8 to Abraxas’ Current Report on 

Form 8-K filed May 31, 2007). 

10.20  Exchange  and  Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated  as  of  May  25,  2007  by  and  among  Abraxas 
Petroleum Corporation, Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P. and the purchasers named therein. (Filed as 
Exhibit 10. 9 to Abraxas’ Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 31, 2007). 

10.21  Credit  Agreement  dated  June  27,  2007  among  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation,  the  lenders  party 
thereto and Société Générale as Administrative Agent and Issuing Lender. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to 
Abraxas Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 28, 2007). 

10.22  Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated January 31, 2008 among Abraxas Energy Partners, 
L.P., the lenders party thereto, Société Générale as Administrative Agent and Issuing Lender, The 
Royal  Bank  of  Canada,  as  Syndication  Agent,  and  The  Royal  Bank  of  Scotland  PLC,  as 

59 

Documentation  Agent.  (Filed  as  Exhibit  10.2  to  Abraxas’  Current  Report  on  Form  8-K  filed  on 
February 6, 2008).  

10.23  Subordinated Credit Agreement dated January 31, 2008 among Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P., the 
lenders party thereto, Société Générale, as Administrative Agent, and The Royal Bank of Canada, as 
Syndication  Agent.  (Filed  as  Exhibit  10.3  to  Abraxas’  Current  Report  on  Form  8-K  filed  on 
February 6, 2008). 

10.24 

Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement dated January 31, 2008 among Abraxas Energy Partners, 
L.P., the Senior Lenders party thereto, the Subordinated Lenders party thereto and Société Générale, 
as Administrative Agent. (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Abraxas’ Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 
February 6, 2008). 

10.25  Form of Indemnification Agreement by and among Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P., Abraxas General 
Partner,  LLC,  and  each  of  its  officers  and  directors.  (Filed  as  Exhibit  10.25  to  Abraxas’  Annual 
Report on Form 10-K filed on March 17, 2008). 

10.26  Amendment No. 2 to Registration Rights Agreement dated October 6, 2008, by and among Abraxas 
Energy  Partners,  L.P.  and  the  Purchasers.    (Filed  as  Exhibit  10.1  to  Abraxas’  Current  Report  on 
Form 8-K filed on October 6, 2008). 

 10.27  Amendment No. 1 to Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement dated October 6, 2008 by and 
among Abraxas Petroleum Corporation, Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P. and the Purchasers.  (Filed 
as Exhibit 10.2 to Abraxas’ Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 6, 2008) 

10.28  Amendment  No.  1  to  Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement  dated  January  16,  2009,  by  and 
among Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P., Société Générale, as administrative agent and issuing lender, 
The  Royal  Bank  of  Canada,  as  syndication  agent,  The  Royal  Bank  of  Scotland  PLC,  as 
documentation agent, and the lenders signatory thereto. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Abraxas’ Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2009). 

10.29  Amendment  No.  1  to  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  dated  January  16,  2009  by  and  among 
Abraxas  Energy  Partners,  L.P.,  Société  Générale,  as  administrative  agent,  The  Royal  Bank  of 
Canada, as syndication agent, and the lenders signatory thereto. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Abraxas’ 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2009). 

14.1 

18.1 

21.1 

23.1 

23.2 

31.1 

31.2 

32.1 

32.2 

Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  Code  of  Business  Conduct  and  Ethics.  (Filed  as  Exhibit  14.1  to 
Abraxas Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 22, 2006). 

Change in Accounting Principles. (Filed as Exhibit 18.1 to Abraxas Annual Report on Form 10-K/A 
Number 2 filed on August 20, 2008 ) 

Subsidiaries of  Abraxas.  (Filed  as  Exhibit  21.1  to  Abraxas  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  filed on 
March 17, 2008) 

Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP. (Filed herewith).  

Consent of DeGoyler and MacNaughton. (Filed herewith). 

Certification – Chief Executive Officer. (Filed herewith).  

Certification – Chief Financial Officer. (Filed herewith). 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to 
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith). 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to 
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith). 

* 

Management Compensatory Plan or Agreement. 

60 

 
 
 
Exhibit Index 

23.1 

Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP. (Filed herewith).  

23.2 

Consent of DeGoyler & MacNaughton (Filed herewith). 

31.1 

Certification – Chief Executive Officer. (Filed herewith).  

31.2 

Certification – Chief Financial Officer. (Filed herewith). 

32.1 

32.2 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to 
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith). 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to 
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith). 

61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

SIGNATURES 

ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION 

By 

/s/Robert L.G. Watson 
President  and  Principal 
Executive Officer 

By: 

/s/Chris E. Williford 
Exec. Vice President and Principal 
Financial and Accounting Officer 

DATED: February 24, 2009  

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities 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 

/s/ Robert L.G. Watson 
Robert L.G. Watson 
/s/ Chris E. Williford 
Chris E. Williford 

/s/ Craig S. Bartlett, Jr.  
 Craig S. Bartlett, Jr. 
/s/ Franklin A. Burke 
Franklin A. Burke 
/s/ Harold D. Carter 
Harold D. Carter 
/s/ Ralph F. Cox 
Ralph F. Cox 
/s/ Dennis E. Logue 
Dennis E. Logue 
/s/ Paul A. Powell 
Paul A. Powell 

Name and Title 

Chairman of the Board, President 
(Principal Executive Officer) and Director 

Exec. Vice President and Treasurer 
(Principal Financial and Accounting 
Officer) 
Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Date 
February 24, 2009 

February 24, 2009 

February 24, 2009 

February 24, 2009 

February 24, 2009 

February 24, 2009 

February 24, 2009 

February 24, 2009 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries   

Page 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial Statements…………  F-2 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Controls over Financial 
Reporting………………………………………………………………………………………………….….. 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2007 and 2008………………………………………………  F-4 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2006  

F-3 

2007 and 2008…………………………………………………………………………………………… 

F-6 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (deficit) for the years ended  

December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008………………………………………………………………….…. 

F-7 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2006,  

2007 and 2008…………………………………………………………………………………………… 

F-8 

Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended 

December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008…………………………………………………………………….. 

F-9 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements…………………………………………………………………  F-10 

All schedules are omitted because they are not required, are not applicable or the information required is included 
in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto. 

F-1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Board of Directors and Stockholders 
Abraxas Petroleum Corporation 
San Antonio, Texas 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Abraxas Petroleum Corporation as of December 
31, 2007 and 2008 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, cash flows, and other 
comprehensive income (loss) for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008.  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  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board 
(United States).  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,  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  consolidated  financial  statements  referred  to  above  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the 
financial  position  of  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  at  December  31,  2007  and  2008,  and  the  results  of  its 
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with 
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States), Abraxas Petroleum Corporation's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based 
on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control  –  Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring 
Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (COSO)  and  our  report  dated  February  24,  2009  expressed  an 
unqualified opinion thereon. 

/s/ BDO Seidman, LLP 

Dallas, Texas 
February 24, 2009 

F-2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

Board of Directors and Stockholders 
Abraxas Petroleum Corporation 
San Antonio, Texas 

We  have  audited  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December  31, 
2008,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control  –  Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of 
Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (the  COSO  criteria).  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation’s 
management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment 
of  the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  included  in  the  accompanying  Item  9A, 
“Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion 
on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.  

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board 
(United  States).  Those  standards  require  that  we  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about 
whether  effective  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  was  maintained  in  all  material  respects.  Our  audit 
included  obtaining  an  understanding  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  assessing  the  risk  that  a  material 
weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the 
assessed  risk.  Our  audit  also  included  performing  such  other  procedures  as  we  considered  necessary  in  the 
circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.  

A  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance 
regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external  purposes  in 
accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  A  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting 
includes  those  policies  and  procedures  that  (1)  pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records  that,  in  reasonable  detail, 
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable 
assurance  that  transactions  are  recorded  as  necessary  to  permit  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  accordance 
with generally  accepted  accounting principles,  and  that  receipts  and  expenditures of  the  company  are  being  made 
only  in  accordance  with  authorizations  of  management  and  directors  of  the  company;  and  (3)  provide  reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s 
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.  

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become 
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may 
deteriorate.  

In our opinion, Abraxas Petroleum Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over 
financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the COSO criteria.  

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States), the consolidated balance sheets of Abraxas Petroleum Corporation as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, and 
the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, cash flows, and comprehensive income (loss) 
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 and our report dated February 24, 2009 expressed 
an unqualified opinion thereon.  

/s/ BDO Seidman, LLP 

Dallas, Texas 
February 24, 2009 

F-3 

 
ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

ASSETS 

Current assets: 

Cash and cash equivalents  
Accounts receivable: 
Joint owners  
Oil and gas production sales   
Other  

Derivative  asset – Current 
Other current assets  

Total current assets   

Property and equipment: 

Oil and gas properties, full cost method of accounting: 

Proved  
Unproved properties excluded from depletion 
Other property and equipment  
Total  

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization  

Total property and equipment - net  

Deferred financing fees, net  
Derivative asset – long-term 
Other assets including marketable securities   

Total assets  

December 31, 

2007 

2008 

(Dollars in thousands) 

$  18,936

$ 

1,924

840
5,288
—
6,128

2,658
377
28,099

1,740
6,168
58
7,966

22,832
572
33,294

265,090
—
3,633
268,723
151,696
117,027

440,712
—
10,986
451,698
291,390
160,308

856
359
778
$  147,119

1,443
16,394
400
$  211,839

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 

F-4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED) 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  

Current liabilities: 

Accounts payable  
Joint interest oil and gas production payable  
Accrued interest  
Other accrued expenses   
Derivative liability – current 
Current maturities of long-term debt 

Total current liabilities 

December 31, 

2007 

2008 

(Dollars in thousands) 

$

7,413 $ 
2,429
241
1,514
5,154
—
16,751

10,748
3,176
350
1,886 
3,000
40,134
59,294

Long-term debt – less current maturities 

45,900

130,835

Derivative liability – long-term 
Future site restoration  
Total liabilities 

Minority interest   

Commitments and contingencies 

Stockholders’ equity: 

3,941
1,183
67,775

23,497

—
9,959
200,088

7,093

Convertible preferred stock, par value $.01, authorized 1,000,000 shares; -0- 

shares issued and outstanding. 

—

—

Common stock, par value $.01 per share – authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued 

49,020,949 and 49,622,423 

Additional paid-in capital  
Accumulated deficit   
Accumulated other comprehensive income  

Total stockholders’ equity   

Total liabilities, minority interest and stockholders’ equity    

490
185,646
(130,791) 
502
55,847
$ 147,119 $ 

496
187,243
(183,194)
113
4,658
211,839

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 

F-5 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 

Revenues: 

Oil and gas production revenues    
Rig revenues  
Other   

Operating costs and expenses: 

Lease operating and production taxes  
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization   
Impairment 
Rig operations   
General and administrative (including stock-based compensation 

of $998; $996; and $1,404 respectively) 

Operating income (loss) 

Other (income) expense: 

Interest income  
Amortization of deferred financing fees  
Interest expense  
Financing fees   
Loss (gain) on derivative contracts (unrealized $(81); $6,288 and 

$(37,860)) 

Loss on debt extinguishment 
Gain on sale of assets 
Other   

Income (loss) from operations before income tax and minority 

interest 
Income tax 
Income (loss) before minority interest 
Minority interest in loss of partnership 
Net income (loss)  

Net income (loss) per common share - basic   

Net income (loss) per common share  - diluted 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Years Ended December 31, 
2008 
2007 
2006 
(In thousands except per share data) 

49,448
1,613
16
51,077

11,776
14,939
—
819

5,160
32,694
18,383

(29) 
1,591
16,767
—

(646) 
—
—

$ 

46,906  $
1,396 
7 
48,309 

11,254 
14,292 
— 
801 

6,438 
32,785 
15,524 

(408 ) 
671 
8,392 
— 

4,363 
6,455 
(59,439 ) 

347 

17,683

(39,619 ) 

700
—
700
—
700

$ 

55,143 

(283 ) 

54,860 
1,842 
56,702  $

99,084
1,210
16
100,310

26,635
23,343
116,366
856

7,127
174,327
(74,017 ) 

(187 ) 
1,028
10,496
359

(28,333 ) 

—
—
8,523
(8,114 ) 

(65,903 ) 

—

(65,903 ) 
13,500
(52,403 ) 

0.02

$ 

1.22 $

(1.07) 

0.02

$ 

1.19 $

(1.07) 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 

F-6 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
l
a
t
o
T

d
e
t
a
l
u
m
u
c
c
A

r
e
h
t
O

e
v
i
s
n
e
h
e
r
p
m
o
C

)
s
s
o
L
(
e
m
o
c
n
I

d
e
t
a
l
u
m
u
c
c
A

t
i
c
i
f
e
D

l
a
n
o
i
t
i
d
d
A

-
d
i
a
P

l
a
t
i
p
a
C
n
I

k
c
o
t
S
y
r
u
s
a
e
r
T

k
c
o
t
S
n
o
m
m
o
C

t
n
u
o
m
A

s
e
r
a
h
S

t
n
u
o
m
A

s
e
r
a
h
S

N
O
I
T
A
R
O
P
R
O
C
M
U
E
L
O
R
T
E
P
S
A
X
A
R
B
A

)
T
I

C
I
F
E
D

(

Y
T
I
U
Q
E
’
S
R
E
D
L
O
H
K
C
O
T
S
F
O
S
T
N
E
M
E
T
A
T
S
D
E
T
A
D
I
L
O
S
N
O
C

)
s
e
r
a
h
s

f
o
r
e
b
m
u
n
t
p
e
c
x
e

s
d
n
a
s
u
o
h
t

n
I
(

)
1
0
7
,
3
2
(

$

4
8
6
,
1

$
)
3
9
1
,
8
8
1
(

$

5
9
7
,
2
6
1

$
)
8
0
4
(

$

7
7
4
,
6
5

1
2
4

$
7
6
1
,
3
6
0
,
2
4

0
0
7

)
9
0
7
(

8
9
9

7
3
1

0
1
4

—

)
9
0
7
(

—

—

—

)
3
7
4
(

)
5
6
1
,
2
2
(

2
0
7
,
6
5

—

5
7
9

)
3
7
4
(

6
9
9

1
9
1

2
1

—

4
8
5
,
0
2

7
4
8
,
5
5

)
3
0
4
,
2
5
(

)
9
8
3
(

2
6
1
,
1

0
6

7
6

—

1
2

3
9
2

—

—

—

—

—

2
0
5

)
9
8
3
(

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

0
0
7

—

—

8
9
9

4
1

3
0
4

—

—

—

—

3
2
1

—

—

—

—

)
5
2
9
,
0
2
(

—

—

—

—

7

—

—

—

2
8
7
,
5

7
1
5
,
3
9
6

)
3
9
4
,
7
8
1
(

0
1
2
,
4
6
1

)
5
8
2
(

2
5
5
,
5
3

8
2
4

6
6
4
,
2
6
7
,
2
4

—

—

—

—

—

—

2
0
7
,
6
5

)
3
0
4
,
2
5
(

)
1
9
7
,
0
3
1
(

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

6
9
9

)
4
9
(

0
1

)
1
(

5
2
5
,
0
2

6
4
6
,
5
8
1

—

2
6
1
,
1

0
6

5
6

—

0
2

0
9
2

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

5
8
2

)
2
5
5
,
5
3
(

—

—

—

—

2

9
5

1

—

—

—

0
6
9
,
2
2

9
0
1
,
8
0
2

6
3
7
,
2
5
1

8
7
6
,
4
7
8
,
5

0
9
4

9
4
9
,
0
2
0
,
9
4

—

—

—

2

—

3

1

—

—

5
5
6
,
0
3

1
0
5
,
1
4
1

1
6
9
,
1
3

2
5
7
,
4
4
3

5
0
6
,
2
5

8
5
6
,
4

$

3
1
1

$
)
4
9
1
,
3
8
1
(

$

3
4
2
,
7
8
1

$
—

$
—

6
9
4

$
3
2
4
,
2
2
6
,
9
4

s
t
n
e
m

t
s
e
v
n
i

f
o

e
u
l
a
v

r
i
a
f

)
s
s
o
l
(
n
i
a
g

d
e
z
i
l
a
e
r
n
u

n
i

e
g
n
a
h
C

5
0
0
2

,

1
3

r
e
b
m
e
c
e
D

t
a

e
c
n
a
l
a
B

e
m
o
c
n
I

t
e
N

s
t
n
e
m

t
s
e
v
n
i

f
o

e
u
l
a
v

r
i
a
f

)
s
s
o
l
(
n
i
a
g

d
e
z
i
l
a
e
r
n
u

n
i

e
g
n
a
h
C

n
o
i
t
a
s
n
e
p
m
o
c

r
o
f

d
e
u
s
s
i

s
e
r
a
h
S

n
o
i
t
a
s
n
e
p
m
o
c
d
e
s
a
b
-
k
c
o
t
S

d
e
s
i
c
r
e
x
e

s
n
o
i
t
p
o

k
c
o
t

S

6
0
0
2

,

1
3

r
e
b
m
e
c
e
D

t
a

e
c
n
a
l
a
B

e
m
o
c
n
I

t
e
N

s
t
n
e
m

t
s
e
v
n
i

f
o

e
u
l
a
v

r
i
a
f

)
s
s
o
l
(
n
i
a
g

d
e
z
i
l
a
e
r
n
u

n
i

e
g
n
a
h
C

s
n
o
i
t
a
l
l
e
c
n
a
c

f
o

t
e
n

,

d
e
u
s
s
i
k
c
o
t
s

d
e
t
c
i
r
t
s
e
R

p
i
h
s
r
e
n
t
r
a
P
n
i

s
t
i
n
u

f
o

n
o
i
s
r
e
v
n
o
C

8
0
0
2

,

1
3

r
e
b
m
e
c
e
D

t
a

e
c
n
a
l
a
B

n
o
i
t
a
s
n
e
p
m
o
c

r
o
f

d
e
u
s
s
i

s
e
r
a
h
S

n
o
i
t
a
s
n
e
p
m
o
c
d
e
s
a
b
-
k
c
o
t
S

d
e
s
i
c
r
e
x
e

s
n
o
i
t
p
o

k
c
o
t

S

d
e
s
i
c
r
e
x
e

s
t
n
a
r
r
a

W

s
t
s
o
c
g
n
i
r
e
f
f
o
f
o

t
e
n

,
e
c
n
a
u
s
s
i

y
t
i
u
q
E

n
o
i
t
a
s
n
e
p
m
o
c

r
o
f

d
e
u
s
s
i

s
e
r
a
h
S

n
o
i
t
a
s
n
e
p
m
o
c
d
e
s
a
b
-
k
c
o
t
S

d
e
s
i
c
r
e
x
e

s
n
o
i
t
p
o

k
c
o
t

S

7
0
0
2

,

1
3

r
e
b
m
e
c
e
D

t
a

e
c
n
a
l
a
B

e
u
s
s
i
k
c
o
t
s

d
e
t
c
i
r
t
s
e
R

s
s
o
L

t
e
N

.
s
t
n
e
m
e
t
a
t
s

l
a
i
c
n
a
n
i
f

d
e
t
a
d
i
l
o
s
n
o
c

o
t

s
e
t
o
n
g
n
i
y
n
a
p
m
o
c
c
a

e
e
S

7
-
F

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  

Operating Activities 
Net income (loss)  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by 

operating activities: 
Minority interest in partnership  loss 
(Gain) loss on sale of partnership interest 
Change in derivative fair value 
Depreciation, depletion, and  

amortization  

Impairment 
Accretion of future site restoration 
Amortization of deferred financing fees   
Stock-based compensation  
Other non-cash transactions 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 

Accounts receivable  
Other assets and liabilities 
Accounts payable    
Accrued expenses   
Net cash provided by operations 

Investing Activities 
Capital expenditures, including purchases  
and development of properties   

Proceeds from the sale of oil and gas properties 
Net cash used in investing activities  

Financing Activities 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 
Proceeds from issuance of partnership equity  
Cost of common stock and partnership equity issuance 
Proceeds from long-term borrowings  
Payments on long-term borrowings   
Partnership distribution to minority interest   
Deferred financing fees  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 
Increase (decrease) in cash  
Cash at beginning of year   
Cash at end of year 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:     
Interest paid       

2006 

Years Ended December 31, 
2007 
2008 
(In thousands) 

$

700 $ 56,702 $ 

(52,403) 

(1,842) 
—
— (59,439) 
(81)

6,235

(13,500) 

—

(42,304) 

14,939
—
133
1,591
998
92

2,357
(486)
(5,406)
724
15,561

14,292
—
127
671
996
191

112
15
1,063
(791) 

18,332

23,343
116,366
570
1,028
1,404
7,446

(1,838) 
(206) 
4,082
(601) 

43,387

(26,346)
12,244
(14,102)

(26,908) 

—

(174,586)
642

(26,908) 

(173,944) 

(9,098) 
46,690
(128,404) 
(3,163) 
(997) 

455
22,441
— 100,000
—
20,444
(22,357)
—
—
(1,458)
1
42
43 $ 18,936 $ 

27,469
18,893
43

88
—
—
135,084
(10,015)

(9,997) 
(1,615) 

113,545
(17,012) 
18,936
1,924

12,583 $

9,494 $ 

9,817

$

$

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-8 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) 

Net income (loss)  
Other Comprehensive income (loss): 

Change in unrealized  value of investments 

Other comprehensive loss  

Years Ended December 31,
2008 
2007 
2006 
(In thousands) 

$

700 $56,702  $(52,403) 

(709) 
(709) 

(473 ) 
(473 ) 

(389) 
(389) 

Comprehensive income (loss) 

$

 (9)  $

56,229  $(52,792) 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

F-9 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies 

Nature of Operations 

Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  (“Abraxas”  or  “Abraxas  Petroleum”)  is  an  independent  energy  company 
primarily engaged in the exploration of and the acquisition, development, and production of oil and gas principally 
in Texas, the Mid-Continent and the Rocky Mountains. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts 
of  the  Company  and  its  wholly  owned  subsidiaries  and  its  47.3%  interest  in  Abraxas  Energy  Partners,  L.P.  (the 
“Partnership”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 

 The  terms  “Abraxas”  and  “Abraxas  Petroleum”  refers  only  to  Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation,  the  term 
“Partnership” refers only to Abraxas Energy Partners L.P.  and the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company,” refer 
to Abraxas Petroleum  Corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries including Abraxas Energy Partners, 
L.P., unless the context otherwise requires.   

The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of  the  Company  and  its  wholly-owned 
subsidiaries and the operations of the Partnership which was formed on May 25, 2007.  The operations of Abraxas 
Petroleum and the Partnership are consolidated for financial reporting purposes. The interest of the 52.7% owners of 
the  Partnership  is presented  as  minority  interest.   Abraxas owns  the  remaining 47.3% of  the partnership  interests. 
The Company has determined that based on its control of the general partner of the Partnership, this 47.3% owned 
entity  should  be  consolidated  for  financial  reporting  purposes.  See  Note  4  for  condensed  consolidating  financial 
statements. 

Liquidity 

The  current  global  recession  has  had  a  significant  impact  on  our  operations.  As  a  result  of  the  global 
recession, commodity prices are depressed and may stay depressed or reduce further, thereby causing a prolonged 
downturn,  which  could  reduce  our  future  cash  flows  from  operations.    This  could  cause  us  to  alter  our  business 
plans,  including  reducing  our  exploration  and  development  plans.  Additionally  the  Partnership’s  Subordinated 
Credit  Agreement  matures  on  July  1,  2009.    The  Partnership  has  intended  to  repay  its  indebtedness  under  the 
Subordinated Credit Agreement with proceeds from its initial public offering.  However, the equity capital markets 
have  been  negatively  affected  in  recent  months.    As  a  result,  we  cannot  assure  you  that  the  Partnership  will  be 
successful in completing the IPO prior to the maturity of the Subordinated Credit Agreement.  Abraxas Energy is 
currently  in  discussions  with  Société  Générale  to  amend  the  existing  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility  and/or  the 
Subordinated Credit Agreement in the event the IPO is not completed by April 30, 2009.  The Partnership has also 
entered  into  discussions  with  other  lending  institutions  to  re-finance  the  $40  million  currently  outstanding  on  the 
Subordinated  Credit  Agreement.      While  the  Company  believes  that  there  are  options  to  this  short  term  maturity 
requirement, there are no guarantees that any of these options will be successfully implemented. 

Use of Estimates 

The  preparation  of  consolidated  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  accounting  principles  generally 
accepted in the United States of America 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 
consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  
Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Management believes that it is reasonably possible that estimates 
of future proved oil and gas revenues could significantly change in the future. 

Concentration of Credit Risk 

Financial  instruments,  which  potentially  expose  the  Company  to  credit  risk  consist  principally  of  trade 
receivables  and  oil  and  gas  price  derivative  contracts.    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.  The  counterparty  to  the  Partnership’s  oil  and  gas  price  contracts  is  the 

F-10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
same  financial  institution  from  which  the  Partnership  has  outstanding  debt,  accordingly  the  Company  believes  its 
exposure  to  credit  risk  to  this  counterparty  is  currently  mitigated  in  part  by  this,  as  well  as  the  current  overall 
financial condition of the counterparty. 

The Company  maintains its  cash and cash equivalents in excess of Federally insured limits in prominent 

financial institutions considered by the Company to be of high credit quality. 

Cash and Equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term investments with original 

maturities of three months or less. 

Accounts Receivable 

Accounts receivable are reported net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $10,000 and 
$33,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on 
the Company's historical losses, as well as a review of certain accounts. Accounts are charged off when collection 
efforts have failed and the account is deemed uncollectible. 

Oil and Gas Properties 

The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties.  Under this method, all 
direct costs and certain indirect costs associated with acquisition of properties and successful as well as unsuccessful 
exploration and development activities are capitalized. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization of capitalized oil 
and gas properties and estimated future development costs, excluding unproved properties, are based on the unit-of-
production method based on proved reserves.  Net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, as adjusted for asset 
retirement obligations, less related deferred taxes, are limited to the lower of unamortized cost or the cost ceiling, 
defined as the sum of the present value of estimated future net revenues from proved reserves based on unescalated 
prices  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.  
The Company does not have any properties that are being excluded from amortization. Costs in excess of the present 
value of estimated future net revenues as discussed above are charged to proved property impairment expense.  No 
gain or loss is recognized upon sale or disposition of oil and gas properties, except in unusual circumstances. We 
apply the full cost ceiling test on a quarterly basis on the date of the latest balance sheet presented. During the fourth 
quarter  the  Company  incurred  approved  property  impairment  due  to  the  decrease  in  commodity  prices  during  the 
period. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company incurred an impairment of $116.4 million, based on 
year end prices of $44.60 per barrel of oil and $5.62 per Mcf of gas. 

Other Property and Equipment 

Other  property  and  equipment  are  recorded  on  the  basis  of  cost.    Depreciation  of  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. 

Estimates of Proved Oil and Gas Reserves 

 Estimates  of  our  proved  reserves  included  in  this  report  are  prepared  in  accordance  with  U.S.  generally 

accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and SEC guidelines. The accuracy of a reserve estimate is a function of: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the quality and quantity of available data;  

the interpretation of that data;  

the accuracy of various mandated economic assumptions;  

and the judgment of the persons preparing the estimate. 

Our proved reserve information included in this report was based on evaluations prepared by independent 
petroleum engineers. Estimates prepared by other third parties may be higher or lower than those included herein. 

F-11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Because  these  estimates  depend  on  many  assumptions,  all  of  which  may  substantially  differ  from  future  actual 
results,  reserve  estimates  will  be  different  from  the  quantities  of  oil  and  gas  that  are  ultimately  recovered.  In 
addition, results of drilling, testing and production after the date of an estimate may justify material revisions to the 
estimate. 

 In  accordance  with  SEC  requirements,  we  based  the  estimated  discounted  future  net  cash  flows  from 
proved reserves on prices and costs on the date of the estimate. Future prices and costs may be materially higher or 
lower  than  the  prices  and  costs  as  of  the  date  of  the  estimate  which  would  impact  the  estimated  value  of  our 
reserves. 

The  estimates  of  proved  reserves  materially  impact  DD&A  expense.  If  the  estimates  of  proved  reserves 
decline, the rate at which we record DD&A expense will increase, reducing future net income. Such a decline may 
result from lower market prices, which may make it uneconomic to drill for and produce higher cost fields. 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities 

The  Company  enters  into  agreements  to  hedge  the  risk  of  future  oil  and  gas  price  fluctuations.    Such 
agreements are primarily in the form of fixed price swaps, which limit the impact of price fluctuations with respect 
to the Company’s sale of oil and gas. The Company does not enter into speculative hedges.   

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments 
and Hedging Activities,” as amended and interpreted, establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative 
instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities.   The 
Company elected out of hedge accounting as prescribed by SFAS 133.  Accordingly, all derivatives are recorded on 
the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value being recognized in earnings. 

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  materially  different  from  the  carrying  value.    The  Company  assumes  the 
carrying  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. 

Share-Based Payments 

The Company currently utilizes a standard option pricing  model (i.e., Black-Scholes) to measure the fair 
value of stock options granted to employees and directors.  Options granted to employees and directors are valued at 
the date of grant and expense is recognized over the options vesting period. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 
2007 and 2008, stock based compensation was approximately $998,000; $996,000 and $1.4 million respectively. For 
additional information regarding share-based payments please see Note 6 “Stock-based Compensation, Option Plans 
and Warrants.”  

Restoration, Removal and Environmental Liabilities 

The  Company  is  subject  to  extensive  Federal,  state  and  local  environmental  laws  and  regulations.  These 
laws regulate the discharge of materials into the environment and may require the Company to remove or mitigate 
the  environmental  effects  of  the  disposal  or  release  of  petroleum  substances  at  various  sites.    Environmental 
expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on their future economic benefit.  Expenditures that relate to an 
existing condition caused by past operations and that have no future economic benefit are expensed. 

Liabilities  for  expenditures  of  a  noncapital  nature  are  recorded  when  environmental  assessments  and/or 
remediation  is  probable,  and  the  costs  can  be  reasonably  estimated.  Such  liabilities  are  generally  undiscounted 
unless the timing of cash payments for the liability or component are fixed or reliably determinable. 

FASB  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  143,  “Accounting  for  Asset  Retirement 
Obligations”  (SFAS  143)  addresses  accounting  and  reporting  for  obligations  associated  with  the  retirement  of 

F-12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
tangible  long-lived  assets  and  the  associated  asset  retirement  costs.  SFAS  143  requires  that  the  fair  value  of  a 
liability for an asset's retirement obligation be recorded in the period in which it is incurred and the corresponding 
cost capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its 
then present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the related 
asset. For all periods presented, we have included estimated future costs of abandonment and dismantlement in 
our  full  cost  amortization  base  and  amortize  these  costs  as  a  component  of  our  depletion  expense  in  the 
accompanying consolidated financial statements. 

The  following  table  summarizes  the  Company’s  asset  retirement  obligation  transactions  during  the 

following years ended December 31: 

Beginning asset retirement obligation 
New wells placed on production and other  
Deletions related to property disposals 
Accretion expense 
Ending asset retirement obligation   

Revenue Recognition and Major Purchasers 

2006 

2007 
(in thousands) 
883  $  1,019 $

$

29 
(26 ) 
133 

43
(6)
127

$

1,019  $  1,183 $

2008 

1,183
9,046
(840)
570
9,959

The Company recognizes oil and gas revenue from its interest in producing wells as oil and gas is sold from 
those  wells,  net  of  royalties.  The  Company  utilizes  the  sales  method  to  account  for  gas  production  volume 
imbalances.    Under  this  method,  income  is  recorded  based  on  the  Company’s  net  revenue  interest  in  production 
taken for delivery. The Company had no material gas imbalances at December 31, 2007 and 2008. 

Rig  revenue  is  recognized  as  workover  rig  services  are  performed  on  our  wells  on  behalf  of  third  party 

working interest owners. 

  During 2006, 2007 and 2008 two purchasers accounted for 25% and, 24%; 25% and 23%; and 14% and 

15% of oil and gas revenues, respectively.  

Deferred Financing Fees 

Deferred financing fees are being amortized on the effective yield basis over the term of the related debt 

arrangements. 

Income Taxes 

The Company records deferred income taxes using the asset and liability method.  Deferred tax assets and 
liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement 
carrying  amounts  of  existing  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  respective  tax  basis  and  operating  loss  and  tax  credit 
carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable 
income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  

Other Comprehensive Income 

FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (SFAS 
130)  requires  disclosure  of  comprehensive  income,  which  includes  reported  net  income  as  adjusted  for  other 
comprehensive income.   Comprehensive income for the Company is the change in the market value of marketable 
securities. 

F-13 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes 

In  June  2006  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  Interpretation  No.  48,  Accounting  for 
Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48), FIN 48 is intended to clarify 
the  accounting  for  uncertainty  in  income  taxes  recognized  in  a  company’s  financial  statements  and prescribes  the 
recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides 
guidance  on  de-recognition,  classification,  interest  and  penalties,  accounting  in  interim  periods,  disclosure  and 
transition.  

Under FIN 48, evaluation of a tax position is a two-step process. The first step is to determine whether it is 
more-likely- than- not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of any related 
appeals or litigation based on the technical merits of that position. The second step is to measure a tax position that 
meets  the  more-likely-than-not  threshold  to  determine  the  amount  of  benefit  to  be  recognized  in  the  financial 
statements.  A  tax  position  is  measured  at  the  largest  amount  of  benefit  that  is  greater  than  50%  likely  of  being 
realized upon ultimate settlement. 

Tax  positions  that  previously  failed  to  meet  the  more-likely-than-not  recognition  threshold  should  be 
recognized in the first subsequent period in which the threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no 
longer  meet  the  more-likely-than-not  criteria  should  be  de-recognized  in  the  first  subsequent  reporting  period  in 
which the threshold is no longer met. 

The adoption of FIN 48 at January 1, 2008 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position. 

New Accounting Pronouncements 

Fair  Value  Measurements  (SFAS  No. 157) —  In  September  2006,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards 
Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, which provides a single 
definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the use 
of  fair  value  to  measure  assets  and  liabilities.  SFAS  No. 157  also  emphasizes  that  fair  value  is  a  market-based 
measurement, and sets out a fair value hierarchy with the highest priority being quoted prices in active markets. Fair 
value measurements are disclosed by level within that hierarchy. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements 
issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The FASB agreed to defer the effective date of Statement 
157 for one year for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in 
the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis. There is no deferral for financial assets and financial liabilities.  See 
Note 15 for further details of the impact of this statement on the consolidated financial statements. 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141(R) was 
issued  in  an  effort  to  continue  the  movement  toward  the  greater  use  of  fair  values  in  financial  reporting  and 
increased  transparency  through  expanded disclosures.  It  changes  how  business  acquisitions  are  accounted  for  and 
will  impact  financial  statements  at  the  acquisition  date  and  in  subsequent  periods.  Certain  of  these  changes  will 
introduce  more  volatility  into  earnings.  The  acquirer  must  now  record  all  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  acquired 
business  at  fair  value,  and  related  transaction  and  restructuring  costs  will  be  expensed  rather  than  the  previous 
method  of  being  capitalized  as  part  of  the  acquisition.  SFAS  No. 141(R)  also  impacts  the  annual  goodwill 
impairment  test  associated  with  acquisitions,  including  those  that  close  before  the  effective  date  of  SFAS 
No. 141(R). The definitions of a “business” and a “business combination” have been expanded, resulting in  more 
transactions qualifying as business combinations. SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods 
within  those  fiscal  years,  beginning  on  or  after  December 31,  2008  and  earlier  adoption  is  prohibited.  We  cannot 
predict the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) will have on our financial position, results of operations or 
cash flows with respect to any acquisitions completed after December 31, 2008.  

In  December  2007,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No. 160,  “Noncontrolling  Interest  in  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements,  an  amendment  of  Accounting  Research  Bulletin  (ARB)  No. 51.”  SFAS  No. 160  clarifies  that  a 
noncontrolling  interest  (previously  commonly  referred  to  as  a  minority  interest)  in  a  subsidiary  is  an  ownership 
interest  in  the  consolidated  entity  and  should  be  reported  as  equity  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements.  The 
presentation of the consolidated income statement has been changed by SFAS No. 160, and consolidated net income 
attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest is now required to be reported separately. Previously, 

F-14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
net  income  attributable  to  the  noncontrolling  interest  was  typically  reported  as  an  expense  or  other  deduction  in 
arriving at consolidated net income and was often combined with other financial statement amounts. In addition, the 
ownership  interests  in  subsidiaries  held  by  parties  other  than  the  parent  must  be  clearly  identified,  labeled,  and 
presented  in  the  equity  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  separately  from  the  parent’s  equity.  Subsequent 
changes  in  a  parent’s  ownership  interest  while  the  parent  retains  its  controlling  financial  interest  in  its  subsidiary 
should be accounted for consistently, and when a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity 
interest  in  the  former  subsidiary  must  be  initially  measured  at  fair  value.  Expanded  disclosures,  including  a 
reconciliation  of  equity  balances  of  the  parent  and  noncontrolling  interest,  are  also  required.  SFAS  No. 160  is 
effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and 
earlier  adoption  is  prohibited.  Prospective  application  is  required.  Due  to  our  investment  in  Abraxas  Energy 
Partners,  the  adoption  of  SFAS  No. 160  could  have  a  material  impact  on  our  financial  position  and  results  of 
operations,  however  we  do  not  believe  that  it  will  have  a  material  impact  on  our  cash  flows.  Under  current 
accounting  rules,  when  cumulative  losses  applicable  to  the  minority  interest  exceed  the  minority  interest  equity 
capital in the entity, such excess and any further losses applicable to the minority interest are charged to the earnings 
of the majority interest. For the year ended December 31, 2008, Abraxas included a loss of $9.3 million relating to 
the  Partnerships  loss  in  excess  of  the  minority  interest  equity.  Under  SFAS  No.  160  the  loss  in  excess  of  capital 
would be a component of consolidated equity and would not be included in the earnings of the majority interest.  

The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment of FASB 
Statement  No. 115  (SFAS  No. 159)  —  In  February  2007,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No. 159,  which  provides 
companies with an option to measure, at specified election dates, many financial instruments and certain other items 
at  fair  value  that  are  not  currently  measured  at  fair  value.  A  company  that  adopts  SFAS  No. 159  will  report 
unrealized gains and losses on items, for which the fair value option has been elected, in earnings at each subsequent 
reporting  date.  This  statement  also  establishes  presentation  and  disclosure  requirements  designed  to  facilitate 
comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. 
This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We have not elected the fair value 
treatment afforded by SFAS No. 159.  

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging 
Activities,”  which  amends  SFAS  No. 133,  “Accounting  for  Derivative  Instruments  and  Hedging  Activities.” 
Enhanced  disclosures  to  improve  financial  reporting  transparency  are  required  and  include  disclosure  about  the 
location and amounts of derivative instruments in the financial statements, how derivative instruments are accounted 
for and how derivatives affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. A tabular format 
including  the  fair  value  of  derivative  instruments  and  their  gains  and  losses,  disclosure  about  credit  risk-related 
derivative features and cross-referencing within the footnotes are also new requirements. SFAS No. 161 is effective 
for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early 
application and comparative disclosures encouraged, but not required. We have not yet adopted SFAS No. 161. We 
do not believe that SFAS No. 161 will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash 
flows.  

In  May  2008,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  162,  “The  Hierarchy  of  Generally  Accepted  Accounting 
Principles.”  The  statement  is  intended  to  improve  financial  reporting  by  identifying  a  consistent  hierarchy  for 
selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are prepared in conformance with 
generally accepted accounting principles. Unlike Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 69, “The Meaning of 
Present in Conformity With GAAP,” FAS No. 162 is directed to the entity rather than the auditor. The statement is 
effective  60  days  following  the  SEC’s  approval  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  (PCAOB) 
amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with GAAP,” and is not expected to 
have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or liquidity. 

On December 29, 2008, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rule changes to modernize its oil 
and  gas  reporting  disclosures.    The  changes  are  intended  to  provide  investors  with  a  more  meaningful  and 
comprehensive understanding of oil and gas reserves.   

The updated disclosure requirements are designed to align with current practices and changes in technology 
that have taken place in the oil and gas industry since the adoption of the original reporting requirements more than 
25 years ago.   

F-15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
New disclosure requirements include: 

•  Permitting  the  use  of  new  technologies  to  determine  proved  reserves  if  those  technologies  have  been 

demonstrated empirically to lead to reliable conclusions about reserve volumes. 

•  Enabling  companies  to  additionally  disclose  their  probable  and  possible  reserves  to  investors.  Currently,  the 

rules limit disclosure to only proved reserves. 

•  Allowing previously excluded resources, such as oil sands, to be classified as oil and gas reserves. 
•  Requiring  companies  to  report  on  the  independence  and  qualifications  of  a  preparer  or  auditor  and  requiring 
companies to file reports when a third party is relied upon to prepare reserve estimates or conduct a reserves 
audit. 

•  Requiring companies to report oil and gas reserves using an average price based upon the prior 12-month period 
–  rather  than  the  year-end  price  –  to  maximize  the  comparability  of  reserve  estimates  among  companies  and 
mitigate the distortion of the estimates that arises when using a single pricing date. 

The new requirements are effective for registration statements filed on or after January 1, 2010, and for annual 
reports on Forms 10-K and 20-F for fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2009. The Company believes that 
this new requirement could have a significant impact on reported reserves and depletion rates when implemented. 
Segment and Related Information 

Although we have a number of operating divisions, separate segment data has not been presented as they meet the 
criteria for aggregation as permitted by SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related 
Information." 

2. Partnership Formation 

On May 25, 2007, Abraxas Petroleum Corporation entered into a contribution, conveyance and assumption 
agreement with the Partnership, Abraxas General Partner, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-
owned  subsidiary  of  Abraxas  which  we  refer  to  as  the  GP,  Abraxas  Energy  Investments,  LLC,  a  Texas  limited 
liability  company  and  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  Abraxas  which  we  refer  to  as  the  LP,  and  Abraxas  Operating, 
LLC, a Texas limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Abraxas Energy Partners which we refer to 
as  the  Operating  Company.  Among  other  things,  the  contribution  agreement  provided  for  the  contribution  by 
Abraxas  to  the  Operating  Company  of  certain  assets  located  in  South  and  West  Texas  in  exchange  for  all  of  the 
equity interests of the Operating Company. 

In consideration for these assets, the Partnership and the Operating Company, jointly and severally, assumed 
all of Abraxas’ existing indebtedness under its Floating Rate Senior Secured Notes due 2009, which we refer to as 
the notes, and the obligation to pay certain preformation and transaction expenses and issued general partner units 
and  common  units  to  the  GP  and  the  LP,  respectively,  in  exchange  for  their  ownership  interests  in  the  Operating 
Company. On May 25, 2007, Abraxas Energy Partners sold 6,002,408 common units, representing an approximate 
52.8% interest in Abraxas Energy Partners, for $16.66 per Common Unit, or approximately $100 million, pursuant 
to  a  purchase  agreement  dated  May  25,  2007,  to  a  group  of  accredited  investors.    After  consummation  of  these 
transactions,  the  general  partner  units  and  the  common  units  owned  by  the  GP  and  the  LP  constituted  a  47.2% 
ownership interest in the Partnership.  

As a result of these transactions, the Company recognized a gain of $59.4 million in 2007.  The gain was 
calculated in accordance with the requirements of  SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 51, (Topic 5H) based on the fact 
that the Company elected gain treatment as a policy and the transaction met the following criteria:  (1) there were no 
additional broad corporate reorganizations contemplated; (2) there was not a reason to believe that the gain would 
not be realized, since there is no additional capital raising transaction anticipated nor was there a significant concern 
about the new entity’s ability to continue in existence; (3) the share price of capital raised in the private placement 
was  objectively  determined;  (4)  no  repurchases  of  the  new  subsidiary’s  units  are  planned;  and  (5)  the  Company 
acknowledges that it will consistently apply the policy, and any future transactions that might result in a loss must be 
recorded as a loss in the statement of operations. 

F-16 

 
 
 
 
 
3. Registration and Exchange Rights Agreements 

Registration Rights Agreement. On May 25, 2007, in connection with Abraxas Energy’s private placement 
offering, the Partnership entered into a registration rights agreement with the private investors, which was amended 
on December 5, 2007 and on October 6, 2008.  Under the registration rights agreement, the Partnership agreed as 
soon as practicable, (a) to prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement for (1) an initial public offering of 
common units and (2) a shelf registration statement for the resale of the common units held by the private investors 
and  (b) to  use  commercially  reasonable  efforts  to  cause  the  IPO  registration  statement  and  the  shelf  registration 
statement to be declared effective by April 30, 2009. 

The registration rights agreement required the Partnership to pay liquidated damages if the IPO registration 
statement  or  the  shelf  registration  statement  is  not  declared  effective  by  April  30,  2009.    The  liquidated  damages 
equate to $0.04165 per common unit for the first 60 days after April 30, 2009, with such amount increasing by an 
additional $0.04165 per common unit for each 30-day period for the next 60 days up to a maximum of $0.1666 per 
common unit. Liquidated damages are payable in cash, unless the Partnership is unable to as a result of a restriction 
under  its  credit  facility,  in  which  case,  the  liquidated  damages  will  be  paid  in-kind.  As  the  Company  currently 
believes that it is not probable that amounts will be payable under this provision, no liability has been recorded for 
this contingency as of December 31, 2008. 

Exchange  and  Registration  Rights  Agreement.  Abraxas  Energy,  Abraxas  Petroleum  and  the  private 
investors entered into an exchange and registration rights agreement dated May 25, 2007, and amended on October 
6, 2008. Under the terms of the amended agreement, in the event that the Partnership has not consummated its initial 
public offering by April 30, 2009 (“the Trigger Date”), the private investors have the right to convert their common 
units purchased in the private placement offering into shares of common stock of Abraxas Petroleum. Each of the 
Partnership’s common units are convertible into a number of shares of Abraxas Petroleum common stock equal to 
$16.66  divided  by  the  then  current  market  price  of  Abraxas  Petroleum’s  common  stock  times  0.9.    Abraxas 
Petroleum also agreed within 30 days of the Trigger Date, to prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement 
to enable the resale of ABP common stock. Abraxas Petroleum further agreed to use its commercially reasonable 
efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective by the 120th calendar day following the Trigger Date.  
In consideration of the October 2008 amendment, Abraxas Energy agreed to pay the private investors $0.0625 per 
unit per quarter beginning with the fourth quarter of 2008 and ending on certain events, including the initial public 
offering.  This payment is payable in cash, unless the Partnership is unable to as a result of a restriction under its 
credit  facility,  in  which  case,  the  payment  will  be  paid  in-kind.  In  the  fourth  quarter  of  2008,  in  connection  with 
conversion rights held by the original investors in the Partnership, approximately 343,000 shares of Common stock 
were issued upon conversion of partnership units. 

Terms of the exchange and registration rights agreement are such that there is a maximum number of shares 
of  Abraxas  Common  Stock,  representing  approximately  20%  of  the  total  number  of  common  shares  outstanding, 
into  which  the  holders  of  the  Partnership  units  may  convert  without  further  action  on  the  part  of  Abraxas 
shareholders. As a result of this, the minority interest reflected in the Company’s balance sheet represents the value 
of these potential shares into which the Partnership units may be converted. Losses at the Partnership in excess of 
this  amount  (approximately  $7.1  million)  have  not  been  allocated  to  the  minority  interest  and,  instead  have  been 
absorbed by the Company. To the extent that the Partnership operates profitably in the future, such profits will be 
first allocated back to the Company to the extent of any excess losses previously recorded, prior to the allocation of 
such profits to the minority interest. 

4. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements 

The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of  the  Company  and  its  wholly-owned 
subsidiaries and the operations of the Partnership which was formed on May 25, 2007.  The operations of Abraxas 
Petroleum and the Partnership are consolidated for financial reporting purposes. The interest of the 52.7% owners of 
the Partnership presented as minority interest.  Abraxas owns the remaining 47.3% of the partnership interests. The 
Company has determined that based on its control of the general partner of the Partnership, this 47.3% owned entity 
should  be  consolidated  for  financial  reporting  purposes.  The  consolidating  financial  statements  are  presented  as 
follows:  

F-17 

 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet 
December 31, 2008 
(In thousands) 

Abraxas
Petroleum
Corporation

Abraxas
Energy
Partners,
L.P. 

Reclassifi- 
cations 
 and 

eliminations   Consolidated 

Assets: 

Cash  ........................................................................................   $ 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts ......  
Derivative asset – current .........................................................  

Other current assets  .................................................................  
Total current assets .............................................  

Property and equipment – net ......................................................  
Deferred financing fees, net  ........................................................  
Derivative  asset – long-term .......................................................  

Investment in partnership .............................................................  
Other assets  .................................................................................  

—  $ 

11,514 
— 
535 
12,049 

41,291 
102 
— 
11,889 

400 

1,924  $ 
7,695 

22,832 
37 
32,488 

119,017 
1,341 
16,394 

— 
— 

Total assets  ..............................................................................   $ 

65,731  $  169,240  $ 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ deficit: 
Current liabilities: 

Accounts payable  ....................................................................   $ 

21,659  $ 

1,150  $ 

Accrued interest  ......................................................................  

Other accrued expenses  ...........................................................  

Derivative liability – current ....................................................  

Current maturities of long-term debt ........................................  

Dividend payable .....................................................................  
Total current liabilities .........................................................  
Long-term debt  ...........................................................................  
Future site restoration  .................................................................  
Total liabilities ...................................................................... 

Minority interest ..........................................................................  

332 

243 

3,000 

40,000 

2,358 
47,083 
125,600 

9,049 
181,732 

18 

1,643 
— 
134 
— 
23,454 
5,235 

910 
29,599 

— 

—  $ 

(11,243) 
— 
— 
(11,243) 
— 
— 
— 
(11,889) 
— 
(23,132)  $ 

(8,885)  $ 
— 
— 
— 
— 
(2,358) 
(11,243) 
— 
— 
(11,243) 

1,924 
7,966 

22,832 
572 
33,294 

160,308 
1,443 
16,394 
— 
400 
211,839 

13,924 

350 

1,886 

3,000 

40,134 
— 
59,294 
130,835 

9,959 
200,088 

7,093 

7,093 

Partnership capital ........................................................................  
Stockholders’/Partners equity (deficit) .........................................  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  (deficit) ......................   $ 

— 
36,132 
65,731  $  169,240  $ 

34,324 
(46,816) 

(34,324) 
15,342 
(23,132)  $ 

— 
4,658 
211,839 

F-18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet 
December 31, 2007 
(In thousands) 

Abraxas
Petroleum
Corporation

Abraxas
Energy
Partners,
L.P. 

Reclassifi- 
cations 
 and 

eliminations   Consolidated 

Assets: 

Cash  ........................................................................................   $ 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts ......  
Derivative asset – current .........................................................  
Other current assets  .................................................................  
Total current assets .............................................  
Property and equipment – net ......................................................  
Deferred financing fees, net  ........................................................  
Derivative  asset – long-term .......................................................  
Investment in partnership .............................................................  
Other assets  .................................................................................  

17,177  $ 

6,288 
— 
355 
23,820 
21,533 
141 
— 
27,838 
778 

1,759  $ 
4,696 
2,658 
22 
9,135 
95,494 
715 
359 
— 
— 

Total assets  ..............................................................................   $ 

74,110  $  105,703  $ 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ deficit: 
Current liabilities: 

Accounts payable  ....................................................................   $ 
Accrued interest  ......................................................................  
Other accrued expenses  ...........................................................  
Derivative liability – current ....................................................  
Total current liabilities .........................................................  
Long-term debt  ...........................................................................  
Derivative liability – long-term....................................................  
Future site restoration  .................................................................  
Total liabilities ...................................................................... 

14,698  $ 
— 
1,514 
— 
16,212 
— 
— 
404 
16,616 

—  $ 
241 
— 
5,154 
5,395 
45,900 
3,941 
779 
56,015 

—  $ 

(4,856) 
— 
— 
(4,856) 
— 
— 
— 
(27,838) 
— 
(32,694)  $ 

(4,856)  $ 
— 
— 
— 
(4,856) 
— 
— 
— 
(4,856) 

18,936 
6,128 
2,658 
377 
28,099 
117,027 
856 
359 
— 
778 
147,119 

9,842 
241 
1,514 
5,154 
16,751 
45,900 
3,941 
1,183 
67,775 

Minority interest ..........................................................................  

— 

23,497 

23,497 

Partnership capital ........................................................................  
Stockholders’/Partners equity (deficit) .........................................  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  (deficit) ......................   $ 

— 
57,494 
74,110  $  105,703  $ 

57,438 
(7,750) 

(57,438) 
6,103 
(32,694)  $ 

— 
55,847 
147,119 

F-19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Parent Company and Subsidiary Statement of Operations 
For the year ended December 31, 2008 
(In thousands) 

Abraxas 
 Petroleum 
Corporation 

Abraxas
Energy
Partners,
L.P. 

Reclassifi- 
cations 
 and 

eliminations   Consolidated 

99,084 
1,210 
16 

100,310 

26,635 
23,343 
116,366 

856 

7,127 

174,327 

(74,017) 

(187) 

1,028 

10,496 

359 

(28,333) 

8,523 

(8,114) 

(65,903) 
— 
(65,903) 

13,500 
(52,403) 

— 
(100) 
100 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

Revenues: 

Oil and gas production revenues  ................................................  $
Rig revenues  ............................................................................... 
Other  .......................................................................................... 

Operating costs and expenses: 

Lease operating and production taxes  ........................................ 
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization  .................................. 
Impairment .................................................................................. 

Rig operations  ............................................................................ 

General and administrative  ......................................................... 

15,693 $  83,391  $ 
1,210
16

— 
— 

16,919

83,391 

—  $ 
— 
— 
— 

4,058
3,380
19,145

856

4,470

22,577 
20,063 
97,121 
— 
2,657 

31,909

142,418 

Operating income (loss) .................................................................. 

(14,990)

(59,027) 

Other (income) expense: 

Interest income  ........................................................................... 

Amortization of deferred financing fees ...................................... 

(165)

40

(22) 

988 

Interest expense ........................................................................... 

Financing fees ............................................................................. 

Loss (gain) on derivative contracts ............................................. 

Other  .......................................................................................... 

10,203 

293
—
359 
— (28,333) 
1,105 

7,418

7,586

(15,700) 

Income (loss) from operations before income tax and minority 

interest ..................................................................................... 

Income tax ...................................................................................... 

Income from operations before minority interest ............................ 
Minority interest ............................................................................. 
Net income (loss) ............................................................................  $

(22,576)
—
(22,576)
—

(43,327) 
— 
(43,327) 
— 

(22,576)$  (43,327)  $ 

— 
— 
— 
13,500 
13,500  $ 

F-20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Parent Company and Subsidiary Statement of Operations 
For the year ended December 31, 2007 
(In thousands) 

Abraxas 
 Petroleum 
Corporation 

Abraxas
Energy
Partners,
L.P. (1)  

Reclassifi- 
cations 
 and 

eliminations   Consolidated 

46,906 
1,396 
7 

48,309 

11,254 
14,292 
801 
6,438 

32,785 

15,524 

(408) 

671 

8,392 

4,363 

6,455 

(59,439) 

347 

(39,619) 

55,143 

(283) 

54,860 
1,842 
56,702 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

Revenues: 

Oil and gas production revenues  ................................................  $
Rig revenues  ............................................................................... 
Other  .......................................................................................... 

Operating costs and expenses: 

Lease operating and production taxes  ........................................ 
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization  .................................. 
Rig operations  ............................................................................ 
General and administrative  ......................................................... 

24,758  $ 22,148  $ 
1,396 
7 

— 
— 

26,161 

22,148 

—  $ 
— 
— 
— 

6,118 
7,253 
801 
5,451 

5,136 
7,039 
— 
987 

19,623 

13,162 

Operating income (loss) .................................................................. 

6,538 

8,986 

Other (income) expense: 

Interest income  ........................................................................... 

Amortization of deferred financing fees ...................................... 

Interest expense ........................................................................... 

Loss (gain) on derivative contracts ............................................. 

Loss on debt extinguishment ....................................................... 

Gain on sale of assets  ................................................................. 

Other  .......................................................................................... 

(387) 

550 

6,597 

238 
— 
(59,439) 

347 

(21) 

121 

1,795 

4,125 

6,455 
— 
— 

(52,094) 

12,475 

Income (loss) from operations before income tax and minority 

interest ..................................................................................... 
Income tax ...................................................................................... 

Income from operations before minority interest ............................ 
Minority interest ............................................................................. 
Net income (loss) ............................................................................  $

58,632 

(283) 

58,349 
— 

(3,489) 
— 
(3,489) 
— 

58,349  $ (3,489)  $ 

— 
— 
— 
1,842 
1,842  $ 

(1)  From inception, May 25 through December 31. 

F-21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Parent Company and Subsidiary Statement of Cash Flows 
For the year ended December 31, 2008 
(In thousands) 

Operating Activities 

Net income (loss) ............................................................................  $

(22,576) $ (43,327)  $ 

13,500  $ 

(52,403) 

Abraxas 
 Petroleum 
Corporation 

Abraxas
Energy
Partners,
L.P. (1)   

Reclassifi- 
cations 
 and 

eliminations   Consolidated 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by 

operating activities: 

Minority interest in partnership  loss ........................................... 

Change in derivative fair value 
Depreciation, depletion, and  

amortization  ....................................................................... 
Proved  property impairment ....................................................... 
Accretion of future site restoration .............................................. 
Amortization of deferred financing fees ...................................... 
Stock-based compensation  ......................................................... 

Other non-cash transactions ............................................................ 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities ...................................... 
Net cash provided by operations ................................................. 

Investing Activities 
Capital expenditures, including purchases  

— 
— 

— 
(42,304) 

(13,500) 
— 

(13,500) 
(42,304) 

3,380 
19,145 
63 
40 
1,162 

7,446 
6,397 
15,057 

20,063 
97,121 
507 
988 
242 
— 
(4,960) 
28,330 

(100) 
100 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

23,343 
116,366 
570 
1,028 
1,404 

7,446 
1,437 
43,387 

and development of properties – net of dispositions  .......... 
Net cash used in investing activities ............................................... 

(42,044)
(42,044)

(131,900) 
(131,900) 

— 
— 

(173,944) 
(173,944) 

Financing Activities 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock ...................................... 
Proceeds from long-term borrowings  ............................................. 
Payments on long-term borrowings  ............................................... 
Partnership distribution ................................................................... 
Deferred financing fees  .................................................................. 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ........................ 
Increase (decrease) in cash  ............................................................. 
Cash at beginning of year  ............................................................... 
Cash at end of year ..........................................................................  $

88 

— 
5,384    129,700 

(15)  
4,354   
(1)  

(10,000)   
(14,351)   
(1,614)   

9,810    103,735 
165 
1,759 
1,924  $ 

(17,177)  
17,177   
  $

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
—  $ 

88 
135,084 
(10,015) 
(9,997) 
(1,615) 
113,545 
(17,012) 
18,936 
1,924 

F-22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Parent Company and Subsidiary Statement of Cash Flows 
For the year ended December 31, 2007 
(In thousands) 

Abraxas 
 Petroleum 
Corporation 

Abraxas
Energy
Partners,
L.P. (1)  

Reclassifi- 
cations 
 and 

eliminations   Consolidated 

58,349  $

(3,489)  $ 

1,842  $ 

56,702 

Operating Activities 
Net income (loss) ............................................................................  $

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by 

operating activities: 

Minority interest in partnership  loss ........................................... 
(Gain) loss on sale of partnership interest ....................................... 
Change in derivative fair value 
Depreciation, depletion, and  

amortization  ....................................................................... 
Accretion of future site restoration .............................................. 
Amortization of deferred financing fees ...................................... 
Stock-based compensation  ......................................................... 
Other non-cash transactions ............................................................ 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities ...................................... 

— 
(59,439) 
157 

7,253 
(18) 
550 
996 
191 

4,827 

— 
— 
6,078 

7,039 
145 
121 
— 
— 
(4,428) 

5,466 

Net cash provided by operations ................................................. 

12,866 

Investing Activities 
Capital expenditures, including purchases  

and development of properties  ........................................... 

(12,822) 

(14,086) 

Net cash used in investing activities ............................................... 

(12,822) 

(14,086) 

Financing Activities 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock ...................................... 
Proceeds from issuance of partnership equity - (net) ...................... 
Proceeds from long-term borrowings  ............................................. 
Payments on long-term borrowings  ............................................... 
Partnership distribution ................................................................... 
Deferred financing fees  .................................................................. 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ........................ 

Increase (decrease) in cash  ............................................................. 
Cash at beginning of year  ............................................................... 

22,441 

(6,305)   

790 

— 
97,207 

45,900 

(2,500)    (125,904)   

2,825 
(161)   

(5,988)   
(836)   

17,090 

17,134 

43 

10,379 

1,759 
— 

Cash at end of year ..........................................................................  $

17,177  $

1,759  $ 

5. Acquisitions 

(1,842) 
— 
— 

(1,842) 
(59,439) 
6,235 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
—  $ 

14,292 
127 
671 
996 
191 

399 

18,332 

(26,908) 

(26,908) 

22,441 

90,902 

46,690 

(128,404) 

(3,163) 
(997) 

27,469 

18,893 

43 

18,936 

On  January  31,  2008,  Abraxas  Operating,  LLC,  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  the  Partnership,  consummated 
the  acquisition  of  certain  oil  and  gas  properties  located  in  various  states  from  St.  Mary  Land  &  Exploration 
Company  (“St.  Mary”)  and  certain  other  sellers.  The  properties  are  primarily  located  in  the  Rockies  and  Mid-
Continent regions of the United States, and include approximately 57.2 Bcfe (9,525 MBOE) of estimated proved 
reserves for a purchase price of approximately $126.0 million. 

The Partnership borrowed approximately $115.6 million under the Partnership Credit Facility and $50 million 
under its Subordinated Credit Agreement in order to complete this acquisition and repay its previously outstanding 
indebtedness of $45.9 million. For a complete description of these credit facilities, please see Note 6 “Long-Term 
Debt”. 

F-23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Simultaneously,  Abraxas  Petroleum  announced  that  it  had  completed  the  acquisition  of  certain  oil  and  gas 
properties from St. Mary with estimated proved reserves of approximately 4.3 Bcfe (725 MBOE) for a purchase 
price of approximately $5.6 million.  Abraxas paid the purchase price from its internal funds.  The right to purchase 
these properties had been assigned to Abraxas by the Partnership. 

Substantially  all  amounts  paid  in  the  acquisition,  including  acquisition  costs  of  approximately  $1.1  million, 
were allocated to the oil and gas properties. The following unaudited supplemental information presents pro forma 
financial results assuming the acquisition had occurred on January 1 of 2008 and 2007.  The unaudited pro forma 
financial results are not necessarily those that would have been attained had the acquisition occurred as of an earlier 
date, nor are they necessarily representative of the future results that may occur. 

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information 

6. 

Revenue  
Net income (loss) 
Earnings (loss) per share – basic 

Long-Term Debt 

$
$
$

Year ended December 31, 
2007 
2008 
87,643 
58,242 
1.26

$
$
$

104,262
(50,281) 
(1.02) 

The following is a description of the Company’s debt as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively: 

December 31, 
2007 

December 31, 
2008 

Partnership credit facility  
Subordinated Partnership credit agreement 
Senior secured credit facility 
Real estate lien note 

Less current maturities  

45,900 
— 
— 
— 
45,900 
— 
45,900 

$

Maturities of long-term debt are as follows: 

Year ended December 31, 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012 
2013 
Thereafter 

125,600
40,000
—
5,369
170,969
(40,134)
130,835

40,134 
143 
152 
163 
125,773 
4,604 
170,969 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Abraxas  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility.  On  June  27,  2007,  Abraxas  entered  into  a  new  senior  secured 
revolving credit facility, which we refer to as the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility has a maximum commitment of 
$50  million.  Availability  under  the  Credit  Facility  is  subject  to  a  borrowing  base.  The  borrowing  base  under  the 
Credit Facility, which is currently $6.5 million, is determined semi-annually by the lenders based upon our reserve 
reports, one of which must be prepared by our independent petroleum engineers and one of which may be prepared 
internally. The amount of the borrowing base is calculated by the lenders based upon their valuation of our proved 
reserves  utilizing  these  reserve  reports  and  their  own  internal  decisions.    In  addition,  the  lenders,  in  their  sole 

F-24 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
discretion,  may  make  one  additional  borrowing  base  redetermination  during  any  six-month  period  between 
scheduled  redeterminations  and  we  may  also  request  one  redetermination  during  any  six-month  period  between 
scheduled  redeterminations.    The  lenders  may  also  make  a  redetermination  in  connection  with  any  sales  of 
producing  properties  with  a  market  value  of  5%  or  more  of  our  current  borrowing  base.    Our  borrowing  base  at 
December 31, 2008 of $6.5 million was determined based upon our reserves at June 30, 2008.  Our borrowing base 
can never exceed the $50.0 million maximum commitment amount.  Outstanding amounts under the Credit Facility 
will bear interest at (a) the greater of the reference rate announced from time to time by Société Générale, and (b) 
the  Federal  Funds  Rate  plus  0.5%  of  1%,  plus  in  each  case,  (c)  0.5%  -  1.5%  depending  on  utilization  of  the 
borrowing  base,  or,  if  Abraxas  elects,  at  the  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate  plus  1.5%  -  2.5%,  depending on  the 
utilization  of  the  borrowing  base.  Subject  to  earlier  termination  rights  and  events  of  default,  the  Credit  Facility’s 
stated maturity date is June 27, 2011.  Interest will be payable quarterly on reference rate advances and not less than 
quarterly on Eurodollar advances. 

Abraxas is permitted to terminate the Credit Facility, and may, from time to time, permanently reduce the 
lenders'  aggregate  commitment  under  the  Credit  Facility  in  compliance  with  certain  notice  and  dollar  increment 
requirements. 

Each  of  Abraxas’  subsidiaries  other  than  the  Partnership,  Abraxas  General  Partner,  LLC  and  Abraxas 
Energy Investments, LLC has guaranteed Abraxas’ obligations under the Credit Facility on a senior secured basis.  
Obligations  under  the  Credit  Facility  are  secured  by  a  first  priority  perfected  security  interest,  subject  to  certain 
permitted encumbrances, in all of Abraxas’ and the subsidiary guarantors’ material property and assets. 

Under the Credit Facility, Abraxas is subject to customary covenants, including certain financial covenants 
and reporting requirements.  The Credit Facility requires Abraxas to maintain a minimum Current Ratio as of the 
last day of each quarter of not less than 1.00 to 1.00 and an interest coverage ratio (generally defined as the ratio of 
consolidated  EBITDA  to  consolidated  interest  expense  as  of  the  last day  of  such  quarter) of not  less  than 2.50  to 
1.00. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  and  other  customary  covenants,  the  Credit  Facility  contains  a  number  of 

covenants that, among other things, will restrict Abraxas’ ability to:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; 

transfer or sell assets;  

create liens on assets; 

engage in transactions with affiliates other than on an “arms-length” basis;  

•  make any change in the principal nature of its business; and 
• 

permit a change of control. 

The  Credit  Facility  also  contains  customary  events  of  default,  including  nonpayment  of  principal  or 
interest, violations of covenants, cross default and cross acceleration to certain other indebtedness, bankruptcy and 
material judgments and liabilities. 

The Company is in compliance with all covenants as of December 31, 2008. 

Amended  and  Restated  Partnership  Credit  Facility.  On  May  25,  2007,  the  Partnership  entered  into  a 
senior secured revolving credit facility which was amended and restated on January 31, 2008 and further amended 
on  January  16,  2009,  which  we  refer  to  as  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility.  The  Partnership  Credit  Facility  has  a 
maximum  commitment  of  $300.0  million.    Availability  under  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility  is  subject  to  a 
borrowing  base.    The  borrowing  base  under  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility,  which  is  currently  $140.0  million,  is 
determined  semi-annually  by  the  lenders  based  upon  the  Partnership’s  reserve  reports,  one  of  which  must  be 
prepared by the Partnership’s independent petroleum engineers and one of which may be prepared internally. The 
amount of  the borrowing  base  is  calculated  by  the  lenders  based  upon  their  valuation  of  the Partnership’s  proved 
reserves  utilizing  these  reserve  reports  and  their  own  internal  decisions.    In  addition,  the  lenders,  in  their  sole 
discretion,  may  make  one  additional  borrowing  base  redetermination  during  any  six-month  period  between 
scheduled  redeterminations.    The  lenders  may  also  make  a  redetermination  in  connection  with  any  sales  of 
producing  properties  with  a  market  value  of  5%  or  more  of  the  Partnership’s  current  borrowing  base.    The 

F-25 

 
Partnership’s  current borrowing base of $140.0  million  was  determined  based  upon  its  reserves  at  June  30, 2008.  
The  borrowing  base  can  never  exceed  the  $300.0  million  maximum  commitment  amount.    During  the  period 
beginning  on  January  16,  2009  and  ending  on  the  date  that  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  is  terminated, 
outstanding  amounts  under  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility  bear  interest  at  (a)  the  greater  of  (1)  the  reference  rate 
announced from time to time by Société Générale, (2) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, and (3) a rate determined 
by  Société  Générale  as  the  daily  one-month  LIBOR  rate  plus,  in  each  case,  (b)  1.5%  -  2.5%,  depending  on  the 
utilization  of  the  borrowing  base,  or,  if  the  Partnership  elects,  at  the  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate  plus  2.5%  - 
3.5%  depending  on  the  utilization  of  the  borrowing  base.    After  the  termination  of  the  Subordinated  Credit 
Agreement, outstanding amounts under the Partnership Credit Facility will bear interest at (a) the greater of (1) the 
reference rate announced from time to time by Société Générale, (2) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, and (3) a 
rate  determined  by  Société  Générale  as  the  daily  one-month  LIBOR  rate  plus,  in  each  case,  (b)  1.0%  -  2.0%, 
depending  on  the  utilization  of  the  borrowing  base,  or,  if the  Partnership  elects,  at  the  London  Interbank  Offered 
Rate plus 2.0% - 3.0% depending on the utilization of the borrowing base.  At January 16, 2009, the interest rate on 
the Partnership Credit Facility was 3.8%.  Subject to earlier termination rights and events of default, the Partnership 
Credit Facility’s stated maturity date is January 31, 2013.  Interest is payable quarterly on reference rate advances 
and not less than quarterly on Eurodollar advances.  The Partnership is permitted to terminate the Partnership Credit 
Facility, and under certain circumstances, may be required, from time to time, to permanently reduce the lenders’ 
aggregate commitment under the Partnership Credit Facility. 

Each  of  the  general  partner  of  the  Partnership,  Abraxas  General  Partner,  LLC,  which  is  a  wholly-owned 
subsidiary  of  Abraxas  and  which  we  refer  to  as  the  GP,  and  Abraxas  Operating,  LLC,  which  is  a  wholly-owned 
subsidiary  of  the  Partnership  and  which  we  refer  to  as  the  Operating  Company,  has  guaranteed  the  Partnership’s 
obligations under the Partnership Credit Facility on a senior secured basis.  Obligations under the Partnership Credit 
Facility are secured by a first priority perfected security interest, subject to certain permitted encumbrances, in all of 
the property and assets of the GP, the Partnership and the Operating Company, other than the GP’s general partner 
units in the Partnership. 

Under the Partnership Credit Facility, the Partnership is subject to customary covenants, including certain 
financial covenants and reporting requirements. The Partnership Credit Facility requires the Partnership to maintain 
a minimum Current Ratio as of the last day of each quarter of 1.00 to 1.00 and an interest coverage ratio (defined as 
the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense) as of the last day of each quarter of not less than 
2.50 to 1.00. The Partnership Credit Facility required it to enter into derivative contracts for specific volumes, which 
equated  to  approximately  85%  of  the  estimated  oil  and  gas  production  from  its  net  proved  developed  producing 
reserves through December 31, 2011.  The Partnership entered into NYMEX-based fixed price commodity swaps on 
approximately  85%  of  its  estimated  oil  and  gas  production  from  its  estimated  net  proved  developed  producing 
reserves through December 31, 2011. 

Under  the  terms  of  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility,  the  Partnership  may  make  cash  distributions  if,  after 
giving effect to such distributions, the Partnership is not in default under the Partnership Credit Facility, there is no 
borrowing  base  deficiency  and  provided  that  (a)  no  such  distribution    shall  be  made  using  the  proceeds  of  any 
advance unless the unused portion of the amount then available under the Partnership Credit Facility is greater than 
or equal to 10% of the lesser of the Partnership’s borrowing base (which at January 16, 2009 was $140.0 million) or 
the  total  commitment  amount  of    the  Partnership  Credit  Facility  (which  at  January  16,  2009  was  currently 
$300.0 million)  at  such  time,  (b)  with  respect  to  the  cash  distribution  scheduled  to  be  made  on  or  about  May  15, 
2009 attributable to the first quarter of 2009, no such distribution shall be made unless (i) the sum of unrestricted 
cash and the unused portion of the amount then available under the Partnership Credit Facility after giving effect to 
such distribution exceeds $20.0 million, or (ii) the Subordinated Credit Agreement shall have terminated and (c) no 
cash distribution shall exceed $0.44 per unit per quarter while the Subordinated Credit Agreement is outstanding.  
Additionally,  while  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  is  outstanding,  the  Partnership’s  capital  expenditures  are 
limited to $12.5 million. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  and  other  customary  covenants,  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility  contains  a 

number of covenants that, among other things, will restrict the Partnership’s ability to: 

• 

• 

• 

incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; 

transfer or sell assets;  

create liens on assets; 

F-26 

 
• 

engage in transactions with affiliates;  

•  make any change in the principal nature of its business; and 
• 

permit a change of control. 

  The  Partnership  Credit  Facility  also  contains  customary  events  of  default,  including  nonpayment  of 
principal  or  interest,  violations  of  covenants,  cross  default  and  cross  acceleration  to  certain  other  indebtedness 
including the Subordinated Credit Agreement described below, bankruptcy and material judgments and liabilities. 

The Partnership is in compliance with all covenants as of December 31, 2008. 

Subordinated Credit Agreement 

On January 31, 2008, the Partnership entered into a subordinated credit agreement which was amended on 
January 16, 2009, which we refer to as the Subordinated Credit Agreement. The Subordinated Credit Agreement has 
a  maximum  commitment  of  $40.0  million.    Outstanding  amounts  under  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  bear 
interest at (a) the greater of (1) the reference rate announced from time to time by Société Générale, (2) the Federal 
Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (3) a rate determined by Société Générale as the daily one-month LIBOR Offered Rate, 
plus in each case (b) 7.50% or, if the Partnership elects, at the greater of (a) 2.0% and (b) at the London Interbank 
Offered Rate, in each case, plus 8.50%. At January 16, 2009 the interest rate on the Subordinated Credit Agreement 
was 10.5%.   Principal payments under  the Subordinated Credit  Agreement  must  be  made on  May  14, 2009  in  an 
amount,  which  we  refer  to  as  the  May  14,  2009  Payment  Amount,  equal  to  the  lesser  of  the  amount  of  cash 
distributed  to  Abraxas  Energy  Investments,  LLC,  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  Abraxas  Petroleum,  on  or  about 
February  14,  2009  and  $2.25  million  with  the  balance  due  on  the  maturity  date.    The  maturity  date  may  be 
accelerated if any limited partner of the Partnership, other than Perlman Value Partners, exercises its right to convert 
its limited partner units into shares of common stock of Abraxas Petroleum pursuant to the terms of the Exchange 
and  Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated  May  25,  2007,  as  amended,  among  Abraxas  Petroleum,  the  Partnership 
and the purchasers named therein.  As a result of the amendment to the Subordinated Credit Agreement, the date on 
which the purchasers, if the Partnership’s initial public offering has not been consummated prior to that date, may 
first  exchange  their  Partnership  units  for  Abraxas  Petroleum  common  stock  is  April  30,  2009.    Subject  to  earlier 
termination rights and events of default, the Subordinated Credit Agreement’s stated maturity date is July 1, 2009.  
Interest  is  payable  quarterly  on  reference  rate  advances  and  not  less  than  quarterly  on  Eurodollar  advances.    The 
Partnership is permitted to terminate the Subordinated Credit Agreement, and under certain circumstances, may be 
required, from time to time, to make prepayments under the Subordinated Credit Agreement. 

Each  of  the  GP  and  the  Operating  Company  has  guaranteed  the  Partnership’s  obligations  under  the 
Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  on  a  subordinated  secured  basis.    Obligations  under  the  Subordinated  Credit 
Agreement are secured by subordinated security interests, subject to certain permitted encumbrances, in all of the 
property and assets of the Partnership, GP, and the Operating Company, other than the GP’s general partner units in 
the Partnership. 

Under  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement,  the  Partnership  is  subject  to  customary  covenants,  including 
certain financial covenants and reporting requirements. The Subordinated Credit Agreement requires the Partnership 
to maintain a minimum current ratio as of the last day of each quarter of 1.00 to 1.00 and an interest coverage ratio 
(defined as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense) as of the last day of each quarter of 
not less than 2.50 to 1.00. The Partnership Credit Facility required it to enter into derivative contracts for specific 
volumes,  which  equated  to  approximately  85%  of  the  estimated  oil  and  gas  production  from  its  net  proved 
developed producing reserves through December 31, 2011.  The Partnership entered into NYMEX-based fixed price 
commodity  swaps  on  approximately  85%  of  its  estimated  oil  and  gas  production  from  its  estimated  net  proved 
developed producing reserves through December 31, 2011. 

In addition to the foregoing and other customary covenants, the Subordinated Credit Agreement contains a 

number of covenants that, among other things, will restrict the Partnership’s ability to: 

• 

• 

• 

incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; 

transfer or sell assets;  

create liens on assets; 

F-27 

 
• 

engage in transactions with affiliates;  

•  make any change in the principal nature of its business; and 
• 

permit a change of control. 

The  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  also  contains  customary  events  of  default,  including  nonpayment  of 
principal  or  interest,  violations  of  covenants,  cross  default  and  cross  acceleration  to  certain  other  indebtedness 
including the Partnership Credit Facility, bankruptcy and material judgments and liabilities.  In addition, as a result 
of  the  amendment  to  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement,  two  events  of  default  were  added  to  the  Subordinated 
Credit Agreement.  The first event of default would occur if the Partnership fails to receive a letter of credit, which 
we refer to as the APC L/C, in its favor from Abraxas Petroleum equal to the May 14, 2009 Payment Amount, the 
Partnership fails to draw on the APC L/C on or before May 14, 2009 or the Partnership fails to use the proceeds of 
the APC L/C to make the principal payment due on May 14, 2009.  This event of default would not occur in the 
event  that  the  Partnership  repays  the  principal  amount  due  on  May  14,  2009  with  funds  received  from  Abraxas 
Petroleum.  The Partnership and Abraxas Petroleum have agreed that upon the occurrence of such a payment or the 
Partnership’s  drawing  on  the  APC  L/C  that,  in  consideration  thereof,  the  Partnership  would  issue  a  number  of 
additional units to Abraxas Petroleum determined by dividing the May 14, 2009 Payment Amount by 110% of the 
average trading yields of comparable E&P MLPs based on the closing market price on May 14, 2009 multiplied by 
the  most  recent  quarterly  distribution  paid  or  declared  by  the  Partnership  times  four.    The  other  event  of  default 
would occur if the Partnership fails to receive $20.0 million of proceeds from an equity issuance on or before April 
30, 2009. 

The Partnership is in compliance with all covenants as of December 31, 2008. 

Real Estate Lien Note 

 On May 9, 2008 the Company entered into an advancing line of credit in the amount of $5.4 million for the 
purchase  and  finish  out  of  a  new  building  to  serve  as  its  corporate  headquarters.  This  note  was  refinanced  in 
November 2008.  The new note bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.375%, and is payable in monthly installments of 
principal and interest of $39,754 based on a twenty year amortization. The note matures in May 2015 at which time 
the  outstanding  balance  becomes  due.  The  note  is  secured  by  a  first  lien  deed  of  trust  on  the  property  and 
improvements. As of December 31, 2008, $5.4 million was outstanding on the note. 

7. Property and Equipment 

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

Oil and gas properties   
Equipment and other    

Estimated
Useful 
Life 
Years 

December 31, 

2007 

2008 

(In thousands) 

3-39

— $ 265,090
3,633
$ 268,723

$ 440,712
10,986
$ 451,698

8.  Stock-based Compensation, Option Plans and Warrants 

 Stock-based Compensation 

The Company currently utilizes a standard option pricing model (i.e., Black-Scholes) to measure the fair 
value of stock options granted to employees. 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 2006, 2007 and 
2008,  risk-free  interest  rates  of    4.62%  in  2006,  4.63%  in  2007  and  3.39%  in  2008;  dividend  yields  of  -0-%; 
volatility factors of the expected market price of the Company’s common stock of 62% in 2006, 55% in 2007and 
52%    in  2008,  determined  by  daily  historical  prices  as well  as  other market  indicators,  and  a  weighted-average 
expected life of the option of 4.71 to 5.06 years in 2006, 7.14 years in 2007 and 7.86 in 2008. 

F-28 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock Options 

The Company grants options to its officers, directors, and other employees under various stock option and 

incentive plans. 

The Company’s 2005 Directors Plan (as defined below), has authorized the grant of options to directors for 
up to 900,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.  All options granted generally become fully exercisable over 
three to four years of continued service at 25% to 33% on each anniversary date or as specified by the Compensation 
Committee of the Board of Directors.  

The  Company’s  2005  Employee  Long-Term  Equity  Incentive  Plan  has  authorized  the  grant  of  up  to  2.1 
million  awards  to  management  and  employees,  including  options.  Options  have  a  term  not  to  exceed  10  years. 
Options issued under this plan vest according to a vesting schedule as determined by the compensation committee. 
Vesting  may  occur  upon  (1)  the  attainment  of  one  or  more  performance  goals  or  targets  established  by  the 
committee (2) the optionee’s continued employment or service for a specified period of time, (3) the occurrence of 
any event or the satisfaction of any other condition specified by the committee; or (4) a combination of any of the 
foregoing 

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the three years ended December 31, 2008 follows: 

Options outstanding December 31, 2005 

Granted  
Exercised  
Forfeited/Expired  
Options outstanding December 31, 2006  

Granted  
Exercised  
Forfeited/Expired  
Options outstanding December 31, 2007 

Granted  
Exercised  
Forfeited/Expired  
Options outstanding December 31, 2008 
Exercisable at end of year   

Options
(000s)
3,016

Weighted-
Average  
Exercise Price
0.88

Weighted 
 Average 
 Remaining 
Life 

Intrinsic 
value 
Per Share 

190
(747) 
(2) 

2,457

$

383
(310) 
(4) 
2,526

86
(183) 
(39) 

2,390
1,963

$

$

5.29
0.87
4.39
2.29

3.75
1.12
5.37
2.65

4.37
1.37
2.55

5.15
4.65

$ 
$ 

1.60
1.42

Other information pertaining to option activity was as follows during the years ended December 31: 

Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted  (per share) 
Total fair value of options vested (000’s) 
Total intrinsic value of options exercised (000’s) 

2006 
$ 2.98
$  890
$  409

2007 
$ 2.26
$  888
$  256

2008 
$ 2.47
$ 1,022
149
$

As of December 31, 2008 the total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized is 

approximately $927,000, which will be recognized in 2009 through 2011. 

F-29 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
The  following  table  represents  the  range  of  option  prices  and  the  weighted  average  remaining  life  of 

outstanding options as of December 31, 2008 of:    

Options outstanding 
Weighted
average 
remaining
life 

Weighted
average 
exercise 
price 

2.62   $ 
3.06   $ 
5.10   $ 
7.19   $ 
6.39   $ 

0.72
1.19
2.67
4.31
6.05

Number 
Outstanding
802,957
225,000
92,857
1,176,964
92,000
2,389,778

Exercisable 
Weighted 
average 
remaining 
life 

Weighted
average
exercise
price 

2.62    $ 
3.06    $ 
5.10    $ 
6.99    $ 
6.39    $ 

0.71
1.19
2.67
4.47
6.05

Number 
exercisable 
802,957
225,000
92,857
796,631
46,000
1,963,445

$0.50 – 0.97 
$1.01 – 1.41 
$2.06 – 2.75 
$3.09 – 4.90 
$6.05 

Restricted Stock Awards  

Restricted stock awards are awards of common stock that are subject to restrictions on transfer and to a 
risk of forfeiture if the awardee terminates employment with the Company prior to the lapse of the restrictions. The 
value of such stock is determined using the market price on the grant date. Compensation expense is recorded over 
the applicable restricted stock vesting periods. The Company did not award restricted shares prior to 2006. 

A  summary  of  the  Company’s  restricted  stock  activity  for  the  year  ended  December 31,  2008  is  presented  in  the 
following table: 

Unvested December 31, 2006 
Granted   
Vested 
Forfeited 
Unvested December 31, 2007 

Granted   
Vested/Released   
Forfeited 
Unvested December 31, 2008 

Number 
of 
Shares 

— $

152,736
—
(388)
152,348

55,952
(41,061)
(2,959)
164,280

$

Weighted 
average 
grant date 
fair value 

— 
3.60 
— 
— 
3.60 

2.85 
3.60 
3.51 
3.35 

Phantom Units 

On January 31, 2008, in connection with the closing of the St. Mary acquisition, the Board of Directors of 
the  general  partner  of  the  Partnership  awarded  phantom  units  with  distribution  equivalency  rights  under  its  long-
term incentive plan to certain key employees of Abraxas Petroleum.  

The phantom units and associated distribution equivalency rights will vest over four years and their value is 
based  on  the  price  of  common  units,  as  determined  by  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  general  partner  of  the 
Partnership, quarterly cash distributions and the percentage increase in cash distributions over time. 

For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008,  the  Partnership  incurred  equity  based  compensation  expense  of 

$242,000 relating to phantom units. 

F-30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Director Stock Awards 

On  June  1,  2005,  the  stockholders  approved  the  2005  Non-Employee  Directors  Long-Term  Equity 

Incentive Plan (the “2005 Directors Plan”).  The following is a summary of the 2005 Directors Plan.  

Purpose.    The  purpose  of  the  2005  Directors  Plan  is  to  attract  and  retain  members  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  and  to  promote  the  growth  and  success  of  Abraxas  by  aligning  the  long-term  interests  of  the  Board  of 
Directors with those of Abraxas’ stockholders by providing an opportunity to acquire an interest in Abraxas and by 
providing both rewards for performance and long term incentives for future contributions to the success of Abraxas. 

Administration  and  Eligibility.  The  2005  Directors  Plan  will  be  administered  by  the  Compensation 
Committee  (the  “Committee”)  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  authorizes  the  Board  to  grant  non-qualified  stock 
options  or  issue  restricted  stock  to  those  persons  who  are  non-employee  directors  of  Abraxas,  including  advisory 
directors of Abraxas, which currently amounts to a total of nine people.   

Shares  Reserved  and  Awards.    The  2005  Directors  Plan  reserves  900,000  shares  of  Abraxas  common 
stock,  subject  to  adjustment  following  certain  events,  as discussed below.    The  2005 Directors  Plan  provides  that 
each  year,  at  the  first  regular  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors  immediately  following  Abraxas’  annual 
stockholder’s meeting, each non-employee director shall be granted or issued awards of 10,000 shares of Abraxas 
common  stock,  for  participation  in  Board  and  Committee  meetings  during  the  previous  calendar  year.    The 
maximum  annual  award  for  any  one  person  is  10,000  shares  of  Abraxas  common  stock  or  options  for  common 
stock.  If options, as opposed to shares, are awarded, the exercise share price shall be no less than 100% of the fair 
market  value  on  the  date  of  the  award  while  the  option  terms  and  vesting  schedules  are  at  the  discretion  of  the 
Committee.  In addition to the 10,000 shares or options, directors are compensated $12,000 per year, paid quarterly 
by  issuance  of  common  stock.  During  2006,  2007,  and  2008  there  were  5,782;  22,960;  and  30,655  shares, 
respectively,  issued  related  to  this  compensation.    The  number  of  shares  issued  is  determined  based  on  the  stock 
price on the date of issuance.  

At December 31, 2008, the Company has approximately 1.5 million shares reserved for future issuance for 
conversion  of  its  stock  options,  warrants,  and  incentive  plans  for  the  Company’s  directors,  employees  and 
consultants. 

Warrants 

On May 25, 2007, Abraxas entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain accredited investors 
pursuant to which Abraxas issued warrants to purchase 1,174,938 shares of common stock, to the investors at a price 
of $3.83 per share. The warrants expire on May 25, 2012 and are exercisable at a price of $3.83 per share, subject to 
certain adjustments. During 2008, 182,768 warrants were exercised. 

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: 

F-31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities: 

Marketable securities 
U.S. full cost pool 
Partnership interest 
Total deferred tax liabilities 
Deferred tax assets: 

U.S. full cost pool 
Capital loss carryforward 
Depletion carryforward 
Net operating loss  (“NOL”) carryforward 
Suspended losses 
Alternative minimum tax credit 
Allocated minority loss carryforward 

Other 

Total deferred tax assets 
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets 
Net deferred tax assets 
Net deferred tax 

2006 

December 31, 
2007 
(In thousands) 

2008 

  $ 

261   $ 

169  $ 

10,806  
—  
11,067  

—  
4,234  
4,311  
67,429  
—  
—  
—  

1,965
77,939  
(66,872 ) 
11,067  

— 
26,356 
26,525 

135 
5,010 
5,179 
60,067 
1,400 
100 
— 

1,805
73,696 
(47,171) 
26,525 

  $ 

—   $ 

—  $ 

33 
— 
18,349 
18,382 

418 
— 
5,189 
68,034 
— 
78 
3,267 

2,159 
79,145 
(60,763) 
18,382 
— 

Significant components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes are as follows: 

Current: 
Federal   
State 
Foreign   

Deferred: 
Federal    
Foreign   

Years ended December 31, 

2006 

2007 

2008 

(in thousands) 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

−
−
−
−

−
−
−

$ 

$ 

$ 

100
183
−

283

−
−
−

−
−
−
−

−
−
−

At December 31, 2008, the Company had, subject to the limitation discussed below, $194.4 million of 
net operating loss carryforwards for U.S. tax purposes.  These loss carryforwards will expire from 2014 through 
2028 if not utilized.  

In  addition  to  any  Section  382  limitations,  uncertainties  exist  as  to  the  future  utilization  of  the  operating 
loss  carryforwards  under  the  criteria  set  forth  under  SFAS  Statement  No.  109.  Therefore,  the  Company  has 
established a valuation allowance of $66.9 million for deferred tax assets at December 31, 2006 and $47.2 million at 
December 31, 2007 and $60.8 million at December 31, 2008. 

F-32 

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

Years ended: 

December 31, 

2006 

2007 

2008 

(In thousands) 

(436)$ 
56
-
−

(6)
386

− $ 

(19,945) $ 
19,701
-
(183) 
(5) 

149
(283) $ 

18,341
(13,592)
(4,742)
−

(6)
(1)
−

$

$

Tax (expense) benefit at U.S. statutory rates (35%)  
(Increase) Decrease in deferred tax asset valuation allowance  
Expired capital loss carryforward 
State margin tax 
Permanent differences  
Other  

10.  Commitments and Contingencies 

Operating Leases  

During the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 the Company incurred rent expense related to leasing 
office  facilities  of  approximately  $252,000,  $254,000  and  $321,000  respectively.  During  2008  the  Company 
acquired a building for its corporate headquarters; accordingly there are no future minimum rental payments under 
such leases at December 31, 2008. 

Litigation and 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, 2008 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. 

11. Earnings per Share 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share: 

Numerator: 

Income (loss) from continuing operations  

$ 

700,000 $  56,702,000 $  (52,403,000)

Years ended December 31: 

2006 

2007 

2008 

Denominator: 

Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted-

average common shares outstanding  

42,578,584

46,336,825

49,004,918

Effect of dilutive securities: 

Stock options, restricted shares  and warrants  

1,283,797

1,256,670

—

Dilutive potential common shares 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted 
weighted-average shares and assumed exercise of 
options, restricted shares  and warrants 

43,862,381

47,593,495

49,004,918

Net income (loss) per common share  Basic 

Net income (loss)  per common share – Diluted 

$ 

$ 

0.02 $ 

1.22 $ 

(1.07)

0.02 $ 

1.19 $ 

(1.07)

F-33 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic  earnings  per  share  excludes  any  dilutive  effects  of  options,  warrants  unvested  restricted  stock  and 
convertible  securities  and  is  computed  by  dividing  income  available  to  common  stockholders  by  the  weighted 
average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed similar to 
basic, however diluted earnings per share reflects the assumed conversion of all potentially dilutive securities. For 
the  year  ended  December  31,  2008,  334,656  potential  shares  relating  to  stock  options,  were  excluded  from  the 
calculation of diluted earnings per share since their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive due to the loss incurred 
in the period. 

12.  Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) 

Selected results of operations for each of the fiscal quarters during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 

2008 are as follows: 

1st  
Quarter 

2nd 
Quarter 

3rd 
Quarter 

4th 
Quarter 

(In thousands, except per share data) 

Year Ended December 31, 2007 

Net revenue  
Operating income  
Net income (loss) 

$  11,651
3,547
$ 
(988)
$ 

$
$  12,973
$ 
$
4,840
$  57,485(1)$

11,404
3,648
2,998

Net income (loss)  per common share – basic 
Net income (loss) per common share – diluted. 

$ 
$ 

(0.02)  $ 
(0.02)  $ 

1.29
1.27

$
$

0.06
0.06

$ 
$ 
$ 

$ 
$ 

12,281
3,489
(2,793) 

(0.06) 
(0.06) 

Year Ended December 31, 2008 

Net revenue 
Operating income (loss)  
Net income (loss) 

$  22,170
$ 
9,865
$  (8,991)

$
$  34,423
$  19,183
$
$  (57,688)  $

29,246
13,925
70,755(1) $ 

14,471
$ 
$  (116,990)(2)
(56,479) 

Net income (loss) per common share – basic. 
Net income (loss) per common share – diluted 

$ 
$ 

(0.18)  $ 
(0.18)  $ 

(1.18)  $
(1.18)  $

1.44
1.43

$ 
$ 

(1.15) 
(1.15) 

(1)  Includes gain on sale of interest in partnership of $59.4 million.  
(2)  Includes  proved  property  impairment  of  $116.4  million,  $7.1  million  of  losses  not  applicable  to  the 
minority  interest,  and  a  $0.3  million  loss  on  conversion  of  Partnership  units  to  Abraxas  Petroleum 
common shares. 

13.  Benefit Plans 

The  Company  has  a  defined  contribution  plan  (401(k))  covering  all  eligible  employees  of  the  Company.  
The Company matched 50% of employee contributions in 2006 and 2007. Company contributions to the plan were 
$128,523 and $168,977 in 2006 and 2007, respectively. In 2008, in accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the 
plan  the  Company  contributed  $144,954  to  the  plan.  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 employee contribution is limited to $15,000, $15,500 and $15,500 in 2006, 2007 and 2008, 
respectively. The contribution limit for 2006, 2007 and 2008 was $20,000, $20,500 and $20,500 for employees 50 
years of age or older, respectively. 

14.  Hedging Program and Derivatives 

The  Company  does  not  use  hedge  accounting  rules  as  prescribed  by  SFAS  133  “  Accounting  for  Derivative 
Instruments  and  Hedging  Activities”,  and  related  interpretations.  Accordingly,  instruments  are  recorded  on  the 

F-34 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
balance  sheet  at  their  fair  value  with  adjustments  to  the  carrying  value  of  the  instruments  being  recognized  in 
revenue in the current period.  

Under  the  terms  of  the  Partnership  Credit  Facility,  Abraxas  Energy  Partners  was  required  to  enter  into 
derivative contracts, or hedging arrangements, for specified volumes, which equated to approximately 85% of their 
estimated  oil  and  gas  production  through  December  31,  2011  from  its  net  proved  developed  producing  reserves.  
Abraxas  Energy  Partners  has  entered  into  NYMEX–based  fixed  price  commodity  swaps  at  then  current  market 
prices.  

At December 31, 2008 the Partnership had the following oil and gas derivative contracts in place: 

Period Covered 

Product 

Year 2009 
Year 2009 
Year 2010 
Year 2010 
Year 2011 
Year 2011 

Gas 
Oil 
Gas 
Oil 
Gas 
 Oil 

Volume 
(Production per day) 
10,595 Mmbtu 
1,000 Bbl  
9,130 Mmbtu  
895 Bbl  
8,010 Mmbtu 
810Bbl 

Fixed Price  

$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 

8.45 
83.80 
8.22 
83.26 
8.10 
86.45 

In order to mitigate its interest rate exposure, the Partnership entered into an interest rate swap, effective 
August 12, 2008, to fix its floating LIBOR based debt. The 2-year interest rate swap arrangement is for $100 million 
at  a  fixed  rate  of  3.367%.  The  arrangement  expires  on  August 12,  2010.  The  interest  rate  swap  was  amended  in 
February 2009 lowering the Partnership’s fixed rate from 3.367% to 2.95%. 

15. Financial Instruments 

SFAS  157—Effective  January 1,  2008,  the  Company  adopted  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board 
(“FASB”)  Statement  No. 157,  Fair  Value  Measurements  (“SFAS 157”),  which  defines  fair  value,  establishes  a 
framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure 
fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The implementation of SFAS 157 did 
not cause a change in the method of calculating fair value of assets or liabilities, with the exception of incorporating 
a measure of the Company’s own nonperformance risk or that of its counterparties as appropriate, which was not 
material. The primary impact from adoption was additional disclosures. 

The Company elected to implement SFAS 157 with the one-year deferral permitted by FASB Staff Position 
No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP 157-2”), issued February 2008, which defers the 
effective date of SFAS 157 for one year for certain nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities measured at fair 
value, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. As 
it relates to the Company, the deferral applies to certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities as may be acquired in a 
business combination and thereby measured at fair value; impaired oil and gas property assessments; and the initial 
recognition of asset retirement obligations for which fair value is used. 

Fair Value Hierarchy—SFAS 157 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value 
measurements.  The  valuation  hierarchy  categorizes  assets  and  liabilities  measured  at  fair  value  into  one  of  three 
different  levels  depending  on  the  observability  of  the  inputs  employed  in  the  measurement.  The  three  levels  are 
defined as follows: 

•  Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or 

liabilities in active markets. 

•  Level 2- inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities 
in  active  markets,  and  inputs  that  are  observable  for  the  asset  or  liability,  either  directly  or 
indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. 

•  Level 3 -  inputs  to  the  valuation  methodology  are unobservable  and  significant  to  the  fair value 

measurement. 

F-35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A  financial  instrument’s  categorization  within  the  valuation  hierarchy  is  based  upon  the  lowest  level  of 
input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular 
input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or 
liability.  The  Company  is  further  required  to  assess  the  creditworthiness  of  the  counter  party  to  the  derivative 
contract. The results of the assessment of non-performance risk, based on the counter party’s credit risk, could result 
in an adjustment of the carrying value of the derivative instrument. The following table presents information about 
the  Company’s  assets  and  liabilities  measured  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis  as  of  December  31,  2008,  and 
indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value 
(in thousands): 

Quoted Prices
 in Active  
Markets for  
Identical  
Assets 
(Level 1) 

Significant 
Other 
Observable
Inputs 
 (Level 2) 

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs (Level 3)   

Balance as of
December 31,
2008 

113

—
113

—
—
—

$

$

$

$

— $

39,226
39,226

$

—  $

—  
—  $

— $
—
— $

—  $

3,000
3,000

 $

113 

39,226 
39,339 

— 
3,000 
3,000 

Assets: 
Investment in common stock    $ 
NYMEX Fixed Price 
Derivative contracts 
Total Assets 
Liabilities: 
NYMEX Fixed Price 
Derivative contracts 
Interest Rate Swaps 
Total Liabilities 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

The Company has an investment in a former subsidiary consisting of shares of common stock. The stock is 
actively traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. This investment is valued at its quoted price as of December 31, 
2008 in US dollars. Accordingly this investment is characterized as Level 1. 

The Partnership’s derivative contracts consist of NYMEX-based fixed price commodity swaps and interest 
rate  swaps,  which  are  not  traded  on  a  public  exchange.  The  NYMEX-based  fixed  price  derivative  contracts  are 
indexed to NYMEX futures contracts, which are actively traded, for the underlying commodity, and are commonly 
used in the energy industry. A number of financial institutions and large energy companies act as counter-parties to 
these  type  of  derivative  contracts.  As  the  fair  value  of  these  derivative  contracts  is  based  on  a  number  of  inputs, 
including contractual volumes and prices stated in each derivative contract, current and future NYMEX commodity 
prices, and quantitative  models that are based upon readily observable market parameters that are actively quoted 
and can be validated through external sources, we have characterized these derivative contracts as Level 2. 

In August 2008, the Partnership entered into a two year interest rate swap. The notional amount is $100.0 
million for the first year and $50.0 million for the second year. The Partnership will pay interest at 3.367% and be 
paid  on  a  floating  Libor  rate.  The  interest  rate  swap  was  amended  in  February  2009  and  increased  the  notional 
amount in the second year to $100.00 million and reduced the overall interest rate to 2.95%. As there is no actively 
traded market for this type of swap and no observable market parameters, these derivative contracts are classified as 
Level 3. 

F-36 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional  information  for  the  Partnership’s  recurring  fair  value  measurements  using  significant 

unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs) for the year ended December 31, 2008 is as follows (in millions): 

Balance December 31, 2007 ............................................................................................   $ 
Total realized and unrealized losses included in change in net liability ..........................  
Settlements during the period ..........................................................................................  
Ending balance December 31, 2008 ................................................................................   $ 

16. Minority interest in (income) loss of Partnership 

Derivative Assets 
and (Liabilities) - 
net 

— 
(2,832) 
(168) 
(3,000) 

The minority interest in the (income) loss of the Partnership represents the third parties 52.7% interest in 
the Partnership’s net income/ loss. Additionally, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, when 
cumulative losses applicable to the minority interest exceed the minority interest equity capital in the entity, such 
excess and any further losses applicable to the minority interest are charged to the earnings of the majority interest. 
If future earnings are recognized by the minority interest, such earnings will then be credited to the majority interest 
(Abraxas) to the extent of such losses previously absorbed and any excess earnings will increase the recorded value. 
For the year ended December 31, 2008, primarily as a result of the ceiling test impairment of the Partnerships oil 
and  gas  properties,  losses  applicable  to  the  minority  interest  exceeded  the  minority  interest  equity  capital  by  $9.3 
million and, as a result, $9.3 million of the minority interest loss in excess of equity was charged to earnings and 
was reflected as a reduction of the loss applicable to the minority interest. 

17.  Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) 

The accompanying table presents information concerning the Company’s oil and gas producing activities as 
required  by  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  69,  “Disclosures  about  Oil  and  Gas  Producing 
Activities.”  Capitalized costs relating to oil and gas producing activities from continuing operations are as follows: 

Proved oil and gas properties  
Unproved properties    

Total 

Accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization, and impairment  

Net capitalized costs  

 December 31, 

2007 

2008 

(In thousands) 

265,090
−

$  440,712
−

265,090
(148,550) 
116,540

440,712
(287,993) 

$  152,719

$

$

Cost  incurred  in  oil  and  gas  property  acquisitions  and  development  activities  related  to  continuing 

operations are as follows: 

Years Ended December 31, 

2006 

2007 

2008 

Development costs          
Exploration costs 
Acquisition costs 

$

$

26,117

16,793

(In thousands) 
$
—  
—  
$

10,000
26,793

$ 
—  

$ 

26,117

47,690
1,920
127,671
177,281

The results of operations for oil and gas producing activities from continuing operations for the three years ended 
December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively are as follows: 

F-37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues  
Production costs  
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization   
Proved property impairment 
General and administrative  
Results of operations from oil and gas producing activities (excluding 

corporate overhead and interest costs)  

Depletion rate per barrel of oil equivalent   

Estimated Quantities of Proved Oil and Gas Reserves 

Years Ended December 31, 

2006 

2007 

2008 

$ 49,448

(In thousands) 
$  46,906  $ 99,084

(11,776) 
(14,809) 

—

(1,040) 

(11,254 ) 
(14,147 ) 
— 
(1,361 ) 

(26,634) 
(23,077) 
(116,366) 
(1,431) 

$ 21,823

$  20,144  $ (68,424) 

$

11.51

$  12.58  $

14.42

The  following  table  presents  the  Company’s  estimate  of  its  net  proved  oil  and  gas  reserves  as  of 
December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008 related to continuing operations.  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.  Proved  oil  and  gas 
reserves are the estimated quantities of oil and gas that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable 
certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. 
Proved  developed  oil  and  gas  reserves  are  those  expected  to  be  recovered  through  existing  wells  with  existing 
equipment  and  operating  methods.  All  of  the  Company’s  proved  reserves  are  located  in  the  continental  United 
States.  

Proved reserves were estimated in accordance with guidelines established by the United States Securities 
and  Exchange  Commission  and  the  FASB,  which  require  that  reserve  estimates  be  prepared    under  existing 
economic  and  operating  conditions  with  no  provision  for  price  and  cost  escalations  except  by  contractual 
arrangements; therefore, year-end prices and costs were used in estimating net cash flows. 

Liquid 
Hydrocarbons 

(Barrels) 

Gas 

(Mcf) 

(In thousands) 

3,035

(90) 
11
—
(200) 
2,756 
541
31
(197) 
3,131
(1,651) 
459
5,684

(27) 
(550) 
7,046

80,271
(2,053) 
440
(1,810) 
(6,515) 
70,333
8,652
14,586
(5,568) 
88,003
(6,160) 
5,863
27,110
(56) 
(6,343) 

108,417

Proved developed and undeveloped reserves: 

Balance at December 31, 2005 

Revisions of previous estimates  
Extensions and discoveries  
Sales of minerals in place   
Production  

Balance at December 31, 2006 

Revisions of previous estimates 
Extensions and discoveries  
Production  

Balance at December 31, 2007 (1) 
Revisions of previous estimates  
Extensions and discoveries  
Purchases of minerals in place 
Sales of minerals in place   
Production  

Balance at December 31, 2008 (1) 

F-38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proved developed reserves:  

December 31, 2006   

December 31, 2007  (1) 

December 31, 2008   (1) 

Liquid 
Hydrocarbons 

(Barrels) 

1,708

2,184

5,563

Gas 

(Mcf) 

37,333

33,908

48,209

(1)  Proved reserves at December 31, 2007 and 2008 include 1,206 barrels and 4,478 barrels of oil, respectively 
and 65,460 and 83,406 Mcf of gas, respectively attributable to the Partnership in which there is a 52.8%  
and 52.9% minority interest, respectively. 

Reserve extensions and discoveries which increased significantly during 2007 were primarily attributable 
to the Yoakum (Edwards) field in the Gulf Coast region.  Other operators in neighboring fields have been successful 
with closer spacing and new completion techniques which resulted in the booking of additional proved undeveloped 
reserves  in  our  field.    Revisions  of  previous  estimates  which  increased  appreciably  during  2007  were  primarily 
attributable to higher commodity prices at December 31, 2007 over the prior year-end which extends the economic 
life of many wells and thus, increases reserves estimates. 

Purchases of minerals in place increased significantly during 2008 which was attributable to the acquisition 
of  oil  and  gas  properties  from  St.  Mary  in  January  2008.  Revisions  of  previous  estimates  which  decreased 
appreciably during 2008 was primarily attributable to lower commodity prices at December 31, 2008 over the prior 
year-end which shortens the economic life of many wells and thus, decreases reserve estimates. 

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 oil and 
gas are presented in accordance with SFAS No. 69.  The standardized measure does not purport to represent the fair 
market value of the Company’s proved oil and 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, 2008 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  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.  Set  forth  below  is  the  Standardized  Measure  relating  to  proved  oil  and  gas  reserves 
relating to continuing operations for the three years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008. 

F-39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Future cash inflows 
Future production costs 
Future development costs 
Future income tax expense 
Future net cash flows 
Discount 
Standardized Measure of discounted future net cash relating to proved 

Years Ended December 31, 

2006 

2007 

2008 

(In thousands) 

  $ 567,805  $  830,193  $ 811,644
(312,756)
(134,073)
—
364,815
(212,823)

 (235,146) 
 (111,221) 
— 
  483,826 
 (268,140) 

(169,805) 
(73,377) 
— 
324,623 
(167,779) 

reserves (1) 

  $ 156,844  $  215,686  $ 151,992

(1)  The standardized measure of discounted future cash flows included $147,750 and $118,570 at December 
31,  2007  and  2008,  respectively  attributable  to  the  Partnership  in  which  there  was  a  52.8%  and  52.9% 
minority interest, respectively. 

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 related to continuing operations: 

Year Ended December 31, 
2007 
2006 
(In thousands) 

2008 

Standardized Measure – beginning of year 
Sales and transfers of oil and gas produced, net of production costs 
Net change in prices and development and production costs from prior year  
Extensions, discoveries, and improved recovery, less related costs 
Purchases of minerals in place 
Sales of minerals in place 
Revisions of previous quantity estimates 
Change in timing and other 
Accretion of discount 
Standardized Measure, end of year 

  $ 309,895  $ 156,844  $215,686 
(72,449) 
(69,094) 
8,694 
61,761 
(366) 
(16,222) 
2,414 
21,568 
  $ 156,844  $ 215,686  $151,992 

(38,318) 
(114,517) 
914 
— 
(3,268) 
(15,914) 
(12,937) 
30,989 

(35,652) 
44,791 
29,834 
— 
— 
24,033 
(19,847) 
15,683 

F-40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE INFORMATION

Corporate Office
18803 Meisner Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78258
Phone: 210.490.4788
210 490 4788
Ph

Legal Counsel
Jackson Walker L.L.P.
San Antonio, Texas

Cox Smith Matthews Incorporated
San Antonio, Texas

Independent Public Accountants
BDO Seidman, LLP
Dallas, Texas

Independent Reservoir Engineers
DeGolyer and MacNaughton
Dallas, Texas
,

Stock Exchange Listing
NASDAQ Stock Exchange
Ticker Symbol: AXAS

Transfer Agent
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane
59 Maiden Lane
New York, New York 10038
Phone: 800.937.5449

Annual Shareholders Meeting
May 21, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. CT
Petroleum Club 
San Antonio, Texas

OFFICERS

Robert L.G. Watson
President / Chief Executive Officer

Chris E. Williford
Executive Vice President / 
Chief Financial Officer
i
Chi f Fi

l Offi

Lee T. Billingsley, Ph.D.
Vice President ‐ Exploration

William H. Wallace
Vice President ‐ Operations

Stephen T. Wendel
St h
T W d l
Vice President ‐ Land and Marketing

Barbara M. Stuckey
Vice President ‐ Corporate Development

DIRECTORS

Robert L.G. Watson
Chairman of the Board / President /
Chief Executive Officer,
Abraxas Petroleum Corporation
San Antonio, Texas

C. Scott Bartlett, Jr. 1
Executive Vice President (retired),
Bank of America
Richmond Hill, Georgia

Franklin A. Burke 1
President, Venture Securities Corporation;
President / Chief Executive Officer,
Burke, Lawton, Brewer & Burke
Ambler, Pennsylvania

Harold D. Carter 2
Former President / Chief Operating Officer,
Former President / Chief Operating Officer
Sabine Corporation
Dallas, Texas

Ralph F. Cox 2,3
President, Rabar Enterprises
Fort Worth, Texas

i E L

Dennis E. Logue 2,3 
2 3
D
Chairman of the Board, 
Ledyard National Bank
Hanover, New Hampshire

Paul A. Powell, Jr. 1,3 
Vice President / Director,
Machine Development Co.,
Salem, Virginia

1 Audit Committee
2 Compensation Committee
3 Nominating & Governance Committee

Web Address
www.abraxaspetroleum.com

Abraxas Petroleum Corporation
18803 Meisner Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78258
Phone: 210.490.4788

www.abraxaspetroleum.com
www abraxaspetroleum com