Petrohawk Energy 8-K Beta Oil & Gas, Inc. Announces the Commencement of Natural Gas Sales at Broussard Field

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

Current Report Pursuant To Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):

october 17, 2003

BETA OIL & GAS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada	333-68381	86-0876964
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
6120 S. Yale, Suite 813, Tulsa, OK		74136
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(918) 495-1011

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits

99.1    Press Release dated October 17, 2003.

Item 9.Regulation FD Disclosure

On October 17, 2003, the Registrant announced the commencement of natural gas sales in the Broussard Field located in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana.  The press release regarding this announcement is furnished as Exhibit 99.1.

SIGNATURES

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

	BETA OIL & GAS, INC.
Date:  October 20, 2003	By:	/s/ Joseph L. Burnett
	Joseph L. Burnett
	Chief Financial Officer and
	Principal Accounting Officer

2