Exhibit 99.1


                                  NEWS RELEASE

         Abraxas Schedules Live Webcast of IPAA Conference Presentation
                    and Provides 2005 Drilling Program Update


SAN ANTONIO (April 15, 2005) - Abraxas Petroleum Corporation (AMEX:ABP) has
scheduled a live webcast of its presentation at the Independent Petroleum
Association of America's ("IPAA") Oil and Gas Investment Symposium to be held
April 18-20, 2005 at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers and further provided
an update to its 2005 drilling program.

The presentation is scheduled to begin at 9:10 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday,
April 19, 2005. The live audio webcast with the corresponding PowerPoint
presentation will be available on the Company's web site at
http://www.abraxaspetroleum.com/investorrelations/calendar.htm. The webcast
including the slide presentation will be archived at the above address for 60
days. In conjunction with the IPAA Symposium, Abraxas will be hosting an analyst
dinner on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 in New York.

The current status of the 7 wells that are underway is as follows:

     o   2 horizontal  Edwards  wells in South Texas were  successfully  drilled
         below  15,000'  and are  currently  shut-in  on build up test  awaiting
         stimulation;

     o   1  horizontal  Edwards  well in South Texas is  currently  drilling the
         curve below 13,000' to begin the horizontal segment;

     o   1 horizontal  Delaware  Basin well in West Texas is currently  drilling
         the vertical portion of the wellbore below 8,000'; and

     o   3 shallow vertical  Clearfork Slope wells in West Texas were re-entered
         - 1 awaits  completion,  1 encountered a minimally  productive oil zone
         and 1 is producing water and will be plugged.

Abraxas owns a 100% working interest in all of the 7 aforementioned wells.

In South Texas, we have begun a low-risk,  low-cost re-completion program in our
Portilla field.

In Wyoming,  we have begun the  permitting  process for 4 vertical  wells in our
Brooks Draw field.

"We are encouraged by the drilling  results to date on the  horizontal  wells in
both South and West Texas.  Ultimate results and production rates will depend on
their  response to  stimulation.  Due to the results of a field study in Wyoming
and  improved  performance  of the vertical  well drilled last year,  we plan to
increase activity later this year, if rig availability  permits,"  commented Bob
Watson, Abraxas' President and CEO.

Abraxas Petroleum  Corporation is a San Antonio-based  crude oil and natural gas
exploitation and production company with operations in Texas and Wyoming.








Safe Harbor for forward-looking  statements:  Statements in this release looking
forward in time involve  known and unknown  risks and  uncertainties,  which may
cause Abraxas' actual results in future periods to be materially  different from
any future performance  suggested in this release. Such factors may include, but
may not be necessarily limited to, changes in the prices received by Abraxas for
crude oil and natural  gas. In addition,  Abraxas'  future crude oil and natural
gas  production is highly  dependent upon Abraxas' level of success in acquiring
or finding additional reserves.  Further, Abraxas operates in an industry sector
where the  value of  securities  is highly  volatile  and may be  influenced  by
economic  and  other  factors  beyond  Abraxas'  control.   In  the  context  of
forward-looking  information provided for in this release,  reference is made to
the discussion of risk factors  detailed in Abraxas'  filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission during the past 12 months.


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barbara M. Stuckey/Director of Corporate Development
Direct Telephone 210.757.9835
Main Telephone 210.490.4788
bstuckey@abraxaspetroleum.com
www.abraxaspetroleum.com