UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 12b-25 SEC File Number 1-12396 NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING For Period Ended: December 31, 1998 (Check one): Form 10-K X Form 20-F Form 11-K Form 10-Q Form N-SAR If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates: Not applicable PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION THE BEARD COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Enterprise Plaza, Suite 320 5600 N. May Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112 (Address of principal executive office) PART II - RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c) If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate) X (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense. (b) The subject annual report will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable. PART III - NARRATIVE State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-K could not be filed within the prescribed time period. The Beard Company (the "Company") utilizes decentralized accounting for the operations of several of the subsidiaries in the consolidated group. As a result of delays in closing the books of accounts for several of those companies more time is needed to prepare complete and accurate consolidated financial statements. In addition, the filing process has been delayed by the absence of the Company's chief accounting officer due to an illness in the family. The issues could not be resolved in time to meet the required filing deadline. PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION (1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this notification Herb Mee, Jr. 405 842-2333 President - Chief (Area code) (Telephone Number) Financial Officer (Name) (2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 been filed? If answer is no, identify report(s). X Yes No (3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof? X Yes No If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made. See below explanation. The Company anticipates that there will be a significant change in re- sults of operations from the year ended December 31, 1997 to the year ended December 31, 1998. The Company anticipates that its 1998 results of opera- tions will reflect a loss in excess of $3 million, compared to income of $9 million for 1997. SIGNATURES THE BEARD COMPANY has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. By: HERB MEE, JR. Herb Mee, Jr. President - Chief Financial Officer Date: March 30, 1999