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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus
of Abraxas Petroleum Corporation for the registration of 3,325,000 shares of
its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report
dated March 19, 1996, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and
schedules of Abraxas Petroleum Corporation included in its Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1995, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

                                                     /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                                     ---------------------
                                                     ERNST & YOUNG LLP

San Antonio, Texas
May 16, 1996