Exhibit 99.1
                         Abraxas Petroleum Corporation
           500 N. Loop 1604 East, Suite 100, San Antonio, Texas 78232
                 P.O. Box 701007, San Antonio, Texas 78270-1007
                     Office: 210.490.4788 Fax: 210.490.8816

                                  NEWS RELEASE

            Abraxas Announces the Appointment of Paul A. Powell, Jr.
                            to its Board of Directors

SAN ANTONIO (Aug. 22, 2005) - Abraxas  Petroleum  Corporation  (AMEX:ABP)  today
announced  the  appointment  of Paul A.  "Buzzy"  Powell,  Jr.  to its  Board of
Directors.

Mr. Powell,  59, is the Trustee of 17 investment  trusts,  including the Paul A.
Powell  Trust.  He is  currently  Vice  President  and a Director of  Mechanical
Development Company, Inc., a tool and die production machine company. Mr. Powell
served as a director  of Abraxas  from 1987 to 1999 and has since,  served as an
advisory director to Abraxas' board.

Mr. Powell is a managing partner of Claytor Equity Partners,  Cortland Partners,
JWM  Partners,  Emory  Partners,  Burnett  Partners  and  President  of Somerset
Investments,  Ltd. Mr.  Powell is also  manager of Westpoint  (2002) LLC and WMP
Properties  LLC,  and  co-manager  of Wessex LLC.  He  attended  Emory and Henry
College  and  graduated  from  National   Business  College  with  a  degree  in
Accounting.

Mr. Powell will replace James C. "Jim" Phelps,  who has served on Abraxas' board
since 1983. Mr. Phelps, 82, resigned for family health related reasons.

Mr.  Powell will serve the remainder of Mr.  Phelps' term,  which will expire in
2006, after which he will stand for re-election by Abraxas' shareholders.

"We are  extremely  pleased that Buzzy will be joining the Abraxas  board again.
Buzzy's  extensive   financial   knowledge  and  experience  combined  with  his
understanding  of the oil and gas industry  will benefit  Abraxas and all of our
shareholders.  In addition, we would like to convey our gratitude to Jim for his
significant contributions to the Board and to Abraxas during his 23-year tenure.
On behalf of the entire Abraxas family, we wish him and his family good health,"
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.


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