<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2022-10-26</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000867665</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AXAS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001726173</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Biglari Holdings Inc.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>19100 RIDGEWOOD PARKWAY, SUITE 1200</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN ANTONIO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>78259</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>90631287</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>Sardar Biglari, a director of the Issuer, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biglari Holdings Inc. and maintains investment and voting control of the securities held by Biglari Holdings Inc.  By virtue of this relationship, Mr. Biglari may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the securities reported herein, but disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Mr. Biglari maintains separate Section 16 reports.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Biglari Holdings Inc., /s/ Sardar Biglari, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2022-10-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
