Form 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarterly Period ended March 31, 2015

 

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 1-8033

 

 

PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in the Permian Basin Royalty Trust Indenture)

 

 

 

Texas   75-6280532

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Royalty Trust Management

Southwest Bank

2911 Turtle Creek Boulevard

Suite 850

Dallas, Texas 75219

(Address of Principal Executive Offices; Zip Code)

(855) 588-7839

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Number of Units of beneficial interest of the Trust outstanding at May 11, 2015: 46,608,796.

 

 

 


PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

The condensed financial statements included herein have been prepared by Southwest Bank as Trustee for the Permian Basin Royalty Trust (the “Trust”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Effective August 29, 2014, Southwest Bank became the new trustee for the Trust. The defined term “Trustee” as used herein shall refer to Bank of America, N.A. for periods prior to August 29, 2014, and shall refer to Southwest Bank for periods on or after August 29, 2014. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Trustee believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. It is suggested that these condensed interim financial statements and notes thereto be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Trust’s latest annual report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Trustee, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the assets, liabilities and trust corpus of the Permian Basin Royalty Trust at March 31, 2015, the distributable income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and the changes in trust corpus for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, have been included. The distributable income for such interim periods is not necessarily indicative of the distributable income for the full year.

The condensed interim financial statements as of March 31, 2015 and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, included herein, have been reviewed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Unit Holders of Permian Basin Royalty Trust and

Southwest Bank, Trustee

Dallas, Texas

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed statement of assets, liabilities and trust corpus of Permian Basin Royalty Trust (the “Trust”) as of March 31, 2015, and the related condensed statements of distributable income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and changes in trust corpus for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. These condensed interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Trustee.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

As described in Note 2 to the condensed interim financial statements, these condensed financial statements have been prepared on a modified cash basis of accounting, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with the basis of accounting described in Note 2.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the statement of assets, liabilities, and trust corpus of Permian Basin Royalty Trust as of December 31, 2014, and the related statements of distributable income and changes in trust corpus for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 2, 2015, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed statement of assets, liabilities, and trust corpus as of December 31, 2014, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the statement of assets, liabilities and trust corpus from which it has been derived.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Dallas, Texas

May 11, 2015

 

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PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     March 31,
2015
(Unaudited)
     December 31,
2014
 

ASSETS

     

Cash and short-term investments

   $ 1,005,686       $ 2,105,320   

Net overriding royalty interests in producing oil and gas properties (net of accumulated amortization of $10,261,812 and $10,252,269 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)

     713,404         722,947   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$ 1,719,090    $ 2,828,267   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS

Distribution payable to Unit holders

$ 1,005,686    $ 2,105,320   

Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)

  —        —     

Trust corpus – 46,608,796 Units of beneficial interest authorized and outstanding

  713,404      722,947   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS

$ 1,719,090    $ 2,828,267   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 

     THREE MONTHS ENDED
March 31, 2015
    THREE MONTHS ENDED
March 31, 2014
 

Royalty income

   $ 4,630,106      $ 12,135,107   

Interest income

     32        63   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
  4,630,138      12,135,170   

General and administrative expenditures

  (446,094   (434,775
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributable income

$ 4,184,044    $ 11,700,395   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributable income per Unit (46,608,796 Units)

$ .09    $ .25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS (UNAUDITED)

 

     THREE MONTHS ENDED
March 31, 2015
    THREE MONTHS ENDED
March 31, 2014
 

Trust corpus, beginning of period

   $ 722,947      $ 780,872   

Amortization of net overriding royalty interests

     (9,543     (14,374

Distributable income

     4,184,044        11,700,395   

Distributions declared

     (4,184,044     (11,700,395
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Trust Corpus, end of period

$ 713,404    $ 766,498   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions per Unit

$ .09    $ .25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

1. TRUST ORGANIZATION AND PROVISIONS

The Permian Basin Royalty Trust (“Trust”) was established as of November 1, 1980. Southwest Bank (“Trustee”) is Trustee for the Trust. The net overriding royalties conveyed to the Trust include (1) a 75% net overriding royalty in Southland Royalty Company’s fee mineral interest in the Waddell Ranch in Crane County, Texas (the “Waddell Ranch properties”) and (2) a 95% net overriding royalty carved out of Southland Royalty Company’s major producing royalty properties in Texas (the “Texas Royalty properties”). The net overriding royalty for the Texas Royalty properties is subject to the provisions of the lease agreements under which such royalties were created. The net overriding royalties above are collectively referred to as the “Royalties.”

On November 3, 1980, Units of Beneficial Interest (“Units”) in the Trust were distributed to the Trustee for the benefit of Southland Royalty Company’s shareholders of record as of November 3, 1980, who received one Unit in the Trust for each share of Southland Royalty Company common stock held. The Units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP (“BROG”), a subsidiary of ConocoPhillips, is the interest owner for the Waddell Ranch properties and Riverhill Energy Corporation (“Riverhill Energy”), formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of Riverhill Capital Corporation (“Riverhill Capital”) and formerly an affiliate of Coastal Management Corporation (“CMC”), is the interest owner for the Texas Royalty properties. BROG currently conducts all field, technical and accounting operations with regard to the Waddell Ranch properties. Riverhill Energy currently conducts the accounting operations for the Texas Royalty properties.

In February 1997, BROG sold its interest in the Texas Royalty properties to Riverhill Energy.

The Trustee was advised that in the first quarter of 1998, Schlumberger Technology Corporation (“STC”) acquired all of the shares of stock of Riverhill Capital. Prior to such acquisition by STC, CMC and Riverhill Energy were wholly owned subsidiaries of Riverhill Capital. The Trustee was further advised that in connection with STC’s acquisition of Riverhill Capital, the shareholders of Riverhill Capital acquired ownership of all of the shares of stock of Riverhill Energy. Thus, the ownership in the Texas Royalty properties referenced above remained in Riverhill Energy, the stock ownership of which was acquired by the former shareholders of Riverhill Capital.

 

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On January 9, 2014, Bank of America, N.A. (as successor to the First National Bank of Fort Worth) gave notice to Unit holders that it would be resigning as Trustee subject to certain conditions that included the appointment of Southwest Bank, an independent state bank chartered under the laws of the State of Texas and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas (“Southwest Bank”), as successor trustee. At a Special Meeting of Trust Unit holders, the Unit holders approved the appointment of Southwest Bank as successor trustee of the Trust once the resignation of U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management took effect and also approved certain amendments to the Trust Indenture. The effective date of Bank of America N.A.’s resignation and the effective date of Southwest Bank’s appointment as successor trustee was August 29, 2014. The defined term “Trustee” as used herein shall refer to Bank of America, N.A. for periods prior to August 29, 2014, and shall refer to Southwest Bank for periods on or after August 29, 2014.

The terms of the Trust Indenture provide, among other things, that:

 

    the Trust shall not engage in any business or commercial activity of any kind or acquire any assets other than those initially conveyed to the Trust;

 

    the Trustee may not sell all or any part of the Royalties unless approved by holders of 75% of all Units outstanding in which case the sale must be for cash and the proceeds promptly distributed;

 

    the Trustee may establish a cash reserve for the payment of any liability which is contingent or uncertain in amount;

 

    the Trustee is authorized to borrow funds to pay liabilities of the Trust; and

 

    the Trustee will make monthly cash distributions to Unit holders (see Note 3).

 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements of the Trust are prepared on the following basis:

 

    Royalty income recorded for a month is the amount computed and paid to the Trustee on behalf of the Trust by the interest owners. Royalty income consists of the amounts received by the owners of the interest burdened by the Royalties from the sale of production less accrued production costs, development and drilling costs, applicable taxes, operating charges and other costs and deductions multiplied by 75% in the case of the Waddell Ranch properties and 95% in the case of the Texas Royalty properties.

 

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    Trust expenses, consisting principally of routine general and administrative costs, recorded are based on liabilities paid and cash reserves established out of cash received or borrowed funds for liabilities and contingencies.

 

    Distributions to Unit holders are recorded when declared by the Trustee.

 

    Royalty income is computed separately for each of the conveyances under which the Royalties were conveyed to the Trust. If monthly costs exceed revenues for any conveyance (“excess costs”), such excess costs cannot reduce royalty income from other conveyances, but is carried forward with accrued interest to be recovered from future net proceeds of that conveyance.

The financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) because revenues are not accrued in the month of production and certain cash reserves may be established for contingencies which would not be accrued in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Amortization of the Royalties calculated on a unit-of-production basis is charged directly to trust corpus. This comprehensive basis of accounting other than GAAP corresponds to the accounting permitted for royalty trusts by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as specified by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 12:E, Financial Statements of Royalty Trusts.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with the basis of accounting described above requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as of and for the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from such estimates.

Impairment

The Trustee routinely reviews its royalty interests in oil and gas properties for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If an impairment event occurs and it is determined that the carrying value of the Trust’s royalty interests may not be recoverable, an impairment will be recognized as measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the royalty interests exceeds the fair value of these assets, which would likely be measured by discounting projected cash flows. There was no impairment of the assets as of March 31, 2015.

 

9


Contingencies

Contingencies related to the underlying properties that are unfavorably resolved would generally be reflected by the Trust as reductions to future royalty income payments to the Trust with corresponding reductions to cash distributions to Unit holders.

Distributable Income Per Unit

Basic distributable income per Unit is computed by dividing distributable income by the weighted average of Units outstanding. Distributable income per Unit assuming dilution is computed by dividing distributable income by the weighted average number of Units and equivalent Units outstanding. The Trust had no equivalent Units outstanding for any period presented. Therefore, basic distributable income per Unit and distributable income per Unit assuming dilution are the same.

New Accounting Pronouncements

There are no new accounting pronouncements that are expected to have a significant impact on the Trust’s financial statements.

 

3. NET OVERRIDING ROYALTY INTERESTS AND DISTRIBUTION TO UNIT HOLDERS

The amounts to be distributed to Unit holders (“Monthly Distribution Amounts”) are determined on a monthly basis. The Monthly Distribution Amount is an amount equal to the sum of cash received by the Trustee during a calendar month attributable to the Royalties, any reduction in cash reserves and any other cash receipts of the Trust, including interest, reduced by the sum of liabilities paid and any increase in cash reserves. If the Monthly Distribution Amount for any monthly period is a negative number, then the distribution will be zero for such month. To the extent the distribution amount is a negative number, that amount will be carried forward and deducted from future monthly distributions until the cumulative distribution calculation becomes a positive number, at which time a distribution will be made. Unit holders of record will be entitled to receive the calculated Monthly Distribution Amount for each month on or before 10 business days after the monthly record date, which is generally the last business day of each calendar month.

The cash received by the Trustee consists of the amounts received by owners of the interest burdened by the Royalties from the sale of production less the sum of applicable taxes, accrued

 

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production costs, development and drilling costs, operating charges and other costs and deductions, multiplied by 75% in the case of the Waddell Ranch properties and 95% in the case of the Texas Royalty properties.

 

4. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

For federal income tax purposes, the Trust constitutes a fixed investment trust that is taxed as a grantor trust. A grantor trust is not subject to tax at the trust level. The Unit holders are considered to own the Trust’s income and principal as though no trust were in existence. The income of the Trust is deemed to have been received or accrued by each Unit holder at the time such income is received or accrued by the Trust and not when distributed by the Trust.

The Royalties constitute “economic interests” in oil and gas properties for federal income tax purposes. Unit holders must report their share of the revenues from the Royalties as ordinary income from oil and gas royalties and are entitled to claim depletion with respect to such income. During the first quarter of 2015, the Trust also incurred administration expenses and earned interest income on funds held for distribution and for the cash reserve maintained for the payment of contingent and future obligations of the Trust.

The Trust has on file technical advice memoranda confirming the tax treatment described above.

The classification of the Trust’s income for purposes of the passive loss rules may be important to a Unit holder. Royalty income generally is treated as portfolio income and does not offset passive losses.

Some Trust Units are held by middlemen, as such term is broadly defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations (and includes custodians, nominees, certain joint owners, and brokers holding an interest for a customer in street name, collectively referred to herein as “middlemen”). Therefore, the Trustee considers the Trust to be a non-mortgage widely held fixed investment trust (“WHFIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Southwest Bank, EIN: 75-1105980, 2911 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Suite 850, Dallas, Texas 75219, telephone number (855) 588-7839, email address trustee@pbt-permian.com, is the representative of the Trust that will provide tax information in accordance with applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations governing the information reporting requirements of the Trust as a WHFIT. Tax information is also posted by the Trustee at www.pbt-permian.com. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the middlemen holding Trust Units on behalf of Unit holders, and not the Trustee of the Trust, are solely responsible for complying with the information reporting requirements under the U.S. Treasury Regulations with respect to such Trust Units, including the issuance of IRS Forms 1099 and certain written tax statements. Unit holders whose Trust Units are held by middlemen should consult with such middlemen regarding the information that will be reported to them by the middlemen with respect to the Trust Units.

 

11


Pursuant to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (commonly referred to as “FATCA”), distributions from the Trust to “foreign financial institutions” and certain other “non-financial foreign entities” may be subject to U.S. withholding taxes. Specifically, certain “withholdable payments” (including certain royalties, interest and other gains or income from U.S. sources) made to a foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity will generally be subject to the withholding tax unless the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity complies with certain information reporting, withholding, identification, certification and related requirements imposed by FATCA. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

The Treasury Department recently issued guidance providing that the FATCA withholding rules described above generally will apply to qualifying payments made after June 30, 2014. Foreign Unit holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these withholding provisions on their investment in Trust Units.

Unit holders should consult their tax advisors regarding Trust tax compliance matters.

 

5. STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS

All revenues from the Trust are from sources within Texas, which has no individual income tax. Texas imposes a franchise tax at a rate of 1% on gross revenues less certain deductions, as specifically set forth in the Texas franchise tax statutes. Entities subject to tax generally include trusts and most other types of entities that provide limited liability protection, unless otherwise exempt. Trusts that receive at least 90% of their federal gross income from designated passive sources, including royalties from mineral properties and other non-operated mineral interest income, and do not receive more than 10% of their income from operating an active trade or business, generally are exempt from the Texas franchise tax as “passive entities.” The Trust has been and expects to continue to be exempt from Texas franchise tax as a “passive entity.” Because the Trust should be exempt from Texas franchise tax at the Trust level as a passive entity, each Unit holder that is considered a taxable entity under the Texas franchise tax will generally be required to include its portion of Trust revenues in its own Texas franchise tax computation. This revenue is sourced to Texas under provisions of the Texas Administrative Code providing that such income is sourced according to the principal place of business of the Trust, which is Texas.

 

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Unit holders should consult their tax advisors regarding state tax requirements, if any, applicable to such Unit holder’s ownership of Trust units.

 

6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contingencies related to the Underlying Properties that are unfavorably resolved would generally be reflected by the Trust as reductions to future royalty income payments to the Trust with corresponding reductions to cash distributions to Unit holders.

On May 2, 2011, ConocoPhillips, as the parent company of BROG, the operator of the Waddell Ranch properties, notified the Trustee that as a result of inaccuracies in ConocoPhillips’ accounting and record keeping relating to the Trust’s interest in proceeds from the gas plant production since January 2007, ConocoPhillips overpaid the Trust approximately $5.9 million initially. ConocoPhillips withheld $4.5 million from the proceeds for 2011 pending completions to the corrections of the accounting procedures. Beginning with the October 2012 distribution, previously withheld proceeds of $4.5 million were reimbursed by ConocoPhillips to the Trust ($4.0 million and $0.5 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively). ConocoPhillips has adjusted the monthly royalty payments to the Trust since October 2012 by the related reimbursed amounts to reflect ConocoPhillips’ ongoing correction of past and current production and royalty allocations and the payment of the previously withheld proceeds. These adjustments were completed in the first quarter of 2014. The Trust’s reported royalty income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was not impacted by these offsetting amounts at all. The Trustee is continuing to evaluate the matter.

 

7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent to March 31, 2015, the Trust declared a distribution on April 20, 2015 of $.023781 per Unit payable on May 14, 2015 to Unit holders of record on April 30, 2015.

*    *    *    *    *

 

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Item 2. Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis

Forward Looking Information

Certain information included in this report contains, and other materials filed or to be filed by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the Trust) may contain or include, forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Such forward looking statements may be or may concern, among other things, capital expenditures, drilling activity, development activities, production efforts and volumes, hydrocarbon prices and the results thereof, and regulatory matters. Although the Trustee believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties and the Trustee can give no assurance that they will prove correct. There are many factors, none of which are within the Trustee’s control, that may cause such expectations not to be realized, including, among other things, factors such as actual oil and gas prices and the recoverability of reserves, capital expenditures, general economic conditions, actions and policies of petroleum-producing nations and other changes in the domestic and international energy markets. Such forward looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “estimate,” “expect,” “predict,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “should,” “assume,” “believe,” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

For the quarter ended March 31, 2015, royalty income received by the Trust amounted to $4,630,106 compared to royalty income of $12,135,107 during the first quarter of 2014. The decrease in royalty income is primarily attributable to a substantial decrease in oil and gas prices for the quarter ending March 31, 2015 to $57.72 and $4.15, respectively, as compared to the quarter ending March 31, 2014 of $89.97 and $6.58, respectively. Due to the deficit of the NPI, Waddell Ranch Properties contributed nothing to the royalty income for the quarter ending March 31, 2015.

Interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, was $32 compared to $63 during the first quarter of 2014. The decrease in interest income is primarily attributable to less funds available to invest. General and administrative expenses during the first quarter of 2015 amounted to $446,094 compared to $434,775 during the first quarter of 2014. The increase in general and administrative expenses can be primarily attributed to increased professional expenses.

These transactions resulted in distributable income for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 of $4,184,044 or $.09 per Unit of beneficial interest. Distributions of $0.036726, $0.031465 and $0.021577 per Unit were

 

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made to Unit holders of record as of January 30, 2015, February 27, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively. For the first quarter of 2014, distributable income was $11,700,395, or $.25 per Unit of beneficial interest.

Royalty income for the Trust for the first quarter of the calendar year is associated with actual oil and gas production for the period of November and December 2014 and January 2015 from the properties from which the Trust’s net overriding royalty interests (“Royalties”) were carved. Oil and gas sales attributable to the Royalties and the properties from which the Royalties were carved are as follows:

 

     First Quarter  
     2015      2014  

Royalties:

     

Oil sales (Bbls)

     79,262         121,049   

Gas sales (Mcf)

     103,333         301,342   

Properties From Which The Royalties Were Carved:

     

Oil:

     

Total oil sales (Bbls)

     311,483         306,742   

Average per day (Bbls)

     3,386         3,334   

Average price per Bbl

   $ 57.72       $ 89.97   

Gas:

     

Total gas sales (Mcf)

     1,180,576         1,006,039   

Average per day (Mcf)

     12,832         10,935   

Average price per Mcf

   $ 4.15       $ 6.58   

The average received price of oil decreased to an average price per barrel of $57.72 per Bbl in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $89.97 per Bbl in the first quarter of 2014 due to worldwide market variables. The Trustee has been advised by ConocoPhillips that for the period of August 1, 1993, through March 31, 2015, the oil from the Waddell Ranch properties was being sold under a competitive bid to a third party. The average price of gas (including natural gas liquids) decreased from $6.58 per Mcf in the first quarter of 2014 to $4.15 per Mcf in the first quarter of 2015 due to change in overall market variables.

Since the oil and gas sales attributable to the Royalties are based on an allocation formula that is dependent on such factors as price and cost (including capital expenditures), the production amounts in

 

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the Royalties section of the above table do not provide a meaningful comparison. Oil sales volumes increased and gas sales volumes increased from the Underlying Properties (as defined in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014) for the applicable period in 2015 compared to 2014.

Capital expenditures for drilling, remedial and maintenance activities on the Waddell Ranch properties during the first quarter of 2015 totaled $10.2 million as compared to $11.6 million for the first quarter of 2014. ConocoPhillips has informed the Trustee that the 2015 capital expenditures budget has been approved at $48.1 million (gross) for the Waddell Ranch properties. The total amount of capital expenditures for 2014 with regard to the Waddell Ranch properties totaled $76 million (gross).

The Trustee has been advised that there were 6 workover wells completed, 3 new wells completed, 0 new wells in progress and 2 workover wells in progress during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to 8 workover wells completed, 7 new wells completed, 1 new well in progress and 3 workover wells in progress for the three months ended March 31, 2014 on the Waddell Ranch properties. There were 3 facility projects completed and 7 projects in progress for the first quarter of 2015.

Lease operating expenses and property taxes totaled $6.8 million (gross) for the first quarter of 2015, compared to $6.6 million (gross) for the same period in 2014 on the Waddell Ranch properties due to . increased maintenance and work on the Waddell Ranch.

 

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Calculation of Royalty Income

The Trust’s royalty income is computed as a percentage of the net profit from the operation of the properties in which the Trust owns net overriding royalty interests. These percentages of net profits are 75% and 95% in the case of the Waddell Ranch properties and the Texas Royalty properties, respectively. Royalty income received by the Trust for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were computed as shown in the table below:

 

    THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,  
    2015     2014  
    WADDELL
RANCH
PROPERTIES
    TEXAS
ROYALTY
PROPERTIES
    WADDELL
RANCH
PROPERTIES
    TEXAS
ROYALTY
PROPERTIES
 

Gross proceeds of sales from the Underlying Properties

       

Oil proceeds

  $ 13,027,941      $ 4,950,547      $ 19,661,781      $ 7,934,923   

Gas proceeds

    4,216,180        683,539        6,402,945        904,267   

Other (adjustment)

    555,525     —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  17,799,646      5,634,086      26,064,726      8,839,190   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less:

Severance tax:

Oil

  568,082      173,406      845,524      297,155   

Gas

  253,390      34,563      210,045      50,097   

Other

  —        —        683,581      —     

Lease operating expense and property tax:

Oil and gas

  6,817,017      552,322      6,609,654      527,064   

Capital expenditures

  10,161,157      —        11,624,619      —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  17,799,646      760,291      19,973,423      874,316   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net profits

  -0-      4,873,795      6,091,303      7,964,874   

Net overriding royalty interests

  75   95   75   95
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Royalty income

$ -0-    $ 4,630,106    $ 4,568,477    $ 7,566,630   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Due to the NPI deficit, Waddell Ranch did not contribute to Royalty Income for this quarter.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Trust’s financial statements reflect the selection and application of accounting policies that require the Trust to make significant estimates and assumptions. The following are some of the more critical judgment areas in the application of accounting policies that currently affect the Trust’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Basis of Accounting

The financial statements of the Trust are prepared on the following basis:

 

    Royalty income recorded for a month is the amount computed and paid to the Trustee on behalf of the Trust by the interest owners. Royalty income consists of the amounts received by the owners of the interest burdened by the Royalties from the sale of production less accrued production costs, development and drilling costs, applicable taxes, operating charges and other costs and deductions multiplied by 75% in the case of the Waddell Ranch properties and 95% in the case of the Texas Royalty properties.

 

    Trust expenses, consisting principally of routine general and administrative costs, recorded are based on liabilities paid and cash reserves established out of cash received or borrowed funds for liabilities and contingencies.

 

    Distributions to Unit holders are recorded when declared by the Trustee.

 

    Royalty income is computed separately for each of the conveyances under which the Royalties were conveyed to the Trust. If monthly costs exceed revenues for any conveyance (“excess costs”), such excess costs cannot reduce royalty income from other conveyances, but is carried forward with accrued interest to be recovered from future net proceeds of that conveyance.

The financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) because revenues are not accrued in the month of production and certain cash reserves may be established for contingencies which would not be accrued in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Amortization of the Royalties calculated on a unit-of-production basis is charged directly to trust corpus. This comprehensive basis of accounting other than GAAP corresponds to the accounting permitted for royalty trusts by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as specified by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 12:E, Financial Statements of Royalty Trust.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues from the royalty interests are recognized in the period in which amounts are received by the Trust. Royalty income received by the Trust in a given calendar year will generally reflect the proceeds, on an entitlement basis, from natural gas produced and sold for the twelve-month period ended October 31st in that calendar year. Royalty income received by the Trust in the first quarter of 2015 generally reflects the proceeds associated with actual oil and gas production for the period of November 2014 through January 2015.

 

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Reserve Disclosure

As of January 1, 2015, independent petroleum engineers estimated the net proved reserves attributable to the royalty interests. Estimates of future net revenues from proved reserves have been prepared using average twelve-month oil and gas prices, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the twelve-month period preceding the end of the most recent fiscal year, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements. Numerous uncertainties are inherent in estimating volumes and the value of proved reserves and in projecting future production rates and the timing of development of non-producing reserves. Such reserve estimates are subject to change as additional information becomes available. The reserves actually recovered and the timing of production may be substantially different from the reserves estimates.

Contingencies

Contingencies related to the Underlying Properties that are unfavorably resolved would generally be reflected by the Trust as reductions to future royalty income payments to the Trust with corresponding reductions to cash distributions to Unit holders.

On May 2, 2011, ConocoPhillips, as the parent company of BROG, the operator of the Waddell Ranch properties, notified the Trustee that as a result of inaccuracies in ConocoPhillips’ accounting and record keeping relating to the Trust’s interest in proceeds from the gas plant production since January 2007, ConocoPhillips overpaid the Trust approximately $5.9 million initially. ConocoPhillips withheld $4.5 million from the proceeds for 2011 pending completions to the corrections of the accounting procedures. Beginning with the October 2012 distribution, previously withheld proceeds of $4.5 million were reimbursed by ConocoPhillips to the Trust ($4.0 million and $0.5 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively). ConocoPhillips has adjusted the monthly royalty payments to the Trust since October 2012 by the related reimbursed amounts to reflect ConocoPhillips’ ongoing correction of past and current production and royalty allocations and the payment of the previously withheld proceeds. These adjustments were completed in the first quarter of 2014. The Trust’s reported royalty income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was not impacted by these offsetting amounts at all. The Trustee is continuing to evaluate the matter.

 

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Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with the basis of accounting described above requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as of and for the reporting period. Actual results may differ from such estimates.

Impairment

The Trustee routinely reviews its royalty interests in oil and gas properties for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If an impairment event occurs and it is determined that the carrying value of the Trust’s royalty interests may not be recoverable, an impairment will be recognized as measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the royalty interests exceeds the fair value of these assets, which would likely be measured by discounting projected cash flows. There is no impairment of the assets as of March 31, 2015.

Distributable Income Per Unit

Basic distributable income per Unit is computed by dividing distributable income by the weighted average of Units outstanding. Distributable income per Unit assuming dilution is computed by dividing distributable income by the weighted average number of Units and equivalent Units outstanding. The Trust had no equivalent Units outstanding for any period presented. Therefore, basic distributable income per Unit and distributable income per Unit assuming dilution are the same.

New Accounting Pronouncements

There are no new accounting pronouncements that are expected to have a significant impact on the Trust’s financial statements.

 

Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes in the Trust’s market risk, as disclosed in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

On May 14, 2013, the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission issued an updated version of its Internal Control – Integrated Framework (the “2013 Framework”) which helps organizations design, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of internal control concepts and simplify

 

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their use and application. As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Trustee carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 based on the criteria established in the 2013 Framework. Based upon that evaluation, the Trustee concluded that the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Trust in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to the Trustee to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In its evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, the Trustee has relied, to the extent considered reasonable, on information provided by Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP, the owner of the Waddell Ranch properties, and Riverhill Energy Corporation, the owner of the Texas Royalty properties. There has not been any change in the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Items 1 through 5.

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

  4.1 Permian Basin Amended and Restated Royalty Trust Indenture dated June 20, 2014, between Southland Royalty Company (now Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP) and The First National Bank of Fort Worth (now Southwest Bank), as Trustee, heretofore filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference.
  4.2 Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance (Permian Basin Royalty Trust) from Southland Royalty Company (now Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP) to The First National Bank of Fort Worth (now Southwest Bank) as Trustee, dated November 3, 1980 (without Schedules), heretofore filed as Exhibit (4)(b) to the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1980 is incorporated herein by reference.
  4.3 Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance (Permian Basin Royalty Trust - Waddell Ranch) from Southland Royalty Company (now Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP) to The First National Bank of Fort Worth (now Southwest Bank), as Trustee, dated November 3, 1980 (without Schedules), heretofore filed as Exhibit (4)(c) to the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1980 is incorporated herein by reference.
10.1 Registration Rights Agreement dated as of July 21, 2004 by and between Burlington Resources Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., as trustee of Permian Basin Royalty Trust, heretofore filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004 is incorporated herein by reference.
10.2 Underwriting Agreement dated December 15, 2005 among the Permian Basin Royalty Trust, Burlington Resources, Inc., Burlington Resources Oil & Gas L.P.

 

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and Lehman Brothers Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC as representatives of the several underwriters, heretofore filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Trust’s current report on Form 8-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission filed on December 19, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.
10.3 Underwriting Agreement dated August 2, 2005 among the Permian Basin Royalty Trust, Burlington Resources, Inc., Burlington Resources Oil & Gas L.P. and Goldman Sachs & Co. and Lehman Brothers Inc. as representatives of the several underwriters, heretofore filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Trust’s current report on Form 8-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission filed on August 8, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.
10.4 Underwriting Agreement dated August 17, 2006, among Permian Basin Royalty Trust, ConocoPhillips, Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP and Lehman Brothers Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC as representatives of the several underwriters heretofore filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Trust’s current report on Form 8-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission filed on August 22, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
31.1 Certification by Ron E. Hooper, Senior Vice President Royalty Trust Management of Southwest Bank, Trustee of Permian Basin Royalty Trust, dated May 11, 2015 and submitted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) and pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 Certificate by Southwest Bank, Trustee of Permian Basin Royalty Trust, dated May 11, 2015 and submitted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

SOUTHWEST BANK,

TRUSTEE FOR THE

PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST

By:

/s/ RON E. HOOPER

Ron E. Hooper
SVP Royalty Trust Management

Date: May 11, 2015

(The Trust has no directors or executive officers.)

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number
   Exhibit
  4.1    Permian Basin Amended and Restated Royalty Trust Indenture dated June 20, 2014, between Southland Royalty Company (now Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP) and The First National Bank of Fort Worth (now Southwest Bank), as Trustee, heretofore filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference.*
  4.2    Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance (Permian Basin Royalty Trust) from Southland Royalty Company (now Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP) to The First National Bank of Fort Worth (now Southwest Bank), as Trustee, dated November 3, 1980 (without Schedules), heretofore filed as Exhibit (4)(b) to the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1980 is incorporated herein by reference.*
  4.3    Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance (Permian Basin Royalty Trust - Waddell Ranch) from Southland Royalty Company (now Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP) to The First National Bank of Fort Worth (now Southwest Bank), as Trustee, dated November 3, 1980 (without Schedules), heretofore filed as Exhibit (4)(c) to the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1980 is incorporated herein by reference.*
10.1    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of July 21, 2004 by and between Burlington Resources Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., as trustee of Permian Basin Royalty Trust, heretofore filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004 is incorporated herein by reference.*
10.2    Underwriting Agreement dated December 15, 2005 among the Permian Basin Royalty Trust, Burlington Resources, Inc., Burlington Resources Oil & Gas L.P. and Lehman Brothers Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC as representatives of the several underwriters, heretofore filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Trust’s current report on Form 8-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission filed on December 19, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.*

 

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10.3 Underwriting Agreement dated August 2, 2005 among the Permian Basin Royalty Trust, Burlington Resources, Inc., Burlington Resources Oil & Gas L.P. and Goldman Sachs & Co. and Lehman Brothers Inc. as representatives of the several underwriters, heretofore filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Trust’s current report on Form 8-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission filed on August 8, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.*
10.4 Underwriting Agreement dated August 17, 2006, among Permian Basin Royalty Trust, ConocoPhillips, Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP and Lehman Brothers Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC as representatives of the several underwriters heretofore filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Trust’s current report on Form 8-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission filed on August 22, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.*
31.1 Certification by Ron E. Hooper, Senior Vice President Royalty Trust Management of Southwest Bank, Trustee of Permian Basin Royalty Trust, dated May 11, 2015 and submitted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) and pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 Certificate by Southwest Bank, Trustee of Permian Basin Royalty Trust, dated May 11, 2015 and submitted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).

 

* A copy of this Exhibit is available to any Unit holder, at the actual cost of reproduction, upon written request to the Trustee, Southwest Bank, 2911 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Suite 850, Dallas, Texas 75219.

 

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