San Juan Basin Royalty Trust 10-Q, filed May 15, 2023
San Juan Basin Royalty Trust (SJT)
About this 10-Q
San Juan Basin Royalty Trust filed this 10-Q on May 15, 2023, covering the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
| ☒ | Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
for the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2023
or
| ☐ | Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
for the transition period from _____ to _____
Commission File No. 001-08032
SAN JUAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in the Amended and Restated San Juan Basin Royalty Trust Indenture)
| Texas | 75-6279898 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
PNC Bank, National Association
PNC Asset Management Group
2200 Post Oak Blvd, Floor 18
Houston, Texas 77056
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(866) 809-4553
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| Units | SJT | New York Stock Exchange |
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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T 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, or a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Number of Units of beneficial interest outstanding at May 15, 2023: 46,608,796
Table of Contents
| PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | ||||||
| Item 1 |
1 | |||||
| Item 2 |
Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
4 | ||||
| Item 3 |
10 | |||||
| Item 4 |
10 | |||||
| PART II. OTHER INFORMATION | ||||||
| Item 1 |
10 | |||||
| Item 1A |
10 | |||||
| Item 2 |
11 | |||||
| Item 3 |
11 | |||||
| Item 4 |
11 | |||||
| Item 5 |
11 | |||||
| Item 6 |
12 | |||||
| SIGNATURE | ||||||
Table of Contents
SAN JUAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| Item 1. | Financial Statements. |
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |||||||
| ASSETS |
||||||||
| Cash and short-term investments |
$ | 20,095,066 | $ | 5,488,194 | ||||
| Net overriding royalty interest in producing oil and gas properties (net of accumulated amortization of $130,417,436 and $130,306,821 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively) |
2,858,092 | 2,968,707 | ||||||
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| $ | 22,953,158 | $ | 8,456,901 | |||||
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| LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS |
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| Distribution payable to Unit Holders |
$ | 19,095,066 | $ | 4,488,194 | ||||
| Cash reserves |
1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | ||||||
| Trust corpus – 46,608,796 Units of beneficial interest authorized and outstanding |
2,858,092 | 2,968,707 | ||||||
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| $ | 22,953,158 | $ | 8,456,901 | |||||
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CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Royalty income |
$ | 36,416,704 | $ | 14,890,491 | ||||
| Interest income |
36,936 | 207 | ||||||
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| Total income |
36,453,640 | 14,890,698 | ||||||
| General and administrative expenses |
(482,364 | ) | (521,471 | ) | ||||
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| Distributable income |
$ | 35,971,276 | $ | 14,369,227 | ||||
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| Distributable Income per Unit (46,608,796 Units) |
$ | 0.771771 | $ | 0.308294 | ||||
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS (UNAUDITED)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Trust corpus, beginning of period |
$ | 2,968,707 | $ | 3,690,847 | ||||
| Amortization of net overriding royalty interest |
(110,615 | ) | (254,027 | ) | ||||
| Distributable income |
35,971,276 | 14,369,227 | ||||||
| Distributions declared |
(35,971,276 | ) | (14,369,227 | ) | ||||
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| Trust corpus, end of period |
$ | 2,858,092 | $ | 3,436,820 | ||||
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| Distributions declared (per Unit) |
$ | 0.771771 | $ | 0.308294 | ||||
These Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the accompanying
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements included herein.
1
Table of Contents
1. Basis of Presentation
The preceding condensed statement of assets, liabilities and trust corpus as of December 31, 2022, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited interim condensed financial statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in San Juan Basin Royalty Trust (the “Trust”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. In the opinion of PNC Bank, National Association, the trustee of the Trust (“PNC Bank” or the “Trustee”), and based upon information provided to the Trust by Hilcorp San Juan L.P. (“Hilcorp”), the present owner of certain oil and gas interests (the “Subject Interests”) originally owned by Southland Royalty Company (“Southland”) in properties located in the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, have been included that are necessary to fairly present the assets, liabilities and trust corpus of the Trust at March 31, 2023, and the distributable income and changes in trust corpus for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. The distributable income for such interim periods is not necessarily indicative of the distributable income for the full year.
The financial statements of the Trust are prepared on the following basis and are not intended to present the financial position and results of operations of the Trust in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”):
| • | The Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance (the “Conveyance”) conveyed to the Trust a 75% net overriding royalty interest (the “Royalty”) that burdens the Subject Interests. The Trust receives royalty income (“Royalty Income”) equal to 75% of the Net Proceeds attributable to the Subject Interests. “Net Proceeds,” as used in the Conveyance, means the excess of Gross Proceeds received by Hilcorp during a particular period over Production Costs for such period. “Gross Proceeds” means the amount received by Hilcorp from the sale of production attributable to the Subject Interests, subject to certain adjustments (e.g., fuel, gathering and transportation). “Production Costs” include both capital and non-capital costs incurred by Hilcorp in operating the Subject Interests including development drilling, production and processing costs, applicable taxes, and operating charges. The calculation of Net Proceeds by Hilcorp for any month may include adjustments to proceeds and costs for prior months, which will affect the Royalty Income paid to the Trust and the distribution to Unit Holders for that month. |
| • | Although permitted under the Conveyance that transferred the Royalty to the Trust, Hilcorp has informed the Trust that, for wells operated by Hilcorp, it generally does not intend to accrue lease operating expenses to the Trust. |
| • | Hilcorp has informed the Trust that Gross Proceeds are typically reported to the Trust based on actual volumes and pricing. Proceeds from production in the first month are generally received by Hilcorp in the second month, the Royalty Income is paid by Hilcorp to the Trustee in the third month, and distribution by the Trustee to the Unit Holders is made in the fourth month. Net Proceeds for a calendar year are typically based on the actual oil and natural gas production during the period beginning with November of the preceding calendar year through October of the current calendar year. |
| • | Hilcorp has notified the Trust that non-operated revenue is reported to the Trust based on a three-month lag from operated revenues. Non-operated revenue for a calendar year is typically based on the actual natural gas and oil production during the period beginning with August of the preceding calendar year through July of the current calendar year. |
| • | Trust expenses recorded are based on liabilities paid and cash reserves established from Royalty Income for liabilities and contingencies. |
| • | Distributions to Unit Holders are recorded when declared by the Trustee. |
| • | The Conveyance provides that any excess production costs applicable to the Subject Interests over Gross Proceeds from such properties must be recovered from future Net Proceeds before Royalty Income is again paid to the Trust. The Trust is not obligated to reimburse Hilcorp for any excess Production Costs if future Gross Proceeds from the Subject Interests are insufficient to cover such costs. |
| • | Depletion and any impairment are recorded as a reduction in trust corpus instead of an expense. |
The financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP because revenues are not accrued in the month of production; certain cash reserves may be established for liabilities and contingencies, which would not be accrued in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP; expenses are recorded when paid, instead of when incurred; and amortization of the Royalty is calculated on a unit-of-production basis and is charged directly to the Trust corpus instead of as an expense. Most accounting pronouncements apply to entities whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, directing such entities to accrue or defer revenues and expenses in a period other than when such revenues were received, or expenses were paid. Because the Trust’s financial statements are prepared on the modified cash basis, as described above, most accounting pronouncements are not applicable to the Trust’s financial statements. This comprehensive basis of accounting corresponds to the accounting permitted for royalty trusts by the SEC, as specified by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 12:E, Financial Statements of Royalty Trusts.
2
Table of Contents
The Trustee routinely reviews the Trust’s royalty interests in oil and natural 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 and is charged directly to the Trust corpus instead of as an expense. There was no impairment of the Trust’s assets as of March 31, 2023.
2. 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 rather than when distributed by the Trust.
The Trust is a widely held fixed investment trust (“WHFIT”) classified as a non-mortgage widely held fixed investment trust (“NMWHFIT”) for federal income tax purposes. The Trustee is the representative of the Trust that will provide tax information in accordance with the applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations governing the information reporting requirements of the Trust as a WHFIT and a NMWHFIT.
The Royalty constitutes an “economic interest” in oil and natural gas properties for federal income tax purposes. Unit Holders must report their share of the production revenues of the Trust as ordinary income from oil and natural gas royalties and are entitled to claim depletion with respect to such income. The Royalty is treated as a single property for depletion purposes. The Trust has on file technical advice memoranda confirming such tax treatment.
Under present law, the Trust’s production and sale of natural gas from Coal Seam Wells does not qualify for tax credit under Section 45K of the Code (the “Section 45 Tax Credit”). Congress has at various times since 2002 considered energy legislation, including provisions to reinstate the Section 45 Tax Credit in various ways and to various extents, but no legislation that would qualify the Trust’s current production for such credit has been enacted. No prediction can be made as to what future tax legislation affecting Section 45K of the Code may be proposed or enacted or, if enacted, its impact, if any, on the Trust and the Unit Holders.
The classification of the Trust’s income, for purposes of the passive loss rules, may be important to a Unit Holder. Royalty Income, such as that derived through the Trust, will generally be treated as portfolio income that may not be offset or reduced by passive losses.
The Trustee is of the opinion that the material tax positions taken by the Trust related to the Trust’s pass-through status and state tax positions would more likely than not be sustained by examination. As of March 31, 2023, the Trust’s tax years 2019 and thereafter remain subject to examination.
Each Unit Holder should consult his or her own tax advisor regarding tax compliance matters related to such Unit Holder’s interest in the Trust.
3. Commitments and Contingencies
Contingencies related to the Subject Interests 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. See Note 1 Basis of Presentation, for a summary of the terms of the Conveyance with respect to recovery of costs.
Gross Proceeds and Production Cost Estimates. In January 2023, Hilcorp notified the Trust that the accounting project begun in 2021 to review the production volume allocations for 2017 through 2020 had been completed. These reallocations affected the volumes for many of the Trust properties and may result in revisions to revenues and severance taxes; adjustments will be forthcoming. On February 17, 2023, Hilcorp presented initial proposed adjustments for 2017 revenues, but these adjustments are still under review by the Trustee and Hilcorp. The 2017 adjustments may result in additional revenues to the Trust. Upon completion of the final adjustments for 2017 revenues, proposed adjustments for subsequent years will be presented by Hilcorp.
Hilcorp began transitioning to a new accounting system effective with January 2021 production (March 2021 reporting month), and it initially reported estimated revenues and severance taxes on the distributions to the Trust. Hilcorp informed the Trust that it completed the transition to its new accounting system and began to report actual, not estimated, revenue and expenses for operated wells beginning with the June 2021 production month (August 2021 reporting month). Hilcorp’s process of reconciling actual revenue and severance taxes to the previously reported estimates (which the Trust refers to as “true-ups”), and the reversal and rebooking of the actualized revenues for 2021 production months for non-operated properties, was completed in the February and March 2022 reporting months.
3
Table of Contents
During 2022, various adjustments were made for 2021 and 2022 production periods as a result of Hilcorp’s process review of the new accounting system. Hilcorp has informed the Trustee that it has implemented additional controls to enhance the reporting process and reduce the need for future corrections. Hilcorp has indicated that it will coordinate with the Trustee on the timing of any further adjustments, following which the Trustee will communicate that timing to investors.
The Trustee continues to engage with Hilcorp regarding its ongoing accounting and reporting to the Trust, and the Trust’s third-party compliance auditors continue to audit payments made by Hilcorp to the Trust, inclusive of sales revenues, production costs, capital expenditures, adjustments, actualizations, and recoupments. The Trust’s auditing process has also included detailed analysis of Hilcorp’s pricing and rates charged. As previously disclosed in the Trust’s filings, these revenues and costs (along with all costs) are the subject of the Trust’s ongoing comprehensive audit process by our professional consultants and outside counsel to ensure full compliance with all the underlying operative Trust agreements and evaluating all available potential remedies in the event there is evidence of non-compliance.
4. Settlements and Litigation
None.
5. Subsequent Events
On April 18, 2023, the Trust announced a cash distribution of $4,838,334.88 or $0.103807 per Unit, based primarily upon production during the month of February 2023, which was paid on May 12, 2023.
| Item 2. | Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. |
Overview
The Trust is an express trust created under the laws of the state of Texas by the San Juan Basin Royalty Trust Indenture entered into on November 1, 1980, between Southland and The Fort Worth National Bank (the “Original Indenture”). The Original Indenture was amended and restated on September 30, 2002, and further amended and restated on December 12, 2007, which the Trust refers to as the “Indenture” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. As a result of a series of mergers and other transactions, the current Trustee of the Trust is PNC Bank.
The Conveyance and the Royalty
Pursuant to the Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance effective November 1, 1980, Southland conveyed the Royalty that burdens the Subject Interests in properties located in the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico to the Trust. Subsequent to the Conveyance of the Royalty, through a series of sales, assignments and mergers, Southland’s successor became Hilcorp, which acquired the Subject Interests from Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP (“Burlington”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips, on July 31, 2017.
The Royalty constitutes the principal asset of the Trust. The beneficial interest in the Royalty is divided into 46,608,796 units (the “Units”) representing undivided fractional interests in the beneficial interest of the Trust equal to the number of shares of the common stock of Southland outstanding as of the close of business on November 3, 1980. Each stockholder of Southland of record at the close of business on November 3, 1980, received one freely tradable Unit for each share of the common stock of Southland then held. Holders of Units in the Trust are referred to herein as “Unit Holders.”
The Trustee
The primary function of the Trustee is to collect Royalty Income, to pay all expenses and charges of the Trust, and to distribute the remaining available income to the Unit Holders. The amount of income distributable to Unit Holders, which the Trust refers to as “Distributable Income,” depends on the amount of Royalty Income and interest received by the Trust, as well as the amount of expenses paid by the Trust and any change in cash reserves. The Trust has no employees, officers, or directors. The Trustee performs all administrative functions of the Trust.
Hilcorp
Hilcorp is the principal operator of the majority of the Subject Interests and is responsible, subject to the terms of a prior agreement with the Trust, for marketing the oil and natural gas production from such properties, either under existing sales contracts or under future arrangements, at the best prices and on the best terms it shall deem reasonably obtainable under the circumstances. A very high percentage of the Royalty Income is attributable to the production and sale of natural gas, from the Subject Interests, by Hilcorp. Accordingly, the market price and demand for natural gas produced and sold from the San Juan Basin heavily influences the amount of Royalty Income distributed by the Trust and, by extension, the price of the Units.
4
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Natural Gas and Oil. The sale of San Juan Basin assets, including the Subject Interests, from Burlington to Hilcorp closed on July 31, 2017. Under the terms of the sale, Hilcorp is required to make payments to Burlington if natural gas prices are above a certain price. Hilcorp has confirmed that in accordance with the Conveyance, Hilcorp will not charge the Trust any portion of such payments.
Gross Proceeds and Severance Tax Estimates. In January 2023, Hilcorp notified the Trust that the accounting project begun in 2021 to review the production volume allocations for 2017 through 2020 had been completed. These reallocations affected the volumes for many of the Trust properties and may result in revisions to revenues and severance taxes; adjustments will be forthcoming. On February 17, 2023, Hilcorp presented initial proposed adjustments for 2017 revenues, but these adjustments are still under review by the Trustee and Hilcorp. The 2017 adjustments may result in additional revenues to the Trust. Upon completion of the final adjustments for 2017 revenues, proposed adjustments for subsequent years will be presented by Hilcorp.
Hilcorp began transitioning to a new accounting system effective with January 2021 production (March 2021 reporting month), and it initially reported estimated revenues and severance taxes on the distributions to the Trust. Hilcorp informed the Trust that it completed the transition to its new accounting system and began to report actual, not estimated, revenue and expenses for operated wells beginning with the June 2021 production month (August 2021 reporting month). Hilcorp’s process of reconciling actual revenue and severance taxes to the previously reported estimates (which the Trust refers to as “true-ups”), and the reversal and rebooking of the actualized revenues for 2021 production months for non-operated properties was completed in the February and March 2022 reporting months.
During 2022, various adjustments were made for 2021 and 2022 production periods as a result of Hilcorp’s process review of the new accounting system. Hilcorp has informed the Trustee that it has implemented additional controls to enhance the reporting process and reduce the need for future corrections. Hilcorp has indicated that it will coordinate with the Trustee on the timing of any further adjustments, following which the Trustee will communicate that timing to investors.
The Trustee continues to engage with Hilcorp regarding its ongoing accounting and reporting to the Trust, and the Trust’s third-party compliance auditors continue to audit payments made by Hilcorp to the Trust, inclusive of sales revenues, production costs, capital expenditures, adjustments, actualizations, and recoupments. The Trust’s auditing process has also included detailed analysis of Hilcorp’s pricing and rates charged. As previously disclosed in the Trust’s filings, these revenues and costs (along with all costs) are the subject of the Trust’s ongoing comprehensive audit process by our professional consultants and outside counsel to ensure full compliance with all the underlying operative Trust agreements and evaluating all available potential remedies in the event there is evidence of non-compliance.
The amount of Gross Proceeds also depends on the volumes of natural gas and oil produced from the Subject Interests. Under the terms of the Indenture, the Trust cannot acquire new natural gas and oil assets, and as a result, Royalty Income is dependent on the natural gas and oil volumes attributable to the Subject Interests. Although Hilcorp and other operators of the Subject Interests may conduct drilling operations or well recompletions in the near term, the Subject Interests are depleting assets; Hilcorp has informed the Trust that it is unable to estimate the productive life of the Subject Interests. The reduction in proved reserve quantities is a common measure of depletion. Hilcorp’s (or a future operator’s) capital investments in the Subject Interests will affect the quantity of proved reserves and can offset any reduction in proved reserves. Lower commodity prices may also reduce the volume of natural gas and oil produced from the Subject Interests by Hilcorp.
On February 17, 2023, the Trust announced that Hilcorp had provided the Trust with its 2023 capital project plan for the Subject Interests (the “2023 Plan”), and Hilcorp has estimated its 2023 capital expenditures for the Subject Interests to be $4.4 million. Hilcorp informed the Trust that its 2023 Plan will allocate approximately $3.7 million of the 2023 Plan’s budget towards 25 well recompletions and workovers scheduled to be completed in the Mesaverde, Pictured Cliffs and Fruitland Coal formations. Approximately $0.5 million of the 2023 Plan’s budget will be allocated to facilities projects related to natural gas compression, and approximately $0.2 million will be spent for permitting costs for potential future new drill projects. Hilcorp further informed the Trust that its planned project status for 2023 is subject to revision if Hilcorp revises its assumptions underlying the 2023 Plan, and actual capital costs may vary from these estimates.
Under the terms of the Conveyance, production costs are deducted from Gross Proceeds in calculating Net Proceeds, which is multiplied by 75% to calculate Royalty Income. “Production Costs” generally means costs incurred on an accrual basis by Hilcorp in operating the Subject Interests, including both capital and non-capital costs. For example, these costs include development drilling, production and processing costs, applicable taxes and operating charges. However, Hilcorp informed the Trust that for wells operated by Hilcorp it did not intend to accrue lease operating expenses to the Trust. If production costs exceed Gross Proceeds in any month, the excess is recovered out of future Gross Proceeds prior to the making of further payments to the Trust. However, the Trust is not otherwise liable for any Production Costs or other costs or liabilities attributable to the Subject Interests or the minerals produced therefrom. If at any time the Trust receives more than the amount due under the Royalty, it is not obligated to return such overpayment, but the amounts payable to it for any subsequent period are reduced by such amount, plus interest, at a rate specified in the Conveyance. The Trust and the Trustee have very limited authority to control the amount and timing of Production Costs.
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The Trustee continues to engage with Hilcorp regarding its ongoing accounting and reporting to the Trust, and the Trust’s third-party compliance auditors continue to audit all payments made by Hilcorp to the Trust, including adjustments, true-ups, and recoupments. In addition, the Trustee continues to consult with outside counsel to review the rights of the Trust with respect to these matters and to evaluate any available potential legal remedies.
Factors that Affect Net Proceeds. Generally, Net Proceeds are affected by (a) disruptions caused by weather, particularly winter storms that disrupt access to the production fields, (b) the timing and size of Hilcorp’s capital expenditures, and (c) commodity prices.
Weather. Hilcorp has advised the Trust that it is possible for it to experience disruptions during the winter months that could impact Hilcorp’s ability to access fields and maintain production.
Capital Expenditures. The timing and size of capital expenditures by Hilcorp may impact Net Proceeds. Hilcorp’s capital expenditures decreased approximately $45,800, or 58%, for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to differences in timing of the payment for these expenditures along with capital expenditures attributable to the prior year’s budget.
Commodity Prices. The Trust’s income and monthly distributions from the Subject Interests are heavily influenced by the price of natural gas and oil. These prices may fluctuate widely in response to relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for natural gas and oil based on market uncertainty or a variety of additional factors that are beyond the Trustee’s control.
Hilcorp has multiple gas purchase agreements that set forth the prices it will receive for the natural gas and oil produced from the Subject Interests. There is a differential in the prices reflected in the market indices and the prices received and reported because the prices received and reported vary by purchase agreement, and they are determined after deducting gathering, processing, and marketing costs for both gas and natural gas liquids. These purchase agreements and costs are subject to a comprehensive audit process by professional accountants and consultants.
Results of Operations – for the Three Months Ended March 2023 and 2022
Royalty Income
Royalty Income consists of 75% of the monthly Net Proceeds attributable to the Royalty. Royalty Income for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and 2022 was determined as shown in the following table:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Gross Proceeds from the Subject Interests: |
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| Natural Gas |
$ | 61,747,739 | $ | 29,825,082 | ||||
| Oil |
394,987 | 398,469 | ||||||
| Other |
109,512 | (1) | 967,978 | (2) | ||||
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| Total |
62,252,238 | 31,191,529 | ||||||
| Production Costs: |
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| Severance tax – gas |
6,834,673 | 3,830,592 | ||||||
| Severance tax – oil |
43,456 | 50,412 | ||||||
| Lease operating expense and property tax |
6,784,844 | 7,377,074 | ||||||
| Capital expenditures |
33,660 | 79,463 | ||||||
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| Total |
13,696,633 | 11,337,541 | ||||||
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| Net profits |
48,555,605 | 19,853,988 | ||||||
| Net overriding royalty interest |
75 | % | 75 | % | ||||
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| Royalty Income |
$ | 36,416,704 | $ | 14,890,491 | ||||
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| (1) | Revenue related to a February 2023 true-up for documented October 2022 revenues missing from the January 2023 revenue distribution, plus interest. |
| (2) | Estimated revenue related to audit exceptions and interest, and from non-operated properties offset by Hilcorp’s true-ups and adjustments of non-operated revenue for the production months November 2020 through October 2021. |
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The Royalty Income distributed to the Trust for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was higher than that distributed during the same period of 2022, due primarily to higher natural gas prices. The average natural gas price increased from $4.79 per Mcf for the three months ended March 31, 2022, to $10.53 per Mcf for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Production of natural gas from the Subject Interests decreased from 6,231,076 Mcf for the three months ended March 31, 2022, to 5,863,499 Mcf for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Gross Proceeds from Subject Interests. Total Gross Proceeds increased approximately $31.1 million, or 100%, for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to higher natural gas prices.
Capital Expenditures. Hilcorp’s capital expenditures decreased approximately $45,800, or 58%, for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to differences in timing of the payment for these expenditures along with capital expenditures attributable to the prior year’s budget.
On February 17, 2023, the Trust announced that Hilcorp had provided the Trust with its 2023 capital project plan for the Subject Interests (the “2023 Plan”), and Hilcorp has estimated its 2023 capital expenditures for the Subject Interests to be $4.4 million. Hilcorp informed the Trust that its 2023 Plan will allocate approximately $3.7 million of the 2023 Plan’s budget toward 25 well recompletions and workovers scheduled to be completed in the Mesaverde, Pictured Cliffs and Fruitland Coal formations. Approximately $0.5 million of the 2023 Plan’s budget will be allocated to facilities projects related to natural gas compression, and approximately $0.2 million will be spent for permitting costs for potential future new drill projects. Hilcorp further informed the Trust that its planned project status for 2023 is subject to revision if Hilcorp revises its assumptions underlying the 2023 Plan and that actual capital costs may vary from these estimates.
Severance Taxes. Aggregate severance taxes increased approximately $3.0 million, or 77%, for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to higher revenue in 2023. Severance taxes represented approximately 11% of Gross Proceeds for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to approximately 13% for the same period of 2022.
Lease Operating Expenses and Property Taxes. Lease operating expenses and property taxes decreased $0.6 million, or 8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. Expenses in the first quarter of 2023 were lower when compared to increased expenses in the first quarter of 2022. Expenses in the first quarter of 2022 included approximately $0.5 million in non-operated lease operating expense true-ups, the payment of approximately $1.0 million for year-end salaries and bonuses for Hilcorp employees, and differences in the timing of the receipt and payment for these expenditures. The Trust and its consultants are conducting a detailed analysis of these expenses associated with the 2021 year-end salaries and bonuses for Hilcorp employees to determine if they comport with the Conveyance and other operative agreements.
Monthly lease operating expenses of the Subject Interests, including property taxes, for the three months ended March 31, 2023, averaged approximately $2.3 million, compared to $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Distributable Income
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Royalty Income |
$ | 36,416,704 | $ | 14,890,491 | ||||
| Interest Income |
36,936 | 207 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total Income |
36,453,640 | 14,890,698 | ||||||
| General and administrative expenses |
(482,364 | ) | (521,471 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Distributable Income |
$ | 35,971,276 | $ | 14,369,227 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Distributable Income per Unit (46,608,796 Units) |
$ | 0.771771 | $ | 0.308294 | ||||
|
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|
|
|
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Distributable Income. Distributable Income increased from $14.4 million ($0.308294 per Unit) for the three months ended March 31, 2022, to $36.0 million ($0.771771 per Unit) for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in Distributable Income was primarily attributable to higher natural gas prices.
Based on 46,608,796 Units outstanding, the per-Unit distributions during the first quarter of 2023 were as follows:
| January |
$ | 0.112250 | ||
| February |
0.249833 | |||
| March |
0.409688 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Quarter Total |
$ | 0.771771 | ||
|
|
|
Interest Income. Interest income was higher for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, due to an increase in funds available for investment and to higher yields on short-term investments.
General & Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased approximately 8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to differences in timing of the receipt and payment for certain expenses by the Trust.
Cash Reserves. Total cash reserves were $1.0 million as of March 31, 2023. The Trustee is authorized to determine in its discretion, the amount of cash reserves needed to pay liabilities and contingencies of the Trust. The Trustee does not anticipate increasing or decreasing the established amount of cash reserves in 2023, although it cannot predict whether it will need to utilize some portion of those cash reserves during 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Trust’s principal source of liquidity and capital is Royalty Income. The Trust’s distribution of income to Unit Holders is funded by Royalty Income after payment of Trust expenses. The Trust is not liable for any production costs or liabilities attributable to the Royalty. If at any time the Trust receives more than the amount due under the Royalty, it is not obligated to return such overpayment, but the amounts payable to it for any subsequent period are reduced by such amount, plus interest, at a rate specified in the Conveyance. If the Trustee determines that the Trust does not have sufficient funds to pay its liabilities, the Trustee may borrow funds on behalf of the Trust, in which case no distributions will be made to Unit Holders until such borrowings are repaid in full. The Trustee may not sell or dispose of any part of the assets of the Trust without the affirmative vote of the Unit Holders of 75% of all of the Units outstanding; however, the Trustee may sell up to 1% of the value of the Royalty (as determined pursuant to the Indenture) during any 12-month period without the consent of the Unit Holders.
In the event the Trust does not receive sufficient net cash payments from Hilcorp, the Trust believes it has sufficient capacity to draw upon the cash reserve amount or borrow funds against the Royalty to cover the Trust’s operating expenses for the following 12-month period.
Natural Gas and Oil Production
The natural gas volumes reported to the Trust, by Hilcorp, are based on plant residue gas volumes plus equivalent volumes for natural gas liquids. Hilcorp converts one barrel of natural gas liquids to six Mcf of natural gas using industry standards.
Royalty Income for the three months ended March 31, 2023, is associated with natural gas and oil production during November 2022 through January 2023 from the Subject Interests. Production of natural gas and oil and related average sales prices attributable to each of the Subject Interests and the Royalty for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and 2022 were as follows:
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf) |
Oil and Condensate (Bbls) |
Natural Gas (Mcf) |
Oil and Condensate (Bbls) |
|||||||||||||
| Production |
||||||||||||||||
| Subject Interests |
5,863,499 | 5,604 | 6,231,076 | 6,040 | ||||||||||||
| Royalty |
3,702,362 | 3,382 | 3,299,952 | 3,537 | ||||||||||||
| Average Price (per Mcf/Bbl) |
$ | 10.53 | $ | 70.48 | $ | 4.79 | $ | 65.97 | ||||||||
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Based on Hilcorp’s reporting methodology, the Trust recognizes production during the month in which the related Royalty Income is paid to the Trust. Royalty Income for a calendar year is based on the actual natural gas and oil production during the period beginning with November of the preceding calendar year through October of the current calendar year. Sales volumes attributable to the Royalty are determined by dividing the net profits by the Trust from the sale of natural gas and oil, respectively, by the prices received for sales of such volumes from the Subject Interests, taking into consideration production taxes attributable to the Subject Interests. Because the natural gas and oil sales attributable to the Royalty are based upon an allocation formula dependent on such factors as price and cost, including capital expenditures, the aggregate sales amounts from the Subject Interests may not provide a meaningful comparison to sales attributable to the Royalty.
Production from the Subject Interests is influenced by the line pressure of the natural gas gathering systems in the San Juan Basin. As noted above, natural gas and oil sales attributable to the Royalty are based on an allocation formula dependent on many factors, including natural gas and oil prices and capital expenditures.
Marketing
From time to time, changes to the contracts pursuant to which Hilcorp sells production from the Subject Interests and for the gathering and processing of production may be made. The gas continues to be sold to creditworthy buyers at market related prices.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
For a discussion of significant accounting policies and estimates that impact the Trust’s financial statements, see Part I, Item 1. Unaudited Financial Statements, Note 1 Basis of Presentation and Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data contained in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Information Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains, and other materials filed or to be filed by the Trust with the SEC (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 (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Such forward-looking statements may involve or may concern, among other things, the amount and variability in capital expenditures by Hilcorp, drilling activity, development activities, production efforts and volumes, hydrocarbon prices, estimated future net revenues, estimates of reserves, the results of the Trust’s activities, the differences between Hilcorp’s estimated revenue and actual revenue, and regulatory matters. Such forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “may,” “will,” “based,” “estimate,” “expect,” “predict,” “project,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Such statements are based on certain assumptions of the Trustee and by Hilcorp, with respect to future events; are based on an assessment of, and are subject to, a variety of factors deemed relevant by the Trustee and Hilcorp; and involve risks and uncertainties. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with such expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which could affect the future results of the energy industry in general, and the Trust and Hilcorp in particular, and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. The actual results or developments anticipated may not be realized or, even if substantially realized, they may not have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Hilcorp’s business and the Trust. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. The Trust undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.
Hilcorp Information
As a holder of a net overriding royalty interest, the Trust’s reporting of financial information is reliant upon Hilcorp to accurately and timely report information regarding Hilcorp and its affiliates; the Subject Interests, including the operations, acreage, well and completion count, working interests, production volumes, sales revenues, capital expenditures, operating expenses, reserves, drilling plans, drilling results and leasehold terms related to the Subject Interests, and factors and circumstances that have or may affect the foregoing. See Part I, Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
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For information on the Trust’s exposure to market risk, please see Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” contained in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
| Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk. |
None.
| Item 4. | Controls and Procedures. |
The Trust maintains a system of internal disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in the Trust’s filings under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the times specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. In its evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures, the Trustee has relied, to the extent considered reasonable, on information provided by Hilcorp, the owner of the properties. Consequently, the Trust’s ability to timely and accurately disclose relevant information in its periodic reports is dependent upon Hilcorp’s timely delivery of accurate oil and gas revenue and production cost information and, therefore, the Royalty Income owed to the Trust.
The Conveyance that transferred the royalty to the Trust obligates Hilcorp to provide the Trust with certain financial and operational information, including information concerning calculations of Royalty Income owed to the Trust. Once the Trust receives the financial information from Hilcorp, the Trust engages independent public accountants, compliance auditors, attorneys and petroleum engineers in order to assist the Trustee to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information required to be disclosed in the Trust’s periodic reports. These outside professionals advise the Trustee in its review and compilation of this information for inclusion in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the other periodic reports provided by the Trust to the SEC.
During 2022, various adjustments were made for 2021 and 2022 production periods as a result of Hilcorp’s process review of the new accounting system. Hilcorp has informed the Trustee that it has implemented additional controls to enhance the reporting process and reduce the need for future corrections. Hilcorp has indicated that it will coordinate with the Trustee on the timing of any further adjustments and will communicate that timing to investors.
The Trustee continues to engage with Hilcorp regarding its ongoing accounting and reporting to the Trust, and the Trust’s third-party compliance auditors continue to audit payments made by Hilcorp to the Trust, inclusive of sales revenues, production costs, capital expenditures, adjustments, actualizations, and recoupments. The Trust’s auditing process has also included detailed analysis of Hilcorp’s pricing and rates charged. As previously disclosed in the Trust’s filings, these revenues and costs (along with all costs) are the subject of the Trust’s ongoing comprehensive audit process by our professional consultants and outside counsel to ensure full compliance with all the underlying operative Trust agreements and evaluating all available potential remedies in the event there is evidence of non-compliance.
The Trustee has evaluated the Trust’s internal disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2023, and has concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective, at the “reasonable assurance” level (as such term is used in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act), to ensure that material information received from Hilcorp is gathered on a timely basis to be included in the Trust’s periodic reports and recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2023, there were no changes in the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is used in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. Because the Trust does not have, nor does the Indenture provide for, officers, a board of directors or an independent audit committee, the Trustee has reviewed neither the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures nor the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting in concert with management, a board of directors or an independent audit committee.
OTHER INFORMATION
| Item 1. | Legal Proceedings. |
None.
| Item 1A. | Risk Factors. |
Not required.
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Table of Contents
| Item 6. | Exhibits. |
| * | A copy of this exhibit is available to any Unit Holder (free of charge) upon written request to the Trustee, PNC Bank, National Association, 2200 Post Oak Blvd., Floor 18, Houston, Texas 77056. |
| ** | Filed herewith. |
| *** | Furnished herewith. |
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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.
| PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE OF THE SAN JUAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST | ||
| By: | /s/ Ross C. Durr | |
| Name: | Ross C. Durr | |
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Mineral Interest Director | |
Date: May 15, 2023
(The Trust has no directors or executive officers.)
13
EXHIBIT 31
CERTIFICATION
I, Ross C. Durr, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of San Juan Basin Royalty Trust, for which PNC Bank, National Association acts as Trustee;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, distributable income and changes in trust corpus of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and I have:
| a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including any consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes; |
| c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
| d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors:
| a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
| b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves persons who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
In giving the certifications in paragraphs 4 and 5 above, I have relied to the extent I consider reasonable on information provided to me by Hilcorp San Juan L.P.
| Date: May 15, 2023 | By: | /s/ Ross C. Durr | ||||
| Ross D. Durr Senior Vice President and Mineral Interest Director |
EXHIBIT 32
CERTIFICATION OF
THE TRUSTEE*
OF THE SAN JUAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. § 1350
In connection with the accompanying report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Ross C. Durr, Senior Vice President and Mineral Interest Director of PNC Bank, National Association, on behalf of PNC Bank, National Association, the Trustee of the San Juan Basin Royalty Trust (the “Trust”),* not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee of the Trust, hereby certify that:
| 1. | The Report fully complies in all material respects with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (as explained in Note 1 to the Trust’s financial statements contained in the Report, in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 12:E, Financial Statements of Royalty Trusts, the Trust prepares its financial statements in a manner that differs from generally accepted accounting principles; such presentation is customary to other royalty trusts); and |
| 2. | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Trust. |
| PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE OF THE SAN JUAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST | ||
| By: | /s/ Ross C. Durr | |
| Name: | Ross C. Durr | |
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Mineral Interest Director | |
| Date: | May 15, 2023 | |
| * | The Trust has no executive officers. |