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NORTH EUROPEAN OIL ROYALTY TRUST

For the period ended Apr 30, 2025. Filed May 30, 2025.

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About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Apr 30, 2025 · Filed May 30, 2025

NRT$7.05+4.4%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026

What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?

Read the current filing

Previous report: 10-Q

Period ended 2025-01-31; filed 2025-02-28.

0000072633-25-000004

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Current report: 10-Q

Period ended 2025-04-30; filed 2025-05-30.

0000072633-25-000006

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.

Compared 37 previous paragraphs and 45 current paragraphs.

17 unchanged; 16 reworded; 11 added; 4 removed; 0 previous and 1 current paragraphs rearranged.

Tables are not compared: 2 previous and 4 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.

A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.

Added paragraphs (11)

Current report

Results: Second Quarter of Fiscal 2025 versus Second Quarter of Fiscal 2024

Current report

The increase in total royalty income for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 in comparison to the second quarter of fiscal 2024 resulted from the royalty payments based on the higher gas prices and higher average exchange rates experienced during the current quarter. Total royalty income can potentially include positive and/or negative adjustments that the operators made during the quarter based upon their corrected royalty calculations for the prior periods, as well as the inclusion of Mobil sulfur royalties. In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, total royalty income was reduced by a negative carryover under the OEG royalty agreement of $45,000 but was increased by Mobil sulfur royalties of $57,240. In the second quarter of fiscal 2024, total royalty income was reduced by a negative carryover under the OEG royalty agreement of $214,362 and was unchanged by Mobil sulfur royalties of $0.

Current report

Trust expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 increased 6.7%, or $14,318, to $229,519 from $215,201 in the second quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase in expenses reflects the timing of payments related to the biennial examination of the royalty payments by the accounting firm retained by the Trust in Germany. Trust interest income received in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 increased to $19,224 in comparison to $16,333 received in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 due to more funds available.

Current report

Total royalty income received during the first six months of fiscal 2025 increased in comparison to the first six months of fiscal 2024 based on several factors: (1) gas prices under both the Mobil and the OEG Agreements were higher in average for the first six months of fiscal 2025; (2) the Mobil sulfur royalties were $59,237 higher for the first six months of fiscal 2025; and (3) while during both six month periods there were no OEG royalties during the first quarters, the residual negative balance impacting the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was $169,231 lower than the residual negative balance impacting the second quarter of fiscal 2024. Comparisons of total royalty income received and net income for the first six months of fiscal 2025 and 2024 are shown below.

Current report

Gas Data Providing Basis for Six-Month Fiscal Period Royalties

Current report

For the six months ended 3/31/2025, gas sales from western Oldenburg accounted for only 29.7% of all gas sales from the Oldenburg concession. However, royalties on these gas sales provided approximately 81.8%, or $2,031,473 out of $2,235,613, of all royalties attributable to gas sales from the Oldenburg concession.

Current report

Trust expenses for the first six months of fiscal 2025 decreased 1.1%, or $5,002, to $463,484 from $468,486 for the first six months of fiscal 2024. The decrease in expenses reflects the biennial nature of costs associated with the royalty examination in Germany and the reduced costs for the first six months of fiscal 2025 in comparison. Trust interest income received during the first six months of fiscal 2025 increased to $32,960 in comparison to $23,793 received in the first six months of fiscal 2024 due to more funds available.

Current report

The Trust's German consultant has been in contact with representatives of ExxonMobil Production Gesellschaft ("EMPG") for technical discussions regarding EMPG's future drilling and geophysical work. The following is a summary of these discussions with some additional comments from the Trust's German consultant. The Trust is not able to confirm the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the operating companies. In addition, the operating companies are not obligated to take any of the actions outlined and, if they change their plans with respect to any such actions, they are not obligated to inform the Trust.

Current report

The Trust's German consultant advised the Trust that, in these discussions, EMPG has indicated that it will not be drilling any wells during 2025. In order to keep production decline as low as possible, workovers of existing wells, maintenance of all installations and small stimulations measures will help to maximize performance and production.

Current report

political and economic uncertainty arising from geopolitical conflict, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Removed paragraphs (4)

Previous report

From a low point in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 gas prices have risen steadily and the gas prices applicable to the royalty calculations for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 seem to have stabilized. The bulk of the overpayments from calendar 2023 have largely been offset in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and will be fully offset with OEG's scheduled royalty payment in mid-February.

Previous report

The Trust's monthly royalty payments are paid prospectively based on the amount of royalties payable to the Trust in the prior quarter. End of quarter royalty adjustments result from the need to align prospective royalty payments from the operating companies with actual royalties that should have been paid. When actual prices and volumes are reported, there will be a positive reconciliation in the current quarter or a negative reconciliation in the subsequent quarter. In September 2024, the Trust was notified of negative year-end adjustments for calendar 2023 under both royalty agreements. Under the OEG royalty agreement, the negative adjustment eliminated the scheduled royalty payments for October through January, as well as the positive adjustments for the 3rd and 4th quarters for calendar 2024. The remaining negative adjustment of approximately Euros 40,200 will be offset against the February scheduled royalty payment. Under the Mobil royalty agreement, the negative adjustment eliminated the scheduled royalty payments for October and November and the positive adjustment for the 3rd calendar quarter of 2024, but was finally offset against the December scheduled royalty payment. Reflecting both higher prices and the small negative adjustment remaining under the OEG royalty, the Trustees anticipate a higher distribution in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2025.

Previous report

Trust expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 decreased by 7.6%, or $19,320, to $233,965 from $253,285 for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 due to it being an off year for the biennial royalty examination by the Trust's German accounting counselors.

Previous report

• political and economic uncertainty arising from the conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Reworded paragraphs (16)

Previous wording

The Trust is a passive fixed investment trust which holds overriding royalty rights, receives income under those rights from certain operating companies, pays its expenses and distributes the remaining net funds to its unit owners. As mandated by the Trust Agreement, distributions of income are made on a quarterly basis. These distributions, as determined by the Trustees, constitute substantially all the funds available after provision is made for anticipated Trust expenses.

Current wording

The Trust is a passive fixed investment trust which holds overriding royalty rights, receives income under those rights from certain operating companies, pays its expenses and distributes the remaining net funds to its unit owners. As mandated by the Trust Agreement, distributions of income are made on a quarterly basis. These distributions, as determined by the Trustees, constitute substantially all the funds on hand after provision is made for anticipated Trust expenses.

Previous wording

The properties of the Trust, which the Trust and Trustees hold pursuant to the Trust Agreement on behalf of the unit owners, are overriding royalty rights on sales of gas, sulfur and oil under a concession and leases in the Federal Republic of Germany. The actual concession (the "Oldenburg concession") and leases are held either by Mobil Erdgas-Erdol GmbH ("Mobil Erdgas"), a German operating subsidiary of the ExxonMobil Corporation ("ExxonMobil"), or by Oldenburgische Erdolgesellschaft ("OEG"). As a result of direct and indirect ownership, ExxonMobil owns two-thirds of OEG and the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies owns one-third of OEG. BEB Erdgas und Erdol GmbH ("BEB"), a joint venture in which ExxonMobil and the Royal Dutch/Shell Group each own 50%, administers the concession held by OEG. The Oldenburg concession is the primary area from which the natural gas, sulfur and oil are extracted and currently provides 100% of all the royalties received by the Trust. The Oldenburg concession, at approximately 1,386,000 acres, is in the German federal state of Lower Saxony. None of the leases are active or productive.

Current wording

The properties of the Trust, which the Trust and Trustees hold pursuant to the Trust Agreement on behalf of the unit owners, are overriding royalty rights on sales of gas, sulfur and oil under a concession or leases in the Federal Republic of Germany. The actual concession or leases are held either by Mobil Erdgas-Erdol GmbH ("Mobil Erdgas"), a German operating subsidiary of the ExxonMobil Corporation ("ExxonMobil"), or by Oldenburgische Erdolgesellschaft ("OEG"). As a result of direct and indirect ownership, ExxonMobil owns two-thirds of OEG and the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies owns one-third of OEG. BEB Erdgas und Erdol GmbH ("BEB"), a joint venture in which ExxonMobil and the Royal Dutch/Shell Group each own 50%, administers the concession held by OEG. The Oldenburg concession is the primary area from which the natural gas, sulfur and oil are extracted and currently provides 100% of all the royalties received by the Trust. The Oldenburg concession, at approximately 1,386,000 acres, covers virtually the entire former Grand Duchy of Oldenburg and is in the German federal state of Lower Saxony. None of the leases are active or productive.

Previous wording

In 2002, Mobil Erdgas and BEB formed a company, ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH ("EMPG"), to carry out all exploration, drilling and production activities. All sales activities are still handled by the operating companies, either Mobil Erdgas or BEB.

Current wording

Mobil Erdgas and BEB Erdgas und Erdol GmbH, formed a company, ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH ("EMPG"), to carry out all exploration, drilling and production activities. All sales activities are still handled by the operating companies, either Mobil Erdgas or BEB.

Previous wording

The operating companies pay monthly royalties to the Trust based on their sales of natural gas, sulfur and oil. Of these three products, natural gas provided approximately 82% of the cumulative royalty income received in fiscal 2025. The amount of royalties paid to the Trust is primarily based on four factors: the amount of gas sold, the price of that gas, the area from which the gas is sold and the exchange rate.

Current wording

The operating companies pay monthly royalties to the Trust based on their sales of natural gas, sulfur and oil. Of these three products, natural gas provided approximately 92% of the cumulative royalty income received in fiscal 2025. The amount of royalties paid to the Trust is primarily based on four factors: the amount of gas sold, the price of that gas, the area from which the gas is sold, and the exchange rate.

Previous wording

On or about the 20th of the months of January, April, July and October of each year, the operating companies determine the amount of royalties that were payable to the Trust based on applicable sales during the relevant period. This amount is paid out to the Trust in three monthly installments as royalty payments (payable on or about the 15th of each month) during its upcoming fiscal quarter. In addition, the operating companies review the actual amount of royalties that were paid to the Trust for that period and calculate the difference between the amounts paid and the amounts payable. Any additional amounts payable by the operating companies would be paid immediately and any overpayment would be deducted from the scheduled monthly royalty payments for the following fiscal quarter. In September of each year, the operating companies make the final determination of any necessary underpayment or overpayment of royalties for the prior calendar year. The Trust's independent accountants based in Germany review the royalty calculations on a biennial basis. The next examination for both calendar 2023 and 2024 will begin in October 2025.

Current wording

On or about the 20th of the months of January, April, July and October of each year, the operating companies determine the amount of royalties that were payable to the Trust based on applicable sales during the relevant period. This amount is paid out to the Trust in three monthly installments as royalty payments (payable on or about the 15th of each month) during its upcoming fiscal quarter. In addition, the operating companies review the actual amount of royalties that were paid to the Trust for the prior quarter and calculate the difference between the amounts paid and the amounts payable. Any additional amounts payable by the operating companies would be paid immediately and any overpayment would be deducted from the payment for the first month of the following fiscal quarter. In September of each year, the operating companies make the final determination of any necessary underpayment or overpayment of royalties for the prior calendar year. The Trust's independent accountants based in Germany review the royalty calculations on a biennial basis and will commence their examination for 2023 and 2024 in October 2025.

Previous wording

Under one set of rights covering the western part of the Oldenburg concession (approximately 662,000 acres), the Trust receives a royalty payment of 4% on gross receipts from sales by Mobil Erdgas of gas well gas, oil well gas, crude oil and condensate (the "Mobil Agreement"). Under the Mobil Agreement, there is no deduction of costs prior to the calculation of royalties from gas well gas and oil well gas, which together accounted for 96% of the cumulative royalty income received under this agreement in fiscal 2025. Historically, the Trust has received significantly greater royalty payments under the Mobil Agreement, as compared to the OEG Agreement described below, due to the higher royalty rate specified by that agreement.

Current wording

Under one set of rights covering the western part of the Oldenburg concession (approximately 662,000 acres), the Trust receives a royalty payment of 4% on gross receipts from sales by Mobil Erdgas of gas well gas, oil well gas, crude oil and condensate (the "Mobil Agreement"). Under the Mobil Agreement, there is no deduction of costs prior to the calculation of royalties from gas well gas and oil well gas, which together accounted for approximately 98% of the cumulative royalty income received under this agreement in fiscal 2025. Historically, the Trust has received significantly greater royalty payments under the Mobil Agreement, as compared to the OEG Agreement described below, due to the higher royalty rate specified by the Mobil Agreement.

Previous wording

The Trust is also entitled under the Mobil Sulfur Agreement to receive a 2% royalty on gross receipts of sales of sulfur obtained as a by-product of sour gas produced from the western part of Oldenburg. The payment of the sulfur royalty is conditioned upon sales of sulfur by Mobil Erdgas at a selling price above an agreed upon base price. This base price is adjusted annually by an inflation index. In the first fiscal quarter of 2025, the Trust received $70,202 in sulfur royalties from a combination of sulfur royalties payable for the third and fourth quarters of calendar 2024. In the first quarter of fiscal 2024, the Trust received $68,205 in sulfur royalties under this agreement.

Current wording

The Trust is also entitled under an agreement with Mobil to receive a 2% royalty on gross receipts of sales of sulfur obtained as a by-product of sour gas produced from the western part of Oldenburg ("the Mobil Sulfur Agreement"). The payment of the sulfur royalty is conditioned upon sales of sulfur by Mobil Erdgas at a selling price above an agreed upon base price. This base price is adjusted annually by an inflation index. In the first six months of fiscal 2025, the Trust received $127,442 in sulfur royalties under the Mobil Sulfur Agreement from a combination of previous quarters and corrections uncovered during the royalty examination process. In the first six months of fiscal 2024, the Trust received $68,205 in sulfur royalties under the Mobil Sulfur Agreement.

Previous wording

Under another set of rights covering the entire Oldenburg concession and pursuant to the agreement with OEG, the Trust receives royalties at the rate of 0.6667% on gross receipts from sales by BEB of gas well gas, oil well gas, crude oil, condensate and sulfur (removed during the processing of sour gas) less a certain allowed deduction of costs (the "OEG Agreement"). Under the OEG Agreement, 50% of the field handling and treatment costs, as reported for state royalty purposes, are deducted from the gross sales receipts prior to the calculation of the royalty to be paid to the Trust.

Current wording

Under another set of rights covering the entire Oldenburg concession and pursuant to the agreement with OEG, the Trust receives royalties at the rate of 0.6667% on gross receipts from sales by BEB of gas well gas, oil well gas, crude oil, condensate and sulfur (removed during the processing of sour gas) less a certain allowed deduction of costs (the "OEG Agreement"). Under the OEG Agreement, 50% of the field handling and treatment costs, as reported for state royalty purposes, are deducted from the gross sales receipts prior to the calculation of the royalties to be paid to the Trust.

Previous wording

In 2016, the Mobil and OEG Agreements were amended, establishing a new base for the determination of gas prices upon which the Trust's royalties are calculated. This change reflects a shift to the prices calculated for the German Border Import gas Price ("GBIP"). The average GBIP used under the Mobil and OEG Royalty Agreements has been and will continue to be increased by 1% and 3%, respectively, for the royalty calculations. This change was intended to reduce the scope and cost of the accounting examination, eliminate ongoing disputes with OEG and Mobil regarding sales to related parties, and reduce prior year adjustments to the normally scheduled year-end reconciliation. The pricing basis has eliminated certain costs (transportation and plant gas storage), that were previously deductible prior to the royalty calculation under the OEG Agreement.

Current wording

The Mobil and OEG Agreements as amended established a new base for the determination of gas prices upon which the Trust's royalties are calculated. This change reflects a shift to the prices calculated for the German Border Import gas Price ("GBIP"). The average GBIP used under the Mobil and OEG Royalty Agreements is increased by 1% and 3%, respectively, for the royalty calculations. This change reduces the scope and cost of the accounting examination, eliminates ongoing disputes with OEG and Mobil regarding sales to related parties, and reduces prior year adjustments to the normally scheduled year-end reconciliation. The pricing basis has eliminated certain costs (transportation and plant gas storage) that were previously deducted prior to the royalty calculation under the OEG Agreement.

Previous wording

The Trust's consultant in Germany provides general information to the Trust on the German and European economies and energy markets as well as monitoring the continuing impact of the war in Ukraine and ongoing efforts by the European governments to respond to the economic impacts of the war. This information provides a context in which to evaluate the actions of the operating companies. The Trust's consultant receives reports from EMPG with respect to current and planned drilling and exploration efforts. EMPG has not drilled any new wells since 2014 and has not scheduled any new gas well drilling through 2025. EMPG and the operating companies continue to limit the information flow to that which is required by German law, and the Trust is not able to confirm the accuracy of any of the information supplied by EMPG or the operating companies.

Current wording

The Trust's consultant in Germany provides general information to the Trust on the German and European economies and energy markets as well as monitoring the continuing impact of the war in Ukraine and ongoing efforts by the European governments to respond to the economic impacts of the war. This information provides a context in which to evaluate the actions of the operating companies. The Trust's consultant receives reports from EMPG with respect to current and planned drilling and exploration efforts. EMPG has not scheduled any new gas well drilling through 2025. EMPG and the operating companies continue to limit the information flow to that which is required by German law, and the Trust is not able to confirm the accuracy of any of the information supplied by EMPG or the operating companies.

Previous wording

Total royalty income received during the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was derived from sales of gas, sulfur and oil from the Trust's overriding royalty areas in Germany during the fourth calendar quarter of 2024. The distribution of $0.04 per unit was paid on February 26, 2025 to owners of record as of February 14, 2025. Comparisons of total royalty income and net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and 2024 are shown below.

Current wording

Total royalty income received during the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was based upon actual royalties received by the Trust during the first calendar quarter of 2025. A distribution of $0.20 per unit was paid on May 28, 2025 to owners of record as of May 16, 2025. Comparisons of total royalty income received and net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 and 2024 are shown below.

Previous wording

Excluding the effects of differences in prices and average exchange rates, the combination of royalty rates on gas sold from western Oldenburg results in an effective royalty rate approximately seven times higher than the royalty rate on gas sold from eastern Oldenburg. This is of particular significance to the Trust since gas sold from western Oldenburg provides the bulk of royalties paid to the Trust. For the first quarter of fiscal 2025, gas sales from western Oldenburg accounted for only 30.3% of all gas sales from the Oldenburg concession. However, due to the absence of any royalty payments under the OEG Agreement, gas royalties paid under the Mobil Agreement accounted for 100% of all gas royalties.

Current wording

Excluding the effects of differences in prices and average exchange rates, the combination of royalty rates on gas sold from western Oldenburg results in an effective royalty rate approximately seven times higher than the royalty rate on gas sold from eastern Oldenburg. This is of particular significance to the Trust since gas sold from western Oldenburg provides the bulk of royalties paid to the Trust. For the calendar quarter ended March 31, 2025, gas sales from western Oldenburg accounted for only 29% of all gas sales from the Oldenburg concession. However, royalties on these gas sales provided approximately 78%, or $1,615,410 out of $1,819,549, in Oldenburg royalties attributable to gas.

Previous wording

The current Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus of the Trust at January 31, 2025, compared to that at fiscal year-end (October 31, 2024), shows an increase in assets due to higher royalty receipts during the first quarter of fiscal 2025.

Current wording

The current Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus of the Trust at April 30, 2025, compared to that at fiscal year-end (October 31, 2024), shows an increase in assets primarily to reserve for present and future liabilities.

Previous wording

Results: First Quarter of Fiscal 2025 versus First Quarter of Fiscal 2024

Current wording

Results: First Six Months of Fiscal 2025 versus First Six Months of Fiscal 2024

Previous wording

Total royalty income often includes positive and negative adjustments that the operators made during the quarter based upon their corrected royalty calculations for the prior periods, as well as Mobil sulfur royalties. In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, total royalty income was reduced by prior period adjustments for calendar 2023 totaling $2,485,712, the bulk of which arose due to the large gas price swings caused by the war in Ukraine and Germany's reaction. Mobil sulfur royalties added $70,202 to the total for the quarter. In the first quarter of fiscal 2024, total royalty income was reduced by negative adjustments carrying over from the prior quarter totaling $1,944,954. Mobil sulfur royalties from both prior quarters and prior years added $68,205 to the total for the quarter.

Current wording

Total royalty income can potentially include positive and/or negative adjustments that the operators made during the quarter based upon their corrected royalty calculations for the prior periods, as well as the inclusion of Mobil sulfur royalties. During the first six months of fiscal 2025, total royalty income was reduced because there were prior period adjustments totaling $2,567,090 and was increased by Mobil sulfur royalties of $127,442. During the first six months of fiscal 2024, total royalty income was reduced because there were prior period negative adjustments totaling $2,152,016 but was increased by Mobil sulfur royalties of $68,205.

Previous wording

The table below is intended to illustrate trends based on actual gas sales in each quarter. Gas royalties shown in the table below are determined based on the actual physical gas sales that occurred during the fourth calendar quarters of 2024 and 2023 and the average German Border Import gas Price for the periods of August through October 2024 and 2023. No adjustments for prior periods are reflected in the gas royalties.

Current wording

The following table is intended to illustrate trends based on actual gas sales in each quarter. Gas royalties for the first six months of fiscal 2025 are determined based on the actual physical gas sales that occurred during the fourth calendar quarter of 2024 and the first calendar quarter of 2025 and the average German Border Import gas Price for the period of August 2024 through January 2025.
Rearranged current paragraphs (1)

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

The following table is intended to illustrate trends based on actual gas sales in each quarter. Gas royalties are determined based on the actual physical gas sales that occurred during the first calendar quarter of 2025 and the average German Border Import gas Price for the period of November 2024 through January 2025.