SAN JUAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 14, 2024.
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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.
Mar 31, 2024 · Filed May 14, 2024
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Item 1. Financial Statements
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS
| March 31, | December 31, | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| ASSETS | ||
| Cash and short-term investments | $3,323,927 | $1,574,347 |
| Net overriding royalty interest in producing oil and gas properties (net of accumulated amortization of $130,571,755 and $130,522,279 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) | 2,703,773 | 2,753,249 |
| $6,027,700 | $4,327,596 | |
| LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS | ||
| Distribution payable to Unit Holders | $1,923,927 | $574,347 |
| Cash reserves | 1,400,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Trust corpus – 46,608,796 Units of beneficial interest authorized and outstanding | 2,703,773 | 2,753,249 |
| $6,027,700 | $4,327,596 | |
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
| Three Months EndedMarch 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Royalty income | $5,091,060 | $36,416,704 |
| Interest income | 17,655 | 36,936 |
| Total income | 5,108,715 | 36,453,640 |
| General and administrative expenses | (1,016,171) | (482,364) |
| Distributable income | $4,092,544 | $35,971,276 |
| Distributable income per Unit (46,608,796 Units) | $0.087806 | $0.771771 |
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS (UNAUDITED)
| Three Months EndedMarch 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Trust corpus, beginning of period | $2,753,249 | $2,968,707 |
| Amortization of net overriding royalty interest | (49,476) | (110,615) |
| Distributable income | 4,092,544 | 35,971,276 |
| Distributions declared | (4,092,544) | (35,971,276) |
| Trust corpus, end of period | $2,703,773 | $2,858,092 |
| Distributions declared (per Unit) | $0.087806 | $0.771771 |
Notes to Financial Statements
- Trust Organization and Administration
The San Juan Basin Royalty Trust (the “Trust”) was established on November 1, 1980 when Southland Royalty Company (“Southland”) conveyed to the Trust a 75% net overriding royalty interest (the “Royalty”) that burdens certain oil and gas interests (the “Subject Interests”) in properties owned by Southland and located in the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico. Subsequent to the conveyance of the Royalty, through a series of sales, assignments and mergers, Southland’s successor became Hilcorp San Juan L.P. (“Hilcorp”), which acquired the Subject Interests from Burlington on July 31, 2017. Through an acquisition completed on March 24, 2006, Compass Bank succeeded TexasBank as trustee of the Trust. On September 7, 2007, Compass Bancshares, Inc. was acquired by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (“BBVA”) and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of BBVA. Effective June 10, 2019, Compass Bank changed its name to BBVA USA. On June 1, 2021, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) announced that it had completed the purchase of BBVA USA Bancshares, Inc., a financial holding company, including its U.S. banking subsidiary, BBVA USA, an Alabama-chartered bank and trustee of the Trust (“BBVA USA”).
On October 8, 2021, PNC Bank, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of PNC, succeeded BBVA USA as the trustee of the Trust following BBVA USA’s merger with and into PNC Bank. On February 15, 2024, Argent Trust Company succeeded PNC Bank as the trustee of the Trust following the resignation of PNC Bank. The defined term “Trustee” as used herein shall refer to PNC Bank for periods from October 8, 2021 through February 14, 2024, and shall refer to Argent Trust Company for periods on and after February 15, 2024. For all periods prior to October 8, 2021, use of the defined term “Trustee” herein shall refer to the entity serving as Trustee of the Trust during the applicable time period.
On November 3, 1980, 46,608,796 Units in the Trust were distributed to the Trustee for the benefit of Southland shareholders of record as of November 3, 1980, who received one Unit in the Trust for each share of Southland common stock held. The Trust’s initial public offering was completed in 1980. The Units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Holders of Units are referred to herein as “Unit Holders.”
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 sell up to one percent (1%) of the value (based on prior year engineering reports) of the Royalty in any 12-month period, but otherwise may not sell all or any part of the Royalty unless approved by holders of 75% of all Units outstanding. In either 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;
The Trustee will make monthly cash distributions to Unit Holders (see Note 3); and
The Trust will generally terminate upon the first to occur of the following events: (i) at such time as the Trust’s gross revenue for each of two successive years is less than $1.0 million per year or (ii) the Unit Holders of at least 75% of all of the Units outstanding vote in favor of termination.
- Net Overriding Royalty Interest and Distribution to Unit Holders
The amounts to be distributed to Unit Holders (“Monthly Distribution Amounts”) are determined on a monthly basis by the Trustee. The Monthly Distribution Amount is an amount equal to the sum of cash received by the Trustee during a calendar month attributable to the Royalty, 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 and such negative 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 Net Proceeds generated by the owner of the Subject Interests multiplied by 75%.
The initial carrying value of the Royalty of $133,275,528 represented Southland’s historical net book value at the date of the transfer of the Trust. Accumulated amortization as of March 31, 2024, was $130,571,755.
- Basis of Presentation
The preceding condensed statement of assets, liabilities, and trust corpus as of December 31, 2023, 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 (the “SEC”). These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. In the opinion of the Trustee and based upon information provided to the Trust by Hilcorp, the present owner of Subject Interests originally owned by 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, 2024, and the distributable income and changes in trust corpus for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The distributable income for such interim period 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 (as amended to date, the “Conveyance”) conveyed to the Trust a 75% net overriding royalty interest 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.
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, 2024.
- 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, 2024, the Trust’s tax years 2020 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.
- 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 3 Basis of Presentation, for a summary of the terms of the Conveyance with respect to recovery of costs.
Hilcorp transitioned to a new accounting system in 2021. During and immediately following the transition period, revenue and severance taxes on the distributions to the Trust were estimated. Then, in 2021 and 2022, various adjustments were made to reconcile actual revenue and severance taxes to the previously reported estimates. Hilcorp conducted a process review of the new accounting system that included review of production volume allocations for 2017 through 2020 and resulted in reallocations of affected volumes for many of the Trust properties.
Through the Trustee's audit process, certain exceptions to the several different categories of expenses (specifically offsite labor, overhead, operator-owned compressors and saltwater disposal facilities) for the years 2017 through 2020 were identified that the Trustee believed resulted in an underpayment of royalties owed to the Trust for those years. The Trustee engaged in extensive discussions with Hilcorp regarding these exceptions that culminated in Hilcorp’s payment of the sum of $1,037,093.45, which included the accumulated interest incurred as a result of the underpayment. The audit settlement payment was included in the September 2023 distribution to Unit Holders.
Since the transition to Hilcorp's new accounting system in 2021, the Trustee has engaged and continues to engage with Hilcorp on an ongoing basis regarding Hilcorp's accounting and reporting to the Trust. 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 analyses 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 professional consultants and outside counsel to help evaluate compliance with the underlying operative Trust agreements and evaluate potential remedies in the event there is evidence of non-compliance.
- Certain Contracts
As part of the transition from Burlington to Hilcorp, Hilcorp has assumed, or been assigned, all the natural gas purchase, gathering and processing contracts affecting the Subject Interests. Natural gas produced from the Subject Interests is processed at the following sites: Chaco, Val Verde, Milagro, Ignacio or Kutz plants, all located in the San Juan Basin. Hilcorp sells natural gas produced from the Subject Interests under various contracts. The Trust is not a party to any of the purchase, gathering or processing contracts, and thus the Trust has limited knowledge over the terms of the various contracts and lacks the ability to influence such terms. As part of the 1996 settlement of litigation filed by the Trustee in 1992 against Burlington and Southland, the Trustee and Burlington established a formal protocol pursuant to which compliance auditors, retained by the Trustee, have access to Burlington and its successors’ books and records, which protocol has been adopted by Hilcorp.
- Significant Customers
Information as to significant purchasers of oil and natural gas production attributable to the Trust's economic interests is included in Note 6 above.
- Development Costs
Hilcorp’s capital budget plans for the Subject Interests are delivered to the Trustee at the beginning of each calendar year. The estimates are subject to change, based on, among other things, Hilcorp’s actual capital requirements, the pace of regulatory approvals, the mix of projects and swings in the price of natural gas.
Both the estimated annual capital expenditures and the actual expenses reported by Hilcorp include amounts attributable to capital budgets for prior years because capital expenditures are deducted in calculating Royalty Income in the month they accrue and projects within a given year’s budget often extend into subsequent years. Further, Hilcorp’s accounting period for capital expenditures runs from January through December 31 of each calendar year, which corresponds and is reported in Trust Distribution months March of the same calendar year through February of the following calendar year. In addition, with respect to wells not operated by Hilcorp, Hilcorp’s share of capital expenditures may not be paid until the following year(s) after those expenses were incurred by the operator.
On February 16, 2024, the Trust announced that Hilcorp had provided the Trust with its 2024 capital project plan for the Subject Interests (the “2024 Plan”), and Hilcorp has estimated its 2024 capital expenditures for the Subject Interests to be $36.0 million. This plan was updated on March 6, 2024, with a reduction of approximately $2.0 million, bringing the total estimate of 2024 capital expenditures to $34.0 million. Hilcorp informed the Trust that its 2024 Plan will allocate approximately $25.0 million of the 2024 Plan’s budget toward two drilling projects in the Mancos formation. Approximately $8.0 million of the 2024 Plan’s budget will be allocated to 36 well recompletions and workovers scheduled to be completed in the Mesaverde and Fruitland Coal formations. Approximately $1.0 million of the 2024 Plan’s budget will be allocated to facilities projects related to natural gas compression. Hilcorp further informed the Trust that its planned project status for 2024 is subject to revision if Hilcorp revises its assumptions underlying the 2024 Plan, in which event the actual capital costs may vary from these estimates.
- Settlements and Litigation
On March 8, 2024, Plaintiff’s First Amended Petition was filed in a lawsuit styled Michael Tollett v. Enterprise Products Partners, LP, Primoris Energy Services Corporation, and Bayou Electrical Services, LLC, No. 2023-79550 in the 127th District Court in Harris County, Texas. That amended petition named additional defendants, including among others, Hilcorp San Juan Basin Royalty Trust (sic). The litigation sought damages for an alleged personal injury. Following discussions between counsel for the Trust and the Plaintiff’s counsel, a Plaintiff’s Motion to Nonsuit without Prejudice (the “Motion”) was agreed upon and filed. The Motion was granted by the court on March 27, 2024, releasing the Trust from the litigation.
10.Subsequent Events
On April 19, 2024, the Trust announced a cash distribution of $1,065,685.42 or $0.022864 per Unit, based primarily upon production during the month of February 2024. The distribution is payable May 14, 2024, to the Unit Holders of record as of April 30, 2024.
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