UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
———————
FORM 10-Q
———————
þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2021
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 Number: 001-38472
———————
PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in the
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of PermRock Royalty Trust)
———————
Delaware | 82-6725102 |
(State or other jurisdiction | (I.R.S. Employer |
of incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) |
Simmons Bank, Trustee
P.O. Box 470727
Fort Worth, Texas 76147
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(855) 588-7839
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
———————
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 of Beneficial Interest | PRT | 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. þ 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 such files). ¨ Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ¨ |
| Accelerated filer ¨ |
Non-accelerated filer þ |
| Smaller reporting company þ |
|
| Emerging growth company þ |
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 Exchange Act). ¨ Yes þ No
As of May 17, 2021, 12,165,732 trust units representing beneficial interests in PermRock Royalty Trust were outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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| Page No. |
| ii | |
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| PART I. – FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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Financial Statements | 1 | |
| CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS | 2 |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
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Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 9 | |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 15 | |
Controls and Procedures | 15 | |
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| PART II. – OTHER INFORMATION |
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Legal Proceedings | 16 | |
Exhibits | 16 | |
| 17 | |
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i
Bbl | Barrel (of oil). |
Boe | One barrel of crude oil equivalent. |
differential | The difference between a benchmark price of oil and natural gas, such as the NYMEX crude oil spot, and the wellhead price received. |
distributable income | An amount paid to Trust unitholders equal to the net profits income received by the Trust during a given period plus interest, less the expenses and payment of liabilities of the Trust, adjusted by any changes in cash reserves. |
GAAP | United States generally accepted accounting principles. |
MBbl | One thousand barrels of crude oil or condensate. |
MBoe | One thousand barrels of crude oil equivalent. |
Mcf | One thousand cubic feet (of natural gas). |
MMcf | One million cubic feet (of natural gas). |
natural gas liquids (NGL) | Those hydrocarbons that are separated from the gas as liquids through the process of absorption, condensation, or other methods in gas processing or cycling plants. |
net acres | The sum of the fractional working interests owned by a given operator in gross acres. |
net profits | Gross profits received by Boaz Energy from the sale of production from the Underlying Properties, less applicable costs, as provided in the Conveyance. |
net profits income | Net profits multiplied by the net profits percentage of 80%, which is paid to the Trust by Boaz Energy. “Net profits income” is referred to as “royalty income” for tax reporting purposes. |
Net Profits Interest | An interest in an oil and natural gas property measured by net profits from the sale of production, rather than a specific portion of production. An 80% net profits interest was conveyed to the Trust entitling the Trust to receive 80% of the net profits from the Underlying Properties. |
NYMEX | The New York Mercantile Exchange is a commodity futures exchange that quotes prices for transactions which are the prices paid for various commodities, including oil and natural gas, throughout the world. |
Trust units | Trust units representing beneficial interests in the Trust. |
Underlying Properties | The interest in certain oil and natural gas properties from which the Net Profits Interest was conveyed by Boaz Energy. The Underlying Properties include working interests in oil and natural gas producing properties located in the Permian Basin in Texas. |
working interest | An operating interest in an oil and natural gas property that provides the owner a specified share of production that is subject to all production expense and development costs. |
ii
PART I. – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
The condensed financial statements included herein are presented without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, and Simmons Bank, as Trustee (the “Trustee”), believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These condensed interim financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Trust’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2020 Annual Report”). In the opinion of the Trustee, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the assets, liabilities and Trust corpus of PermRock Royalty Trust at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and the distributable income and changes in Trust corpus for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020 have been included. Distributable income for such interim periods is not necessarily indicative of distributable income for the full year.
1
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS
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| March 31, |
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| December 31, |
| ||
ASSETS |
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Cash and short-term investments |
| $ | 1,566,254 |
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| $ | 1,181,449 |
|
Net Profits Interest(1) |
|
| 87,034,503 |
|
|
| 87,916,384 |
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TOTAL ASSETS |
| $ | 88,600,757 |
|
| $ | 89,097,833 |
|
LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS |
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|
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Distribution payable to unitholders |
| $ | 566,254 |
|
| $ | 181,474 |
|
Cash reserves(2) |
|
| 1,000,000 |
|
|
| 1,000,000 |
|
Trust corpus |
|
| 87,034,503 |
|
|
| 87,916,359 |
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS |
| $ | 88,600,757 |
|
| $ | 89,097,833 |
|
(1) | See Note 2 to condensed financial statements for further discussion of the Net Profits Interest. |
(2) | The Trustee is authorized to retain cash from distributions received by the Trust in an amount not to exceed $1.0 million to be used in the event that cash on hand is not sufficient to pay ordinary course administrative expenses and to provide for future liabilities of the Trust. |
The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
2
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
|
| Three Months Ended |
| |||||
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| 2021 |
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| 2020 |
| ||
Net profits income |
| $ | 1,289,640 |
|
| $ | 1,754,255 |
|
Interest income |
|
| 62 |
|
|
| 3,073 |
|
Total revenue |
| $ | 1,289,702 |
|
| $ | 1,757,328 |
|
Expenditures – general and administrative |
|
| (241,274 | ) |
|
| (262,264 | ) |
Interest received but not distributed |
|
| (3 | ) |
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| 0 |
|
Cash reserves (1) |
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| (0 | ) |
|
| (300,000 | ) |
Distributable income |
| $ | 1,048,425 |
|
| $ | 1,195,064 |
|
Distributable income per unit (2) |
| $ | 0.086177 |
|
| $ | 0.098230 |
|
(1) | The Trustee is authorized to retain cash from distributions received by the Trust in an amount not to exceed $1.0 million to be used in the event that cash on hand is not sufficient to pay ordinary course administrative expenses and to provide for future liabilities of the Trust. |
(2) | Based on 12,165,732 Trust units issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021. |
The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
3
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS (UNAUDITED)
|
| Three Months Ended |
| |||||
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2020 |
| ||
Trust corpus, beginning of period |
| $ | 87,916,359 |
|
| $ | 89,043,803 |
|
Amortization of Net Profits Interest |
|
| (881,856 | ) |
|
| (465,048 | ) |
Distributable income |
| $ | 566,254 |
|
| $ | 1,195,064 |
|
Distributions declared |
|
| (566,254 | ) |
|
| (1,195,064 | ) |
Trust corpus, end of period |
| $ | 87,034,503 |
|
| $ | 88,578,755 |
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The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
4
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. | Organization of Trust |
PermRock Royalty Trust (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust formed on November 22, 2017 under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act pursuant to a trust agreement dated November 22, 2017, as amended and restated on May 4, 2018, by and among Boaz Energy II, LLC (“Boaz Energy”), as trustor, Simmons Bank, as Trustee (the “Trustee”), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Delaware Trustee (the “Delaware Trustee”) (such amended and restated trust agreement, as amended to date, the “Trust Agreement”).
The Trust was created to acquire and hold the Net Profits Interest for the benefit of the Trust unitholders. In connection with the closing of the initial public offering of Trust units, on May 4, 2018, Boaz Energy conveyed the Net Profits Interest to the Trust in exchange for Trust units pursuant to a conveyance agreement between Boaz Energy, the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (the “Conveyance”). The Net Profits Interest represents an interest in the Underlying Properties.
The Net Profits Interest entitles the Trust to receive 80% of the net profits from the sale of oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties. The Net Profits Interest is passive in nature and neither the Trust nor the Trustee has any control over, or responsibility for, costs relating to the operation of the Underlying Properties. The Trust has and will continue to make monthly cash distributions of the balance, if any, of all of its monthly cash receipts, after deduction of fees and expenses for the administration of the Trust and any cash reserves, to holders of its Trust units as of the applicable record date on or before the 10th business day after the record date. Distributions generally relate to sales from a one-month period.
The Trustee may deposit funds awaiting distribution in an account with an FDIC-insured or national bank, including the Trustee, if the interest paid to the Trust at least equals amounts paid by the Trustee on similar deposits, and make other short-term investments with the funds distributed to the Trust.
In May 2018, Boaz Energy completed an initial public offering of 6,250,000 of the 12,165,732 total Trust units outstanding, retaining ownership of 5,915,732 Trust units. As of March 31, 2021, Boaz Energy owned 5,878,332 Trust units of the 12,165,732 Trust units issued and outstanding.
2. | Trust Significant Accounting Policies |
a. | Basis of Accounting |
The Trust uses the modified cash basis of accounting to report Trust receipts of the Net Profits Interest and payments of expenses incurred. The Net Profits Interest represents the right to receive revenues (primarily oil and natural gas sales), less direct operating expenses, lease operating expenses, severance and ad valorem taxes and development expenses of the Underlying Properties, multiplied by 80%. Cash distributions of the Trust are made based on the amount of cash received by the Trust pursuant to terms of the Conveyance creating the Net Profits Interest.
The financial statements of the Trust, as prepared on a modified cash basis, reflect the Trust’s assets, liabilities, Trust corpus, earnings and distributions as follows:
| · | Income from the Net Profits Interest is recorded when distributions are received by the Trust; |
| · | Distributions to Trust unitholders are recorded when declared by the Trust; |
| · | Trust general and administrative expenses (which includes the Trustee’s fees as well as accounting, printing, engineering, legal, tax advisory and other professional fees) are recorded when paid; cash reserves for Trust expenses may be established by the Trustee for certain expenditures that would not be recorded as contingent liabilities under United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”); |
| · | Amortization of the investment in the Net Profits Interest is calculated on a unit-of-production basis and is charged directly to Trust corpus, and such amortization does not affect distributions from the Trust; and |
5
PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
| · | The Trust’s investment in the Net Profits Interest is periodically assessed to determine whether its aggregate value has been impaired below its total capitalized cost basis. In general, neither the Trustee nor Boaz Energy view temporarily low prices as an indication of impairment. The markets for crude oil and natural gas have a history of significant price volatility and though prices will occasionally drop significantly, industry prices over the long term will continue to be driven by market supply and demand. If events and circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable, the Trustee would use the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows from the Net Profits Interest to evaluate the recoverability of the Trust assets. If the undiscounted future net cash flows from the Net Profits Interest are less than the Net Profits Interest carrying value, the Trust would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the Net Profits Interest carrying value and the estimated fair value of the Net Profits Interest. The determination as to whether the Net Profits Interest is impaired is based on the best information available to the Trustee at the time of the evaluation, including information provided by Boaz Energy such as estimates of future production and development and operating expenses. |
The financial statements of the Trust are prepared on a modified cash basis of accounting, which is considered to be the most meaningful basis of preparation for a royalty trust because monthly distributions to the Trust unitholders are based on net cash receipts. Although this basis of accounting is permitted for royalty trusts by the SEC, the financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP because net profits income is not accrued in the month of production, expenses are not recognized when incurred and cash reserves may be established for certain contingencies that would not be recorded in GAAP financial statements. This comprehensive basis of accounting other than GAAP 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.
b. | Interim Financial Statements. |
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared by the Trust in accordance with the accounting policies stated in the audited financial statements and notes of the Trust thereto included in the Trust’s 2020 Annual Report and reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of the Trustee, necessary to state fairly the information in the Trust’s unaudited interim financial statements.
c. | Use of Estimates. |
The preparation of financial statements requires the Trust to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimated future cash flows used to determine amortization and potential impairment of the investment in the Net Profits Interest are subject to change.
d. | Risks and Uncertainties. |
The Trust’s revenue and distributions are substantially dependent upon the prevailing and future prices for oil and natural gas, each of which depends on numerous factors beyond the Trust’s control such as economic conditions, the global political environment, regulatory developments and competition from other energy sources. Oil and natural gas prices historically have been volatile and may be subject to significant fluctuations in the future.
Revenue received by the Trust (and its ability to pay distributions) has been and will continue to be directly affected by the volatility in commodity prices in response to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decline in commodity prices resulted in an oversupply of crude oil, further exacerbating the decline in crude oil prices. While crude oil prices have been higher during the first quarter of 2021, fluctuations and depressions could continue for an extended period of time.
e. | Contingencies. |
Contingencies related to the Underlying Properties that are unfavorably resolved would generally be expected to result in reductions to cash receipts to the Trust in respect of the Net Profits Interest with corresponding reductions to cash distributions to Trust unitholders. Please see the discussion of litigation in Note 8 to condensed financial statements.
6
PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
3. | Income Taxes |
Tax counsel advised the Trust at the time of formation that for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Trust is treated as a grantor trust and will not be subject to federal income tax at the trust level. Trust unitholders will be treated for such purposes as owning a direct interest in the assets of the Trust, and each Trust unitholder is taxed directly on its pro rata share of the income and any gain, if sold, attributable to the assets of the Trust and is entitled to claim its pro rata share of deductions and expenses attributable to the assets of the Trust. Each Trust unitholder should consult his or her own tax advisor regarding income tax requirements, if any, applicable to such unitholder’s ownership of Trust units.
4. | Cash Reserves |
Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, as of May 31, 2019, the Trustee began retaining cash from the distributions the Trust receives to be used by the Trust in the event that its cash on hand (including available cash reserves) is not sufficient to pay ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due. The Trustee is authorized to retain cash reserves (i) in an amount not to exceed $1.0 million at any one time and (ii) in such amounts as the Trustee in its discretion deems appropriate to pay for future liabilities of the Trust, but not less than $25,000 per month or more than $100,000 per month. Cash reserves held by the Trustee for administrative expenses totaled $1,000,000 as of March 31, 2021.
Boaz Energy is entitled under the Conveyance to reserve up to $3.0 million from the net profits for certain future taxes and development or operating expenses. As of December 31, 2020, the balance of funds held back to cover certain future capital expenses was $222,157 net to the Trust. As of March 31, 2021, the balance of funds reserved by Boaz Energy, net to the Trust, was $202,157.
5. | Distributions to Unitholders |
The Trust makes monthly cash distributions of the net amount, if any, of its monthly cash receipts, after deduction of fees and expenses for the administration of the Trust and cash reserves to holders of its Trust units as of the applicable record date on or before the 10th business day after the record date.
Based on 12,165,732 Trust units outstanding at each date listed below, the per unit distributions during the quarter ended March 31, 2021 were as follows:
Record Date |
| Payment Date |
| Distribution per Unit |
January 29, 2021 |
| February 12, 2021 |
| $0.015930 |
February 26, 2021 |
| March 12, 2021 |
| 0.023704 |
March 31, 2021 |
| April 14, 2021 |
| 0.046543 |
|
|
|
| $0.086177 |
6. | Related Party Transactions |
Trustee Administrative Fee. Under the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Trust pays an annual administrative fee to the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee. The Delaware Trustee’s annual fee is $4,000. For 2021, the Trustee’s annual administrative fee is $193,163, which is divided into twelve equal monthly payments throughout the year. The Trustee’s annual administrative fee increased at a rate of 3% per year for the first three years of the Trust’s existence, and will increase at a rate of 2% per year for the next two years, then increase at a rate of 1% per year until the 20th anniversary of the Trust’s formation and then remain flat thereafter. These costs of the Trust, which are included in administration expenses, are deducted by the Trust before distributions are made to Trust unitholders.
Agreements with Boaz Energy. On May 4, 2018, the Trust entered into a registration rights agreement for the benefit of Boaz Energy and certain of its affiliates and transferees, pursuant to which the Trust agreed to register the offering of the Trust units held by Boaz Energy and certain of its affiliates and permitted transferees upon request by Boaz Energy. As of March 31, 2021, Boaz Energy owned 5,878,332 Trust units of the 12,165,732 Trust units issued and outstanding.
7
PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
7. | Development Costs |
Boaz Energy has advised the Trustee that the estimate for Boaz Energy’s 2021 capital budget for the Underlying Properties is $5.5 million, of which approximately $0.9 million had been expended as of March 31, 2021. Based on current oil and gas prices, Boaz anticipates continuing to participate as a non-operator in certain drilling and waterflood conformance work in both Crane and Terry counties, as well as drilling two operated wells in Crane county sometime is 2021. The majority of capital spent in 2021 to date has been on non-operated drilling and completion operations in Crane County. The $5.5 million estimate is subject to change based on, among other things, changes in the price of oil and natural gas, including the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on such prices, Boaz Energy’s actual capital requirements, the pace of regulatory approvals and the mix of projects.
8. | Settlements and Litigation |
On October 1, 2018, a lawsuit styled Thaleia L. Marston, Trustee of the Marston Trust v. Blackbeard Operating, LLC, et.al, No. 18-10-24761 – CVW in the 143rd District Court in Ward County, Texas (the “2018 Litigation”) was filed, naming, among others, Boaz Energy and the Trust as defendants. The plaintiff is a lessor under two leases operated by Blackbeard Operating LLC. The Underlying Properties include the interests of Boaz Energy in some of the minerals covered by those leases. The litigation seeks surface use damages and alleges violations of the terms of the leases, among other things. While it is not yet possible to estimate any potential loss or range of loss, Boaz Energy has advised the Trustee that it does not anticipate the litigation will materially affect the Trust. On January 3, 2020, Lawrence M. Marston joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff alleging surface damage claims against Blackbeard and Goodnight Midstream Permian, L.L.C., but not against the Trust. On January 17, 2020, the Trust and the other defendants filed a motion for summary judgment, which would dispose of the claims against the Trust if granted. After delays related to COVID-19, a hearing on the summary judgment motions filed by the Defendants and Goodnight was held on August 27, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, the court had not yet ruled on the motion for summary judgment. A mediation was conducted on November 10, 2020, but no settlement was reached. The discovery period closed in January 2021. Counsel for the defendants reported that during discovery, plaintiffs appeared to concede several points related to their claim against the Trust in responses to request for disclosure and a deposition of the Marston Trust’s manager, including that the Trust and the other defendants are entitled to retain 40-acres around each producing well as defendants have contended all along. However, plaintiffs have not formally amended their pleading or otherwise non-suited any claim against the Trust. Consequently, the Trust and the other defendants filed a second summary judgment motion pointing out, in part, that plaintiffs appear to have conceded portions of their claim against the Trust and the other defendants regarding the trespass to try title claim. That motion was set for hearing on April 1, 2021, but at that hearing, the court granted the plaintiffs’ counsel’s motion to withdraw from representing the plaintiffs and vacated the May 3, 2021 trial setting to allow plaintiffs an opportunity to retain new counsel. The court did not re-open the expired discovery and pleading deadlines. All other motions were carried forward. At the time of the May 11, 2021 status conference, the plaintiffs had not yet retained replacement counsel, but the court advised it was going to move the case forward and would soon set a new trial date and a date for a pre-trial hearing to hear pending motions.
9. | Subsequent Events |
On April 20, 2021, the Trust declared a cash distribution of $0.044638 per Trust unit based upon production during the month of February 2021 to record holders as of April 30, 2021. The distribution was paid on May 14, 2021. The following table shows underlying oil and natural gas sales and average prices during the production month of February 2021 and attributable to the distribution declared on April 20, 2021:
|
|
| Underlying Sales Volumes |
|
| Average Price |
| ||||||||||
|
|
| Oil |
|
| Gas |
|
| Oil |
|
| Gas |
| ||||
February |
|
|
| 28,062 |
|
|
| 41,455 |
|
| $ | 57.44 |
|
| $ | 3.96 |
|
8
ITEM 2.
TRUSTEE’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Introduction
The following discussion and analysis is intended to help the reader understand the Trust’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Trust’s unaudited condensed financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”) and the Trust’s audited financial statements and the accompanying notes included in the Trust’s 2020 Annual Report.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Certain information included in this Quarterly Report 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 Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Such forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “expect,” “predict,” “project,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “should,” “assume,” “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Quarterly Report are forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements under this “Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” and all statements regarding Boaz Energy and Simmons Bank’s (as Trustee of the Trust) expectations, beliefs and plans regarding the following: (i) Boaz Energy’s capital projects, timing and estimated costs, and the resulting impact of those activities on the computation of the Net Profits Interest; (ii) outside operators’ capital projects and the resulting impact of those activities on the Net Profits Interest; (iii) implementation or continued use of waterflood projects and workovers and the location of waterflood projects and workovers; (iv) Boaz Energy’s estimated capital expenditures; (v) the timing of capital expenditures and capital reserve amounts; (vi) the expected timing of litigation proceedings; (vii) the impact of current litigation matters on the Trust; (viii) Boaz Energy’s staffing levels or future reductions in staffing on the Underlying Properties; (ix) shut in of wells on the Underlying Properties; (x) the effects of COVID-19 and disputes over production levels; and (xi) distributions to Trust unitholders. Such statements are based on certain assumptions of the Trustee, and certain assumptions of information provided to the Trust by Boaz Energy, the owner of the Underlying Properties; are based on an assessment of, and are subject to, a variety of factors deemed relevant by the Trustee and Boaz Energy; and involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors could affect the future results of the energy industry in general, and Boaz Energy and the Trust in particular, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Those factors include, without limitation, the following:
| · | the effect of changes in commodity prices or alternative fuel prices; |
| · | the effect of public health concerns such as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and any government response thereto; |
| · | political and economic conditions in or affecting other oil and natural gas producing regions or countries; |
| · | uncertainties in estimating production and oil and natural gas reserves of the Underlying Properties; |
| · | risks associated with the drilling and operation of oil and natural gas wells; |
| · | the cost of developing the Underlying Properties; |
| · | the ability to maintain anticipated production levels; |
| · | the amount of future direct operating expenses, development expenses and other capital expenditures; |
| · | availability and terms of capital to fund capital expenditures; |
| · | risks associated with Boaz Energy and its ability to transfer operation of the Underlying Properties to third parties without the approval of Trust unitholders; |
| · | the performance of such third parties contracted by Boaz Energy and their ability or willingness to provide sufficient facilities and services to Boaz Energy on commercially reasonable terms; |
| · | the effect of existing and future laws and regulatory actions; |
| · | The actions of the Organizations of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”); |
| · | conditions in the capital markets; |
| · | competition from others in the energy industry; |
| · | uncertainty in whether development projects will be pursued; |
| · | severe or unseasonable weather that may adversely affect production; |
| · | adequacy of Boaz Energy’s insurance coverage; |
9
| · | costs to comply with current and future governmental regulation of the oil and natural gas industry, including environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and regulations with respect to hydraulic fracturing and the disposal of produced water; |
| · | the effect of existing and future laws and regulatory actions, including real estate, bankruptcy and tax legislation and the ability to accurately interpret the impact of such laws; |
| · | general economic conditions affecting the Permian Basin; |
| · | risks associated with title deficiencies that may arise with respect to the Underlying Properties and Boaz Energy’s ability to cure any such defects; |
| · | actions by Boaz Energy, including such that result in conflicts of interest, that adversely affect the Trust; |
| · | the ability to successfully estimate the impact of litigation matters, and certain accounting and tax matters; |
| · | the cost of inflation; and |
| · | the risk factors discussed in Part I of the Trust’s 2020 Annual Report. |
You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak as of the date of this Quarterly Report. The Trust does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, unless required by applicable law.
Boaz Energy Information
As a holder of a net profits interest, the Trust relies on Boaz Energy for information regarding Boaz Energy and its affiliates; the Underlying Properties, 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 Underlying Properties; and factors and circumstances that have or may affect the foregoing.
Overview
PermRock Royalty Trust, a Delaware statutory trust formed in November 2017 by Boaz Energy, completed its initial public offering in May 2018. The Trust’s main asset and source of income is the Net Profits Interest, which entitles the Trust to receive 80% of the net profits from oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties. The Net Profits Interest is passive in nature and neither the Trust nor the Trustee has any management control over or responsibility for costs relating to the operation of the Underlying Properties.
The Trust is required to make monthly cash distributions of substantially all of its monthly cash receipts, after deduction of fees and expenses for the administration of the Trust and any cash reserves, to holders of its Trust units as of the applicable record date on or before the 10th business day after the record date. The Net Profits Interest is entitled to a share of the profits from and after January 1, 2018 attributable to production occurring on or after such date. The Trust is not subject to any pre-set termination provisions based on a maximum volume of oil or natural gas to be produced or the passage of time. The amount of Trust revenues and cash distributions to Trust unitholders depends on, among other things:
| · | volumes produced; |
| · | wellhead prices; |
| · | price differentials; |
| · | production and development costs; |
| · | potential reductions or suspensions of production; and |
| · | the amount and timing of Trust administrative expenses. |
Boaz Energy typically receives payment for oil production 30 to 60 days after it is produced and for natural gas production 60 to 90 days after it is produced.
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Properties. The Underlying Properties consist of four operating areas in the Permian Basin in Texas, aggregating 35,390 gross (22,997 net) acres. The Permian Clearfork area consists of 2,434 net acres on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Hockley and Terry Counties, Texas. The Permian Abo area consists of 1,667 net acres on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Terry and Cochran Counties, Texas. The Permian Shelf area consists of 14,727 net acres on the Eastern Shelf of the Permian Basin in Glasscock, Schleicher, Stonewall and Coke Counties, Texas. The Permian Platform area consists of 4,169 net acres on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Ward, Crane, Terry and Ector Counties, Texas.
Outlook
Boaz Energy has advised the Trustee that the estimate for Boaz Energy’s 2021 capital budget for the Underlying Properties is $5.5 million, of which approximately $0.9 million had been expended as of March 31, 2021. Based on current oil and gas prices, Boaz anticipates continuing to participate as a non-operator in certain drilling and waterflood conformance work in both Crane and Terry counties, as well as drilling two operated wells in Crane county sometime is 2021. The majority of capital spent in 2021 to date has been on non-operated drilling and completion operations in Crane County. The $5.5 million estimate is subject to change based on, among other things, changes in the price of oil and natural gas, including the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on such prices, Boaz Energy’s actual capital requirements, the pace of regulatory approvals and the mix of projects.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Distributable Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, net profits income received by the Trust was $1,289,639 compared to $1,754,255 for the same period of the prior year. This decrease in net profits income was primarily due to lower volumes and prices resulting from decreased demand during COVID-19 and temporary shut downs in production during extraordinary winter storms in February 2021. See “Computation of Income from the Net Profits Interest Received by the Trust” below.
After considering interest income of $62 and general and administrative expenditures of $241,274, distributable income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $1,048,425, or $0.086177 per Trust unit. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, total distributable income was $1,195,064, or $0.098230 per unit.
Interest income was lower for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year, due to lower interest rates and a reduction in funds held for distribution. General and administrative expenditures decreased by $21,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year, primarily due to the timing of payments.
Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, as of May 31, 2019, the Trustee is authorized to retain cash reserves for administrative expenses. The Trustee did not retain any cash reserves during the three months ended March 31, 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, $300,000 in cash reserves were retained. Total cash reserves were $1,000,000 as of March 31, 2021 compared to $900,000 as of March 31, 2020.
Based on 12,165,732 Trust units outstanding at each date listed below, the per unit distributions during the three months ended March 31, 2021 were as follows:
Record Date |
| Payment Date |
| Distribution per Unit |
January 29, 2021 |
| February 12, 2021 |
| $0.015930 |
February 26, 2021 |
| March 12, 2021 |
| 0.023704 |
March 31, 2021 |
| April 14, 2021 |
| 0.046543 |
|
|
|
| $0.086177 |
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Computation of Income from the Net Profits Interest Received by the Trust
The Net Profits Interest entitles the Trust to receive 80% of the net profits attributable to Boaz Energy’s interest from the sale of oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties. The Trust’s income from the Net Profits Interest consists of monthly net profits attributable to income from the Underlying Properties. Because of the interval between the time of production and receipt of net profits income by the Trust, the Trust recognizes production during the month in which the related net profits income is paid to the Trust. Net profits income for the three months ended March 31, 2021, was based on production during the months of November 2020 through January 2021. The table below outlines the computation of income from the Net Profits Interest received by the Trust for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020:
|
| Three Months Ended |
|
| Three Months Ended |
| ||
Underlying Properties sales volumes(1): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (Bbl) |
|
| 106,328 |
|
|
| 135,492 |
|
Natural gas (Mcf)(2) |
|
| 146,489 |
|
|
| 150,394 |
|
Total sales (Boe) |
|
| 130,743 |
|
|
| 160,558 |
|
Average realized sales price: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (per Bbl) |
| $ | 44.03 |
|
| $ | 56.39 |
|
Natural gas (per Mcf) |
|
| 2.93 |
|
|
| 2.00 |
|
Calculation of net profits: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profits: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil sales |
| $ | 4,682,464 |
|
| $ | 7,639,983 |
|
Natural gas sales |
|
| 428,955 |
|
|
| 300,047 |
|
Other revenue |
|
| 22,173 |
|
|
| 56,189 |
|
Total gross profits |
| $ | 5,133,591 |
|
| $ | 7,996,219 |
|
Costs: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct operating expenses: |
| $ | 390,598 |
|
| $ | 414,263 |
|
Lease operating expenses |
|
| 1,392,500 |
|
|
| 1,371,256 |
|
Severance and ad valorem taxes |
|
| 433,308 |
|
|
| 608,381 |
|
Development expenses |
|
| 860,619 |
|
|
| 2,078,455 |
|
Other expenses |
|
| 469,517 |
|
|
| 378,544 |
|
Total costs |
| $ | (3,546,542 | ) |
| $ | (4,850,899 | ) |
Net profits |
| $ | 1,587,049 |
|
| $ | 3,145,320 |
|
Percentage allocable to Net Profits Interest |
|
| 80 | % |
|
| 80 | % |
Net profits income (before capital reserve) |
| $ | 1,269,639 |
|
| $ | 2,516,256 |
|
Capital reserve(3) |
| $ | 20,000 |
|
| $ | 0 |
|
Operator advance |
| $ | (0 | ) |
| $ | (742,000 | ) |
Net Profits Interest audit fee |
| $ | (0 | ) |
| $ | (20,000 | ) |
Net profits income received by the Trust |
| $ | 1,289,639 |
|
| $ | 1,754,255 |
|
Important factors used in calculating the Trust’s net profits income include the volumes of oil and natural gas produced from the Underlying Properties and the realized prices received for the sale of those minerals, including oil and natural gas liquids, as well as direct operating expenses, lease operating expenses, severance and ad valorem taxes, development and other expenses and capital reserves.
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Sales Volumes
Oil
Oil sales volumes decreased by 29,164 Bbls (22%) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period in the prior year. Boaz Energy reports this decrease was primarily due to natural decline and some reduction in demand, offset by Boaz Energy methodically putting marginal wells back on post COVID-19 pandemic.
Natural Gas
Natural gas sales volumes decreased by 3,905 Mcf (3%) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the prior year period. Boaz Energy reports this decrease was primarily because of less demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sales Prices
Oil
The average realized oil price per Bbl decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year period primarily related to decreased demand caused by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
Natural Gas
The average realized natural gas price per Mcf increased for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year period when there was an oversupply of ethane and other natural gas liquids, decreased demand and costs to dispose of excess natural gas liquids.
Costs
Direct Operating Expenses
Direct operating expenses decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2021 because while Boaz Energy was engaged in pulling unit operations, fewer overall operations were conducted than in the first quarter of the previous year.
Lease Operating Expenses
There was no material change in lease operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year period.
Severance and ad Valorem Taxes
Severance and ad valorem taxes decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year period as a result of lower sales volumes.
Development Expenses Related to the Underlying Properties
Development expenses related to the Underlying Properties decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year period because of a decrease in development activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lower oil prices.
Other Expenses
Other expenses increased by $90,973 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the annual adjustment in overhead rate which occurred in April 2020 and January 2021.
Capital Reserve
As of March 31, 2021, Boaz had reserved $202,157 net to the Trust for future capital expense.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Trust’s principal sources of liquidity and capital are cash flow generated from the Net Profits Interest, the amounts held by the Trustee as cash reserves to pay future liabilities, and borrowings, if any to fund administrative expenses. The Trust’s primary uses of cash are distributions to Trust unitholders, payment of Trust administrative expenses, including, if applicable, any reserves established by the Trustee for future liabilities.
Administrative expenses include the Trustee and Delaware Trustee fees, accounting, engineering, legal, tax advisory and other professional fees, and tax reporting and distribution expenses. The Trust is also responsible for paying other expenses incurred as a result of being a publicly traded entity, including costs associated with annual, quarterly and current reports to the SEC, New York Stock Exchange listing fees, independent auditor fees and registrar and transfer agent fees. If the Trustee determines that cash on hand and cash to be received in respect of the Net Profits Interest are, or will be, insufficient to cover the Trust’s liabilities and expenses, the Trustee may cause the Trust to borrow funds to pay liabilities of the Trust.
As authorized under the Trust Agreement, the Trustee is authorized to retain cash from the distributions the Trust receives (i) in an amount not to exceed $1.0 million at any one time to be used by the Trust in the event that its cash on hand (including available cash reserves) is not sufficient to pay ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due and (ii) in such amounts as the Trustee in its discretion deems appropriate to pay for future liabilities of the Trust, but not less than $25,000 or more than $100,000 per month. Cash reserves previously retained and currently held by the Trustee for future administrative expenses total $1,000,000 as of March 31, 2021.
Boaz Energy Capital Expenditure Budget
Boaz Energy has advised the Trustee that the estimate for Boaz Energy’s 2021 capital budget for the Underlying Properties is $5.5 million, of which approximately $0.9 million had been expended as of March 31, 2021. Based on current oil and gas prices, Boaz anticipates continuing to participate as a non-operator in certain drilling and waterflood conformance work in both Crane and Terry counties, as well as drilling two operated wells in Crane county sometime is 2021. The majority of capital spent in 2021 to date has been on non-operated drilling and completion operations in Crane County. The $5.5 million estimate is subject to change based on, among other things, changes in the price of oil and natural gas, including the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on such prices, Boaz Energy’s actual capital requirements, the pace of regulatory approvals and the mix of projects.
Distributions Declared After Quarter End
On April 20, 2021, the Trust declared a cash distribution of $0.044638 per Trust unit based upon production during the month of February 2021 to record holders as of April 30, 2021. The distribution was paid on May 14, 2021. The following table shows underlying oil and natural gas sales and average prices during the production month of February 2021 and attributable to the distribution declared on April 20, 2021:
|
|
| Underlying Sales Volumes |
|
| Average Price |
| ||||||||||
|
|
| Oil |
|
| Gas |
|
| Oil |
|
| Gas |
| ||||
February |
|
|
| 28,062 |
|
|
| 41,455 |
|
| $ | 57.44 |
|
| $ | 3.96 |
|
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 31, 2021, the Trust had no off-balance sheet arrangements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
As the Trust’s financial statements are prepared on the modified cash basis, most accounting pronouncements are not applicable to the Trust’s financial statements. No new accounting pronouncements have been adopted or issued that would impact the financial statements of the Trust.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Refer to Note 2 to the unaudited condensed financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report and the Trust’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the audited financial statements of the Trust and notes thereto included therein, for a description of the Trust’s accounting policies and use of estimates.
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ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Trust is a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and is not required to provide the information required under this Item.
ITEM 4.
The Trustee conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(a) and 15d-15(a) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on this evaluation, the Trustee has concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust are effective as of March 31, 2021, that the information required to be disclosed by the Trust in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and such information is accumulated and communicated, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In its evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, the Trustee has relied, to the extent considered reasonable, on information provided by Boaz Energy.
Due to the nature of the Trust as a passive entity and in light of the contractual arrangements pursuant to which the Trust was created, including the provisions of the Trust Agreement and the Conveyance, the Trustee’s disclosure controls and procedures related to the Trust necessarily rely on (A) information provided by Boaz Energy, including information relating to results of operations, the costs and revenues attributable to the Trust’s interests under the Conveyance and other operating and historical data, plans for future operating and capital expenditures, reserve information, information relating to projected production, and other information relating to the status and results of operations of the Underlying Properties, and (B) conclusions and reports regarding reserves by the Trust’s independent reserve engineers.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2021 there were no changes in the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trustee’s internal control over financial reporting. The Trustee notes for purposes of clarification that it has no authority over, has not evaluated and makes no statement concerning, the internal control over financial reporting of Boaz Energy.
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PART II. – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
On October 1, 2018, a lawsuit styled Thaleia L. Marston, Trustee of the Marston Trust v. Blackbeard Operating, LLC, et.al, No. 18-10-24761 – CVW in the 143rd District Court in Ward County, Texas (the “2018 Litigation”) was filed, naming, among others, Boaz Energy and the Trust as defendants. The plaintiff is a lessor under two leases operated by Blackbeard Operating LLC. The Underlying Properties include the interests of Boaz Energy in some of the minerals covered by those leases. The litigation seeks surface use damages and alleges violations of the terms of the leases, among other things. While it is not yet possible to estimate any potential loss or range of loss, Boaz Energy has advised the Trustee that it does not anticipate the litigation will materially affect the Trust. On January 3, 2020, Lawrence M. Marston joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff alleging surface damage claims against Blackbeard and Goodnight Midstream Permian, L.L.C., but not against the Trust. On January 17, 2020, the Trust and the other defendants filed a motion for summary judgment, which would dispose of the claims against the Trust if granted. After delays related to COVID-19, a hearing on the summary judgment motions filed by the Defendants and Goodnight was held on August 27, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, the court had not yet ruled on the motion for summary judgment. A mediation was conducted on November 10, 2020, but no settlement was reached. The discovery period closed in January 2021. Counsel for the defendants reported that during discovery, plaintiffs appeared to concede several points related to their claim against the Trust in responses to request for disclosure and a deposition of the Marston Trust’s manager, including that the Trust and the other defendants are entitled to retain 40-acres around each producing well as defendants have contended all along. However, plaintiffs have not formally amended their pleading or otherwise non-suited any claim against the Trust. Consequently, the Trust and the other defendants filed a second summary judgment motion pointing out, in part, that plaintiffs appear to have conceded portions of their claim against the Trust and the other defendants regarding the trespass to try title claim. That motion was set for hearing on April 1, 2021, but at that hearing, the court granted the plaintiffs’ counsel’s motion to withdraw from representing the plaintiffs and vacated the May 3, 2021 trial setting to allow plaintiffs an opportunity to retain new counsel. The court did not re-open the expired discovery and pleading deadlines. All other motions were carried forward. At the time of the May 11, 2021 status conference, the plaintiffs had not yet retained replacement counsel, but the court advised it was going to move the case forward and would soon set a new trial date and a date for a pre-trial hearing to hear pending motions.
ITEM 6.
Exhibit No. |
| Description |
3.1 |
| |
3.2 |
| |
31.1 |
| |
32.1 |
|
The exhibits marked with the asterisk symbol (*) are filed or furnished with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
16
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.
|
|
|
| PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST | |
|
|
|
| By: | Simmons Bank, as Trustee |
|
|
|
| By: | /s/ Lee Ann Anderson |
|
| Lee Ann Anderson |
|
| Senior Vice President |
|
|
|
Date: May 17, 2021
The registrant, PermRock Royalty Trust, has no principal executive officer, principal financial officer, board of directors or persons performing similar functions. Accordingly, no additional signatures are available, and none have been provided. In signing the report above, the Trustee does not imply that it has performed any such function or that any such function exists pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement under which it serves.
17