Results of Operations
Distributable income consists of royalty income plus interest income plus any decrease in cash reserves established by the Trustee less general and administrative expenses of the Trust less any increase in cash reserves established by the Trustee. The Trust’s royalty income represents payments received during a particular time period for oil and gas production from the Trust’s properties. Because of various factors which influence the timing of the Trust’s receipt of payments, royalty income for any particular time period will usually include payments for oil and gas produced in prior periods. The price and volume figures that follow represent the volumes and prices for which the Trust received payment during 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Royalty income during 2019 decreased approximately $5,659,000, or 10.8 percent, compared to 2018 royalty income, which had increased approximately $15,223,000, or 41.0 percent, from 2017 royalty income.
Revenues generated by sales of oil and gas decreased in 2019 from 2018 as a result of decreased oil and gas prices ($8.0 million); offset somewhat by higher natural gas and oil production volumes ($1.2 million), and lower expenses, taxes and revenue due others ($1.1 million).
Gas volumes increased from 7,138,837 thousand cubic feet (“Mcf”) in 2018 to 7,516,325 Mcf in 2019 after increasing from 5,681,137 Mcf in 2017. The average price per Mcf of gas received by the Trust decreased from $2.67 in 2018 to $2.27 in 2019 after decreasing from $2.95 in 2017. A warmer-than-normal summer and colder weather late in the year led to gas prices increasing somewhat in 2017. Prices continued to stay somewhat higher during the first half of 2018, but an active hurricane season on the east coast and in the Gulf of Mexico led to decreased demand and, consequently, lower prices for the second half of 2018. Continued robust production in the U.S. led to sustained high inventories which kept the price of natural gas low throughout 2019.
Oil volumes sold increased to 697,089 barrels (“Bbls”) in 2019 from 689,799 Bbls in 2018 after increasing from 553,558 Bbls in 2017. The average sales price of oil decreased to $51.44 per Bbl in 2019, from $58.91 per Bbl in 2018 after increasing from $46.81 per Bbl in 2017. This increase in the price of oil in 2017 was caused by the economy stabilizing and the industrial increase in demand. In 2018, oil prices remained on a mostly upward trend. Beginning with the fourth quarter of 2018, however, oil prices decreased significantly. The downward pressure on oil prices continued in 2019 due mainly to the shale oil production boom that continues. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East during the latter part of 2019 only caused a temporary increase in oil prices.
Interest income was approximately $166,000 in 2019, which had increased from approximately $142,000 in 2018, which had increased from approximately $41,000 in 2017. Changes in interest income are the result of changes in interest rates and funds available for investment.
General and administrative expenses increased to approximately $2,857,000 in 2019 from approximately $2,599,000 in 2018 due mainly to increases in Escrow Agent/Trustee fees of approximately $162,000; legal and professional expenses of approximately $71,500; and revenue processing services of approximately $47,300. These increases were offset somewhat by a decrease in Unit holder and printing expenses of approximately $22,200.
General and administrative expenses increased to approximately $2,599,000 in 2018 from approximately $2,474,000 in 2017 due mainly to increases in Escrow Agent/Trustee fees of approximately $74,600; legal and professional expenses of approximately $24,700; printing and Unit holder information services of approximately $18,700; and revenue processing services of approximately $7,400.
The cash received by the Trust is primarily from purchasers of the Trust’s oil and gas production and consists of gross sales of production less applicable severance taxes. In January 2019, the Trust received
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