1
PERMIAN BASIN
ROYALTY TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT
FORM 10-K
1998
2
[MAP OF TEXAS WITH CERTAIN COUNTIES IDENTIFIED]
TEXAS ROYALTY PROPERTIES ARE LOCATED IN 33 TEXAS COUNTIES.
WADDELL RANCH PROPERTIES ARE LOCATED IN CRANE COUNTY.
3
THE TRUST
The Permian Basin Royalty Trust's principal assets are comprised of a 75% net
overriding royalty interest carved out by Southland Royalty Company
("Southland") from its fee mineral interest in the Waddell Ranch properties in
Crane County, Texas ("Waddell Ranch properties"), and a 95% net overriding
royalty interest carved out by Southland from its major producing royalty
properties in Texas ("Texas Royalty properties"). The interests out of which the
Trust's net overriding royalty interests were carved were in all cases less than
100%. The Trust's net overriding royalty interests represent burdens against the
properties in favor of the Trust without regard to ownership of the properties
from which the overriding royalty interests were carved. The net overriding
royalties above are collectively referred to as "Royalties."
The Permian Basin Royalty Trust (the "Trust") has been advised that
effective January 1, 1996, Southland was merged with and into Meridian Oil Inc.
("Meridian"), a Delaware corporation, with Meridian being the surviving
corporation. Meridian succeeded to the ownership of all the assets, has the
rights, powers, and privileges, and assumed all of the liabilities and
obligations of Southland. Effective July 11, 1996, Meridian changed its name to
Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company ("BROG"). Any reference to BROG hereafter
may be construed to be a reference to Meridian and Southland also. Further, BROG
notified the Trust that, on February 14, 1997, the Texas Royalty properties that
are subject to the Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance dated November 1, 1980
("Texas Royalty Conveyance"), were sold to Riverhill Energy Corporation
("Riverhill Energy") of Midland, Texas.
UNITS OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Units of Beneficial Interest ("Units") of the Trust are traded on the New York
Stock Exchange with the symbol PBT. Quarterly high and low sales prices and the
aggregate amount of monthly distributions paid each quarter during the Trust's
two most recent years were as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions
1998 High Low Paid
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter......$5.188 $4.125 $.110267
Second Quarter..... 4.875 4.188 .031283
Third Quarter...... 4.500 3.563 .050578
Fourth Quarter..... 5.250 3.500 .031315
--------
Total for 1998... $.223443
========
1997
- ----
First Quarter......$4.750 $4.000 $.183907
Second Quarter..... 4.500 4.000 .086304
Third Quarter...... 5.500 4.188 .093186
Fourth Quarter..... 5.688 4.125 .112695
--------
Total for 1997... $.476092
========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approximately 2,317 Unit holders of record held the 46,608,796 Units of the
Trust at December 31, 1998. Distribution of ownership of Units is presented in
the following table:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
TYPE OF UNIT HOLDERS Unit Holders Units Held
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominee............................. 1 65,353
Individuals......................... 1,890 2,645,221
Institutions........................ 55 43,304,877
Fiduciaries......................... 371 593,345
----- ----------
Total....................... 2,317 46,608,796
===== ==========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1
4
TO UNIT HOLDERS
We are pleased to present the nineteenth Annual Report of the Trust. The report
includes a copy of the Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K to the Securities and
Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 1998, without exhibits.
Both the report and accompanying Form 10-K contain important information
concerning the Trust's properties, including the oil and gas reserves
attributable to the Royalties owned by the Trust. Production figures, drilling
activity and certain other information included in this report have been
provided to the Trust by BROG, formerly Meridian and Southland.
As more particularly explained in the Notes to the Financial Statements
appearing in this report and in Item 1 of the accompanying Form 10-K,
NationsBank, N.A., as Trustee, has the primary function under the Trust
Indenture of collecting the monthly net proceeds attributable to the Royalties
and making monthly distributions to the Unit holders, after deducting Trust
administrative expenses and any amounts necessary for cash reserves.
Royalty income received by the Trustee for the year ended December 31,
1998, was $10,777,901 and interest income earned for the same period was
$27,825. General and administrative expenses amounted to $391,344. A total of
$10,414,382 or $.223443 per Unit was distributed to Unit holders during 1998. A
discussion of factors affecting the distributions for 1998 may be found in the
Trustee's Discussion and Analysis section of this report and the accompanying
Form 10-K.
As of December 31, 1998, the Trust's proved reserves were estimated at
6,500,573 Bbls of oil and 21,352,329 Mcf of gas. The estimated future net
revenues from proved reserves at December 31, 1998, amount to $93,612,000 or
$2.01 per Unit. The present value of estimated future net revenues discounted at
10% at December 31, 1998, was $47,074,000 or $1.01 per Unit. The computation of
future net revenues is made following guidelines prescribed by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board (explained in Item 2 of the accompanying Form 10-K)
based on year-end prices and costs.
As has been previously reported, Southland has advised the Trust that
it became operator of record of the Waddell Ranch properties on May 1, 1991.
Meridian, as successor by merger, became the operator of record. Meridian
changed its name to Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company in 1996. All field,
technical and accounting operations, however, have been carried out by Coastal
Management Corporation ("CMC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Riverhill Capital
Corporation ("Riverhill Capital"), but remain under the direction of BROG.
As was previously reported, in February 1997, BROG sold its interest in
the Texas Royalty properties that are subject to the Texas Royalty Conveyance to
Riverhill Energy, which at the time was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Riverhill
Capital and an affiliate of CMC. Subsequently, the Trustee was advised that
Schlumberger Technology Corporation ("STC") acquired all of the shares of
Riverhill Capital. The Trustee has been advised that, as part of this
transaction, ownership of Riverhill Energy's interests in the Texas Royalty
properties referenced above remain in Riverhill Energy, which is now owned by
the former shareholders of Riverhill Capital. CMC will continue to perform all
accounting operations pertaining to the Texas Royalty properties under the
direction of Riverhill Energy.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 allows percentage
depletion on proven properties acquired after October 11, 1990. For Units
acquired after such date, Unit holders would normally compute both percentage
depletion and cost depletion from each property, and claim the larger amount as
a deduction on their income tax returns. However, the Trustee and its
accountants have estimated the percentage depletion for January through December
1998, and it appears that cost depletion will exceed percentage depletion for
all Unit holders. Therefore, the Trust will not provide percentage depletion
factors for 1998.
Royalty income is generally considered portfolio income under the
passive loss rules enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Therefore, in general,
it appears that Unit holders should not consider the taxable income from the
Trust to be passive income in determining net passive income or loss. Unit
holders should consult their tax advisors for further information.
Unit holders of record will continue to receive an individualized tax
information letter for each of the quarters ending March 31, June 30 and
September 30, 1999, and for the year ending December 31, 1999. Unit holders
owning Units in nominee name may obtain monthly tax information from the
Trustee upon request.
NationsBank, N.A.
By: /s/ ERIC F. HYDEN
Eric F. Hyden
Vice President
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5
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTIES
The net overriding royalty interests held by the Trust are carved out of
high-quality producing oil and gas properties located primarily in West Texas. A
production index for oil and gas properties is the number of years derived by
dividing remaining reserves by current production. The production index for the
Trust properties based on the reserve report prepared by independent petroleum
engineers as of December 31, 1998, is approximately 14.5 years.
The net overriding royalty interest in the Waddell Ranch properties is
the largest asset of the Trust. The mineral interests in the Waddell Ranch, from
which such net overriding royalty interest was carved, vary from 37.5% to 50.0%
in 78,175 gross (34,205 net) acres, containing 834 gross (344 net) productive
oil wells, 160 gross (67 net) productive gas wells and 347 gross (137 net)
injection wells. The Texas Royalty properties, out of which the other net
overriding royalty was carved, are located in 33 counties across Texas. The
Texas Royalty properties consist of approximately 125 separate royalty interests
containing approximately 303,000 gross (51,000 net) producing acres.
Approximately 44% of the future net revenues discounted at 10% attributable to
Texas Royalty properties are located in the Wasson and Yates fields.
WADDELL RANCH
Six major fields on the Waddell Ranch account for more than 90% of the total
production. In the six fields, there are 12 producing zones ranging in depth
from 2,800 to 10,600 feet. Most prolific of these zones are the Grayburg and San
Andres, which produce from depths between 2,800 and 3,400 feet. Productive from
the San Andres are the Sand Hills (Judkins) gas field and the Sand Hills
(McKnight) oil field.
The Dune and Waddell oil fields are productive from both the Grayburg
and San Andres formations. The Sand Hills (Tubb) oil fields produce from the
Tubb formation at depths averaging 4,300 feet, and the University Waddell
(Devonian) oil field is productive from the Devonian formation between 8,400 and
9,200 feet.
All of the major oil fields on the Waddell Ranch are currently being
water flooded. Engineering studies and 3-D seismic evaluations on these fields
indicate the potential for increased production through infill drilling,
modifications of existing water flood techniques, installation of larger
capacity pumping equipment and tertiary recovery projects. Capital expenditures
for drilling, remedial and maintenance activities during 1998 totaled
approximately $15.9 million. A substantial portion of the capital expenditures
was related to the drilling of productive oil wells as part of an infill
drilling program and completion of the seismic program initiated in 1997. The
success of this drilling program is reflected in an increase in both production
and the producing reserves. Successful infill drilling and various production
well workovers in the Sand Hills (Tubb), Waddell and Sand Hills (McKnight)
fields are mainly responsible for the increased monthly production and producing
reserves. The Trustee has been advised by BROG that 1998 oil production levels
from all fields was increased to approximately 6.0% above the 1997 oil
production level.
BROG has informed the Trustee that the 1999 capital expenditures budget
should total approximately $6,066,000, of which $1,352,000 is attributable to
the drilling program, $4,056,000 to workovers and recompletions and $658,000 to
facility upgrades and replacements.
COMPUTATION OF ROYALTY INCOME RECEIVED BY THE TRUST
The Trust's royalty income is computed as a percentage of the net profit from
the operation of the properties in which the Trust owns net overriding royalty
interests. The percentages of net profits are 75% and 95% in the cases of the
Waddell Ranch properties and the Texas Royalty properties, respectively. Royalty
income received by the Trust for the five years ended December 31, 1998, was
computed as shown in the table on the next page.
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6
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
---------------------------- -------------------------- ------------------------
Gross Proceeds of Sales Waddell Texas Waddell Texas Waddell Texas
From Properties From Ranch Royalty Ranch Royalty Ranch Royalty
Which the Net Overriding Properties Properties Properties Properties Properties Properties
Royalties Were Carved: ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Oil Proceeds ................. $ 18,821,076 $ 5,404,598 $ 27,099,891 $ 8,427,062 $ 26,720,538 $ 8,249,254
Gas Proceeds ................. 13,769,872 1,880,571 17,105,677 2,318,393 14,056,885 1,898,423
Other Payments (a) ........... -- 540,543 -- -- -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total ................ 32,590,948 7,825,712 44,205,568 10,745,455 40,777,423 10,147,677
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Less:
Severance Tax
Oil .................. 725,100 196,770 1,037,862 320,447 1,103,059 315,491
Gas .................. (1,299,730) 104,759 1,232,298 135,717 1,041,208 114,812
Other ................ -- -- -- -- 63,954 24,970
Lease Operating Expense
and Property Tax
Oil and Gas .......... 14,096,881 790,246 12,239,689 597,508 12,209,663 1,637,143
Other Payments ....... 50,297
Capital Expenditures ......... 15,874,193 -- 11,789,849 -- 9,989,064 --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total ................ 29,396,444 1,091,775 26,349,995 1,053,672 24,406,948 2,092,416
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net Profits .......................... 3,194,504 6,733,937 17,855,573 9,691,783 16,370,475 8,055,261
Net Overriding
Royalty Interest ..... 75% 95% 75% 95% 75% 95%
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Royalty Income ....................... 2,395,878 6,397,240 13,391,679 9,207,194 12,277,856 7,652,498
Negative Revenues (b) ................ 1,218,732 -- -- -- -- --
Litigation Settlement (c) ............ 766,051 -- -- -- -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total Royalty Income for Distribution $ 4,380,661 $ 6,397,240 $ 13,391,679 $ 9,207,194 $ 12,277,856 $ 7,652,498
============ ============ ============ ============ ============ ============
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------
1995 1994
-------------------------- --------------------------
Gross Proceeds of Sales Waddell Texas Waddell Texas
From Properties From Ranch Royalty Ranch Royalty
Which the Net Overriding Properties Properties Properties Properties
Royalties Were Carved: ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Oil Proceeds ................. $ 20,714,309 $ 6,924,595 $ 17,573,518 $ 6,197,125
Gas Proceeds ................. 10,707,104 1,284,464 12,073,447 1,426,979
Other Payments (a) ........... -- -- 1,133,334 3,687,064
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total ................ 31,421,413 8,209,059 30,780,299 11,311,168
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Less:
Severance Tax
Oil .................. 874,011 277,759 786,101 282,966
Gas .................. 761,787 88,206 906,543 104,697
Other ................ -- -- -- 153,909
Lease Operating Expense
and Property Tax
Oil and Gas .......... 11,096,563 1,657,225 10,633,720 487,728
Other Payments ....... 105,881
Capital Expenditures ......... 10,504,989 -- 9,147,647 --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total ................ 23,237,350 2,023,190 21,474,011 1,135,181
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net Profits .......................... 8,184,063 6,185,869 9,306,288 10,175,987
Net Overriding ...............
Royalty Interest ..... 75% 95% 75% 95%
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Royalty Income ....................... 6,138,047 5,876,576 6,979,716 9,667,188
Negative Revenues (b) ................ -- -- -- --
Litigation Settlement (c) ............ -- -- -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total Royalty Income for Distribution $ 6,138,047 $ 5,876,576 $ 6,979,716 $ 9,667,188
============ ============ ============ ============
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) The Trust received funds in 1998 from BROG which represented the Trust's
portion of amounts that had been previously held in suspense by BROG relating to
the Texas Royalty properties. The Trustee was advised that these amounts relate
to revenues received by BROG prior to the conveyance of its interest in the
Texas Royalty properties to Riverhill Energy in February 1997.
(b) In calculating Trust royalty income for the months of June through December
1998, costs exceeded revenues for the Waddell Ranch properties underlying the
Waddell Ranch Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance dated effective November 1, 1980
("Waddell Ranch Conveyance"), by $1,218,732. Pursuant to the Waddell Ranch
Conveyance, excess costs plus accrued interest must be recovered from future net
proceeds relating to the underlying Waddell Ranch properties before the
properties can again contribute to Trust royalty income.
(c) The Trust received its portion of settlement proceeds totaling $766,051 from
a class-action lawsuit. For further information on the class action, see Item 3
of the accompanying Form 10-K.
4
7
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
TRUSTEE'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1998
Royalty income received by the Trust for the three-year period ended December
31, 1998, is reported in the following table:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------
ROYALTIES 1998 1997 1996
- --------- ---- ---- ----
Total Revenue .......... $10,777,901 $22,598,873 $19,930,354
100% 100% 100%
Oil Revenue ............ 5,788,953 15,582,132 14,489,263
54% 69% 73%
Gas Revenue ............ 3,709,381 7,016,741 5,441,091
34% 31% 27%
Other Payments ......... 513,516 -- --
5% -- --
Litigation Payment ..... 766,051 -- --
7% -- --
Total Revenue/Unit ..... $.231242 $.484863 $.427609
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Royalty income of the Trust for the calendar year is associated with actual oil
and gas production for the period November of the prior year through October of
the current year. Oil and gas sales for 1998, 1997 and 1996 for the Royalties
and the properties from which the Royalties were carved, excluding portions
attributable to the adjustments discussed hereafter, are presented in the
following table:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended December 31,
------------------------------------------
ROYALTIES 1998 1997 1996
- --------- ---- ---- ----
Oil Sales (Bbls) ............. 457,010 817,792 771,824
Gas Sales (Mcf) .............. 1,432,949 2,716,755 2,640,381
PROPERTIES FROM WHICH THE ROYALTIES WERE CARVED
- -----------------------------------------------
Oil
Total Oil Sales (Bbls) ....... 1,909,702 1,826,019 1,788,737
Average Per Day (Bbls) ....... 5,232 5,003 4,887
Average Price/Bbl ............ $12.69 $19.46 $19.55
Gas
Total Gas Sales (Mcf) ........ 7,373,436 7,355,162 7,308,406
Average Per Day (Mcf) ........ 20,201 20,151 19,968
Average Price/Mcf ............ $2.12 $2.64 $2.18
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average price of oil decreased from 1997 to 1998 as the posted price
fluctuated. In 1998, oil prices reached decade-low levels. In 1997, the average
price of oil remained relatively unchanged. The average price of gas decreased
from 1997 to 1998.
Since the oil and gas sales attributable to the Royalties are based on
an allocation formula that is dependent on such factors as price and cost
(including capital expenditures), the production amounts do not provide a
meaningful comparison. As discussed below, during 1998, there were certain
months in which costs exceeded revenues on the Waddell Ranch properties. As a
result, no royalty income was received for those months. Production attributable
to the Trust is calculated based on net royalty income. As there was no royalty
income, no production was reported for the Waddell Ranch properties at the Trust
level for those months. Production at the Trust level for the Waddell Ranch
properties was not recorded again until February 1999 when the cumulative excess
amounts had been recovered. Oil production increased approximately 6.8% from
1996 to 1998 primarily due to increased production efforts. Total gas sales
increased approximately 0.9% from 1996 to 1998 primarily due to increased
production efforts.
In the calculation of royalty income for the months of June through
December 1998, costs exceeded revenues for the Waddell Ranch properties by
$1,218,732. Pursuant to the Waddell
5
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DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, CONTINUED
Ranch Conveyance, excess costs plus accrued interest must be recovered from
future net proceeds relating to the underlying Waddell Ranch properties before
they could again contribute to Trust royalty income. Increased capital
expenditures and declining oil and gas prices contributed to this situation.
Subsequently, in February 1999, BROG and CMC notified the Trustee that revenues
exceeded the cumulative excess costs by $22,505.96 and that the underlying
Waddell Ranch properties were again contributing to Trust royalty income and
production.
Total capital expenditures in 1998 used in the net overriding royalty
calculation were approximately $15.9 million compared to $11.8 million in 1997
and $10.0 million in 1996. During 1998, there were 52 gross (22.75 net) wells
drilled on the Waddell Ranch properties. At December 31, 1998, there were 3
gross (1.375 net) wells in progress on the Waddell Ranch properties.
Lease operating expense and property tax were relatively unchanged from
1996 to 1997 on the Waddell Ranch properties. In 1998, lease operating expense
and property taxes on the Waddell Ranch properties amounted to approximately
$14.1 million, which is an increase of approximately $1.9 million from 1997.
This increase is due to the increased number of operating wells.
The Trustee was previously advised by BROG that approximately $1.3
million in ad valorem taxes related to 1991 through 1994 for the Texas Royalty
properties that BROG did not previously charge to gross proceeds attributable to
the Trust would be charged to the Trust over 12 months beginning in March 1995.
This charge was made by BROG deducting $87,000 per month from the gross proceeds
attributable to the Texas Royalty properties until the full amount of the ad
valorem taxes was recovered. As of November 1996, the Trustee was advised that
this original charge of $1.3 million and all subsequent adjustments to that
charge were paid.
In March 1998, BROG and CMC notified the Trustee that distributable
income for March 1998 included approximately $1.1 million which represents the
Trust's portion of an approximate $1.5 million severance tax refund received by
BROG from the State of Texas. With regard to the source of such payment, BROG
advised the Trustee that BROG, along with other working interest owners in the
Waddell Ranch, engaged an independent severance tax consultant to analyze
severance taxes incurred on gas production for the period June 1991 to March
1997. As a result of their analysis, a refund was requested and subsequently
received in March 1998 for approximately $1.3 million. Further, the State of
Texas refunded approximately $200,000 to BROG for severance taxes related to gas
production for the period April 1997 to November 1997, based on the results of
an analysis for the period June 1991 to March 1997. This resulted in a total
refund of approximately $1.5 million to BROG, out of which the Trust received
$1.1 million, referenced above. In addition, the Trustee has been advised by
BROG that severance tax credits were received by BROG in May 1998 for
approximately $180,000 relating to production from March 1997 and February 1998.
BROG also informed the Trustee that it received severance tax credits in
November 1998 of approximately $393,000 related to production from December
1995, May 1997, April 1998 and August 1998.
In September 1998, the Trust received $1,041,340 from BROG which
represented the Trust's portion of amounts that had been previously held in
suspense by BROG relating to the Texas Royalty properties. The Trustee was
advised that these amounts relate to revenues received by BROG prior to the
conveyance of its interest in the Texas Royalty properties to Riverhill Energy
in February 1997. In October 1998, Riverhill Energy advised the Trustee that an
overpayment of $521,183 with regard to the suspended funds had been made to the
Trust. Pursuant to the Texas Royalty Conveyance, Riverhill Energy offset the
overpayment against royalty income attributable to the Texas Royalty properties
for the months of October and November 1998. The net amount received is recorded
as other royalty income on page 4 of this Annual Report. These suspense payments
are not reflected as Trust production or used in calculating average prices in
1998 or prior years.
The Trustee has been advised by BROG that for the period August 1,
1993, through June 30, 1999, the oil from the Waddell Ranch is being sold under
a competitive bid to a third party.
During 1998, the monthly royalty receipts were invested by the Trustee
in U.S. Treasury securities until the monthly distribution date, and earned
interest totaled $27,825. Interest income for 1997 and 1996 was $42,665 and
$33,848, respectively. The decrease in interest income from 1997 to 1998 can be
attributed primarily to a decrease in the funds available for investment.
General and administrative expenses in 1998 were $391,344 compared to
$451,423 in 1997 and $475,628 in 1996. The decrease in general and
administrative expenses from 1996 to 1998 is primarily due to higher
administrative, accounting and legal fees incurred in 1996 and 1997 and cost
reduction efforts implemented by the Trustee.
For Trust year 2000 compliance considerations, see Item 7 of the
accompanying Form 10-K.
Distributable income for 1998 was $10,414,382 or $.223443 per Unit.
Distributable income for 1997 was $22,190,115 or $.476092 per Unit.
Distributable income for 1996 was $19,488,574 or $.418131 per Unit.
6
9
RESULTS OF THE FOURTH QUARTERS OF 1998 AND 1997
Royalty income received by the Trust for the fourth quarter of 1998 amounted to
$1,519,089 or $.032592 per Unit. For the fourth quarter of 1997, the Trust
received royalty income of $5,315,656 or $.114048 per Unit. Interest income for
the fourth quarter of 1998 amounted to $7,915 compared to $8,742 for the fourth
quarter of 1997. The decrease in interest income can be attributed primarily to
a decrease in funds available for investment. General and administrative
expenses totaled $67,452 for the fourth quarter of 1998 compared to $71,816 for
the fourth quarter of 1997. The decrease in general and administrative expenses
is primarily due to cost reduction efforts implemented by the Trustee.
As has been previously reported, the Trustee was notified in the third
quarter of 1996 of the settlement of a class-action lawsuit pending in the 270th
District Court of Harris County, Texas (the "Court") styled Caroline Altheide
and Langdon Harrison vs. Meridian Oil Inc., Meridian Oil Holding Inc., Meridian
Oil Trading Inc., Meridian Oil Production Inc., Southland Royalty Company, El
Paso Production Company, Meridian Oil Hydrocarbons Inc., Meridian Oil Gathering
Inc., Meridian Oil Services Inc., and Edward Parker ("Class Action"), in which
the Trust was a class member. The judgment approving the settlement of the Class
Action was the subject of an appeal. The Trustee was advised that such appeal
was dismissed and in October 1998, the Trust's portion of such settlement
proceeds, in the amount of $766,051, was received by the Trustee. The proceeds
were subsequently distributed with the regular monthly Trust distribution on
November 16, 1998, to the Trust's Unit holders of record on October 31, 1998.
The settlement proceeds are not reflected as Trust production in 1998 or prior
years. For further information on the Class Action, see Item 3 of the
accompanying Form 10-K.
Royalty income for the Trust for the fourth quarter is associated with
actual oil and gas production during August through October from the properties
from which the Trust's net overriding royalty interests were carved. Oil and gas
sales attributable to the Royalties and the properties from which the Royalties
were carved for the quarter and the comparable period for 1997 are as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth Quarter 1998 1997
- -------------- ---- ----
ROYALTIES
Oil Sales (Bbls).............. 104,863 211,660
Gas Sales (Mcf)............... 219,336 739,489
Fourth Quarter 1998 1997
- -------------- ---- ----
PROPERTIES FROM WHICH
THE ROYALTIES WERE CARVED
Total Oil Sales (Bbls)........ 504,089 460,729
Average Per Day (Bbls)........ 5,479 5,008
Average Price/Bbls............ $11.16 $17.77
Total Gas Sales (Mcf)......... 1,948,424 1,897,192
Average Per Day (Mcf)......... 21,179 20,622
Average Price/Mcf............. $1.85 $2.51
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The posted price of oil decreased for the fourth quarter of 1998
compared to the fourth quarter of 1997, resulting in an average price per barrel
of $11.16 compared to $17.77 in the same period of 1997. The average price of
gas decreased for the fourth quarter of 1998 compared to the same period in
1997, resulting in an average price per Mcf of $1.85 compared to $2.51 in the
fourth quarter of 1997.
Since the oil and gas sales attributable to the Royalties are based on
an allocation formula that is dependent on such factors as price and cost
(including capital expenditures), the production amounts do not provide a
meaningful comparison. During the fourth quarter of 1998, costs exceeded
revenues on the Waddell Ranch properties. As a result of this, no royalty income
was received for those three months as well as in the previous four months.
Production attributable to the Trust is calculated based on net royalty income.
As there was no royalty income, no production was reported for the Waddell Ranch
properties at the Trust level for those months. Production at the Trust level
for the Waddell Ranch properties was not recorded again until February 1999 when
the cumulative excess amounts had been recovered. The Trustee was advised that
oil sales increased slightly in 1998 compared to the same period in 1997
primarily due to increased production efforts. Gas sales from the properties
from which the Royalties were carved increased slightly in the fourth quarter of
1998 compared to the same period in 1997.
The Trust has been advised that there were 11 gross (5.25 net) wells
drilled and completed during the three months ended December 31, 1998, and there
were 3 gross (1.375 net) wells in progress.
7
10
PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS 1998 1997
- ------ ---------- ----------
Cash and Short-term Investments ........................... $ 525,193 $1,724,192
Net Overriding Royalty Interests in Producing Oil and
Gas Properties - Net (Notes 2 and 3) ............... 3,336,583 3,496,594
---------- ----------
$3,861,776 $5,220,786
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS
- ----------------------------
Distribution Payable to Unit Holders ....................... $ 525,193 $1,724,192
Trust Corpus - 46,608,796 Units of Beneficial Interest
Authorized and Outstanding ......................... 3,336,583 3,496,594
---------- ----------
$3,861,776 $5,220,786
========== ==========
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME
FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- -----------
Royalty Income (Notes 2 and 3) ........................ $10,777,901 $22,598,873 $19,930,354
Interest Income ....................................... 27,825 42,665 33,848
----------- ----------- -----------
10,805,726 22,641,538 19,964,202
Expenditures - General and Administrative ............. 391,344 451,423 475,628
----------- ----------- -----------
Distributable Income .................................. $10,414,382 $22,190,115 $19,488,574
=========== =========== ===========
Distributable Income per Unit (46,608,796 Units) ...... $ .223443 $ .476092 $ .418131
=========== =========== ===========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS
FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
Trust Corpus, Beginning of Period ..................... $ 3,496,594 $ 3,760,939 $ 4,057,628
Amortization of Net Overriding Royalty Interests
(Notes 2 and 3) ............................... (160,011) (264,345) (296,689)
Distributable Income .................................. 10,414,382 22,190,115 19,488,574
Distributions Declared ................................ (10,414,382) (22,190,115) (19,488,574)
============ ============ ============
Trust Corpus, End of Period ........................... $ 3,336,583 $ 3,496,594 $ 3,760,939
============ ============ ============
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these
statements.
8
11
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. TRUST ORGANIZATION AND PROVISIONS
The Permian Basin Royalty Trust ("Trust") was established as of November 1,
1980. NationsBank, N.A. ("Trustee") is Trustee for the Trust. Southland Royalty
Company ("Southland") conveyed to the Trust (1) a 75% net overriding royalty in
Southland's fee mineral interest in the Waddell Ranch in Crane County, Texas
("Waddell Ranch properties") and (2) a 95% net overriding royalty carved out of
Southland's major producing royalty properties in Texas ("Texas Royalty
properties"). The net overriding royalties above are collectively referred to as
"Royalties."
On November 3, 1980, Units of Beneficial Interest ("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 Units are traded on the New York Stock
Exchange.
The terms of the Trust Indenture provide, among other things, that:
o 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;
o the Trustee may not sell all or any part of the Royalties unless
approved by holders of 75% of all Units outstanding in which case the
sale must be for cash and the proceeds promptly distributed;
o the Trustee may establish a cash reserve for the payment of any
liability which is contingent or uncertain in amount;
o the Trustee is authorized to borrow funds to pay liabilities of the
Trust; and
o the Trustee will make monthly cash distributions to Unit holders (see
Note 2).
2. NET OVERRIDING ROYALTY INTERESTS AND DISTRIBUTION TO UNIT HOLDERS
The amounts to be distributed to Unit holders ("Monthly Distribution Amounts")
are determined on a monthly basis. The Monthly Distribution Amount is an amount
equal to the sum of cash received by the Trustee during a calendar month
attributable to the Royalties, 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. To the extent the distribution amount is a negative number, that
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 ten 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 amounts received by
owners of the interest burdened by the Royalties from the sale of production
less the sum of applicable taxes, accrued production costs, development and
drilling costs, operating charges and other costs and deductions, multiplied by
75% in the case of the Waddell Ranch properties and 95% in the case of the Texas
Royalty properties.
The initial carrying value of the Royalties ($10,975,216) represented
Southland's historical net book value at the date of the transfer to the Trust.
Accumulated amortization as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, aggregated $7,638,633
and $7,478,622, respectively.
3. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The financial statements of the Trust are prepared on the following basis:
o Royalty income recorded is the amount computed and paid by the working
interest owner to the Trustee on behalf of the Trust.
o Trust expenses recorded are based on liabilities paid and cash reserves
established out of cash received or borrowed funds for liabilities and
contingencies.
o Distributions to Unit holders are recorded when declared by the
Trustee.
The financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP")
because revenues are not accrued in the month of production and certain cash
reserves may be established for contingencies which would not be accrued in
financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Amortization of the
Royalties calculated on a unit-of-production basis is charged directly to trust
corpus.
4. FEDERAL INCOME TAX
For Federal income tax purposes, the Trust constitutes a fixed investment trust
which 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
9
12
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 Royalties constitute "economic interests" in oil and gas properties
for Federal income tax purposes. Unit holders must report their share of the
revenues of the Trust as ordinary income from oil and gas royalties and are
entitled to claim depletion with respect to such income.
The Trust has on file technical advice memoranda confirming the tax
treatment described above.
The classification of the Trust's income for purposes of the passive
loss rules may be important to a Unit holder. As a result of the Tax Reform Act
of 1986, royalty income will generally be treated as portfolio income and will
not offset passive losses.
5. SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
Information as to significant purchasers of oil and gas production attributable
to the Trust's economic interests is included in Item 2 of the Trust's Annual
Report on Form 10-K which is included in this report.
6. PROVED OIL AND GAS RESERVES (UNAUDITED)
Proved oil and gas reserve information is included in Item 2 of the Trust's
Annual Report on Form 10-K which is included in this report.
7. QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly schedule of distributable
income for the two years ended December 31, 1998 (in thousands, except per Unit
amounts):
Distributable
Income and
Royalty Distributable Distribution
Income Income Per Unit
------------ ------------ ------------
1998
- ----
First Quarter ...... $ 5,253 $ 5,139 $.110267
Second Quarter ..... 1,600 1,458 .031283
Third Quarter ...... 2,406 2,357 .050578
Fourth Quarter ..... 1,519 1,460 .031315
------- ------- --------
Total ...... $10,778 $10,414 $.223443
======= ======= ========
1997
- ----
First Quarter ...... $ 8,704 $ 8,572 $.183907
Second Quarter ..... 4,186 4,022 .086304
Third Quarter ...... 4,393 4,343 .093186
Fourth Quarter ..... 5,316 5,253 .112695
------- ------- --------
Total ...... $22,599 $22,190 $.476092
======= ======= ========
8. LITIGATION STATEMENT
The Trustee was notified in the third quarter of 1996 of the settlement of a
class-action lawsuit pending in the 270th District Court of Harris County, Texas
(the "Court") styled Caroline Altheide and Langdon Harrison vs. Meridian Oil
Inc., Meridian Oil Holding Inc., Meridian Oil Trading Inc., Meridian Oil
Production Inc., Southland Royalty Company, El Paso Production Company, Meridian
Oil Hydrocarbons Inc., Meridian Oil Gathering Inc., Meridian Oil Services Inc.,
and Edward Parker ("Class Action"), in which the Trust was a class member. The
judgment approving the settlement of the Class Action was appealed. The Trustee
was advised that such appeal was dismissed and in October 1998, the Trust's
portion of such settlement proceeds, in the amount of $766,051, was received by
the Trustee. The proceeds were subsequently distributed with the regular monthly
Trust distribution on November 16, 1998, to the Trust's Unit holders of record
on October 31, 1998. The settlement proceeds are not reflected as Trust
production in 1998 or prior years. For further information on the Class Action,
see Item 3 of the accompanying Form 10-K.
10
13
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
NATIONSBANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR THE PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST:
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets, liabilities and trust
corpus of the Permian Basin Royalty Trust as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and
the related statements of distributable income and changes in trust corpus for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Trustee. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the
Trustee, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
As described in Note 3 to the financial statements, these financial
statements were prepared on a modified cash basis, which is a comprehensive
basis of accounting other than generally accepted accounting principles.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the assets, liabilities and trust corpus of the Permian Basin
Royalty Trust as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the distributable income and
changes in trust corpus for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998, on the basis of accounting described in Note 3.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Fort Worth, Texas
March 8, 1999
11
14
PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
500 West Seventh Street, Suite 1300
Post Office Box 1317
Fort Worth, Texas 76101
NationsBank, N.A., Trustee
AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Fort Worth, Texas
LEGAL COUNSEL
Wallach & Moore, P.C.
Fort Worth, Texas
TAX COUNSEL
Butler & Binion, L.L.P.
Houston, Texas
TRANSFER AGENT
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
Design: Witherspoon & Associates, Fort Worth, Texas
12
15
[LOGO]
16
PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
500 WEST SEVENTH STREET, SUITE 1300
POST OFFICE BOX 1317
FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76101-1317
17
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
---------------------
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
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 1-8033
PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in the Permian Basin Royalty Trust
Indenture)
TEXAS 75-6280532
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
NATIONSBANK, N.A.
TRUST DEPARTMENT
P.O. BOX 1317
FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76101
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(817) 390-6905
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
TITLE OF EACH CLASS NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED
------------------- -----------------------------------------
UNITS OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
--- ---
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]
At March 5, 1999, there were 46,608,796 Units of Beneficial Interest of the
Trust outstanding with an aggregate market value on that date of $186,435,184.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
"Units of Beneficial Interest" at page 1; "Trustee's Discussion and
Analysis for the Three-Year Period Ended December 31, 1998" at pages 5 through
6; "Results of the 4th Quarters of 1998 and 1997" at page 7; and "Statements of
Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus," "Statements of Distributable Income,"
"Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus," "Notes to Financial Statements" and
"Independent Auditors' Report" at page 8 et seq., in registrant's Annual Report
to security holders for fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 are incorporated
herein by reference for Item 5 (Market for Units of the Trust and Related
Security Holder Matters), Item 7 (Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operation) and Item 8 (Financial Statements
and Supplementary Data) of Part II of this Report.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain information included in this report contains, and other materials
filed or to be filed by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements
made or to be made by the Trust) may contain or include, forward looking
statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Such forward looking statements may be or may concern, among other things,
capital expenditures, drilling activity, development activities, production
efforts and volumes, hydrocarbon prices and the results thereof, and regulatory
matters. Although the Trustee believes that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations are subject to
numerous risks and uncertainties and the Trustee can give no assurance that they
will prove correct. There are many factors, none of which is within the
Trustee's control, that may cause such expectations not to be realized,
including, among other things, factors such as actual oil and gas prices and the
recoverability of reserves, capital expenditures, general economic conditions,
actions and policies of petroleum-producing nations and other changes in the
domestic and international energy markets. Such forward looking statements
generally are accompanied by words such as "estimate," "expect," "anticipate,"
"goal," "should," "assume," "believe," or other words that convey the
uncertainty of future events or outcomes.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
The Permian Basin Royalty Trust (the "Trust") is an express trust created
under the laws of the state of Texas by the "Permian Basin Royalty Trust
Indenture" (the "Trust Indenture") entered into on November 3, 1980, between
Southland Royalty Company ("Southland Royalty") and The First National Bank of
Fort Worth, as Trustee. NationsBank, N.A. (formerly known as NationsBank of
Texas, N.A. and NCNB Texas National Bank), a banking association organized under
the laws of the United States, as the successor of The First National Bank of
Fort Worth, is now the Trustee of the Trust. The principal office of the Trust
(sometimes referred to herein as the "Registrant") is located at 500 West
Seventh Street, Fort Worth, Texas (telephone number 817/390-6905).
On October 23, 1980, the stockholders of Southland Royalty approved and
authorized that company's conveyance of net overriding royalty interests
(equivalent to net profits interests) to the Trust for the benefit of the
stockholders of Southland Royalty of record at the close of business on the date
of the conveyance consisting of a 75% net overriding royalty interest carved out
of that company's fee mineral interests in the Waddell Ranch properties in Crane
County, Texas and a 95% net overriding royalty interest carved out of that
company's major producing royalty properties in Texas. The conveyance of these
interests (the "Royalties") was made on November 3, 1980, effective as to
production from and after November 1, 1980 at 7:00 a.m.
The function of the Trustee is to collect the income attributable to the
Royalties, to pay all expenses and charges of the Trust, and then distribute the
remaining available income to the Unit holders. The Trust is not empowered to
carry on any business activity and has no employees, all administrative
functions being performed by the Trustee.
The Royalties were carved out of and now burden those properties and
interests as are more particularly described under "Item 2. PROPERTIES" herein.
The Royalties constitute the principal asset of the Trust and the
beneficial interests in the Royalties are divided into that number of Units of
Beneficial Interest (the "Units") of the Trust equal to the number of shares of
the common stock of Southland Royalty outstanding as of the close of business on
November 3, 1980. Each stockholder of Southland Royalty of record at the close
of business on November 3, 1980, received one Unit for each share of the common
stock of Southland Royalty then held.
In 1985, Southland Royalty became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Burlington
Northern Inc. ("BNI"). In 1988, BNI transferred its natural resource operations
to Burlington Resources Inc. ("BRI") as a result of which Southland Royalty
became a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of BRI. As a result of these
transactions,
1
19
El Paso Natural Gas Company ("El Paso") also became an indirect subsidiary of
BRI. In March 1992, El Paso completed an initial public offering of 5,750,000
newly issued shares of El Paso common stock, thereby decreasing BRI's ownership
of El Paso to approximately eighty-five percent (85%). On June 30, 1992, BRI
distributed all of the shares of El Paso common stock owned by BRI to BRI's
stockholders of record as of June 15, 1992. See "Pricing Information" under
"Item 2. PROPERTIES" herein.
Effective January 1, 1996, Southland Royalty, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Meridian Oil Inc. ("MOI") was merged with and into MOI, by which action the
separate corporate existence of Southland Royalty ceased and MOI survived and
succeeded to the ownership of all of the assets, has the rights, powers and
privileges and assumed all of the liabilities and obligations of Southland
Royalty. In 1996, MOI changed its name to Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company
("BROG").
The term "net proceeds" as used in the above conveyance means the excess of
"gross proceeds" received by BROG during a particular period over "production
costs" for such period. "Gross proceeds" means the amount received by BROG (or
any subsequent owner of the interests from which the Royalties were carved) from
the sale of the production attributable to the properties and interests from
which the Royalties were carved, subject to certain adjustments. "Production
costs" means, generally, costs incurred on an accrual basis in operating the
properties and interests out of which the Royalties were carved, including both
capital and non-capital costs; for example, development drilling, production and
processing costs, applicable taxes, and operating charges. If production costs
exceed gross proceeds in any month, the excess is recovered out of future gross
proceeds prior to the making of further payment to the Trust, but the Trust is
not liable for any production costs or liabilities attributable to these
properties and interests or the minerals produced therefrom. If at any time the
Trust receives more than the amount due from the Royalties, it shall not be
obligated to return such overpayment, but the amounts payable to it for any
subsequent period shall be reduced by such amount, plus interest, at a rate
specified in the conveyance.
To the extent it has the legal right to do so, BROG is responsible for
marketing the production from such properties and interests, either under
existing sales contracts or under future arrangements at the best prices and on
the best terms it shall deem reasonably obtainable in the circumstances. BROG
also has the obligation to maintain books and records sufficient to determine
the amounts payable to the Trustee. BROG, however, can sell its interests in the
properties from which the Royalties were carved.
Proceeds from production in the first month are generally received by BROG
in the second month, the net proceeds attributable to the Royalties are paid by
BROG to the Trustee in the third month and distribution by the Trustee to the
Unit holders is made in the fourth month. The identity of Unit holders entitled
to a distribution will generally be determined as of the last business day of
each calendar month (the "monthly record date"). The amount of each monthly
distribution will generally be determined and announced ten days before the
monthly record date. Unit holders of record as of the monthly record date will
be entitled to receive the calculated monthly distribution amount for each month
on or before ten business days after the monthly record date. The aggregate
monthly distribution amount is the excess of (i) net revenues from the Trust
properties, plus any decrease in cash reserves previously established for
contingent liabilities and any other cash receipts of the Trust over (ii) the
expenses and payments of liabilities of the Trust plus any net increase in cash
reserves for contingent liabilities.
Cash held by the Trustee as a reserve for liabilities or contingencies
(which reserves may be established by the Trustee in its discretion) or pending
distribution is placed, at the Trustee's discretion, in obligations issued by
(or unconditionally guaranteed by) the United States or any agency thereof,
repurchase agreements secured by obligations issued by the United States or any
agency thereof, or certificates of deposit of banks having a capital surplus and
undivided profits in excess of $50,000,000, subject, in each case, to certain
other qualifying conditions.
The income to the Trust attributable to the Royalties is not subject in
material respects to seasonal factors nor in any manner related to or dependent
upon patents, licenses, franchises or concessions. The Trust conducts no
research activities. The Trust has no employees since all administrative
functions are performed by the Trustee.
2
20
BROG has advised the Trustee that it believes that comparable revenues
could be obtained in the event of a change in purchasers of production.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The net overriding royalties conveyed to the Trust include: (1) a 75% net
overriding royalty carved out of Southland Royalty's fee mineral interests in
the Waddell Ranch in Crane County, Texas (the "Waddell Ranch properties"); and
(2) a 95% net overriding royalty carved out of Southland Royalty's major
producing royalty interests in Texas (the "Texas Royalty properties"). The net
overriding royalty for the Texas Royalty properties is subject to the provisions
of the lease agreements under which such royalties were created. References
below to "net" wells and acres are to the interests of Southland Royalty (from
which the Royalties were carved) in the "gross" wells and acres.
The following information in Item 2 is based upon data and information
furnished to the Trustee by Southland Royalty or BROG.
PRODUCING ACREAGE, WELLS AND DRILLING
Waddell Ranch Properties. The Waddell Ranch properties consist of 78,175
gross (34,205 net) producing acres. A majority of the proved reserves are
attributable to six fields: Dune, Sand Hills (Judkins), Sand Hills (McKnight),
Sand Hills (Tubb), University-Waddell (Devonian) and Waddell. At December 31,
1998, the Waddell Ranch properties contained 853 gross (354 net) productive oil
wells, 166 gross (70 net) productive gas wells and 368 gross (146 net) injection
wells.
BROG is operator of record of the Waddell Ranch properties. All field,
technical and accounting operations have been contracted by an agreement between
the working interest owners and Coastal Management Corporation ("CMC") but
remain under the direction of BROG.
The Waddell Ranch properties are mature producing properties, and all of
the major oil fields are currently being waterflooded. Proved reserves and
estimated future net revenues attributable to the properties are included in the
reserve reports summarized below. BROG does not own the full working interest in
any of the tracts constituting the Waddell Ranch properties and, therefore,
implementation of any development programs will require approvals of other
working interest holders as well as BROG. In addition, implementation of any
development programs will be dependent upon oil and gas prices currently being
received and anticipated to be received in the future. During 1998 there were 52
gross (22.75 net) wells drilled on the Waddell Ranch properties. At December 31,
1998 there were 3 gross (1.375 net) wells in progress on the Waddell Ranch
properties. During 1997 there were 23 gross (9.25 net) wells drilled on the
Waddell Ranch properties. At December 31, 1997 there were 19 gross (7.875 net)
wells in progress on the Waddell Ranch properties. During 1996 there were 22
gross (8.375 net) oil wells drilled on the Waddell Ranch properties. At December
31, 1996 there were no wells in progress on the Waddell Ranch properties.
BROG has advised the Trustee that the total amount of capital expenditures
for 1998 with regard to the Waddell Ranch properties totalled $15,874,193.
Capital expenditures include the cost of the 1998 drilling program and remedial
and maintenance activities. This amount spent is approximately $1,764,808 less
than the budgeted amount projected by BROG for 1998. BROG has advised the
Trustee that the capital expenditures budget for 1999 totals approximately
$6,066,000, of which approximately $1,352,000 is attributable to the 1999
drilling program, $4,056,000 to workovers and recompletions and $658,000 to
facility upgrades and replacements. Accordingly, there is an estimated 62%
decrease in capital expenditures for 1999 as compared with the 1998 capital
expenditures.
Texas Royalty Properties. The Texas Royalty properties consist of royalty
interests in mature producing oil fields, such as Yates, Wasson, Sand Hills,
East Texas, Kelly-Snyder, Panhandle Regular, N. Cowden, Todd, Keystone, Kermit,
McElroy, Howard-Glasscock, Seminole and others. The Texas Royalty properties
contain approximately 303,000 gross (approximately 51,000 net) producing acres.
Detailed information concerning the number of wells on royalty properties is not
generally available to the owners of royalty
3
21
interests. Consequently, an accurate count of the number of wells located on the
Texas Royalty properties cannot readily be obtained.
Approximately $1.3 million in ad valorem taxes related to 1991 through 1994
for the Texas Royalty properties that Southland Royalty did not previously
charge to gross proceeds attributable to the Trust was charged to the Trust over
12 months beginning March 1995. Such amount was charged by deducting $87,000 per
month from gross proceeds attributable to the Texas Royalty properties in
calculating royalty income from such properties. To the extent charges were made
to gross proceeds, the amount of funds available for distribution to Unit
holders was reduced. As of November 1996, the Trustee was advised that this
original charge of $1.3 million and all subsequent adjustments to that charge
had been paid.
In February 1997, BROG sold its interests in the Texas Royalty properties
that are subject to the Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance to the Trust dated
effective November 1, 1980 ("Texas Royalty Conveyance") to Riverhill Energy
Corporation ("Riverhill Energy"), which was then a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Riverhill Capital Corporation ("Riverhill Capital") and an affiliate of CMC. At
the time of such sale, Riverhill Capital was a privately owned Texas corporation
with offices in Bryan and Midland, Texas. The Trustee was informed by BROG that,
as required by the Texas Royalty Conveyance, Riverhill Energy succeeded to all
of the requirements upon and the responsibilities of BROG under the Texas
Royalty Conveyance with regard to the Texas Royalty properties. BROG and
Riverhill Energy further advised the Trustee that all accounting operations
pertaining to the Texas Royalty properties were being performed by CMC under the
direction of Riverhill Energy. BROG indicated to the Trustee that BROG will work
together with CMC and Riverhill Energy in an effort to assure that various
administrative functions and reporting requirements assumed by Riverhill Energy
are met. The Trustee has been advised that independent auditors representing
Riverhill Energy and CMC are Arthur Andersen LLP.
The Trustee has been advised that in the first quarter of 1998 Schlumberger
Technology Corporation ("Schlumberger"), acquired all of the shares of stock of
Riverhill Capital. Prior to such acquisition by Schlumberger, CMC and Riverhill
Energy were wholly-owned subsidiaries of Riverhill Capital. The Trustee has
further been advised that in connection with Schlumberger's acquisition of
Riverhill Capital, the shareholders of Riverhill Capital acquired ownership of
all of the shares of stock of Riverhill Energy. Thus, the ownership in the Texas
Royalty properties referenced above remained in Riverhill Energy, the stock
ownership of which was acquired by the former shareholders of Riverhill Capital.
Accounting operations pertaining to the Texas Royalty properties are being
performed by CMC under the direction of Riverhill Energy. CMC also currently
conducts all field, technical and accounting operations on behalf of BROG with
regard to the Waddell Ranch properties.
4
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OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION
The Trust recognizes production during the month in which the related
distribution is received. Production of oil and gas attributable to the
Royalties and the properties from which the Royalties were carved and the
related average sales prices attributable to the properties from which the
Royalties were carved for the three years ended December 31, 1998, excluding
portions attributable to the adjustments discussed below, were as follows:
WADDELL TEXAS
RANCH ROYALTY
PROPERTIES PROPERTIES TOTAL
--------------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1998 1997 1996 1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- --------- ------- ------- ------- --------- --------- ---------
ROYALTIES:
Production
Oil (barrels)........... 87,187 426,127 418,991 369,823 391,665 352,833 457,010 817,792 771,824
Gas (Mcf)............... 666,864 1,875,965 1,915,649 766,085 840,790 724,732 1,432,949 2,716,755 2,640,381
PROPERTIES FROM WHICH THE
ROYALTIES WERE CARVED:
Production
Oil (barrels)........... 1,475,258 1,387,056 1,338,340 434,444 438,963 450,397 1,909,702 1,826,019 1,788,737
Gas (Mcf)............... 6,458,411 6,409,242 6,376,201 915,025 945,920 932,205 7,373,436 7,355,162 7,308,406
Average Price
Oil/barrel.............. $12.76 $19.54 $19.97 $12.44 $19.20 $18.32 $12.69 $19.46 $19.55
Gas/Mcf................. $ 2.13 $ 2.67 $ 2.20 $ 2.06 $ 2.45 $ 2.04 $ 2.12 $ 2.64 $ 2.18
Since the oil and gas sales attributable to the Royalties are based on an
allocation formula that is dependent on such factors as price and cost
(including capital expenditures), the production amounts do not provide a
meaningful comparison.
In calculating Trust royalty income for the months of June through December
1998, costs exceeded revenues in the Waddell Ranch properties by $1,218,732.
Pursuant to the Waddell Ranch Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance dated effective
November 1, 1980 ("Waddell Ranch Conveyance"), excess costs plus accrued
interest must be recovered from future net proceeds relating to the underlying
Waddell Ranch properties before the properties can again contribute to Trust
royalty income. As a result of this, no royalty income was received for those
months. Production attributable to the Trust is calculated based on net royalty
income. As there was no royalty income, no production was reported for the
Waddell Ranch properties at the Trust level for those months. Production at the
Trust level for the Waddell Ranch properties was not recorded again until
February 1999 when the cumulative excess amounts had been recovered.
In September 1998, the Trust received $1,041,340 from BROG which
represented the Trust's portion of amounts that had been previously held in
suspense by BROG relating to the Texas Royalty properties. The Trustee was
advised that these amounts relate to revenues received by BROG prior to the
conveyance of its interest in the Texas Royalty properties to Riverhill Energy
in February 1997. In October 1998, Riverhill Energy advised the Trustee that an
overpayment of $521,183 with regard to the suspended funds had been made to the
Trust. Pursuant to the Texas Royalty Conveyance, Riverhill Energy offset the
overpayment against royalty income attributable to the Texas Royalty properties
for the months of October and November 1998. The suspense amounts are not
reflected in Trust production or used in calculating average prices in 1998 or
prior years.
As reported in Item 3 below, the Trustee was notified in the third quarter
of 1996 of the settlement of a class action lawsuit pending in the 270th
District Court of Harris County, Texas (the "Court") styled Caroline Altheide
and Langdon Harrison vs. Meridian Oil Inc., Meridian Oil Holding Inc., Meridian
Oil Trading Inc., Meridian Oil Production Inc., Southland Royalty Company, El
Paso Production Company, Meridian Oil Hydrocarbons Inc., Meridian Oil Gathering
Inc., Meridian Oil Services Inc. and Edward Parker ("Class Action"), in which
the Trust was a class member. The judgment approving the settlement of the Class
Action was the subject of an appeal. The Trustee was advised that such appeal
was dismissed and in October 1998, the Trust's portion of such settlement
proceeds, in the amount of $766,051 was received by the Trustee. The proceeds
were subsequently distributed with the regular monthly Trust distribution on
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November 16, 1998, to the Trust's Unit holders of record on October 31, 1998.
The settlement proceeds are not reflected in Trust production in 1998 or prior
years.
PRICING INFORMATION
Reference is made to "Regulation" for information as to federal regulation
of prices of natural gas. The following paragraphs provide information regarding
sales of oil and gas from the Waddell Ranch properties. As a royalty owner,
Southland Royalty is not furnished detailed information regarding sales of oil
and gas from the Texas Royalty properties.
Oil. The Trustee has been advised by BROG that for the period August 1,
1993 through June 30, 1999, the oil from the Waddell Ranch properties is being
sold under a competitive bid to independent third parties.
Gas. The gas produced from the Waddell Ranch properties is processed
through a natural gas processing plant and sold at the tailgate of the plant.
Plant products are marketed by Burlington Resources Hydrocarbons Inc., an
indirect subsidiary of BRI. The processor of the gas (Warren Petroleum Company,
L.P.) receives 15% of the liquids and residue gas as a fee for gathering,
compression, treating and processing the gas.
OIL AND GAS RESERVES
The following are definitions adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") and the Financial Accounting Standards Board which are
applicable to terms used within this Item:
"Proved reserves" are those estimated quantities of crude oil, natural
gas and natural gas liquids, which, upon analysis of geological and
engineering data, appear with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in the
future from known oil and gas reservoirs under existing economic and
operating conditions.
"Proved developed reserves" are those proved reserves which can be
expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and
operating methods.
"Proved undeveloped reserves" are those proved reserves which are
expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from
existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required.
"Estimated future net revenues" are computed by applying current
prices of oil and gas (with consideration of price changes only to the
extent provided by contractual arrangements and allowed by federal
regulation) to estimated future production of proved oil and gas reserves
as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, less estimated future
expenditures (based on current costs) to be incurred in developing and
producing the proved reserves, and assuming continuation of existing
economic conditions. "Estimated future net revenues" are sometimes referred
to herein as "estimated future net cash flows."
"Present value of estimated future net revenues" is computed using the
estimated future net revenues and a discount factor of 10%.
6
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The independent petroleum engineers' reports as to the proved oil and gas
reserves attributable to the Royalties conveyed to the Trust were obtained from
Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. The following table presents a
reconciliation of proved reserve quantities from December 31, 1995 through
December 31, 1998 (in thousands):
WADDELL RANCH TEXAS ROYALTY
PROPERTIES PROPERTIES TOTAL
------------------ ----------------- -------------------
OIL GAS OIL GAS OIL GAS
(BBLS) (MCF) (BBLS) (MCF) (BBLS) (MCF)
------- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
December 31, 1995........................................... 5,952 24,843 4,577 4,873 10,529 29,716
Extensions, discoveries and other additions................. 24 24 -0- -0- 24 24
Revisions of previous estimates............................. 1,746 11,560 448 642 2,194 12,202
Production.................................................. (419) (1,916) (353) (725) (772) (2,641)
------ ------ ----- ----- ------ ------
December 31, 1996........................................... 7,303 34,511 4,672 4,790 11,975 39,301
Extensions, discoveries and other additions................. 48 52 -0- -0- 48 52
Revisions of previous estimates............................. (1,902) (8,512) 161 680 (1,741) (7,832)
Production.................................................. (426) (1,876) (392) (841) (818) (2,717)
------ ------ ----- ----- ------ ------
December 31, 1997........................................... 5,023 24,175 4,441 4,629 9,464 28,804
Extensions, discoveries and other additions................. 10 4 -0- -0- 10 4
Revisions of previous estimates............................. (2,231) (6,123) (285) 100 (2,516) (6,023)
Production.................................................. (87) (667) (370) (766) (457) (1,433)
------ ------ ----- ----- ------ ------
December 31, 1998........................................... 2,715 17,389 3,786 3,963 6,501 21,352
====== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======
Estimated quantities of proved developed reserves of crude oil and natural
gas as of December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 were as follows (in thousands):
CRUDE OIL NATURAL GAS
(BBLS) (MCF)
--------- -----------
1998........................................................ 5,476 17,444
1997........................................................ 8,116 23,054
1996........................................................ 10,154 32,008
The Financial Accounting Standards Board requires supplemental disclosures
for oil and gas producers based on a standardized measure of discounted future
net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserve quantities. Under this
disclosure, future cash inflows are computed by applying year-end prices of oil
and gas relating to the enterprise's proved reserves to the year-end quantities
of those reserves. Future price changes are only considered to the extent
provided by contractual arrangements in existence at year-end. The standardized
measure of discounted future net cash flows is achieved by using a discount rate
of 10% a year to reflect the timing of future cash flows relating to proved oil
and gas reserves.
Estimates of proved oil and gas reserves are by their very nature
imprecise. Estimates of future net revenue attributable to proved reserves are
sensitive to the unpredictable prices of oil and gas and other variables.
The 1998, 1997 and 1996 change in the standardized measure of discounted
future net cash flows related to future royalty income from proved reserves
discounted at 10% is as follows (in thousands):
WADDELL RANCH PROPERTIES TEXAS ROYALTY PROPERTIES TOTAL
----------------------------- --------------------------- ------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1998 1997 1996 1998 1997 1996
------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- --------
January 1........................ $63,179 $150,170 $ 74,070 $40,956 $52,457 $36,324 $104,135 $202,627 $110,394
Extensions, discoveries and other
additions...................... 81 619 447 -0- -0- -0- 81 619 447
Accretion of discount............ 6,318 15,017 7,407 4,096 5,246 3,632 10,414 20,263 11,039
Revisions of prior year
estimates, changes in price and
other.......................... (39,982) (89,235) 80,524 (16,796) (7,540) 20,153 (56,778) (96,775) 100,677
Royalty income................... (4,553) (13,392) (12,278) (6,225) (9,207) (7,652) (10,778) (22,599) (19,930)
------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- --------
December 31...................... $25,043 $ 63,179 $150,170 $22,031 $40,956 $52,457 $ 47,074 $104,135 $202,627
======= ======== ======== ======= ======= ======= ======== ======== ========
7
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Oil and gas prices of $8.56 and $9.96 per barrel and $1.74 and $1.88 per
Mcf were used to determine the estimated future net revenues from the Waddell
Ranch properties and the Texas Royalty properties, respectively, at December 31,
1998. The extension, discoveries and other additions for the Waddell Ranch
properties are proved developed producing reserves related to the RM (Clearfork)
field. The downward revisions of both reserves and discounted future net cash
flows for the Waddell Ranch properties and the Texas Royalty properties are due
to decreases in oil and gas prices from 1997 to 1998.
Oil and gas prices of $15.79 and $16.75 per barrel and $2.28 and $3.14 per
Mcf were used to determine the estimated future net revenues from the Waddell
Ranch properties and the Texas Royalty properties at December 31, 1997. The
downward revision of the estimated oil reserves and the related decrease in the
discounted future net cash flow for the Waddell Ranch properties was primarily
due to the decrease in oil prices from 1996 to 1997. The downward revision in
the estimated gas reserves for the Waddell Ranch properties was primarily due to
the decrease in gas prices from 1996 to 1997.
Oil and gas prices of $23.88 and $22.32 per barrel and $4.00 and $2.64 per
Mcf were used to determine the estimated future net revenues from the Waddell
Ranch properties and the Texas Royalty properties at December 31, 1996. The
extension, discoveries and other additions for the Waddell Ranch properties are
reserves added as a result of remedial activity in the Waddell Ellenberger
Field. The upward revision of the estimated oil and gas reserves and the related
increase in the discounted future net cash flow for the Waddell Ranch properties
was due to the increase in oil and gas prices from 1995 to 1996, as well as
production response from drilling and remedial activity. The largest increase in
oil reserves due to drilling and remedial activity occurred in the Waddell
Field. The revisions in the oil and gas reserves and related discounted cash
flow for the Texas Royalty properties are mainly due to the increase in oil and
gas prices at December 31, 1996.
The following presents estimated future net revenue and the present value
of estimated future net revenue, for each of the years ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996 (in thousands except amounts per Unit):
1998 1997 1996
--------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
ESTIMATED ESTIMATED ESTIMATED
FUTURE PRESENT FUTURE PRESENT FUTURE PRESENT
NET VALUE NET VALUE NET VALUE
REVENUE AT 10% REVENUE AT 10% REVENUE AT 10%
--------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------
Total Proved
Waddell Ranch properties.................. $50,322 $ 25,043 $126,924 $ 63,179 $294,653 $150,170
Texas Royalty properties.................. 43,290 22,031 85,254 40,956 111,181 52,457
------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total............................... $93,612 $ 47,074 $212,178 $104,135 $405,834 $202,627
======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Total Proved Per Unit....................... $ 2.01 $ 1.01 $ 4.55 $ 2.23 $ 8.71 $ 4.35
======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Proved Developed
Waddell Ranch properties.................. $35,607 $ 22,032 $ 94,493 $ 55,150 $226,174 $124,395
Texas Royalty properties.................. 43,290 22,031 85,254 40,956 111,181 52,457
------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total............................... $78,896 $ 44,063 $179,747 $ 96,106 $337,355 $176,852
======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Reserve quantities and revenues shown in the preceding tables for the
Royalties were estimated from projections of reserves and revenue attributable
to the combined Southland Royalty and Trust interests in the Waddell Ranch
properties and Texas Royalty properties. Reserve quantities attributable to the
Royalties were estimated by allocating to the Royalties a portion of the total
estimated net reserve quantities of the interests, based upon gross revenue less
production taxes. Because the reserve quantities attributable to the Royalties
are estimated using an allocation of the reserves, any changes in prices or
costs will result in changes in the estimated reserve quantities allocated to
the Royalties. Therefore, the reserve quantities estimated will vary if
different future price and cost assumptions occur.
Proved reserve quantities are estimates based on information available at
the time of preparation and such estimates are subject to change as additional
information becomes available. The reserves actually recovered and the timing of
production of those reserves may be substantially different from the original
estimate.
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Moreover, the present values shown above should not be considered as the market
values of such oil and gas reserves or the costs that would be incurred to
acquire equivalent reserves. A market value determination would include many
additional factors.
REGULATION
Many aspects of the production, pricing and marketing of crude oil and
natural gas are regulated by federal and state agencies. Legislation affecting
the oil and gas industry is under constant review for amendment or expansion,
frequently increasing the regulatory burden on affected members of the industry.
Exploration and production operations are subject to various types of
regulation at the federal, state and local levels. Such regulation includes
requiring permits for the drilling of wells, maintaining bonding requirements in
order to drill or operate wells, and regulating the location of wells, the
method of drilling and casing wells, the surface use and restoration of
properties upon which wells are drilled and the plugging and abandonment of
wells. Natural gas and oil operations are also subject to various conservation
laws and regulations that regulate the size of drilling and spacing units or
proration units and the density of wells which may be drilled and unitization or
pooling of oil and gas properties. In addition, state conservation laws
establish maximum allowable production from natural gas and oil wells, generally
prohibit the venting or flaring of natural gas and impose certain requirements
regarding the ratability of production. The effect of these regulations is to
limit the amounts of natural gas and oil that can be produced and to limit the
number of wells or the locations which can be drilled.
Federal Natural Gas Regulation
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the "FERC") is primarily
responsible for federal regulation of natural gas. The interstate transportation
and sale for resale of natural gas is subject to federal governmental
regulation, including regulation of transportation and storage tariffs and
various other matters, by FERC. The Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act of 1989
("Decontrol Act") terminated federal price controls on wellhead sales of
domestic natural gas on January 1, 1993. Consequently, sales of natural gas may
be made at market prices, subject to applicable contract provisions. The FERC's
jurisdiction over natural gas transportation and storage was unaffected by the
Decontrol Act.
Sales of natural gas are affected by the availability, terms and cost of
transportation. The price and terms for access to pipeline transportation remain
subject to extensive federal and state regulation. Several major regulatory
changes have been implemented by Congress and the FERC from 1985 to the present
that affect the economics of natural gas production, transportation, and sales.
In addition, the FERC continues to promulgate revisions to various aspects of
the rules and regulations affecting those segments of the natural gas industry,
most notably interstate natural gas transmission companies, that remain subject
to the FERC's jurisdiction. These initiatives may also affect the intrastate
transportation of gas under certain circumstances. The stated purpose of many of
these regulatory changes is to promote competition among the various sectors of
the natural gas industry and these initiatives generally reflect more
light-handed regulation of the natural gas industry. The ultimate impact of the
rules and regulations issued by the FERC since 1985 cannot be predicted. In
addition, many aspects of these regulatory developments have not become final
but are still pending judicial and FERC final decisions.
Additional proposals and proceedings that might affect the natural gas
industry are considered from time to time by Congress, the FERC, state
regulatory bodies and the courts. The Trust cannot predict when or if any such
proposals might become effective, or their effect, if any, on the Trust. The
natural gas industry historically has been very heavily regulated; therefore,
there is no assurance that the less stringent regulatory approach recently
pursued by the FERC and Congress will continue.
Sales of crude oil, condensate and gas liquids are not currently regulated
and are made at market prices. Effective as of January 1, 1995, the FERC
implemented regulations establishing an indexing system for transportation rates
for oil that could increase the cost of transporting oil to the purchaser. The
Trust is not able to predict what effect, if any, these regulations will have on
it, but other factors being equal, the regulations may tend to increase
transportation costs or reduce wellhead prices for crude oil.
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State Regulation
The various states regulate the production and sale of oil and natural gas,
including imposing requirements for obtaining drilling permits, the method of
developing new fields, the spacing and operation of wells and the prevention of
waste of oil and gas resources. The rates of production may be regulated and the
maximum daily production allowables from both oil and gas wells may be
established on a market demand or conservation basis, or both.
Other Regulation
The petroleum industry is also subject to compliance with various other
federal, state and local regulations and laws, including, but not limited to,
environmental protection, occupational safety, resource conservation and equal
employment opportunity. The Trustee does not believe that compliance with these
laws by the operating parties will have any material adverse effect on the Unit
holders.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the third quarter of 1996, the Trustee was notified of the settlement of
a class action lawsuit pending in the 270th District Court of Harris County,
Texas (the "Court") Cause No. 92-026182 styled Caroline Altheide and Langdon
Harrison vs. Meridian Oil Inc., Meridian Oil Holding Inc., Meridian Oil Trading
Inc., Meridian Oil Production Inc., Southland Royalty Company, El Paso
Production Company, Meridian Oil Hydrocarbons Inc., Meridian Oil Gathering Inc.,
Meridian Oil Services Inc. and Edward Parker filed in June 1992 ("Class
Action"). The defendants in this lawsuit are collectively referred to herein as
"Meridian."
The members of the class ("Class Members") involved in the Class Action
that was certified by the Court are all persons or entities who (i) at any time
between December 1, 1986 and July 1, 1996 received payments directly from
Meridian, (ii) the payments from Meridian were attributable to interests in
natural gas that was sold at the wellhead to Meridian Oil Trading Inc., and
(iii) the interests were either royalty interests, overriding royalty interests
or interests of a similar nature that burdened the working interests of
Meridian, or working interests in properties operated by Meridian, or royalty
interests, overriding royalty interests or interests of a similar nature that
burdened working interests in properties operated by Meridian. Meridian, the San
Juan Basin Royalty Trust, the Burlington Resources Coal Seam Royalty Trust and
the Commissioner of Public Lands of the New Mexico State Lands Office are not
Class Members.
In summary, the claims asserted in the Class Action ("Class Claims") are
those asserted in Plaintiffs' Second Amended Original Petition filed in the
Class Action which are based upon the manner in which Meridian calculated
payments to its royalty owners and its joint working interest owners in natural
gas-producing properties. It is alleged that those payments were based on
wellhead prices that were set by a marketing affiliate, rather than upon the net
prices that Meridian received for the gas and liquid components in arm's-length
sales to non-affiliated purchasers. More specifically, such claims are based on
Meridian's conduct in basing its payments to Class Members, for natural gas sold
at the wellhead to Meridian Oil Trading Inc., on wellhead prices that resulted
from one or more of the following:
(i) Meridian's use of allegedly depressed prices for gas set by
Meridian Oil Trading Inc.;
(ii) Meridian's use of allegedly inflated cost factors for
transportation services set by Meridian Oil Trading Inc.;
(iii) Meridian's use of allegedly depressed net prices for liquids set
by Meridian Oil Hydrocarbons Inc.; and
(iv) Meridian's use of allegedly inflated rates for coal seam
gathering and treating services set by Meridian Oil Gathering Inc.
It was alleged that Meridian's conduct violated applicable legal
principles. Meridian denied that its conduct had been unlawful or otherwise
wrongful. The Court has not ruled on the merits of the Class Claims or on
Meridian's defenses to such claims.
10
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The settlement reached by the parties in the Class Action provided for the
payment of up to $42 million together with interest thereon beginning on July
17, 1996 until the date the settlement checks were initially mailed to the Class
Members participating in the settlement. Such settlement amount was subject to
reduction for certain adjustments such as (i) fees, costs and expenses awarded
by the Court to the Class Counsel (Susman Godfrey L.L.P. and Dick Watt), (ii)
extra compensation awarded by the Court to the named Plaintiffs (Caroline D.
Altheide and Langdon D. Harrison), and (iii) the expense incurred in giving
notice and administering the proposed settlement ("Net Settlement Fund").
Concurrently with Meridian's payment of the Net Settlement Fund to Class Members
who did not timely and validly elect to be excluded from the Class ("Settlement
Class Members"), Meridian was obligated under the settlement to advise its then
current recipients of royalty payments that Meridian intended (i) to commence
calculating royalty payments based upon the net prices received by Meridian from
non-affiliated third parties for natural gas and the liquids extracted
therefrom, and (ii) in calculating royalty payments on gas produced from coal
seam gas wells using the Val Verde Gathering System, to commence using a
deduction for gathering and treating the gas produced from such wells that does
not exceed 75% of the fee charged by Meridian Oil Gathering Inc. for similar
services to the five largest (by volume) non-affiliated third-party shippers.
Meridian is not obligated to calculate royalty payments in such method in the
future but, if it changes such method of calculation, it is obligated to provide
notice of such change in method of calculation to the then-current recipients of
royalty payments.
Of the Net Settlement Fund, (i) 48% thereof was to be distributed among
Class Members whose interests bear on "conventional" gas-producing properties
(specifically, gas not gathered on the Val Verde Gathering System) that are
located in Meridian's Farmington operating division (which is roughly
coextensive with the San Juan Basin of New Mexico and Colorado), (ii) 42%
thereof was to be distributed among the Class Members whose interests bear on
the coal seam gas producing properties located in Meridian's Farmington
operating division (specifically, gas gathered on the Val Verde Gathering
System), and (iii) 10% thereof was to be distributed among those Class Members
whose interests bear on gas-producing properties located in areas other than
Meridian's Farmington operating division. The Trust fell into the last of these
three classifications.
Upon final judicial approval of the settlement, the settlement provided
that a judgment be entered in the Class Action dismissing the Class Action with
prejudice to its refiling. As a result of the settlement, Settlement Class
Members release and discharge the Released Parties, and each of them, from and
with respect to the Class Claims and such Class Members will not be able to
pursue the Class Claims against the Released Parties. "Released Parties" as used
herein means, severally and collectively, the Defendants and Meridian Oil Inc.
and all Affiliates of Burlington Resources Inc. since December 1, 1986,
collectively, and all past and present agents, employees, officers, directors,
shareholders, representatives, attorneys, predecessors, successors, assigns and
affiliates of each of the Defendants and of Meridian Oil Inc. and all Affiliates
of Burlington Resources Inc. since December 1, 1986, collectively. "Released
Parties" also includes all other persons or entities who are liable or become
liable for the conduct of any person or entity that is identified in the
preceding sentence. "Affiliates" as used herein means Burlington Resources
Inc.'s direct and indirect subsidiaries.
It was determined by the Trustee that the Trust was part of the Class that
was certified by the Court in the Class Action and that it was in the best
interest of the Trust to elect to remain as part of the Class and share in the
Net Settlement Fund. The Trustee believes that the Class Claims, if true, had
little, if any, detrimental effect on the Trust and the Trust is being
adequately compensated as a result of this settlement.
A judgment was signed by the Court approving the settlement. However, a
Notice of Appeal was filed by San Juan 1990-A, L.P., K&W Gas Partners, L.P., MAP
1992-A Partners, L.P. and The Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior
University, Non-Profit Corporation (Stanford University) ("Objectors") on
February 7, 1997.
One of the conditions set forth in the settlement agreement relating to the
Class Action relating to the distribution of the settlement proceeds was that
there would be no distribution of settlement proceeds unless and until such
judgment was no longer subject to further appeal and, if there was an appeal,
not unless and
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until such judgment was affirmed or such appeal was dismissed and the time for
any further proceedings in the appellate court of last resort had expired. The
Trustee was advised that such appeal has been dismissed and it is the
understanding of the Trustee that the conditions and restrictions that prevented
payment of the settlement proceeds no longer existed. In the fourth quarter of
1998, the Trust received its portion of the settlement proceeds totalling
$766,050.89. Such settlement proceeds that were received by the Trust were
distributed with the regular monthly Trust distribution on November 16, 1998 to
Trust's Unit holders of record on October 31, 1998.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of Unit holders, through the
solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter ended December
31, 1998.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR UNITS OF THE TRUST AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER MATTERS
The information under "Units of Beneficial Interest" at page 1 of the
Trust's Annual Report to security holders for the year ended December 31, 1998,
is herein incorporated by reference.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Royalty income................................ $10,777,901 $22,598,873 $19,930,354 $12,014,623 $16,646,903
Distributable income.......................... 10,414,382 22,190,115 19,488,574 11,632,463 16,174,570
Distributable income per Unit................. 0.223443 0.476092 0.418131 0.249574 0.347027
Distributions per Unit........................ 0.223443 0.476092 0.418131 0.249574 0.347027
Total assets, December 31..................... 3,861,776 5,220,786 5,913,931 5,252,922 6,002,283
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATION
The "Trustee's Discussion and Analysis for the Three Year Period Ended
December 31, 1998" and "Results of the 4th Quarters of 1998 and 1997" at pages 5
through 7 of the Trust's Annual Report to security holders for the year ended
December 31, 1998 is herein incorporated by reference.
Year 2000 Issue
Many existing computer programs use only two digits to identify a year in
the date field. These programs were designed and developed without considering
the impact of the upcoming change in the century. If not corrected, many
computer applications could fail or create erroneous results by the Year 2000.
The Year 2000 issue affects virtually all companies and organizations. If a
company or organization does not successfully address its Year 2000 issues, it
may face material adverse consequences.
As the Trust does not directly maintain any systems, the Trust will not
incur any direct costs related to the Year 2000 issue.
The Trustee has identified those vendors it believes could have an impact
on its day-to-day operations if their operations were interrupted as a result of
Year 2000 problems. The Trust has made formal inquiries to these vendors
requesting information on their state of readiness for the Year 2000. Through
responses received and other literature reviewed by the Trustee with respect to
its vendors, the Trustee believes that all significant vendors are currently
addressing the Year 2000 issue and plan to be compliant prior to the Year 2000.
The Trustee has no reason to believe that its vendors will not be Year 2000
compliant. In the event the Trustee learns that a vendor's system will not be
Year 2000 compliant, the Trustee will assess the potential risk and develop
contingency plans at that time.
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The Trust is a passive entity with no business operations and the
information technology systems ("IT") employed by the Trustee in connection with
its duties on behalf of the Trust are less extensive than the systems employed
by many business entities. The Trust has no formal IT budget and the Trustee
does not anticipate making any expenditures relating to the Trustee's IT systems
used in connection with the Trust during 1999.
Because the royalty interests held by the Trust are fixed, the Trustee is
dependent upon the third parties that hold operating interests with respect
thereto for the receipt of royalty income. Thus, if any such third party failed
to deliver royalty income, the Trustee would have no alternative source for such
income. The Trustee believes that the worst case scenario would be the failure
by one or more of the third parties who pay royalties to the Trust or who make
distributions to Unit holders for the Trust to identify and remediate Year 2000
problems on a timely basis, which could cause the Trustee to be unable to make
required distributions to Unit holders. With respect to a failure by a third
party to deliver royalty income or make distributions to Unit holders on a
timely basis, the Trustee believes that it would have no control over the
efforts of such third party to correct the problems, and significant delays in
the receipt of royalty income and distributions to Unit holders could result.
There can be no guarantee that the Trustee will be able to identify all
potential Year 2000 problems or fully remediate all Year 2000 problems
identified on a timely basis. There can be no assurance that the systems of the
Trustee or third party vendors on which the Trust relies will be timely
remediated. The failure by the Trustee or any such third party to fully
remediate its Year 2000 problems on a timely basis could have a material adverse
affect on the Trustee's ability to receive revenue, account for and make timely
distribution of the Trust's distributable income.
Certain of the statements made above regarding the Trustee's Year 2000
program are forward-looking statements, and there can be no assurance that the
Trustee will be able to achieve Year 2000 compliance in the manner and by the
dates indicated above.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not Applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The Financial Statements of the Trust and the notes thereto at page 8 et
seq. of the Trust's Annual Report to security holders for the year ended
December 31, 1998, are herein incorporated by reference.
ITEM 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
There have been no changes in accountants and no disagreements with
accountants on any matter of accounting principles or practices or financial
statement disclosures during the twenty-four months ended December 31, 1998.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The Trust has no directors or executive officers. The Trustee is a
corporate trustee which may be removed, with or without cause, at a meeting of
the Unit holders, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all
the Units then outstanding.
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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
During the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Trustee
received total remuneration as follows:
NAME OF INDIVIDUAL CAPACITIES
OR NUMBER OF IN WHICH CASH
PERSONS IN GROUP SERVED COMPENSATION YEAR
------------------ ---------- ------------ ----
NationsBank, N.A..................................... Trustee $65,338(1) 1996
$44,735(1) 1997
$54,761(1) 1998
- ---------------
(1) Under the Trust Indenture, the Trustee is entitled to an administrative fee
for its administrative services, preparation of quarterly and annual
statements with attention to tax and legal matters of: (i) 1/20 of 1% of the
first $100 million of annual gross revenue of the Trust and 1/30 of 1% in
excess of $100 million and (ii) Trustee's standard hourly rate in excess of
300 hours annually. The administrative fee is subject to reduction by a
credit for funds provision.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
(a) Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners. The following table
sets forth as of December 31, 1998, information with respect to each person
known to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Units of the Trust:
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF PERCENT
NAME AND ADDRESS BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1) OF CLASS
---------------- ----------------------- --------
Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company(1) 27,577,741 Units 59.17%
5051 Westheimer
Suite 1400
Houston, Texas 77056-2124
- ---------------
(1) This information was provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission and
to the Trust in a Form 4 dated January 6, 1994, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission by Southland Royalty, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
BRI, and in Amendment 5 to Schedule 13D and Schedule 13E-3 dated December
28, 1993, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Southland
Royalty and BRI. Such Units were reported to be owned directly by Southland
Royalty, now BROG.
The Form 4 filed by Southland Royalty and the Schedule 13D and Schedule
13E-3 filed by Southland Royalty and BRI with the Securities and Exchange
Commission may be reviewed for more detailed information concerning the
matters summarized herein.
(b) Security Ownership of Management. The Trustee owns beneficially no
securities of the Trust. In various fiduciary capacities, NationsBank, N.A.
owned as of March 2, 1999, an aggregate of 352,089 Units with no right to vote
145,196 of these Units, shared right to vote 4,000 of these Units and sole right
to vote 202,893 of these Units. Such Bank disclaims any beneficial interests in
these Units. The number of Units reflected in this paragraph includes Units held
by all branches of NationsBank, N.A.
(c) Change In Control. The Trustee knows of no arrangements which may
subsequently result in a change in control of the Trust.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Trust has no directors or executive officers. See Item 11 for the
remuneration received by the Trustee during the years ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996 and Item 12(b) for information concerning Units owned by
NationsBank, N.A. in various fiduciary capacities.
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PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
The following documents are filed as a part of this Report:
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Included in Part II of this Report by reference to the Annual Report of the
Trust for the year ended December 31, 1998:
Independent Auditors' Report
Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus
Statements of Distributable Income
Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus
Notes to Financial Statements
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Financial statement schedules are omitted because of the absence of
conditions under which they are required or because the required information is
given in the financial statements or notes thereto.
EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
(4)(a) -- Permian Basin Royalty Trust Indenture dated November 3,
1980, between Southland Royalty Company and The First
National Bank of Fort Worth (now NationsBank, N.A.), as
Trustee, heretofore filed as Exhibit (4)(a) to the
Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K to the Securities and
Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1980, is incorporated herein by reference.*
(b) -- Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance (Permian Basin Royalty
Trust) from Southland Royalty Company to The First
National Bank of Fort Worth (now NationsBank, N.A.), as
Trustee, dated November 3, 1980 (without Schedules),
heretofore filed as Exhibit (4)(b) to the Trust's Annual
Report on Form 10-K to the Securities and Exchange
Commission for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1980,
is incorporated herein by reference.*
(c) -- Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance (Permian Basin Royalty
Trust -- Waddell Ranch) from Southland Royalty Company to
The First National Bank of Fort Worth (now NationsBank,
N.A.), as Trustee, dated November 3, 1980 (without
Schedules), heretofore filed as Exhibit (4)(c) to the
Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K to the Securities and
Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1980, is incorporated herein by reference.*
(13) -- Registrant's Annual Report to security holders for fiscal
year ended December 31, 1998.**
(23) -- Consent of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc.,
reservoir engineer.**
(27) -- Financial Data Schedule.**
- ---------------
* A copy of this Exhibit is available to any Unit holder, at the actual cost of
reproduction, upon written request to the Trustee, NationsBank, N.A., P.O.
Box 1317, Fort Worth, Texas 76101.
** Filed herewith.
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REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
During the last quarter of the Trust's fiscal year ended December 31, 1998,
there was one report on Form 8-K filed by the Trust. In such Form 8-K, the
Trustee reported receipt of the settlement proceeds from the Class Action
lawsuit discussed in Item 3 hereof totalling $766,050.89 and that such proceeds
would be distributed as part of the regular monthly distribution on November 16,
1998 to Unit holders of record on October 31, 1998.
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SIGNATURE
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 13 OR 15(d) 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.
NATIONSBANK, N.A.
TRUSTEE OF THE PERMIAN BASIN
ROYALTY TRUST
By /s/ ERIC F. HYDEN
-----------------------------------
(Eric F. Hyden)
Vice President
Date: March 30, 1999
(The Trust has no directors or executive officers.)
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