ITEM 1. Financial Statements
SANDRIDGE PERMIAN TRUST
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND TRUST CORPUS
(In thousands, except unit data)
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March 31,
2020
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December 31,
2019
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(Unaudited)
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ASSETS
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|
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$
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3,134
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$
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4,698
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Investment in royalty interests
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549,831
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|
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549,831
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Less: accumulated amortization and impairment
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(526,732
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)
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(447,373
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)
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Net investment in royalty interests
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23,099
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102,458
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Total assets
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$
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26,233
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$
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107,156
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TRUST CORPUS
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Trust corpus, 52,500,000 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019
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$
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26,233
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$
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107,156
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The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these financial statements.
SANDRIDGE PERMIAN TRUST
STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per unit data)
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Three Months Ended
March 31,
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2020
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2019
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Revenues
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Royalty income
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$
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5,289
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|
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$
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6,257
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Total revenues
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5,289
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6,257
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Expenses
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Post-production expenses
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15
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12
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Property taxes
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1,676
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|
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—
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Production taxes
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254
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|
300
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Trust administrative expenses
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708
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|
433
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Cash reserves (used) withheld for current Trust expenses, net of amounts (withheld) used
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(1,574
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)
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531
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Total expenses
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1,079
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1,276
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Distributable income available to unitholders
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$
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4,210
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|
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$
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4,981
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|
Distributable income per unit (52,500,000 units issued and outstanding)
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$
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0.080
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|
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$
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0.095
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The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these financial statements.
SANDRIDGE PERMIAN TRUST
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
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Three Months Ended
March 31,
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2020
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2019
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Trust corpus, beginning of period
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$
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107,156
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$
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115,225
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Amortization of investment in royalty interests
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(2,265
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)
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(2,560
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)
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Impairment of investment in royalty interests
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(77,094
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)
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—
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Net cash reserves withheld
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(1,574
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)
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531
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Distributable income
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4,210
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|
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4,981
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Distributions paid to unitholders
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(4,200
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)
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(4,987
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)
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Trust corpus, end of period
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$
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26,233
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|
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$
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113,190
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|
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these financial statements.
SANDRIDGE PERMIAN TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Organization of Trust
SandRidge Permian
Trust (the “Trust”) is a statutory trust formed under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act pursuant to a trust agreement,
as amended and restated, by and among SandRidge Energy, Inc. (“SandRidge”), as Trustor, The Bank of New
York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (the “Trustee”), and The Corporation Trust Company, as Delaware
Trustee (the “Delaware Trustee”) (such amended and restated trust agreement, as amended to date, the “Trust
Agreement”).
The Trust holds royalty
interests conveyed by SandRidge from its interests in specified oil and natural gas properties located in Andrews County, Texas
(the “Underlying Properties”). These royalty interests were conveyed by SandRidge to the Trust (the “Royalty
Interests”) concurrent with the initial public offering of the Trust’s common units (“Trust units”)
in August 2011 pursuant to the terms set forth in conveyancing documents effective April 1, 2011 (the “Conveyances”).
As consideration for conveyance of the Royalty Interests, the Trust remitted the proceeds of the offering, along with 4,875,000
Trust units and 13,125,000 subordinated units of the Trust (“subordinated units”), to certain wholly-owned
subsidiaries of SandRidge.
Pursuant to a development
agreement between the Trust and SandRidge, SandRidge was obligated to drill, or cause to be drilled, 888 development wells within
an area of mutual interest (“AMI”) by March 31, 2016 (the “Trust Development Wells”).
SandRidge fulfilled this obligation in November 2014. As no additional development wells will be drilled, the Trust’s
production is expected to decline each quarter during the remainder of its life. As a result of SandRidge fulfilling its drilling
obligation, the subordinated units converted to Trust units in January 2016. At October 31, 2018, SandRidge owned 13,125,000
Trust units, or 25% of all Trust units.
On November 1,
2018, SandRidge sold all of its interests in the Underlying Properties and all of its outstanding Trust units (the “Sale
Transaction”) to Avalon Energy, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Avalon”). The Conveyances
permitted SandRidge to sell all or any part of its interest in the Underlying Properties, where the Underlying Properties were
sold subject to and burdened by the Royalty Interests. In connection with the Sale Transaction, Avalon and its affiliates assumed
all of SandRidge’s obligations under the Conveyances, the Trust Agreement and the administrative services agreement between
SandRidge and the Trust pursuant to which SandRidge and Avalon have provided accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and informational
services to the Trust (the “Administrative Services Agreement”). In addition, SandRidge assigned its rights
under the registration rights agreement between SandRidge and the Trust to Avalon. As of March 31, 2020, Avalon holds 13,125,000
Trust units, or 25% of all Trust units.
In connection with
the Sales Transaction, Avalon obtained a revolving line of credit from Washington Federal, National Association (“WaFed”)
pursuant to the terms of a Loan Agreement and related security documents (the “WaFed Loan”). Avalon used the
proceeds of the WaFed Loan to fund a portion of the purchase price for the interests in the Underlying Properties and Trust units
acquired in the Sale Transaction. The WaFed Loan is secured by a first lien mortgage on Avalon’s interest in the Underlying
Properties and a pledge of the Avalon Trust units (the “WaFed Collateral”). The Royalty Interests are not part
of the WaFed Collateral.
As a part of the Sale
Transaction, SandRidge and Avalon entered into a transition services agreement pursuant to which SandRidge provided certain transition
services to Avalon, including trust administration services, through April 30, 2019. The transition services agreement has
expired.
The Trust is passive
in nature and neither the Trust nor the Trustee has any control over, or responsibility for, any operating or capital costs related
to the Underlying Properties. The business and affairs of the Trust are administered by the Trustee. The Trust Agreement generally
limits the Trust’s business activities to owning the Royalty Interests and certain activities reasonably related thereto,
including activities required or permitted by the terms of the Conveyances.
The Trust makes quarterly
cash distributions of substantially all of its cash receipts, after deducting amounts for the Trust’s administrative expenses,
property taxes and Texas franchise taxes, and cash reserves withheld by the Trustee, on or about the 60th day following the completion
of each quarter. Due to the timing of the payment of production proceeds to the Trust, each distribution covers production from
a three-month period consisting of the first two months of the most recently ended quarter and the final month of the quarter preceding
it.
The Trust will dissolve
and begin to liquidate on March 31, 2031 (the “Termination Date”), unless sooner dissolved in accordance
with the terms of the Trust Agreement as described below, and will soon thereafter wind up its affairs and terminate. At the Termination
Date, 50% of the Royalty Interests will revert automatically to Avalon. The remaining 50% of the Royalty Interests will be sold
at that time, with the net proceeds of the sale, as well as any remaining Trust cash reserves, distributed to the unitholders on
a pro rata basis, subject to Avalon’s right of first refusal to purchase the Royalty Interests retained by the Trust at the
Termination Date. In addition, the Trust will dissolve if one of the following events occurs prior to the Termination Date: (a) the
Trust sells all of the Royalty Interests; (b) cash available for distribution for any four consecutive quarters, on a cumulative
basis, is less than $5.0 million; (c) the Trust unitholders approve an earlier dissolution of the Trust; or (d) the Trust
is judicially dissolved pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. In the case of any of the foregoing, the
Trustee would then sell all of the Trust’s assets (subject to Avalon’s right of first refusal to purchase the Royalty
Interests retained by the Trust as of the date of such event), either by private sale or public auction, and distribute the net
proceeds of the sale to the Trust unitholders after payment, or reasonable provision for payment, of all Trust liabilities.
2. Going Concern and Potential Early Termination of
the Trust
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Trust will continue as a going concern. As discussed
under “Distributions to Unitholders” in Note 7 below, during April 2020, as a result of increased production costs
necessary to operate the Underlying Properties, coupled with the sharp decline in oil and gas prices since the beginning of 2020,
Avalon informed the Trustee that Avalon is unable to pay on a timely basis the quarterly distribution amount it owes to the Trust
for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 and believes it will be unable to generate sufficient cash for quarterly payments
to the Trust for the foreseeable future. Assuming that Avalon is unable to make the quarterly payment to the Trust for the three-month
period ended March 31, 2020 or future quarterly payments, cash available for distribution for the four consecutive quarters
ending September 30, 2020, on a cumulative basis, may fall below $5.0 million, which would require the Trust to commence termination
shortly after the quarterly cash distribution would be required to be made in November 2020. If that early termination event
occurs, the Trustee will be required to sell all of the Trust’s remaining assets and liquidate the Trust. Due
to this uncertainty, there is substantial doubt regarding the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year
after the date that the financial statements are issued. The Trust’s financial statements do not include any adjustments
that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
3. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies
Basis
of Accounting. The financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) as the Trust records revenues
when cash is received (rather than when earned) and expenses when paid (rather than when incurred) and may also establish cash
reserves for contingencies, which would not be accrued in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. This comprehensive
basis of accounting other than GAAP corresponds to the accounting permitted for royalty trusts by the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as specified by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 12: E, Financial Statements
of Royalty Trusts. Amortization of investment in the Royalty Interests, calculated on a unit-of-production basis, and any impairments
are charged directly to the trust corpus. Distributions to unitholders are recorded when declared.
Significant
Accounting Policies. Most accounting pronouncements apply to entities whose financial statements are prepared in accordance
with GAAP, which may require such entities to accrue or defer revenues and expenses in a period other than when such revenues are
received, or expenses are paid. Because the Trust’s financial statements are prepared on the modified cash basis as described
above, most accounting pronouncements are not applicable to the Trust’s financial statements.
The Trust is treated
for federal and applicable state income tax purposes as a partnership. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a partnership is not
a taxable entity and incurs no U.S. federal income tax liability.
With respect to state
taxation, a partnership is typically treated in the same manner as it is for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the
Trust’s activities result in the Trust having nexus in Texas and, therefore, make it subject to Texas franchise tax. Texas
franchise tax is treated as an income tax for financial statement purposes. The Trust is required to pay Texas franchise tax each
year at a maximum effective rate (subject to changes in the statutory rate) of 0.525% of its gross income, all of which is realized
from activities in Texas. The Trust records Texas franchise tax when paid.
Impairment
of Investment in Royalty Interests. On a quarterly basis, the Trust evaluates the carrying value of the investment
in Royalty Interests by comparing the undiscounted cash flows expected to be realized from the Royalty Interests to the carrying
value. If the expected future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, the Trust recognizes an impairment loss
for the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the Royalty Interests, which is determined using
future cash flows of the net oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGL”) reserves attributable to the Royalty
Interests, discounted at a rate based upon the weighted average cost of capital of publicly traded royalty trusts. The weighted
average cost of capital is based upon inputs that are available in the public market. The future cash flows of the net oil, natural
gas and NGL reserves attributable to the Royalty Interests utilizes the oil and natural gas futures prices readily available in
the public market adjusted for differentials and estimated quantities of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves that geological and
engineering data demonstrate, with reasonable certainty, to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing
economic and operating conditions. As there are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves, these
quantities are a significant unobservable input resulting in the fair value measurement being considered a level 3 measurement
within the fair value hierarchy. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, due to the sharp decline in oil and gas
prices since the beginning of 2020, the Trust recorded an impairment in the carrying value of the Investment in Royalty Interests
of $77.1 million. The impairment resulted in a non-cash charge to trust corpus and did not affect the Trust’s distributable
income. There were no impairments in the carrying value of the investment in Royalty Interests during the three-month period ended
March 31, 2019. Material write-downs in subsequent periods may occur if commodity prices continue to decline. Any impairment
would result in a non-cash charge to trust corpus and would not affect the Trust’s distributable income. See “Risks
and Uncertainties” in Note 6 below for further discussion.
Distributable
Income Per Unit. Distributable income per unit amounts as calculated for the periods presented in the accompanying unaudited
statements of distributable income may differ from declared distribution amounts per unit due to rounding and the timing of the
Trust’s payment of Trust administrative expenses and other costs.
Interim
Financial Statements. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
the accounting policies stated in the audited financial statements contained in the 2019 Form 10-K and reflect all adjustments
that are, in the opinion of the Trustee, necessary to state fairly the information in the Trust’s unaudited interim financial
statements. The accompanying statement of assets and trust corpus as of December 31, 2019 has been derived from audited financial
statements. The unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and
notes thereto included in the 2019 Form 10-K.
4. Distributions to Unitholders
2019
Distributions. The Trust makes quarterly cash distributions of substantially all of its cash receipts, after deducting
amounts for the Trust’s administrative expenses, property tax and Texas franchise tax and cash reserves withheld by the Trustee,
on or about the 60th day following the completion of each quarter. Distributions cover a three-month production period consisting
of the first two months of the most recently ended quarter and the final month of the preceding quarter. A summary of the Trust’s
distributions to unitholders during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019
is as follows:
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Total
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Distribution
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Covered
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Distribution
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Per Common
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Production Period
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Date Declared
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Date Paid
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Paid
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Unit
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(in millions)
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Calendar Quarter 2020
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First Quarter
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September 1, 2019 — November 30, 2019
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January 23, 2020
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February 28, 2020
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$
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4.2
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$
|
0.080
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Calendar Quarter 2019
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|
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First Quarter
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September 1, 2018 — November 30, 2018
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January 24, 2019
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February 22, 2019
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$
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5.0
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$
|
0.095
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Second Quarter
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December 1, 2018 — February 28, 2019
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April 25, 2019
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May 24, 2019
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$
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3.7
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$
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0.071
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Third Quarter
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March 1, 2019 — May 31, 2019
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July 25, 2019
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August 23, 2019
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$
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4.7
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$
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0.089
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Fourth Quarter
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June 1, 2019 — August 31, 2019
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October 24, 2019
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November 24, 2019
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$
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3.8
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$
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0.073
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5. Related Party Transactions
Trustee
Administrative Fee. Under the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Trust pays an annual administrative fee to the
Trustee, which prior to 2017 was $150,000. The annual administrative fee can be adjusted for inflation by no more than 3% in any
year. The Trustee’s administrative fees paid during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 totaled approximately
$40,000 and $39,000, respectively.
Registration
Rights Agreement. The Trust is party to a registration rights agreement pursuant to which the Trust has agreed
to register the offering of the Trust units now held by Avalon upon request by Avalon. The holders have the right to require the
Trust to file no more than five registration statements in aggregate, one of which has been filed to date. The Trust does not bear
any expenses associated with such transactions.
Administrative
Services Agreement. The Trust is party to an Administrative Services Agreement with Avalon (as the assignee of
SandRidge) that obligates the Trust to pay Avalon an annual administrative services fee for accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping
and informational services performed by Avalon on behalf of the Trust. For its services under the Administrative Services Agreement,
Avalon receives an annual fee of $300,000, which is payable in equal quarterly installments and will remain fixed for the life
of the Trust. Avalon is also entitled to receive reimbursement for its out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection
with the provision of any of the services under the Administrative Services Agreement. The Administrative Services Agreement will
terminate on the earliest to occur of: (i) the date the Trust shall have dissolved and commenced winding up in accordance
with the Trust Agreement, (ii) the date that all of the Royalty Interests have been terminated or are no longer held by the
Trust, (iii) pertaining to services to be provided with respect to any Underlying Properties transferred by Avalon, the date
that either Avalon or the Trustee may designate by delivering 90-days’ prior written notice, provided that the transferee
of such Underlying Properties assumes responsibility to perform the services in place of Avalon and (iv) a date mutually
agreed by Avalon and the Trustee. During each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Trust paid administrative
fees in the amount of $75,000 to Avalon and SandRidge, respectively. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020,
the Trust reimbursed Avalon for approximately $124,000 for out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses that Avalon had incurred in
prior periods.
6. Commitments and Contingencies
Loan
Commitment. Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, if at any time the Trust’s cash on hand (including available cash
reserves) is not sufficient to pay the Trust’s ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due, Avalon (as the
assignee of SandRidge) will, at the Trustee’s request, loan funds to the Trust necessary to pay such expenses. Any funds
loaned by Avalon pursuant to this commitment will be limited to the payment of current accounts payable or other obligations to
trade creditors in connection with obtaining goods or services or the payment of other current liabilities arising in the ordinary
course of the Trust’s business, and may not be used to satisfy Trust indebtedness, or to make distributions. If Avalon were
to loan funds pursuant to this commitment, no further distributions will be made to unitholders (except in respect of any previously
determined quarterly cash distribution amount) until such loan is repaid in full, with interest, unless Avalon consents to any
further distributions. Any such loan will be on an unsecured basis, and the terms of such loan will be substantially the same as
that which would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction between Avalon and an unaffiliated third party. No such loan
from Avalon was outstanding at March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019, and given Avalon’s current financial condition,
as further discussed under “Avalon’s Financial Condition” in Note 6 below, it is unlikely such loan could be
made.
Risks
and Uncertainties. The Trust’s revenue and distributions are substantially dependent upon the prevailing
and future prices for oil, natural gas and NGL, each of which depends on numerous factors beyond the Trust’s control such
as overall oil, natural gas and NGL production and inventories in the Permian Basin, economic conditions impacting the energy industry
generally, the global political environment, regulatory developments and competition from other energy sources. Oil, natural gas
and NGL prices historically have been volatile, reached a historical low during April 2020 due to the reduced demand for crude
oil products as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and may be subject to significant fluctuations in the future. In the absence
of derivative arrangements, continuing low levels of future production and record low commodity prices will reduce the Trust’s
revenues and distributable income available to unitholders.
Following the closing
of the Sale Transaction, the Trust is highly dependent on Avalon for multiple services, including the operation of the oil and
gas wells burdened by the Royalty Interests (the “Wells”), remittance of net proceeds from the sale of production
from the Wells to the Trust, administrative services such as accounting, tax preparation, and bookkeeping, and information services
performed on behalf of the Trust. Avalon is a relatively new oil and gas company formed in August 2018 with no prior operating
history. Avalon’s ability to continue operating the Underlying Properties depends on its financial condition and economic
performance, access to capital, and other factors, many of which are out of Avalon’s control.
As previously reported
in the Trust’s Form 8-K filed on April 23, 2020 (the “April 2020 Form 8-K”), Avalon
informed the Trustee that during 2019, Avalon repaired 29 producing wells burdened by the Overriding Royalty Interests to increase
production. Avalon has reported that this effort, combined with higher-than-expected lease operating expenses (“LOE”)
and declining oil prices, contributed to an operating loss for Avalon in 2019 despite Avalon’s efforts to reduce LOE (including
shutting in some non-economic wells, alternating production to reduce electrical and other field operating costs, and staff lay-offs).
Avalon has informed the Trustee that Avalon is likely to shut in additional wells that are not capable of producing oil and natural
gas in paying quantities, as permitted under the Conveyances. As a result of its operating loss in 2019, Avalon has informed the
Trustee that Avalon’s independent public accounting firm is expected to include an emphasis of a matter paragraph in its
audit report on Avalon’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. This negative impact could
affect Avalon’s ability to operate the Wells and provide services to the Trust in the future.
7. Subsequent Events
Distribution
to Unitholders. As reported in the April 2020 Form 8-K, Avalon has informed the Trustee that Avalon is unable
to pay on a timely basis the approximately $4.65 million it owes the Trust, which reflects the quarterly distribution amount
for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 (which primarily relates to production attributable to the Trust’s interests
from December 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020) of approximately $3.73 million, or $0.071 per unit, together with approximately
$0.73 million of Trust expenses and $0.19 million to be withheld by the Trustee for the Trust’s previously disclosed
cash reserve for future known, anticipated or contingent expenses or liabilities of the Trust. Consequently, the Trustee will not
be able to make the quarterly distribution to unitholders. In accordance with the terms of the Conveyances, the unpaid amount owed
the Trust will accrue interest at the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by The Bank of New York Mellon
Trust Company, N.A. at its “prime rate” in effect at its principal office in New York City until paid to the Trust.
Avalon has informed the Trustee that Avalon intends to make the payment of the distribution to the Trust, with interest in accordance
with the Conveyances, when funds are available to do so; however, as discussed below, Avalon believes it will be unable to generate
sufficient cash for quarterly payments to the Trust for the foreseeable future.
Avalon has informed
the Trustee that Avalon is using its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the oil and gas leases burdened by the Royalty
Interests so that in the future, assuming that oil prices return to a profitable level, the Trust will still hold its Royalty Interests,
and Trust unitholders may have the opportunity to receive future quarterly distributions. Avalon also has informed the Trustee
that it believes that continuing production from those Wells required to preserve such leases is preferable to stopping production,
as the failure to continue production would result in a termination of Avalon’s working interest in such Wells and, therefore,
the Royalty Interests, which would have a material adverse effect on the Trust’s financial condition. Avalon has reported
to the Trustee that Avalon therefore used revenues it received during the production period from December 1, 2019 to February 29,
2020 to pay the operating expenses necessary to maintain production from the Wells and to pay oil and gas lessor royalties, as
the proceeds attributable to Avalon’s net revenue interest in the Underlying Properties was insufficient to cover all such
costs. Avalon had anticipated that revenues from current period production would be sufficient to fund the quarterly payment to
the Trust; however, revenues from current period production have been insufficient to generate the cash needed to make the quarterly
payment to the Trust for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 due to the sharp drop in crude oil prices during the first quarter
of 2020. Avalon has informed the Trustee that due to its decision to prioritize the preservation of oil and gas leases burdened
by the Royalty Interests, coupled with the sharp decline in oil and gas prices since the beginning of 2020 as discussed elsewhere
in this report, Avalon believes it will be unable to generate sufficient cash for quarterly payments to the Trust for the foreseeable
future.
Avalon has provided
the following information to show Avalon’s calculation of the amount it owes to the Trust for the three-month period ended
March 31, 2020 (which primarily relates to production attributable to the Trust’s interests from December 1, 2019
to February 29, 2020). However, as described above, Avalon has informed the Trustee that Avalon is unable to make the payment
to the Trust on a timely basis, and is unable to predict when it expects to be able to make the payment. (In thousands, except
for unit and per unit amounts.)
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
Royalty income
|
|
$
|
4,904
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
4,904
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
Post-production expenses
|
|
|
22
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
|
228
|
|
Cash reserves withheld by Trustee (1)
|
|
|
732
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
982
|
|
Distributable income to unitholders
|
|
$
|
3,922
|
|
Additional cash reserve (2)
|
|
|
190
|
|
Distributable income available to unitholders
|
|
$
|
3,732
|
|
Distributable income per unit (52,500,000 units issued and outstanding)
|
|
$
|
0.071
|
|
(1) Includes amounts withheld for payment
of future Trust administrative expenses.
(2) Cash reserve increase for the payment
of future known, anticipated or contingent expenses or liabilities.
Avalon’s
Financial Condition. The reduced demand for crude oil in the global market resulting from the economic effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic and the recent dramatic reduction in the benchmark price of crude oil have had a negative impact on Avalon’s
financial condition. Avalon has informed the Trustee that during the first quarter of 2020 and in April of this year, it has
shut in additional Wells that are not capable of producing oil and natural gas in paying quantities, as permitted under the Conveyances,
in an effort to further reduce LOE. These Wells were not necessary to hold the leasehold interests burdened by the Trust’s
Royalty Interests.
As a result of continuing
operating losses and the anticipated reduction in the value of proved reserves attributable to Avalon’s net revenue interest
in the Underlying Properties and other oil and gas assets, Avalon has notified the Trust that it anticipates WaFed will notify
Avalon in the near future (concurrent with WaFed’s redetermination of the borrowing base under the terms of the WaFed Loan)
that the borrowing base has been reduced to less than the outstanding principal amount of the WaFed Loan. As Avalon has indicated
to the Trust that Avalon does not presently have sufficient cash available to pay down the principal amount of the WaFed Loan to
come into compliance with the adjusted borrowing base, it is possible that WaFed will foreclose on the WaFed Collateral securing
the loan or take other steps to protect its interest in such collateral. Absent further direction from WaFed, Avalon cannot predict
what action WaFed will take with respect to its anticipated default under the WaFed Loan. However, any action that WaFed takes
could result in Avalon’s loss of control over the Underlying Properties or its replacement as an operator of the Underlying
Properties or both. The Trustee intends to monitor this situation closely and will take any appropriate action to protect its Royalty
Interests.
ITEM 2. Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction
The following discussion
and analysis are intended to help the reader understand the financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources
of SandRidge Permian Trust (the “Trust”). This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the
Trust’s unaudited interim financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report and the Trust’s
audited financial statements and the accompanying notes included in the 2019 Form 10-K. All information regarding operations
was provided to the Trustee by Avalon.
Overview
The Trust is a statutory
trust formed under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act pursuant to a trust agreement, as amended and restated (the “Trust
Agreement”), by and among SandRidge Energy, Inc. (“SandRidge”), as Trustor, The Bank of New York
Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (the “Trustee”), and The Corporation Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee
(the “Delaware Trustee”).
The Trust holds royalty
interests in specified oil and natural gas properties located in Andrews County, Texas (the “Underlying Properties”).
These royalty interests were conveyed by SandRidge to the Trust (the “Royalty Interests”) concurrent with the
initial public offering of the Trust’s common units (“Trust Units”) in August 2011 pursuant to the
terms set forth in conveyancing documents effective April 1, 2011 (the “Conveyances”). As consideration
for conveyance of the Royalty Interests, the Trust remitted the proceeds of the offering, along with 4,875,000 Trust units and
13,125,000 subordinated units of the Trust (“subordinated units”) to certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of SandRidge.
Pursuant to a development
agreement between the Trust and SandRidge, SandRidge was obligated to drill, or cause to be drilled, 888 development wells within
an area of mutual interest (“AMI”) by March 31, 2016 (the “Trust Development Wells”).
SandRidge fulfilled this obligation in November 2014. As no additional development wells will be drilled, the Trust’s
production is expected to decline each quarter during the remainder of its life. As a result of SandRidge fulfilling its drilling
obligation, the subordinated units converted to Trust units in January 2016. At October 31, 2018, SandRidge owned 13,125,000
Trust units, or 25% of all Trust units.
On November 1,
2018, SandRidge sold all of its interests in the Underlying Properties and all of its Trust units (the “Sale Transaction”)
to Avalon Energy LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Avalon”). The Conveyances permitted SandRidge to sell
all or any part of its interest in the Underlying Properties, where the Underlying Properties were sold subject to and burdened
by the Royalty Interests. In connection with the Sale Transaction, Avalon and its affiliates assumed all of SandRidge’s obligations
under the Conveyances and the Trust Agreement and the administrative services agreement between SandRidge and the Trust pursuant
to which SandRidge and Avalon have provided accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and informational services to the Trust (the
“Administrative Services Agreement”). In addition, SandRidge assigned its rights to Avalon under the registration
rights agreement between SandRidge and the Trust. As of March 31, 2020, Avalon holds 13,125,000 Trust units, or 25% of all
Trust units.
In connection with
the Sales Transaction, Avalon obtained a revolving line of credit from Washington Federal, National Association (“WaFed”)
pursuant to the terms of a Loan Agreement and related security documents (the “WaFed Loan”). Avalon used the
proceeds of the WaFed Loan to fund a portion of the purchase price for the interests in the Underlying Properties and Trust units
acquired in the Sale Transaction. The WaFed Loan is secured by a first lien mortgage on Avalon’s interest in the Underlying
Properties and a pledge of the Avalon Trust units (the “WaFed Collateral”). The Royalty Interests are not part
of the WaFed Collateral.
As a part of the Sale
Transaction, SandRidge and Avalon entered into a transition services agreement pursuant to which SandRidge provided certain transition
services to Avalon, including trust administration services, through April 30, 2019. The transition services agreement has
expired.
The Trust is passive
in nature and neither the Trust nor the Trustee has any control over, or responsibility for, any operating or capital costs related
to the Underlying Properties. The business and affairs of the Trust are administered by the Trustee. The Trust Agreement generally
limits the Trust’s business activities to owning the Royalty Interests and activities reasonably related thereto, including
activities required or permitted by the terms of the Conveyances.
The Trust makes quarterly
cash distributions of substantially all of its cash receipts, after deducting amounts for the Trust’s administrative expenses,
property tax and Texas franchise tax and cash reserves withheld by the Trustee, on or about the 60th day following the completion
of each quarter. Due to the timing of the payment of production proceeds to the Trust, each distribution covers production from
a three-month period consisting of the first two months of the most recently ended quarter and the final month of the quarter preceding
it.
The Trust will dissolve
and begin to liquidate on March 31, 2031 (the “Termination Date”), unless sooner dissolved in accordance
with the terms of the Trust Agreement as described below and will soon thereafter wind up its affairs and terminate. At the Termination
Date, 50% of the Royalty Interests will revert automatically to Avalon. The remaining 50% of the Royalty Interests will be sold
at that time, with the net proceeds of the sale, as well as any remaining Trust cash reserves, distributed to the unitholders on
a pro rata basis, subject to Avalon’s right of first refusal to purchase the Royalty Interests retained by the Trust at the
Termination Date. In addition, the Trust will dissolve if one of the following events occurs prior to the Termination Date: (a) the
Trust sells all of the Royalty Interests; (b) cash available for distribution for any four consecutive quarters, on a cumulative
basis, is less than $5.0 million; (c) the Trust unitholders approve an earlier dissolution of the Trust; or (d) the Trust
is judicially dissolved pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. In the case of any of the foregoing, the
Trustee would then sell all of the Trust’s assets (subject to Avalon’s right of first refusal to purchase the Royalty
Interests retained by the Trust as of the date of such event), either by private sale or public auction, and distribute the net
proceeds of the sale to the Trust unitholders after payment, or reasonable provision for payment, of all Trust liabilities.
Commodity
Price Volatility. The Trust’s quarterly cash distributions are highly dependent upon the prices realized from
the sale of oil, natural gas and NGL. The markets for these commodities are volatile and experienced significant fluctuations during
2019 and have declined sharply in 2020 in response to the economic effects of the dispute over production levels between Russia
and the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, including Saudi Arabia, and the global outbreak of the novel
form of coronavirus known as COVID-19. The spot price for WTI crude oil has decreased from $61.17 on January 2, 2020 to $19.72
on May 1, 2020. A buildup in inventories, lower global demand, political unrest, or other factors, such as the economic
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, could cause prices for U.S. oil, natural gas and NGL to fluctuate significantly in the future.
As a result, there can be no assurance that prices for oil, natural gas and NGL will be maintained at a constant level for any
significant period of time.
COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread and localized health crises that adversely affect general commercial activity,
the economies and financial markets of many countries and localities, as well as global demand for oil, natural gas and NGL. COVID-19
and the federal, state and local governmental responses to the pandemic also have resulted in significant business and operational
disruptions, including business closures, disruptions to supply chains, travel restrictions and limitations on the availability
of workforces. The full impact of COVID-19 is unknown and is rapidly evolving, and it is not possible to reliably estimate the
impact that these developments will have on future periods. A prolonged period of low crude oil and natural gas prices will adversely
affect Avalon as the operator of the Underlying Properties. If commodity prices for crude oil, natural gas and NGL remain
at reduced levels, distributions to unitholders will be substantially lower than historical distributions, and in certain periods
there may be no distribution to unitholders.
Potential
Early Termination of the Trust. The Trust Agreement provides that the Trust will terminate if cash available for
distribution for any four consecutive quarters, on a cumulative basis, is less than $5.0 million. If this early termination event
occurs, the Trust Agreement will require the Trustee to sell the Royalty Interests, either by private sale or public auction, subject
to Avalon's right of first refusal to purchase the Royalty Interests. After the sale of all of the Royalty Interests, payment
of all Trust liabilities and establishment of reasonable provisions for the payment of additional anticipated or contingent Trust
expenses or liabilities, the Trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Trust unitholders.
Based on Avalon's estimates
for the next twelve months regarding projected production from the Underlying Properties and estimated pricing for WTI crude oil
based on futures prices as of May 1, 2020 readily available in the public market, adjusted for differentials, and assuming
that Avalon is unable to make the quarterly payment to the Trust for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 as discussed
below under “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Future Trust Distributions to Unitholders”, cash available for distribution
for the four consecutive quarters ending September 30, 2020, on a cumulative basis, may fall below $5.0 million, which would
require the Trust to commence termination shortly after the required quarterly cash distribution is to be made in November 2020.
If that occurs, the Trustee would be required to sell all of the Trust’s remaining assets and liquidate the Trust. Due
to this uncertainty, there is substantial doubt regarding the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year
after the date that the financial statements are issued. The Trust’s financial statements do not include any adjustments
that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Recent
Developments. As previously disclosed, on December 27, 2019, the Trust received written notification
from The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) that the Trust no longer satisfied the continued listing compliance
standards set forth under Rule 802.01C of the NYSE Listed Company Manual because the average closing price of the Trust units
fell below $1.00 over a 30 consecutive trading-day period. If the Trust were unable to regain compliance with the applicable standards
within a six-month cure period, the NYSE would commence suspension and delisting procedures. Although the Trust units continue
to be traded on the NYSE, the Trust might be unable to maintain compliance with the NYSE’s listing standards and could again
become subject to the NYSE delisting procedures. On April 23, 2020, the NYSE notified the Trustee that pursuant to temporary
NYSE rule changes adopted in response to the dramatic fluctuations in the capital markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic,
the cure period in which the Trust may regain compliance with the applicable listing standards has been extended to September 5,
2020.
Properties.
As of March 31, 2020, the Trust’s assets consisted of Royalty Interests that burden oil and natural gas wells
located on the Underlying Properties (the “Wells”), all of which are located in Andrews County, Texas.
Distributions.
The Trust makes quarterly cash distributions of substantially all of its cash receipts, after deducting amounts for the Trust’s
administrative expenses, property tax and Texas franchise tax and cash reserves withheld by the Trustee, on or about the 60th day
following the completion of each quarter. Trust unitholders are responsible for all federal and state tax liabilities associated
with distributions they receive from the Trust.
Pursuant
to Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 1446, withholding tax on income effectively connected to a United
States trade or business allocated to non-U.S. persons (“ECI”) should be made at the highest marginal rate.
Under IRC Section 1441, withholding tax on fixed, determinable, annual, periodic income from United States sources allocated
to non-U.S. persons should be made at 30% of gross income unless the rate is reduced by treaty. This is intended to be a qualified
notice to nominees and brokers as provided for under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b) by the Trust, and while
specific relief is not specified for IRC Section 1441 income, this disclosure is intended to suffice. Nominees and brokers
should withhold at the highest marginal rate on the distribution made to non-U.S. persons. The
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) enacted in December 2017 treats a non-U.S. holder’s gain on the
sale of Trust units as ECI to the extent such holder would have had ECI if the Trust had sold all of its assets at fair market
value on the date of the exchange. The TCJA also requires the transferee of units to withhold 10% of the amount realized on the
sale of exchange of units (generally, the purchase price) unless the transferor certifies that it is not a nonresident alien individual
or foreign corporation. Pending the finalization of proposed regulations under IRC Section 1446, the IRS has suspended
this new withholding obligation with respect to publicly traded partnerships such as the Trust, which is classified as a partnership
for federal and state income tax purposes.
Results of Trust Operations
The primary factors
affecting the Trust’s revenues and costs are the quantity of oil, natural gas and NGL production from the Wells, the prices
received for such production and post-production costs (primarily transportation). Royalty income, post-production expenses and
certain taxes are recorded on a cash basis when net revenue distributions are received by the Trust from Avalon. Information regarding
the Trust’s production, pricing and costs for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is presented below.
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2020(1)
|
|
|
2019(2)
|
|
Production Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (MBbls)
|
|
|
93
|
|
|
|
109
|
|
NGL (MBbls)
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
Natural gas (MMcf)
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
Combined equivalent volumes (MBoe)
|
|
|
110
|
|
|
|
134
|
|
Average daily combined equivalent volumes (MBoe/d)
|
|
|
1.2
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
Well Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Initial and Trust Development Wells producing - average
|
|
|
1,025
|
|
|
|
1,060
|
|
Revenues (in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Royalty income
|
|
$
|
5,289
|
|
|
$
|
6,257
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
|
5,289
|
|
|
|
6,257
|
|
Expenses (in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-production expenses
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
Property taxes
|
|
|
1,676
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
|
254
|
|
|
|
300
|
|
Trust administrative expenses
|
|
|
708
|
|
|
|
433
|
|
Cash reserves (used) withheld for current Trust expenses, net of amounts (withheld) used
|
|
|
(1,574
|
)
|
|
|
531
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
1,079
|
|
|
|
1,276
|
|
Distributable income available to unitholders
|
|
$
|
4,210
|
|
|
$
|
4,981
|
|
Average Prices
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (per Bbl)
|
|
$
|
53.93
|
|
|
$
|
52.41
|
|
NGL (per Bbl)
|
|
$
|
19.48
|
|
|
$
|
26.22
|
|
Combined oil and NGL (per Bbl)
|
|
$
|
50.51
|
|
|
$
|
49.09
|
|
Natural gas (per Mcf)
|
|
$
|
0.92
|
|
|
$
|
1.75
|
|
Combined equivalent (per Boe)
|
|
$
|
47.89
|
|
|
$
|
46.63
|
|
Average Prices — including impact of post-production expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (per Mcf)
|
|
$
|
0.53
|
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
Combined equivalent (per Boe)
|
|
$
|
47.76
|
|
|
$
|
46.54
|
|
Expenses (per Boe)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-production production
|
|
$
|
0.14
|
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
$
|
2.31
|
|
|
$
|
2.24
|
|
|
(1)
|
Production volumes and related revenues and expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 (included in Avalon’s
February 2020 net revenue distribution to the Trust) represent production from September 1, 2019 to November 30,
2019.
|
|
(2)
|
Production volumes and related revenues and expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 (included in Avalon’s
February 2019 net revenue distribution to the Trust) represent production from September 1, 2018 to November 30,
2018.
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Compared to the
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Revenues
Royalty
Income. Royalty income is a function of production volumes sold attributable to the Royalty Interests and associated
prices received. Royalty income received during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 totaled $5.3 million compared
to $6.3 million received during the three-month period ended March 31, 2019. The approximate $1.0 million decrease in royalty
income was attributable to a decrease in total volumes produced. The average number of producing wells in the three-month period
ended March 31, 2020 decreased by 35 from 1,060 wells in the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, because certain
Wells that could not produce minerals in commercial quantities due to a continuing decline in production were shut in.
Expenses
Property
Taxes. Property taxes paid during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 were approximately $1.7 million, which related
to 2019 property taxes. There were no property taxes paid during the three months ended March 31, 2019 as the applicable taxes
were paid during a prior period.
Production
Taxes. Production taxes are calculated as a percentage of oil and natural gas revenues, net of any applicable tax credits.
Production taxes for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 totaled approximately $0.3 million, or $2.31 per Boe, and
were approximately 4.8% of royalty income. Production taxes for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 totaled approximately
$0.3 million, or $2.24 per Boe, and were approximately 4.8% of royalty income.
Trust
Administrative Expenses. Trust administrative expenses generally consist of fees paid to the Trustee and the Delaware
Trustee, administrative services fees paid to Avalon, tax return and related form preparation fees, legal and accounting fees,
and other expenses incurred as a result of being a publicly traded entity. Trust administrative expenses for the three-month period
ended March 31, 2020 totaled approximately $0.7 million compared to approximately $0.4 million for the three-month period
ended March 31, 2019. The increase during the 2020 period primarily relates to the timing of administrative expense payments.
Distributable Income
Distributable income
for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 was $4.2 million, which included a net reduction of approximately $1.6 million
to the cash reserve for the payment of future Trust expenses, reflecting approximately $2.4 million used to pay Trust expenses
during the period partially offset by approximately $0.8 million withheld from the February 2020 cash distribution to unitholders.
Distributable income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 was $5.0 million, which included a net addition of approximately
$0.5 million to the cash reserve for the payment of future Trust expenses, reflecting approximately $0.9 million withheld from
the February 2019 cash distribution to unitholders partially offset by approximately $0.4 million used to pay Trust expenses
during the period.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Trust has no source
of liquidity or capital resources other than cash flow generated from the Royalty Interests and borrowings to fund administrative
expenses, including any amounts borrowed under Avalon’s loan commitment described in Note 6 to the unaudited interim financial
statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report. The Trust’s primary uses of cash are distributions to Trust
unitholders, the payment of Trust administrative expenses, establishing reserves (as determined by the Trustee) for future liabilities,
the payment of applicable taxes and the payment of expense reimbursements to Avalon for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf
of the Trust. The Trust does not have any obligation to pay any costs associated with the operation of the Wells.
Administrative expenses
include payments to the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee as well as a quarterly fee of $75,000 paid to Avalon pursuant to the Administrative
Services Agreement. Each quarter, the Trustee determines the amount of funds available for distribution. Available funds are the
excess cash, if any, received by the Trust from the sale of production attributable to the Royalty Interests during that quarter
over the Trust’s expenses for the quarter. If at any time the Trust’s cash on hand (including available cash reserves)
is not sufficient to pay the Trust’s ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due, the Trust may borrow funds
from the Trustee or other lenders, including Avalon, to pay such expenses. The Trustee does not intend to lend funds to the Trust.
Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, if at any time the Trust’s cash on hand (including available cash reserves) is not sufficient
to pay the Trust’s ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due, Avalon (as the assignee of SandRidge) will,
at the Trustee’s request, loan funds to the Trust necessary to pay such expenses. Any funds loaned by Avalon pursuant to
this commitment will be limited to the payment of current accounts payable or other obligations to trade creditors in connection
with obtaining goods or services or the payment of other current liabilities arising in the ordinary course of the Trust’s
business, and may not be used to satisfy Trust indebtedness, or to make distributions. If Avalon loans funds pursuant to this commitment,
no further distributions will be made to unitholders (except in respect of any previously determined quarterly cash distribution
amount) until such loan is repaid in full, with interest, unless Avalon consents to any further distributions. Any such loan will
be on an unsecured basis, and the terms of such loan will be substantially the same as that which would be obtained in an arm’s
length transaction between Avalon and an unaffiliated third party. No such loan was outstanding at March 31, 2020 or December 31,
2019, and given Avalon’s current financial condition, as further discussed under “Avalon’s Financial Condition”
below, it is unlikely such loan could be made.
Commencing with the
distribution to unitholders paid in the first quarter of 2019, the Trustee has withheld, and in the future intends to withhold,
the greater of $190,000 or 3.5% of the funds otherwise available for distribution to Trust unitholders each quarter to gradually
increase cash reserves for the payment of future known, anticipated or contingent expenses or liabilities by a total of approximately
$2,275,000. In 2019, the Trustee withheld an aggregate of $760,000 from the funds otherwise available for distribution to Trust
unitholders. In February 2020, the Trustee withheld approximately $190,000 from the funds otherwise available for distribution.
The Trust is highly
dependent on Avalon for multiple services, including the operation of the Wells, remittance of net proceeds from the sale of associated
production to the Trust, administrative services such as accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, regulatory filings and information
services performed on behalf of the Trust, and potentially for loans to pay Trust administrative expenses. Avalon is a relatively
new oil and gas company formed in August 2018 with no prior operating history. Avalon’s ability to continue operating
the Underlying Properties depends on its future financial condition and economic performance, access to capital, and other factors,
many of which are out of Avalon’s control. If the reduced demand for crude oil in the global market resulting from the economic
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent reduction in the benchmark price of crude oil persist for the near term or longer,
such factors are likely to have a negative impact on Avalon’s financial condition. This negative impact could affect Avalon’s
ability to operate the wells and provide services to the Trust. Avalon has informed the Trustee that during 2019, Avalon repaired
29 producing wells burdened by the Overriding Royalty Interests to increase production. Avalon has reported that this effort, combined
with higher-than-expected lease operating expenses (“LOE”) and declining oil prices, contributed to an operating
loss for Avalon in 2019 despite Avalon’s efforts to reduce LOE (including shutting in some non-economic wells, alternating
production to reduce electrical and other field operating costs, and staff lay-offs). Avalon has informed the Trustee that Avalon
is likely to shut in additional wells that are not capable of producing oil and natural gas in paying quantities, as permitted
under the Conveyances. As a result of this operating loss for Avalon in 2019, Avalon has informed the Trustee that Avalon’s
independent public accounting firm is expected to include an emphasis of matter paragraph in its audit report on Avalon’s
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.
2020
Trust Distributions to Unitholders. On January 23, 2020, the Trust declared a cash distribution of $0.080 per unit
covering production for the three-month period from September 1, 2019 to November 30, 2019, payable to record unitholders
as of February 14, 2020. The distribution, totaling $4.2 million, was made on February 28, 2020.
Future
Trust Distributions to Unitholders. During the three-month production period from December 31, 2019 to February 29,
2020, combined sales volumes were lower than the previous period and the average price received per Boe from the sale of oil, natural
gas and NGL attributable to the Royalty Interests decreased as compared to the three-month period ended November 30, 2019.
On April 23, 2020, the Trust declared a cash distribution of $0.071 per unit covering production for the period.
As previously reported
in the Trust’s Form 8-K filed on April 23, 2020, Avalon has informed the Trustee that Avalon is unable to pay on
a timely basis the approximately $4.65 million it owes the Trust, which reflects the quarterly distribution amount for the
three-month period ended March 31, 2020 (which primarily relates to production attributable to the Trust’s interests
from December 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020) of approximately $3.73 million, or $0.071 per unit, together with approximately
$0.73 million of Trust expenses and $0.19 million to be withheld by the Trustee for the Trust’s previously disclosed
cash reserve for future known, anticipated or contingent expenses or liabilities of the Trust. Consequently, the Trustee will not
be able to make the quarterly distribution to unitholders. In accordance with the terms of the Conveyances, the unpaid amount owed
the Trust will accrue interest at the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by The Bank of New York Mellon
Trust Company, N.A. at its “prime rate” in effect at its principal office in New York City until paid to the Trust.
Avalon has informed the Trustee that Avalon intends to make the payment of the distribution to the Trust, with interest in accordance
with the Conveyances, when funds are available to do so; however, as discussed below, Avalon believes it will be unable to generate
sufficient cash for quarterly payments to the Trust for the foreseeable future.
Avalon has informed
the Trustee that Avalon is using its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the oil and gas leases on which the Wells burdened
by the Royalty Interests are located so that in the future, assuming that crude oil prices return to a profitable level, the Trust
will still hold its Royalty Interests, and Trust unitholders may have the opportunity to receive future quarterly distributions.
Avalon also has informed the Trustee that Avalon believes that continuing production from the Wells required to preserve such leases
is preferable to stopping production, as the failure to continue production would result in a termination of Avalon’s working
interest in such Wells and, therefore, the Royalty Interests, which would have a material adverse effect on the Trust’s financial
condition. Avalon has reported to the Trustee that Avalon therefore used revenues it received during the production period from
December 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020 to pay the operating expenses necessary to maintain production from the Wells and
to pay oil and gas lessor royalties, as the proceeds attributable to Avalon’s net revenue interest in the Underlying Properties
was insufficient to cover all such costs. Avalon had anticipated that revenues from current period production would be sufficient
to fund the quarterly payment to the Trust; however, revenues from current period production have been insufficient to generate
the cash needed to make the quarterly payment to the Trust for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 due to the sharp drop in crude
oil prices during the first quarter of 2020. Avalon has informed the Trustee that due to its decision to prioritize the preservation
of oil and gas leases burdened by the Royalty Interests, coupled with the sharp decline in oil and gas prices since the beginning
of 2020 as discussed elsewhere in this report, Avalon believes it will be unable to generate sufficient cash for quarterly payments
to the Trust for the foreseeable future.
The Trustee intends
to monitor the situation closely and, if appropriate, may take legal action against Avalon to enforce the Trust’s rights
under the Conveyances.
Avalon has provided
the following information to show Avalon’s calculation of the amount it owes to the Trust for the three-month period ended
March 31, 2020 (which primarily relates to production attributable to the Trust’s interests from December 1, 2019
to February 29, 2020). However, as described above, Avalon has informed the Trustee that Avalon is unable to make the payment
to the Trust on a timely basis, and is unable to predict when it expects to be able to make the payment. (In thousands, except
for unit and per unit amounts.)
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
Royalty income
|
|
$
|
4,904
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
4,904
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
Post-production expenses
|
|
|
22
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
|
228
|
|
Cash reserves withheld by Trustee (1)
|
|
|
732
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
982
|
|
Distributable income to unitholders
|
|
$
|
3,922
|
|
Additional cash reserve (2)
|
|
|
190
|
|
Distributable income available to unitholders
|
|
$
|
3,732
|
|
Distributable income per unit (52,500,000 units issued and outstanding)
|
|
$
|
0.071
|
|
(1) Includes amounts withheld for payment
of future Trust administrative expenses.
(2) Cash reserve increase for the payment
of future known, anticipated or contingent expenses or liabilities.
Avalon’s
Financial Condition. The reduced demand for crude oil in the global market resulting from the economic effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic and the recent dramatic reduction in the benchmark price of crude oil have had a negative impact on Avalon’s
financial condition. Avalon has informed the Trustee that during the first quarter of 2020 and in April of this year, it has
shut in additional Wells that are not capable of producing oil and natural gas in paying quantities, as permitted under the Conveyances,
in an effort to further reduce LOE. These Wells were not necessary to hold the leasehold interests burdened by the Trust’s
Royalty Interests.
As a result of continuing
operating losses and the anticipated reduction in the value of proved reserves attributable to Avalon’s net revenue interest
in the Underlying Properties and other oil and gas assets, Avalon has notified the Trust that it anticipates WaFed will notify
Avalon in the near future (concurrent with WaFed’s redetermination of the borrowing base under the terms of the WaFed Loan)
that the borrowing base has been reduced to less than the outstanding principal amount of the WaFed Loan. As Avalon has indicated
to the Trust that Avalon does not presently have sufficient cash available to pay down the principal amount of the WaFed Loan to
come into compliance with the adjusted borrowing base, it is possible that WaFed will foreclose on the WaFed Collateral securing
the loan or take other steps to protect its interest in such collateral. Absent further direction from WaFed, Avalon cannot predict
what action WaFed will take with respect to its anticipated default under the WaFed Loan. However, any action that WaFed takes
could result in Avalon’s loss of control over the Underlying Properties or its replacement as an operator of the Underlying
Properties or both. The Trustee intends to monitor this situation closely and will take any appropriate action to protect its Royalty
Interests.