Item 1. Financial Statements.
VOC ENERGY TRUST
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE
INCOME
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
Income from net profits interest
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
3,751,554
|
|
|
$
|
3,510,895
|
|
|
$
|
9,321,096
|
|
Cash on hand used (withheld) for Trust expenses
|
|
|
139,230
|
|
|
|
(65,632
|
)
|
|
|
(469,316
|
)
|
|
|
87,569
|
|
General and administrative expenses (1)
|
|
|
(139,230
|
)
|
|
|
(200,922
|
)
|
|
|
(661,579
|
)
|
|
|
(738,665
|
)
|
Distributable income
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
3,485,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,380,000
|
|
|
$
|
8,670,000
|
|
Distributions per Trust unit (17,000,000 Trust units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and 2019)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
0.205
|
|
|
$
|
0.14
|
|
|
$
|
0.51
|
|
(1)
|
Includes $26,685 and $51,320 paid to VOC Brazos Energy Partners, LP (“VOC Brazos”) during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $78,005 and $75,995 during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Also includes $37,500 paid to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. during each of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and $112,500 during each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
|
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND TRUST
CORPUS
|
|
September 30,
2020
|
|
|
December 31,
2019
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
795,448
|
|
|
$
|
326,132
|
|
Investment in net profits interest
|
|
|
140,591,606
|
|
|
|
140,591,606
|
|
Accumulated amortization and impairment
|
|
|
(121,471,305
|
)
|
|
|
(77,571,838
|
)
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
19,915,749
|
|
|
$
|
63,345,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TRUST CORPUS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust corpus, 17,000,000 Trust units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019
|
|
$
|
19,915,749
|
|
|
$
|
63,345,900
|
|
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST
CORPUS
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
Trust corpus, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
20,553,091
|
|
|
$
|
66,524,834
|
|
|
$
|
63,345,900
|
|
|
$
|
70,013,155
|
|
Income from net profits interest
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
3,751,554
|
|
|
|
3,510,895
|
|
|
|
9,321,096
|
|
Cash distribution
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(3,485,000
|
)
|
|
|
(2,380,000
|
)
|
|
|
(8,670,000
|
)
|
Trust expenses
|
|
|
(139,230
|
)
|
|
|
(200,922
|
)
|
|
|
(661,579
|
)
|
|
|
(738,665
|
)
|
Amortization of net profits interest (includes impairment expense of $41,261,354 during the nine months ended September 30, 2020)
|
|
|
(498,112
|
)
|
|
|
(1,828,980
|
)
|
|
|
(43,899,467
|
)
|
|
|
(5,164,100
|
)
|
Trust corpus, end of period
|
|
$
|
19,915,749
|
|
|
$
|
64,761,486
|
|
|
$
|
19,915,749
|
|
|
$
|
64,761,486
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these condensed financial statements.
VOC ENERGY TRUST
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Organization of the Trust
VOC Energy Trust (the “Trust”)
is a statutory trust formed on November 3, 2010 (capitalized on December 17, 2010), under the Delaware Statutory Trust
Act pursuant to a Trust Agreement dated November 3, 2010 (as amended and restated on May 10, 2011, the “Trust Agreement”)
among VOC Brazos Energy Partners, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“VOC Brazos”), as trustor, The Bank of New York
Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (the “Trustee”), and Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee (the “Delaware
Trustee”). The Trust was created to acquire and hold a term net profits interest for the benefit of the Trust unitholders.
VOC Brazos is a privately held limited
partnership engaged in the production and development of oil and natural gas from properties located in Texas. VOC Kansas Energy
Partners, L.L.C., a Kansas limited liability company (“VOC Kansas”), is a privately held limited liability company
engaged in the production and development of oil and natural gas from properties primarily located in Kansas along with a limited
number of Texas properties. In connection with the closing of the initial public offering of units of beneficial interest in the
Trust (“Trust Units”) in May 2011, VOC Brazos acquired all of the membership interests in VOC Kansas in exchange
for newly issued limited partner interests in VOC Brazos pursuant to a Contribution and Exchange Agreement, dated August 30,
2010, as amended, by and between VOC Brazos and VOC Kansas. This resulted in VOC Kansas becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of VOC
Brazos.
In connection with the May 2011 closing
of the initial public offering and in exchange for 17,000,000 Trust Units, VOC Brazos and VOC Kansas conveyed a term net profits
interest representing the right to receive 80% of the net proceeds (calculated as described below in Note 6) from production from
the underlying properties (as defined below) (the “net profits interest”). The net profits interest consists of net
interests in all of the oil and natural gas properties held by VOC Brazos and VOC Kansas in the states of Kansas and Texas as of
the date of the conveyance of the net profits interest to the Trust. We refer to the properties in which the Trust holds the net
profits interest as the “underlying properties.”
The net profits interest is passive in
nature, and the Trustee has no management control over and no responsibility relating to the operation of the underlying properties.
The net profits interest entitles the Trust to receive 80% of the net proceeds attributable to VOC Brazos’ interest from
the sale of production from the underlying properties during the term of the Trust. The net profits interest will terminate on
the later to occur of (1) December 31, 2030 or (2) the time when 10.6 million barrels of oil equivalent (“MMBoe”)
(which is the equivalent of 8.5 MMBoe in respect of the net profits interest) have been produced from the underlying properties
and sold, and the Trust will soon thereafter wind up its affairs and terminate.
The Trustee can authorize the Trust to
borrow money to pay administrative or incidental expenses of the Trust that exceed cash held by the Trust. The Trustee may authorize
the Trust to borrow from the Trustee or the Delaware Trustee as a lender provided the terms of the loan are similar to the terms
it would grant to a similarly situated commercial customer with whom it did not have a fiduciary relationship. The Trustee may
also deposit funds awaiting distribution in an account with itself and make other short-term investments with the funds distributed
to the Trust.
Note 2. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Condensed Statements of
Assets and Trust Corpus as of December 31, 2019, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited
interim condensed financial statements as of September 30, 2020 and for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30,
2020 and September 30, 2019, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial
statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations.
The preparation of financial statements
requires the Trust to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure
of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Trustee believes such information includes all
the disclosures necessary to make the information presented not misleading. The information furnished reflects all adjustments
that are, in the opinion of the Trustee, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim period presented. The
financial information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Trust’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Note 3. Trust Accounting Policies
The Trust uses the modified cash basis
of accounting to report receipts of the net profits interest and payments of expenses incurred. The net profits interest represents
the right to receive revenues (oil and natural gas sales), less direct operating expenses (lease operating expenses, lease maintenance,
lease overhead, and production and property taxes) and an adjustment for lease equipment costs and lease development expenses (which
are capitalized in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America (“U.S. GAAP”)) of the underlying properties, times 80%. Actual cash receipts may vary due to timing delays
of actual cash receipts from the property operators or purchasers and due to wellhead and pipeline volume balancing agreements
or practices. The actual cash distributions of the Trust will be made based on the terms of the conveyance creating the Trust’s
net profits interest. Expenses of the Trust, which include accounting, engineering, legal and other professional fees, Trustee
fees, an administrative fee paid to VOC Brazos and out-of-pocket expenses, are recognized when paid. Under U.S. GAAP, revenues
and expenses would be recognized on an accrual basis. Amortization of the investment in net profits interest is recorded on a unit-of-production
method in the period in which the cash is received with respect to such production. Such amortization does not reduce distributable
income, rather it is charged directly to Trust corpus.
This comprehensive basis of accounting
other than U.S. GAAP corresponds to the accounting permitted for royalty trusts by the SEC as specified by Staff Accounting Bulletin
Topic 12:E, Financial Statements of Royalty Trusts.
Investment in the net profits interest
was recorded initially at the historical cost of VOC Brazos and is periodically assessed to determine whether its aggregate value
has been impaired below its total capitalized cost based on the underlying properties. The Trust will provide a write-down to its
investment in the net profits interest if and when total capitalized costs, less accumulated amortization, exceeds undiscounted
future net revenues attributable to the proved oil and gas reserves of the underlying properties. Based on the substantial decline
of the oil future markets at March 31, 2020, the Trust determined that its aggregate value of the underlying properties was
impaired, which resulted in an impairment expense of $41,261,354 during the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The impairment was
charged directly to Trust corpus and did not affect distributable income. The Trust has determined that no additional impairment
has been incurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2020.
No new accounting pronouncements have been
adopted or issued during the quarter ended September 30, 2020 that would impact the financial statements of the Trust.
Note 4. Investment in Net Profits Interest
The net profits interest was recorded at
the historical cost of VOC Brazos on May 10, 2011, the date of the conveyance of the net profits interest to the Trust, and
was calculated as follows:
Oil and gas properties
|
|
$
|
197,270,173
|
|
Accumulated depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
(17,681,155
|
)
|
Hedge liability
|
|
|
(1,717,713
|
)
|
20-year asset retirement liability
|
|
|
(2,131,797
|
)
|
Net property to be conveyed
|
|
|
175,739,508
|
|
Times 80% net profits interest to Trust
|
|
$
|
140,591,606
|
|
Note 5. Income from Net Profits Interest
|
|
Three months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
Excess (deficit) of revenues over direct operating expenses and lease equipment and development costs(1)
|
|
$
|
(8,806
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,689,442
|
|
|
$
|
4,379,813
|
|
|
$
|
11,651,370
|
|
Times 80% net profits interest to Trust
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
Income (loss) from net profits interest before reserve adjustments
|
|
|
(7,045
|
)
|
|
|
3,751,554
|
|
|
|
3,503,850
|
|
|
|
9,321,096
|
|
VOC Brazos reserve for future development, maintenance or operating expenditures(2)
|
|
|
7,045
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
7,045
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Income from net profits interest(3)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
3,751,554
|
|
|
$
|
3,510,895
|
|
|
$
|
9,321,096
|
|
|
(1)
|
Excess of revenues over direct operating expenses and lease equipment and development costs reflect expenses and costs incurred by VOC Brazos during each of the March through May production periods for the three months ended September 30 and during each of the September through May production periods for the nine months ended September 30. Pursuant to the terms of the conveyance of the net profits interest, lease equipment and development costs are to be deducted when calculating the distributable income to the Trust.
|
|
(2)
|
Pursuant to the terms of the conveyance of the net profits interest, VOC Brazos can reserve up to $1.0 million for future development, maintenance or operating expenditures at any time. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, VOC Brazos released $7,045 previously held for future development, maintenance or operating expenditures to to cover the Trust deficit for the three months ended September 30, 2020. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, VOC Brazos did not withhold or release any dollar amounts due to the Trust from the reserve. The reserve balance was $992,955 at September 30, 2020 and $1,000,000 at September 30, 2019.
|
|
(3)
|
The income from net profits interest is based upon the cash receipts from VOC Brazos for the oil and gas production. The revenues from oil production are typically received by VOC Brazos one month after production; thus, the cash received by the Trust during the three months ended September 30, 2020 substantially represents production by VOC Brazos from March 2020 through May 2020 and the cash received by the Trust during the three months ended September 30, 2019 substantially represents production by VOC Brazos from March 2019 through May 2019. The cash received by the Trust during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 substantially represents production by VOC Brazos from September 2019 through May 2020 and the cash received by the Trust during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 substantially represents production by VOC Brazos from September 2018 through May 2019.
|
For the three and nine months ended September 30,
2020 and 2019, MV Purchasing, LLC, an affiliate of VOC Brazos, purchased a significant portion of the production of the underlying
properties. Sales to MV Purchasing, LLC are under short-term arrangements, ranging from one to six months, using market sensitive
pricing.
Note 6. Income Taxes
The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust
and is not required to pay federal or state income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been
made.
Note 7. Distributions to Unitholders
VOC Brazos makes quarterly payments of
the net profits interest to the Trust. The Trustee determines for each quarter the amount available for distribution to the Trust
unitholders. This distribution is expected to be made on or before the 45th day following the end of each quarter to the Trust
unitholders of record on the 30th day of the month following the end of each quarter (or the next succeeding business day). Such
amounts will be equal to the excess, if any, of the cash received by the Trust relating to the preceding quarter, over the expenses
of the Trust paid for such quarter, subject to adjustments for changes made by the Trustee during such quarter in any cash reserves
established for future expenses of the Trust.
The West Texas Intermediate spot
price of crude oil has declined since the beginning of 2020, from $63.27 per barrel on January 6, 2020 to $38.79 per
barrel on November 5, 2020. During this time frame, the monthly average price, which is the base price that crude oil
sales are based on, reached a low of $16.70 for April 2020. The decline in oil prices is primarily attributable to the
economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the dispute over production levels between Russia and the members of the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which resulted in an oversupply of crude oil and exacerbated the decline in
crude oil prices. If commodity prices for crude oil remain at reduced levels, subsequent distributions in 2020 will be
substantially lower than historical distributions, and in certain periods there may be no distribution to unitholders. In
light of the current uncertain economic environment, the Trustee withheld an amount from the second quarterly distribution in
2020 that is estimated to be sufficient to pay Trust expenses through approximately April 2021.
The first quarterly distribution during
2020 was $1,870,000, or $0.11 per Trust Unit, and was made on February 14, 2020 to Trust unitholders owning Trust Units as
of January 30, 2020. Such distribution included the net proceeds of production collected by VOC Brazos from October 1,
2019 through December 31, 2019.
The second quarterly distribution during
2020 was $510,000, or $0.03 per Trust Unit, and was made on May 15, 2020 to Trust unitholders owning Trust Units as of April 30,
2020. Such distribution included the net proceeds of production collected by VOC Brazos from January 1, 2020 through March 31,
2020.
There was no third quarterly distribution
during 2020 to Trust unitholders owning Trust units as of July 30, 2020. The revenue collected by VOC Brazos from April 1, 2020
through June 30, 2020 was not sufficient to cover the costs paid during the period. VOC Brazos applied $7,045 from the reserve
for future expenditures to cover the deficit.
The first quarterly distribution during
2019 was $2,465,000, or $0.145 per Trust Unit, and was made on February 14, 2019 to Trust unitholders owning Trust Units as
of January 30, 2019. Such distribution included the net proceeds of production collected by VOC Brazos from October 1,
2018 through December 31, 2018.
The second quarterly distribution during
2019 was $2,720,000, or $0.16 per Trust Unit, and was made on May 15, 2019 to Trust unitholders owning Trust Units as of April 30,
2019. Such distribution included the net proceeds of production collected by VOC Brazos from January 1, 2019 through March 31,
2019.
The third quarterly distribution during
2019 was $3,485,000, or $0.205 per Trust Unit, and was made on August 14, 2019 to Trust unitholders owning Trust Units as of July
30, 2019. Such distribution included the net proceeds of production collected by VOC Brazos from April 1, 2019 through June 30,
2019
Note 8. Advance for Trust Expenses
Under the terms of the Trust Agreement,
the Trustee is allowed to borrow money to pay Trust expenses. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and
2019, there were no borrowings or amounts owed for money borrowed in previous quarters. Under the terms of the Trust Agreement,
VOC Brazos has provided a letter of credit in the amount of $1,700,000 to the Trustee to protect the Trust against the risk that
it does not have sufficient cash to pay future expenses.
Note 9. Subsequent Events
On October 20, 2020, the Trust announced
a Trust distribution of net profits for the fourth quarterly distribution during 2020. Unitholders of record on October 30,
2020 will receive a distribution amounting to $1,445,000, or $0.085 per Trust Unit, which will be paid on November 13, 2020.
Item 2. Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion of the Trust’s
financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto. The
Trust’s purpose is, in general, to hold the net profits interest, to distribute to the Trust unitholders cash that the Trust
receives in respect of the net profits interest and to perform certain administrative functions in respect of the net profits interest
and the Trust Units. The Trust derives substantially all of its income and cash flows from the net profits interest. All information
regarding operations has been provided to the Trustee by VOC Brazos.
Overview
Impact
of COVID-19. The recent outbreak of the novel form of coronavirus known as COVID-19 and its development into
a global pandemic is negatively impacting has had, and continues to have, a negative impact on worldwide economic and
commercial activity and financial markets, as well as global demand for crude oil and natural gas. The West Texas
Intermediate spot price of crude oil has declined since the beginning of 2020, from $63.27 per barrel on January 6, 2020 to
$38.79 per barrel on November 5, 2020. During this time frame, the monthly average price, which is the base price that crude
oil sales are based on, reached a low of $16.70 for April 2020. The decline in oil prices is primarily attributable to
the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the dispute over production levels between Russia and the members of the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which resulted in an oversupply of crude oil and exacerbated the decline in
crude oil prices. COVID-19 and the responses by federal, state and local governmental authorities to the pandemic have
also resulted in significant business and operational disruptions, including business closures, supply chain disruptions,
travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders and limitations on the availability of workforces. The full impact
of COVID-19 is unknown and is rapidly evolving. The extent to which COVID-19 negatively impacts the
operators of and production from the underlying properties will depend on the severity, location and duration of the effects
and spread of COVID-19, the actions undertaken by federal, state and local governments and health officials to
contain the virus or treat its effects, and how quickly and to what extent economic conditions improve and normal business
and operating conditions resume. A prolonged period of low crude oil prices would adversely affect the operators of the
underlying properties. As a result of the decreased price of crude oil during the second quarter of 2020, there was no
distribution made to unitholders in the third quarter of 2020. If commodity prices for crude oil remain at reduced levels,
quarterly cash distributions to unitholders will be substantially lower than historical distributions, and in certain periods
there may be no distribution to unitholders.
Impairment
of Net Profits Interest. Based on the substantial decline of the oil future markets at March 31, 2020, the Trust
determined that its aggregate value of the underlying properties was impaired, which has resulted in an impairment expense of $41,261,354
during the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The impairment was charged directly to Trust corpus and did not affect distributable
income. The Trust has determined that no additional impairment has been incurred during the quarters ended June 30 or September
30, 2020.
Results of Operations
Results of Operations for the Quarters Ended September 30,
2020 and 2019
The following is a summary of income (loss)
from net profits interest received by the Trust for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 consisting of the July distribution
for each respective year:
|
|
Three months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
Sales volumes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (Bbl)
|
|
|
122,672
|
|
|
|
148,496
|
|
Natural gas (Mcf)
|
|
|
100,804
|
|
|
|
78,786
|
|
Total (BOE)
|
|
|
139,473
|
|
|
|
161,627
|
|
Average sales prices:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (per Bbl)
|
|
$
|
22.53
|
|
|
$
|
58.63
|
|
Natural gas (per Mcf)
|
|
$
|
1.24
|
|
|
$
|
2.83
|
|
Gross proceeds:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil sales
|
|
$
|
2,764,248
|
|
|
$
|
8,705,923
|
|
Natural gas sales
|
|
|
125,344
|
|
|
|
223,269
|
|
Total gross proceeds
|
|
|
2,889,592
|
|
|
|
8,929,192
|
|
Costs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production and development costs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
|
2,251,208
|
|
|
|
3,170,157
|
|
Production and property taxes
|
|
|
262,775
|
|
|
|
550,970
|
|
Development expenses
|
|
|
384,415
|
|
|
|
518,623
|
|
Total costs
|
|
|
2,898,398
|
|
|
|
4,239,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excess (deficit) of revenues over direct operating expenses and lease equipment and development costs
|
|
|
(8,806
|
)
|
|
|
4,689,442
|
|
Times net profits interest over the term of the Trust
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
Income (loss) from net profits interest before reserve adjustments
|
|
|
(7,045
|
)
|
|
|
3,751,554
|
|
VOC Brazos reserve for future development, maintenance or operating expenditures
|
|
|
7,045
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Income from net profits interest
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
3,751,554
|
|
The cash received by the Trust from VOC
Brazos during the quarter ended September 30, 2020 substantially represents the production by VOC Brazos from March 2020
through May 2020. The cash received by the Trust from VOC Brazos during the quarter ended September 30, 2019 substantially
represents the production by VOC Brazos from March 2019 through May 2019. The revenues from oil production are typically
received by VOC Brazos one month after production.
Gross
proceeds. Oil and natural gas sales were $2,889,592 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of
$6,039,600 or 67.6% from $8,929,192 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Revenues are a function of oil and natural
gas sales volumes and prices received. The decrease in gross proceeds was due to a decrease in oil sales volumes, partially offset
by an increase in natural gas sales volumes, and decreases in market prices for oil and natural gas sales during the third quarter
of 2020. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the average price for oil decreased 61.6% to $22.53 per Bbl and
the average price for natural gas decreased 56.2% to $1.24 per Mcf. Oil sales volumes were 122,672 Bbls for the three months ended
September 30, 2020, a decrease of 25,824 Bbls or 17.4% from 148,496 Bbls for the three months ended September 30, 2019,
while natural gas sales volumes were 100,804 Mcf, an increase of 22,018 Mcf or 27.9% from 78,786 Mcf for the same period in 2019.
Costs.
Lease operating expenses were $2,251,208 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $918,949 or 29.0% from
$3,170,157 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Production and property taxes were $262,775 for the three months
ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $288,195 or 52.3% from $550,970 for the same period in 2019. Such decrease is the
result of an decrease of $104,242 in property taxes resulting primarily from a timing difference as to when payments are normally
made and a decrease of $183,953 or 67.8% in production taxes due primarly to lower sales volumes for oil. Development expenses
were $384,415 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $134,208 or 25.9% from $518,623 for the same period
in 2019. Such decrease was primarily due to a decrease in drilling activity and development expenses. Included in the $384,415
is $290,204 in payments made to the operator from net revenue received from the Hawkwood Development wells during the three months
ended September 30, 2020.
Excess
of revenues over direct operating expenses and lease equipment and development costs. The deficit of revenues over direct
operating expenses and lease equipment and development costs from the underlying properties was $(8,806) for the three months ended
September 30, 2020, a decrease of $4,698,248 or 100.2% from $4,689,442 for the three months ended September 30, 2019.
The Trust’s 80% net profits interest of these totals was $(7,045) and $3,751,554, respectively. During the three months ended
September 30, 2020, VOC Brazos released $7,045 from the previously established cash reserve for future development, maintenance
or operating expenditures to cover the deficit. This resulted in income from the net profits interest of $0 and $3,751,554 for
such periods, respectively. These amounts were reduced by a Trust holdback for future expenses of $0 and $266,554 for the three
months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Trustee paid general and administrative expenses of $139,230 for
the three months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $61,692 from $200,922 for the three months ended September 30,
2019. This decrease was primarily due to the differences in timing of receipt and payment of recurring general and administrative
expenses. These factors resulted in distributable income for the three months ended September 30, 2020 of $0, a decrease of
$3,485,000 from $3,485,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2019.
Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020 and 2019
The following is a summary of income from
net profits interest received by the Trust for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 consisting of the January,
April and July distributions for each respective year:
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
Sales volumes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (Bbl)
|
|
|
447,635
|
|
|
|
417,601
|
|
Natural gas (Mcf)
|
|
|
293,592
|
|
|
|
232,498
|
|
Total (BOE)
|
|
|
496,567
|
|
|
|
456,351
|
|
Average sales prices:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (per Bbl)
|
|
$
|
45.08
|
|
|
$
|
56.87
|
|
Natural gas (per Mcf)
|
|
$
|
1.89
|
|
|
$
|
3.21
|
|
Gross proceeds:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil sales
|
|
$
|
20,181,144
|
|
|
$
|
23,750,531
|
|
Natural gas sales
|
|
|
553,541
|
|
|
|
746,711
|
|
Total gross proceeds
|
|
|
20,734,685
|
|
|
|
24,497,242
|
|
Costs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production and development costs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
|
8,778,426
|
|
|
|
9,391,214
|
|
Production and property taxes
|
|
|
1,639,104
|
|
|
|
1,517,824
|
|
Development expenses
|
|
|
5,937,342
|
|
|
|
1,936,834
|
|
Total costs
|
|
|
16,354,872
|
|
|
|
12,845,872
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excess of revenues over direct operating expenses and lease equipment and development costs
|
|
|
4,379,813
|
|
|
|
11,651,370
|
|
Times net profits interest over the term of the Trust
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
Income from net profits interest before reserve adjustments
|
|
|
3,503,850
|
|
|
|
9,321,096
|
|
VOC Brazos reserve for future development, maintenance or operating expenditures
|
|
|
7,045
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Income from net profits interest
|
|
$
|
3,510,895
|
|
|
$
|
9,321,096
|
|
The cash received by the Trust from VOC
Brazos during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 substantially represents the production by VOC Brazos from September 2019
through May 2020. The cash received by the Trust from VOC Brazos during the nine months ended September 30, 2019
substantially represents the production by VOC Brazos from September 2018 through May 2019. The revenues from oil
production are typically received by VOC Brazos one month after production.
Gross
proceeds. Oil and natural gas sales were $20,734,685 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease
of $3,762,557 or 15.4% from $24,497,242 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Revenues are a function of oil
and natural gas sales prices and volumes sold. The decrease in gross proceeds was due to increases in oil and natural gas
sales volumes during the first nine months of 2020 that were offset by decreases in market prices for oil and natural gas.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the average price for oil decreased 20.7% to $45.08 per Bbl and the average
price for natural gas decreased 41.1% to $1.89 per Mcf. Oil sales volumes were 447,635 Bbls for the nine months ended September 30,
2020, an increase of 30,034 Bbls or 7.2% from 417,601 Bbls for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, while natural gas
sales volumes were 293,592 Mcf, an increase of 61,094 Mcf or 26.3% from 232,498 Mcf for the same period in 2019.
Costs.
Lease operating expenses were $8,778,426 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $612,788 or 6.5% from
$9,391,214 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Production and property taxes were $1,639,104 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2020, an increase of $121,280 or 8.0% from $1,517,824 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
Such increase is primarily due to an increase of $205,013 or 24.8% in property taxes partially offset by a decrease of $83,733
or 12.1% in production taxes due to lower prices for oil and natural gas. Development expenses were $5,937,342 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2020, an increase of $4,000,508 or 206.5% from $1,936,834 for the same period in 2019. Included in the
$5,937,342 are payments totaling $4,940,967 made to the operator from net revenue received from the Hawkwood Development wells
during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Excess
of revenues over direct operating expenses and lease equipment and development costs. The excess of revenues over
direct operating expenses and lease equipment and development costs from the underlying properties was $4,379,813 for the nine
months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $7,271,557 or 62.4% from $11,651,370 for the nine months ended September 30,
2019. The Trust’s 80% net profits interest of these totals were $3,503,850 and $9,321,096, respectively. During the
nine months ended September 30, 2020, VOC Brazos released $7,045 from the previously established cash reserve for future development,
maintenance or operating expenditures to cover the deficit for the three months ended September 30, 2020 but did not withhold or
release any dollar amounts due to the Trust from the previously established cash reserve for future development, maintenance or
operating expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, which resulted in income from the net profits interest of
$3,510,895 and $9,321,096 for such periods, respectively. These amounts were further reduced by a Trust holdback for future
expenses of $1,130,895 and $651,096 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. This increase of
$479,799 includes an amount estimated to be sufficient to pay estimated Trust expenses through approximately April 2021. The
Trustee paid general and administrative expenses of $661,579 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $77,086
from $738,665 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. This decrease was primarily due to the differences in timing
of receipt and payment of recurring general and administrative expenses. These factors resulted in distributable income of $2,380,000
for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and $8,670,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Other than Trust administrative expenses,
including any reserves established by the Trustee for future liabilities, the Trust’s only use of cash is for distributions
to Trust unitholders. Administrative expenses include payments to the Trustee as well as a quarterly administrative fee to VOC
Brazos pursuant to an 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 net profits interest and other sources
(such as interest earned on any amounts reserved by the Trustee) in that quarter, over the Trust’s expenses paid for that
quarter. Available funds are reduced by any cash that the Trustee decides to reserve for future development, maintenance
or operating expenses. As of September 30, 2020, $795,448 was held by the Trustee as such a reserve.
The Trustee may cause the Trust to borrow
funds required to pay expenses if the Trustee determines that the cash on hand and the cash to be received are insufficient to
cover the Trust’s expenses. If the Trust borrows funds, the Trust unitholders will not receive distributions until
the borrowed funds are repaid. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, there were no such
borrowings. VOC Brazos has provided a letter of credit in the amount of $1,700,000 to the Trustee to protect the Trust against
the risk that it does not have sufficient cash to pay future expenses.
Income to the Trust from the net profits
interest is based on the calculation and definitions of “gross proceeds” and “net proceeds” contained in
the conveyance.
As substantially all of the underlying
properties are located in mature fields, VOC Brazos does not expect future costs for the underlying properties to change significantly
compared to recent historical costs other than changes due to fluctuations in the general cost of oilfield services. VOC
Brazos may establish a cash reserve of up to $1.0 million in the aggregate at any given time from the dollar amount otherwise distributable
to the Trust to reduce the impact on distributions of uneven capital expenditure timing. The cash reserve balance was $992,955
and $1,000,000 at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
In 2018, VOC Brazos entered into a joint
venture agreement with Hawkwood Energy East Texas, LLC (“Hawkwood”). Under the terms of the joint venture agreement,
Hawkwood carried VOC Brazos for its share of drilling and completion costs for four wells in the Lower Woodbine Organic Shale (the
“Hawkwood Earning Wells”). In exchange, Hawkwood earned a working interest representing 50% of VOC Brazos’ interest
in each Hawkwood Earning Well and up to a 50% interest in VOC Brazos’ acreage in the south half of the Kurten Woodbine Unit.
After the Hawkwood Earning Wells were completed, Hawkwood had the right to propose and drill up to eight wells in the Lower Woodbine
Organic Shale (“LWOS”) in 2019 and twelve LWOS wells in 2020, with no contractual limitation of the number of wells
per year to propose and drill after 2020 (collectively, the “Hawkwood Development Wells”). In 2019, Hawkwood drilled
and completed four Hawkwood Development Wells. VOC Brazos is paying Vess Oil, as the operator, for its share of costs and related
interest in the Hawkwood Development Wells, as net revenue from each of the wells is received, thereby having no current effect
on Trust distributions. The unpaid balance thru September 30, 2020 was $595,873.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 10-Q,
including without limitation the statements under “Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations”, are forward-looking statements. Although VOC Brazos advised the Trust that it believes that the expectations
reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will
prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations (“Cautionary
Statements”) are disclosed in this Form 10-Q, including under the section “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II
of this Form 10-Q, and in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the
“Form 10-K”), including under the section “Item 1A. Risk Factors”. All subsequent written and
oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Trust or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety
by the Cautionary Statements.