This comprehensive basis of accounting corresponds to the
accounting principles permitted for royalty trusts by the SEC as
specified by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 12:E, Financial
Statements of Royalty Trusts.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with the
modified cash basis method of accounting requires the Trustee to
make various estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amount of liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amount of expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results may differ from such estimates.
Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the FASB issued updated
guidance for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers.
This update amends the existing accounting standards for revenue
recognition and is based on the principle that revenue should be
recognized to depict the transfer of goods and services to a
customer at an amount that reflects the consideration a company
expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services and
revenue streams related solely to oil and gas royalties. The Trust
adopted the disclosure standards of this update, as required,
beginning with the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. The adoption
of this standard has not had a significant impact on its financial
statements due to the modified cash basis of reporting used by the
Trust.
Effective October 19, 2017, Simmons First National Corporation
(“SFNC”) completed its acquisition of First Texas BHC, Inc., the
parent company of Southwest Bank. SFNC is the parent of Simmons
Bank. SFNC merged Southwest Bank, the former corporate Trustee of
the Trust, with Simmons Bank effective February 20, 2018. The
defined term “Trustee” as used herein shall refer to Southwest Bank
for periods through February 19, 2018 and to Simmons Bank for
periods on and after February 20, 2018.
Results of Operations. Marine’s revenues are derived from
the oil and natural gas production activities of third parties.
Marine’s revenues and distributions fluctuate from period to period
based upon factors beyond Marine’s control, including, without
limitation, the number of leases subject to Marine’s interests, the
number of productive wells drilled on leases subject to Marine’s
interests, the level of production over time from such wells and
the prices at which the oil and natural gas from such wells are
sold.
Marine’s results of operations are significantly impacted by oil
and natural gas prices and the quantity of oil and natural gas
production. Oil and natural gas prices have historically
experienced significant volatility. Marine is not permitted to
manage its commodity price risk through the use of fixed price
contracts or financial derivatives.
Marine’s income consists primarily of oil and natural gas royalties
and is based on the value at the well of its percentage interest in
oil and natural gas sold without reduction for any of the expenses
of production. “Value at the well” for oil means the sellers’
selling price at its receiving point onshore, less the cost of
transportation from the offshore lease to the onshore receiving
point. “Value at the well” for natural gas means the selling price
less the cost of compression, dehydration and transportation from
the lease to the delivery point of the pipeline transporting the
product to market. In general, value at the well is determined on
the basis of the selling price of oil, natural gas and other
minerals produced, saved and sold, or at wellhead prices determined
by industry standards, where the selling price does not reflect
value at the well. In the event an agreement is not arms-length in
nature, the value is based upon current market prices.
Summary Review. In general, Marine receives royalties two
months after oil production and three months after natural gas
production. The June 2022 distribution of $0.20 per unit increased
from the March 2022 distribution of $0.11 per unit. As disclosed in
a press release dated August 19, 2022, the September 2022
distribution of $0.26 per unit will be an increase from the June
2022 distribution of $0.20 per unit.
Marine’s distributable income for fiscal 2022 amounted to
$1,204,193, or $0.60 per unit, as compared to $161,580, or $0.08
per unit, in fiscal 2021, and $574,110, or $0.29 per unit, in
fiscal 2020. Distributions to unitholders are calculated and paid
out net of reserve for future expenses, which are estimated by the
Trustee on a quarterly basis.
There was no income from the Trust’s interest in Tidelands for
fiscal years 2021 and 2020. However, Marine received $93,134 as a
final distribution from Tidelands during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2022.
The following table shows the number of wells drilled or
recompleted on leases in which Marine has an interest and the
number of active wells at the end of each of the past three fiscal
years.
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