UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form10-Q

 

 

 

[X]

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172020

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number:1-10476

 

 

Hugoton Royalty Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Texas 58-6379215

(State or other jurisdiction

of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

c/o The Corporate Trustee:

Southwest

Simmons Bank

2911 Turtle Creek Blvd, Suite 850

Dallas, Texas 75219

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Trustee

P.O. Box 962020, Fort Worth, Texas

76162-2020
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

(855)588-7839

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

NONE

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if change since last report)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading

symbol

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Units of Beneficial InterestHGTXUOTCQB

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes    ☑  No    ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of RegulationS-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

  Yes    ☐  No    ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, anon-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):Act:

 

Large accelerated filer   Accelerated filer 
Non-accelerated filer ☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  Smaller reporting company 
   Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act Rule12b-2)Act).  Yes    ☐  No    ☑

Indicate the number of units of beneficial interest outstanding, as of the latest practicable date:

Outstanding as of NovemberAugust 1, 20172020

40,000,000

 

 

 


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

FORM10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBERJUNE 30, 20172020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Page 
 

Glossary of Terms

   3 

PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

   4 
 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   5 
 

Condensed Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus at SeptemberJune 30, 20172020 and December 31, 20162019

6

Condensed Statements of Distributable Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

   7 
 

Condensed Statements of Changes in Trust CorpusDistributable Income for the Three and NineSix Months Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172020 and 20162019

   8 
 

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

   9 
    Item 2. 

Trustee’s Discussion and AnalysisNotes to Condensed Financial Statements

   1410 

Item 3.2.

 Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis16

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   1921 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

   1921 

PART II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

   2022 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

   2022 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

   2023 
 

Signatures

   2124 

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following are definitions of significant terms used in this Form10-Q:

 

Bbl  Barrel (of oil)
Mcf  Thousand cubic feet (of natural gas)
MMBtu  One million British Thermal Units, a common energy measurement
net proceeds  Gross proceeds received by XTO Energy from sale of production from the underlying properties, less applicable costs, as defined in the net profits interest conveyancesconveyances.
net profits income  Net proceeds multiplied by the net profits percentage of 80%, which is paid to the Trust by XTO Energy. “Net profits income” is referred to as “royalty income” for income tax purposes.
net profits interest  An interest in an oil and gas property measured by net profits from the sale of production, rather than a specific portion of production. The following defined net profits interests were conveyed to the Trust from the underlying properties:
  80% net profits interests - interests that entitle the Trust to receive 80% of the net proceeds from the underlying properties.
underlying properties  XTO Energy’s interest in certain oil and gas properties from which the net profits interests were conveyed. The underlying properties include working interests in predominantlygas-producing properties located in Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming.
working interest  An operating interest in an oil and gas property that provides the owner a specified share of production that is subject to all production expense and development costscosts.

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

PART I- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Item 1.Financial Statements.

The condensed financial statements included herein are presented, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Trustee believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Trust’s latest Annual Report on Form10-K. In the opinion of the Trustee, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the assets, liabilities and trust corpus of the Hugoton Royalty Trust at SeptemberJune 30, 20172020 and the distributable income and changes in trust corpus for the three-three-month and nine-monthsix-month periods ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172020 and 20162019 have been included. Distributable income for such interim periods is not necessarily indicative of the distributable income for the full year. The condensed financial statements as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2020, and for the three-month and nine-monthsix-month periods ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172020 and 20162019 have been subjected to a review by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose report is included herein.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Unitholders of Hugoton Royalty Trust and

SouthwestSimmons Bank, TrusteeTrustee:

Results of Review of Interim Financial Statements

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed statement of assets, liabilities and trust corpus of Hugoton Royalty Trust (the “Trust”) as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2020, and the related condensed statements of distributable income and of changes in trust corpus for the three-month and nine-monthsix-month periods ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172020 and 2016. These2019, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “interim financial statements”). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial statements arefor them to be in conformity with the responsibilitymodified cash basis of the Trustee.accounting described in Note 1.

We conducted our reviewhave previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)., the statements of assets, liabilities and trust corpus as of December 31, 2019, and the related statements of distributable income and of changes in trust corpus for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated March 30, 2020, which included a paragraph describing the modified cash basis of accounting and a paragraph regarding substantial doubt about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed statement of assets, liabilities and trust corpus as of December 31, 2019, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the statements of assets, liabilities and trust corpus from which it has been derived.

Basis for Review Results

These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust’s management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States),PCAOB, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Substantial Doubt about the Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

The accompanying interim financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Trust will continue as a going concern. Note 2 of the Trust’s audited financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and for the years then ended, includes a statement that substantial doubt exists about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern. Note 2 of the Trust’s audited financial statements also discloses the events and conditions, management’s evaluation of the events and conditions, and management’s plans regarding these matters, including the fact that a reduction in net profits income as a result of excess costs have led to a decline to the expense reserve available to the Trust for the payment of its obligations. Our report on those financial statements includes a paragraph referring to the matters in Note 2 of those financial statements. As indicated in Note 1 of the accompanying interim financial statements, as of June 30, 2020, and for the three-months and six-months then ended, the events and conditions impacting the Trust have not changed, and as a result, the Trust has stated that substantial doubt exists about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying interim financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis of Accounting

As described in Note 1, these interim financial statements were prepared on the modified cash basis of accounting, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with the basis of accounting described in Note 1.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Dallas, Texas

August 13, 2020

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the statement of assets, liabilities and trust corpus as of December 31, 2016, and the related statements of distributable income and changes in trust corpus for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated March 10, 2017, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed statement of assets, liabilities and trust corpus as of December 31, 2016 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the statement of assets, liabilities and trust corpus from which it has been derived.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Dallas, TX

November 6, 2017

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

Condensed Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus (Unaudited)(Unaudited)

 

  September 30,
2017
   December 31,
2016
   June 30,
2020
   December 31,
2019
 

ASSETS

        

Cash and short-term investments

  $1,150,720   $1,257,800   $258,938   $605,646 

Net profits interests in oil and gas properties—net (Note 1)

   18,582,882    26,885,503    —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  $19,733,602   $28,143,303   $258,938   $605,646 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS

        

Distribution payable to unitholders

  $150,720   $257,800   $—     $—   

Expense reserve(a)

   1,000,000    1,000,000    258,938    605,646 

Trust corpus (40,000,000 units of beneficial interest authorized and outstanding)

   18,582,882    26,885,503    —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  $19,733,602   $28,143,303   $258,938   $605,646 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

(a)

The expense reserve allows the Trustee to pay its obligations should it be unable to pay them out of the net profits income. As of September 30, 2017, the reserve currently established by the Trustee is fully funded at $1,000,000.

The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

Condensed Statements of Distributable Income (Unaudited)

 

  Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
  Three Months Ended
September 30
   Nine Months Ended
September 30
   June 30   June 30 
  2017   2016   2017   2016   2020 2019   2020 2019 

Net profits income

  $688,252   $1,253,498   $4,236,724   $1,516,605   $—    $238,725   $—    $369,458 

Interest income

   2,091    289    4,616    544    502  5,632    2,750  11,912 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total income

   690,343    1,253,787    4,241,340    1,517,149    502  244,357    2,750  381,370 

Administration expense

   193,023    187,892    707,060    725,229    198,010  146,636    349,458  438,328 

Cash reserves withheld (used) for Trust expenses

   —      273,975    —      —      (197,508 97,721    (346,708 (56,958
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Distributable income

  $497,320   $791,920   $3,534,280   $791,920   $—    $—     $—    $—   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Distributable income per unit (40,000,000 units)

  $0.012433   $0.019798   $0.088357   $0.019798   $0.000000  $0.000000   $0.000000  $0.000000 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

Condensed Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus(Unaudited)

 

  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 
  Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
   June 30 June 30 
  2017 2016 2017 2016            2020            2019          2020            2019 

Trust corpus, beginning of period

  $20,063,091  $28,801,000  $26,885,503  $86,900,231   $—     $15,773,557  $—     $15,816,990 

Amortization of net profits interests

   (1,480,209 (1,142,565  (8,302,621 (1,935,269   —      (92,024  —      (135,457

Impairment of net profits interest (Note 1)

   —     —     —    (57,306,527

Distributable income

   497,320  791,920   3,534,280  791,920    —      —     —      —   

Distributions declared

   (497,320 (791,920  (3,534,280 (791,920   —      —     —      —   
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Trust corpus, end of period

  $18,582,882  $27,658,435  $18,582,882  $27,658,435   $—     $15,681,533  $—     $15,681,533 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements(Unaudited)

 

1.

Basis of Accounting

The financial statements of Hugoton Royalty Trust (the “Trust”) are prepared on the following basis and are not intended to present financial position and results of operations in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”):

 

 -

Net profits income recorded for a month is the amount computed and paid by XTO Energy Inc., the owner of the underlying properties, to SouthwestSimmons Bank, as trustee (“Trustee”(the “Trustee”) for the Trust. XTO Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation. Net profits income consists of net proceeds received by XTO Energy from the underlying properties in the prior month, multiplied by a net profits percentage of 80%.

Costs deducted in the calculation of net proceeds for the 80% net profits interests generally include applicable taxes, transportation, marketing and legal costs, production expense, development costs, operating charges and other costs.

 

 -

Costs deducted in the calculation of net proceeds for the 80% net profits interests generally include applicable taxes, transportation, marketing and legal costs, production expense, development costs, operating charges and other costs.

 -

Net profits income is computed separately for each of the three conveyances under which the net profits interests were conveyed to the Trust. If monthly costs exceed revenues for any conveyance, such excess costs must be recovered, with accrued interest, from future net proceeds of that conveyance and cannot reduce net proceeds from the other conveyances.

 

 -

Interest income and distribution payable to unitholders include interest earned on the previous month’s investment.

 

 -

Trust expenses are recorded based on liabilities paid and cash reserves established by the Trustee for liabilities and contingencies.

 

 -

Distributions to unitholders are recorded when declared by the Trustee.

The Trust’s financial statements differ from those prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP because revenues are recognized when received rather than accrued in the month of production, expenses are recognized when paid rather than when incurred and certain cash reserves may be established by the Trustee for contingencies which would not be recorded under U.S. GAAP. This comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP corresponds to the accounting permitted for royalty trusts by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as specified by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 12:E, Financial Statements of Royalty Trusts.

Most accounting pronouncements apply to entities whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, directing such entities to accrue or defer revenues and expenses in a period other than when such revenues were received or expenses were 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.

Impairment of Net Profits Interest

The Trustee reviews the Trust’s net profits interests (“NPI”) in oil and gas properties for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the NPI may not be recoverable. In general, the Trustee does not view temporarily low prices as an indication of impairment. The markets for crude oil and natural gas have a history of significant price volatility and though prices will occasionally drop significantly, industry prices over the long term will continue to be driven by market supply and demand. If events and circumstances indicatedindicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, the Trustee would use the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows from the NPI to evaluate the recoverability of the Trust assets. If the undiscounted future net cash flows from the NPI are less than the NPI carrying value, the Trust would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the NPI carrying value and the estimated fair value of the NPI. The determination as to whether the NPI is impaired requires a significant amount of judgment by the Trustee and is based on the best information available to the Trustee at the time of the evaluation.evaluation, including information provided by XTO Energy such as estimates of future production and development and operating expenses.

In lightSignificantly, during the third quarter of lower2019, long term gas prices used to develop projections of future cash flows continueddeclined further and excess costs on twoall three conveyances increased substantially. In light of these facts and zero distributions to unitholderscircumstances, a trigger event occurred in the third quarter of 2019 indicating a need for further analysis. An assessment of the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, the Trustee concluded in the second quarter of 2016NPI indicated that the events or circumstances indicatedsuch cash flows were less than the carrying value may not be recoverable and an assessment of the forecasted net cash flowsNPI. Accordingly, during the third quarter of 2019, the NPI was performed for the NPI.written down to its fair value of zero, resulting in a $15.7 million impairment charged directly to Trust corpus, which did not affect distributable income. The fair value of the NPI was developed using estimates for future oil and gas production attributable to the Trust, future crude oil and natural gas commodity prices published by third-party industry experts (adjusted for basis differentials), estimated taxes, development and operating expenses, and a risk-adjusted discount rate. TheImpairments recorded for book purposes will not result of the assessment indicated that the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows from the NPI were below the carrying value of the NPI. The NPI was written down to its fair value of $28.8 million, resulting in a $57.3 million impairment charged directly to trust corpus, which did not affect distributable income.loss for tax purposes for the unitholders until the loss is recognized.

There was no impairment of the NPI during the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

Net profits interests in oil and gas properties

The initial carrying value of the net profits interests of $247,066,951 represents XTO Energy’s historical net book value for the interests on December 1, 1998, the date of the transfer to the Trust. During the second quarter 2016, the carrying value of the NPI was written down to its fair value of $28,801,000, resulting in an impairment of $57,306,527 charged directly to Trusttrust corpus. During the third quarter 2019, the carrying value of the NPI was written down to its fair value of zero, resulting in an impairment of $15,681,533 charged directly to trust corpus. Amortization of the net profits interests is calculated on aunit-of-production basis and charged directly to Trusttrust corpus. Accumulated amortization was $171,177,542$174,078,891 as of September 30, 20172019, when the NPI was written down to its fair value of zero.

Liquidity and $162,874,921Going Concern

The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Trust will continue as a going concern. Financial statements prepared on a going concern basis assume the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business. Increases in excess costs for the Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming conveyances have resulted in insufficient net proceeds to the Trust and a reduction in the Trust’s expense reserve. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern as the Trust may not have, based on the current estimated administrative expenses, sufficient cash to meet its obligations during the one year period after the date the condensed financial statements are issued. Factors attributable to the potential cash

shortage are primarily the previously disclosed increase in development costs to drill four horizontal wells in Major County, Oklahoma (actual costs incurred through second quarter 2020 are $27.9 million net to the Trust) which have created an excess cost position on the Oklahoma conveyance. Cash flows from these new wells have generated recoveries of excess costs in spite of losses from the other wells underlying the Oklahoma conveyance until the second quarter 2020 when they were no longer able to cover losses from the other wells resulting in an increase in excess costs. Additionally, excess cost positions on the Kansas and Wyoming conveyances have resulted in no net proceeds to the Trust from the Kansas conveyance for all of 2019 and 2020 and no net proceeds to the Trust from the Wyoming conveyance for all of 2019 and 2020, with the exception of the March through May 2019 distributions. The Trustee has prepared a preliminary budget estimating the administrative expenses for the year ending December 31, 2016.2020 and the nine months ending September 30, 2021, which assumes no cash inflow from either net profits income or from other sources. This budget estimates that the expense reserve will be depleted by approximately October 2020. If either income or expenses differ from the assumptions in the Trustee’s preliminary budget, this date may be sooner or later than the estimate. The Trustee is currently seeking financing to pay the Trust obligations during the one year period after the date the financial statements are issued once the expense reserve funds have been depleted. This financing, if available, would ensure that the Trust could continue as a going concern; however, there is no assurance that such additional financing could be obtained, and the Trustee believes that it is unlikely such financing will be available. If the Trust obtains debt financing, any funds borrowed must be repaid in full, including accrued interest, before distributions to unitholders could be made. Regardless of whether financing is obtained, the Trustee is reviewing the Trust’s alternatives to continuing as a going concern, which may include a sale of the Trust’s assets and/or termination of the Trust. On April 1, 2020, XTO Energy Inc. made an unsolicited offer to acquire the outstanding units of beneficial interest of the Trust for a price of $0.20 per unit. The Trustee filed its Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on April 14, 2020 taking no position. The original offer was scheduled to expire on April 28, 2020. XTO Energy extended the offering period until May 12, 2020 and again to May 26, 2020, at which time it expired. Tendered units were returned to the unitholders due to an insufficient number of units tendered. On July 9, 2020, the Trustee notified XTO Energy of the Trustee’s claim to indemnification to the Trust Estate for all liability, expense, claims, damages or loss incurred by the Trustee in connection with the administration of the Trust. The Trustee stated it anticipates seeking reimbursement from XTO Energy upon depletion of the Trust’s cash reserve, which it claims will occur soon if the Trust does not receive net proceeds payments. XTO Energy has responded that any indemnity claim to XTO Energy is premature before the Trust Estate is exhausted. The Trust’s condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

2.

Development Costs

The following summarizes actual development costs, budgeted development costs deducted in the calculation of net profits income, and the cumulative actual costs compared to the amount deducted for the underlying properties:

   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30   June 30 
   2020   2019   2020   2019 

Cumulative actual costs under (over) the amount deducted—beginning of period

  $—     $14,470,117   $—     $13,913,191 

Actual costs

   (553,177   (12,364,038   (670,368   (20,230,631

Budgeted / actual costs deducted

   553,177    31,031    670,368    8,454,550 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cumulative actual costs under (over) the amount deducted—end of period

  $—     $2,137,110   $—     $2,137,110 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

   Three Months Ended
September 30
   Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
   2017   2016   2017   2016 

Cumulative actual costs under (over) the amount deducted—beginning of period

  $(83,055  $438,751   $56,243   $239,528 

Actual costs

   (434,911   (502,300   (1,774,209   (1,228,077

Budgeted costs deducted

   760,000    150,000    1,960,000    1,075,000 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cumulative actual costs under (over) the amount deducted—end of period

  $242,034   $86,451   $242,034   $86,451 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The monthly deduction is based on the current level of development expenditures, budgeted future development costs and the cumulative actual costs under (over) previous deductions. XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that 2017actual development costs for properties underlying the Kansas and Wyoming net profits interests were charged to the Trust as incurred. XTO has advised the Trustee that actual development costs for the properties underlying the Oklahoma net profits interests were charged to the Trust as incurred once the accrual was fully depleted as of the July 2019 distribution. XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that drilling in Major County, Oklahoma is complete and resulted in cost overruns due to unforeseen expenditures that were charged to the Trust in the third quarter of 2019. XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that 2020 budgeted development costs for the underlying properties are between $2$1 million and $4$3 million. The 20172020 budget year generally coincides with the Trust distribution months from April 20172020 through March 2018. XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that due to increasednon-operated development activity on properties underlying the Oklahoma net profits interests, it increased the monthly development cost deduction from $200,000 to $280,000 beginning with the August 2017 distribution.2021. Changes in oil or natural gas prices could impact future development plans on the underlying properties. XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that this monthly deduction will continue to be evaluated and revised as necessary.

 

3.

Income Taxes

For federal income tax purposes, the Trust constitutes a fixed investment trust that is taxed as a grantor trust. A grantor trust is not subject to tax at the trust level. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been made in the financial statements. The unitholders are considered to own the Trust’s income and principal as though no trust were in existence. The income of the Trust is deemed to have been received or accrued by each unitholder at the time such income is received or accrued by the Trust and not when distributed by the Trust. Impairments recorded for book purposes will not result in a loss for tax purposes for the unitholders until the loss is recognized.

All revenues from the Trust are from sources within Kansas, Oklahoma or Wyoming. Because it distributes all of its net income to unitholders, the Trust has not been taxed at the trust level in Kansas or Oklahoma. While the Trust has not owed tax, the Trustee is generally required to file anKansas and Oklahoma income tax returnreturns reflecting the income and deductions of the Trust attributable to properties located in theeach state, along with a schedule that includes information regarding distributions to unitholders. TheHowever, the Trust doeswill not expect to file a Kansas income tax return for the 20172019 tax year because it expects to havethe Trust had no revenues, income or deductions in 20172019 attributable to properties located in Kansas. The Trust did not file a Kansas income tax return with Kansas for the 20162018 and 20152017 tax years for the same reason.

Wyoming does not impose a state income tax.

The Trust could potentially be required to bear a portion of the legal settlement costs arising from the Chieftain settlement. For information on contingencies, including the Chieftain class action, see Note 4 to Condensed Financial Statements. In the event that the Trust is determined to be responsible for such costs, XTO will deduct the costs in its calculation of the net profits income payable to the Trust from the applicable net profits interests. Thus, for unitholders, the legal settlement costs will be reflected through a reduction in net profits income received from the Trust and thus in a reduction in the gross royalty income reported by and taxable to the unitholders. In the event that the Trustee objects to such claimed reductions, the Trustee may also incur legal fees in representing the Trust’s interests. For unitholders, such costs would be reflected through an increase in the Trust’s administrative expenses, which would be deductible by unitholders in determining the net royalty income from the Trust.

Each unitholder should consult his or her own tax advisor regarding income tax requirements, if any, applicable to such person’s ownership of Trust units.

Unitholders should consult the Trust’s latest annual report on Form10-K for a more detailed discussion of federal and state tax matters.

4.

Contingencies

In December 2010, a royalty class action lawsuit was filed againstLitigation

Royalty Class Action and Arbitration

As previously disclosed, XTO Energy styledChieftain Royalty Company v. XTO Energy Inc. in Coal County District Court, Oklahoma. XTO Energy removed the case to federal court in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The plaintiffs allege that XTO Energy wrongfully deducted fees from royalty payments on Oklahoma wells, failed to make diligent efforts to secure the best terms available for the sale of gas and its constituents, and demand an accounting to determine whether they have been fully and fairly paid gas royalty interests. The case was certified as a class action in April 2012; however, on appeal in June 2012, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the certification of the class and remanded the case back to the trial court for further proceedings. XTO Energy has informedadvised the Trustee that it has reached a tentative settlement forwith the matter and continues to negotiateplaintiffs in the Chieftain class action royalty case. On July 27, 2018 the final settlement agreement. The Trustee has requestedplan of allocation was approved by the settlement amount from XTO Energy and has been informed that at this time,court. Based on the amount that XTO Energy believes should be charged to the Trust has not been determined.final plan of allocation, XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that the settlement willit believes approximately $24.3 million in additional production costs should be allocated to all of XTO Energy’s Oklahoma wells, the majority of which areTrust. On May 2, 2018, the Trustee submitted a demand for arbitration seeking a declaratory judgment that the Chieftain settlement is not properties in which the Trust owns an underlying net profits interest.

The Trustee has informeda production cost and that XTO Energy that it intends to review any claimed reductionsis prohibited from charging the settlement as a production cost under the conveyance or otherwise reducing the Trust’s payments now or in paymentthe future as a result of the Chieftain litigation. The hearing on the claims related to the Trust basedChieftain settlement is currently scheduled to begin October 12, 2020. Other Trustee claims related to disputed amounts on the factscomputation of the Trust’s net proceeds for 2014 through 2016 were bifurcated from the initial arbitration and circumstances of such settlement. In light ofwill be heard at a 2014 arbitration decision inlater date, which a three panel tribunal decided thatis still to be determined.

If the settlement inFankhouser v. XTO Energy, Inc., including a new royalty calculation for future royalty payments, could not be chargedTrustee prevails on the claims related to the Trust, to$24.3 million in alleged additional production costs in connection with the extent that the claims inChieftain are similar to those inFankhouser the Trustee would likely object to such claimed reductions. Should there be a disagreement as to whether the Trust should bear its share of a settlement, or judgment, the matterthere will be resolved by binding arbitration through the American Arbitration Association under the terms of the Indenture creating the Trust. XTO Energy has informed the Trustee that, although the amount of any reduction in net proceeds is not presently determinable, in its management’s opinion, the amount is not currently expected to be materialno adjustment to the Trust’s financial position or liquidity though it couldshare of net proceeds. If XTO Energy prevails as to those same claims, there will be materialan adjustment of approximately $24.3 million to the Trust’s annual distributable income. Additionally, XTO Energy has advisedshare of net proceeds. The Oklahoma conveyance is already currently subject to excess costs that will need to be recovered prior to any distribution to unitholders. Therefore, an adjustment of approximately $24.3 million to the Trustee that any reductionsTrust’s share of net proceeds would result in additional excess costs exceeding revenues onunder the properties underlyingOklahoma conveyance that would likely result in no distributions under the net profits interests of the case, as applicable,Oklahoma conveyance for several monthly distributions, depending on the size of the settlement, if any,additional years while these additional excess costs are recovered.

Other Lawsuits and the net proceeds being paid at that time, which would result in the net profits interest being limited until such time that the revenues exceed the costs for those net profit interests.Governmental Proceedings

Certain of the underlying properties are involved in various other lawsuits and governmental proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that, based on the information available at this stage of the various proceedings, it does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these claims will have a material effect on the financial position or liquidity of the Trust, but may have an effect on annual distributable income.

Other

Several states have enacted legislation requiring state income tax withholding from payments made to nonresident recipients of oil and gas proceeds. After consultation with its tax counsel, the Trustee believes that it is not required to withhold on payments made to the unitholders. However, regulations are subject to change by the various states, which could change this conclusion. Should amounts be withheld on payments made to the Trust or the unitholders, distributions to the unitholders would be reduced by the required amount, subject to the filing of a claim for refund by the Trust or unitholders for such amount.

5.

Excess Costs

If monthly costs exceed revenues for any of the three conveyances (one for each of the states of Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming),conveyance, such excess costs must be recovered, with accrued interest, from future net proceeds of that conveyance and cannot reduce net proceeds from other conveyances.

The following summarizes excess costs activity, cumulative excess costs balance and accrued interest to be recovered by conveyance:

 

   Underlying 
   KS   WY   Total 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 12/31/16

  $1,049,601   $1,158,205   $2,207,806 

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 3/31/17

   (76,669   (686,923   (763,592

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 6/30/17

   10,426    44,584    55,010 

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 9/30/17

   (125,539   (403,898   (529,437
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 9/30/17

   857,819    111,968    969,787 

Accrued interest at 9/30/17

   102,255    72,387    174,642 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total remaining to be recovered at 9/30/17

  $960,074   $184,355   $1,144,429 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   Underlying 
   KS   OK   WY   Total 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 12/31/19

  $1,795,487   $25,210,563   $3,189,747   $30,195,797 

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 3/31/20

   358,280    (3,631,900   (241,451   (3,515,071

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 6/30/20

   339,214    1,372,288    828,881    2,540,383 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 6/30/20

   2,492,981    22,950,951    3,777,177    29,221,109 

Accrued interest at 6/30/20

   276,301    1,251,023    94,676    1,622,000 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total remaining to be recovered at 6/30/20

  $2,769,282   $24,201,974   $3,871,853   $30,843,109 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   NPI 
   KS   WY   Total 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 12/31/16

  $839,681   $926,564   $1,766,245 

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 3/31/17

   (61,335   (549,538   (610,873

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 6/30/17

   8,341    35,667    44,008 

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 9/30/17

   (100,431   (323,118   (423,549
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 9/30/17

   686,256    89,575    775,831 

Accrued interest at 9/30/17

   81,803    57,909    139,712 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total remaining to be recovered at 9/30/17

  $768,059   $147,484   $915,543 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   NPI 
   KS   OK   WY   Total 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 12/31/19

  $1,436,389   $20,168,450   $2,551,798   $24,156,637 

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 3/31/20

   286,624    (2,905,520   (193,161   (2,812,057

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 6/30/20

   271,371    1,097,831    663,104    2,032,306 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 6/30/20

   1,994,384    18,360,761    3,021,741    23,376,886 

Accrued interest at 6/30/20

   221,041    1,000,819    75,741    1,297,601 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total remaining to be recovered at 6/30/20

  $2,215,425   $19,361,580   $3,097,482   $24,674,487 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Improved gas pricesFor the quarter ended June 30, 2020, lower revenues in relation to costs resulted in the partial recovery of excess costs on properties underlying the Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming net profits interests for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.interests.

Underlying cumulative excess costs for the Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming conveyances remaining as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172020 totaled $1.1$30.8 million, including accrued interest of $0.2$1.6 million.

 

6.Operated Overhead

Subsequent Events

On July 9, 2020, the Trustee notified XTO Energy advisedof the Trustee that the August 2016 distribution included aone-time reimbursementTrustee’s claim to indemnification to the Trust of approximately $450,000 related to operated overhead correctionsEstate for the period of January 2014 through May 2016. This reimbursement affected the net profits income under the Oklahoma conveyance.

XTO Energy advisedall liability, expense, claims, damages or loss incurred by the Trustee thatin connection with the May 2016 distribution included aone-time reimbursement to the Trust of approximately $788,000 related to operated overhead corrections for the period of January 2014 through February 2016. The reimbursement affected the net profits income under the Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming conveyances by approximately $186,000, $320,000 and $282,000 respectively.

7.Taxes, Transportation and Other Deductions

XTO Energy advised the Trustee that net profits income for August 2016 included a deduction of approximately $500,000 in additional gathering fees for the period of December 2015 through May 2016 related to a renegotiated gas purchase contract that included production from properties underlying the Oklahoma conveyance. The current contract term is December 1, 2015 until November 30, 2017.

8.Subsequent Event

Effective October 19, 2017, Simmons First National Corporation (“SFNC”) completed its acquisition of First Texas BHC, Inc., the parent company of Southwest Bank, the Trusteeadministration of the Trust. SFNC isThe Trustee stated it anticipates seeking reimbursement from XTO Energy upon depletion of the parent of Simmons Bank. SFNC has announced that it intends to operate Southwest Bank as a separate bank subsidiary for an interim period, afterTrust’s cash reserve, which it intends to merge it into Simmons Bank. The Trusteeclaims will occur soon if the Trust does not anticipatereceive net proceeds payments. XTO Energy has responded that any material impactindemnity claim to XTO Energy is premature before the Trust as a result of the acquisition.Estate is exhausted.

Item 2. Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis.

Item 2.Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Trustee’s discussion and analysis contained in the Trust’s 20162019 Annual Report on Form10-K, as well as the condensed financial statements and notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form10-Q. The Trust’s Annual Report on Form10-K, quarterly reports on Form10-Q, current reports on Form8-K and all amendments to those reports are available on the Trust’s web site atwww.hgt-hugoton.com.

Distributable Income

Quarter

For the quarter ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2020, net profits income was $688,252,$0 as compared to $1,253,498$238,725 for thirdsecond quarter 2016.2019. This 45% decrease in net profits income is primarily the result of lower oil and gas and oil productionprices ($0.7 million), net excess costs activity ($0.6 million), increased production expense ($0.6 million), higher overhead ($0.54.0 million) and increased development costs ($0.50.4 million), partially offset by highernet excess costs activity ($1.7 million), increased oil and gas and oil pricesproduction ($2.11.4 million), decreased production expenses ($0.8 million), and decreased taxes, transportation and other costs ($0.20.3 million). See “Net Profits Income” below.

After adding interest income of $2,091 and$502, deducting administration expense of $193,023,$198,010, and reducing the cash reserve $197,508 for the payment of Trust expenses, distributable income for the quarter ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172020 was $497,320,$0, or $0.012433$0.000000 per unit of beneficial interest. Administration expense for the quarter increased $5,131$51,374 as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily related to the timing of receipt and payment of Trust expenses and terms of professional services. Changes in interest income are attributable to fluctuations in net profits income and interest rates. For thirdsecond quarter 2016,2019, distributable income was $791,920,$0 or $0.019798$0.000000 per unit.

Distributions to unitholders for the quarter ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172020 were:

 

Record Date

  Payment Date  Distribution
per Unit
 

July 31, 2017

  August 14, 2017  $0.002573 

August 31, 2017

  September 15, 2017   0.006092 

September 29, 2017

  October 16, 2017   0.003768 
    

 

 

 
      $0.012433 
    

 

 

 

Record Date

 Payment Date  Distribution
per Unit
 

April 30, 2020

 May 14, 2020  $0.000000 

May 29, 2020

 June 12, 2020   0.000000 

June 30, 2020

 July 14, 2020   0.000000 
   

 

 

 
    $0.000000 
   

 

 

 

NineSix Months

For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2020, net profits income was $4,236,724$0 compared with $1,516,605$369,458 for the same 20162019 period. This 179% increasedecrease in net profits income is primarily the result of higherlower oil and gas and oil prices ($10.66.9 million), net excess costs activity ($4.3 million), and increased overhead ($0.9 million), partially offset by decreased gasdevelopment costs ($6.2 million), increased oil and oilgas production ($2.54.7 million), net excess costs activitydecreased production expenses ($2.20.5 million), increasedand decreased taxes, transportation and other costs ($1.3 million), higher overhead ($1.0 million), increased development costs ($0.7 million) and higher production expense ($0.20.3 million). See “Net Profits Income” below.

After adding interest income of $4,616 and$2,750, deducting administration expense of $707,060,$349,458, and utilizing $346,708 of the expense reserve to pay Trust expenses, distributable income for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172020 was $3,534,280,$0, or $0.088357$0.000000 per unit of beneficial interest. Administration expense for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172020 decreased $18,169$88,870 as compared to the same 20162019 period, primarily related to the timing of receipt and payment of Trust expenses and terms of professional services. Changes in interest income are attributable to fluctuations in net profits income and interest rates. For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016,2019, distributable income was $791,920,$0 or $0.019798$0.000000 per unit.

Net Profits Income

Net profits income is recorded when received by the Trust, which is the month following receipt by XTO Energy, and generally two months after oil and gas production. Net profits income is generally affected by three major factors:

 

 -

oil and gas sales volumes,

 

 -

oil and gas sales prices, and

 

 -

costs deducted in the calculation of net profits income.

The following is a summary of the calculation of net profits income received by the Trust:

 

  Three Months   Six Months   
  Three Months Ended
September 30
(a)
 Increase
(Decrease)
   Nine Months Ended
September 30
(a)
 Increase
(Decrease)
   Ended June 30 (a) Increase Ended June 30 (a) Increase 
  2017   2016   2017   2016   2020 2019 (Decrease) 2020   2019 (Decrease) 

Sales Volumes

                  

Gas (Mcf)(b)

                  

Underlying properties

   3,557,852    3,806,576  (7%)    10,497,894    11,263,950  (7%)    2,826,815  2,695,225  5%   5,718,279    5,470,824  5% 

Average per day

   38,672    41,376  (7%)    38,454    41,109  (6%)    31,409  30,283  4%   31,419    30,226  4% 

Net profits interests

   229,435    574,688  (60%)    1,286,934    706,835  82%    —    74,418  (100%)   —      109,541  (100%) 

Oil (Bbls)(b)

                  

Underlying properties

   40,990    44,718  (8%)    119,291    139,353  (14%)    80,529  34,503  133%   187,261    72,142  160% 

Average per day

   446    486  (8%)    437    509  (14%)    895  388  131%   1,029    399  158% 

Net profits interests

   4,000    9,883  (60%)    21,221    12,205  74%    —    154  (100%)   —      249  (100%) 

Average Sales Prices

                  

Gas (per Mcf)

   $2.81    $2.12  33%    $2.94    $1.88  56%   $1.75  $3.30  (47%)  $2.21   $3.69  (40%) 

Oil (per Bbl)

   $43.96    $42.94  2%    $46.29    $36.02  29%   $32.56  $55.45  (41%)  $45.94   $52.82  (13%) 

Revenues

                  

Gas sales

  $10,006,965   $8,078,025  24%   $30,827,132   $21,199,655  45%   $4,938,761  $8,889,206  (44%)  $12,631,504   $20,188,931  (37%) 

Oil sales

   1,801,955    1,920,303  (6%)    5,521,410    5,019,621  10%    2,622,271  1,913,213  37%   8,603,611    3,810,592  126% 
  

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

    

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

Total Revenues

   11,808,920    9,998,328  18%    36,348,542 ��  26,219,276  39%    7,561,032  10,802,419  (30%)   21,235,115    23,999,523  (12%) 
  

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

    

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

Costs

                  

Taxes, transportation and other

   2,079,613    2,333,558  (11%)    6,269,314    4,644,267  35%    2,112,806  2,489,626  (15%)   4,885,642    5,255,889  (7%) 

Production expense

   4,618,468    3,908,973  18%    12,934,692    12,626,547  2%    4,288,119  5,239,369  (18%)   8,488,529    9,126,951  (7%) 

Development costs(c)

   760,000    150,000  407%    1,960,000    1,075,000  82%    553,177  31,031   —     670,368    8,454,550  (92%) 

Overhead(d)

   2,961,087    2,302,504  29%    8,650,612    7,466,646  16% 

Excess costs(e)

   529,437    (263,579 N/A    1,238,019    (1,488,940 N/A 

Overhead

   3,147,313  3,139,024   —     6,215,888    5,125,502  21% 

Excess costs (d)

   (2,540,383 (395,038 543%   974,688    (4,425,192 (122%) 
  

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

    

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

Total Costs

   10,948,605    8,431,456  30%    31,052,637    24,323,520  28%    7,561,032  10,504,012  (28%)   21,235,115    23,537,700  (10%) 
  

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

    

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

Net Proceeds

   860,315    1,566,872  (45%)    5,295,905    1,895,756  179%    —    298,407  (100%)   —      461,823  (100%) 

Net Profits Percentage

   80%    80%     80%    80%     80%  80%    80%    80%  
  

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

    

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

Net Profits Income

  $688,252   $1,253,498  (45%)   $4,236,724   $1,516,605  179%   $—    $238,725  (100%)  $—     $369,458  (100%) 
  

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

    

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

(a)

Because of thetwo-month interval between time of production and receipt of net profits income by the Trust, (1) gas and oil sales for the quarter ended SeptemberJune 30 generally represent production for the period MayFebruary through JulyApril and (2) gas and oil sales for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30 generally represent production for the period November through July.April.

 

(b)

Gas and oil sales volumes are allocated to the net profits interests by dividing Trust net cash inflows by average sales prices. As gas and oil prices change, the Trust’s allocated production volumes are impacted as the quantity of production necessary to cover expenses changes inversely with price. As such, the underlying property production volume changes may not correlate with the Trust’s allocated production volumes in any given period. Therefore, comparative discussion of gas and oil sales volumes is based on the underlying properties.

 

(c)

See Note 2 to Condensed Financial Statements.

 

(d)See Note 6 to Condensed Financial Statements.

(e)See Note 5 to Condensed Financial Statements.

The following are explanations of significant variances on the underlying properties from thirdsecond quarter 20162019 to thirdsecond quarter 20172020 and from the first ninesix months of 20162019 to the comparable period in 2017:2020:

Sales Volumes

Gas

Gas sales volumes decreased 7%increased 5% for both the thirdsecond quarter and 5% for the nine-monthsix-month period as compared with the same 2019 periods primarily because of gas sales from new wells in Major County, Oklahoma, partially offset by natural production decline.decline and timing of cash receipts.

Oil

Oil sales volumes decreased 8%increased 133% for thirdsecond quarter and 14%160% for the nine-monthsix-month period as compared with the same 2019 periods primarily because of oil sales from new wells in Major County, Oklahoma, partially offset by natural production decline and the timing of cash receipts.

The estimated rate of natural production decline on the underlying oil and gas properties is approximately 6% to 8% a year.

Sales Prices

Gas

The thirdsecond quarter 20172020 average gas price was $2.81$1.75 per Mcf, a 33% increase47% decrease from the thirdsecond quarter 20162019 average gas price of $2.12$3.30 per Mcf. For the nine-monthsix-month period, the average gas price increased 56%decreased 40% to $2.94$2.21 per Mcf in 20172020 from $1.88$3.69 per Mcf in 2016.2019. The thirdsecond quarter 20172020 gas price is primarily related to production from MayFebruary through July 2017,April 2020, when the average NYMEX price was $3.15$1.78 per MMBtu.

Oil

The thirdsecond quarter 20172020 average oil price was $43.96$32.56 per Bbl, a 2% increase41% decrease from the thirdsecond quarter 20162019 average oil price of $42.94$55.45 per Bbl. For the nine-month period, theThe year-to-date average oil price increased 29%decreased 13% to $46.29$45.94 per Bbl in 20172020 from $36.02$52.82 per Bbl in 2016.2019. The thirdsecond quarter 20172020 oil price is primarily related to production from MayFebruary through July 2017,April 2020, when the average NYMEX price was $46.81$33.18 per Bbl.

Beginning in March 2020 and continuing into the second quarter of 2020, numerous events have continued to have a downward impact on sales prices of products produced from the underlying properties. The COVID-19 pandemic and the government responses to this pandemic have significantly decreased the demand for oil and gas. It is not clear at the present time when or whether the pandemic will lift or when government policies may change. Additionally, market factors, including abundant supplies, have also negatively impacted prices. Even when demand returns, it could take time for these accumulated supplies to decrease and a new market equilibrium, which may be lower than the pre-pandemic equilibrium, to emerge.

Costs

Taxes, Transportation and Other

Taxes, transportation and other costs decreased 11%15% for the thirdsecond quarter primarily because of decreased production taxes due to lower gas deductions relatedrevenues. Taxes, transportation and other costs decreased 7% for the six-month period primarily because of decreased production taxes due to additional gathering fees included in third quarter 2016,lower gas revenues, partially offset by increased production taxes due to higher oil revenues and increased gas deductions including amounts related to higher gas revenues. For further information on additional gathering feescertain adjustments previously included in third quarter 2016, see Note 7 to Condensed Financial Statements. Taxes, transportation and other costs increased 35%gas sales revenue are now recorded in this line item.

Production Expense

Production expense decreased 18% for the nine-monthsecond quarter primarily because of decreased repairs and maintenance. Production expense decreased 7% for the six-month period primarily because of increased production taxes related to higher gasdecreased repairs and oil revenues, increased gas deductions related to higher gathering feesmaintenance, and increased property taxes.

Production Expense

Production expense increased 18%credits received for the third quarter primarily because of increased salt water disposal, environmental costs, and other field goods and services. Production expense increased 2% for the nine-month period primarily because of increased salt water disposal and environmental costs,material transfers, partially offset by decreasedhigher labor and other field goods and services.

due to timing of charges.

Development Costs

Development costs deducted are based on the current level of development expenditures, budgeted future development costs and the cumulative actual costs under (over) previous deductions. These development costs increased 407% for the thirdsecond quarter and 82%primarily due to drilling costs on a non-operated well. Development costs decreased 92% for the nine-month period. Thesix-month period primarily due to the decrease in the development budget for the drilling of four horizontal wells in Major County, Oklahoma. XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that this monthly development cost deduction will continue to be reevaluated by XTO Energyevaluated and revised as necessary. For further information on development costs, see Note 2 to Condensed Financial Statements.

Overhead

Overhead increased 29%was relatively flat for the thirdsecond quarter and 16%increased 21% for the nine-month period primarily becausesix-month period. Overhead is charged by XTO Energy and other operators for administrative expenses incurred to support operations ofone-time reimbursements related to operated overhead corrections the underlying properties. Overhead fluctuates based on changes in 2016. For further informationthe active well count and drilling activity on overhead corrections, see Note 6 to Condensed Financial Statements.the underlying properties, as well as an annual cost level adjustment based on an industry index.

Excess Costs

If monthly costs exceed revenues for any conveyance, these excess costs must be recovered, with accrued interest, from future net proceeds of that conveyance and cannot reduce net profits income from another conveyance. Underlying cumulative excess costs for the Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming conveyances remaining as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172020 totaled $1.1$30.8 million ($24.7 million NPI), including accrued interest of $0.2 million. Cumulative excess costs for the NPI remaining as of September 30, 2017 totaled $0.9$1.6 million including accrued interest of $0.1 million.($1.3 million NPI). For further information on excess costs, including the excess cost balance and accrued interest by conveyance, see Note 5 to Condensed Financial Statements.

Impairment of Net Profits Interest

In light of lower long term prices used to develop projections of future cash flows, continued excess costs on two conveyances and zero distributions to unitholders for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, the Trustee concluded in the second quarter of 2016 that the events or circumstances indicated the carrying value may not be recoverable and an assessment of the forecasted net cash flows was performed for the NPI. The fair value of the NPI was developed using estimates for future oil and gas production attributable to the Trust, future crude oil and natural gas commodity prices published by third-party industry experts (adjusted for basis differentials), estimated taxes, development and operating expenses, and a risk-adjusted discount rate. The result of the assessment indicated that the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows from the NPI were below the carrying value of the NPI. The NPI was written down to its fair value of $28.8 million, resulting in a $57.3 million impairment charged directly to trust corpus, which did not affect distributable income. There was no impairment of the NPI during the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

Marketing

XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that, effective April 1, 2017, Cross Timbers Energy Services, Inc. (“CTES”), a wholly owned marketing subsidiary of XTO Energy, has assigned all gas sales contracts for production from the underlying properties to XTO Energy. XTO Energy will directly market and sell the gas to third parties. XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that there are no changes to the terms of the contracts related to the assignment and no impact on Trust distributions.

For further information regarding natural gas sales from the underlying properties to affiliates of XTO Energy, see Significant Properties, under Item 2, Properties and Note 7 to the Financial Statements under Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Contingencies

For information on contingencies, see Note 4 to Condensed Financial Statements.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this report relating to future plans, predictions, eventsproduction, excess costs, litigation, arbitration, liquidity, financing, regulatory or conditionscourt decisions, economic activity and recovery, and the assumed public health necessary to carry out business activities are forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Form10-Q, including, without limitation, statements regarding the net profits interests, underlying properties, development activities, annual and monthly development, production and other costs and expenses, estimated rates of natural production decline, monthly development cost deductions, oil and gas prices and differentials to NYMEX prices, supply levels, future drilling, workover and restimulation plans, the outcome of litigation or settlement discussions and the impact on Trust proceeds, distributions to unitholders, and industry and market conditions, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which areincluding those detailed in Part I, Item 1A of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2019, which is incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. XTO Energy and the Trustee assume no duty to update these statements as of any future date.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

There have beenNot applicable. Upon qualifying as a smaller reporting company, this information is no material changes in the Trust’s market risks from the information disclosed in Part II, longer required.

Item 7A of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.4. Controls and Procedures.

Item 4.Controls and Procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Trustee carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules13a-15 and15d-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Trustee concluded that the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Trust in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to the Trustee to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In its evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, the Trustee has relied, to the extent considered reasonable, on information provided by XTO Energy. There has not been any change in the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Item 1.Legal Proceedings.

ReferRoyalty Class Action and Arbitration

As previously disclosed, XTO Energy advised the Trustee that it reached a settlement with the plaintiffs in the Chieftain class action royalty case. On July 27, 2018 the final plan of allocation was approved by the court. Based on the final plan of allocation, XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that it believes approximately $24.3 million in additional production costs should be allocated to Note 4the Trust. On May 2, 2018, the Trustee submitted a demand for arbitration seeking a declaratory judgment that the Chieftain settlement is not a production cost and that XTO Energy is prohibited from charging the settlement as a production cost under the conveyance or otherwise reducing the Trust’s payments now or in the future as a result of the Chieftain litigation. The hearing on the claims related to the Chieftain settlement is currently scheduled to begin October 12, 2020. Other Trustee claims related to disputed amounts on the computation of the Trust’s net proceeds for 2014 through 2016 were bifurcated from the initial arbitration and will be heard at a later date, which is still to be determined.

If the Trustee prevails on the claims related to the $24.3 million in alleged additional production costs in connection with the Chieftain settlement, there will be no adjustment to the Trust’s share of net proceeds. If XTO Energy prevails as to those same claims, there will be an adjustment of approximately $24.3 million to the Trust’s share of net proceeds. The Oklahoma conveyance is already currently subject to excess costs that will need to be recovered prior to any distribution to unitholders. Therefore, an adjustment of approximately $24.3 million to the Trust’s share of net proceeds would result in additional excess costs under the Oklahoma conveyance that would likely result in no distributions under the Oklahoma conveyance for several additional years while these additional excess costs are recovered.

Other Lawsuits and Governmental Proceedings

Certain of the underlying properties are involved in various other lawsuits and governmental proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that, based on the information available at this Quarterlystage of the various proceedings, it does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these claims will have a material effect on the financial position or liquidity of the Trust, but may have an effect on annual distributable income.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There may not be an active market for the Trust units.

The Trustee received notice from the OTC Markets Group Inc. dated April 16, 2020, notifying the Trustee that the Trust was no longer in compliance with Section 3.2(a) of the Standards for Continued Qualification of the OTCQX Rules for U.S. Companies, in that as of December 31, 2019 the Trust had less than $2 million in net tangible assets, average revenue of less than $6 million over the past three years, and the Trust’s bid price is below $5 per share. The notice stated that if the Trust was unable to cure the deficiency by May 18, 2020, then it would be moved from OTCQX to the OTC Pink market. The Trust transitioned from the OTCQX to the OTCQB on May 19, 2020. No assurance can be made how such transition may affect the liquidity of the units.

The recent spread of COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, and the continually changing measures taken to mitigate the impact of single or multiple waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, are likely adversely affecting the business and operations of the operators of the properties underlying the net profits interests, which in turn could have an adverse effect on Trust distributions.

The business of the operators of the properties underlying the net profits interests is likely being adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and measures being taken to mitigate its impact, especially to the extent areas experience multiple waves of the pandemic. As the coronavirus pandemic and government responses are rapidly escalating and de-escalating, the extent of the impact on domestic sales of crude oil and natural gas remains unknown and is constantly evolving. The industry has experienced a sharp and rapid decline in the demand for crude oil and natural gas as the U.S. and global economy, and commodity prices, have been negatively impacted as economic activity is curtailed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as due to other geopolitical factors. Official restrictions on non-essential activities, including “shelter in place” and “stay at home” orders, have recently been introduced or re-introduced throughout the U.S. and the world, which may impact operators’ production activities and the length of time such measures are in place may further adversely affect Trust distributions. Fewer businesses than normal are open and fewer people are going to work which has reduced the demand for oil and natural gas, plus our operators’ reliance on third-party suppliers, contractors, and service providers exposes them to possibility of delay or interruption of operations. At this time, the full extent to which COVID-19 will negatively impact the global economy and the oil and gas industry is uncertain, but pandemics or other significant public health events will most likely have a material adverse effect on operators’ business and financial condition which would likely have an adverse effect on Trust distributions.

Risk factors relating to the Trust are contained in Item 1A of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form10-Q10-K for information on legal proceedings.

Item 1A.Risk Factors.

Therethe fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Other than the items listed above, there have been no material changes in the risk factors disclosed under Part I, Item 1A of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December  31, 2016.2019.

Item 6. Exhibits.

Item 6.Exhibits.

 

(31)  Rule13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification
(32)  Section 1350 Certification
(99)  Items 1A,,7 and7A to the Annual Report on Form10-K for Hugoton Royalty Trust filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2017 30, 2020 (incorporated herein by reference)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

By SOUTHWESTSIMMONS BANK, TRUSTEE

  By 

/s/ LEE ANN ANDERSON

S/ NANCY WILLIS
   Lee Ann AndersonNancy Willis
   Senior Vice President

  EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
Date: November 6, 2017August 13, 2020  By 

/s/S/ DAVID LEVY

   David Levy
   Vice President—Upstream Business Services

 

2124