UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023

OR

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

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 001-38472

PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in the

Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of PermRock Royalty Trust)

Delaware82-6725102
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

Argent Trust Company, Trustee

3838 Oak Lawn Ave.

Suite 1720

Dallas, Texas

75219
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

(855) 588-7839

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of each class

Trading

Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Units of Beneficial InterestPRTNew York Stock Exchange

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-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 Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller 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). Yes No

As of November 14, 2023, 12,165,732 trust units representing beneficial interests in PermRock Royalty Trust were outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Glossary of Terms1
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.   Financial Statements2
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS3
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME (UNAUDITED)4
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS (UNAUDITED)5
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)6
ITEM 2.   Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations10
ITEM 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk16
ITEM 4.   Controls and Procedures16
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.   Legal Proceedings17
ITEM 6.   Exhibits.17
SIGNATURE18

Glossary of Terms

BblBarrel (of oil).
BoeOne barrel of crude oil equivalent.
differentialThe difference between a benchmark price of oil and natural gas, such as the NYMEX crude oil spot, and the wellhead price received.
distributable incomeAn amount paid to Trust unitholders equal to the net profits income received by the Trust during a given period plus interest, less the expenses and payment of liabilities of the Trust, adjusted by any changes in cash reserves.
GAAPUnited States generally accepted accounting principles.
MBblOne thousand barrels of crude oil or condensate.
MBoeOne thousand barrels of crude oil equivalent.
McfOne thousand cubic feet (of natural gas).
MMcfOne million cubic feet (of natural gas).
natural gas liquids (NGL)Those hydrocarbons that are separated from the gas as liquids through the process of absorption, condensation, or other methods in gas processing or cycling plants.
net acresThe sum of the fractional working interests owned by a given operator in gross acres.
net profitsGross profits received by Boaz Energy from the sale of production from the Underlying Properties, less applicable costs, as provided in the Conveyance.
net profits incomeNet profits multiplied by the net profits percentage of 80%, which is paid to the Trust by Boaz Energy. “Net profits income” is referred to as “royalty income” for tax reporting purposes.
Net Profits InterestAn interest in an oil and natural gas property measured by net profits from the sale of production, rather than a specific portion of production.  An 80% net profits interest was conveyed to the Trust entitling the Trust to receive 80% of the net profits from the Underlying Properties.
NYMEXThe New York Mercantile Exchange is a commodity futures exchange that quotes prices for transactions which are the prices paid for various commodities, including oil and natural gas, throughout the world.
Trust unitsTrust units representing beneficial interests in the Trust.
Underlying PropertiesThe interest in certain oil and natural gas properties from which the Net Profits Interest was conveyed by Boaz Energy.  The Underlying Properties include working interests in oil and natural gas producing properties located in the Permian Basin in Texas.
working interestAn operating interest in an oil and natural gas property that provides the owner a specified share of production that is subject to all production expense and development costs.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.Financial Statements

The condensed financial statements included herein are presented without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, and Argent Trust Company, as Trustee (the “Trustee”), believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These condensed interim financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Trust’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2022 Annual Report”). 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 PermRock Royalty Trust at September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, and the distributable income and changes in Trust corpus for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, and September 30, 2022, have been included. Distributable income for such interim periods is not necessarily indicative of distributable income for the full year.

PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS

  

September 30,

2023

(unaudited)

  

December 31,

2022

 
ASSETS        
Cash and short-term investments $1,494,250  $1,981,938 
Net Profits Interest (1)  78,045,467   80,041,113 
TOTAL ASSETS $79,539,717  $82,023,051 
LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS        
Distribution payable to unitholders $494,250  $981,938 
Cash reserves (2)  1,000,000   1,000,000 
Trust corpus  78,045,467   80,041,113 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS $79,539,717  $82,023,051 

(1)See Note 2 to condensed financial statements for further discussion of the Net Profits Interest.

(2)The Trustee is authorized to retain cash from distributions received by the Trust in an amount not to exceed $1.0 million to be used in the event that cash on hand is not sufficient to pay ordinary course administrative expenses and to provide for future liabilities of the Trust.

PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

  Three Months
Ended September 30,
  Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
  2023  2022  2023  2022 
Net profits income $1,691,590  $3,530,590  $5,632,011  $9,815,297 
Interest income  15,039   5,191   43,539   6,188 
Total revenue  1,706,629   3,535,781   5,675,550   9,821,485 
Expenditures – general and administrative  (240,461)  (180,772)  (769,027)  (735,306)
Cash reserves (1)  0   0   0   0 
Distributable income $1,466,168  $3,355,009  $4,906,523  $9,086,179 
Distributable income per unit (2) $0.120516  $0.275774  $0.403307  $0.746867 

(1)The Trustee is authorized to retain cash from distributions received by the Trust in an amount not to exceed $1.0 million to be used in the event that cash on hand is not sufficient to pay ordinary course administrative expenses and to provide for future liabilities of the Trust.

(2)Based on 12,165,732 Trust units issued and outstanding as of November 14, 2023.

PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS (UNAUDITED)

  

Three Months

Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months

Ended September 30,

 
  2023  2022  2023  2022 
Trust corpus, beginning of period $78,689,996  $81,920,770  $80,041,113  $83,821,848 
Amortization of Net Profits Interest  (644,529)  (878,598)  (1,995,646)  (2,779,676)
Distributable income $1,466,168  $3,355,009  $4,906,524  $9,086,179 
Distributions declared  (1,466,168)  (3,355,009)  (4,906,524)  (9,086,179)
Trust corpus, end of period $78,045,467  $81,042,172  $78,045,467  $81,042,172 

PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1.Organization of Trust

PermRock Royalty Trust (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust formed on November 22, 2017 under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act pursuant to a trust agreement dated November 22, 2017, as amended and restated on May 4, 2018, by and among Boaz Energy II, LLC (“Boaz Energy”), as trustor, Simmons Bank, trustee, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Delaware Trustee (the “Delaware Trustee”) (such amended and restated trust agreement, as amended to date, the “Trust Agreement”).

In accordance with the successor trustee provisions of the Trust Agreement, Argent Trust Company, as successor trustee of the Trust, is subject to all terms and conditions of the Trust Agreement. The defined term “Trustee” as used herein shall refer to Simmons Bank (which maintains its offices at 2200 West 7th Street, Suite 210, P.O. Box 470727, Fort Worth, Texas 76147) for periods prior to December 30, 2022, and shall refer to Argent Trust Company (which maintains its offices at 3838 Oak Lawn Ave., Suite 1720, Dallas, Texas 75219) for periods on and after December 30, 2022.

The Trust was created to acquire and hold the Net Profits Interest for the benefit of the Trust unitholders. In connection with the closing of the initial public offering of Trust units, on May 4, 2018, Boaz Energy conveyed the Net Profits Interest to the Trust in exchange for Trust units pursuant to a conveyance agreement between Boaz Energy, the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (the “Conveyance”). The Net Profits Interest represents an interest in the Underlying Properties.

The Net Profits Interest entitles the Trust to receive 80% of the net profits from the sale of oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties. The Net Profits Interest is passive in nature and neither the Trust nor the Trustee has any control over, or responsibility for, costs relating to the operation of the Underlying Properties. The Trust has and will continue to make monthly cash distributions of all of its monthly cash receipts, after deduction of fees and expenses for the administration of the Trust and any cash reserves, to holders of its Trust units as of the applicable record date on or before the 10th business day after the record date. Distributions generally relate to sales from a one-month period.

The Trustee may deposit funds awaiting distribution in an account with an FDIC-insured or national bank, including the Trustee, if the interest paid to the Trust at least equals amounts paid by the Trustee on similar deposits, and make other short-term investments with the funds distributed to the Trust.

In May 2018, Boaz Energy completed an initial public offering of 6,250,000 of the 12,165,732 total Trust units outstanding, retaining ownership of 5,915,732 Trust units. As of September 30, 2023, Boaz Energy owned 5,066,674 Trust units of the 12,165,732 Trust units issued and outstanding.

2.Trust Significant Accounting Policies
a.Basis of Accounting

The Trust uses the modified cash basis of accounting to report Trust receipts of the Net Profits Interest and payments of expenses incurred. The Net Profits Interest represents the right to receive revenues (primarily oil and natural gas sales), less direct operating expenses, overhead expenses, lease operating expenses, severance and ad valorem taxes and development expenses of the Underlying Properties, multiplied by 80%. Cash distributions of the Trust are made based on the amount of cash received by the Trust pursuant to terms of the Conveyance creating the Net Profits Interest.

The financial statements of the Trust, as prepared on a modified cash basis, reflect the Trust’s assets, liabilities, Trust corpus, earnings and distributions as follows:

Income from the Net Profits Interest is recorded when distributions are received by the Trust;
Distributions to Trust unitholders are recorded when declared by the Trust;
Trust general and administrative expenses (which includes the Trustee’s fees as well as accounting, printing, engineering, legal, tax advisory and other professional fees) are recorded when paid; cash reserves for Trust expenses may be established by the Trustee for certain expenditures that would not be recorded as contingent liabilities under United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”);
Amortization of the investment in the Net Profits Interest is calculated on a unit-of-production basis and is charged directly to Trust corpus, and such amortization does not affect distributions from the Trust; and
The Trust’s investment in the Net Profits Interest is periodically assessed to determine whether its aggregate value has been impaired below its total capitalized cost basis.  In general, neither the Trustee nor Boaz Energy 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 indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable, the Trustee would use the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows from the Net Profits Interest to evaluate the recoverability of the Trust assets. If the undiscounted future net cash flows from the Net Profits Interest are less than the Net Profits Interest carrying value, the Trust would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the Net Profits Interest carrying value and the estimated fair value of the Net Profits Interest. The determination as to whether the Net Profits Interest is impaired is based on the best information available to the Trustee at the time of the evaluation, including information provided by Boaz Energy such as estimates of future production and development and operating expenses. Any impairment would be charged directly to the Trust corpus.

The financial statements of the Trust are prepared on a modified cash basis of accounting, which is considered to be the most meaningful basis of preparation for a royalty trust because monthly distributions to the Trust unitholders are based on net cash receipts. Although this basis of accounting is permitted for royalty trusts by the SEC, the financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP because net profits income is not accrued in the month of production, expenses are not recognized when incurred, cash reserves may be established for certain contingencies, and overpayments received do not need to be paid back and are instead taken from future payments that would not be recorded in GAAP financial statements. This comprehensive basis of accounting other than 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.

b.Interim Financial Statements.

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared by the Trust in accordance with the accounting policies stated in the audited financial statements and notes of the Trust thereto included in the Trust’s 2022 Annual Report and reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of the Trustee, necessary to state fairly the information in the Trust’s unaudited interim financial statements.

c.Use of Estimates.

The preparation of financial statements requires the Trust to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimated future cash flows used to determine amortization and potential impairment of the investment in the Net Profits Interest are subject to change.

d.Risks and Uncertainties.

The Trust’s revenue and distributions are substantially dependent upon the prevailing and future prices for oil and natural gas, each of which depends on numerous factors beyond the Trust’s control such as economic conditions, the global political environment, regulatory developments and competition from other energy sources. Oil and natural gas prices historically have been volatile and may be subject to significant fluctuations in the future.

e.Contingencies.

Contingencies related to the Underlying Properties that are unfavorably resolved would generally be expected to result in reductions to cash receipts to the Trust in respect of the Net Profits Interest with corresponding reductions to cash distributions to Trust unitholders. Please see the discussion of litigation in Note 8 to condensed financial statements.

3.Income Taxes

Tax counsel advised the Trust at the time of formation that for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Trust is treated as a grantor trust and will not be subject to federal income tax at the trust level. Trust unitholders will be treated for such purposes as owning a direct interest in the assets of the Trust, and each Trust unitholder is taxed directly on its pro rata share of the income and any gain, if sold, attributable to the assets of the Trust and is entitled to claim its pro rata share of deductions and expenses attributable to the assets of the Trust. Each Trust unitholder should consult his or her own tax advisor regarding income tax requirements, if any, applicable to such unitholder’s ownership of Trust units.

4.Cash Reserves

Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, as of May 31, 2019, the Trustee began retaining cash from the distributions the Trust receives to be used by the Trust in the event that its cash on hand (including available cash reserves) is not sufficient to pay ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due. The Trustee is authorized to retain cash reserves (i) in an amount not to exceed $1.0 million at any one time and (ii) in such amounts as the Trustee in its discretion deems appropriate to pay for future liabilities of the Trust, but not less than $25,000 per month or more than $100,000 per month. Cash reserves held by the Trustee for administrative expenses totaled $1,000,000 as of September 30, 2023.

Boaz Energy is entitled under the Conveyance to reserve up to $3.0 million from the net profits for certain future taxes and development or operating expenses. As of December 31, 2022, the balance of funds held back to cover certain future capital expenses was $1,478,157 net to the Trust. As of September 30, 2023, the balance of funds held back to cover future capital expenses was $98,157 net to the Trust.

5.Distributions to Unitholders

The Trust makes monthly cash distributions of the net amount, if any, of its monthly cash receipts, after deduction of fees and expenses for the administration of the Trust and cash reserves to holders of its Trust units as of the applicable record date on or before the 10th business day after the record date.

Based on 12,165,732 Trust units outstanding at each date listed below, the per unit distributions during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, were as follows:

      
Record Date Payment Date Distribution per Unit 
July 31, 2023 August 14, 2023 $0.039689 
August 31, 2023 September 15, 2023  0.040201 
September 29, 2023 October 16, 2023  0.040626 
    $0.120516 

6.Related Party Transactions

Trustee Administrative Fee. Under the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Trust pays an annual administrative fee to the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee. The Delaware Trustee’s annual fee is $4,000. For 2023, the Trustee’s annual administrative fee is $200,357, which is divided into twelve equal monthly payments throughout the year. The Trustee’s annual administrative fee increased at a rate of 3% per year for the first three years of the Trust’s existence, increased at a rate of 2% in 2021 and 2022, and increased at a rate of 1% in 2023. The Trustee’s annual administrative fee will continue to increase at a rate of 1% per year until the 20th anniversary of the Trust’s formation and then remain flat thereafter. These costs of the Trust, which are included in administration expenses, are deducted by the Trust before distributions are made to Trust unitholders.

Agreements with Boaz Energy. On May 4, 2018, the Trust entered into a registration rights agreement for the benefit of Boaz Energy and certain of its affiliates and transferees, pursuant to which the Trust agreed to register the offering of the Trust units held by Boaz Energy and certain of its affiliates and permitted transferees upon request by Boaz Energy. The Trust filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 on April 28, 2022 (the “Registration Statement”) seeking the registration of 5,801,675 Trust units held by Boaz Energy. The SEC confirmed the effectiveness of the Registration Statement on May 9, 2022. As of September 30, 2023, Boaz Energy owned 5,066,674 Trust units of the 12,165,732 Trust units issued and outstanding.

7.Development Costs

Boaz Energy has advised the Trustee that the estimate for Boaz Energy’s 2023 capital budget for the Underlying Properties is $4.5 million, of which approximately $3.5 million had been expended as of September 30, 2023.  Based on current oil and gas prices, Boaz anticipates continuing to participate in Crane and Glasscock counties non-operated drilling and waterflood conformance and work in Crane, Terry, Schleicher and Stonewall counties, as well as drilling one new operated well in Crane County sometime in 2023.  The majority of capital spent in 2023 to date has been on a well deepening in the Abo Area.  The $4.5 million estimate is subject to change based on, among other things, changes in the price of oil and natural gas, Boaz Energy’s actual capital requirements, the pace of regulatory approvals and the mix of projects.

8.Settlements and Litigation

On October 1, 2018, a lawsuit styled Thaleia L. Marston, Trustee of the Marston Trust v. Blackbeard Operating, LLC, et.al, No. 18-10-24761 – CVW in the 143rd District Court in Ward County, Texas (the “2018 Litigation”) was filed, naming, among others, Boaz Energy and the Trust as defendants. The plaintiff is a lessor under two leases operated by Blackbeard Operating LLC. The Underlying Properties include the interests of Boaz Energy in some of the minerals covered by those leases. The litigation sought surface use damages and alleged violations of the terms of the leases, among other things. The court had set a two-day bench trial to commence May 18, 2022, but on May 10, 2022, the court granted motions for summary judgment effectively disposing of the plaintiff’s claims. At a status conference conducted on May 12, 2022, the plaintiff confirmed the court’s rulings disposed of all the plaintiff’s claims. The court held a hearing regarding attorneys’ fees in June 2022. On May 12, 2023, the court entered its final judgment, incorporating its prior order granting the defendants’ motion for summary judgment and granting defendants’ motion for attorneys’ fees. On June 12, 2023, the plaintiff filed a notice of appeal, notifying all parties of its intent to appeal the judgment to the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso County, Texas. On October 26, 2023, the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso County, Texas granted the plaintiff-appellant’s request for an extension of time to file its appellant brief. The plaintiff-appellant has until November 24, 2023, to file its appellant brief.

9.Subsequent Events

On October 20, 2023, the Trust declared a cash distribution of $0.040837 per Trust unit based upon production during the month of August 2023.

   Underlying Sales Volumes Average Price 
   Oil
(Bbls)
 Gas
(Mcf)
  Oil
(per Bbl)
  Gas
(per Mcf)
 
 August  24,525  33,798  $79.44  $3.62 

ITEM 2.Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Introduction

The following discussion and analysis is intended to help the reader understand the Trust’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Trust’s unaudited condensed financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”) and the Trust’s audited financial statements and the accompanying notes included in the Trust’s 2022 Annual Report.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain information included in this Quarterly Report contains, and other materials filed or to be filed by the Trust with the SEC (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the Trust) may contain or include, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Such forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “expect,” “predict,” “project,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “should,” “assume,” “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Quarterly Report are forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements under this “Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” and all statements regarding Boaz Energy and Argent Trust Company’s (as Trustee of the Trust) expectations, beliefs and plans regarding the following: (i) Boaz Energy’s capital projects, timing and estimated costs, and the resulting impact of those activities on the computation of the Net Profits Interest; (ii) outside operators’ capital projects and the resulting impact of those activities on the Net Profits Interest; (iii) implementation or continued use of waterflood projects and workovers and the location of waterflood projects and workovers; (iv) Boaz Energy’s estimated capital expenditures; (v) the timing of capital expenditures and capital reserve amounts; (vi) the expected timing of litigation proceedings; (vii) the impact of current litigation matters on the Trust; (viii) Boaz Energy’s staffing levels or future reductions in staffing on the Underlying Properties; (ix) shut in of wells on the Underlying Properties; and (x) distributions to Trust unitholders. Such statements are based on certain assumptions of the Trustee, and certain assumptions of information provided to the Trust by Boaz Energy, the owner of the Underlying Properties; are based on an assessment of, and are subject to, a variety of factors deemed relevant by the Trustee and Boaz Energy; and involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors could affect the future results of the energy industry in general, and Boaz Energy and the Trust in particular, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Those factors include, without limitation, the following:

the effect of changes in commodity prices or alternative fuel prices;
the effects of armed conflict throughout the world on global oil and gas producing regions, countries, thoroughfares and the oil and gas markets;
political and economic conditions in or affecting other oil and natural gas producing regions or countries;
uncertainties in estimating production and oil and natural gas reserves of the Underlying Properties;
risks associated with the drilling and operation of oil and natural gas wells;
the cost of developing the Underlying Properties;
the ability to maintain anticipated production levels;
the amount of future direct operating expenses, development expenses and other capital expenditures;
availability and terms of capital to fund capital expenditures;
risks associated with Boaz Energy and its ability to transfer operation of the Underlying Properties to third parties without the approval of Trust unitholders;
the performance of such third parties contracted by Boaz Energy and their ability or willingness to provide sufficient facilities and services to Boaz Energy on commercially reasonable terms;
the effect of existing and future laws and regulatory actions;
the actions of the Organizations of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”);
conditions in the capital markets;
competition from others in the energy industry;
uncertainty in whether development projects will be pursued;
severe or unseasonable weather that may adversely affect production;
adequacy of Boaz Energy’s insurance coverage;
costs to comply with current and future governmental regulation of the oil and natural gas industry, including environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and regulations with respect to hydraulic fracturing and the disposal of produced water;
the effect of existing and future laws and regulatory actions, including real estate, bankruptcy and tax legislation and the ability to accurately interpret the impact of such laws;
general economic conditions affecting the Permian Basin;
risks associated with title deficiencies that may arise with respect to the Underlying Properties and Boaz Energy’s ability to cure any such defects;
actions by Boaz Energy, including such that result in conflicts of interest, that adversely affect the Trust;
the ability to successfully estimate the impact of litigation matters, and certain accounting and tax matters;
the cost of inflation; and
the risk factors discussed in Part I of the Trust’s 2022 Annual Report.

You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak as of the date of this Quarterly Report. The Trust does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, unless required by applicable law.

Boaz Energy Information

As a holder of a net profits interest, the Trust relies on Boaz Energy for information regarding Boaz Energy and its affiliates; the Underlying Properties, including the operations, acreage, well and completion count, working interests, production volumes, sales revenues, capital expenditures, operating expenses, reserves, drilling plans, drilling results and leasehold terms related to the Underlying Properties; and factors and circumstances that have or may affect the foregoing.

Overview

PermRock Royalty Trust, a Delaware statutory trust formed in November 2017 by Boaz Energy, completed its initial public offering in May 2018. The Trust’s main asset and source of income is the Net Profits Interest, which entitles the Trust to receive 80% of the net profits from oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties. The Net Profits Interest is passive in nature and neither the Trust nor the Trustee has any management control over or responsibility for costs relating to the operation of the Underlying Properties.

The Trust is required to make monthly cash distributions of substantially all of its monthly cash receipts, after deduction of fees and expenses for the administration of the Trust and any cash reserves, to holders of its Trust units as of the applicable record date on or before the 10th business day after the record date. The Net Profits Interest is entitled to a share of the profits from and after January 1, 2018 attributable to production occurring on or after such date. The Trust is not subject to any pre-set termination provisions based on a maximum volume of oil or natural gas to be produced or the passage of time. The amount of Trust revenues and cash distributions to Trust unitholders depends on, among other things:

volumes produced;
wellhead prices;
price differentials;
production and development costs;
potential reductions or suspensions of production; and
the amount and timing of Trust administrative expenses.

Boaz Energy typically receives payment for oil production 30 to 60 days after it is produced and for natural gas production 60 to 90 days after it is produced.

Properties. The Underlying Properties consist of four operating areas in the Permian Basin in Texas, aggregating 31,783 gross (22,731 net) acres. The Permian Clearfork area consists of 2,434 net acres on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Hockley and Terry Counties, Texas. The Permian Abo area consists of 1,667 net acres on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Terry and Cochran Counties, Texas. The Permian Shelf area consists of 14,727 net acres on the Eastern Shelf of the Permian Basin in Glasscock, Schleicher, Stonewall and Coke Counties, Texas. The Permian Platform area consists of 3,903 net acres on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Ward, Crane, Terry and Ector Counties, Texas.

11 

Outlook

Boaz Energy has advised the Trustee that the estimate for Boaz Energy’s 2023 capital budget for the Underlying Properties is $4.5 million, of which approximately $3.5 million had been expended as of September 30, 2023.  Based on current oil and gas prices, Boaz anticipates continuing to participate in Crane and Glasscock counties non-operated drilling and waterflood conformance and work in Crane, Terry, Schleicher and Stonewall counties, as well as drilling one new operated well in Crane County sometime in 2023.  The majority of capital spent in 2023 to date has been on a well deepening in the Abo Area.  The $4.5 million estimate is subject to change based on, among other things, changes in the price of oil and natural gas, Boaz Energy’s actual capital requirements, the pace of regulatory approvals and the mix of projects.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Distributable Income

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

For the three months ended September 30, 2023, net profits income received by the Trust was $1,691,590 compared to $3,530,590 for the same period of the prior year. This decrease in net profits income was primarily due to decreased oil and gas prices and sales volumes. See “Computation of Income from the Net Profits Interest Received by the Trust” below.

After considering interest income of $15,039 and general and administrative expenditures of $240,461, distributable income for the three months ended September 30, 2023, was $1,466,168, or $0.120516 per Trust unit. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, total distributable income was $3,355,009, or $0.275774 per unit.

Interest income was higher for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year, due to higher interest rates. General and administrative expenditures increased by $59,689 for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to the timing of payments.

Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, as of May 31, 2019, the Trustee is authorized to retain cash reserves for administrative expenses. The Trustee did not retain any cash reserves during the three months ended September 30, 2023, or September 30, 2022. Total cash reserves were $1,000,000 as of September 30, 2023, and September 30, 2022.

Based on 12,165,732 Trust units outstanding at each date listed below, the per unit distributions during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, were as follows:

      
Record Date Payment Date Distribution per Unit 
July 31, 2023 August 14, 2023 $0.039689 
August 31, 2023 September 15, 2023  0.040201 
September 29, 2023 October 16, 2023  0.040626 
    $0.120516 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, net profits income received by the Trust was $5,632,011 compared to $9,815,297 for the same period of the prior year. This decrease in net profits income was primarily due to a decrease in oil and gas prices and sales volumes. See “Computation of Income from the Net Profits Interest Received by the Trust” below.

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After considering interest income of $43,539 and general and administrative expenditures of $769,027, distributable income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, was $4,906,523, or $0.403307 per Trust unit. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, total distributable income was $9,086,179, or $0.746867 per Trust unit.

Interest income increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year, due to higher interest rates. General and administrative expenditures increased by $33,721 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to timing of payment of expenses.

Pursuant the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Trustee was authorized to begin retaining cash reserves for administrative expenses in May of 2019. The Trustee did not retain any cash reserves during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, or September 30, 2022. Total cash reserves were $1,000,000 as of September 30, 2023, and September 30, 2022.

Computation of Income from the Net Profits Interest Received by the Trust

The Net Profits Interest entitles the Trust to receive 80% of the net profits attributable to Boaz Energy’s interest from the sale of oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties. The Trust’s income from the Net Profits Interest consists of monthly net profits attributable to income from the Underlying Properties. Because of the interval between the time of production and receipt of net profits income by the Trust, the Trust recognizes production during the month in which the related net profits income is paid to the Trust. Net profits income for the three months ended September 30, 2023, was based on production during the months of May 2023 through July 2023. Net profits income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, was based on production during the months of November 2022 through July 2023. The table below outlines the computation of income from the Net Profits Interest received by the Trust for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, and September 30, 2022:

  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023
  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2022
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2022
 
Underlying Properties sales volumes(1):                
Oil (Bbl)  76,784   87,528   241,932   266,920 
Natural gas (Mcf)(2)  98,109   101,409   294,328   309,019 
Total sales (Boe)  93,136   104,430   290,987   318,423 
Average realized sales price:                
Oil (per Bbl) $70.44  $107.75  $73.79  $94.74 
Natural gas (per Mcf) $2.68  $8.95  $3.80  $7.83 
 Calculation of net profits:                
 Gross profits:                
Oil sales $5,408,315  $9,427,580  $17,853,245  $25,249,894 
Natural gas sales  263,217   908,130   1,116,993   2,420,365 
Income from divestitures  0   0   0   1,090,386 
Other revenue  27,451   25,386   77,116   80,428 
Total gross profits $5,698,983  $10,361,096  $19,047,354  $28,841,073 
Costs:                
Direct operating expenses: $490,143  $655,846  $1,589,039  $2,405,787 
Lease operating expenses  1,813,721   1,640,906   5,491,775   4,811,630 
Severance and ad valorem taxes  463,898   661,255   1,455,225   1,596,865 
Development expenses  771,639   707,507   3,584,505   4,357,305 
Other expenses  480,095   417,345   1,611,796   1,270,365 
Total costs $(4,019,496) $(4,082,859) $(13,732,340) $(14,441,952)
Net profits $1,679,487  $6,278,237  $5,315,014  $14,399,121 
Percentage allocable to Net Profits Interest  80%  80%  80%  80%
Net profits income (before capital reserve) $1,343,590  $5,022,590  $4,252,011  $11,519,297 
Capital reserve (3)  348,000   (1,492,000)  1,380,000   (1,704,000)
Net Profits Interest audit fee  0   0   0   0 
Net profits income received by the Trust $1,691,590  $3,530,590  $5,632,011  $9,815,297 

(1)Quarterly sales volumes are typically reported for a three-month period, and therefore sales volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2023, reflect production volumes for May 2023 through July 2023. Sales volumes for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, reflect production volumes for November 2022 through July 2023.
(2)Sales volumes for natural gas include NGLs.
(3)Boaz Energy is entitled under the Conveyance to reserve up to $3.0 million from the net profits for certain future taxes and expenses. As of September 30, 2023, Boaz had reserved $98,157 net to the Trust for future capital expenses.

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Important factors used in calculating the Trust’s net profits income include the volumes of oil and natural gas produced from the Underlying Properties and the realized prices received for the sale of those minerals, including oil and natural gas liquids, as well as direct operating expenses, lease operating expenses, severance and ad valorem taxes, development and other expenses and capital reserves.

Sales Volumes

Oil

Oil sales volumes decreased by 10,744 Bbls (12.3%) for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 and 24,988 Bbls (9.4%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Boaz Energy reports this decrease was primarily due to a natural decline in the producing properties and a decrease in demand.

Natural Gas

Natural gas sales volumes decreased by 3,300 Mcf (3.3%) for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 and 14,691 Mcf (4.8%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the same period in the prior year. Boaz Energy reports this decrease was primarily due to a natural decline in the producing properties and a decrease in demand.

Sales Prices

Oil

The average realized oil price per Bbl decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year periods primarily due to a decrease in the WTI benchmark oil price.

Natural Gas

The average realized natural gas price per Mcf decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year periods primarily due to a decrease in the Henry Hub benchmark price for natural gas.

Qualified De Minimis Sales

Boaz Energy informed the Trust that as of March 1, 2022, it had assigned its deep interests in certain leases located in Stonewall County, Texas pursuant to a Qualified De Minimis Sale as contemplated by Section 3.02(c) of the Trust Agreement. Boaz Energy received $452,269 in consideration of the sale of its interest, which amount was received in the second quarter of 2022 and included in calculating the Trust’s April 2022 distributions to unitholders.

Boaz Energy informed the Trust that as of May 25, 2022, it had assigned its deep interests in certain leases located in Glasscock County, Texas pursuant to a Qualified De Minimis Sale as contemplated by Section 3.02(c) of the Trust Agreement. Boaz Energy received $638,118 in consideration of the sale of its interest, which amount was received in the second quarter of 2022 and included in calculating the Trust’s June 2022 distributions to unitholders.

As of November 14, 2023, Boaz Energy has not provided notice to the Trustee regarding a sale of any other of the Underlying Properties.

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Costs

Direct Operating Expenses

Direct operating expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year periods primarily because there were fewer projects to return marginal wells to production.

Lease Operating Expenses

Lease operating expenses increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year periods because of an increase in pricing of materials.

Severance and ad Valorem Taxes

Severance and ad valorem taxes decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year periods primarily because of lower revenues and valuations of properties resulting from decreased oil prices.

Development Expenses Related to the Underlying Properties

Development expenses related to the Underlying Properties increased for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year period as a result of upgrades on wells in Coke County and Terry County, Texas. Development expenses related to the Underlying Properties decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year period due to costs associated with drilling a well in Crane County, Texas in 2022.

Other Expenses

Other expenses increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year periods primarily due to timing of receipt of audit bills for the Trust.

Capital Reserve

As of September 30, 2023, Boaz Energy had reserved $98,157 net to the Trust for future capital expenses.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Trust’s principal sources of liquidity and capital are cash flow generated from the Net Profits Interest, the amounts held by the Trustee as cash reserves to pay future liabilities, and borrowings, if any to fund administrative expenses. The Trust’s primary uses of cash are distributions to Trust unitholders, payment of Trust administrative expenses, including, if applicable, any reserves established by the Trustee for future liabilities.

Administrative expenses include the Trustee and Delaware Trustee fees, accounting, engineering, legal, tax advisory and other professional fees, and tax reporting and distribution expenses. The Trust is also responsible for paying other expenses incurred as a result of being a publicly traded entity, including costs associated with annual, quarterly and current reports to the SEC, New York Stock Exchange listing fees, independent auditor fees and registrar and transfer agent fees. If the Trustee determines that cash on hand and cash to be received in respect of the Net Profits Interest are, or will be, insufficient to cover the Trust’s liabilities and expenses, the Trustee may cause the Trust to borrow funds to pay liabilities of the Trust.

As authorized under the Trust Agreement, the Trustee is authorized to retain cash from the distributions the Trust receives (i) in an amount not to exceed $1.0 million at any one time to be used by the Trust in the event that its cash on hand (including available cash reserves) is not sufficient to pay ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due and (ii) in such amounts as the Trustee in its discretion deems appropriate to pay for future liabilities of the Trust, but not less than $25,000 or more than $100,000 per month. Cash reserves previously retained and currently held by the Trustee for future administrative expenses total $1,000,000 as of September 30, 2022.

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Boaz Energy Capital Expenditure Budget

Boaz Energy has advised the Trustee that the estimate for Boaz Energy’s 2023 capital budget for the Underlying Properties is $4.5 million, of which approximately $3.5 million had been expended as of September 30, 2023.  Based on current oil and gas prices, Boaz anticipates continuing to participate in Crane and Glasscock counties non-operated drilling and waterflood conformance and work in Crane, Terry, Schleicher and Stonewall counties, as well as drilling one new operated well in Crane County sometime in 2023.  The majority of capital spent in 2023 to date has been on a well deepening in the Abo Area.  The $4.5 million estimate is subject to change based on, among other things, changes in the price of oil and natural gas, Boaz Energy’s actual capital requirements, the pace of regulatory approvals and the mix of projects.

Distributions Declared After Quarter End

10.Subsequent Events

On October 20, 2023, the Trust declared a cash distribution of $0.040837 per Trust unit based upon production during the month of August 2023.

   Underlying Sales Volumes Average Price 
   Oil
(Bbls)
 Gas
(Mcf)
  Oil
(per Bbl)
  Gas
(per Mcf)
 
 August  24,525  33,798  $79.44  $3.62 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2023, the Trust had no off-balance sheet arrangements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

As the Trust’s financial statements are prepared on the modified cash basis, most accounting pronouncements are not applicable to the Trust’s financial statements. No new accounting pronouncements have been adopted or issued that would impact the financial statements of the Trust.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Refer to Note 2 to the unaudited condensed financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report and the Trust’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the audited financial statements of the Trust and notes thereto included therein, for a description of the Trust’s accounting policies and use of estimates.

ITEM 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Trust is a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and is not required to provide the information required under this Item.

ITEM 4.Controls and Procedures

The Trustee conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(a) and 15d-15(a) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on this evaluation, the Trustee has concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust are effective as of September 30, 2023, that the information required to be disclosed by the Trust in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and such information is accumulated and communicated, as appropriate 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 Boaz Energy.

Due to the nature of the Trust as a passive entity and in light of the contractual arrangements pursuant to which the Trust was created, including the provisions of the Trust Agreement and the Conveyance, the Trustee’s disclosure controls and procedures related to the Trust necessarily rely on (A) information provided by Boaz Energy, including information relating to results of operations, the costs and revenues attributable to the Trust’s interests under the Conveyance and other operating and historical data, plans for future operating and capital expenditures, reserve information, information relating to projected production, and other information relating to the status and results of operations of the Underlying Properties, and (B) conclusions and reports regarding reserves by the Trust’s independent reserve engineers.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2023, there were no changes in the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trustee’s internal control over financial reporting. The Trustee notes for purposes of clarification that it has no authority over, has not evaluated and makes no statement concerning, the internal control over financial reporting of Boaz Energy.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.Legal Proceedings

On October 1, 2018, a lawsuit styled Thaleia L. Marston, Trustee of the Marston Trust v. Blackbeard Operating, LLC, et.al, No. 18-10-24761 – CVW in the 143rd District Court in Ward County, Texas (the “2018 Litigation”) was filed, naming, among others, Boaz Energy and the Trust as defendants. The plaintiff is a lessor under two leases operated by Blackbeard Operating LLC. The Underlying Properties include the interests of Boaz Energy in some of the minerals covered by those leases. The litigation sought surface use damages and alleged violations of the terms of the leases, among other things. The court had set a two-day bench trial to commence May 18, 2022, but on May 10, 2022, the court granted motions for summary judgment effectively disposing of the plaintiff’s claims. At a status conference conducted on May 12, 2022, the plaintiff confirmed the court’s rulings disposed of all the plaintiff’s claims. The court held a hearing regarding attorneys’ fees in June 2022. On May 12, 2023, the court entered its final judgment, incorporating its prior order granting the defendants’ motion for summary judgment and granting defendants’ motion for attorneys’ fees. On June 12, 2023, the plaintiff filed a notice of appeal, notifying all parties of its intent to appeal the judgment to the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso County, Texas. On October 26, 2023, the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso County, Texas granted the plaintiff-appellant’s request for an extension of time to file its appellant brief. The plaintiff-appellant has until November 24, 2023, to file its appellant brief.

ITEM 6.Exhibits.

Exhibit No.

Description

3.1Certificate of Trust of PermRock Royalty Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-224191) filed on April 6, 2018).

3.2

Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of PermRock Royalty Trust, dated May 4, 2018, among Boaz Energy II, LLC, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Delaware Trustee of PermRock Royalty Trust, and Argent Trust Company, as Trustee of PermRock Royalty Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-38472) filed on May 8, 2018).
3.3Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of PermRock Royalty Trust, dated May 4, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on form 8-K (SEC File No 001-38472) filed on May 6, 2022).
31.1Section 302 Certification.*
32.1Section 906 Certification.*

The exhibits marked with the asterisk symbol (*) are filed or furnished with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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SIGNATURE

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.

PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST
By: Argent Trust Company, as Trustee

By: /s/ Nancy Willis                  
Nancy Willis
VP Trust Administrator

Date: November 14, 2023

The registrant, PermRock Royalty Trust, has no principal executive officer, principal financial officer, board of directors or persons performing similar functions. Accordingly, no additional signatures are available, and none have been provided. In signing the report above, the Trustee does not imply that it has performed any such function or that any such function exists pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement under which it serves.

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