UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20222023

OR

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

For the transition period from                     to                     .

Hugoton Royalty Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas 1-10476 58-6379215
(State                (State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

c/o The Corporate Trustee:

Simmons BankArgent Trust Company

2911 Turtle Creek Blvd,3838 Oak Lawn Ave, Suite 8501720

Dallas, Texas 7521975219-4518

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (855) 588-7839

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if change since last report) NONE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

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

 

Title of each class Trading symbol Name of each exchange on which registered
Units of Beneficial Interest HGTXU OTCQB

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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) 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 filer    Accelerated filer   
Non-accelerated filer    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).  Yes  ☐  No  ☑

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

Outstanding as of November 1, 20222023

40,000,000


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 20222023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Glossary of Terms

   3 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   4 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

   4 

Condensed Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus at September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022

   5 

Condensed Statements of Distributable Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022

   6 

Condensed Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022

   7 

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

   8 

Item 2.

 

Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis

   1413 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures aboutAbout Market Risk

   1918 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

   1918 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

   19 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

   19 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

20

Item 5.

Other Information

   20 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

   20 

Signatures

   21 


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following are definitions of significant terms used in this Form 10-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 conveyances.

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 predominantly gas-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 costs.

3


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

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 Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless specified otherwise, all amounts included herein are presented in U.S. dollars. 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 Form 10-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 September 30, 20222023, and the distributable income and changes in trust corpus for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, have been included. Distributable income for such interim periods is not necessarily indicative of the distributable income for the full year.

4


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

 

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

 

  September 30,
2022
   December 31,
2021
   September 30,
2023
          December 31,
2022
 

ASSETS

          

Cash and short-term investments (a)

  $3,341,477   $660,000   $638,463     $2,829,458 

Interest to be received

   2,603    -    -      4,902 

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

   -    -    -      - 
  

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

 
  $3,344,080   $660,000   $638,463     $2,834,360 
  

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

 

LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS

          

Distribution payable to unitholders

  $2,344,080   $-   $-     $1,834,360 

Performance guarantee deposit (a)

   -    660,000 

Expense reserve (b)

   1,000,000    - 

Accounts payable to Simmons Bank (c)

   -    1,217,857 

Expense reserve (a)

   638,463      1,000,000 

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

   -            (1,217,857   -      - 
  

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

 
  $        3,344,080   $660,000   $638,463     $2,834,360 
  

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

 

 

(a)

As of December 31, 2021, the only cash and short-term investments held by the Trust was the performance guarantee deposit paid by XTO Energy equal to 10% of the purchase price per Section 3.02 of the purchase and sale agreement. Effective August 22, 2022, the Trustee and XTO Energy mutually agreed to terminate the purchase and sale agreement. As a result of the termination, the Trustee refunded the deposit paid by XTO Energy, together with interest.

(b)

The expense reserve allows the Trustee to pay its obligations should it be unable to pay them out of the net profits income.

(c)

As of December 31, 2021, Simmons Bank, the Trustee, had paid expenses for the Trust, subject to its rights to be indemnified and reimbursed pursuant to the terms of the Trust indenture.

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

5


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

 

Condensed Statements of Distributable Income (Unaudited)

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
     Three Months Ended
September 30
   Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
  2022   2021 2022   2021     2023   2022   2023   2022 

Net profits income

  $9,440,853   $-  $    11,644,580   $-     $                    -   $        9,440,853   $        11,467,914   $        11,644,580 

Interest income

   3,364    -   3,364    -      12,810    3,364    57,458    3,364 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total income

   9,444,217    -   11,647,944    -      12,810    9,444,217    11,525,372    11,647,944 

Administration expense

   132,309    244,124   465,728    671,798      374,347    132,309    790,389    465,728 

Cash reserves withheld (used) for Trust expenses

   347,549    -   1,000,000    -      (361,537   347,549    (361,537   1,000,000 

Change in accounts payable to Simmons Bank (increase)/decrease

   -    (244,124  1,217,857    (671,798

Change in accounts payable to the Trustee (increase)/decrease

     -    -    -    1,217,857 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Distributable income

  $    8,964,359   $-  $8,964,359   $-     $-   $8,964,359   $11,096,520   $8,964,359 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

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

  $0.224109   $    0.000000  $0.224109   $    0.000000     $-   $0.224109   $0.277413   $0.224109 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

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

6


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

 

Condensed Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus (Unaudited)

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
   Three Months Ended
September 30
   Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
  2022 2021 2022 2021   2023   2022   2023   2022 

Trust corpus, beginning of period

  $-  $(710,043 $(1,217,857 $(282,369  $                -   $-   $-   $  (1,217,857) 

Distributable income

   8,964,359   -   8,964,359   -    -    8,964,359    11,096,520    8,964,359 

Distributions declared

       (8,964,359  -       (8,964,359  -    -    (8,964,359   (11,096,520   (8,964,359

Change in accounts payable to Simmons Bank (increase)/decrease

   -   (244,124  1,217,857   (671,798

Change in accounts payable to the Trustee (increase)/decrease

   -   

 

-

 

  

 

-

 

  

 

1,217,857

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Trust corpus, end of period

  $-  $    (954,167)  $-  $    (954,167)   $-   $-   $-   $- 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

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

7


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. (“XTO Energy”), the owner of the underlying properties, to Simmons Bank,Argent Trust Company, as 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.

 

 -

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.

8


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 net profits interests was written down to its fair value of $28,801,000, resulting in an impairment of $57,306,527 charged directly to trust corpus. During the third quarter 2019, the carrying value of the net profits interests 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 a unit-of-production basis using proved reserves and is charged directly to trust corpus. Accumulated amortization was $174,078,891 as of September 30, 2019, when the net profits interests was written down to its fair value of zero.

Liquidity and Going 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. Between April 2018 and October 2020, accumulatedAccumulated excess costs for the Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming conveyances have resulted in insufficient net proceeds to the Trust versus its current and anticipated expenses and a reduction in the Trust’s expense reserve to zero. Following depletion of the expense reserve, ongoing expenses and accumulated excess costs continued to result in no net proceeds to the Trust through February 2022.reserve. These conditions raisedraise substantial doubt about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern as the Trust diddoes not have sufficient cash to meet its obligations during the one yearone-year period after the dates thatdate the financial statements wereare issued. Factors attributable to the cash shortage wereare primarily the previously disclosed development costs to drill four horizontalthree non-operated wells in Major County, Oklahoma, lower oil and natural gas prices during 2019 and 2020,2023, and excess cost positions on the Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming conveyances including accumulated interest, which have resulted in no unitholder distributions since March 2018. All conveyances have now received enough net profits income to recoup all of the excess costs in those conveyances plus the accrued interest. The net profits income received was also sufficient to reimburse Simmons Bank for the administrative expenses that it advanced after the expense reserve was depleted in October 2020 and fund the expense reserve. As of the July 2022 distribution announcement, the expense reserve has been replenished to $1,000,000. The Trustee does not currently anticipate any increase to the cash reserve in 2022. On2023. In addition, on May 18, 2021, the arbitration panel issued its second interim final award over the amount of XTO Energy’s settlement in the Chieftain class action lawsuit that can be charged to the Trust as a production cost which XTO Energy has estimated to be approximately $14.6 million net to the Trust after the arbitration panel has determined the remaining claims and issued its final award.Trust. This adjustment would likely result in the Oklahoma conveyance returning to anfurther increase excess cost position for a period of time. Excess costs on the Oklahoma conveyance would not affect net proceeds to the Trust from the Kansas or Wyoming conveyances.conveyance. The Trustee has prepared a preliminary budget estimating the administrative expenses for the year ending December 31, 2022 and the eleventwelve months ending NovemberSeptember 30, 20232024, which assumes no cash inflow from either net profits income or from other than the payments received from March 2022 through October 2022 totaling approximately $14,921,000. Based on the above assumptions, thesources. The Trustee believes thatintends to review options for the Trust would be able to meet its financial obligations for the one-year period after the financial statements are issued.

During the period of time in which the Trust received no net profits income, the Trustee reviewed the Trust’smay include alternatives to continuing as a going concern which included a potential saleor may include seeking financing to pay the Trust obligations during the one-year period after the date the financial statements are issued; however, there can be no assurance that financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. If financing became available to the Trust, it would have to be repaid, together with interest, and the Trust’s expense reserve would have to be replenished prior to any distributions to unitholders.

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 assets and/or termination of the Trust. On July 2, 2021, the Trustee announced that it had entered into a purchase and sale agreement withcash reserve. XTO Energy pursuantresponded that any indemnity claim to which XTO Energy would acquire for $6,600,000 in cash the net overriding royalty interest created pursuant to the net profits interest conveyances held byis premature before the Trust and certain other assets constituting substantially allEstate is exhausted.

The Trust’s financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of the assets of the Trust.

The consummation of the sale of the assets was subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including approval of the sale from holders of units of beneficial interest in the Trust (“Units”) holding Units representing eighty percent (80%) or more of all the Units outstanding, or a final judicial determination authorizing the Trustee to consummate the sale of the assets. The Trustee held a Special Meeting of unitholders on December 10, 2021 for the purpose of approving the sale of assets. The sale was not approved by unitholders.

Execution of the purchase and sale agreement followed a process previously announced by the Trust whereby the Trustee had engaged a third party to market the Trust’s assets.

Effective August 22, 2022, the Trustee and XTO Energy mutually agreed to terminate the purchase and sale agreement. As a result of the termination, the Trustee refunded the deposit paid by XTO Energy, together with interest.these uncertainties.

 

2.

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.

9


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 Kansas and Oklahoma income tax returns reflecting the income and deductions of the Trust attributable to properties located in each state, along with a schedule that includes information regarding distributions to unitholders. However, the Trust did not file a Kansas return for the 2021 tax year because the Trust had no revenues, income or deductions in 2021 attributable to properties located in Kansas. The Trust did not file a Kansas income tax return for the 2020 and 2019 tax years for the same reason.

Wyoming does not impose a state income tax.

The Trust may be required to bear a portion of the settlement costs arising from the Chieftain royalty class action settlement. For information on contingencies, including the Chieftain class action, see Note 3 to Condensed Financial Statements. The Panel has determined the Trust is responsible for a portion of the costs. Pending finalization of all claims included in the arbitration, XTO Energy would have the right to 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 portion of legal settlement costs for which the Trust is determined to be responsible 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 their 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 Form 10-K for a more detailed discussion of federal and state tax matters.

 

3.

Contingencies

Litigation

Royalty 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 advised the Trustee that it believes approximately $24.3 million in additional production costs should be allocated to the 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 Trust and XTO Energy conducted the interim hearing on the claims related to the Chieftain settlement on October 12-13, 2020. In the arbitration, the Trustee contended that the approximately $24.3 million allocation related to the Chieftain settlement was not a production cost and, therefore, there should not be a related adjustment to the Trust’s share of net proceeds. However, XTO Energy contended that the approximately $24.3 million was a production cost and should reduce the Trust’s share of net proceeds.

10


On January 20, 2021, the arbitration panel issued its Corrected Interim Final Award (i) “reject[ing] the Trust’s contention that XTO has no right under the Conveyance to charge the Trust with amounts XTO paid under section 1.18(a)(i) as royalty obligations to settle the Chieftain litigation” and (ii) stating “[t]he next phase will determine how much of the Chieftain settlement can be so charged, if any of it can be, in the exercise of the right found by the Panel.” Following briefing by both parties, on May 18, 2021, the Panel issued its second interim final award over the amount of XTO Energy’s settlement in the Chieftain class action lawsuit that can be charged to the Trust as a production cost. The Panel in its decision has ruled that out of the $80 million settlement, the “Trust is obligated to pay its share under the Conveyance of the $48 million that was received by the plaintiffs in the Chieftain lawsuit by virtue of the settlement of that litigation. The Trust is not obligated by the Conveyance to pay any share of the $32 million received by the lawyers for the plaintiffs in the Chieftain lawsuit by virtue of the settlement.” XTO Energy and the Trustee are in the process of determining the portion of the $48 million that is allocable to Trust properties to be charged as an excess cost to the Trust but estimate it to be approximately $14.6 million net to the Trust.

The reduction in the Trust’s share of net proceeds from the portion of the settlement amount the Panel has ruled may be charged against the Oklahoma conveyance would result in excess costs under the Oklahoma conveyance that would likely result in no distributions under the Oklahoma conveyance while these excess costs are recovered. This award completes the portion of the arbitration related to the Chieftain settlement. Excess costs on any individual conveyance would not affect net proceeds to the Trust on any of the other remaining conveyances.

Other Trustee claims related to disputed amounts on the computation of the Trust’s net proceeds for 2014 through 2019 and 2021 were bifurcated from the initial arbitration. Pursuant to the purchase and sale agreement entered into between the Trustee and XTO Energy, the parties had agreed to stayAlthough the arbitration fromisn’t terminated, the date of execution offinal hearing regarding the purchase and sale agreementremaining dispute over net proceeds, previously scheduled to the earlier of the termination of the purchase and sale agreement or closing date of the sale of assets. Effective August 22, 2022, the Trustee and XTO Energy mutually agreed to terminate the purchase and sale agreement. As a result of the termination, the stay of these arbitration proceedings betweenoccur on November 8, 2023, was cancelled. XTO Energy and the Trustee with respect to the Trust is lifted. The arbitration proceedings have recommenced and the hearing is currently scheduled for May 30-31, 2023.will provide material updates as they become available.

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 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.

 

11


4.

Excess Costs

If monthly costs exceed revenues for any of the three conveyances (one for each of the states of Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming), 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 as calculated by XTO Energy:

 

   Underlying

 

 
   KS  OK  WY  Total 
  

 

 

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 12/31/21

      $2,965,031  $12,013,867   $1,238,589  $16,217,487 

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 3/31/22

   (372,634  (8,110,921  (1,238,589  (9,722,144

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 6/30/22

   (2,331,946  (3,902,946           -           (6,234,892

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 9/30/22

   (260,451           -                    -           (260,451
  

 

 

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 9/30/22

            -                    -                    -                    -         

Accrued interest at 9/30/22

            -                    -                    -                    -         
  

 

 

 

Total remaining to be recovered at 9/30/22

      $         -          $         -           $         -          $         -         
  

 

 

 

   NPI

 

 
   KS  OK  WY  Total 
  

 

 

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 12/31/21

  $2,372,024  $9,611,095   $990,871  $12,973,990 

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 3/31/22

   (298,107  (6,488,737  (990,871  (7,777,715

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 6/30/22

   (1,865,556  (3,122,358           -           (4,987,914

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 9/30/22

   (208,361           -                    -           (208,361
  

 

 

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 9/30/22

            -                    -                    -                    -         

Accrued interest at 9/30/22

            -                    -                    -                    -         
  

 

 

 

Total remaining to be recovered at 9/30/22

      $         -          $         -           $         -          $         -         
  

 

 

 
   Underlying 
   KS   OK   WY   Total 
                     

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 12/31/22

  $      -            $         -            $       -           $         -          

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 3/31/23

          -                        -                      -                     -          

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 6/30/23

   177,356    1,146,689            -            1,324,045 

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 9/30/23

   192,368    5,662,363    803,055    6,657,786 
  

 

 

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 9/30/23

   369,724    6,809,052    803,055    7,981,831 

Accrued interest at 9/30/23

   8,033    104,544    6,420    118,997 
  

 

 

 

Total remaining to be recovered at 9/30/23

  $    377,757   $    6,913,596   $    809,475   $    8,100,828 
  

 

 

 
   NPI 
   KS   OK   WY   Total 
                     

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 12/31/22

  $         -            $         -            $        -           $         -          

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 3/31/23

      -                -                -               -          

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 6/30/23

   141,885    917,351       -            1,059,236 

Net excess costs (recovery) for the quarter ended 9/30/23

   153,894    4,529,891    642,444    5,326,229 
  

 

 

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 9/30/23

   295,779    5,447,242    642,444    6,385,465 

Accrued interest at 9/30/23

   6,427    83,635    5,136    95,198 
  

 

 

 

Total remaining to be recovered at 9/30/23

  $302,206   $5,530,877   $647,580   $6,480,663 
  

 

 

 

For the quarter ended September 30, 2022, net recoveries of2023, excess costs were $260,451$192,368 ($208,361 net to the Trust) and recoveries of accrued interest were $501,345 ($401,076153,894 net to the Trust) on properties underlying the Kansas net profits interests.

There are noFor the quarter ended September 30, 2023, excess costs were $5,662,363 ($4,529,891 net to the Trust) on properties underlying the Oklahoma net profits interests. This balance does not include the portion of the Chieftain settlement the Panel determined could be charged as a production cost. XTO Energy has estimated the amount to be approximately $14.6 million net to the Trust.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, excess costs were $803,055 ($642,444 net to the Trust) on properties underlying the Wyoming net profits interests.

Underlying cumulative excess costs balancesfor the Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming conveyances remaining for any conveyance as of September 30, 2022.2023, totaled $8.1 million ($6.5 million net to the Trust), including accrued interest of $0.1 million ($0.1 million net to the Trust).

5.

5.

Administration Expense

Administrative expenses are incurred so that the Trustee may meet its reporting obligations to the unitholders and regulatory entities and otherwise manage the administrative functions of the Trust. These obligations include, but are not limited to, all expenses, taxes, compensation to the Trustee for managing the Trust, fees to consultants, accountants, attorneys, transfer agents, other professional and expert persons, expenses for clerical and other administrative assistance, and fees and expenses for all other services.

6. Subsequent Events

Development Costs

XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that it has elected to participate in the development of a non-operated well in Major County, Oklahoma. The well was proposed by Comanche Exploration Co. LLC under a joint operating agreement. XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that development costs for the well are anticipated to be approximately $5 million underlying ($4 million net to the Trust), and that drilling has begun and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023. However, no assurances can be made as to the estimated costs or timing to complete the well.12


Trustee Resignation

On October 21, 2022, the Trustee announced that it has entered into an agreement with Argent Trust Company, a Tennessee chartered trust company (“Argent”), pursuant to which the Trustee will be resigning as trustee of the Trust and will nominate Argent as successor trustee of the Trust. The Trustee’s resignation as trustee, and Argent’s appointment as successor trustee, are subject to certain conditions set forth in the agreement, including approval by the unitholders of the Trust (or a court) of (i) Argent’s appointment as successor trustee and (ii) any amendments to the indenture of the Trust necessary to permit Argent to serve as successor trustee.

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 20212022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the condensed financial statements and notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports are available on the Trust’s website at www.hgt-hugoton.comwww.hgt-hugoton.com..

Distributable Income

Quarter

For the quarter ended September 30, 2022,2023, net profits income was $9,440,853$0 as compared to $0$9,440,853 for third quarter 20212022 primarily due to higherlower gas and oil and gas prices ($11.411.0 million), increased development costs ($5.1 million), decreased gas and oil production ($0.6 million), and increased overhead ($0.2 million), partially offset by net excess costs activity ($4.45.9 million), partially offset by decreased oil and gas production ($4.4 million), increased production expenses ($1.0 million), increased taxes, transportation and other costs ($0.7 million), increased development costs ($0.21.2 million), and increased overheaddecreased production expenses ($0.10.4 million). See “Net Profits Income” below.

After adding interest income of $3,364, increasing the expense reserve $347,549,$12,810, and deducting administration expense of $132,309,$374,347, and utilizing $361,537 of the expense reserve to pay Trust expenses, distributable income for the quarter ended September 30, 20222023, was $8,964,359,$0, or $0.224109$0.000000 per unit of beneficial interest. Administration expense for the quarter decreased $111,815increased $242,038 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, cash reserve and interest rates. For third quarter 2021,2022, distributable income was $0,$8,964,359, or $0.000000$0.224109 per unit.

Distributions to unitholders for the quarter ended September 30, 20222023, were:

 

     Record Date     

     Payment Date     Distribution
        per Unit        

July 29, 2022

August 12, 2022$        0.068699

August 31, 2022

September 15, 2022        0.096808

September 30, 2022

October 17, 2022        0.058602

$        0.224109

    Record Date      

 

Payment Date

           Distribution      
        per Unit        
 

July 31, 2023

 August 14, 2023      $0.000000   

August 31, 2023

 September 15, 2023    0.000000   

September 29, 2023

 October 16, 2023    0.000000   
    

 

 

   
    $            0.000000   
    

 

 

   

Nine Months

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022,2023, net profits income was $11,644,580$11,467,914 compared with $0$11,644,580 for the same 20212022 period primarily due to higherlower gas and oil prices ($7.8 million), decreased oil and gas pricesproduction ($24.36.3 million), increased oildevelopment costs ($6.3 million), increased production expenses ($1.41.5 million), increased taxes, transportation and other costs ($0.2 million), and decreased developmentincreased overhead costs ($1.10.1 million), partially offset by net excess costs activity ($9.1 million), increased production expenses ($2.2 million), decreased gas production ($2.1 million), increased taxes, transportation and other costs ($1.4 million), increased overhead ($0.3 million), and decreased other proceeds ($0.122.0 million). See “Net Profits Income” below.

After adding interest income of $3,364, paying off the outstanding payable to Simmons Bank of $1,217,857, establishing an expense reserve of $1,000,000,$57,458 and deducting administration expense of $465,728,$790,389 and utilizing $361,537 of the expense reserve to pay Trust expenses, distributable income for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023, was $8,964,359,$11,096,520, or $0.224109$0.277413 per unit of beneficial interest. Administration expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 decreased $206,0702023, increased $324,661 as compared to the same 20212022 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, cash reserve and interest rates. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021,2022, distributable income was $0,$8,964,359 or $0.000000$0.224109 per unit.

13


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.

14


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

 

   Three Months
Ended September 30 (a)
   Increase
(Decrease)
   Nine Months
Ended September 30 (a)
   Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2022   2021   2022   2021 

Sales Volumes

            

Gas (Mcf) (b)

            

Underlying properties

   2,457,484    2,762,949    (11%)    7,285,730    7,657,510    (5%) 

Average per day

   26,712    30,032    (11%)    26,688    28,049    (5%) 

Net profits interests

   1,064,656    -    -    1,433,170    -    - 

Oil (Bbls) (b)

            

Underlying properties

   51,005    80,514    (37%)    200,002    179,269    12% 

Average per day

   554    875    (37%)    733    657    12% 

Net profits interests

   25,397    -    -    29,129    -    - 

Average Sales Prices

            

Gas (per Mcf)

   $    7.73    $  3.82    102%    $  6.93    $  3.61    92% 

Oil (per Bbl)

   $104.54    $62.18    68%    $83.09    $55.61    49% 

Revenues

            

Gas sales

  $18,995,538   $10,553,160    80%   $50,474,576   $27,611,443    83% 

Oil sales

   5,332,099    5,006,440    7%    16,618,651    9,968,732    67% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Revenues

   24,327,637    15,559,600    56%    67,093,227    37,580,175    79% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Costs

            

Taxes, transportation and other

   3,636,208    2,724,804    33%    9,370,157    7,655,683    22% 

Production expense

   4,738,010    3,452,989    37%    12,711,259    10,006,271    27% 

Development costs

   239,373    39,707    503%    1,419,416    2,755,774    (48%) 

Overhead

   3,151,184    3,050,109    3%    9,502,285    9,085,356    5% 

Excess costs (c)

   761,796    6,299,933    (88%)    19,534,417    8,174,040    139% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Costs

   12,526,571    15,567,542    (20%)    52,537,534    37,677,124    39% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Other Proceeds

   -    7,942    -    32    96,949    (100%) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net Proceeds

   11,801,066    -    -    14,555,725    -    - 

Net Profits Percentage

   80%    80%      80%    80%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net Profits Income

  $9,440,853   $-    -   $11,644,580   $-    - 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   
     Three Months     Nine Months    
    Ended September 30 (a)  Increase  Ended September 30 (a)  Increase 
    2023  2022  (Decrease)  2023  2022  (Decrease) 
 

Sales Volumes

           
 

Gas (Mcf) (b)

           
 

Underlying properties

   2,313,603    2,457,484    (6%)   6,931,971    7,285,730    (5%) 
 

Average per day

   25,148    26,712    (6%)   25,392    26,688    (5%) 
 

Net profits interests

   -    1,064,656    (100%)   990,526    1,433,170    (31%) 
            
 

Oil (Bbls) (b)

           
 

Underlying properties

   45,936    51,005    (10%)   121,555    200,002    (39%) 
 

Average per day

   499    554    (10%)   445    733    (39%) 
 

Net profits interests

   -    25,397    (100%)   11,205    29,129    (62%) 
            
 

Average Sales Prices

           
 

Gas (per Mcf)

   $  2.80    $ 7.73    (64%)   $  5.82    $  6.93    (16%) 
 

Oil (per Bbl)

   $72.10    $104.54    (31%)   $74.86    $83.09    (10%) 
            
 

Revenues

           
 

Gas sales

   $6,468,254    $18,995,538    (66%)   $40,360,597    $50,474,576    (20%) 
 

Oil sales

   3,311,987    5,332,099    (38%)   9,099,957    16,618,651    (45%) 
   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  
 

Total Revenues

   9,780,241    24,327,637    (60%)   49,460,554    67,093,227    (26%) 
   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  
            
 

Costs

           
 

Taxes, transportation and other

   2,081,264    3,636,208    (43%)   9,650,454    9,370,157    3% 
 

Production expense

   4,299,551    4,738,010    (9%)   14,549,105    12,711,259    14% 
 

Development costs

   6,695,562    239,373    2697%   9,254,699    1,419,416    552% 
 

Overhead

   3,361,650    3,151,184    7%   9,652,052    9,502,285    2% 
 

Excess costs (c)

   (6,657,786)    761,796    (974%)   (7,980,648)    19,534,417    (141%) 
   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  
 

Total Costs

   9,780,241    12,526,571    (22%)   35,125,662    52,537,534    (33%) 
   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  
            
 

Other Proceeds

   -    -    -   -    32    (100%) 
   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  
            
 

Net Proceeds

   -    11,801,066    (100%)   14,334,892    14,555,725    (2%) 
            
 

Net Profits Percentage

   80%    80%     80%    80%   
   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  
            
 

Net Profits Income

   $               -    $ 9,440,853    (100%)   $11,467,914    $11,644,580    (2%) 
   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

(a)

Because of the two-month interval between time of production and receipt of net profits income by the Trust, (1) gas and oil sales for the quarter ended September 30 generally represent production for the period May through July and (2) gas and oil sales for the nine months ended September 30 generally represent production for the period November through July.

 

(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 4 to Condensed Financial Statements.

15


The following are explanations of significant variances on the underlying properties from third quarter 20212022 to third quarter 20222023 and from the first nine months of 20212022 to the comparable period in 2022:2023:

Sales Volumes

Gas

Gas sales volumes decreased 11%6 percent for third quarter and 5 percent for the nine-month period as compared with the same 2022 periods primarily because of natural production decline and timing of cash receipts. Gas

Oil

Oil sales volumes decreased 5%10 percent for third quarter and 39 percent for the nine-month period as compared with the same 2021 periods primarily because of natural production decline, partially offset by timing of cash receipts, and decreased downtime.

Oil

Oil sales volumes decreased 37% for third quarter primarily because of timing of cash receipts, and natural production decline. Oil sales volumes increased 12% for the nine-month period as compared with the same 20212022 periods primarily because of timing of cash receipts and decreased downtime, partially offset by natural production decline.

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

Sales Prices

Gas

The third quarter 2023 average gas price was $2.80 per Mcf, a 64 percent decrease from the third quarter 2022 average gas price wasof $7.73 per Mcf, up 102% from the third quarter 2021 average gas price of $3.82 per Mcf. For the nine-month period, the average gas price increased 92%decreased 16 percent to $5.82 per Mcf in 2023 from $6.93 per Mcf in 2022 from $3.61 per Mcf in 2021.2022.

Oil

The third quarter 2023 average oil price was $72.10 per Bbl, a 31 percent decrease from the third quarter 2022 average oil price wasof $104.54 per Bbl, up 68% from the third quarter 2021Bbl. The year-to-date average oil price of $62.18decreased 10 percent to $74.86 per Bbl. For the nine-month period, the average oil price increased 49% toBbl in 2023 from $83.09 per Bbl in 2022 from $55.61 per Bbl in 2021.2022.

Costs

Taxes, Transportation and Other

Taxes, transportation and other costs increased 33%decreased 43 percent for the third quarter primarily because of decreased production and 22%gas deductions due to lower revenues. Taxes, transportation and other costs increased 3 percent for the nine-month period primarily because of increased gas production and property taxes and gas deductions, partially offset by receiptdue to the absence of Oklahoma production tax refunds.

Production Expense

Production expense increased 37%decreased 9 percent for the third quarter primarily because of decreased plug and 27%abandonment expense, repairs and maintenance, and measurement costs, partially offset by increased pipeline costs. Production expense increased 14 percent for the nine-month period primarily because of increased repairs and maintenance, labor, and plug and abandonment expense,pipeline costs, partially offset by decreased labor costs,power and timing of the annual Oklahoma Senate Bill 168 fee.fuel costs.

16


Development Costs

Development costs increased 503%$6.5 million for the third quarter primarily due to equipment purchases in Wyoming. Development costs decreased 48%and $7.8 million for the nine-month period primarily because of timing ofincreased drilling costs related to non-operated wells. Changes in oil or natural gas prices could impact future development plans on the underlying properties.

As previously disclosed, XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that it has elected to participate in the development of athree non-operated wellwells in Major County, Oklahoma. TheTwo of the wells were completed in second quarter of 2023 and one well was proposed by Comanche Exploration Co. LLC under a joint operating agreement. XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that development costs for the well are anticipated to be approximately $5 million underlying ($4 million net to the Trust), and that drilling has begun and is expected to be completed in the firstfourth quarter of 2023. XTO Energy advised the Trustee that the total development costs for the three non-operated wells was anticipated to be approximately $9 million underlying ($7 million net to the Trust). No assurances can be made as to the estimated costs orof the non-operated wells, timing to complete the well.third well, or timing of receipt of costs for drilling the wells.

Overhead

Overhead increased 3%7 percent for the third quarter and 5%2 percent for the nine-month period. Overhead is charged by XTO Energy and other operators for administrative expenses incurred to support operations of the underlying properties. Overhead fluctuates based on changes in the active well count and drilling activity on 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. There are noUnderlying cumulative excess costs balancesfor the Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming conveyances remaining for any conveyance as of September 30, 2022.2023, totaled $8.1 million ($6.5 million net to Trust), including accrued interest of $0.1 million ($0.1 million net to Trust). For further information on excess costs, see Note 4 to Condensed Financial Statements.

Contingencies

For information on contingencies, see Note 3 to Condensed Financial Statements.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information included in this quarterly report and other materials filed, or to be filed, by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by XTO Energy or the Trustee) contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the Trust, operations of the underlying properties and the oil and gas industry. Such forward-looking statements may concern, among other things, potential asset sales or terminationexcess costs, continuation of the Trust excess costs,as a going-concern, or alternatives to a going-concern, reserve-to-production ratios, future production, development activities and associated operating expenses, future development plans by area, increased density drilling, maintenance projects, development, production, regulatory and other costs, oil and gas prices and expectations for future demand, the impact of inflation and economic downturns on economic activity, government policy and its impact on oil and gas prices and future demand, the development and competitiveness of alternative energy sources, pricing differentials, proved reserves, future net cash flows, production levels, expense reserve budgets, availability of financing, arbitration, litigation, liquidity, financing, political and regulatory matters, such as tax and environmental policy, climate policy, trade barriers, sanctions, competition, war and other political or security disturbances. Such forward-looking statements are based on XTO Energy’s and the Trustee’s current plans, expectations, assumptions, projections and estimates and are identified by words such as “may,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “should,” “could,” “would,” and similar words that convey the uncertainty of future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including those detailed in Part I, Item 1A of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021,2022, which is incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. Therefore, actual financial and operational results may differ materially from expectations, estimates or assumptions expressed in, implied in, or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. XTO Energy and the Trustee assume no duty to update these statements as of any future date.

17


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures aboutAbout Market Risk

Not applicable. Upon qualifying as a smaller reporting company, this information is no longer required.

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 Rules 13a-15 and 15d-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.

18


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Royalty 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 advised the Trustee that it believes approximately $24.3 million in additional production costs should be allocated to the 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 Trust and XTO Energy conducted the interim hearing on the claims related to the Chieftain settlement on October 12-13, 2020. In the arbitration, the Trustee contended that the approximately $24.3 million allocation related to the Chieftain settlement was not a production cost and, therefore, there should not be a related adjustment to the Trust’s share of net proceeds. However, XTO Energy contended that the approximately $24.3 million was a production cost and should reduce the Trust’s share of net proceeds.

On January 20, 2021, the arbitration panel issued its Corrected Interim Final Award (i) “reject[ing] the Trust’s contention that XTO has no right under the Conveyance to charge the Trust with amounts XTO paid under section 1.18(a)(i) as royalty obligations to settle the Chieftain litigation” and (ii) stating “[t]he next phase will determine how much of the Chieftain settlement can be so charged, if any of it can be, in the exercise of the right found by the Panel.” Following briefing by both parties, on May 18, 2021, the Panel issued its second interim final award over the amount of XTO Energy’s settlement in the Chieftain class action lawsuit that can be charged to the Trust as a production cost. The Panel in its decision has ruled that out of the $80 million settlement, the “Trust is obligated to pay its share under the Conveyance of the $48 million that was received by the plaintiffs in the Chieftain lawsuit by virtue of the settlement of that litigation. The Trust is not obligated by the Conveyance to pay any share of the $32 million received by the lawyers for the plaintiffs in the Chieftain lawsuit by virtue of the settlement.” XTO Energy and the Trustee are in the process of determining the portion of the $48 million that is allocable to Trust properties to be charged as an excess cost to the Trust but estimate it to be approximately $14.6 million net to the Trust.

The reduction in the Trust’s share of net proceeds from the portion of the settlement amount the Panel has ruled may be charged against the Oklahoma conveyance would result in excess costs under the Oklahoma conveyance that would likely result in no distributions under the Oklahoma conveyance while these excess costs are recovered. This award completes the portion of the arbitration related to the Chieftain settlement. Excess costs on any individual conveyance would not affect net proceeds to the Trust on any of the other remaining conveyances.

Other Trustee claims related to disputed amounts on the computation of the Trust’s net proceeds for 2014 through 2019 and 2021 were bifurcated from the initial arbitration and will be heard at a later date, which is still to be determined shouldarbitration. Although the arbitration proceed. Pursuantisn’t terminated, the final hearing regarding the remaining dispute over net proceeds, previously scheduled to the purchase and sale agreement entered into between the Trustee and XTO Energy, the parties had agreed to stay the arbitration from the date of execution of the purchase and sale agreement to the earlier of the termination of the purchase and sale agreement or closing date of the sale of assets. Effective August 22, 2022, the Trustee and XTO Energy mutually agreed to terminate the purchase and sale agreement. As a result of the termination, the stay of these arbitration proceedings betweenoccur on November 8, 2023, was cancelled. XTO Energy and the Trustee with respect towill provide material updates as they become available.

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 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, is lifted. The arbitration proceedingsbut may have recommenced and the hearing is currently scheduled for May 30-31, 2023.an effect on annual distributable income.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

ThereExcept as set forth below, there have been no material changes in the risk factors disclosed under Part I, Item 1A of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.2022.

The Trust may not have sufficient cash to meet its obligations during the one-year period after the date that the financial statements are issued and may choose or be required to take other actions to satisfy its obligations by seeking additional financing, which may not be successful.

All three of the Trust’s conveyances are in excess costs resulting in no net proceeds to the Trust and a reduction of the Trust’s expense reserve, which have resulted in no unitholder distributions since July 2023. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern as the Trust does not have sufficient cash to meet its obligations during the one-year period after the date the financial statements are issued. The Trust’s financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. There are no assurances that the Trust will receive net profits income sufficient to pay its obligations during the one-year period after the date the financial statements are issued, and as a result, may choose or be required to seek additional financing or alternatives to the Trust continuing as a going concern. If the Trust is unable to continue as a going concern, unitholders could incur significant losses on their investment in the Trust or lose their entire investment in the Trust altogether. For further information see Notes to Condensed Financial Statements – 1. Basis of Accounting – Liquidity and Going Concern.

Item 5. Other Information

The Trust does not have any directors or officers, and as a result, no such persons adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

Item 6. Exhibits

(4)

Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Royalty Trust Indenture, dated March 24, 1999, of Hugoton Royalty Trust heretofore filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2023 (incorporated herein by reference)

 

 (31)

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification

 

 (32)

Section 1350 Certification

 

 (99)

Items 1A, 7 and 7A to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for Hugoton Royalty Trust filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 20222023 (incorporated herein by reference)

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SIGNATURES

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

 

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

By ARGENT TRUST COMPANY, TRUSTEE

By

/s/ NANCY WILLIS

Nancy Willis
Vice President

 

EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION

Date: November 13, 2023 

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

By SIMMONS BANK, TRUSTEE

/s/ WENDI POWELL

  

By

Wendi Powell
 /S/ NANCY WILLIS
 Nancy Willis

Vice President

Upstream Controller

(The Trust has no directors or executive officers.)

EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION

Date: November 14, 2022

By

/S/ DAVID LEVY
David Levy
Vice President - Upstream Business Services

 

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