e10vq
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
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Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2008
or
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Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission
File No. 1-8032
SAN JUAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in the
Amended and Restated San Juan Basin Royalty Trust Indenture)
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Texas
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
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75-6279898
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
Compass Bank
2525 Ridgmar Boulevard, Suite 100
Fort Worth, Texas 76116
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(866) 809-4553
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large
accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer þ
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer o
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes o No þ
Number of Units of beneficial interest outstanding at May 12, 2008: 46,608,796
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAN JUAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
The condensed financial statements included herein have been prepared without audit, pursuant
to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In accordance with
Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 47, released September 16, 1982,
the financial statements of the San Juan Basin Royalty Trust (the Trust) continue to be prepared
in a manner that differs from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of
America (GAAP); this form of presentation is customary to other royalty trusts. Certain
information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been
condensed or omitted pursuant to Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Nonetheless, Compass Bank, the Trustee of the Trust, 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 Trusts Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
In the opinion of the Trustee, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments,
have been included that are necessary to fairly present the assets, liabilities and trust corpus of
the Trust at March 31, 2008 and the distributable income and changes in trust corpus for the
three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. The distributable income for such interim
periods is not necessarily indicative of the distributable income for the full year.
2
SAN JUAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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(Unaudited) |
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ASSETS |
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Cash and short-term investments |
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$ |
3,873,014 |
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$ |
9,042,528 |
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Net overriding royalty interest in producing
oil and gas properties (net of accumulated
amortization of $113,837,466 and $113,394,640
at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively) |
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19,438,062 |
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19,880,888 |
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$ |
23,311,076 |
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$ |
28,923,416 |
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LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS |
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Distribution payable to Unit Holders |
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$ |
3,758,156 |
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$ |
8,927,670 |
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Cash reserves |
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114,858 |
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114,858 |
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Trust corpus - 46,608,796 Units of beneficial
interest authorized and outstanding |
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19,438,062 |
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19,880,888 |
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$ |
23,311,076 |
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$ |
28,923,416 |
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CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Royalty income |
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$ |
25,576,418 |
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$ |
23,948,749 |
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Interest income |
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164,379 |
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624,781 |
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25,740,797 |
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24,573,530 |
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General and administrative expenditures |
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610,074 |
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565,648 |
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Distributable income |
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$ |
25,130,723 |
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$ |
24,007,882 |
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Distributable income per Unit (46,608,796 Units) |
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$ |
0.539184 |
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$ |
0.515094 |
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The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
3
SAN JUAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS (UNAUDITED)
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Trust corpus, beginning of period |
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$ |
19,880,888 |
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$ |
21,823,390 |
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Amortization of net overriding royalty interest |
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(442,826 |
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(374,714 |
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Distributable income |
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25,130,723 |
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24,007,882 |
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Distributions declared |
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(25,130,723 |
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(24,007,882 |
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Total corpus, end of period |
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$ |
19,438,062 |
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$ |
21,448,676 |
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The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
4
SAN JUAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
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The San Juan Basin Royalty Trust (the Trust) was established as of November 1, 1980. The
financial statements of the Trust are prepared on the following basis: |
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Royalty income recorded for a month is the amount computed and paid with respect to
the Trusts 75% net overriding royalty interest (the Royalty) in certain oil and gas
leasehold and royalty interests (the Underlying Properties) by Burlington Resources
Oil & Gas Company LP (BROG), the present owner of the Underlying Properties, to the
Trustee for the Trust. Royalty income consists of the proceeds received by BROG from
the sale of production from the Underlying Properties less accrued production costs,
development and drilling costs, applicable taxes, operating charges, and other costs
and deductions, multiplied by 75%. The calculation of net proceeds by BROG for any
month includes adjustments to proceeds and costs for prior months and impacts the
Royalty income paid to the Trust and the distribution to Unit Holders for that month. |
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Trust expenses recorded are based on liabilities paid and cash reserves established
from Royalty income for liabilities and contingencies. |
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Distributions to Unit Holders are recorded when declared by the Trustee. |
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The conveyance which transferred the Royalty to the Trust provides that any excess
of development and production costs applicable to the Underlying Properties over gross
proceeds from such properties must be recovered from future net proceeds before Royalty
income is again paid to the Trust. |
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The financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in
accordance with GAAP because revenues are not accrued in the month of production; certain
cash reserves may be established for contingencies which would not be accrued in financial
statements prepared in accordance with GAAP; expenses are recorded when paid instead of when
incurred; and amortization of the Royalty calculated on a unit-of-production basis is
charged directly to the Trust corpus instead of as an expense. The basis of accounting used
by the Trust is widely used by royalty trusts for financial reporting purposes. |
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For federal income tax purposes, the Trust constitutes a fixed investment trust which is
taxed as a grantor trust. A grantor trust is not subject to tax at the trust level. The
Unit Holders are considered to own the Trusts 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
Unit Holder at the time such income is received or accrued by the Trust rather than when
distributed by the Trust. |
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Additionally, the Trust is a widely held fixed investment trust (WHFIT) classified as a
non-mortgage widely held fixed investment trust (NMWHFIT) for federal income tax purposes.
The Trustee is the representative of the Trust that will provide tax information in
accordance with the applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations governing the information reporting
requirements of the Trust as a WHFIT and a NMWHFIT. |
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The Royalty constitutes an economic interest in oil and gas properties for federal income
tax purposes. Unit Holders must report their share of the revenues of the Trust as ordinary
income from oil and gas royalties and are entitled to claim depletion with respect to such
income. The Royalty is treated as a single property for depletion purposes. The Trust has
on file technical advice memoranda confirming such tax treatment. |
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Sales of gas production from certain coal seam wells drilled prior to January 1, 1993
qualified for federal income tax credits under Section 29 (now Section 45K) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended, the Code) through 2002, but not thereafter.
Accordingly, under present law, the Trusts production and sale of gas from coal seam wells
does not qualify for tax credit under Section 45K of the Code (the Section 45K Tax
Credit). Congress has at various times since 2002 considered energy legislation, including
provisions to reinstate the Section 45K Tax Credit in various ways and to various extents,
but no legislation that would qualify the Trusts current production for such credit has
been enacted. For example, on August 8, 2005, new energy tax legislation was enacted which,
among other things, modified the Section 45K Tax Credit in several respects, but did not
extend the credit for production from coal seam wells. No prediction can be made as to what
future tax legislation affecting Section 45K of the Code may be proposed or enacted or, if
enacted, its impact on the Trust and the Unit Holders. |
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The classification of the Trusts income for purposes of the passive loss rules may be
important to a Unit Holder. As a result of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Royalty income such
as that derived through the Trust will generally be treated as portfolio income and will not
be subject to reduction by a Unit Holders passive losses. |
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See Part II, Item 1 Legal Proceedings, concerning the status of litigation matters. |
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SETTLEMENTS AND LITIGATION |
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During the first quarter of 2008, as a result of the ongoing
joint interest audit process, BROG paid $128,827 to the Trust as
interest on the late payment of gross proceeds. During the first
quarter of 2007, as part of the negotiations between the Trust and
BROG concerning a number of revenue and expense items, an aggregate
of $768,069 was
included in calculating net proceeds paid to the Trust. |
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On March 14, 2008, BROG notified the Trust that the distribution for March would be reduced
by $4,921,578, an amount described in the notice as the Trusts portion of what BROG had
paid to settle a legal matter. On March 16, 2008, following inquiry from the Trust, BROG
reported that on August 15, 2007 it reached an agreement settling all claims asserted by the
United States of America, acting through the Department of Justice and the United States
Department of the Interior, itself acting through the Minerals Management Service and the
Bureau of Indian Affairs on behalf of itself and on behalf of various individual Native
American mineral owners, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, the
Southern Ute Tribe, and the Ute |
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Mountain Ute Tribe in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas,
captioned United States of America ex rel. Harrold E. (Gene) Wright v. AGIP Petroleum
Co. et al., Civil Action No. 5:03CV264 (formerly 9:98-CV-30) (E.D. Tex.). BROG, on
behalf of itself and the Trust, paid $105,304,226 to settle claims for underpayment of
royalty alleged to be owed on natural gas production, including production from properties
burdened by the Trust, for production periods between March 1, 1988 and March 31, 2005. |
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BROG determined that the portion of that settlement allocable to the Trust was $6,078,917 in
principal, together with $486,187 of interest, totaling $6,562,104. That amount was offset
against the revenues used in calculating net profits for the month of March and the royalty
distribution was calculated based on the Trusts 75% net overriding royalty interest which
resulted in the $4,921,578 reduction in the March distribution. BROG indicated that the
portion allocated to the Trust was determined by it based upon a comparison of the
properties burdened by the Trust in proportion to all of the properties associated with the
litigation settlement. The Trusts consultants will analyze the settlement and audit the
calculation of the amount determined by BROG to be allocable to the Trust. |
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On April 28, 2008, the Trust filed a suit against BROG relating to the Arbitration Award in
its favor issued in November, 2005, in the amount of $7,683,699. The litigation is styled
San Juan Basin Royalty Trust vs. Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company, L.P., No.
D1329-CV-08-751, in the District Court of Sandoval County, New Mexico, 13th Judicial
District. The Trust alleges breach of contract and breach of the covenant of good faith and
fair dealing and seeks a judgment for damages in the amount of $5,025,000, plus interest and
punitive damages. The purpose of the arbitration was to resolve certain joint interest
audit issues. The arbitrator ruled in favor of the Trust on all five of the issues
submitted to arbitration. BROG filed suit in Harris County, Texas alleging that the award
should be modified or vacated, and seeking to recover its attorneys fees. The trial court
denied BROGs motion to vacate, granted the Trusts application to confirm and rendered a
final judgment in favor of the Trust. BROG paid the award as it related to four of the five
issues and appealed the award as to the fifth. In August, 2007 the appellate court reversed
the judgment of the trial court and vacated the award as it related to the unpaid balance.
The appellate court also remanded the case to the District Court, where BROG has indicated
it will again pursue its claim for attorneys fees and costs. With respect to that fifth
issue, the Trust had asked for damages based on either of two alternative claims. The
appellate court ruled that the alternative claim selected by the arbitrator in awarding the
Trust approximately $5,000,000 was not technically included within the scope of what the
parties intended to submit to arbitration. The appellate court did not rule on whether or
not the arbitrator properly decided the fifth issue in favor of the Trust. The litigation
filed in New Mexico seeks recovery on the claim which had been resolved in favor of the
Trust by the arbitrator. |
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Item 2. Trustees Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains, 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 the
Trust) may contain or include, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such
forward-looking statements may be or may concern, among other things, capital expenditures,
drilling activity, development activities, production efforts and volumes, hydrocarbon prices,
estimated future net revenues, estimates of reserves, the results of the Trusts activities, and
regulatory matters. 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. Such statements reflect the current view of Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP
(BROG) with respect to future events; are based on an assessment of, and are subject to, a
variety of factors deemed relevant by the Trustee and BROG; and involve risks and uncertainties.
These risks and uncertainties include volatility of oil and gas prices, product supply and demand,
competition, regulation or government action, litigation and uncertainties about estimates of
reserves. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, actual results may vary
materially and adversely from those anticipated.
Business Overview
The Trust is an express trust created under the laws of the state of Texas by the San Juan
Basin Royalty Trust Indenture (the Original Indenture) entered into on November 3, 1980 between
Southland Royalty Company (Southland Royalty) and The Fort Worth National Bank. Effective as of
September 30, 2002, the Original Indenture was amended and restated (the Original Indenture, as
amended and restated, the Indenture). The Trustee of the Trust is Compass Bank (as a result of
the merger discussed below).
On October 23, 1980, the stockholders of Southland Royalty approved and authorized that
companys conveyance of a 75% net overriding royalty interest (equivalent to a net profits
interest) to the Trust for the benefit of the stockholders of Southland Royalty of record at the
close of business on the date of the conveyance (the Royalty) carved out of that companys oil
and gas leasehold and royalty interests (the Underlying Properties) in properties located in the
San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico. Pursuant to the Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance (the
Conveyance) the Royalty was transferred to the Trust on November 3, 1980 effective as to
production from and after November 1, 1980 at 7:00 A.M.
On March 24, 2006, Compass Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Compass Bank, completed its
acquisition of TexasBanc Holding Co., the parent company of TexasBank, the prior trustee of the
Trust. On that same date, TexasBank merged with Compass Bank and, as a result, Compass Bank
succeeded TexasBank as Trustee under the terms of the Indenture.
On September 7, 2007, Compass Bancshares, Inc. was acquired by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria
(BBVA) and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of BBVA.
The Royalty constitutes the principal asset of the Trust and the beneficial interests in the
Trust are divided into that number of Units of Beneficial Interest (the Units) of the Trust equal
to the number of shares of the common stock of Southland Royalty outstanding as of the close of
business on November 3,
8
1980. Holders of Units are referred to herein as Unit Holders. Subsequent to the
Conveyance of the Royalty, through a series of assignments and mergers, Southland Royaltys
successor became BROG. On March 31, 2006, a subsidiary of ConocoPhillips completed its acquisition
of Burlington Resources, Inc., BROGs parent. As a result, ConocoPhillips became the parent of
Burlington Resources, Inc., which in turn is the parent of BROG.
The function of the Trustee is to collect the income attributable to the Royalty, pay all
expenses and charges of the Trust, and distribute the remaining available income to the Unit
Holders. The Trust is not empowered to carry on any business activity and has no employees. All
administrative functions are performed by the Trustee.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
The Trust received Royalty income of $25,576,418 and interest income of $164,379 during the
first quarter of 2008. There was no change in cash reserves. After deducting administrative
expenses of $610,074, distributable income for the quarter was $25,130,723 ($0.539184 per Unit).
In the first quarter of 2007, Royalty income was $23,948,749, interest income was $624,781, there
was no change in cash reserves, administrative expenses were $565,648, and distributable income was
$24,007,882 ($0.515094 per Unit). Based on 46,608,796 Units outstanding, the per-Unit
distributions during the first quarter of 2008 were as follows:
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January |
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$ |
0.222595 |
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February |
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0.235957 |
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March |
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0.080632 |
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Quarter Total |
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$ |
0 .539184 |
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The Royalty income distributed in the first quarter of 2008 was higher than that distributed
in the first quarter of 2007. The average gas price increased from $6.04 per Mcf for the first
quarter of 2007 to $6.97 per Mcf for the first quarter of 2008. However, gas volumes decreased in
the quarter ended March 31, 2008 as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2007. BROG has
informed the Trust that the decrease in reported volumes was due primarily to unplanned down-time
at a plant operated by a third party, poor weather conditions that hampered its ability to monitor
and keep wells online, and, in part, to the natural production decline curve. Production and
development costs for the first quarter of 2008 were approximately $2.9 million lower than those
for the first quarter of 2007, principally as a result of reduced capital expenditures. Interest
income was lower for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 as compared to the quarter ended March 31,
2007, primarily due to additional interest BROG paid to the Trust in January and February of 2007
as a result of the granting of certain audit exceptions. Administrative expenses were higher in
2008 primarily as a result of differences in timing in the receipt and payment of these expenses
and of costs relating to the special meeting of Unit holders held in December 2007.
The capital costs attributable to the Underlying Properties for the first quarter of 2008 and
deducted by BROG in calculating Royalty income were approximately $6.2 million. BROG has informed
the Trust that it has revised the 2008 budget for capital expenditures for the Underlying
Properties to $24.4 million, an increase from the $18.3 million that was previously disclosed in
the Trusts press release dated February 19, 2008. Approximately 35% of the planned expenditures
will be on Fruitland Coal formation projects with the remainder to be spent on conventional
projects. In addition, BROG estimates that during 2008 it will incur capital expenses in the
amount of approximately $5 million attributable to the capital budgets for 2007 and prior years.
BROG reports that based on its actual capital requirements, the pace of regulatory approvals, the
mix of projects and swings in the price of natural gas, the actual capital expenditures for 2008
could range from $15 million to $50 million.
9
BROG anticipates 361 projects in 2008 at an aggregate cost of $24.4 million. Approximately
$19.7 million of that budget is allocable to 70 new wells, including 37 wells scheduled to be
dually completed in the Mesaverde and Dakota formations at an aggregate projected cost of
approximately $9.4 million, and four wells to be completed to the Dakota formation at an aggregate
cost of approximately $2.3 million. BROG indicates that 16 of the new wells, at an aggregate cost
of approximately $7.3 million, are projected to be drilled to formations producing coal seam gas.
BROG also mentioned that the possible implementation of new rules restricting the use of open
reserve pits could reduce the number of projects due to increased compliance costs. Of the $5
million attributable to the budgets for prior years, approximately $2 million is allocable to new
wells to be operated by BROG, an estimated $1 million is allocable to new wells to be operated by
others, and the $2 million balance will be applied to miscellaneous capital projects such as
workovers and operated facility projects.
BROG has informed the Trust that lease operating expenses and property taxes were $8,083,988
and $245,295, respectively, for the first quarter of 2008, as compared to $6,414,898 and $322,178,
respectively, for the first quarter of 2007. BROG reports that lease operating expenses were
higher in the first quarter of 2008 compared to first quarter of 2007 primarily due to continued
increases in the cost of contract services and materials, as demand for these items continues to
increase. New drilling results in annual increases in salt water disposal and compression costs
and, additionally, the overhead rate determined by the Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies
(COPAS) is adjusted annually. The COPAS overhead rate used for the first quarter of 2008 was
6.4%, whereas the rate used for the first quarter of 2007 was 5.1%.
BROG has reported to the Trustee that during the first quarter of 2008, three gross (2.56 net)
coal seam wells and 23 gross (0.41 net) conventional wells were completed on the Underlying
Properties. Four gross (1.44 net) coal seam wells and 21 gross (1.42 net) conventional wells were
in progress at March 31, 2008.
There were 15 gross (9.31 net) coal seam wells and ten gross (6.02 net) conventional wells
completed on the Underlying Properties as of March 31, 2007. Two gross (0.82 net) coal seam wells,
one gross (.64 net) coal seam payadd, one gross (0.34 net) coal seam recompletion, 11 gross (5.83
net) conventional wells, 16 gross (10.20 net) payadds, seven gross (1.15 net) recompletions, and 34
gross (21.55 net) restimulations were in progress at March 31, 2007.
There were 3,823 gross (1,111 net) producing wells being operated subject to the Royalty as of
December 31, 2007, calculated on a well bore basis and not including multiple completions as
separate wells. Unit Holders will be provided a copy of the current well list upon written request
to the Trustee.
Gross acres or wells, for purposes of this discussion, means the entire ownership interest
of all parties in such properties, and BROGs interest therein is referred to as the net acres or
wells. A payadd is the completion of an additional productive interval in an existing completed
zone in a well.
10
Royalty income for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 is associated with actual gas and oil
production during November 2007 through January 2008 from the Underlying Properties. Gas and oil
sales from the Underlying Properties for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were as
follows:
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
Gas: |
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Total sales (Mcf) |
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8,559,117 |
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8,943,584 |
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Mcf per day |
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93,033 |
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97,213 |
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Average price (per Mcf) |
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$ |
6.97 |
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$ |
6.04 |
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Oil: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total sales (Bbls) |
|
|
12,698 |
|
|
|
18,382 |
|
Bbls per day |
|
|
138 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
Average price (per Bbl) |
|
$ |
88.58 |
|
|
$ |
54.76 |
|
Gas and oil sales attributable to the Royalty for the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
March 31 |
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
Gas sales (Mcf) |
|
|
4,723,823 |
|
|
|
4,278,905 |
|
Oil sales (Bbls) |
|
|
6,922 |
|
|
|
8,908 |
|
Sales volumes attributable to the Royalty are determined by dividing the net profits received
by the Trust and attributable to oil and gas, respectively, by the prices received for sales
volumes from the Underlying Properties, taking into consideration production taxes attributable to
the Underlying Properties. Since the oil and gas sales attributable to the Royalty are based on an
allocation formula that is dependent on such factors as price and cost, including capital
expenditures, the aggregate production volumes from the Underlying Properties may not provide a
meaningful comparison to volumes attributable to the Royalty.
During the first quarter of 2008, average gas prices were $0.93 per Mcf higher than the
average prices reported during the first quarter of 2007. The average price per barrel of oil
during the first quarter of 2008 was $33.82 per barrel higher than that received for the first
quarter of 2007 due to increases in oil prices in world markets generally, including the posted
prices applicable to oil sales attributable to the Royalty.
BROG previously entered into two contracts for the sale of all volumes of gas produced from
the Underlying Properties. These contracts provided for (i) the sale of such gas to Duke Energy
and Marketing, L.L.C. and PNM Gas Services (PNM), respectively, (ii) the delivery of such gas at
various delivery points through March 31, 2005 and from year-to-year thereafter, until terminated
by either party on 12 months notice, and (iii) the sale of such gas at prices which fluctuate in
accordance with published indices for gas sold in the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico.
Effective January 1, 2004, the rights and obligations of Duke Energy and Marketing L.L.C. were
assumed by ConocoPhillips Company
11
(ConocoPhillips) pursuant to an Assignment and Novation Agreement. By correspondence dated
March 25, 2004, BROG notified ConocoPhillips of BROGs election to terminate such contract as of
March 31, 2005. BROG then prepared a form of request for proposal and circulated it to a number of
potential purchasers, including ConocoPhillips, inviting them to bid for the purchase of the gas
currently sold under the contract expiring March 31, 2005. Effective as of April 1, 2005, BROG
entered into two new contracts for the sale of all volumes of gas produced from the Underlying
Properties and formerly sold to ConocoPhillips. These new contracts provide for (i) the sale of
such gas to ChevronTexaco Natural Gas, a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (ChevronTexaco), and
Coral Energy Resources, L.P. (Coral), respectively, (ii) the delivery of such gas at various
delivery points through March 31, 2007 and from year-to-year thereafter, until terminated by either
party on 12 months notice, and (iii) the sale of such gas at prices which fluctuate in accordance
with the published indices for gas sold in the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico. With
respect to BROGs contract with PNM, BROG and PNM entered into a letter agreement, dated January
31, 2005, pursuant to which the term of that contract was adjusted to coincide with the contracts
with ChevronTexaco and Coral. During March of 2008, both ChevronTexaco and Coral notified BROG of
their election to terminate their respective contracts effective March 31, 2009. Requests for
proposal will be circulated to potential purchasers of the packages of gas covered by the expiring
contracts. Neither party gave notice of termination with respect to the PNM contract, and
accordingly, the term of that contract has been extended at least through March 31, 2010.
Confidentiality agreements with purchasers of gas produced from the Underlying Properties
prohibit public disclosure of certain terms and conditions of gas sales contracts with those
entities, including specific pricing terms and gas receipt points. Such disclosure could compromise
the ability to compete effectively in the marketplace for the sale of gas produced from the
Underlying Properties.
On March 14, 2008, BROG notified the Trust that the distribution for March would be reduced by
$4,921,578, an amount described in the notice as the Trusts portion of what BROG had paid to
settle a legal matter. On March 16, 2008, following inquiry from the Trust, BROG reported that on
August 15, 2007 it reached an agreement settling all claims asserted by the United States of
America, acting through the Department of Justice and the United States Department of the Interior,
itself acting through the Minerals Management Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs on behalf of
itself and on behalf of various individual Native American mineral owners, the Cheyenne and Arapaho
Tribes, the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, the Southern Ute Tribe, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in the
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, captioned United States of
America ex rel. Harrold E. (Gene) Wright v. AGIP Petroleum Co. et al., Civil Action No.
5:03CV264 (formerly 9:98-CV-30) (E.D. Tex.). BROG, on behalf of itself and the Trust, paid
$105,304,226 to settle claims for underpayment of royalty alleged to be owed on natural gas
production, including production from properties burdened by the Trust, for production periods
between March 1, 1988 and March 31, 2005.
BROG determined that the portion of that settlement allocable to the Trust was $6,078,917 in
principal, together with $486,187 of interest, totaling $6,562,104. That amount was offset against
the revenues used in calculating net profits for the month of March and the royalty distribution
was calculated based on the Trusts 75% net overriding royalty interest which resulted in the
$4,921,578 reduction in the March distribution. BROG indicated that the portion allocated to the
Trust was determined by it based upon a comparison of the properties burdened by the Trust in
proportion to all of the properties associated with the litigation settlement. The Trusts
consultants will analyze the settlement and audit the calculation of the amount determined by BROG
to be allocable to the Trust.
12
Calculation of Royalty Income
Royalty income received by the Trust for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively, was computed as shown in the following table:
CALCULATION OF ROYALTY INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Gross proceeds of sales from the Underlying Properties: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gas proceeds |
|
$ |
53,108,214 |
|
|
$ |
53,976,801 |
|
Oil proceeds |
|
|
1,124,793 |
|
|
|
1,006,513 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
54,233,007 |
|
|
|
54,983,314 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less production costs: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance tax Gas |
|
|
5,436,476 |
|
|
|
5,288,138 |
|
Severance tax Oil |
|
|
117,911 |
|
|
|
91,501 |
|
Lease operating expense and property tax |
|
|
8,329,283 |
|
|
|
6,737,076 |
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
6,247,446 |
|
|
|
10,934,934 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
20,131,116 |
|
|
|
23,051,649 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net profits |
|
|
34,101,891 |
|
|
|
31,931,665 |
|
Net overriding royalty interest |
|
|
75 |
% |
|
|
75 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Royalty income |
|
$ |
25,576,418 |
|
|
$ |
23,948,749 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual Obligations
Under the Indenture governing the Trust, the Trustee is entitled to an administrative fee for
its administrative services and the preparation of quarterly and annual statements of: (i) 1/20 of
1% of the first $100 million of the annual gross revenue of the Trust, and 1/30 of 1% of the annual
gross revenue of the Trust in excess of $100 million and (ii) the Trustees standard hourly rates
for time in excess of 300 hours annually, provided that the administrative fee due under items (i)
and (ii) above will not be less than $36,000 per year (as adjusted annually to reflect the increase
(if any) in the Producers Price Index as published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics, since December 31, 2003).
Effects of Securities Regulation
As a publicly-traded trust listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE), the Trust is
and will continue to be subject to extensive regulation under, among others, the Securities Act of
1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (which contains many of the provisions of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), and the rules and regulations of the NYSE. Issuers failing to comply
with such authorities risk serious consequences, including criminal as well as civil and
administrative penalties. In most instances, these laws, rules, and regulations do not
specifically address their applicability to publicly-traded trusts, such as the Trust. In
particular, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 provides for the adoption by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the Commission) and NYSE of certain rules and regulations that may be impossible for
the Trust to literally satisfy because of its nature as a pass-through trust. It is the Trustees
intention to follow the Commissions and NYSEs rulemaking closely, attempt to comply with
13
such rules and regulations and, where appropriate, request relief from these rules and
regulations. However, if the Trust is unable to comply with such rules and regulations or to
obtain appropriate relief, the Trust may be required to expend presently unknown but potentially
material costs to amend the Indenture that governs the Trust to allow for compliance with such
rules and regulations. To date, the rules implementing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 have
generally made appropriate accommodation for passive entities such as the Trust.
Critical Accounting Policies
In accordance with the Commissions staff accounting bulletins and consistent with other
royalty trusts, the financial statements of the Trust are prepared on the following basis:
|
|
|
Royalty income recorded for a month is the amount computed and paid pursuant to
the Conveyance by BROG to the Trustee for the Trust. Royalty income consists of
the proceeds received by BROG from the sale of production from the Underlying
Properties less accrued production costs, development and drilling costs,
applicable taxes, operating charges, and other costs and deductions, multiplied by
75%. The calculation of net proceeds by BROG for any month includes adjustments to
proceeds and costs for prior months and impacts the Royalty income paid to the
Trust and the distribution to Unit Holders for that month. |
|
|
|
|
Trust expenses recorded are based on liabilities paid and cash reserves
established from Royalty income for liabilities and contingencies. |
|
|
|
|
Distributions to Unit Holders are recorded when declared by the Trustee. |
|
|
|
|
The Conveyance which transferred the Royalty to the Trust provides that any
excess of development and production costs applicable to the Underlying Properties
over gross proceeds from such properties must be recovered from future net proceeds
before Royalty income is again paid to the Trust. |
The financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in accordance
with GAAP because revenues are not accrued in the month of production; certain cash reserves may be
established for contingencies which would not be accrued in financial statements prepared in
accordance with GAAP; expenses are recorded when paid instead of when incurred; and amortization of
the Royalty calculated on a unit-of-production basis is charged directly to the Trust corpus
instead of an expense.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
The Trust invests in no derivative financial instruments, and has no foreign operations or
long-term debt instruments. The Trust is a passive entity and is prohibited from engaging in a
trade or business, including borrowing transactions, other than as periodically necessary to pay
expenses, liabilities and obligations of the Trust that cannot be paid out of cash held by the
Trust. The amount of any such borrowings is unlikely to be material to the Trust. The Trust is
also permitted to hold short-term investments acquired with funds held by the Trust pending
distribution to Unit Holders and funds held in reserve for the payment of Trust expenses and
liabilities. Because of the short-term nature of these borrowings and investments and certain
limitations upon the types of such investments which may be held by the Trust, the Trustee believes
that the Trust is not subject to any material interest rate risk. The Trust is not permitted to
engage in transactions in foreign currencies which could expose the Trust or Unit
14
Holders to any foreign currency related market risk. The Trust is not permitted to market the
gas, oil or natural gas liquids from the Underlying Properties; BROG is responsible for such
marketing.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
The Trust maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to ensure
that information required to be disclosed in the Trusts filings under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the
Commissions rules and forms. Due to the pass-through nature of the Trust, BROG provides much of
the information disclosed in this Form 10-Q and the other periodic reports filed by the Trust with
the Commission. Consequently, the Trusts ability to timely disclose relevant information in its
periodic reports is dependent upon BROGs delivery of such information. Accordingly, the Trust
maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that BROG accurately and timely
accumulates and delivers such relevant information to the Trustee and those who participate in the
preparation of the Trusts periodic reports to allow for the preparation of such periodic reports
and any decisions regarding disclosure.
The Indenture does not require BROG to update or provide information to the Trust. However,
the Conveyance transferring the Royalty to the Trust obligates BROG to provide the Trust with
certain information, including information concerning calculations of net proceeds owed to the
Trust. Pursuant to the settlement of litigation in 1996 between the Trust and BROG, BROG agreed to
newer, more formal financial reporting and audit procedures as compared to those provided in the
Conveyance.
In order to help ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information required to be
disclosed in the Trusts periodic reports, the Trust employs independent public accountants, joint
interest auditors, marketing consultants, attorneys and petroleum engineers. These outside
professionals advise the Trustee in its review and compilation of this information for inclusion in
this Form 10-Q and the other periodic reports provided by the Trust to the Commission.
The Trustee has evaluated the Trusts disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2008
and has concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective, at the reasonable
assurance level, to ensure that material information related to the Trust is gathered on a timely
basis to be included in the Trusts periodic reports. In reaching its conclusion, the Trustee has
considered the Trusts dependence on BROG to deliver timely and accurate information to the Trust.
Additionally, during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 there were no changes in the Trusts internal
control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trusts internal
control over financial reporting. The Trustee has reviewed neither the Trusts disclosure controls
and procedures nor the Trusts internal control over financial reporting in concert with
management, a board of directors or an independent audit committee. The Trust does not have, nor
does the Indenture provide for, officers, a board of directors or an independent audit committee.
15
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
As discussed above under Part I, Item 4 Controls and Procedures, due to the pass-through
nature of the Trust, BROG provides much of the information disclosed in this Form 10-Q and the
other periodic reports filed by the Trust with the Commission. Although the Trustee receives
periodic updates from BROG regarding activities which may relate to the Trust, the Trusts ability
to timely report certain information required to be disclosed in the Trusts periodic reports is
dependent on BROGs timely delivery of the information to the Trust.
On April 28, 2008, the Trust filed a suit against BROG relating to the Arbitration Award in
its favor issued in November, 2005, in the amount of $7,683,699. The litigation is styled San
Juan Basin Royalty Trust vs. Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company, L.P., No. D1329-CV-08-751,
in the District Court of Sandoval County, New Mexico, 13th Judicial District. The Trust alleges
breach of contract and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing and seeks a judgment
for damages in the amount of $5,025,000, plus interest and punitive damages. The purpose of the
arbitration was to resolve certain joint interest audit issues. The arbitrator ruled in favor of
the Trust on all five of the issues submitted to arbitration. BROG filed suit in Harris County,
Texas alleging that the award should be modified or vacated, and seeking to recover its attorneys
fees. The trial court denied BROGs motion to vacate, granted the Trusts application to confirm
and rendered a final judgment in favor of the Trust. BROG paid the award as it related to four of
the five issues and appealed the award as to the fifth. In August, 2007 the appellate court
reversed the judgment of the trial court and vacated the award as it related to the unpaid balance.
The appellate court also remanded the case to the District Court, where BROG has indicated it will
again pursue its claim for attorneys fees and costs. With respect to that fifth issue, the Trust
had asked for damages based on either of two alternative claims. The appellate court ruled that
the alternative claim selected by the arbitrator in awarding the Trust approximately $5,000,000 was
not technically included within the scope of what the parties intended to submit to arbitration.
The appellate court did not rule on whether or not the arbitrator properly decided the fifth issue
in favor of the Trust. The litigation filed in New Mexico seeks recovery on the claim which had
been resolved in favor of the Trust by the arbitrator.
BROG has informed the Trust that pursuant to an Order to Perform (the MMS Order) issued by
the Minerals Management Service (MMS) dated June 10, 1998, the Jicarilla Apache Nation (the
Jicarilla) alleged that, in valuing production for royalty purposes, one must perform (i) a major
portion analysis, which calculates value on the highest price paid or offered for a major portion
of the gas produced from the field where the leased lands are situated; and (ii) a dual accounting
calculation, which computes royalties on the greater of (a) the value of gas prior to processing or
(b) the combined value of processed residue gas and plant products plus the value of any condensate
recovered downstream without processing. The MMS Order alleged that BROGs dual accounting
calculations on Native American leases were based on less than major portion prices. In December
2000, BROG and the Jicarilla entered into a settlement agreement resolving the issues associated
with the dual accounting calculation. The major portion calculation issue remains outstanding. A
judgment or settlement could entitle BROG to reimbursement from the Trust for past periods.
According to BROG, the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs of the United States Department
of Interior issued an administrative order in BROGs appeal of the major portion calculation issue
of the MMS Order on March 28, 2007, entitled MMS-98-0141-IND Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company
LP (the Administrative Order), rejecting that portion of the MMS Order requiring BROG to
calculate and pay additional royalties based on the major portion price derived by the MMS. Rather
than file a
16
direct appeal of the Administrative Order against BROG, the Jicarilla filed suit solely
against the Department of Interior in May 2007 in an action entitled 1:07-CV-00803-RJL,
Jicarilla Apache Nation v. Department of Interior, in the United States District Court for
the District of Columbia (the DOI Case), seeking a declaration that the Administrative Order is
unlawful and of no force and effect, and an injunction requiring enforcement of the rejected major
portion element of the MMS Order. While a judgment or settlement in the DOI Case could impact the
Royalty income of the Trust, the Trust has not, at this time, received any report from BROG as to
the status of the DOI Case, or any estimate of the amount of any potential loss or the portion of
any such potential loss that might be allocated to the Royalty.
In addition to the litigation described above, BROG is involved in various legal proceedings,
the outcome of which may impact the Trust. Should certain legal proceedings to which BROG is a
party be decided in a manner adverse to BROG, the amount of Royalty income received by the Trust
could materially decrease. The Trust has not received from BROG any estimate of the amount of any
potential loss in such proceedings, or the portion of any such potential loss that might be
allocated to the Royalty.
Item 6. Exhibits.
|
(4)(a) |
|
Amended and Restated Royalty Trust Indenture, dated September 30, 2002 (the original
Royalty Trust Indenture, dated November 1, 1980, having been entered into between
Southland Royalty Company and The Fort Worth National Bank, as Trustee), heretofore
filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Trusts Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
Commission on October 1, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.* |
|
|
(4)(b) |
|
Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance from Southland Royalty Company to the Fort Worth
National Bank, as Trustee, dated November 3, 1980 (without Schedules), heretofore filed
as Exhibit 4(b) to the Trusts Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference.* |
|
|
(4)(c) |
|
Assignment of Net Overriding Interest (San Juan Basin Royalty Trust), dated
September 30, 2002, between Bank One, N.A. and TexasBank, heretofore filed as Exhibit
4(c) to the Trusts Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission for the
quarter ended September 30, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.* |
|
|
31 |
|
Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a), dated May 12, 2008, by Lee Ann
Anderson, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer of Compass Bank, the Trustee of the
Trust.** |
|
|
32 |
|
Certification required by Rule 13a-14(b), dated May 12, 2008, by Lee Ann
Anderson, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer of Compass Bank, on behalf of Compass
Bank, the Trustee of the Trust.*** |
|
|
|
* |
|
A copy of this exhibit is available to any Unit Holder (free of charge) upon written request
to the Trustee, Compass Bank, 2525 Ridgmar Boulevard, Suite 100, Fort Worth, Texas 76116. |
|
** |
|
Filed herewith. |
|
*** |
|
Furnished herewith. |
17
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMPASS BANK, AS TRUSTEE OF THE
SAN JUAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Lee Ann Anderson
|
|
|
|
Lee Ann Anderson |
|
|
|
Vice President and Senior Trust Officer |
|
|
Date: May 12, 2008
(The Trust has no directors or executive officers.)
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
(4)(a)
|
|
Amended and Restated Royalty Trust Indenture, dated September 30,
2002 (the original Royalty Trust Indenture, dated November 1,
1980, having been entered into between Southland Royalty Company
and The Fort Worth National Bank, as Trustee), heretofore filed as
Exhibit 99.2 to the Trusts Current Report on Form 8-K filed with
the Commission on October 1, 2002, is incorporated herein by
reference.* |
|
|
|
(4)(b)
|
|
Net Overriding Royalty Conveyance from Southland Royalty Company
to the Fort Worth National Bank, as Trustee, dated November 3,
1980 (without Schedules), heretofore filed as Exhibit 4(b) to the
Trusts Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, is incorporated herein by
reference.* |
|
|
|
(4)(c)
|
|
Assignment of Net Overriding Interest (San Juan Basin Royalty
Trust), dated September 30, 2002, between Bank One, N.A. and
TexasBank, heretofore filed as Exhibit 4(c) to the Trusts
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Commission for the quarter
ended September 30, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.* |
|
|
|
31
|
|
Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a), dated May 12, 2008, by
Lee Ann Anderson, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer of
Compass Bank, the Trustee of the Trust.** |
|
|
|
32
|
|
Certification required by Rule 13a-14(b), dated May 12, 2008, by
Lee Ann Anderson, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer of
Compass Bank, on behalf of Compass Bank, the Trustee of the
Trust.*** |
|
|
|
* |
|
A copy of this exhibit is available to any Unit Holder (free of charge) upon written request
to the Trustee, Compass Bank, 2525 Ridgmar Boulevard, Suite 100, Fort Worth, Texas 76116. |
|
** |
|
Filed herewith. |
|
*** |
|
Furnished herewith. |