Whiting USA Trust II (OTC Pink: WHZT) announced today that it determined
there will be no distribution made to unitholders in the first quarter
of 2016. This is due to the net profits interest generating a net loss
during the fourth quarterly payment period of 2015, and when such net
loss is combined with this period’s provision for estimated Trust
expenses, both of these amounts together offset the proceeds from sale
of oil and gas properties in their entirety.
Sales volumes, net losses and selected performance metrics for the
quarter payment period were:
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Sales volumes:
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Oil (Bbl)(1)
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267,038
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Natural gas (Mcf)
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424,575
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Total (BOE)
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337,800
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Gross proceeds:
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Oil sales(1)
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$
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9,394,707
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Natural gas sales
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974,744
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Total gross proceeds
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$
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10,369,451
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Costs:
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Lease operating expenses
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$
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8,867,559
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Production taxes
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519,201
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Development costs
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1,085,400
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Cash settlements on commodity derivatives(2)
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-
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Total costs
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$
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10,472,160
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Net losses
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$
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(102,709
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)
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Percentage allocable to Trust’s Net Profits Interest
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90
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%
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Total cash available for the Trust
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$
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(92,438
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)
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Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties(3)
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331,522
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Provision for estimated Trust expenses
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(238,095
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)
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Montana state income taxes withheld
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(989
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)
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Net cash proceeds available for distribution
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$
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-
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Trust units outstanding
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18,400,000
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Cash distribution per Trust unit
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$
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-
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Selected performance metrics:
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Crude oil average realized price (per Bbl)(1)
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$
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35.18
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Natural gas average realized price (per Mcf)
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$
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2.30
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Lease operating expenses (per BOE)
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$
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26.25
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Production tax rate (percent of total gross proceeds)
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5.0
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%
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____________
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(1)
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Oil includes natural gas liquids.
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(2)
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All costless collar hedge contracts terminated as of December 31,
2014 (which hedging effects extended through the quarterly payment
period covered by the February 2015 distribution to unitholders),
and no additional hedges are allowed to be placed on Trust assets.
Thus, there will be no further cash settlements on commodity hedges,
and the Trust therefore has increased exposure to oil and natural
gas price volatility.
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(3)
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In November 2015, Whiting completed the sale of certain producing
oil and gas wells, effective for sales proceeds and costs beginning
September 1, 2015, for a purchase price of $0.4 million ($0.3
million to the 90% net profits interest). The divested properties
included nine wells located within Cooks Peak field in North Dakota,
which had proved reserves of 18.14 MBOE (16.32 MBOE to the 90% net
profits interest).
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The Trust’s net profits interest represents the right to receive 90% of
the net proceeds from Whiting Petroleum Corporation’s interests in
certain existing oil and natural gas properties located primarily in the
Rocky Mountains, Permian Basin, Gulf Coast and Mid-Continent regions of
the United States.
The net profits interest will terminate on the later to occur of (1)
December 31, 2021, or (2) the time when 11.79 MMBOE (10.61 MMBOE to the
90% net profits interest) have been produced from the underlying
properties and sold, and the Trust will soon thereafter wind up its
affairs and terminate, after which it will pay no further distributions.
Consequently, the market price of the Trust units will decline to zero
around or shortly after the net profits interest termination date, which
is estimated to be June 30, 2022 based on the Trust’s year-end 2015
reserve report. As described in the Trust’s public filings, since the
assets of the Trust are depleting assets, a portion of each cash
distribution paid on the Trust units, if any, should be considered by
investors as a return of capital, with the remainder being considered as
a return on investment.
As of December 31, 2015, on a cumulative accrual basis, 5.80 MMBOE (55%)
of the Trust’s total 10.61 MMBOE have been produced and sold and 0.02
MMBOE were divested. Based on the Trust’s reserve report for the
underlying properties as of December 31, 2015, the Trust’s 10.61 MMBOE
are projected to be produced by June 30, 2022, shortly after which the
Trust would terminate. Additionally, the 2015 year-end reserve report
reflects expected annualized decline rates of approximately 14% for oil
and 21% for gas between 2016 and 2022, which estimates are derived from
NYMEX oil and gas prices of $50.28 per Bbl and $2.58 per Mcf pursuant to
current SEC and FASB guidelines. The NYMEX oil and gas prices on
February 1, 2016 were $31.62 per Bbl and $2.15 per Mcf, respectively.
Lower oil and gas prices are likely to cause a reduction in the amount
of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that is economic to produce
from the underlying properties which may further extend the length of
time required to produce the Trust’s 10.61 MMBOE. Additionally, cash
distributions to unitholders may decline at a faster rate than the rate
of production due to industry-specific risks and uncertainties such as
i) commodity price declines, ii) fixed and semi-variable costs not
decreasing as fast as production volumes or iii) expected future
development being delayed, reduced or cancelled.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including all
statements made in this press release other than statements of
historical fact. No assurances can be given that such statements will
prove to be correct. The estimated time when the Trust will terminate is
based on the Trust’s reserve report of the underlying properties as of
December 31, 2015 and is subject to the assumptions contained therein.
Additionally, the estimated time when the market price of the Trust
units should decline to zero is based on the economic rights of the
Trust units. The trading price of the Trust units is affected by factors
outside of the control of the Trust or Whiting, including actions of
market participants, among others. Other important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially include expenses of the Trust,
fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices, uncertainty of estimates of
oil and natural gas reserves and production, the timing of any such
production, risks inherent in the operation, production and development
of oil and gas properties, and future production and development costs.
Statements made in this press release are qualified by the cautionary
statements made in this press release. The Trustee does not intend, and
assumes no obligation, to update any of the statements included in this
press release.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160205005710/en/
Copyright Business Wire 2016
Source: Business Wire
(February 5, 2016 - 5:15 PM EST)
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