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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number 1-12474
TORCH ENERGY ROYALTY TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
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74-6411424
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of Principal Executive Offices; Zip Code)
(Registrants Telephone number, Including Area Code)
(302) 636-6016
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
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Title of each class
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Name of Each Exchange on
Which Registered |
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Units of Beneficial Interest
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New York Stock Exchange |
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 (G) OF THE ACT: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer; as defined in Rule 405
of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ
Indicated by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(b) 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 o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its
corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted
pursuant to Rule 405 of 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 and post such files). Yes o
No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation
S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this form 10-K. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large
accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer o
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Small reporting company þ |
Indicated by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Act). Yes o No þ
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates
computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and
asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrants most recently
completed second fiscal quarter was $8,179,2228.20.
At April 15, 2011, there were 8,600,000 Units of Beneficial Interest of the Trust outstanding.
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Annual Report on Form 10-K
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Torch Energy Royalty Trust
PART I
Item 1. Business.
This document includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All
statements other than statements of historical facts included in this document, including without
limitation, statements under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations regarding the financial position, estimated quantities and net present
values of reserves of the Torch Energy Royalty Trust (Trust) and statements that include the
words believe, expects, anticipates, intends, estimates, projects, target, goal,
plans, objectives, should or similar expressions or variations are forward-looking
statements. Torch Energy Advisors Incorporated (Torch) and the Trust can give no assurances that
the assumptions upon which these statements are based will prove to be correct. Important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from Torchs expectations (Cautionary
Statements) are disclosed under Risk Factors elsewhere in this document. All subsequent written
and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Trust or persons acting on its behalf are
expressly qualified by the Cautionary Statements.
General
The Trust was formed effective October 1, 1993, pursuant to a trust agreement (Trust Agreement)
among Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee of the Trust
(Trustee), Torch Royalty Company (TRC) and Velasco Gas Company, Ltd. (Velasco) as owners of
certain oil and natural gas properties (Underlying Properties) and Torch Energy Advisors
Incorporated (Torch) as grantor. TRC and Velasco created net profits interests (Net Profits
Interests) which burden the Underlying Properties and conveyed such interests to Torch. The Trust
was formed under the Delaware statutory trust act (formerly known as the Delaware business trust
act). Torch conveyed the Net Profits Interests to the Trust in exchange for an aggregate of
8,600,000 units of beneficial interest (Units). Such Units were sold to the public through
various underwriters in November 1993. The current working interest owners of the Underlying
Properties are TRC, Torch E&P Company, Samson Lone Star Limited Partnership and Constellation
Energy Partners LLC (Working Interest Owners).
The sole purpose of the Trust is to hold the Net Profits Interests, to receive payments from the
Working Interest Owners, and to make payments to Unitholders. The Trust does not conduct any
business activity and has no officers, directors or employees. The Trust and Trustee rely on third
party service providers to perform administrative services for the Trust. Torch provided
accounting, bookkeeping, informational and other services to the Trust related to the Net Profits
Interests pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement effective October 1, 1993 and an oral
arrangement after termination of the Administrative Services Agreement on January 29, 2008 through
April 1, 2008. From November 7, 2008 through December 23, 2008, Torch provided certain accounting
services in connection with the Trusts preparation of its Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2007 pursuant to an agreement between the Trust and Torch dated November 7, 2008. To
facilitate the winding down of the Trust, Torch currently provides certain accounting and other
services for the Trust pursuant to an agreement with the Trust entered into on March 26, 2009. The
initial term of the agreement expired March 31, 2010. On March 31, 2010, Torch and the Trust
extended the expiration date of the agreement by one year to March 31, 2012 or as sooner terminated
by written notice from either party within 5 business days notice.
The Trust has no officers, directors or employees. The Trust and Trustee rely solely on receiving
accurate information, reports and other representations from Torch and other service providers to
the Trust. In executing and submitting this report on behalf of the Trust and with respect to Bruce
L. Bisson in executing the certifications relating to this report, the Trustee and Bruce L. Bisson
have relied upon the accuracy of such reports, information and representations.
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Torch Energy Royalty Trust
In connection with the formation of the Trust, TRC and Velasco contracted to sell the oil and
natural gas production from the Underlying Properties to Torch Energy Marketing Inc. (TEMI), a
subsidiary of Torch, under a purchase contract (Purchase Contract) which expired upon termination
of the Trust on January 29, 2008 (Termination Date). See Marketing Arrangements in this
section for oil and natural gas pricing information pertaining to the Underlying Properties. The
Working Interest Owners receive payments reflecting the proceeds of oil and natural gas sold and
aggregate these payments, deduct applicable costs and make payments to the Trustee each quarter for
the amounts due to the Trust under the Net Profits Interests. Prior to the termination of the
Trust, Unitholders received quarterly cash distributions relating to oil and natural gas produced
and sold from the Underlying Properties. Following the termination of the Trust, the Trustee
established a non-interest bearing segregated cash reserve account (Cash Reserve) for payment by
the Trust of certain actual, contingent and uncertain liabilities of the Trust. See
footnote 4 of the Trusts audited financial statements for additional information concerning the
Cash Reserve. Because no additional properties will be contributed to the Trust, the assets of the
Trust deplete over time and a portion of each cash distribution made by the Trust is analogous to a
return of capital.
The Underlying Properties constitute working interests in the Chalkley Field in Louisiana
(Chalkley Field), the Robinsons Bend Field in the Black Warrior Basin in Alabama (Robinsons
Bend Field), fields that produce from the Cotton Valley formations in Texas (Cotton Valley
Fields) and fields that produce from the Austin Chalk formation in Texas (Austin Chalk Fields).
The Underlying Properties represent interests in all productive formations from 100 feet below the
deepest productive formation in each field to the surface when the Trust was formed. The Trust
therefore has no interest in deeper productive formations.
Separate conveyances (Conveyances) were used to transfer the Net Profits Interests in each state.
Net proceeds (Net Proceeds), generally defined as gross revenues received from the sale of
production attributable to the Underlying Properties during any period less property, production,
severance and similar taxes, and development, operating, and certain other costs (excluding
operating and development costs from the Robinsons Bend Field prior to January 1, 2003), are
calculated separately for each Conveyance. If, during any period, costs and expenses deducted in
calculating Net Proceeds exceed gross proceeds under a Conveyance, neither the Trust nor
Unitholders are liable to pay such excess directly, but the Trust will receive no payments for
distribution to Unitholders with respect to such Conveyance until future gross proceeds exceed
future costs and expenses plus the cumulative excess of such costs and expenses not previously
recouped by the Working Interest Owners plus interest thereon. The complete definitions of Net
Proceeds are set forth in the Conveyances.
The Trust received the affirmative vote of the Unitholders of more than 66 2/3% of the outstanding
Units to terminate the Trust at the meeting of Unitholders held on January 29, 2008. Upon
termination of the Trust, among other things, the Trustee is required to sell the Net Profits
Interests. Specifically, pursuant to Section 9.03(e) of the Trust Agreement if the property of the
Trust Estate (as defined in the Trust Agreement) has not been sold prior to the end of one calendar
year following the termination date, the Trustee, thereafter, must cause such assets to be sold at
public auction. As the Trust was terminated by a vote of the Unitholders on January 29, 2008 (the
Termination Date), the Trustee anticipates it will continue to consult with the Trusts and
Trustees financial and legal advisors in preparing the sales process and obtaining the necessary
information required for disclosure regarding the Units to carry out the sale requirement under
Section 9.03(e). No assurances can be given that the Trustee will be able to sell the Net Profits
Interests, or the price that will be used to calculate the Net Profits Interests to be distributed
to Unitholders following such a sale. Such distributions could be below the market value of the
Units. The Trust can give no assurances of the effect of the results of the affirmative vote to
terminate the Trust by the Unitholders on the continued listing of the Units on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) or any other national quotation system.
As previously disclosed by the Trust in certain of its filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC), the Trust and certain working interest owners (TRC, Torch E&P Company and
Constellation
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Energy Partners LLC) of the Underlying Properties were involved in an arbitration proceeding
relating to the proper calculation of the quarterly Net Profits Interests payments owed to the
Trust following the termination of the Trust. The working interest owners contended that the
pricing mechanism contained in the terminated Purchase Contract (including the sharing price and
minimum price mechanism) should continue to be utilized to calculate the quarterly Net Profits
Interests payments. In the arbitration proceeding, the Trustee, not in its individual capacity but
solely as Trustee of the Trust, contended that the sharing price mechanism of the Purchase Contract
(which determined the calculation of the Net Profits Interests prior to the termination of the Oil
and Gas Purchase Contract) did not survive the termination of the Purchase Contract or the
termination of the Trust. On April 11, 2008, Trust Venture Company, LLC, which owns the majority
of Units in the Trust, submitted an unopposed request to intervene in the arbitration and became a
party to the arbitration. Trust Venture Company, LLC agreed with the Trustee, and took the
position in the arbitration, that the sharing price mechanism of the Purchase Contract did not
survive the termination of the Purchase Contract or the termination of the Trust.
The hearing on the merits in the arbitration commenced on June 16, 2008 and was completed on June
20, 2008. On July 18, 2008, alternative dispute resolution provider JAMS, through a panel of three
arbitrators (Arbitrators), released an award notice to all parties (the Award Notice). In the
Award Notice, the Arbitrators found that the Conveyances are not ambiguous and the pricing
mechanism of the Purchase Contract is incorporated by reference into the Conveyances
notwithstanding termination of the Purchase Contract. The Arbitrators therefore concluded that the
pricing mechanism (including the sharing price and minimum price mechanism) continues to burden the
Net Profits Interests and will do so for the life of the Conveyances. The Arbitrators also denied
each partys request for fees and costs; each party was required to bear its own fees and costs
related to the arbitration. The Trust and Trustee incurred expenses as a result of the arbitration
and expect to continue to incur expenses, including but not limited to legal fees, as a result of
the winding down of the Trust. See also Item 3. Legal Proceedings for subsequent
event information concerning the arbitration and Award Notice.
The Trust received a letter from the NYSE on April 18, 2011 informing the Trust that, as a result
of its failure to timely file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2010 (the 2010 Annual Report) with the SEC, the Trust was subject to certain procedures as
specified in Section 802.01E, SEC Annual Report Timely Filing Criteria, of the NYSEs Listed
Company Manual (Section 802.01E) and further, regardless of the procedures specified in Section
802.01E, the NYSE could commence delisting procedures at any time during any period that is
available to complete the filing of the 2010 Annual Report, if circumstances warrant.
As the Trust had been unable to obtain complete and accurate information regarding reserve
information and the financial statements of the Trust required to be included in the 2010 Annual
Report, the Trust remained unable to timely file its 2010 Annual Report. Failure of the Trust to
make progress in its efforts to complete and file its SEC reports or failing to meet the minimum
listing criteria could result in a suspension of the Trusts listing and trading privileges.
Marketing Arrangements and Price Sharing
In connection with the formation of the Trust, TRC, Velasco and TEMI entered into the Purchase
Contract which expired upon termination of the Trust. Pursuant to the Purchase Contract, TEMI was
obligated to purchase all net production attributable to the Underlying Properties for an index
price for oil and natural gas (Index Price), less certain gathering, treating and transportation
charges, which were calculated monthly. The Index Price equals 97% of the weighted average spot
market prices of oil and natural gas (Average Market Prices) at the four locations where TEMI
sold production.
The Purchase Contract also provided that TEMI pay a minimum price (Minimum Price) for natural gas
production, which is adjusted annually for inflation. When TEMI paid a purchase price based on the
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Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Minimum Price it received price credits (Price Credits), equal to the difference between the
Index Price and the Minimum Price that it was entitled to deduct in determining the purchase price
when the Index Price for natural gas exceeded the Minimum Price. In addition, if the Index Price
for natural gas exceeded the sharing price, which is adjusted annually for inflation (Sharing
Price), TEMI was entitled to deduct 50% of such excess (Price Differential) in determining the
purchase price. TEMI had an annual option to discontinue the Minimum Price commitment. However, if
TEMI discontinued the Minimum Price commitment, it would no longer be entitled to deduct the Price
Differential in calculating the purchase price and would have forfeited all accrued Price Credits.
TEMI had no outstanding Price Credits on the Termination Date and had not exercised its option to
discontinue the Minimum Price Commitment prior to the Purchase Contracts expiration date.
Upon the Trusts termination, the Working Interest Owners utilized the same pricing mechanisms
(including the Sharing Price and Minimum Price commitment mechanisms) as the expired Purchase
Contract in calculating Net Proceeds due to the Trust. The Minimum Price was $1.97, $1.95 and
$1.87 per MMBtu for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Sharing Price was $2.43, $2.40 and
$2.30 for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Following the Trusts termination, the Working
Interest Owners also have the same annual option to discontinue the Minimum Price commitment. As
of December 31, 2010, the Working Interest Owners had no outstanding Price Credits and had not
exercised its right to discontinue the Minimum Price commitment.
Gas production is purchased at the wellhead. Therefore, Net Proceeds do not include any amounts
received in connection with extracting natural gas liquids from such production at natural gas
processing or treating facilities.
Gathering, Treating and Transportation Arrangements
The Purchase Contract, which expired upon the Trusts termination, entitled TEMI to deduct certain
natural gas gathering, treating and transportation fees in calculating the purchase price for
natural gas in the Robinsons Bend, Austin Chalk and Cotton Valley Fields. The amounts that were
deducted in calculating the purchase price for such natural gas were set forth in the Purchase
Contract and were not affected by the actual costs incurred by TEMI to gather, treat and transport
natural gas. Upon the Trusts termination, the Working Interest Owners were entitled to deduct the
same natural gas gathering, treating and transportation fees that had previously been deducted by
TEMI pursuant to the Purchase Contract in calculating Net Proceeds due to the Trust.
For the Robinsons Bend Field, a gathering, treating and transportation fee of $0.260 per MMBtu,
adjusted annually for inflation ($0.331, $0.327 and $0.314 per MMBtu for 2010, 2009, and 2008,
respectively), plus fuel usage equal to 5% of revenues is deducted in computing Net Proceeds due to
the Trust. Additionally, a gathering fee of $0.05 per MMBtu is deducted in calculating the
purchase price for production from 73 of the 426 wells in the Robinsons Bend Field. In computing
Net Proceeds due to the Trust for the Austin Chalk Fields, $0.38 per MMBtu plus 17% of revenues are
deducted as a fee to gather, treat and transport natural gas production. The purchase price for
natural gas for production attributable to certain wells in the Cotton Valley Fields is reduced by
a transportation fee of $0.045 per MMBtu.
During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, gathering, treating and transportation
fees deducted from the Net Proceeds calculations pertaining to production during the twelve months
ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 in the Robinsons Bend, Austin Chalk and Cotton Valley
Fields, totaled $1.0 million, $1.0 million and $1.4 million for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
No amounts for gathering, treating or transportation are deducted in calculating the purchase price
from the Chalkley Field.
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Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Net Profits Interests
The Net Profits Interests entitle the Trust to receive 95% of the Net Proceeds attributable to oil
and natural gas produced and sold from wells (other than infill wells) on the Underlying
Properties. In calculating Net Proceeds from the Robinsons Bend Field, operating and development
costs incurred prior to January 1, 2003 were not deducted. In addition, the amounts paid to the
Trust from the Robinsons Bend Field during any calendar quarter are subject to a volume limitation
(Volume Limitation) equal to the gross proceeds from the sale of 912.5 MMcf of natural gas, less
property, production, severance and related taxes. The Robinsons Bend Field production
attributable to the Trust did not meet the Volume Limitation during the years ended December 31,
2010, 2009 and 2008 and is not expected to do so in the future.
The Net Profits Interests also entitle the Trust to 20% of the Net Proceeds of wells drilled on the
Underlying Properties since the Trusts establishment into formations in which the Trust has an
interest, other than wells drilled to replace damaged or destroyed wells (Infill Wells). Infill
Wells Net Proceeds (Infill Well Net Proceeds) represent the aggregate gross revenues received
from Infill Wells less the aggregate amount of the following Infill Well costs: i) property,
production, severance and similar taxes; ii) development costs; iii) operating costs; and iv)
interest on the recovered portion, if any, of the foregoing costs computed at a rate of interest
announced publicly by Citibank, N.A. in New York as its base rate.
Availability of Reports
The Trusts principal offices are located at Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19890. The telephone number is (302) 636-6016. The Trust files quarterly and
annual reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document that we file
at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the
SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are
also available to the public from the SECs website at
http://www.sec.gov and on our website,
http://www.torchroyalty.com, which features all of our current SEC filings free of charge as soon
as reasonably practicable after they are filed with the SEC. Our SEC filings are also available at
the office of the NYSE. For further information on obtaining copies of our public filings from the
NYSE, visit the NYSE website at http://www.nyse.com. Information contained on the Trusts website
or any other website referenced herein is not incorporated by reference into this report and does
not constitute a part of this report.
Widely Held Fixed Investment Trust Reporting Information
Some Trust Units are held by middlemen, as such term is broadly defined in U.S. Treasury
Regulations (and includes custodians, nominees, certain joint owners, and brokers holding an
interest for a custodian in street name, collectively referred to herein as middlemen).
Therefore, the Trustee considers the Trust to be a non-mortgage widely held fixed investment trust
(WHFIT) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual
capacity but solely as the Trustee for the Trust, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19890, telephone number (302) 636-6016, is the representative of the Trust
that will provide tax information in accordance with applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations governing
the information reporting requirements of the Trust as a WHFIT. Tax information is also posted the
Trusts website at http://www.torchroyalty.com. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the middlemen
holding Trust Units on behalf of Unitholders, and not the Trustee of the Trust, are solely
responsible for complying with the information reporting requirements under the U.S. Treasury
Regulations with respect to such Trust Units. Unitholders whose Trust Units are held by middlemen
should consult with such middlemen regarding the information that will be reported to them by the
middlemen with respect to the Trust Units. Each unitholder should consult his or her tax advisor
for compliance matters.
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Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
You should carefully consider the following risk factors in addition to the other information
included in this report. The risks set forth below are in addition to risks that apply to most
businesses. The Trustee is in the process of winding down and liquidating the Trust after
the affirmative vote of the requisite number of Unitholders. See Trust Termination below
in this item. The other Risk Factors set forth below should be considered in light of the wind up
and liquidation of the Trust. If any of these risks or uncertainties actually occurs, the Trusts
financial condition and results of operations and the future and current value of the Net Profits
Interests could be materially adversely affected. Additional risks not presently known to the
Trust or which the Trust considers immaterial based on information currently available to it may
also materially adversely affect the Trust. Because of these factors, past financial performance
should not be considered an indication of future performance.
Trust Termination
The Trust received the affirmative vote of the Unitholders of more than 66 2/3% of the outstanding
Units to terminate the Trust at the meeting of Unitholders held on January 29, 2008. Upon
termination of the Trust, among other things, the Trustee is required to sell the Net Profits
Interests. No assurances can be given that the Trustee will be able to sell the Net Profits
Interests, or that the ultimate proceeds that will be distributed to Unitholders following such a
sale will be equivalent to the market value of such interests or the market value of the Units.
Such distributions could be below the market value of the Units. The Trust and Trustee cannot
anticipate the results that such termination of the Trust will have on its ability to sell the Net
Profits Interests.
Specifically, pursuant to Section 9.03(e) of the Trust Agreement, if the property of the Trust
Estate (as defined in the Trust Agreement) has not been sold prior to the end of one calendar year
following the termination date (prior to January 29, 2009), the Trustee must then cause such assets
to be sold at public auction. As the Trust was terminated by a vote of the Unitholders on January
29, 2008, the Trustee anticipates it will continue to consult with the Trusts and Trustees
financial and legal advisors in preparing the sales process and obtaining the necessary information
required for disclosure regarding the Units to carry out the sale requirement under Section
9.03(e). There can be no assurance at this time of the specific timetable in which the Trust and
Trustee would be able to obtain all the information advisable and necessary concerning the Net
Profits Interests in order to prepare and finalize the sales process.
The Trusts continuing failure to timely file certain periodic reports with the SEC during the wind
up and liquidation of the Trust may pose significant risks to the Trusts business, which could
materially and adversely affect the Trust financial condition and results of operation and the
current and/or future value of the Net Profits Interests.
The public trading price for the Units tends to be tied to the recent and expected levels of cash
distribution on the Units. The amounts available for distribution by the Trust vary in response to
numerous factors outside the control of the Trust, including prevailing prices for natural gas
produced from the Trusts Net Profits Interests. The market price is not necessarily indicative of
the value that the Trust would realize if it sold those Net Profits Interests to a third party
buyer. In addition, such market price is not necessarily reflective of the fact that since the
assets of the Trust are depleting assets, a portion of each cash distribution paid on the units
should be considered by investors as a return of capital, with the remainder being considered as a
return on investment. There is no guarantee that distributions made to a Unitholder over the life
of these depleting assets or distributions following a sale of the Net Profits Interests will equal
or exceed the purchase price paid by the Unitholder.
The Trust can give no assurances of the effect of the results of the affirmative vote to terminate
the Trust by the Unitholders on the continued listing of the Units on the NYSE or any other
national quotation system.
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Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Failure of the Trust to make progress in its efforts to complete and file its SEC reports or
failing to meet the minimum listing criteria of the NYSE could result in a suspension of the
Trusts listing and trading privileges. If the NYSE does not grant the Trust extensions to file
its periodic reports with the NYSE, it has the right to begin proceedings to delist the units. A
delisting of the Trusts units may have a material adverse effect on the Trust, among other things
reducing the liquidity and market price of the units.
If natural gas and oil prices decline significantly, the Trusts cash flow from operations will
likely decline and the Trust may have to lower the cash distributions or may not be able to pay
distributions at all during the wind up and liquidation of the Trust.
The Trusts cash distributions, operating results and the value of the Net Profits Interests are
substantially dependent on prices of natural gas and, to a lesser extent, oil. Prices for oil and
natural gas are volatile and are subject to large fluctuations in response to relatively minor
changes in the supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, market uncertainty and a variety of
additional factors beyond the control of the Trust and/or Torch. These factors include:
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The domestic and foreign supply of and demand for oil and natural gas; |
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The price and quantity of foreign imports of oil and natural gas; |
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The level of consumer product demand; |
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Weather conditions, including but not limited to, hurricanes in the Gulf
of Mexico, can adversely impact cash distributions received by the Trust. If the wells
drilled on the Underlying Properties and related infrastructure were to be damaged by
adverse weather conditions, cash flows distributed to Unitholders could be delayed
during the period in which damage to such assets were repaired. Additionally, costs
associated with such repairs not covered by insurance would reduce cash distributions
received by the Trust; |
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Overall domestic and global economic conditions; |
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Political and economic conditions and events in foreign oil and natural
gas producing countries, including embargoes, continued hostilities in the Middle East
and other sustained military campaigns, conditions in South America and Russia, and
acts of terrorism or sabotage; |
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The ability of members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls; |
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Technological advances affecting energy consumption; |
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Domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxation; |
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The impact of energy conservation efforts; |
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The capacity of natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities
to the Trusts production; and |
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The price and availability of alternative fuels. |
Any substantial and extended decline in the price of natural gas and oil would have an adverse
effect on the Trusts revenues, cash distributions and current and/or future value of the Net
Profits Interests.
Trust expenses may have an adverse impact on the distributions to Unitholders during the wind up
and liquidation of the Trust.
Trust expenses, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and legal fees during the wind down and liquidation of
the Trust may have an adverse effect on the ability of the Trust to pay quarterly distributions to
the Unitholders. The Trustee has set up a cash reserve account pursuant to the Trust Agreement in
order to provide the funds necessary for an orderly wind up and liquidation of the Trust.
The estimated reserve quantities in this report are based on many assumptions that may prove to be
inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will
materially affect the quantities and present value of the Trusts reserves.
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Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Estimates of economically recoverable natural gas and oil reserves and of future net cash flows are
based upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, all of which are to some degree
speculative and may vary considerably from actual results. Prices for oil and natural gas are
volatile and are subject to large fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in the
supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, market uncertainty and a variety of additional
factors beyond the control of the Trust and/or Torch. Therefore, actual production, revenues,
taxes and development and operation expenditures may not occur as estimated. As disclosed by the
Trust in its Annual Reports on Form 10-K for each of the three years ended December 31, 2007, 2008
and 2009 and in this Annual Report, on December 30, 2008, Trust Venture Company, LLC filed and
subsequently served a derivative lawsuit against Constellation Energy Partners LLC in Alabama state
court alleging counts, in accordance with, inter alia, Section 3816 of the Delaware Statutory Trust
Act, codified at 12 Del. C. 3816(a), to (i) recover any overcharges to the Trust by Constellation
Energy Partners LLC related to administrative costs, water gathering, treating and disposal costs
and severance taxes and (ii) require Constellation Energy Partners LLC to provide an accounting of
its revenues and expenses as required under the Conveyance filed of record in Tuscaloosa County,
Alabama. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings. There can be no assurance as to the outcome or
result of this derivative lawsuit or the effect of the derivative lawsuit may have on the
calculation of the reserve reports and the estimated reserve quantities.
Future results of the Trust will depend upon the ability of the owners of the Underlying Properties
to develop, produce and sell their oil and natural gas reserves and the corresponding proceeds from
such sales which may vary widely. The reserve data included herein are estimates only and are
subject to many uncertainties. Actual quantities of oil and natural gas may differ considerably
from the amounts set forth herein. In addition, different reserve engineers may make different
estimates of reserve quantities and cash flows based upon the same available data. The present
value, discounted at 10%, of future net cash flows from proved reserves attributable to the Net
Profits Interests does not represent the fair market value of the proved reserves, or the price at
which the Net Profits Interests could be sold. A determination of fair market value would involve
consideration of many factors in addition to the present value, discounted at 10%. An impairment
loss is recognized when the net carrying value of the Net Profits Interests exceeds its fair market
value. No impairment loss was recognized during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
As more Infill Wells are drilled, they could cause a reduction in amounts payable to the Trust or a
purchaser of the Net Profits Interests.
The Net Profits Interests include a 20 percent net profit interest in Infill Wells. Infill Wells
may recover a portion of the reserves that would otherwise be produced from wells burdened by the
Trusts Net Profits Interests. Since the Trust is entitled to receive 95 percent of the Net
Proceeds from production burdened by its Net Profits Interests but only 20 percent of the net
profits interest from Infill Wells, the drilling of Infill Wells may reduce payments to the Trust,
and ultimately distributions to Trust Unitholders.
The Trusts business is subject to operational risks that may not be fully insured, which, if they
were to occur, could adversely affect the Trusts financial condition or results of operations and,
as a result, the Trusts ability to pay distributions to Unitholders.
Cash payments to the Trust are derived from the production and sale of natural gas and oil, which
operations are subject to risk inherent in such activities, such as blowouts, cratering,
explosions, damage to equipment caused by weather conditions, facility or equipment malfunctions,
uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas or well fluids, fires, pollution and other environmental
risks. These risks could result in substantial losses which are deducted in calculating the Net
Proceeds paid to the Trust due to injury and loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of
property and equipment, pollution and other environmental damage and suspension of operations.
Losses could therefore occur for uninsurable or uninsured risks or in amounts in excess of existing
insurance coverage. The occurrence of an event that is not fully covered by insurance
8
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
could have a material adverse impact on the Trusts business activities, financial condition,
results of operations and ability to pay distributions to Unitholders. The failure of an operator
of the Underlying Properties to conduct its operations or discharge its obligations in a proper
manner could have an adverse effect on the Net Proceeds payable to the Trust.
The Trust may be unable to compete effectively with larger companies, which may adversely affect
the Trusts ability to generate sufficient revenue and its ability to pay distributions to
Unitholders prior to the windup and liquidation of the Trust.
The Trusts distributions are dependent on natural gas production and prices and, to a lesser
extent, oil production and prices from the Underlying Properties. The natural gas industry is
highly competitive in all of its phases. In marketing production from the Underlying Properties,
major natural gas companies, independent natural gas concerns, and individual producers and
operators may provide competition. Many of these competitors have greater financial and other
resources than the companies marketing the production of the Trust. Competition may also be
presented by alternative fuel sources, including heating oil and other fossil fuels. In addition,
the Trust and Trustee do not independently monitor the Working Interest Owners financial viability
on an ongoing basis which may have an effect on the Trust and its ability to pay distributions to
the Unitholders.
The Trusts operations are subject to regulations which may limit the Trusts production of natural
gas or the price that the Trust receives for natural gas.
The production, transportation and sale of natural gas from the Underlying Properties are subject
to Federal and state governmental regulation, including regulation of tariffs charged by pipelines,
taxes, the prevention of waste, the conservation of natural gas, pollution controls and various
other matters. The United States has governmental power to impose pollution control measures.
If it is determined that the Trust is subject to the Texas margin tax, the Trustee may have to
withhold a disproportionate amount from future distributions to pay the tax liability.
The Trustee does not intend to pay any amounts for the Texas margin tax for tax years 2008, 2009
and 2010, based on the assumption that the Trust is exempt from tax as a passive entity; however,
there is currently no clear statutory authority that the Trust meets requirements for the margin
tax exemption as a passive entity. The effective date of the legislation was January 1, 2008, but
the tax was generally imposed on revenues generated in 2007 and thereafter (earlier for certain
fiscal year taxpayers). If it is subsequently determined that the Trust is not exempt from the
margin tax, the Trust would be required to deduct and withhold from future distributions the
amounts necessary to pay the margin tax for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010,
including the tax liability accruing on income distributed after December 2006 attributable to
Trust revenues during the four years ended December 31, 2010 from which no tax was withheld. For
more information about the Texas margin tax, see Note 3 to the Trusts financial
statements.
Federal Regulation
The Underlying Properties are subject to the jurisdiction of FERC with respect to various aspects
of natural gas operations including the marketing and production of natural gas. The Natural Gas
Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act (collectively, the Acts) mandate Federal regulation of
interstate transportation of natural gas. The Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act of 1989
terminated wellhead price controls on all domestic natural gas on January 1, 1993. Numerous
questions have been raised concerning the interpretation and implementation of several significant
provisions of the Acts and of the regulations and policies promulgated by FERC there under. A
number of lawsuits and administrative proceedings have been instituted which challenge the validity
of regulations implementing the Acts. In addition, FERC currently has under
9
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
consideration various policies and proposals that may affect the marketing of natural gas under new
and existing contracts. Accordingly, Torch is unable to predict the impact of any such government
regulation.
In the past, Congress has been very active in the area of natural gas regulation. Legislation
enacted in repeals incremental pricing requirements and natural gas use restraints previously
applicable. At the present time, it is impossible to predict what proposals, if any, might
actually be enacted by Congress or the various state legislatures and what effect, if any, such
proposals might have on the Underlying Properties and the Trust.
State Regulation
Many state jurisdictions have at times imposed limitations on the production of natural gas by
restricting the rate of flow for natural gas wells below their actual capacity to produce and by
imposing acreage limitations for the drilling of a well. States may also impose additional
regulations of these matters. Most states regulate the production of natural gas, including
requirements for obtaining drilling permits, the method of developing new fields, provisions for
the unitization or pooling of natural gas properties, the spacing, operation, plugging and
abandonment of wells and the prevention of waste of natural gas resources. The rate of production
may be regulated and the maximum daily production allowable from natural gas wells may be
established on a market demand or conservation basis or both.
Because the Trust handles oil and natural gas petroleum products, the Trust may incur significant
costs and liabilities in the future resulting from a failure to comply with new or existing
environmental regulations or an accidental release of hazardous substances in the environment.
Activities on the Underlying Properties are subject to existing Federal, state and local laws,
rules and regulations relating to the protection of public health and welfare, safety and the
environment, including, without limitation, laws regulating the release of materials into the
environment and laws protecting areas of particular environmental concern. It is anticipated that,
absent the occurrence of an unanticipated event, compliance with these laws will not have a
material adverse effect upon the Trust or Unitholders. Torch has informed the Trust that it cannot
predict what effect future regulation or legislation, enforcement policies there under, and claims
for damages to property, employees, other persons and the environment resulting from operations on
the Underlying Properties could have on the Trust or Unitholders. However, pursuant to the terms
of the Conveyances, any costs or expenses incurred by the Working Interest Owners in connection
with environmental liabilities, to the extent arising out of or relating to activities occurring
on, or in connection with, or conditions existing on or under, the Underlying Properties before
October 1, 1993, will be borne by the Working Interest Owners and not the Trust and will not be
deducted in calculating Net Proceeds and will, therefore, not reduce amounts payable to the Trust.
Net Proceeds Attributable to the Robinsons Bend Field have declined significantly.
Prior to December 31, 2002, lease operating expenses were not deducted in calculating the Net
Proceeds payable to the Trust from the Robinsons Bend Field. In accordance with the provisions of
the Net Profits Interest conveyance covering the Robinsons Bend Field, commencing with the second
quarter 2003 distribution (pertaining to the quarter ended March 31, 2003 production) lease
operating expenses and capital expenditures have been deducted in calculating Net Proceeds. The
Trust receives no payments for distributions to Unitholders with respect to the Robinsons Bend
Field when proceeds do not exceed the sum of costs and expenses and the cumulative excess of such
costs and expenses including interest (Robinsons Bend Field Cumulative Deficit). The Trust
received no payments with respect to the Robinsons Bend Field during the each of the three years
ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama in the
matter captioned Trust Venture Company, LLC v. Constellation Energy Partners LLC
(CV-2008-900751) approved in all respects the settlement as memorialized in the proposed Settlement
and Release Agreement and ordered that the matter be dismissed, with prejudice, costs taxed as
paid. In the Order and Final Judgment entered by the Court dated as of April 13, 2011, the Circuit
Court
10
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
acknowledged receiving the report from counsel for the trustee of the Trust that no objections to
the proposed settlement in this matter had been received, and the Court confirmed after review that
the Settlement and Release Agreement is fair, reasonable and adequate. The proposed Settlement and
Release Agreement shall become effective on the date on which the Order and Final Judgment becomes
final and unappealable, which absent appeal, is anticipated to be June 13, 2011. See Item
3. Legal Proceedings.
The Robinsons Bend Field Cumulative Deficit at December 31, 2010 (pertaining to production as of
September 30, 2010 and excluding Infill Wells) was approximately $6.1 million. Neither the Trust
nor Unitholders are liable to pay such deficit. However, the Trust will receive no payments with
respect to the Robinsons Bend Field until future proceeds exceed the Robinsons Bend Cumulative
Deficit.
The market price for the Trusts Units may not reflect the value of the Net Profits Interests held
by the Trust.
The public trading price for the Trust Units tends to be tied to the recent and expected levels of
cash distributions on the Trust Units. The amounts available for distribution by the Trust vary in
response to numerous factors outside the control of the Trust, including prevailing prices for oil
and natural gas produced from the Underlying Properties. The market price of the Trust Units is
not necessarily indicative of the value that the Trust would realize if the Net Profits Interests
were sold to a third party buyer. In addition, such market price is not necessarily reflective of
the fact that, since the assets of the Trust are depleting assets, a portion of each cash
distribution paid on the Trust Units should be considered by investors as a return of capital, with
the remainder being considered as a return on investment. There is no guarantee that distributions
made to a Unitholder over the life of these depleting assets or distributions following a sale of
the Net Profits Interests will equal or exceed the purchase price paid by the Unitholder.
Financial information of the Trust is not prepared in accordance with GAAP.
The financial statements of the Trust are prepared on a modified cash basis of accounting, which is
a comprehensive basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the
U.S., or GAAP. Although this basis of accounting is permitted for royalty trusts by the Securities
and Exchange Commission, the financial statements of the Trust differ from GAAP financial
statements because net profits income is not accrued in the month of production, expenses are not
recognized when incurred and cash reserves may be established for certain contingencies that would
not be recorded in GAAP financial statements.
The Trust is dependent on certain service providers to provide various services to the Trust.
The Trust and Trustee rely on third party service providers to perform administrative services,
Sarbanes-Oxley compliance services and other services for the Trust. Torch provided accounting,
bookkeeping, informational and other services to the Trust related to the Net Profits Interests
pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement effective October 1, 1993 and an oral arrangement
after termination of the Administrative Services Agreement on January 29, 2008 through April 1,
2008.
On November 7, 2008, the Trust and Torch entered an agreement whereby Torch provided certain
accounting services in connection with the preparation of the Trusts Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2007. Such service agreement expired December 23, 2008.
To facilitate the winding down of the Trust, Torch currently provides certain accounting and other
services for the Trust pursuant to an agreement with the Trust entered into on March 26, 2009. The
initial term of the agreement expired on March 31, 2010. On March 31, 2011, Torch and the Trust
extended the expiration date of the agreement by one year to March 31, 2012 or as sooner terminated
by written notice from either party
11
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
within 5 business days notice. The inability of the Trust to hire qualified services providers to
assist in the wind up and liquidation of the Trust may have a material adverse effect on the
operations of the Trust.
Unitholders have limited voting rights.
Voting rights as a Unitholder are more limited than those of stockholders of most public
corporations. For example, there is no requirement for annual meetings of Unitholders or an annual
or other periodic re-election of the Trustee. Unlike corporations which are generally governed by
boards of directors elected by their equity holders, the Trust is administered by a corporate
trustee in accordance with the Trust Agreement and other organizational documents. The Trustee has
extremely limited discretion in its administration of the Trust as set forth in the Trusts Trust
Agreement.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
The Trust does not currently have any unresolved Securities and Exchange Commission staff comments.
Item 2. Properties.
Description of the Underlying Properties
Chalkley Field. The Underlying Properties in the Chalkley Field, located in Cameron Parish,
Louisiana, include an average 16.2% working interest (12.1% net revenue interest) in five unitized
wells (excluding Infill Wells) producing from the Miogyp B reservoir. As of December 31, 2010,
one Infill Well has been drilled on the Underlying Properties in the Chalkley Field. The average
working interest and net revenue interest (net to the Trusts 20% interest) for the Chalkley Infill
Well is approximately 3.2% and 2.4%. These wells produce from a depth in excess of 14,000 feet. A
subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corporation operates the wells.
Robinsons Bend Field. The Underlying Properties include an average 40.2% working interest (30.5%
net revenue interest) in 392 wells (excluding Infill Wells) in the Robinsons Bend Field in the
Black Warrior Basin of Alabama. As of December 31, 2010, 34 Infill Wells have been drilled on the
Underlying Properties in the Robinsons Bend Field. The average working interest and net revenue
interest of the Robinsons Bend Infill Wells (net to the Trusts 20% interest) is approximately
6.8% and 5.2%, respectively. All of the wells in the Robinsons Bend Field are operated by a third
party, Robinsons Bend Operating II, LLC, a subsidiary of Constellation Energy Partners LLC.
Cotton Valley Fields. The Underlying Properties include an average 53.7% working interest (39.5%
net revenue interest) in 41 wells (excluding Infill Wells) in four fields that produce from the
Upper and Lower Cotton Valley formations in Texas. As of December 31, 2010, 32 Infill Wells have
been drilled on the Underlying Properties in the Cotton Valley Fields. The average working
interest and net revenue interest of the Cotton Valley Fields Infill Wells (net to the Trusts 20%
interest) is approximately 14.6% and 11.1%, respectively. A subsidiary of Torch operates 40 of
these wells. The remaining wells are operated by Samson Lone Star Limited Partnership (Samson).
Austin Chalk Fields. The Underlying Properties include an average of 16.1% working interest
(11.4% net revenue interest) in 59 wells in the Austin Chalk Fields of Central Texas. Production
from these fields is derived primarily from the highly fractured Austin Chalk formation using
horizontal drilling techniques. A subsidiary of Torch operates two wells in the Austin Chalk
Fields. The remaining wells in the Austin Chalk Fields are operated by third parties.
12
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Oil and Natural Gas Reserves
The pre-tax future net cash flows, discounted at 10%, attributable to the net proved reserves of
the Net Profits Interests was approximately $10.3 million as of December 31, 2010. Future cash
flows attributable to the Robinsons Bend Fields Net Profits Interests were estimated to have no
value to the Trust as of December 31, 2010. See Note 7 of the audited financial statements
for additional information concerning the net proved reserves of the Net Profits Interests.
Well Count and Acreage Summary
The following table shows, as of December 31, 2010, the gross and net interest in oil and natural
gas wells for the Underlying Properties:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas Wells |
|
|
Oil Wells |
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Net |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Net |
|
Chalkley Field |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robinsons Bend Field |
|
|
426 |
|
|
|
170.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cotton Valley Fields |
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
25.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Austin Chalk Fields |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
531 |
|
|
|
200.9 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table shows the gross and net acreage for the Underlying Properties as of
December 31, 2010. A gross acre in the following table refers to the number of acres in which a
working interest is owned directly by the Trust. The number of net acres is the sum of the
fractional ownership of working interests owned directly by the Trust in the gross acres expressed
as a whole number and percentages thereof. A net acre is deemed to exist when the sum of
fractional ownership of working interests in gross acres equals one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acreage |
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Net |
|
Chalkley Field |
|
|
2,152 |
|
|
|
348 |
|
Robinsons Bend Field |
|
|
33,404 |
|
|
|
14,288 |
|
Cotton Valley Fields |
|
|
4,411 |
|
|
|
2,606 |
|
Austin Chalk Fields |
|
|
22,468 |
|
|
|
3,791 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
62,435 |
|
|
|
21,033 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drilling Activity
The following table sets forth the results of drilling activity for the Underlying Properties
during the three years ended December 31, 2010. Gross wells, as it applies to wells in the
following table, refers to the number of wells in which a working interest is owned directly by the
owners of the Underlying Properties and Infill Wells (Gross Well). A net well (Net Well)
represents the sum of the fractional ownership working interests in the Gross Wells expressed as
whole numbers and percentages thereof.
All of the wells shown below represent Infill Wells drilled on the Underlying Properties. The Net
Profits Interests entitle the Trust to 20% of Infill Well Net Proceeds which is defined as gross
proceeds from the sale of production attributable to Infill Wells less all production, drilling and
completion costs of such wells. Infill Well Net Proceeds are calculated by aggregating the
proceeds and costs from Infill Wells on a state by state basis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development Wells Chalkley Field (a) |
Gross |
|
Net |
|
|
Productive |
|
Dry Holes |
|
Total |
|
Productive |
|
Dry Holes |
|
Total |
2010 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
2009 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
2008 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
13
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development Wells Cotton Valley Fields |
Gross |
|
Net |
|
|
Productive |
|
Dry Holes |
|
Total |
|
Productive |
|
Dry Holes |
|
Total |
2010 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
2009 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
2008 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development Wells Austin Chalk Fields (b) |
Gross |
|
Net |
|
|
Productive |
|
Dry Holes |
|
Total |
|
Productive |
|
Dry Holes |
|
Total |
2010 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
2009 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
2008 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development Wells Robinsons Bend Field (c) |
Gross |
|
Net |
|
|
Productive |
|
Dry Holes |
|
Total |
|
Productive |
|
Dry Holes |
|
Total |
2010 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
2009 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
2008 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
In 2007, an Infill Well was drilled in the Chalkley Field for which the Trust has not
received cash distributions. No Infill Wells were drilled in the Chalkley Field during the three
years ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2010, costs and expenses exceeded gross revenues
by approximately $2.2 million (before interest expense). The Trust will receive no payments for
distributions with respect to the Chalkley Field Infill Well until the future proceeds exceed the
sum of future costs and expenses and the cumulative excess of such costs and expenses including
interest. |
|
(b) |
|
Dry hole costs pertaining to Austin Chalk Field Infill Well drilling reduced Infill Well Net
Proceeds recognized by the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2010 by $49,319. |
|
(c) |
|
The Trust has not received cash distributions with respect to the Infill Wells drilled in the
Robinsons Bend Field. As of December 31, 2010 (pertaining to sales through September 30, 2010),
costs and expenses exceeded gross revenues by approximately $1.6 million. The Trust will receive
no payments for distributions with respect to the Robinsons Bend Infill Wells until the future
proceeds exceed the sum of future costs and expenses and the cumulative excess of such costs and
expenses including interest. |
There was no other drilling activity on the Underlying Properties during the three years ended
December 31, 2010.
Oil and Natural Gas Sales Prices and Production Costs
The following table sets forth, for the Underlying Properties, the net production volumes of
natural gas and oil, the weighted average lifting cost and taxes per Mcfe deducted in calculating
Net Proceeds and the weighted average sales price per Mcf of natural gas and Bbl of oil for
production attributable to Net Proceeds received by the Trust during the years ended December 31,
2010, 2009 and 2008 (derived from production during the twelve months ended September 30, 2010,
2009 and 2008, respectively).
In 2010, Net Proceeds paid to the Trust with respect to net profits income generated in the Austin
Chalk Fields were reduced by $826,000 (including interest expense of $70,000) to recoup
overpayments to the Trust by TRC during the five year period ended December 31, 2009 (Austin Chalk
Gas Volume Adjustment). The effect of the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment has been excluded
from the data set forth in the table below, except for information included in footnote (a).
See Note 4 to the Trusts audited financial statements for additional information
concerning the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment. The Trust, Trustee and the Trusts service
providers continue to review and analyze the appropriateness of and verify the information and data
provided by TRC concerning the Austin Chalk gas production volumes.
14
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chalkley, Cotton Valley And Austin Chalk Fields |
|
|
|
2010 (a) |
|
|
2009 (a) |
|
|
2008 (a) |
|
Production: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas (MMcf) |
|
|
1,156 |
|
|
|
1,342 |
|
|
|
1,544 |
|
Oil (Mbbl) |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average lifting cost per Mcfe |
|
$ |
1.47 |
|
|
$ |
1.31 |
|
|
$ |
0.92 |
|
Weighted average taxes on production per Mcfe |
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
Weighted average sales price (b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas ($/Mcf) |
|
$ |
3.34 |
|
|
$ |
3.46 |
|
|
$ |
5.51 |
|
Oil ($/Bbl) |
|
$ |
69.10 |
|
|
$ |
48.11 |
|
|
$ |
95.11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robinsons Bend Field |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Production: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas (MMcf) |
|
|
1,473 |
|
|
|
1,530 |
|
|
|
1,579 |
|
Oil (Mbbl) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average lifting cost per Mcfe |
|
$ |
4.80 |
|
|
$ |
4.49 |
|
|
$ |
4.19 |
|
Weighted average taxes on production per Mcfe |
|
$ |
0.21 |
|
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
Weighted average sales price (b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas ($/Mcf) |
|
$ |
2.89 |
|
|
$ |
2.92 |
|
|
$ |
4.85 |
|
Oil ($/Bbl) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Excludes the effect of the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment. Gas volumes related to such
adjustment were 0 MMcf, 53 MMcf and 37 MMcf pertaining to gas sales during the twelve month
ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The cumulative natural gas sales volume
adjustment for periods prior to 2008 was 108 MMcf. The total natural gas sales volumes
pertaining to the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment of 198 MMcf were compensated with natural
gas sales volumes in 2010. |
|
(b) |
|
Average sales prices are reflective of natural gas prices received by the Trust less certain
gathering, treating and transportation charges. |
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
On October 16, 2008, Trust Venture Company, LLC and Wilmington Trust Company, solely in its
capacity as Trustee for the Torch Energy Royalty Trust, (together, Plaintiffs) filed a petition
against TRC, Torch E&P Company, and Constellation Energy Partners LLC (collectively, Defendants)
in the District Court of Harris County, Texas. The petition sought to vacate the arbitration award
issued by the JAMS Panel in Defendants favor on July 18, 2008 in the arbitration captioned Torch
Royalty Co., et al. v. Wilmington Trust Co., et al., JAMS Reference No. 13100017310. See
Item 1. Business General for a description of the arbitration. Defendants filed a motion to
dismiss the Plaintiffs petition and to confirm the arbitration award. On or about December 10,
2008, the Court entered an Order dismissing the petition and granting the Defendants motion to
confirm the arbitration award.
On December 22, 2008, the Trustee received a demand letter from Trust Venture Company, LLC with
respect to certain enumerated costs including administrative costs and costs for water gathering,
treating and disposal that are deducted by the working interest owners of certain of the
Underlying Properties from the Net Profit Interests before remitting the Net Proceeds to the
Trustee and the Trust. Trust Venture Company, LLC has concluded that the Trust has been
overcharged (and continues to be overcharged) by the working interest owners of certain of the
Underlying Properties and that these overcharges have damaged the Trust (and as a result, all of
the Trusts Unitholders). In addition, Trust Venture Company, LLC asserts that the working
interest owners have failed to provide the required accountings as set forth in the Conveyances and
that the Trust may request the court to require the working interest owners to provide such an
accounting. Trust Venture Company, LLC requested that the Trustee either institute legal action
against the working interest owners, or authorize Trust Venture Company, LLC to commence a
derivative action against the current working interest owner of the Alabama property in accordance
with, inter alia, Section 3816 of
the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, codified at 12 Del. C. 3816(a), to recover all overcharges
related to administrative costs, water gathering, treating and disposal costs and all overcharges
reflected in the
15
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
accounting. The Trustee responded on December 22, 2008 to Trust Venture Company, LLC with a
request for additional information which it has now received. The Trustee carefully considered
Trust Venture Company, LLCs demand letter, and concluded, in the reasoned exercise of its business
judgment, that it is in the best interest of the Trust and all Unitholders to authorize Trust
Venture Company, LLC to commence a derivative action and provided its authorization as of December
30, 2008.
As disclosed by the Trust in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007
(2007 Annual Report), Trust Venture intended to commence a derivative action against
Constellation Energy Partners LLC, the working interest owner of certain oil and natural gas fields
located in Alabama, in accordance with, inter alia, Section 3816 of the Delaware Statutory Trust
Act, codified at 12 Del. C. 3816(a), to (i) recover any overcharges to the Trust by Constellation
Energy Partners LLC related to administrative costs, water gathering, treating and disposal costs
and severance taxes and (ii) require Constellation Energy Partners LLC to provide an accounting of
its revenues and expenses as required under the Conveyance filed of record in Tuscaloosa County,
Alabama. On December 30, 2008, Trust Venture Company, LLC filed and subsequently served a
derivative lawsuit against Constellation Energy Partners LLC in Alabama state court alleging such
overcharges, challenging the calculation of the Net Profits Interests under the Conveyances that
were used to transfer the Net Profits Interests in each state, and demanding an accounting of
Constellation Energy Partners LLCs revenues and expenses. In response to the derivative lawsuit,
on February 9, 2009, Constellation Energy Partners LLC filed in Alabama state court a motion to
dismiss such lawsuit without prejudice in favor of arbitration in Texas on various grounds,
including Trust Venture Company, LLCs alleged lack of standing and Trust Ventures alleged failure
to comply with certain contractual agreements. The Alabama state court denied Constellation Energy
Partners LLCs motion to dismiss on February 25, 2009, and so the Alabama derivative action is
proceeding against Constellation Energy Partners LLC.
On February 12, 2009, the Trustee received a certified copy of a demand for arbitration dated
February 9, 2009 by Constellation Energy Partners LLC before JAMS in Texas (the Demand Notice)
seeking a declaratory judgment that Constellation Energy Partners LLC (i) correctly calculated and
paid the Net Profits Interests payments due to the Trust, (ii) correctly charged the Trust for
certain well accounting services and severance taxes, and (iii) has complied with its contractual
reporting requirements due to the Trust. In the Demand Notice, Constellation Energy Partners LLC
claimed that, because the Trust authorized Trust Venture to file the derivative lawsuit, there
exists a judicable conflict between Constellation Energy Partners LLC and the Trust that is subject
to resolution by arbitration.
On February 12, 2009, Trust Venture Company, LLC filed an emergency motion in Alabama state court
to stay the arbitration demanded by Constellation Energy Partners LLC until such time as the court
issues a judgment as to the enforceability of the arbitration agreement made by and between the
Trust and Constellation Energy Partners LLC. The court denied that motion on February 25, 2009. On
March 9, 2009, the Trustee filed its own motion in the same Alabama state court seeking to
intervene in the derivative action for the limited purpose of moving for a stay of the Texas
arbitration until resolution of the derivative action. The Alabama state court heard oral argument
on the Trustees motion on March 25, 2009, and on April 1, 2009, the Alabama state court denied the
Trustees motion to stay the Texas arbitration and further denied Constellation Energy Partners
LLCs motion to stay the Alabama state court derivative action. Subsequently, the Trustee filed a
motion to dismiss or stay the Texas arbitration with JAMS and the arbitration panel heard oral
argument on April 10, 2009 and on April 13, 2009 granted the Trustees motion to stay the Texas
arbitration proceedings pending the outcome of the Alabama derivative action. The arbitration panel
subsequently entered an Order of Dismissal with respect to the Texas arbitration dated July 27,
2009. There can be no assurance as to the outcome or result of the Alabama derivative litigation or
that Constellation Energy Partners LLC will not challenge the Order of Dismissal entered by the
arbitration panel on July 27, 2009 or file other arbitration claims. On August 21, 2009, the
Alabama state court added the Trust as a
nominal plaintiff in the Alabama derivative action that is proceeding against Constellation Energy
Partners LLC.
16
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
The Trust has also previously disclosed information regarding the termination of the Trust, the
ongoing Alabama derivative litigation, the concluded Texas arbitration and other information
regarding the Trust on its 2007, 2008 and 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and
its Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. The Unitholders are urged to read the above
mentioned and all other filings by the Trust with the SEC carefully and in their entirety.
On February 23, 2011, the Trust issued a press release and disclosed information regarding the
ongoing Alabama derivative litigation on its Current Report on Form 8-K. In the press release, the
Trust announced that it and the derivative unitholder plaintiff reached an agreement in principle
with Constellation Energy Partners LLC to settle certain claims in the litigation, captioned
Trust Venture Company, LLC v. Constellation Energy Partners LLC (CV-2008-900751), filed by
the derivative plaintiff on the Trusts behalf in the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
(the Settlement).
As stated in the press release and the Notice of Pendency of Derivative Action, Proposed Settlement
of Derivative Action, Settlement Hearing, and Right to Appear, in the form approved by the Court
and attached to the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2011, subject to the approval of
the Court, the derivative plaintiff (Trust Venture Company, LLC) and the Trust have agreed to
settle the claims against Constellation Energy Partners LLC in the derivative action, and to enter
into mutual, general releases with Constellation Energy Partners LLC in return for (i) a payment of
one million two hundred thousand United States dollars ($1,200,000) to the derivative plaintiff by
Robinsons Bend Production II (RBP II), which is a Delaware limited liability company and an
affiliate of Constellation Energy Partners LLC, to reimburse the derivative plaintiff for the legal
fees and expenses it incurred in prosecuting the derivative action, (ii) an irrevocable bid by RBP
II of not less than one million United States dollars ($1,000,000) for its purchase from the Trust
of the net overriding royalty interest (Alabama NORRI), when such Alabama NORRI is separately
offered for sale by the Trust at public auction within 180 days of the effective date of the
Settlement, with such bid amount to be deposited by RBP II in a third-party escrow account pending
the public auction, and (iii) a third amendment to that certain Water Gathering and Disposal
Agreement providing that, for a period of ten years commencing on the first day of the month
following the effective date of the settlement, the charges for the gathering, separation, and
disposal of water from oil and gas wells located in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama that are owned and
operated by RBP II (Wells) shall be fifty-three cents ($0.53) per barrel of water. (RBP II
currently charges one United States dollar ($1.00) per barrel of water for the gathering,
separation, and disposal of such water from the Wells).
The Alabama Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama convened a hearing on the settlement on
April 11, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. CDT (the Settlement Hearing). At the Settlement Hearing, the Court
determined whether or not (i) to approve the Settlement as memorialized in the proposed Settlement
and Release Agreement with Constellation Energy Partners LLC, and (ii) to approve an Order ending
this derivative action. On February 23, 2011, the Trust sent the Notice of Pendency of Derivative
Action, Proposed Settlement of Derivative Action, Settlement Hearing, and Right to Appear to the
Trusts unitholders of record as of February 11, 2011, as required by the Settlement. On April 18,
2011, the Trust issued a press release and disclosed information on its Current Report on Form 8-K
that the Alabama Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama approved in all respects the
settlement as memorialized in the proposed Settlement and Release Agreement and ordered that the
matter be dismissed, with prejudice, costs taxed as paid. In the Order and Final Judgment entered
by the Court dated as of April 13, 2011, the Circuit Court acknowledged receiving the report from
counsel for the trustee of the Trust that no objections to the proposed settlement in this matter
had been received, and the Court confirmed after review that the Settlement and Release Agreement
is fair, reasonable and adequate. The proposed Settlement and Release Agreement shall become
effective on the date on which the Order and Final Judgment becomes final and unappealable, which
absent appeal, is anticipated to be June 13, 2011.
As previously disclosed on current Report Form 8-K filed on January 31, 2008, the Trust received
the affirmative vote of the Unitholders of more than 66 2/3% of the outstanding units to terminate
the Trust at
17
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
the meeting of Unitholders held January 29, 2008. Pursuant to the Trust Agreement of the
Trust, the Termination Date of the Trust is January 29, 2008.
Upon termination of the Trust, among other things, the Trustee is required to sell the Net Profits
Interests. Specifically, pursuant to Section 9.03(e) of the Trust Agreement if the property of the
Trust Estate (as defined in the Trust Agreement) has not been sold prior to the end of one calendar
year following the termination date, the Trustee must cause such assets to be sold at public
auction. As the Trust was terminated by a vote of the Unitholders on the Termination Date, the
Trustee anticipates it will continue to consult with the Trusts and Trustees financial and legal
advisors in preparing the sales process and obtaining the necessary information required for
disclosure regarding the Units to carry out the sale requirement under Section 9.03(e) of the Trust
Agreement.
No assurances can be given that the Trustee will be able to sell the Net Profits Interests or the
amount that will be distributed to Unitholders following such a sale. Such distributions could be
below the market value of the Units. The Trust can give no assurances of the effect of the results
of the affirmative vote to terminate the Trust by the Unitholders on the continued listing of the
Units on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or any other national quotation system.
Item 4. (Removed and Reserved).
18
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrants Units, Related Unitholder Matters and Registrant Purchases of
Equity Securities.
The Units are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol TRU. At March 31, 2011, there were
8,600,000 Units outstanding and approximately 164 Unitholders of record. The following table sets
forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per Unit on the NYSE and the amount
of quarterly cash distributions per Unit made by the Trust:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
|
|
High |
|
|
Low |
|
|
Distributions |
|
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended March 31, 2009 |
|
$ |
2.99 |
|
|
$ |
1.19 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
Quarter ended June 30, 2009 |
|
$ |
4.80 |
|
|
$ |
1.44 |
|
|
$ |
0.35 |
|
Quarter ended September 30, 2009 |
|
$ |
8.74 |
|
|
$ |
3.20 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
Quarter ended December 31, 2009 |
|
$ |
7.35 |
|
|
$ |
4.36 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended March 31, 2010 |
|
$ |
5.35 |
|
|
$ |
3.36 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
Quarter ended June 30, 2010 |
|
$ |
5.48 |
|
|
$ |
3.75 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
Quarter ended September 30, 2010 |
|
$ |
4.64 |
|
|
$ |
3.19 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
Quarter ended December 31, 2010 |
|
$ |
4.99 |
|
|
$ |
3.50 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
Item 6. Selected Financial Data. (In thousands, except per Unit amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Net profits income |
|
$ |
1,285 |
(a) |
|
$ |
2,516 |
|
|
$ |
6,217 |
|
|
$ |
4,842 |
|
|
$ |
7,796 |
|
Infill Well Net Proceeds |
|
$ |
1,937 |
|
|
$ |
89 |
|
|
$ |
161 |
|
|
$ |
400 |
|
|
$ |
516 |
|
Distributable income |
|
$ |
2,060 |
(a) |
|
$ |
1,236 |
|
|
$ |
3,162 |
|
|
$ |
4,133 |
|
|
$ |
7,262 |
|
Distributions declared |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
3,891 |
|
|
$ |
258 |
|
|
$ |
4,102 |
|
|
$ |
7,250 |
|
Distributable income
per Unit |
|
$ |
0.24 |
(a) |
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
|
$ |
0.84 |
|
Cash Reserve per Unit |
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
Distributions per Unit |
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.45 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
|
$ |
0.84 |
|
Total assets
(at end of period) |
|
$ |
14,219 |
|
|
$ |
15,250 |
|
|
$ |
19,623 |
|
|
$ |
16,694 |
|
|
$ |
18,386 |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
In 2010, net profits income and distributable income were reduced by $756,000 and
826,000 (including $70,000 of interest expense), respectively, by the Austin Chalk Gas
Volume Adjustment. Distributable income per unit was reduced by $0.10 for such
adjustment. See Note 4 to the Trusts audited financial statements for
additional information concerning the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment. |
Distributable income of the Trust consists of the excess of net profits income plus Infill
Well Net Proceeds and other income less general and administrative expenses and interest expense.
The Trust recognizes net profits income during the period in which amounts are received by the
Trust.
19
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
Results of Operations
Discussion of Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008
Because a modified cash basis of accounting is utilized by the Trust, Net Proceeds attributable to
the Underlying Properties for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are derived from
actual oil and natural gas production from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010, October 1,
2008 through September 30, 2009 and October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008, respectively. The
following tables set forth oil and natural gas sales attributable to the Underlying Properties
during the three years ended December 31, 2010.
The data set forth in the table below, except for information contained in footnote (a), excludes
the effect of the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment. See Note 4 to the Trusts audited
financial statements for additional information concerning the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bbls of Oil |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Chalkley Field |
|
|
2,337 |
|
|
|
2,906 |
|
|
|
3,550 |
|
Robinsons Bend Field |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cotton Valley Fields |
|
|
1,042 |
|
|
|
1,560 |
|
|
|
1,552 |
|
Austin Chalk Fields |
|
|
9,256 |
|
|
|
10,322 |
|
|
|
9,069 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
12,635 |
|
|
|
14,788 |
|
|
|
14,171 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mcf of Natural Gas |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Chalkley Field |
|
|
609,035 |
|
|
|
702,898 |
|
|
|
822,474 |
|
Robinsons Bend Field |
|
|
1,473,483 |
|
|
|
1,529,997 |
|
|
|
1,579,276 |
|
Cotton Valley Fields |
|
|
438,941 |
|
|
|
513,335 |
|
|
|
580,232 |
|
Austin Chalk Fields |
|
|
108,062 |
(a) |
|
|
125,887 |
(a) |
|
|
140,911 |
(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
2,629,521 |
|
|
|
2,872,117 |
|
|
|
3,122,893 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Excludes the effect of the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment. Such adjustment
adversely affected gas sales attributable to the Underlying Properties in the Austin Chalk
Fields during the twelve months ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 by 0 MMcf, 53 MMcf
and 37 MMcf, respectively. Oil sales were not impacted by this adjustment. See
Note 4 to the Trusts audited financial statements for additional information. The
cumulative natural gas sales volume adjustment for periods prior to 2008 was 108 MMcf. The
total natural gas sales volumes pertaining to the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment of 198
MMcf were compensated with natural gas sales volumes in 2010. |
For the year ended December 31, 2010, net profits income was $1.3 million, as compared to $2.5
million and $6.2 million for the same periods in 2009 and 2008, respectively. The decrease in net
profits income during 2010 as compared to 2009 is mainly due to Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment
which recouped overpayments to the Trust by TRC totaling $726,000 (before interest expense) during
the five year period ended December 31, 2009. The decrease in net profits income during 2009 as
compared to 2008 is mainly due to lower average oil and natural gas prices paid to the Trust in
2009. The Trust, Trustee and the Trusts service providers continue to review and analyze the
appropriateness of and verify the information and data provided by TRC concerning the Austin Chalk
gas production volumes.
Commencing with the second quarter of 2003 distribution (pertaining to the quarter ended March
31, 2003 production) lease operating expenses and capital expenditures have been deducted in
calculating Robinsons
20
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Bend Net Proceeds. The Trust received no payments with respect to the Robinsons Bend Field during
each of the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
The Robinsons Bend Field Cumulative Deficit, excluding the Robinsons Bend Infill Wells
(pertaining to production as of September 30, 2010) is approximately $6.1 million. Neither the
Trust nor Unitholders are liable to pay such deficit. However, the Trust will receive no payments
with respect to the Robinsons Bend Field until future proceeds exceed the Robinsons Bend
Cumulative Deficit.
Prior to the effect of the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment (see Note 4 to the Trusts
audited financial statements), natural gas production attributable to the Underlying Properties in
the Chalkley, Cotton Valley and Austin Chalk Fields was 1,156 MMcf, 1,342 MMcf and 1,544 MMcf in
2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment, which reduced Net
Proceeds received by the Trust in 2010, decreased gas volumes included in net profits income
calculations in 2010. The Trust, Trustee and the Trusts service providers continue to review and
analyze the appropriateness of and verify the information and data provided by TRC concerning the
Austin Chalk gas production volumes.
Natural gas production attributable to the Underlying Properties (excluding production generated
from the Infill Wells) in the Robinsons Bend Field was 1,473 MMcf, 1,530 MMcf and 1,579 MMcf in
2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Natural gas production decreased during each of the three years
ended December 31, 2010 mainly as a result of normal production declines. Oil production
attributable to the Underlying Properties for the year ended December 31, 2010 was 12,635 Bbls as
compared to 14,788 Bbls and 14,171 Bbls for the same periods in 2009 and 2008, respectively.
The average price used to calculate Net Proceeds for natural gas, before gathering, treating and
transportation deductions, during the year ended December 31, 2010 was $3.36 per MMBtu as compared
to $3.41 and $5.42 per MMBtu for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Such
average gas price calculations exclude the impact of the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment
discussed in Note 4 of the Trusts audited financial statements. The average price used to
calculate Net Proceeds for oil during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $69.11,
$48.11 and $95.11 per Bbl, respectively.
Prior to the Trusts termination on January 29, 2008, TEMI deducted the Price Differential and was
committed to pay a Minimum Price for natural gas. When TEMI paid a purchase price for natural gas
based on the Minimum Price, TEMI received Price Credits which it was entitled to deduct in
determining the purchase price when the Index Price for natural gas exceeded the Minimum Price.
TEMI had not exercised its right to discontinue the Minimum Price commitment and had no outstanding
Price Credits on the Termination Date. Additionally, if the Index Price for natural gas exceeded
$2.10 per MMBtu, adjusted annually for inflation, TEMI deducted 50% of such excess in calculating
the Net Proceeds payable to the Trust.
Upon the Trusts termination, the Working Interest Owners used the same pricing mechanisms
(including the Sharing Price and Minimum Price commitment mechanisms) in calculating Net Proceeds
due to the Trust. The Minimum Price per MMBtu for 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $1.97, $1.95 and $1.87,
respectively. The Sharing Price per MMBtu for 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $2.43, $2.40 and $2.30,
respectively. The deduction of the Price Differential in connection with the Sharing Price
mechanism reduced Net Proceeds during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 by $2.5
million, $3.0 million and $10.1 million, respectively. Following the Trusts termination, the
Working Interest Owners also have the same annual option to discontinue the Minimum Price
commitment. As of December 31, 2010, the Working Interest Owners had no outstanding Price Credits
and had not exercised their right to discontinue the Minimum Price commitment. No Price Credits
were deducted in calculating the purchase price related to net profits income during the three
years ended December 31, 2010.
21
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
In 2008 and 2009, the Trust received $1.3 million from a certain working interest owner with
respect to the Infill Wells which was classified as restricted cash prior to 2010 due to potential
overpayment (Restricted Infill Well Net Proceeds). In 2010, the Trust determined that the
Restricted Infill Well Net Proceeds were rightly owned by the Trust. Accordingly, in 2010 the
Trust classified the Restricted Infill Well Net Proceeds as unrestricted cash, decreased the Trust
expense payable on the Trusts Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus and increased
Infill Well Net Proceeds included in distributable income by $1.3 million.
During the three years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, Infill Well Net Proceeds were $1.9
million, $89,000 and $161,000, respectively. Infill Well Net Proceeds in 2010 were favorably
impacted by the recognition of the $1.3 million of Restricted Infill Well Net Proceeds. Infill
Well Net Proceeds during each of the three years ended December 31, 2010 were mainly generated from
Infill Wells in the Cotton Valley Fields.
Lease operating expenses and capital expenditures attributable to the Underlying Properties in the
Chalkley, Cotton Valley and Austin Chalk Fields deducted in calculating Net Proceeds during the
years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $2.2 million for each year and $2.5 million in 2008.
General and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2010 were $1.1 million as
compared to $1.4 million and $3.3 million during each of the years ended December 31, 2009 and
2008, respectively. General and administrative expenses were significantly greater in 2008 as
compared to 2009 and 2010 as a result of legal fees incurred by the Trust in connection with the
arbitration proceeding between the Trust and certain working interest owners of the Underlying
Properties relating to the proper calculation of the quarterly Net Profits Interests payments owed
to the Trust following the termination of the Trust. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
During each of the three years ended December 31, 2010, general and administrative expenses include
costs pertaining to administrative services provided by Torch and the Trustee, legal fees,
accounting fees, reserve report preparation fees, and Unitholder report printing fees.
Pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Trust Agreement, the Trustee established a cash reserve (Cash
Reserve) following the Trusts termination in 2008 for the payment of actual, contingent and
uncertain liabilities associated with the liquidation and winding down of the Trust and the Trusts
arbitration. During 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Trust received cash payments totaling $1.9 million,
$3.2 million and $7.1 million from the Working Interest Owners of the Underlying Properties
pertaining to net profits income attributable to production from the Underlying Properties during
the twelve months ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. During 2010 and 2008,
$3.2 million (including Restricted Infill Well Net Proceeds of $1.3 million) and $6.1 million,
respectively, of the cash payments received by the Trust were allocated into the Cash Reserve. No
cash payments received by the Trust in 2009 were allocated to the Cash Reserve. In 2009, cash
receipts received by the Trust from the Working Interest Owners during 2009 (excluding restricted
cash), net of general and administrative costs paid by the Trust during 2009, were distributed to
Unitholders along with the release of certain Cash Reserves accumulated in 2008. The Cash Reserve
as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $2.5 million, $0.8 million and $4.0 million,
respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2010, distributable income was $2.1 million, or $0.24 per Unit, as
compared to $1.2 million, or $0.14 per Unit, and $3.2 million, or $0.37 per Unit, for the same
period in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Total cash distributions of $3.9 million, or $0.45 per
Unit, were made during the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $0.3 million, or $0.03 per
Unit for the same period in 2008. No cash distributions were made to Unitholders in 2010.
Net profits income received by the Trust during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008,
derived from production sold during the twelve months ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008,
respectively, was computed as shown in the following table (in thousands):
22
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
Chalkley, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cotton Valley |
|
|
Robinsons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chalkley, Cotton |
|
|
Robinsons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chalkley, Cotton |
|
|
Robinsons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Austin |
|
|
Bend |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valley and Austin |
|
|
Bend |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valley and Austin |
|
|
Bend |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chalk Fields |
|
|
Field |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Chalk Fields |
|
|
Field |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Chalk Fields |
|
|
Field |
|
|
Total |
|
Oil and
natural gas revenues (a) |
|
$ |
3,944 |
|
|
$ |
4,254 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
5,356 |
|
|
$ |
4,472 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
9,846 |
|
|
$ |
7,662 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expenses (including
property tax) |
|
|
1,811 |
|
|
|
7,074 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,872 |
|
|
|
6,877 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,491 |
|
|
|
6,619 |
|
|
|
|
|
Severance tax |
|
|
404 |
|
|
|
305 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
474 |
|
|
|
358 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
771 |
|
|
|
743 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,215 |
|
|
|
7,379 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,346 |
|
|
|
7,235 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,262 |
|
|
|
7,362 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds before
capital expenditures |
|
|
1,729 |
|
|
|
(3,125 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,010 |
|
|
|
(2,763 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,584 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
376 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
362 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,040 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,353 |
|
|
|
(3,139 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,648 |
|
|
|
(2,764 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,544 |
|
|
|
296 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net profits percentage |
|
|
95 |
% |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
95 |
% |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
95 |
% |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net profits income |
|
$ |
1,285 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,285 |
|
|
$ |
2,516 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,516 |
|
|
$ |
6,217 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
6,217 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Net of the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment which reduced net profits income in 2010 by
$756,000. See Note 4 to the Trusts audited financial statements for additional
information. |
|
(b) |
|
With respect to the Robinsons Bend Field, the Trust received no cash distributions during
each of the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 (pertaining to production during the
twelve months ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.) |
Critical Accounting Policies
Reserve Estimates
The proved reserves of the Trust are estimated quantities of oil and natural gas which geological
and engineering data demonstrate, with reasonable certainty, to be recoverable in future years from
known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. The accuracy of any reserve
estimate is a function of the quality of available data, engineering and geological interpretation,
and judgment. For example, estimates are made regarding the amount and timing of future operating
costs, production volumes and severance taxes, all of which may in fact vary considerably from
actual results. In addition, as prices and cost levels change from year to year, the estimate of
proved reserves also change. Any variance in these assumptions could materially affect the
estimated quantity and value of the Trusts reserves. Independent petroleum engineering firms are
engaged to estimate the Trusts proved hydrocarbon liquid and natural gas reserves.
23
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment
The Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment reduced proceeds received by the Trust in 2010 by $826,000
(including $70,000 of interest expense) pertaining to net profits income generated by the
Underlying Properties in the Austin Chalk Fields. The Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment recouped
overpayments to the Trust by TRC during the five year period ended December 31, 2009 which resulted
from TRC utilizing estimated wellhead gas volumes for certain wells in the Austin Chalk Fields in
computing Net Proceeds due to the Trust. In 2010, the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment was
calculated utilizing actual wellhead gas sales volumes and resulted in a 198 MMcf downward
adjustment to gas sales volumes included in the net profits income calculations with respect to the
Austin Chalk Field. Oil revenues, severance taxes, lease operating expenses and capital
expenditures included in Net Proceeds due to the Trust during the five year period ended December
31, 2009 were not affected by the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment. The Trust, Trustee and the
Trusts service providers continue to review and analyze the appropriateness of and verify the
information and data provided by TRC concerning the Austin Chalk gas production volumes.
Modified Cash Basis
The financial statements of the Trust are prepared on a modified cash basis although financial
statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission are normally required to be prepared
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Since the
operations of the Trust are limited to the distribution of income from the Net Profits Interests,
the item of primary importance to the reader of the financial statements of the Trust is the amount
of cash distributions to the Unitholders for the period reported.
|
|
|
Item 7A. |
|
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk. |
The Trust is exposed to market risk, including adverse changes in commodity prices. The Trusts
assets constitute Net Profits Interests in the Underlying Properties. As a result, the Trusts
operating results can be significantly affected by fluctuations in commodity prices caused by
changing market forces and the price received for production from the Underlying Properties.
All production from the Underlying Properties during the period from the inception of the Trust to
the Trusts termination on January 29, 2008 was sold pursuant to a Purchase Contract between TRC,
Velasco, and TEMI. The Purchase Contract expired upon the Trusts termination. Pursuant to the
Purchase Contract, TEMI was obligated to purchase all net production attributable to the Underlying
Properties for an Index Price, less certain other charges, which were calculated monthly. The
Index Price calculation was based on market prices of oil and natural gas and therefore was subject
to commodity price risk. The Purchase Contract also provided a Minimum Price paid by TEMI for
natural gas, adjusted annually for inflation. When TEMI paid a purchase price based on the Minimum
Price, it received Price Credits equal to the difference between the Index Price and the Minimum
Price that TEMI was entitled to deduct when the Index Price exceeded the Minimum Price.
Additionally, if the Index Price exceeded the Sharing Price, TEMI was entitled to deduct such
excess, Price Differential. TEMI had the annual option to discontinue the Minimum Price
commitment. However, if TEMI discontinued the Minimum Price commitment, it would no longer be
entitled to deduct the Price Differential and would forfeit all accrued Price Credits. TEMI did
not exercise its right to discontinue the Minimum Price commitment and had no outstanding Price
Credits on the Termination Date.
Upon the Trusts termination, the Working Interest Owners calculated Net Proceeds owed to the Trust
utilizing the same pricing mechanisms (including the Sharing Price and Minimum Price commitment
mechanisms) as the terminated Purchase Contract. The Minimum Price per MMBtu was $1.97, $1.95 and
$1.87 for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Sharing Price was $2.43, $2.40 and $2.30 per
MMBtu in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. See Item 1. Business and Item 1A. Risk Factors
relating to the
24
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
termination of the Trust and the arbitration proceeding relating to the proper calculation of the
Net Profits Interests payments owed to the Trust following termination of the Trust and the Alabama
litigation. Following the Trusts termination, the Working Interest Owners also have the same
annual option to discontinue the Minimum Price commitment. However, if the Working Interest Owners
discontinue the Minimum Price commitment, they will no longer be entitled to deduct the Price
Differential and will forfeit all accrued Price Credits. The Working Interest Owners have not
exercised their option to discontinue the Minimum Price commitment and have no outstanding Price
Credits as of December 31, 2010.
|
|
|
Item 8. |
|
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. |
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
25
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Wilmington Trust Company
as Trustee of Torch Energy Royalty Trust
and to the Unitholders:
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets, liabilities and trust corpus of the Torch
Energy Royalty Trust (the Trust) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related statements of
distributable income and changes in trust corpus for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by the Trust, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We were not engaged to examine the Trustees assertion about the effectiveness of the Trusts
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 included in the accompanying
annual report on Form 10-K and, accordingly we do not express an opinion thereon.
As described in Note 2, the accompanying financial statements are prepared on a modified cash basis
of accounting, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Trust as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of
its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
2010, in conformity with the basis of accounting described in Note 2.
As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Trust terminated effective January 29,
2008. Certain responsibilities of the Trustee, including those associated with selling the assets
of the Trust, are also as described in Note 1.
/s/ UHY LLP
Houston, Texas
April 22, 2011
26
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS
(In Thousands)
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
Cash reserve |
|
$ |
2,486 |
|
|
$ |
847 |
|
Restricted cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,288 |
|
Net profits interests in oil and natural gas properties (net of
accumulated amortization of $168,867 and $167,485 at
December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively) |
|
|
11,733 |
|
|
|
13,115 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
14,219 |
|
|
$ |
15,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust expense payable |
|
$ |
367 |
|
|
$ |
2,076 |
|
Trust corpus |
|
|
13,852 |
|
|
|
13,174 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
14,219 |
|
|
$ |
15,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes to financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
27
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME
(In thousands, except per Unit amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Net profits income |
|
$ |
1,285 |
|
|
$ |
2,516 |
|
|
$ |
6,217 |
|
Infill well net proceeds Infill well net
proceeds |
|
|
1,937 |
|
|
|
89 |
|
|
|
161 |
|
Other income Other income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,222 |
|
|
|
2,629 |
|
|
|
6,415 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
1,092 |
|
|
|
1,393 |
|
|
|
3,253 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributable income |
|
$ |
2,060 |
|
|
$ |
1,236 |
|
|
$ |
3,162 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributable income per Unit (8,600 Units) |
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions per Unit |
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.45 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes to financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
28
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Trust corpus, beginning of year |
|
$ |
13,174 |
|
|
$ |
17,644 |
|
|
$ |
16,449 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of Net Profits Interests |
|
|
(1,382 |
) |
|
|
(1,815 |
) |
|
|
(1,709 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributable income |
|
|
2,060 |
|
|
|
1,236 |
|
|
|
3,162 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to Unitholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,891 |
) |
|
|
(258 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust Corpus, end of year |
|
$ |
13,852 |
|
|
$ |
13,174 |
|
|
$ |
17,644 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes to financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
29
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements
1. Nature of Operations
The Torch Energy Royalty Trust (Trust) was formed effective October 1, 1993, pursuant to a trust
agreement (Trust Agreement) among Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but
solely as trustee of the Trust (Trustee), Torch Royalty Company (TRC) and Velasco Gas Company,
Ltd. (Velasco) as owners of certain oil and natural gas properties (Underlying Properties) and
Torch Energy Advisors Incorporated (Torch) as grantor. The Trust was formed under the Delaware
statutory trust act (formerly known as the Delaware business trust act). TRC and Velasco created
net profits interests (Net Profits Interests) which burden the Underlying Properties and conveyed
such interests to Torch. Torch conveyed the Net Profits Interests to the Trust in exchange for an
aggregate of 8,600,000 units of beneficial interest (Units). Such Units were sold to the public
through various underwriters in November 1993. The current working interest owners of the
Underlying Properties are Torch Royalty Company, Torch E&P Company, Samson Lone Star Limited
Partnership and Constellation Energy Partners LLC (Working Interest Owners).
The Trust has no officers, directors or employees. The Trust and Trustee rely solely on receiving
accurate information, reports and other representations from Torch and other service providers to
the Trust. In executing and submitting this report on behalf of the Trust and with respect to Bruce
L. Bisson in executing the certifications relating to this report, the Trustee and Bruce L. Bisson
have relied upon the accuracy of such reports, information and representations.
The Trust received the affirmative vote of the Unitholders of more than 66 2/3% of the outstanding
Units to terminate the Trust at the meeting of Unitholders held on January 29, 2008. Upon
termination of the Trust, among other things, the Trustee is required to sell the Net Profits
Interests. Specifically, pursuant to Section 9.03(e) of the Trust Agreement if the property of the
Trust Estate (as defined in the Trust Agreement) has not been sold prior to the end of one calendar
year following the termination date, the Trustee, thereafter, must cause such assets to be sold at
public auction. As the Trust was terminated by a vote of the Unitholders on January 29, 2008 (the
Termination Date), the Trustee anticipates it will continue to consult with the Trusts and
Trustees financial and legal advisors in preparing the sales process and obtaining the necessary
information required for disclosure regarding the Units to carry out the sale requirement under
Section 9.03(e). Therefore, after termination of the Trust, the remaining assets of the Trust will
be sold, and the proceeds therefrom (after expenses) will be distributed to the unitholders
(Unitholders). The sole purpose of the Trust is to hold the Net Profits Interests, to receive
payments from TRC and Velasco, and to make payments to Unitholders. The Trust does not conduct any
business activity.
No assurances can be given that the Trustee will be able to sell the Net Profits Interests or the
price that will be distributed to Unitholders following such a sale. Such distributions could be
below the market value of the Units. The Trust can give no assurances of the effect of the results
of the affirmative vote to terminate the Trust by the Unitholders on the continued listing of the
Units on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or any other national quotation system.
TRC and Velasco receive payments reflecting the proceeds of oil and natural gas sold and aggregate
these payments, deduct applicable costs and make payments to the Trustee each quarter for the
amounts due to the Trust. Prior to the Trusts termination on January 29, 2008, Unitholders
received quarterly cash distributions relating to oil and natural gas produced and sold from the
Underlying Properties. Pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Trust Agreement, the Trustee established a
cash reserve (Cash Reserve) in 2008 following the Trusts termination. See Note 4
(Distributions and Income Computations) of the Trusts financial statements for additional
information regarding cash distributions and the Cash Reserve.
30
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Because no additional properties will be contributed to the Trust, the assets of the Trust deplete
over time and a portion of each cash distribution made by the Trust is analogous to a return of
capital.
The only assets of the Trust, other than cash and temporary investments being held for the payment
of actual, contingent and uncertain liabilities and for distribution to Unitholders, are the Net
Profits Interests. Under the Trust Agreement, the Trustee receives the payments attributable to
the Net Profits Interests and pays all expenses, liabilities and obligations of the Trust. The
Trustee has the discretion to establish a cash reserve for the payment of any liability that is
contingent or uncertain in amount or that otherwise is not currently due and payable. The Trustee
is entitled to cause the Trust to borrow money to pay expenses, liabilities and obligations that
cannot be paid out of cash held by the Trust. The Trustee is entitled to cause the Trust to borrow
from any source, including from the entity serving as Trustee, provided that the entity serving as
Trustee shall not be obligated to lend to the Trust. To secure payment of any such indebtedness
(including any indebtedness to the Trustee), the Trustee is authorized to (i) mortgage and
otherwise encumber the entire Trust estate or any portion thereof; (ii) carve out and convey
production payments; (iii) include all terms, powers, remedies, covenants and provisions it deems
necessary or advisable, including confession of judgment and the power of sale with or without
judicial proceedings; and (iv) provide for the exercise of those and other remedies available to a
secured lender in the event of a default on such loan. The terms of such indebtedness and security
interest, if funds were loaned by the Trustee, must be similar to the terms which the Trustee would
grant to a similarly situated commercial customer with whom it did not have a fiduciary
relationship, and the Trustee shall be entitled to enforce its rights with respect to any such
indebtedness and security interest as if it were not then serving as Trustee.
The Trustee is authorized and directed to sell and convey the Net Profits Interests without
Unitholder approval in certain instances as described in the Trust Agreement, including upon
termination of the Trust. The Trustee is empowered by the Trust Agreement to employ consultants,
legal and financial advisors and agents (including Torch) and to make payments of all fees for
services or expenses out of the assets of the Trust.
2. Basis of Accounting, Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The financial statements of the Trust are prepared on a modified cash basis and are not intended to
present the financial position and results of operations in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Preparation of the Trusts financial
statements on such basis includes the following:
|
|
Revenues are recognized in the period in which amounts are received by the Trust. Therefore, revenues recognized
during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are derived from oil and natural gas production sold during the
twelve-month periods ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. General and administrative expenses are
recognized on an accrual basis. |
|
|
|
Amortization of the Net Profits Interests is calculated on a unit-of-production basis and charged directly to Trust
corpus. |
|
|
|
Distributions to Unitholders are recorded when declared by the Trustee. |
|
|
|
The Trust reviews the Net Profits Interests for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the
carrying amount of the Net Profits Interests may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of the
carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the Net Profits Interests. If such
asset is considered to be impaired, |
31
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
|
|
the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets
exceeds either the fair value or the estimated discounted cash flows of the assets, whichever is
more readily measurable. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, no impairment was deemed necessary. |
|
|
|
The financial statements of the Trust differ from financial
statements prepared in accordance with GAAP because net
profits income is not accrued in the period of production and
amortization of the Net Profits Interests is not charged
against operating results. |
|
|
|
Restricted cash represents monies paid to the Trust by a
Working Interest Owner of the Underlying Properties that may
represent a potential overpayment pertaining to oil and
natural gas sales from certain Infill Wells during periods
subsequent to the Trusts termination. In 2010, the Trust
determined that the restricted cash was rightly owned by the
Trust. Accordingly, in 2010 the Trust classified the
restricted cash as unrestricted cash, decreased the Trust
expense payable on the Trusts Statements of Assets,
Liabilities and Trust Corpus and increased Infill Well Net
Proceeds included in distributable income by $1.3 million. |
|
|
|
At December 31, 2009, the Trust adopted the Securities and
Exchange Commissions (SEC) Modernization of Oil and Gas
Reporting, as well as the conforming rule changes issued by
the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Upon adoption, the
primary rule change that impacted the Trusts year-end 2009
reserve estimates were those related to assumptions for
pricing. The SECs prior rules required proved reserve
estimates to be calculated using prices as of the end of the
period and held constant over the life of the reserves. The
revised rules require reserve estimates to be calculated
using an unweighted average of the first-day-of-the-month
price for the preceding 12-month period. |
3. Federal Income Taxes and Texas State Margin Tax
Tax counsel has advised the Trust and Trustee that, under current tax law, the Trust is classified
as a grantor trust for federal income tax purposes and not an association taxable as a business
entity. However, the opinion of tax counsel is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service. As a
grantor trust, the Trust is not subject to federal income tax.
Because the Trust is treated as a grantor trust for federal income tax purposes and a Unitholder is
treated as directly owning an interest in the Net Profits Interests, each Unitholder is taxed
directly on such Unitholders pro rata share of income attributable to the Net Profits Interests
consistent with the Unitholders method of accounting and without regard to the taxable year or
accounting method employed by the Trust. Amounts payable with respect to the Net Profits Interests
are paid to the Trust on the quarterly record date established for quarterly distributions in
respect to each calendar quarter during the term of the Trust, and the income and deductions from
such payments are allocated to the Unitholders of record on such date.
In May 2006, the State of Texas passed legislation to implement a margin tax at a rate of 1% to be
imposed generally on federal gross revenues (up to 70%), as apportioned to Texas less certain costs
and deductions, as specifically set forth in the new legislation. The effective date of the
legislation was January 1, 2008, but the tax was generally imposed on revenues generated in 2007
and thereafter (earlier for certain fiscal year taxpayers). Entities subject to tax generally
include trusts unless otherwise exempt and most other types of entities having limited liability
protection. Trusts that meet certain statutory requirements are generally exempt from the margin
tax as passive entities.
Since the Trust is exempt from the margin tax at the Trust level as a passive entity, each
Unitholder that is a taxable entity would generally include its share of the Trusts revenue in its
margin tax computation.
32
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
This revenue would be sourced to Texas under Texas Comptroller guidance that provides such income
is sourced according to the principal place of business of the Trust, which is Texas.
4. Distributions and Income Computations
Each quarter the amount of cash available for distribution to Unitholders (the Quarterly
Distribution Amount) is equal to the excess, if any, of the cash received by the Trust, on the
last day of the second month following the previous calendar quarter (or the next business day
thereafter) ending prior to the dissolution of the Trust, from the Net Profits Interests then held
by the Trust plus, with certain exceptions, any other cash receipts of the Trust during such
quarter, subject to adjustments for changes made by the Trustee during such quarter in the Cash
Reserve established for the payment of actual, contingent and uncertain liabilities of the Trust.
Based on the payment procedures relating to the Net Profits Interests, cash received by the Trust
on the last day of the second month of a particular quarter from the Net Profits Interests
generally represents proceeds from the sale of oil and natural gas produced from the Underlying
Properties during the preceding calendar quarter. The Quarterly Distribution Amount for each
quarter is generally payable to Unitholders of record on the last day of the second month of the
calendar quarter unless such day is not a business day, in which case the record date is the next
business day thereafter. The Trust distributes the Quarterly Distribution Amount within
approximately 10 days after the record date to each person who was a Unitholder of record on the
associated record date.
In 2008 and 2009, the Trust received $1.3 million from a certain working interest owner with
respect to the Infill Wells which was classified as restricted cash prior to 2010 due to potential
overpayment (Restricted Infill Well Net Proceeds). In 2010, the Trust determined that the
Restricted Infill Well Net Proceeds were rightly owned by the Trust. Accordingly, in 2010 the
Trust classified the Restricted Infill Well Net Proceeds as unrestricted cash, decreased the Trust
expense payable on the Trusts Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus and increased
Infill Well Net Proceeds included in distributable income by $1.3 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Trust received cash payments totaling $1.9 million
from the Working Interest Owners which are recorded as net profits income and Infill Well Net
Proceeds included in the statement of distributable income. No cash was distributed to Unitholders
during the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2010 the Cash Reserve was $2.5
million.
Cash receipts received by the Trust in 2010 were reduced by $826,000 (including $70,000 of interest
expense) pertaining to net profits income generated by the Underlying Properties in the Austin
Chalk Field (Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment). The Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment
recouped overpayments to the Trust by TRC during the five year period ended December 31, 2009 which
resulted from TRC utilizing estimated wellhead gas volumes for certain wells in the Austin Chalk
Field in computing Net Proceeds due to the Trust. In 2010, the Austin Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment
was calculated utilizing actual wellhead gas sales volumes and resulted in a 198 MMcf downward
adjustment to gas sales volumes included in the net profits income calculations with respect to the
Austin Chalk Field. Gas revenues, net of applicable revenue deducts and before interest expense,
included in Net Proceeds paid to the Trust in 2010 were adjusted downward by $756,000. The Austin
Chalk Gas Volume Adjustment did not affect oil revenues, severance taxes, lease operating expenses
and capital expenditures included in Net Proceeds due to the Trust during the five year period
ended December 31, 2009. The Trust, Trustee and the Trusts service providers continue to review
and analyze the appropriateness of and verify the information and data provided by TRC concerning
the Austin Chalk gas production volumes.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Trust received cash payments totaling $3.2 million
($2.6 million recorded as net profits income and Infill Well Net Proceeds included in the statement
of distributable income and $0.6 million recorded as accounts payable. During the twelve months
ended
33
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
December 31, 2009, $3.9 million, or $0.45 per Unit, were distributed to Unitholders and recorded as
payable to the Unitholders. Such cash distributions during 2009 included (i) a release of funds
from the Cash Reserve representing Net Proceeds related to Underlying Property production during
the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 and (ii) Net Proceeds related to the Underlying Property
production during the twelve months ended September 30, 2009. As of December 31, 2009 the Cash
Reserve was $0.8 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Trust received cash payments totaling $7.1 million
($6.4 million recorded as net profits income and Infill Well net proceeds included in the statement
of distributable income and $0.7 million recorded as an accounts payable). Of the cash receipts,
$258,000, or $0.03 per Unit, were distributed to Unitholders and recorded as payable to the
Unitholders. As of December 31, 2008, the Cash Reserve was $4.0 million.
5. Related Party Transactions
TRC and Velasco contracted to sell the oil and natural gas production from the Underlying
Properties to Torch Energy Marketing, Inc. (TEMI), a subsidiary of Torch, under a purchase
contract (Purchase Contract). Upon termination of the Trust, the Purchase Contract expired and
the Working Interest Owners calculate the Net Proceeds owed to the Trust utilizing the same pricing
mechanisms (including the sharing price and minimum price commitment mechanisms) as the expired
Purchase Contract. The continuation of the sharing price and minimum price terms and conditions of
the Purchase Contract terms was the subject of an arbitration and the Trust has applied the
applicability of such terms for purpose of this report in accordance with the arbitration decision.
Marketing Arrangements and Price Sharing
In connection with the formation of the Trust, TRC, Velasco and TEMI entered into the Purchase
Contract which expired on the Termination Date. Under the Purchase Contract, TEMI was obligated to
purchase all net production attributable to the Underlying Properties for an index price for oil
and natural gas (Index Price), less certain gathering, treating and transportation charges, which
were calculated monthly. The Index Price equals 97% of the average spot market prices of oil and
natural gas (Average Market Prices) at the four locations where TEMI sold production.
The Purchase Contract also provided that TEMI paid a minimum price (Minimum Price) for natural
gas production, adjusted annually for inflation. When TEMI paid a purchase price based on the
Minimum Price it received price credits (Price Credits), equal to the difference between the
Index Price and the Minimum Price, that it was entitled to deduct in determining the purchase price
when the Index Price for natural gas exceeded the Minimum Price. In addition, if the Index Price
for natural gas exceeded the sharing price, which was adjusted annually for inflation (Sharing
Price), TEMI was entitled to deduct 50% of such excess (Price Differential) in determining the
purchase price. TEMI had an annual option to discontinue the Minimum Price commitment. However, if
TEMI discontinued the Minimum Price commitment, it would no longer be entitled to deduct the Price
Differential in calculating the purchase price and would have forfeited all accrued Price Credits.
As of the Termination Date, TEMI had no outstanding Price Credits and had not exercised its option
to discontinue the Minimum Price commitment.
Upon the Trusts termination, the Working Interest Owners utilized the same pricing mechanisms
(including the Sharing Price and Minimum Price commitment mechanisms) as the expired Purchase
Contract in calculating Net Proceeds due to the Trust. Following the Trusts termination, the
Working Interest Owners also have the same annual option to discontinue the Minimum Price
commitment. The Minimum Price per MMBtu was $1.97, $1.95 and $1.87 for 2010, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. The Sharing Price was $2.43, $2.40 and $2.30 per MMBtu in 2010, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. As of
34
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
December 31, 2010, the Working Interest Owners had no outstanding Price Credits and had not
exercised their right to discontinue the Minimum Price commitment.
Natural gas production is purchased at the wellhead and, therefore, distributions do not include
any amounts received in connection with extracting natural gas liquids from such production at
natural gas processing or treating facilities.
Gathering, Treating and Transportation Arrangements
The Purchase Contract, which expired upon the Trusts termination, entitled TEMI to deduct certain
natural gas gathering, treating and transportation fees in calculating the purchase price for
natural gas in the Robinsons Bend, Austin Chalk and Cotton Valley Fields. The amounts that were
deducted in calculating the purchase price for such natural gas were set forth in the Purchase
Contract and were not affected by the actual costs incurred by TEMI to gather, treat and transport
natural gas. Upon the Trusts termination, the Working Interest Owners became entitled to deduct
the same natural gas gathering, treating and transportation fees that had previously been deducted
by TEMI pursuant to the Purchase Contract in calculating Net Proceeds due to the Trust.
For the Robinsons Bend Field, a gathering, treating and transportation fee of $0.260 per MMBtu,
adjusted annually for inflation ($0.331, $0.327 and $0.314 per MMBtu for 2010, 2009, and 2008,
respectively), plus fuel usage equal to 5% of revenues is deducted in computing Net Proceeds due to
the Trust. Additionally, a gathering fee of $0.05 per MMBtu is deducted in calculating the
purchase price for production from 73 of the 426 wells in the Robinsons Bend Field. In computing
Net Proceeds due to the Trust for the Austin Chalk fields, $0.38 per MMBtu plus 17% of revenues are
deducted as a fee to gather, treat and transport natural gas production. TEMI deducted from the
purchase price for natural gas for production attributable to certain wells in the Cotton Valley
Fields a transportation fee of $0.045 per MMBtu.
During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, such fees deducted from the Net Proceeds
calculations, attributable to production during the twelve months ended September 30, 2010, 2009
and 2008, in the Robinsons Bend, Austin Chalk and Cotton Valley Fields, totaled $1.0 million, $1.0
million and $1.4 million, respectively. No amounts for gathering, treating or transportation are
deducted in calculating the purchase price from the Chalkley Field.
Operator Overhead Fees
A subsidiary of Torch operates certain oil and natural gas interests burdened by the Net Profits
Interests in the Cotton Valley and Austin Chalk Fields. The Underlying Properties are charged, on
the same basis as other third parties, for all customary expenses and costs reimbursements
associated with these activities. Operator overhead fees deducted from the Net Proceeds
computations for the Cotton Valley and Austin Chalk fields totaled $235,000, $227,000 and $215,000
for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Administrative Services Agreements
The sole purpose of the Trust is to hold the Net Profits Interests, to receive payments from the
Working Interest Owners, and to make payments to Unitholders. The Trust does not conduct any
business activity and has no officers, directors or employees. The Trust and Trustee rely on third
party service providers to perform administrative services for the Trust.
35
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Torch provided accounting, bookkeeping, informational and other services to the Trust related to
the Net Profits Interests pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement effective October 1,
1993 and an oral arrangement after termination of the Administrative Services Agreement on January
29, 2008 through April 1, 2008. On November 7, 2008, an agreement was entered into between the
Trust and Torch that engaged Torch to provide certain accounting services in connection with the
Trusts preparation and filing of the Trusts Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
To facilitate the winding down of the Trust, Torch currently provides certain accounting and other
services for the Trust pursuant to an agreement with the Trust entered into on March 26, 2009. The
initial term of the agreement was extended to March 31, 2011. On March 31, 2011, Torch and the
Trust extended the expiration date of the agreement by one year to March 31, 2012 or as sooner
terminated by written notice from either party within 5 business days notice.
Services fees charged to the Trust by Torch for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
were $345,000, $335,000 and $371,000, respectively.
Compensation of the Trustee and Transfer Agent
The Trust Agreement provides that the Trustee be compensated for its administrative services, out
of the Trust assets, in an annual amount of $80,000, plus an hourly charge for services in excess
of a combined total of 250 hours annually at its standard rate. In accordance with provisions in
the Trust Agreement, the Trustee may increase its compensation for its administrative services as a
result of unusual or extraordinary services rendered by the Trustee.
Additionally, the Trustee receives a transfer agency fee of $5.00 annually per account (minimum of
$15,000 annually), subject to change each December, beginning December 1994, based upon the change
in the Producers Price Index as published by the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics,
plus $1.00 for each certificate issued. The Trustee is entitled to reimbursement for out-of-pocket
expenses.
Total administrative and transfer agent fees charged by the Trustee was $130,000 for each year in
2010 and 2009 and $177,000 during the year ended December 31, 2008.
6. Trust Expense Payable
Trust expense payable as reflected on the Trusts statements of assets, liabilities and trust
corpus was $0.4 million and $2.1 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Included in
such payable are general and administrative expense accruals of $0.4 million and $0.8 million as of
December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, mainly pertaining to the Trusts legal fees, audit fees
and administrative services fees. Trust Expense Payable as of December 31, 2009 includes
Restricted Infill Well Net Proceeds of $1.3 million which was classified as restricted cash at
December 31, 2009.
7. Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Information (Unaudited)
Total proved oil and natural gas reserves attributable to the Net Profits Interests as of December
31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are based upon reserve reports prepared by T.J. Smith & Company, Inc. and
Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (Independent Reserve Engineers). Future net cash flows
were computed by applying the Purchase Contract prices for oil and natural gas to estimated future
production, less the estimated future expenditures (based on current costs) to be incurred in
developing and producing the reserves. The estimated reserve quantities in this report are based
on many assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve
estimates or underlying assumptions will
36
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
materially affect the quantities and present value of the Trusts reserves. See Item 1A.
Risk Factors for information regarding assumptions and price volatility.
Reserve Quantities:
The following table sets forth the estimated total proved and proved developed oil and natural gas
reserves attributable to the Trusts Net Profits Interests (all located in the United States) for
the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, based on reserve reports prepared by Independent
Reserve Engineers. As a net profits interest does not entitle the Trust to a specific quantity of
oil or natural gas, but to a portion of oil and natural gas sufficient to yield a specified portion
of the Net Proceeds derived therefrom, proved reserves attributable to a net profits interest are
calculated by deducting an amount of oil or natural gas sufficient, if sold at the prices used in
preparing the reserve estimates for the Underlying Properties, to pay an amount of applicable
future estimated production expenses, development costs and taxes for such Underlying Properties
(Net Equivalent Volumes). The use of disclosing Net Equivalent Volumes to estimate reserve
volumes attributable to the Net Profits Interests is standard practice in the industry.
At December 31, 2009, the Trust adopted the SEC Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting, as well as
the conforming rule changes issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Upon adoption, the
primary rule change that impacted the Trusts year-end 2009 reserve estimates were those related to
assumptions for pricing. The SECs prior rules required proved reserve estimates to be calculated
using prices as of the end of the period and held constant over the life of the reserves. The
revised rules require reserve estimates to be calculated using an unweighted average of the
first-day-of-the-month price for the preceding 12-month period.
Year-end reserves for 2010 and 2009 attributable to the Trusts Net Profits Interests were
estimated utilizing the unweighted average of the first-day-of-the-month price during each year in
2010 and 2009, pursuant to the revised SEC pricing rules. Year-end reserves for 2008 attributable
to the Trusts Net Profits Interests utilized year-end pricing for natural gas, pursuant to the
SECs pricing rules which were in effect during the year ended December 31, 2008. In accordance
with such SEC pricing rules, year-end reserves and the related future net revenues attributable to
the Trusts Net Profits Interests were estimated utilizing a Purchase Contract price for natural
gas, after gathering fees, of $3.49 per Mcf, $3.20 per Mcf and $4.14 per Mcf for 2010, 2009 and
2008, respectively. Such Purchase Contract prices were calculated utilizing the Henry Hub natural
gas prices of $4.38 per MMBtu, $3.87 per MMBtu and $5.71 per MMBtu for 2010, 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
Year-end reserves at December 31, 2010 were 4.0 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe) as compared
to year-end 2009 and 2008 reserves of 4.7 Bcfe and 7.7 Bcfe, respectively. The revisions of the
estimated oil and natural gas volumes and the related present value of the estimated net future
revenues as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 is primarily a result of fluctuations of natural
gas prices utilized in computing the year-end reserves for each of the years then ended.
The Robinsons Bend Field estimated reserves as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were estimated
to have no value.
37
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description |
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
Oil |
|
|
Natural Gas |
|
|
Oil |
|
|
Natural Gas |
|
|
Oil |
|
|
Natural Gas |
|
|
|
(Bbls) |
|
|
(Mcf) |
|
|
(Bbls) |
|
|
(Mcf) |
|
|
(Bbls) |
|
|
(Mcf) |
|
Proved reserves at beginning of year |
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
4,531 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
7,491 |
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
10,202 |
|
Revisions |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(2,381 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(1,710 |
) |
Extensions and discoveries |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(607 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(579 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(1,001 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proved reserves at end of year |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
3,917 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
4,531 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
7,491 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proved developed reserves at beginning
of year |
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
4,531 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
7,491 |
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
10,202 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proved developed reserves at end of year |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
3,917 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
4,531 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
7,491 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to Proved Oil and Natural
Gas Reserves (in thousands):
Estimated future net cash flows from the Net Profits Interests in proved oil and natural gas
reserves at December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are presented in the following table:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Future cash inflows |
|
$ |
29,326 |
|
|
$ |
32,487 |
|
|
$ |
55,206 |
|
Future costs and expenses |
|
|
(14,324 |
) |
|
|
(16,344 |
) |
|
|
(22,702 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net future cash flows |
|
|
15,002 |
|
|
|
16,143 |
|
|
|
32,504 |
|
Discount at 10% for timing of cash flows |
|
|
(4,656 |
) |
|
|
(5,205 |
) |
|
|
(12,090 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present value of future net cash flows for proved reserves |
|
$ |
10,346 |
|
|
$ |
10,938 |
|
|
$ |
20,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table sets forth the changes in the present value of estimated future net
revenues from proved reserves attributable to the Trusts Net Profits Interests during the years
ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Balance at beginning of year |
|
$ |
10,938 |
|
|
$ |
20,414 |
|
|
$ |
30,878 |
|
Sales of oil
and natural gas produced, net of production costs |
|
|
(1,301 |
) |
|
|
(2,153 |
) |
|
|
(6,286 |
) |
Accretion of discount |
|
|
1,094 |
|
|
|
2,041 |
|
|
|
3,088 |
|
Extensions and discoveries |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Revision of prior-year estimates, change in prices
and other |
|
|
(385 |
) |
|
|
(9,364 |
) |
|
|
(7,266 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at end of year |
|
$ |
10,346 |
|
|
$ |
10,938 |
|
|
$ |
20,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimates of future net cash flows from proved reserves of natural gas and oil condensate were
made in accordance with ASC 932, Extractive Activities Oil and Gas. The Trust has not filed or
included in reports to any other Federal authority or agency any estimates of proved net oil and
natural gas reserves.
38
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
8. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited in thousands, except per Unit amounts)
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated summarized quarterly financial data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributable |
|
|
|
Net Profits |
|
|
Distributable |
|
|
Income |
|
|
|
Income |
|
|
Income\(Loss) |
|
|
Per Unit |
|
Quarter ended March 31, 2010 |
|
$ |
450 |
|
|
$ |
381 |
|
|
$ |
0.044 |
|
Quarter ended June 30, 2010 |
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
(167 |
) |
|
|
(0.019 |
) |
Quarter ended September 30, 2010 |
|
|
337 |
|
|
|
118 |
|
|
|
0.014 |
|
Quarter ended December 31, 2010 |
|
|
438 |
|
|
|
1,728 |
|
|
|
0.201 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,285 |
|
|
$ |
2,060 |
|
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended March 31, 2009 |
|
$ |
1,019 |
|
|
$ |
763 |
|
|
$ |
0.089 |
|
Quarter ended June 30, 2009 |
|
|
656 |
|
|
|
264 |
|
|
|
0.031 |
|
Quarter ended September 30, 2009 |
|
|
507 |
|
|
|
189 |
|
|
|
0.022 |
|
Quarter ended December 31, 2009 |
|
|
334 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
0.002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,516 |
|
|
$ |
1,236 |
|
|
$ |
0.144 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9. Subsequent Events
Except as set forth below, no events occurred from December 31, 2010 to the date of this filing
that are reportable pursuant to FASB ASC 855.
On February 23, 2011, the Trust announced that the Trust and the derivative unitholder plaintiff
reached an agreement in principle with Constellation Energy Partners LLC to settle litigation filed
by the derivative plaintiff on the Trusts behalf, captioned Trust Venture Company, LLC v.
Constellation Energy Partners LLC (CV-2008-900751), in the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County,
Alabama. The settlement agreement is subject to approval of the Court, and the Trust estimates that
the process for approval will take approximately 60 days.
Under the proposed settlement, the derivative plaintiff and the Trust have agreed to settle the
claims against Constellation Energy Partners LLC (CEP) in the derivative action, and to enter
into mutual, general releases with CEP in return for (i) a payment of one million two hundred
thousand United States dollars ($1,200,000) to the derivative plaintiff by Robinsons Bend
Production II (RBP II), which is a Delaware limited liability company and an affiliate of CEP, to
reimburse the derivative plaintiff for the legal fees and expenses it incurred in prosecuting the
derivative action, (ii) an irrevocable bid by RBP II of not less than one million United States
dollars ($1,000,000) for its purchase from the Trust of the net overriding royalty interest
(Alabama NORRI), when such Alabama NORRI is separately offered for sale by the Trust at public
auction within 180 days of the effective date of the settlement, with such bid amount to be
deposited by RBP II in a third-party escrow account pending the public auction, and (iii) a third
amendment to that certain Water Gathering and Disposal Agreement providing that, for a period of
ten years commencing on the first day of the month following the effective date of the settlement,
the charges for the gathering, separation, and disposal of water from oil and gas wells located in
Tuscaloosa County, Alabama that are owned and operated by RBP II (Wells) shall be fifty-three
cents ($0.53) per barrel of water. (RBP II currently charges one United States dollar ($1.00) per
barrel of water for the gathering, separation, and disposal of such water from the Wells).
39
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
The Alabama Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama convened a hearing on the settlement on
April 11, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. CDT (the Settlement Hearing). At the Settlement Hearing, the Court
determined whether or not (i) to approve the Settlement as memorialized in the proposed Settlement
and Release Agreement with Constellation Energy Partners LLC, and (ii) to approve an Order ending
this derivative action. On February 23, 2011, the Trust sent the Notice of Pendency of Derivative
Action, Proposed Settlement of Derivative Action, Settlement Hearing, and Right to Appear to the
Trusts unitholders of record as of February 11, 2011, as required by the Settlement. The Alabama
Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama convened a hearing on the settlement on April 11, 2011,
at 2:00 p.m. CDT (the Settlement Hearing). At the Settlement Hearing, the Court determined
whether or not (i) to approve the Settlement as memorialized in the proposed Settlement and Release
Agreement with Constellation Energy Partners LLC, and (ii) to approve an Order ending this
derivative action. On February 23, 2011, the Trust sent the Notice of Pendency of Derivative
Action, Proposed Settlement of Derivative Action, Settlement Hearing, and Right to Appear to the
Trusts unitholders of record as of February 11, 2011, as required by the Settlement. On April 18,
2011, the Trust issued a press release and disclosed information on its Current Report on Form 8-K
that the Alabama Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama approved in all respects the
settlement as memorialized in the proposed Settlement and Release Agreement and ordered that the
matter be dismissed, with prejudice, costs taxed as paid. In the Order and Final Judgment entered
by the Court dated as of April 13, 2011, the Circuit Court acknowledged receiving the report from
counsel for the trustee of the Trust that no objections to the proposed settlement in this matter
had been received, and the Court confirmed after review that the Settlement and Release Agreement
is fair, reasonable and adequate. The proposed Settlement and Release Agreement shall become
effective on the date on which the Order and Final Judgment becomes final and unappealable, which
absent appeal, is anticipated to be June 13, 2011.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
The Trustee carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the
Trusts disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 as of
the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Trustee concluded
that the Trusts disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting the Trustee to
material information relating to the Trust required to be included in the Trusts periodic filings
with the SEC. In their evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, the Trustee and Trust
have relied, to the extent considered reasonable, on information provided by Torch and Watkins
Meegan LLC, an accounting firm contracted by the Trust to perform certain Sarbanes-Oxley compliance
for the Trust.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
There has not been any change in the Trusts internal control over financial reporting during the
fourth quarter of 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect,
the Trusts internal control over financial reporting. The Trust and Trustee rely on third party
service providers to perform administrative services for the Trust. Torch provided accounting,
bookkeeping, informational and other services to the Trust related to the Net Profits Interests
pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement effective October 1, 1993 and an oral arrangement
after termination of the Administrative Services Agreement on January 29, 2008 through April 1,
2008. To facilitate the winding down of the Trust, Torch and the Trust entered into an Agreement
on March 26, 2009. Pursuant to the agreement,
40
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
Torch provides certain accounting and other services for the Trust. The initial term of such
agreement was extended to March 31, 2011. On March 31, 2011, Torch and the Trust extended the
expiration date of the agreement by one year to March 31, 2012 or as sooner terminated by written
notice from either party within 5 business days notice.
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
The Trust and Trustee are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate control over
financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i)
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Trust; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance
with a modified cash basis of accounting as described in Note 2 to the notes to financial
statements, and that receipts and expenditures of the Trust are being made only in accordance with
authorizations of the Trustee of the Trust; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Trusts
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or
detect misstatements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent
limitations, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention of overriding controls.
Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable
assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate.
The Trustee assessed the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2010. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.
Based on the assessment, the Trustee believes that, as of December 31, 2010, the Trusts internal
control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public
accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. The Trustees report was not
subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of
the SEC that permit us to provide only the Trustees report in this annual report.
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
41
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The Registrant has no directors, executive officers or employees. The Trustee is a corporate
trustee that may be removed as trustee under the Trust Agreement, with or without cause, at a
meeting duly called and held by the affirmative vote of Unitholders of not less than a majority of
all the Units then outstanding. Any such removal of the Trustee shall be effective only at such
time as a successor trustee fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807(a) of the Delaware
Statutory Trust Act has been appointed and has accepted such appointment.
The Registrant has not adopted a code of ethics applicable to its principal executive officer,
principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing
similar functions because the Trust does not have any such officers or employees. The Trust has no
directors and therefore no audit committee or audit committee financial expert or a nominating
committee.
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires that beneficial owners of more than
10% of the registrants equity securities file initial reports of beneficial ownership and reports
of changes in beneficial ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York
Stock Exchange. To the Trustees knowledge, based solely on the information furnished to the Trust,
the Trust is unaware of any person that failed to file on a timely basis reports required by
Section 16(a) filing requirements with respect to the Units during and for the year ended December
31, 2010.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The following is a description of certain fees and expenses paid or borne by the Trust, including
fees paid to Torch, the Trustee, the transfer agent or their affiliates.
Ongoing Administrative Expenses. The Trust is responsible for paying all legal, accounting,
engineering and stock exchange fees, printing costs and other administrative and out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by or at the direction of the Trustee in its capacity as Trustee and/or transfer
agent.
Compensation of the Trustee and Transfer Agent. The Trust Agreement provides that the Trustee be
compensated for its administrative services, out of the Trust assets, in an annual amount of
$80,000, plus an hourly charge for services in excess of a combined total of 250 hours annually at
its standard rate. In accordance with provisions in the Trust Agreement, the Trustee may increase
its compensation for its administrative services as a result of unusual or extraordinary services
rendered by the Trustee.
Additionally, the Trustee receives a transfer agency fee of $5.00 annually per account (minimum of
$15,000 annually), subject to change each December, beginning December 1994, based upon the change
in the Producers Price Index as published by the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics,
plus $1.00 for each certificate issued. The Trustee is entitled to reimbursement for out-of-pocket
expenses.
Fees to Torch. Torch receives a service fee for accounting, bookkeeping and informational services
related to the Net Profits Interests as described below in Item 13 Administrative Services
Agreement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Unitholders Matters.
The following table sets forth, as of August 1, 2010, certain information with respect to the
ownership of Units held by all persons known by the Trust to be the beneficial owners of 5% or more
of the
42
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
outstanding Units. Information set forth in the table with respect to beneficial ownership of
Units has been obtained from filings made by the named beneficial owners with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as of August 1, 2010. The Trust has no employees, officers or directors. The
Trust does not have an Equity Compensation Plan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Beneficial Owner and Address |
|
Shares Beneficially Owned |
|
|
|
Units |
|
|
Percent of Class |
|
5% Unitholder: (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust Venture Company, LLC (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Two Greenwich Plaza, First Floor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greenwich, CT 06830 |
|
|
6,502,762 |
|
|
|
75.6 |
% |
Trust Acquisition Company, LLC (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Two Greenwich Plaza, First Floor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greenwich, CT 06830 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Silver Point Capital, L.P. (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Two Greenwich Plaza, First Floor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greenwich, CT 06830 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward A. Mulé (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Two Greenwich Plaza, First Floor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greenwich, CT 06830 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert J. OShea (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Two Greenwich Plaza, First Floor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greenwich Plaza, First Floor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greenwich, CT 06830 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Based on Form 4 filed on April 30, 2008.
(2) Trust Venture Company, LLC, Trust Acquisition Company, LLC, Silver Point Capital, L.P., Edward
A. Mule and Robert J. OShea are each a reporting person and member of a reporting group pursuant
to a Joint Filing Agreement dated as of July 6, 2007 for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
Administrative Services Agreements
Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, Torch and the Trust entered into the Administrative Services
Agreement effective October 1, 1993. The following summary of certain provisions of the
Administrative Services Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the Administrative Services Agreement.
The Trust and Trustee rely on third party service providers to perform administrative services for
the Trust.
Prior to April 1, 2008, Torch provided accounting, bookkeeping, informational and other services to
the Trust related to the Net Profits Interests pursuant to an administrative services agreement
effective October 1, 1993 (Administrative Services Agreement) and an oral arrangement after
termination of the Administrative Services Agreement on January 29, 2008 through April 1, 2008.
On November 7, 2008, an agreement was entered into between the Trust and Torch which engaged Torch
to provide certain accounting services in connection with the Trusts preparation and filing of the
Trusts Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Such agreement expired on December 23,
2008.
To facilitate the winding down of the Trust, Torch provides certain accounting and other services
for the Trust pursuant to an agreement with the Trust dated March 26, 2009. The initial term of
the Services Agreement expired March 31, 2010. On March 31, 2010, Torch and the Trust extended
the expiration
43
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
date of the agreement by one year to March 31, 2012 or as sooner terminated by written notice from
either party within 5 business days notice.
Administrative services fees of $345,000, $335,000 and $371,000 are included in general and
administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Marketing Arrangements and Price Sharing
In connection with the formation of the Trust, TRC, Velasco and TEMI entered into a Purchase
Contract, which expired upon the termination of the Trust (January 29, 2008). Pursuant to the
Purchase Contract, TEMI was obligated to purchase all net production attributable to the Underlying
Properties for an Index Price for oil and natural gas less certain gathering, treating and
transportation charges, which were calculated monthly. The Purchase Contract also provided that
TEMI pay a Minimum Price for natural gas production, adjusted annually for inflation. When TEMI
paid a purchase price based on the Minimum Price it received Price Credits equal to the difference
between the Index Price and the Minimum Price, that it was entitled to deduct in determining the
purchase price when the Index Price for natural gas exceeded the Minimum Price. In addition, if
the Index Price for natural gas exceeded the Sharing Price, which is adjusted annually for
inflation, TEMI was entitled to deduct 50% of such excess (Price Differential) in determining the
purchase price. TEMI had an annual option to discontinue the Minimum Price commitment. However, if
TEMI discontinued the Minimum Price commitment, it would no longer be entitled to deduct the Price
Differential in calculating the purchase price and would have forfeited all accrued Price Credits.
As of the Termination Date, TEMI had no outstanding Price Credits and had not exercised its option
to discontinue the Minimum Price Commitment.
Upon the Trusts termination, the Working Interest Owners utilized the same pricing mechanisms
(including the Sharing Price and Minimum Price commitment mechanisms) as the expired Purchase
Contract in calculating Net Proceeds due to the Trust. The Working Interest Owners also have the
same annual option to discontinue the Minimum Price commitment. The Minimum Price per MMBtu was
$1.97, $1.95 and $1.87 for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Sharing Price was $2.43, $2.40
and $2.30 per MMBtu in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, the Working
Interest Owners had no accumulated Price Credits and had not exercised their right to discontinue
the Minimum Price commitment.
No Price Credits were deducted in calculating the purchase price related to Net Proceeds during the
three years ended December 31, 2010. As a result the Sharing Price arrangement, Net Proceeds
attributable to the Underlying Properties during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
were reduced by $2.5 million, $3.0 million and $10.1 million, respectively.
Gathering, Treating and Transportation Arrangements
The Purchase Contract, which expired upon the Trusts termination, entitled TEMI to deduct certain
natural gas gathering, treating and transportation fees in calculating the purchase price for
natural gas in the Robinsons Bend, Austin Chalk and Cotton Valley Fields. The amounts that were
deducted in calculating the purchase price for such natural gas were set forth in the Purchase
Contract and were not affected by the actual costs incurred by TEMI to gather, treat and transport
natural gas. Upon the Trusts termination, the Working Interest Owners became entitled to deduct
the same natural gas gathering, treating and transportation fees that had previously been deducted
by TEMI pursuant to the Purchase Contract in calculating Net Proceeds due to the Trust.
For the Robinsons Bend Field, a gathering, treating and transportation fee of $0.260 per MMBtu,
adjusted for inflation ($0.331, $0.327 and $0.314 per MMBtu for 2010, 2009, and 2008,
respectively),
44
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
plus fuel usage equal to 5% of revenues is deducted in computing Net Proceeds due to the Trust.
Additionally, a gathering fee of $0.05 per MMBtu is deducted in calculating the purchase price for
production from 73 of the 426 wells in the Robinsons Bend Field. In computing Net Proceeds due to
the Trust for the Austin Chalk Fields, $0.38 per MMBtu plus 17% of revenues are deducted as a fee
to gather, treat and transport natural gas production. TEMI deducted from the purchase price for
natural gas for production attributable to certain wells in the Cotton Valley Fields a
transportation fee of $0.045 per MMBtu.
During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, gathering, treating and transportation
fees deducted from the Net Proceeds calculations pertaining to production during the twelve months
ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 in the Robinsons Bend, Austin Chalk and Cotton Valley
Fields, totaled $1.0 million, $1.0 million and $1.4 million for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
No amounts for gathering, treating or transportation are deducted in calculating the purchase price
from the Chalkley Field.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
UHY LLP personnel work under the direct control of UHY LLP partners and are leased from
wholly-owned subsidiaries of UHY Advisors, Inc. in an alternative practice structure.
The Trust does not have an audit committee, and has no audit committee pre-approval policy with
respect to fees paid to UHY. Any pre-approval of services performed by UHY and related fees is
granted by the Trustee. The outside auditors are appointed and engaged by the Trust. Fees for
services performed by UHY for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 are:
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
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2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
110,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
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Audit Related Fees |
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|
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Tax Fees |
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All Other Fees |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
110,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
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|
|
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|
45
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
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Torch Energy Royalty Trust |
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
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Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus at December 31, 2010 and 2009 |
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Statements of Distributable Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 |
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Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus for the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 |
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Notes to Financial Statements |
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2. |
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Financial Statement Schedules |
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Financial statement schedules are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they
are required or because the required information is included in the financial statements and
notes thereto. |
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3. |
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Exhibits |
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Number Exhibit |
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4. |
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Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders, Including Indentures. |
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4.1 |
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Form of Torch Energy Royalty Trust Agreement.* |
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4.2 |
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Form of Louisiana Trust Agreement.* |
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4.3 |
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Specimen Trust Unit Certificate.* |
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4.4 |
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Designation of Ancillary Trustee.* |
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10. |
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Material Contracts. |
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10.1 |
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Purchase Agreement between TRC, Velasco and TEMI.* |
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10.2 |
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Gas Gathering Agreement between TEMI and Bahia Gas Gathering, Ltd.* |
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10.3 |
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Amendment to Gas Gathering Agreement.* |
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10.4 |
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Water Gathering and Disposal Agreement and First Amendment between Torch |
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Energy Associates, Ltd. and Velasco.* |
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10.5 |
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Form of Texas Conveyance.* |
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10.6 |
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Form of Louisiana Conveyance.* |
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10.7 |
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Form of Alabama Conveyance.* |
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10.8 |
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Standby Performance Agreement between Torch and the Trust.* |
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10.9 |
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Amendment to Water Gathering Contract.* |
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10.10 |
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First Amendment to Oil and Gas Purchase Contract (previously filed on form 10-Q for |
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the quarter ended September 30, 1994). * |
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10.11 |
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Second amendment to Water Gathering and Disposal Agreement (previously filed on Form |
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8-K on February 11, 2008).** |
46
Torch Energy Royalty Trust
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23. |
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Consents of Experts and Counsel. |
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23.1 |
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Consent of T.J. Smith & Company, Inc. |
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23.2 |
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Consent of Netherland, Sewell and Associates, Inc. |
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23.3 |
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Consent of Watkins Meegan LLC |
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31. |
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Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications. |
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31.1 |
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Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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32. |
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Section 1350 Certifications. |
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32.1 |
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Certification of Wilmington Trust Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, |
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as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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* |
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Incorporated by reference from Registration Statements on Form S-1 of Torch Energy
Advisors Incorporated (Registration No. 33-68688) dated November 16, 1993. |
|
** |
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Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K dated February 11, 2008. |
47
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.
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TORCH ENERGY ROYALTY TRUST
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By: |
Wilmington Trust Company,
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not in its individual capacity but |
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solely as Trustee for the Trust |
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By: |
/s/ Bruce L. Bisson
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Bruce L. Bisson, Vice President |
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Date: April 22, 2011
(The Trust has no employees, directors or executive officers.)
48