10-K
1
prt_10k.htm
FORM 10-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
þ
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December
31, 2023
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period
from ___________ to ___________
Commission File Number: 001-38472
PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)
Delaware
82-6725102
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Argent Trust Company, Trustee
3838 Oak Lawn Ave.
Suite 1720
Dallas, Texas 75219
(Address of principal executive
offices)(Zip code)
(855) 588-7839
(Registrant’s telephone
number, including area code)
Securities registered
pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Units of Beneficial Interest
PRT
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 ¨ 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 ¨ No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
(1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405
of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ¨ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.
See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company”
and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer þ
Smaller reporting company þ
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check
mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting
standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial
reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or
issued its audit report. ¨
If securities are registered
pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing
reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether
any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the
registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No þ
The aggregate market value of Trust units
representing beneficial interests in PermRock Royalty Trust held by non-affiliates on June 30, 2023 (the last business day of its
most recently completed second fiscal quarter), was approximately $38,121,115 based on the closing price as quoted on the New York
Stock Exchange. As of April 1, 2024, 12,165,732 Trust units representing beneficial interests in PermRock Royalty Trust were
outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None
PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST
FORM 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
ii
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
iv
PART I
Item 1.
Business
1
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
9
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
26
Item 1C.
Cybersecurity
26
Item 2.
Properties
27
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
34
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
34
PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Unitholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
34
Item 6.
Reserved
35
Item 7.
Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
35
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
42
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
42
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
54
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
54
Item 9B.
Other Information
54
Item 9C.
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
54
PART III
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
55
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
55
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Unitholder Matters
55
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
56
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
57
PART IV
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
58
Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary
58
SIGNATURES
59
CAUTIONARY NOTE
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain information included in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”) contains, and other materials filed or to be filed by the PermRock Royalty Trust (the
“Trust”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (as well as information included in oral statements
or other written statements made or to be made by the Trust) may contain or include, forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 27A of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Such forward-looking statements may be or may concern, among other things, Boaz
Energy II, LLC’s (“Boaz Energy”) and Argent Trust Company’s (as the Trustee (as hereinafter defined) of the Trust)
expectations, beliefs and plans regarding : (i) Boaz Energy’s capital expenditure budget and anticipated expenditures; (ii)
Boaz Energy’s 2024 outlook, including participation in non-operated drilling and waterflood conformance and expansion work in Crane
and Glasscock Counties; (iii) Boaz Energy’s plan to drill a new well in Crane County, Texas; (iv) estimated capital required for
2024 operations; (v) amount and timing of cash reserves by the Trustee; (vi) drilling activity; (vii) estimated present value of future
cash flows; (viii) characteristics of the Underlying Properties, including estimates regarding oil and gas reserves; (ix) the impact of
a loss of any major customers; (x) reliance on third parties for facilities and services; (xi) the ability of Boaz Energy’s insurance
coverage to cover certain claims; (xii) burdens and obligations affecting the Underlying Properties and their impact on the Underlying
Properties and Net Profits Interest; (xiii) the quality of Boaz Energy’s title to the Underlying Properties; (xiv) the impact of
litigation on the Trust and regulatory matters; (xv) the tax treatment of the Net Profits Interest; (xvi) the treatment of the Net Profits
Interest in the event of Boaz Energy’s bankruptcy; (xvii) distributions to Trust unitholders, including in the event of contingencies;
and (xviii) future cash retentions from distributions. Such forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “may,”
“will,” “estimate,” “expect,” “predict,” “project,” “anticipate,”
“goal,” “should,” “assume,” “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” or other
words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Such statements are based on certain assumptions of the Trustee, and certain
assumptions of information provided to the Trust by Boaz Energy, the owner of the Underlying Properties; are based on an assessment of,
and are subject to, a variety of factors deemed relevant by the Trustee and Boaz Energy; and involve risks and uncertainties. The following
important factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report, could affect the future results of the energy industry
in general, and Boaz Energy and the Trust in particular, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such
forward-looking statements:
· the effect of changes in commodity prices or alternative fuel prices;
• the effects of armed conflict throughout the world on global oil and gas producing regions, countries, thoroughfares and the oil and
gas markets;
· political and economic conditions in or affecting other oil and natural gas producing regions
or countries;
· uncertainties in estimating production and oil and natural gas reserves of the Underlying
Properties;
· risks associated with the drilling and operation of oil and natural gas wells;
• the cost of developing the Underlying Properties;
• the ability to maintain anticipated production levels;
• the amount of future direct operating expenses, development expenses and other capital expenditures;
• availability and terms of capital to fund capital expenditures;
• risks associated with Boaz Energy and its ability to transfer operation of the Underlying Properties to third parties
without the approval of Trust unitholders;
• the performance of such third parties contracted by Boaz Energy and their ability or willingness to provide sufficient facilities
and services to Boaz Energy on commercially reasonable terms;
ii
· the effect of existing and future laws and regulatory actions;
· The actions of the Organizations of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”);
· conditions in the capital markets;
· competition from others in the energy industry;
· uncertainty in whether development projects will be pursued;
· severe or unseasonable weather that may adversely affect production;
· adequacy of Boaz Energy’s insurance coverage;
· costs to comply with current and future governmental regulation of the oil and natural gas industry, including environmental, health
and safety laws and regulations, and regulations with respect to hydraulic fracturing and the disposal of produced water;
· the effect of existing and future laws and regulatory actions, including
real estate, bankruptcy and tax legislation and the ability to accurately interpret the impact of such laws;
· general economic conditions affecting the Permian Basin;
· risks associated with title deficiencies that may arise with respect to the Underlying Properties and Boaz Energy’s ability
to cure any such defects;
· actions by Boaz Energy, including such that result in conflicts of interest, that adversely affect the Trust;
· the ability to successfully estimate the impact of litigation matters, and certain accounting
and tax matters;
· the cost of inflation; and
· the risk factors discussed in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report.
However, whether actual results and developments
will conform with such expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the risk factors discussed
in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report, which could affect the future results of the energy industry in general, and the Trust and
Boaz Energy in particular, and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements.
The actual results or developments anticipated may not be realized or, even if substantially realized, they may not have the expected
consequences to or effects on Boaz Energy’s business and the Trust. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and
actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. The Trust undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.
Boaz Energy Information
As a holder of a Net Profits Interest, the Trust
relies on Boaz Energy for information regarding Boaz Energy and its affiliates; the Underlying Properties, including the operations, acreage,
well and completion count, working interests, production volumes, sales revenues, capital expenditures, operating expenses, reserves,
drilling plans, drilling results and leasehold terms related to the Underlying Properties; and factors and circumstances that have or
may affect the foregoing. See Part II, Item 9A Controls and Procedures.
iii
Glossary
of Terms
average realized sales price
The average sales price actually received for the sale of oil and natural gas, as distinguished from the NYMEX or other published prices.
Bbl
Barrel (of oil).
Boe
Barrel of oil equivalent.
Btu
A British Thermal Unit, a common unit of energy measurement.
completion
The installation of permanent equipment for the production of oil or natural gas, or in the case of a dry hole, the reporting of abandonment to the appropriate agency.
developed oil and natural gas reserves
Reserves of any category that can be expected to be recovered (i) through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and (ii) through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well. See 17 CFR § 210.4-10(aX6).
development well
A well drilled into a proved oil or natural gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.
differential
The difference between a benchmark price of oil and natural gas, such as the NYMEX crude oil spot, and the wellhead price received.
distributable income
An amount paid to Trust unitholders equal to the net profits income received by the Trust during a given period plus interest, less the expenses and payment of liabilities of the Trust, adjusted by any changes in cash reserves.
estimated future net revenues
Computed by applying current oil and natural gas prices (with consideration of price changes only to the extent provided by contractual arrangements and allowed by federal regulation) to estimated future production of proved oil and natural gas reserves as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, less estimated future expenditures (based on current costs) to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions. See 17 CFR § 210.4-10(c)(4)(A). “Estimated future net revenues” are sometimes referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as “estimated future net cash flows.”
farm-in or farm-out agreement
An agreement under which the owner of a working interest in an oil or natural gas lease typically assigns the working interest or a portion of the working interest to another party who desires to drill on the leased acreage. Generally, the assignee is required to drill one or more wells in order to earn its interest in the acreage. The assignor usually retains a royalty or reversionary interest in the lease. The interest received by an assignee is a "farm-in" while the interest transferred by the assignor is a "farm-out."
field
An area consisting of either a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs, all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic condition.
GAAP
United States generally accepted accounting principles.
gross acres or wells
The total acres or wells, as the case may be, in which a working interest is owned .
MBbl
One thousand barrels of crude oil or condensate.
MBoe
One thousand barrels of crude oil equivalent.
iv
Mcf
One thousand cubic feet (of natural gas).
MMBoe
One million barrels of crude oil equivalent.
MMBtu
One million Btus.
MMcf
One million cubic feet (of natural gas).
natural gas liquids (NGL)
Those hydrocarbons that are separated from the gas as liquids through the process of absorption, condensation, or other methods in gas processing or cycling plants.
net profits
Gross profits received by Boaz Energy from the sale of production from the Underlying Properties, less applicable costs, as provided in the Conveyance.
net profits income
Net profits multiplied by the net profits percentage of 80%, which is paid to the Trust by Boaz Energy. “Net profits income” is referred to as “royalty income” for tax reporting purposes.
Net Profits Interest
An interest in an oil and natural gas property measured by net profits from the sale of production, rather than a specific portion of production. An 80% net profits interest was conveyed to the Trust entitling the Trust to receive 80% of the net profits from the Underlying Properties.
net acres or net wells
The sum of the fractional working interests owned by a given operator in gross acres or wells, as the case may be.
NGL
non-operated
Natural gas liquids.
Working interests which are part of the Underlying Properties but
are not operated by Boaz Energy.
NYMEX
The New York Mercantile Exchange is a commodity futures exchange that quotes prices for transactions which are the prices paid for various commodities, including oil and natural gas, throughout the world.
plugging of abandoned wells
Activities to remove production equipment and seal off a well at the end of a well's economic life.
proved developed reserves
Reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.
v
proved reserves
Those quantities of oil and natural gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time. The area of the reservoir considered as proved includes (i) the area identified by drilling and limited by fluid contacts, if any, and (ii) adjacent undrilled portions of the reservoir that can, with reasonable certainty, be judged to be continuous with it and to contain economically producible oil or gas on the basis of available geoscience and engineering data. In the absence of data on fluid contacts, proved quantities in a reservoir are limited by the lowest known hydrocarbons, as seen in a well penetration unless geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establishes a lower contact with reasonable certainty. Where direct observation from well penetrations has defined a highest known oil, elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves may be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir only if geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establish the higher contact with reasonable certainty. Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (including, but not limited to, fluid injection) are included in the proved classification when (i) successful testing by a pilot project in an area of the reservoir with properties no more favorable than in the reservoir as a whole, the operation of an installed program in the reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or other evidence using reliable technology establishes the reasonable certainty of the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based; and (ii) the project has been approved for development by all necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities. Existing economic conditions include prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined. The price shall be the average price during the 12-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered by the report, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions.
proved undeveloped reserves (PUDs)
Proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.
PV-10
The present value of estimated future net revenues using a discount rate of 10% per annum.
reasonable certainty
(i) If deterministic methods are used, reasonable certainty means a high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered or (ii) if probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 90% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimate. A high degree of confidence exists if the quantity is much more likely to be achieved than not, and, as changes due to increased availability of geoscience (geological, geophysical, and geochemical), engineering, and economic data are made to estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) with time, reasonably certain EUR is much more likely to increase or remain constant than to decrease. See 17 CFR § 210.4-10(a)(24).
recompletion
The completion for production of an existing well bore in another formation from which that well has been previously completed.
vi
reservoir
A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or natural gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is individual and separate from other reservoirs.
secondary recovery
The second stage of hydrocarbon production during which an external fluid such as water or gas is injected into the reservoir through injection wells located in rock that has fluid communication with production wells. The purpose of secondary recovery is to maintain reservoir pressure and to displace hydrocarbons toward the wellbore. The most common secondary recovery techniques are gas injection and waterflooding.
Tcf
One trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Trust units
Trust units representing beneficial interests in the Trust.
Underlying Properties
The interest in certain oil and natural gas properties from which the Net Profits Interest was conveyed by Boaz Energy. The Underlying Properties include working interests in oil and natural gas producing properties located in the Permian Basin in Texas.
waterflood
A method of secondary recovery in which water is injected into the reservoir formation to displace residual oil. The water from injection wells physically sweeps the displaced oil to adjacent production wells.
working interest
An operating interest in an oil and natural gas property that provides the owner a specified share of production that is subject to all production expense and development costs.
workover
Operations on a producing well to restore or increase production.
vii
PART
I
Item 1. Business
General
PermRock Royalty Trust (the “Trust”)
is a Delaware statutory trust formed on November 22, 2017 under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act pursuant to a trust agreement dated November
22, 2017, as amended and restated on May 4, 2018, and as amended on May 6, 2022, by and among Boaz Energy II, LLC (“Boaz Energy”),
as trustor, Simmons Bank, as trustee, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Delaware Trustee (the “Delaware Trustee”)
(such amended and restated trust agreement, as amended to date, the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust’s affairs are administered
by the Trustee (as hereinafter defined).
On November 4, 2021, Simmons Bank announced
that it had entered into an agreement with Argent Trust Company (“Argent”) pursuant to which Simmons Bank would be resigning
as trustee of the Trust and nominated Argent as successor trustee of the Trust. The effective date of Simmons Bank’s resignation
and Argent’s appointment as successor trustee was December 30, 2022. In accordance with the successor trustee provisions of
the Trust Agreement, Argent, as successor trustee of the Trust, is subject to all terms and conditions of the Trust Agreement. The defined
term “Trustee” as used herein shall refer to Simmons Bank (which maintains its offices at 2200 West 7 th Street,
Suite 210, P.O. Box 470727, Fort Worth, Texas 76147) for periods prior to December 30, 2022, and shall refer to Argent (which maintains
its offices at 3838 Oak Lawn Ave, Suite 1720, Dallas, Texas 75219) for periods on and after December 30, 2022.
The Trust was created to acquire and hold the
Net Profits Interest for the benefit of the Trust unitholders. The affairs of the Trust are managed by the Trustee. Boaz Energy has no
ability to manage the operations of the Trust, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, does not owe any fiduciary duties or liabilities
to the Trust or the unitholders. The Delaware Trustee has only minimal rights and duties as are necessary to satisfy the requirements
of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act.
The Trust’s purpose is to own the Net Profits
Interest, to distribute to the Trust unitholders cash that the Trust receives in respect of the Net Profits Interest and to perform certain
administrative functions in respect of the Net Profits Interest and the Trust units. Other than the foregoing activities, the Trust does
not conduct any operations or activities. The Trust derives all or substantially all of its income and cash flow from the Net Profits
Interest. The Trust has no employees.
The Trust makes monthly cash distributions of
all of its monthly cash receipts, after deduction of fees and expenses for the administration of the Trust and any cash reserves, to holders
of its Trust units as of the applicable record date, on or before the 10th business day after the record date. Distributions generally
relate to sales from a one-month period.
The Conveyance
In connection with the closing of the initial
public offering of Trust units and pursuant to the Conveyance of Net Profits Interest (the “Conveyance”) effective May 4,
2018, Boaz Energy conveyed the Net Profits Interest to the Trust in exchange for Trust units. The Net Profits Interest entitles the Trust
to receive 80% of the net profits from the sale of oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties. The Net Profits Interest
is passive in nature and neither the Trust nor the Trustee has any control over, or responsibility for, costs relating to the operation
of the Underlying Properties.
The Underlying Properties consist of 31,354
gross (22,394 net) acres in the Permian Basin. The Permian Basin extends over 75,000 square miles in West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico.
The Underlying Properties consist of the following four operating areas:
· Permian Clearfork area – consists of 2,434 net acres on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Hockley and Terry
Counties, Texas.
· Permian Abo area – consists of 1,667 net acres on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Terry and Cochran Counties,
Texas.
· Permian Shelf area – consists of 14,390 net acres on the Eastern Shelf of the Permian Basin in Glasscock, Schleicher, Stonewall
and Coke Counties, Texas.
· Permian Platform area – consists of 3,903 net acres on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Ward, Crane, Terry
and Ector Counties, Texas.
A detailed description of the Underlying Properties
is included under Item 2. Properties.
1
Computation of Net Profit
Net profits are computed monthly, and 80% of
the aggregate net profits attributable to the sale of oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties received during each
calendar month are paid to the Trust on or before the end of the following month.
“ Gross profits ” generally
means the aggregate amount received by Boaz Energy from sales of oil and natural gas produced from the Underlying Properties subject to
certain adjustments as described in the Conveyance. “ Net profits ” generally means gross profits less the costs and
expenses for, among other things, drilling and development activities, production, operation, maintenance and abandonment operations,
taxes, charges and assessments and insurance and, where applicable, losses, liabilities and damages, in each case as incurred by Boaz
Energy and attributable to the Underlying Properties (as such items are reduced by any offset amounts, as described in the Conveyance).
The Trust is not liable to the owners of the
Underlying Properties or the operators for any operating, capital or other costs or liabilities attributable to the Underlying Properties.
In the event that the net profits for any computation period is a negative amount, the Trust will receive no payment for that period,
and any such negative amount plus accrued interest will be deducted from gross profits in the following computation period for purposes
of determining the net profits for that following computation period.
Gross profits and net profits are calculated
on a cash basis, except that certain costs, primarily ad valorem taxes and expenditures of a material amount, may be determined on an
accrual basis.
The Trustee is not obligated to return any cash
received from the Net Profits Interest. Any overpayments made to the Trust by Boaz Energy due to adjustments to prior calculations of
net profits or otherwise will reduce future amounts payable to the Trust until Boaz Energy recovers the overpayments plus interest at
a prime rate (as described in the Conveyance).
Boaz Energy must maintain books and records sufficient
to determine the amounts payable for the Net Profits Interest to the Trust. Monthly and annually, Boaz Energy must deliver to the Trustee
a statement of the computation of the net profits for each computation period. The annual computation must be audited. The Trustee has
the right to inspect, review and audit the books and records maintained by Boaz Energy during normal business hours and upon reasonable
notice.
Marketing and Customers
Pursuant to the terms of the Conveyance, Boaz
Energy has the responsibility to market, or cause to be marketed, the oil and natural gas production attributable to the Net Profits Interest
in the Underlying Properties.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, Boaz
Energy and other third-party operators of the Underlying Properties sold the oil produced from the Underlying Properties to third-party
purchasers. Oil production from the Underlying Properties is typically transported by pipeline or truck from the field to the closest
gathering facility or refinery. Boaz Energy and other operators sell the majority of the oil production from the Underlying Properties
under contracts based on geographic location using market sensitive pricing. The price received by the operators for the oil production
from the Underlying Properties is usually based on a regional price applied to equal daily quantities in the month of delivery that is
then reduced for differentials based upon delivery location and oil quality.
2
All natural gas produced from the Underlying
Properties is marketed and sold to third-party purchasers. In all cases, the contract price is based on a percentage of a published regional
index price, after adjustments for Btu content, transportation and related charges. Natural gas production is typically transported by
pipeline to the closest gathering facility. Natural gas that is processed to remove NGLs is done under a percentage of proceeds contract
and the Trust’s percentage of those proceeds are included in the Net Profits Interest.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, Boaz Energy
reported that Phillips 66, Plains All American Pipeline, Energy Transfer Partners, Blackbeard Operating LLC, and Enterprise Crude Oil
LLC accounted for 29.93%, 20.82%, 17.07%, 11.61%, and 10.23% respectively, of its total oil and natural gas revenues, and that no other
purchaser accounted for 10% or more of the total revenue of the Underlying Properties. Boaz Energy does not believe that the loss of any
of these parties as a purchaser of crude oil or natural gas production from the Underlying Properties would have a material impact on
the business or operations of Boaz Energy or the Underlying Properties because of the large number of marketing firms and competitive
nature of oil and gas purchasers in the Permian Basin. Oil and natural gas are currently sold to these four customers under short-term
contracts at market prices.
Competition and Markets
The oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive.
Boaz Energy competes with major oil and natural gas companies and independent oil and natural gas companies for oil and natural gas, equipment,
personnel and markets for the sale of oil and natural gas. Many of these competitors are financially stronger than Boaz Energy, but even
financially troubled competitors can affect the market because of their need to sell oil and natural gas at any price to attempt to maintain
cash flow. Because Boaz Energy and the third-party operators of the Underlying Properties are subject to competitive conditions in the
oil and natural gas industry, the Trust’s Net Profits Interest is indirectly subject to those same competitive conditions.
Oil and natural gas compete with other forms
of energy available to customers, primarily based on price. These alternate forms of energy include electricity, coal and fuel oils. Changes
in the availability or price of oil, natural gas or other forms of energy, as well as business conditions, conservation, legislation,
regulations and the ability to convert to alternate fuels and other forms of energy may affect the demand for oil and natural gas.
All of the Trust’s assets are located in
the United States. Boaz Energy and the third-party operators of the Underlying Properties sell the oil and natural gas produced from the
Underlying Properties to third-party purchasers in the United States. Demand for natural gas generally is higher in the winter months,
but otherwise seasonal factors do not directly affect the Trust.
Dissolution of the Trust
The Trust is not subject to any pre-set termination
provisions based on a maximum volume of oil or natural gas to be produced or the passage of time. The Trust will dissolve upon the earliest
to occur of the following:
· the Trust, upon the approval of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding Trust units, sells the Net Profits Interest;
· the annual cash proceeds available for distribution to the Trust is less than $2.0 million for each of any two consecutive years;
· the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding Trust units vote in favor of dissolution; or
· the Trust is judicially dissolved.
Upon dissolution of the Trust, the Trustee is
obligated to sell all of the Trust’s assets, either by private sale or public auction, and, after payment or the making of reasonable
provision for payment of all liabilities of the Trust, distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Trust unitholders.
3
Environmental Matters and Regulation
General. For purposes of the discussion in this section, the oil
and natural gas production operations conducted on the Underlying Properties are the operations of Boaz Energy. Boaz Energy’s oil
and natural gas exploration and production operations are subject to stringent and comprehensive federal, regional, state and local laws
and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. These laws
and regulations may impose significant obligations on Boaz Energy’s operations, including, but not limited to, requirements to:
· obtain permits to conduct regulated activities;
· limit or prohibit drilling activities on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands and other protected areas;
· restrict the types, quantities and concentration of materials that can be released into the environment in the performance of drilling
and production activities;
· initiate investigatory and remedial measures to mitigate pollution from former or current operations, such as restoration of drilling
pits and plugging of abandoned wells; and
· apply specific health and safety criteria addressing worker protection.
Failure to comply with environmental laws and
regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal sanctions, including monetary penalties, the imposition
of strict, joint and several liability, investigatory and remedial obligations and the issuance of injunctions limiting or prohibiting
some or all of the operations on the Underlying Properties. Moreover, these laws, rules and regulations may restrict the rate of oil,
natural gas and NGL production below the rate that would otherwise be possible. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry
increases the cost of doing business in the industry and consequently affects profitability. The trend in environmental regulation has
been to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment, and thus, any changes in environmental
laws and regulations or re-interpretation of enforcement policies that result in more stringent and costly construction, drilling, water
management, completion, emission or discharge limits or waste handling, disposal or remediation obligations could increase the cost to
Boaz Energy of developing the Underlying Properties. Moreover, accidental releases or spills may occur in the course of operations on
the Underlying Properties, causing Boaz Energy to incur significant costs and liabilities as a result of such releases or spills, including
any third-party claims for damage to property, natural resources or persons.
Increased costs or operating restrictions on
the Underlying Properties as a result of compliance with or liability under environmental laws could result in reduced exploratory and
production activities on the Underlying Properties and, as a result, distributable cash to the Trust unitholders. The following is a summary
of certain existing environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, each as amended from time to time, to which operations on the
Underlying Properties are subject.
Hazardous Substances and Waste Handling
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act (“CERCLA”) also known as the Superfund law, and comparable state laws impose liability without regard to fault
or the legality of the original conduct on certain classes of persons who are considered to be responsible for the release of a “hazardous
substance” into the environment. Under CERCLA, these “responsible persons” may include the owner or operator of the
site where the release occurred, and entities that transport, dispose of or arrange for the transport or disposal of hazardous substances
released at the site. These responsible persons may be subject to joint and several strict liability for the costs of cleaning up the
hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, for damages to natural resources and for the costs of certain health
studies. CERCLA also authorizes the EPA and, in some instances, third parties to act in response to threats to the public health or the
environment and to seek to recover from the responsible classes of persons the costs they incur. It is not uncommon for neighboring landowners
and other third-parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the hazardous substances released
into the environment. On September 6, 2022, EPA designated two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) as hazardous
substances under CERCLA. PFAS chemicals are known as “forever chemicals” because of their persistence in the environment.
PFAS have been widely used in industrial and commercial applications since the 1950s, including the oil and gas industry, and their designation
as a CERCLA hazardous substance increases potential risks of incurring CERCLA liabilities where they have been historically used. In
April 2023, EPA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking asking the public for input regarding potential future hazardous substance
designations of PFAS under CERCLA, and in June 2023, EPA released a framework for addressing new and new uses of PFAS under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (“TSCA”). U.S. EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives for the fiscal years
2024-2027 listed PFAS identification and characterization of the extent of PFAS contamination as one of the agency’s new initiatives.
4
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”)
and comparable state laws control the management and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. These laws and regulations govern
the generation, storage, treatment, transfer and disposal of wastes generated. Drilling fluids, produced waters and most of the other
wastes associated with the exploration, development and production of oil, natural gas and NGLs, if properly handled, are currently exempt
from regulation as hazardous waste under RCRA and, instead, are regulated under RCRA’s less stringent non-hazardous waste provisions,
state laws or other federal laws. However, it is possible that certain oil, natural gas and NGL drilling and production wastes now classified
as non-hazardous could be classified as hazardous wastes in the future. For example, in December 2016, the EPA and environmental groups
entered into a consent decree to address the EPA’s alleged failure to timely assess its RCRA Subtitle D criteria regulations exempting
certain exploration and production related oil, natural gas and NGL wastes from regulation as hazardous wastes under RCRA. The consent
decree required the EPA to propose a rulemaking no later than March 15, 2019, for revision of certain Subtitle D criteria regulations
pertaining to oil, natural gas and NGL wastes or to sign a determination that revision of the regulations is not necessary (which deadline
was extended to April 23, 2019, due to a lapse in appropriations). On April 23, 2019, EPA made a determination that revisions to the federal
regulations for the management of exploration and production waste under Subtitle D of RCRA are not necessary and issued a report explaining
the basis for its decision. In October 2023, EPA released a final rule that eliminated an exemption that allowed facilities to avoid reporting
information on PFAS when those chemicals were used in small concentrations. In January 2024, the EPA announced the automatic addition
of seven PFAS to the list of chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), consistent with the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense
Authorization Act, and in February 2024, EPA released two proposed regulations under RCRA, adding nine PFAS to the list of RCRA hazardous
constituents. EPA stated it will continue to work to identify areas for regulatory improvements and to address emerging issues to ensure
exploration and production wastes continue to be managed appropriately. Any future regulatory change due to emerging issues, a change
in EPA determination, or otherwise could result in an increase in the costs to manage and dispose of wastes, which could increase the
costs of Boaz Energy’s operations.
Certain of the Underlying Properties have been
used for oil and natural gas exploration and production for many years. Although the operators may have utilized operating and disposal
practices that were standard in the industry at the time, petroleum hydrocarbons and wastes may have been disposed of or released on or
under the Underlying Properties, or on or under other offsite locations where these petroleum hydrocarbons and wastes have been taken
for recycling or disposal. The Underlying Properties and the petroleum hydrocarbons and wastes disposed or released thereon may be subject
to CERCLA, RCRA and analogous state laws. Under such laws, the owner or operator could be required to remove or remediate previously disposed
wastes, to clean up contaminated property and to perform remedial operations such as restoration of pits and plugging of abandoned wells
to prevent future contamination or to pay some or all of the costs of any such action.
Water Discharges
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also
known as the “Clean Water Act” (“CWA”) and analogous state laws impose restrictions and strict controls with respect
to the discharge of pollutants, including spills and leaks of oil, into federal and state waters. The discharge of pollutants into regulated
waters is prohibited, except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued by the EPA or an analogous state agency. Obtaining permits
has the potential to delay the development of oil and natural gas projects. In addition, federal and state regulatory agencies can impose
administrative, civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with discharge permits or other requirements of the CWA and analogous
state laws and regulations. On August 29, 2023, the EPA published a final rule clarifying the federal jurisdictional reach over waters
of the United States (“WOTUS”) and conforming the definition of WOTUS with the U.S. Supreme Court’s interpretation in
its Sackett v. EPA decision. The scope of jurisdiction under the CWA includes (a) waters (i) currently used, or that were used
in the past, or may be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce, including all waters which are subject to the ebb and flow
of the tide; (ii) the territorial seas; or (iii) interstate waters, and (b) only wetlands that have a “continuous surface connection”
with those traditional waters. “Continuous surface connection” means when there is no clear demarcation between traditional
“waters” and wetlands, which is a narrower construction of applicable wetlands than years prior, thereby eliminating some
of the wetlands previously covered. In the wake of the Sackett decision, several states have developed their own wetlands policies
or regulatory programs to address discharges to intra-state waters that may no longer be regulated as WOTUS. Spill prevention, control
and countermeasure plan requirements imposed under the CWA require appropriate containment berms and similar structures to help prevent
the contamination of WOTUS in the event of a hydrocarbon tank spill, rupture or leak. In addition, the CWA and analogous state laws require
individual permits or coverage under general permits for discharges of storm water runoff from certain types of facilities. The Oil Pollution
Act of 1990, as amended, or “OPA,” amends the CWA and establishes strict liability and natural resource damages liability
for unauthorized discharges of oil into WOTUS. OPA requires owners or operators of certain onshore facilities to prepare Facility Response
Plans for responding to a worst-case discharge of oil into WOTUS. EPA and various states also impose permitting requirements for the disposal
of produced water by underground injection. As these requirements increase and become more strict, they could result in an increase in
the costs to manage and dispose of wastes, which could increase the costs of Boaz Energy’s operations.
5
Air Emissions
The CAA and comparable state laws restrict the
emission of air pollutants from many sources through air emissions permitting programs and also impose various monitoring, testing, and
reporting requirements. These laws and regulations may require Boaz Energy to obtain pre-approval for the construction or modification
of certain projects or facilities expected to produce or significantly increase air emissions, obtain and strictly comply with stringent
air permit requirements or incur development expenses to install and utilize specific equipment or technologies to control emissions.
For example, in June 2016 the EPA finalized rules regarding criteria for aggregating multiple small surface sites into a single source
for air-quality permitting purposes applicable to the oil and gas industry. This rule could cause small facilities, on an aggregate basis,
to be deemed a major source, thereby triggering more stringent air permitting processes and requirements. In addition, EPA, New Mexico,
Texas and other states have begun to regulate through their New Source Performance Standards (“NSPS”) and other air emissions
programs the emission of VOCs and methane from oil and gas production process equipment, storage tanks and produced water impoundments
and other assets. These requirements could increase the costs of development and production on the Underlying Properties, potentially
impairing the economic development of the Underlying Properties and reducing the amount of cash distributable to Trust unitholders. Obtaining
permits has the potential to delay the development of oil and natural gas projects. Federal and state regulatory agencies may impose administrative,
civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with air permits or other requirements of the CAA and associated state laws and regulations.
As particularly related to the CAA, the EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives for fiscal years 2024-2027, which
were updated on August 17, 2023, continued some of its initiatives from fiscal year 2020-2023, including addressing hazardous air pollutant
violations in communities already highly burdened with pollution impacts and to focus on chemical accident risk prevention under Section
112(r) of the CAA with a focus on anhydrous ammonia (mainly used as a fertilizer or a refrigerant) and hydrogen fluoride (used in petrochemical
manufacturing). Reducing emissions from significant sources of volatile organic compounds (“VOC”) and hazardous air
pollutants could lead to increased scrutiny of air emissions from oil and gas operations. Air toxin reporting is currently voluntary,
but if it became mandatory, then there may be increased costs to Boaz Energy’s operations. On November 21, 2023, EPA proposed to
amend the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (“NESHAPs”) for oil and gas production facilities and for
natural gas transmission and storage facilities to remove an affirmative defense based on emissions caused by malfunctions. If promulgated
this rule could ultimately increase Boaz Energy’s costs of compliance.
Climate Change
In response to findings that emissions of carbon
dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases (“GHGs”) present an endangerment to public health and the environment, the EPA
has adopted regulations under existing provisions of the CAA that, among other things, establish PSD, construction and Title V operating
permit reviews for certain large stationary sources.
At the federal level, no comprehensive climate
change legislation has been implemented to date. The EPA has, however, adopted rules under authority of the CAA that, among other things,
establish Potential for Significant Deterioration (“PSD”) construction and Title V operating permit reviews for GHG emissions
from certain large stationary sources that are also potential major sources of certain principal, or criteria, pollutant emissions. Under
these regulations, facilities required to obtain PSD permits must meet “best available control technology” standards for those
GHG emissions. In addition, the EPA has adopted rules requiring the monitoring and annual reporting of GHG emissions from certain petroleum
and natural gas system sources in the U.S., including, among others, onshore and offshore production facilities, which include certain
operations on the Underlying Properties. The EPA has expanded the GHG reporting requirements to all segments of the oil and natural gas
industry, including gathering and boosting facilities as well as completions and workovers from hydraulically fractured oil wells.
Federal agencies also have begun directly regulating emissions
of methane from oil and natural gas operations. For example, in June 2016, the EPA published New Source Performance Standards (“NSPS”),
known as Subpart OOOOa, that requires certain new, modified or reconstructed facilities in the oil and natural gas sector to reduce these
methane gas and volatile organic compound emissions. However, on August 28, 2019, the EPA published a notice of reconsideration proposing
to rescind methane-specific requirements for new and modified oil and gas infrastructure, which drew legal challenges. Subsequently,
on November 2, 2021, EPA released a proposed rule that would limit emissions of methane—a greenhouse gas—from facilities
in the oil and gas sector. In November 2022, EPA published a supplemental proposed rule that will increase monitoring and mitigation
requirements related to methane and VOC emissions from the oil and gas industry. The proposed regulations, once effective, would reach
new and existing facilities in the production, gathering, processing, and transmission and storage segments. Notably, the Biden administration
has made addressing climate change a priority and is expected to take steps to reduce harmful air emissions, which could result in new
efforts to set methane limits and otherwise regulate GHGs. On December 2, 2023, EPA issued a final rule to reduce emissions of methane
and other harmful pollutants from oil and gas operations. The rule added new NSPS standards to reduce methane and VOCs from oil and gas
operations and developed a new “super emitter” program. EPA has also proposed a new rule to establish a Waste Emission Charge
that applies to methane emissions from certain oil and gas operations.
6
Many states have adopted GHG emission reduction
goals broadly and for specific industries, which provides for GHG regulation and limits on permitting that will affect the oil and gas
industry, for example through moratoriums on drilling and limits on permitting.
The adoption and implementation of any international,
federal or state legislation or regulations that require reporting of GHGs or otherwise restrict or place a fee or charge on emissions
of GHGs could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions for Boaz Energy and could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Notwithstanding potential risks related to climate change, the
International Energy Agency estimates that oil and gas will continue to represent a major share of global energy use through 2040, and
other private sector studies project continued growth in demand for the next two decades. However, recent activism directed at shifting
funding away from companies with energy-related assets could result in limitations or restrictions on certain sources of funding for the
energy sector. Moreover, activist shareholders have introduced proposals that may seek to force companies to adopt aggressive emission
reduction targets or to shift away from more carbon-intensive activities. While we cannot predict the outcomes of such proposals, they
could make it more difficult for Boaz Energy to engage in exploration and production activities, ultimately reducing distributable cash
to Trust unitholders. Finally, many scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of GHG in the atmosphere may produce climate
changes that have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, droughts, and floods and other climate
events that could have an adverse effect on operations of the Underlying Properties and, as a result, the amount of cash distributable
to Trust unitholders.
Hydraulic Fracturing Activities
Boaz Energy engages in hydraulic fracturing.
Hydraulic fracturing is a common practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons from tight formations, including shales.
The process involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into formations to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate
production. Currently, hydraulic fracturing is generally exempt from regulation under the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act’s Underground
Injection Control program and is typically regulated by state oil and gas commissions or similar agencies.
However, several federal agencies have asserted
regulatory authority over certain aspects of the process. For example, in June 2016, the EPA published an effluent limit guideline final
rule prohibiting the discharge of wastewater from onshore unconventional oil and gas extraction facilities to publicly owned wastewater
treatment plants. Additionally, in December 2016, the EPA released its final report on the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on
drinking water resources. The final report concluded that “water cycle” activities associated with hydraulic fracturing may
impact drinking water resources under certain limited circumstances. From time to time, legislation has been introduced, but not enacted,
in Congress to provide for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing and to require disclosure of the chemicals used in the hydraulic
fracturing process. In the event that new federal restrictions relating to the hydraulic fracturing process are adopted in areas where
we own mineral or royalty interests, Boaz Energy may incur additional costs or permitting requirements to comply with such federal requirements
that may be significant and that could result in added delays or curtailment in Boaz Energy’s pursuit of exploration, development
or production activities, which would in turn reduce the oil, natural gas and NGLs produced from the Underlying Properties.
Moreover, some states and local governments have
adopted, and other governmental entities are considering adopting, regulations that could impose more stringent permitting, disclosure
and well-construction requirements on hydraulic fracturing operations, including states in which the Underlying Properties are located.
For example, Texas has adopted regulations that impose new or more stringent permitting, disclosure, disposal and well construction requirements
on hydraulic fracturing operations. States could also elect to prohibit high volume hydraulic fracturing altogether. In addition to state
laws, local land use restrictions, such as city ordinances, may restrict drilling in general and/or hydraulic fracturing in particular.
7
Increased regulation and attention given to the
hydraulic fracturing process could lead to greater opposition to, and litigation concerning, oil, natural gas and NGL production activities
using hydraulic fracturing techniques. Additional legislation or regulation could also lead to operational delays or increased operating
costs for Boaz Energy in the production of oil, natural gas and NGLs, including from the developing shale plays, or could make it more
difficult for Boaz Energy to perform hydraulic fracturing. The adoption of any federal, state or local laws or the implementation of regulations
regarding hydraulic fracturing could potentially cause a decrease in Boaz Energy’s completion of new oil and natural gas wells on
the Underlying Properties and an associated decrease in the distributable cash in the Trust.
Endangered Species Act and Migratory Birds
Treaty Act
In the United States, the Endangered Species
Act (the “ESA”) restricts activities that may affect endangered or threatened species or their habitats. Similar protections
are offered to migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (the “MBTA”). To the extent species that are listed under
the ESA or similar state laws, or are protected under the MBTA, live in the areas where the Underlying Properties are located, Boaz Energy’s
abilities to conduct or expand operations on the Underlying Properties could be limited, or Boaz Energy could be forced to incur material
additional costs. Moreover, Boaz Energy’s drilling activities may be delayed, restricted or precluded in protected habitat areas
or during certain seasons, such as breeding and nesting seasons.
In addition, as a result of one or more settlements
approved by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (the “FWS”), the FWS was required to make a determination on the listing
of numerous other species as endangered or threatened under the ESA by the end of the FWS’ 2017 fiscal year. The agency missed the
deadline, and the review is reportedly ongoing. On August 12, 2019, the FWS finalized a package of ESA regulatory revisions addressing
standards for listing, delisting, and reclassification of species, consultation parameters, and protections for threatened species, changes
which are expected to ease the path for development projects On June 22, 2023, the FWS proposed to revise the 2019 final rule regarding
consultation, listing and reclassification of species and designations of critical habitat, and reinstatement of the “blanket”
4(d) rules that were withdrawn in 2019.
The designation of previously unidentified endangered
or threatened species could cause Boaz Energy’s operations to become subject to operating restrictions or bans, and limit future
development activity in affected areas. For example, the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard, whose habitat includes portions of the Permian Basin,
is proposed to be listed as endangered under the ESA as of July 3, 2023. If the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard or other species are listed, the
FWS and similar state agencies may designate critical or suitable habitat areas that they believe are necessary for the survival of threatened
or endangered species. Such a designation could materially restrict use of or access to federal, state and private lands. To the extent
species are listed under the ESA or similar state laws, or previously unprotected species are designated as threatened or endangered in
areas where the Underlying Properties are located, operations on the Underlying Properties could incur increased costs arising from species
protection measures and face delays or limitations with respect to production activities thereon.
Employee Health and Safety
Operations on the Underlying Properties are subject
to a number of federal and state laws and regulations, including the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, or “OSHA,”
and comparable state statutes, whose purpose is to protect the health and safety of workers. In addition, the OSHA hazard communication
standard, the EPA community right-to-know regulations under Title III of the federal Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act and comparable
state statutes require that information be maintained concerning hazardous materials used or produced in operations and that this information
be provided to employees, state and local government authorities and citizens.
Available Information
The Trust maintains a website at www.permrock.com .
The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that
file electronically with the SEC. The Trust’s filings under the Exchange Act are available on the website and are also available
electronically from the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov .
8
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Summary of Risk Factors
The risk factors summarized and detailed below
could materially harm production from the Underlying Properties, operating results and/or the Trust’s financial condition, adversely
affect proceeds to the Trust and cash distributions to Trust unitholders, and/or cause the price of the Trust units to decline. These
are not all the risks the Trust faces, and other factors not presently known to the Trust or that the Trust currently believes are immaterial
may also affect the Trust if they occur. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Oil and natural gas prices are volatile, and lower oil and natural gas prices could reduce proceeds to the Trust and cash distributions
to Trust unitholders.
· Pandemics and other public health concerns, including a COVID-19 pandemic resurgence or emergence of new COVID-19 variants,
are possible and could adversely affect global demand for oil and gas, the operators of the Underlying Properties, the Net Profits Interest
and the cash available for distribution to unitholders.
· The ability or willingness of OPEC and other oil exporting nations to set and maintain production levels has a significant impact
on oil and natural gas commodity prices, which could reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to Trust unitholders.
· Actual reserves and future production may be less than current estimates, which could reduce cash distributions by the Trust
and the value of the Trust units.
· Developing oil and natural gas wells and producing oil and natural gas are costly and high-risk activities with many uncertainties
that could adversely affect future production from the Underlying Properties. Any delays, reductions or cancellations in development and
producing activities could decrease revenues that are available for distribution to Trust unitholders.
· The amount of cash available for distribution by the Trust depends in part on access to and operation of gathering, transportation
and processing facilities on commercially reasonable terms or otherwise. Any limitation in the availability of those facilities could
interfere with sales of oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties.
· Boaz Energy or any other operator of any Underlying Property may abandon the property, thereby terminating the related Net Profits
Interest payable to the Trust that is attributable to the abandoned property.
· The unavailability or high cost of equipment, supplies, personnel and services could increase costs of developing and operating
the Underlying Properties and result in a reduction in the amount of cash available for distribution to the Trust unitholders.
· All of the Underlying Properties are concentrated in the Permian Basin, making the Trust vulnerable to risks associated with
operating in only one major geographic area.
· A bankruptcy of Boaz Energy or any third-party operator could adversely affect the operation of the wells and the development of the proved undeveloped reserves and interrupt or decrease distributions to Trust unitholdrs.
· The reserves attributable to the Underlying Properties are depleting assets and production from those reserves will diminish
over the long term and may eventually cease, therefore, proceeds to the Trust and cash distributions to Trust unitholders will decrease
over time and may eventually cease.
· An increase in the differential between the price realized by Boaz Energy for oil or natural gas produced from the Underlying
Properties and the NYMEX or other benchmark price of oil or natural gas could reduce the profits to the Trust and, therefore, the cash
distributions by the Trust and the value of Trust units.
· Higher production and development costs related to the Underlying Properties and other costs and expenses incurred by the Trust
without concurrent increases in revenue, will result in decreased Trust distributions.
· A significant portion of the reserves associated with and production from the Underlying Properties will be influenced by the
success of secondary recovery techniques. There are uncertainties associated with such techniques and, if these recovery methods do not
result in expected production levels, net profits available for distribution to Trust unitholders could be less than expected.
9
· The standardized measure of the estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves attributable to the Trust’s interest in
the Underlying Properties and the associated PV-10 calculation are not necessarily the same as the current market value of those estimated
reserves.
· The Trust units may lose value as a result of title deficiencies with respect to the Underlying Properties.
· The amount of cash available for distribution by the Trust could be reduced by expenses caused by uninsured claims.
· War, military invasions, terrorism and continued geopolitical hostilities could adversely affect the Trust’s distributions
to its unitholders or the market price of its units.
· Future net profits income to the Trust may be subject to risks relating to the creditworthiness of third parties.
· The Trust is passive in nature and neither the Trust nor the Trust unitholders have any ability to influence Boaz Energy and
other third-party operators or control the operation or development of the Underlying Properties.
· Boaz Energy may transfer all or a portion of the Underlying Properties at any time without Trust unitholder consent, subject
to specified limitations.
· The Trustee must, under certain circumstances, sell the Net Profits Interest and dissolve the Trust prior to the expected termination
of the Trust. If this were to occur, Trust unitholders may not recover their investment.
· Conflicts of interest could arise between Boaz Energy and its affiliates, on the one hand, and the Trust and the Trust unitholders,
on the other hand.
· The Trust is administered by a Trustee who cannot be replaced except by a majority vote of the Trust unitholders at a special
meeting, which may make it difficult for Trust unitholders to remove or replace the Trustee.
· Boaz Energy’s ability to perform its obligations to the Trust could be limited by restrictions under its debt agreements.
· Trust unitholders have limited ability to enforce provisions of the Conveyance creating the Net Profits Interest, and Boaz Energy’s
liability to the Trust is limited.
· If the Trust cannot meet the New York Stock Exchange continued listing requirements, the NYSE may delist the Trust units.
· Boaz Energy may sell Trust units in the public or private markets, and such sales could have an adverse impact on the trading
price of the Trust units.
· The trading price for the Trust units may not reflect the value of the Net Profits Interest held by the Trust.
· Courts outside of Delaware may not recognize the limited liability of the Trust unitholders provided under Delaware law.
· The operations of the Underlying Properties are subject to complex federal, state, local and other laws and regulations, including
environmental laws and regulations, that could adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of conducting operations on them or result
in significant costs and liabilities, which could reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to Trust unitholders.
· Federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in Boaz Energy incurring
increased costs, additional operating restrictions or delays and fewer potential drilling locations.
· The adoption and implementation of international, federal or state climate change legislation or regulations could result in
increased operating costs for Boaz Energy and reduced demand for the oil, natural gas and NGLs that Boaz Energy produces.
· The potential physical effects of climate change could disrupt production on the Underlying Properties and cause Boaz Energy
and other third-party operators to incur significant costs, thereby reducing cash distributable to Trust unitholders.
· Additional restrictions on drilling activities intended to protect certain species of wildlife may adversely affect Boaz Energy’s
and other third-party operators' ability to conduct drilling activities.
· The business of Boaz Energy could be negatively affected by various security threats, including cybersecurity threats, and other
disruptions.
10
· The Trustee may be subject to attempted cybersecurity disruptions from a variety of sources.
· The Trust has not requested a ruling from the IRS regarding the tax treatment of the Trust. If the IRS were to determine (and
be sustained in that determination) that the Trust is not a “grantor trust” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Trust
could be subject to more complex and costly tax reporting requirements that could reduce the amount of cash available for distribution
to Trust unitholders.
· Trust unitholders are required to pay U.S. federal income taxes on their share of the Trust’s income, even if they do
not receive any cash distributions from the Trust.
· A portion of any gain recognized on the disposition of the Trust units could be taxed as ordinary income.
· The Trust generally allocates its items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of the Trust
units based upon the monthly record date. The IRS may challenge this treatment.
BUSINESS AND OPERATING RISKS
Oil and natural gas prices are volatile, and lower oil and
natural gas prices could reduce proceeds to the Trust and cash distributions to Trust unitholders.
The Trust’s reserves and monthly cash distributions
are highly dependent upon the prices realized from the sale of oil and natural gas. Oil and natural gas are commodities, and their prices
can be volatile and fluctuate widely in response to market uncertainty and relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for oil
and natural gas. Factors that affect oil and natural gas prices include, among others:
· worldwide and regional economic conditions impacting the global supply of and demand for oil and natural gas;
· the price and quantity of foreign imports and U.S. exports of oil and natural gas;
· political conditions in major oil producing regions, especially in the Middle East and Russia, including the conflicts between Russia
and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas;
· the effects of armed conflict throughout the world on global oil and gas producing regions, countries, thoroughfares and the oil and
gas markets;
· expectations about future prices of, or the supply of and demand for oil and natural gas;
· the volatility and uncertainty of regional pricing differentials, particularly prevailing prices on local price indexes in the Permian
Basin;
· public health concerns, such as COVID-19;
· technological advances affecting energy consumption, energy storage and energy supply;
· the price and availability of alternative fuels;
· the proximity, capacity, cost and availability of gathering and transportation facilities;
· U.S. federal, state and local governmental regulation and taxation;
· energy conservation and environmental measures; and
· acts of force majeure.
These factors make it extremely difficult to predict
oil and natural gas price movements or future cash distributions to unitholders. Lower oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids prices
have resulted in and may result in future periods of reduced net proceeds to which the Trust is entitled. This could materially reduce
or completely eliminate the amount of cash available for distribution to Trust unitholders and may ultimately reduce the amount of oil
and natural gas that is economic to produce from the Underlying Properties. Sustained lower prices of oil and natural gas could also
negatively affect the price of the Trust units and the qualification of the Trust units to remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Because the monthly distributions correlate with the net profits generated each month after payment of costs and expenses related to
the Underlying Properties (including direct operating expenses and development expenses), future monthly distributions paid to the Trust
unitholders will vary significantly from month to month and may be zero in any given month.
11
Pandemics and other public health concerns, including a COVID-19
pandemic resurgence or emergence of new COVID-19 variants, are possible and could adversely affect global demand for oil and gas, the
operators of the Underlying Properties, the Net Profits Interest and the cash available for distribution to unitholders.
In the event of a resurgence
of COVID-19, the emergence of new strains or variants of COVID-19, or the occurrence of other pandemics or public health concerns, it
is not possible to predict the impact such public health concern may have on global demand for oil and gas. If prices are negatively impacted
in the future, it is possible Boaz Energy or any third-party operator of the Underlying Properties could shut in or curtail production
from wells on the Underlying Properties or plug and abandon marginal wells that otherwise may have been allowed to continue to produce
for a longer period under conditions of higher prices, without the consent of the Trust or the Trust unitholders. Substantial declines
in and extended periods of decreased economic activity and depressed oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids prices have previously resulted
in and may in future periods result in reductions in the amount of oil and natural gas that is economic to produce from the Underlying
Properties, reduced net proceeds to which the Trust is entitled, and elimination of cash available for distribution to Trust unitholders
for an unknown period of time.
To the extent COVID-19,
other health concerns, or related mitigation efforts adversely affect production from the Underlying Properties or the business, results
of operations and financial condition of the operators of the Underlying Properties, it may also have the effect of heightening many of
the other risks described in this Form 10-K.
The ability or willingness of OPEC and
other oil exporting nations to set and maintain production levels has a significant impact on oil and natural gas commodity prices, which
could reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to Trust unitholders.
The Organization of Petroleum
Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) is an intergovernmental organization that seeks to manage the price and supply of oil on the
global energy market. Actions taken by OPEC members, including those taken alongside other oil exporting nations, have a significant impact
on global oil supply and pricing. The extent and duration of production cuts by OPEC members and other oil exporting nations to support
crude oil prices have fluctuated and may continue to do so. There can be no assurance that OPEC members and other oil exporting nations
will continue to agree to production cuts or other actions to support and stabilize oil prices, nor can there be any assurance that they
will not further reduce oil prices or increase production. Uncertainty regarding future actions to be taken by OPEC members or other oil
exporting countries could lead to continued volatility in the price of oil, which could adversely affect the financial condition and economic
performance of the operators of the Underlying Properties and may reduce net profits income and significantly reduce or completely eliminate
the amount of cash available for distribution to Trust unitholders for an unknown period of time.
Actual reserves and future production may be less than current
estimates, which could reduce cash distributions by the Trust and the value of the Trust units.
The value of the Trust units and the amount of
future cash distributions to the Trust unitholders will depend on, among other things, the accuracy of the reserves and future production
estimated to be attributable to the Trust’s interest in the Underlying Properties. It is not possible to measure underground accumulations
of oil and natural gas in an exact way, and estimating reserves is inherently uncertain. Ultimately, actual production and revenues for
the Underlying Properties could vary both positively and negatively and in material amounts from the estimates contained in the reserve
reports. Furthermore, direct operating expenses and development expenses relating to the Underlying Properties could be substantially
higher than current estimates. Petroleum engineers are required to make subjective estimates of underground accumulations of oil and natural
gas based on factors and assumptions that include:
· historical production from the area compared with production rates from other producing areas;
· oil and natural gas prices, production levels, Btu content, production expenses, transportation costs, severance and other taxes and
development expenses;
· the availability of enhanced recovery techniques;
· relationships with landowners, operators, pipeline companies and others; and
· the assumed effect of expected governmental regulation and future tax rates.
Changes in these assumptions and amounts of actual
direct operating expenses and development expenses could materially decrease reserve estimates. In addition, the quantities of recovered
reserves attributable to the Underlying Properties have decreased, and may decrease in the future, as a result of future decreases in
the price of oil or natural gas.
12
Developing oil and natural gas wells and producing oil and
natural gas are costly and high-risk activities with many uncertainties that could adversely affect future production from the Underlying
Properties. Any delays, reductions or cancellations in development and producing activities could decrease revenues that are available
for distribution to Trust unitholders.
Recovery of proved undeveloped reserves and the
development of proved developed non-producing reserves requires capital expenditures and successful drilling operations by Boaz Energy
and other third-party operators of the Underlying Properties. The reserve data included in the reserve report of Boaz Energy’s independent
petroleum engineer assumes a certain amount of capital expenditures will be made to develop such reserves. The Net Profits Interest bears
its proportionate share of these capital expenditures. However, the development of such reserves has in the past and may in the future
take longer and may require higher levels of capital expenditures than anticipated. Delays in the development of the reserves, increases
in drilling and development costs (including expenses related to secondary and tertiary recovery techniques) of such reserves or decreases
or continued volatility in commodity prices will reduce the future net revenues of the estimated proved undeveloped reserves and may result
in some projects becoming uneconomic. In addition, delays in the development of reserves could force Boaz Energy to reclassify certain
of the proved reserves as unproved reserves.
In addition, the process of developing oil and
natural gas wells and producing oil and natural gas on the Underlying Properties is subject to numerous risks beyond Boaz Energy’s
control, including risks that could delay Boaz Energy’s or any third-party operators’ current drilling or production schedule
and the risk that drilling will not result in commercially viable oil or natural gas production. The ability of the operators to carry
out operations or to finance planned development expenses could be materially and adversely affected by any factor that may curtail, delay,
reduce or cancel development and production, including:
· delays imposed by or resulting from compliance with environmental and other governmental or regulatory requirements, including permitting
requirements, limitations on or resulting from wastewater discharge and disposal of exploration and production wastes, including, subsurface
injections, as well as additional regulation with respect to GHG emissions;
· pressure or irregularities in geological formations;
· restricted access to land for drilling or laying pipeline;
· lack of available gathering, transportation and processing facilities, including availability on commercially reasonable terms, or
delays in construction of gathering facilities;
· lack of available capacity on interconnecting transmission pipelines;
· equipment failures or accidents;
· failure of secondary recovery operations to perform as expected;
· unexpected operational events and drilling conditions;
· declines in oil or natural gas prices;
· limitations in the market for oil or natural gas;
· pipe or cement failures;
· casing collapses;
· shortages, unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs, tubular materials, equipment, supplies, personnel and services;
· lost or damaged drilling and service tools;
· loss of drilling fluid circulation;
· uncontrollable flows of oil and natural gas, water or drilling fluids;
· blowouts, explosions fires and natural disasters;
· environmental hazards, such as oil and natural gas leaks, pipeline and tank ruptures, encountering naturally occurring radioactive
materials, and unauthorized discharges of brine, well stimulation and completion fluids, toxic gases or other pollutants into the surface
and subsurface environment;
· adverse weather conditions, such as drought, floods, blizzards, tornados and ice storms; and
· title problems or legal disputes regarding leasehold rights.
13
In the event that planned operations by Boaz
Energy or other operators, including drilling of development wells, are delayed or cancelled, or existing wells or development wells have
lower than anticipated production due to one or more of the factors above or for any other reason, estimated future distributions to Trust
unitholders may be reduced. In the event an operator incurs increased costs due to one or more of the above factors or for any other reason
and is not able to recover such costs from insurance, the estimated future distributions to Trust unitholders may be reduced.
The amount of cash available for distribution by the Trust
depends in part on access to and operation of gathering, transportation and processing facilities on commercially reasonable terms or
otherwise. Any limitation in the availability of those facilities could interfere with sales of oil and natural gas production from the
Underlying Properties.
The marketing of oil and natural gas production
depends in large part on the capacity and availability of gathering systems and other pipelines, trucks, storage facilities and other
transportation, processing and refining facilities. If these facilities are unavailable on commercially reasonable terms or otherwise,
production from the Underlying Properties could be shut in or Boaz Energy or the third-party operators could be required to delay or discontinue
drilling plans and commercial production. Boaz Energy relies (and expects to rely in the future) on facilities developed and owned by
third parties in order to transport, store, process and sell the oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties. Boaz Energy’s
plan to develop and sell its oil and natural gas could be materially and adversely affected by the inability or unwillingness of third
parties to provide sufficient facilities and services to Boaz Energy on commercially reasonable terms, or otherwise.
The amount of oil and natural gas that can be
produced and sold from a well is subject to limitation in certain circumstances, such as pipeline interruptions due to scheduled and unscheduled
maintenance, failure of tendered oil and natural gas to meet quality specifications of gathering lines or downstream transporters, excessive
pressure, damage to the gathering, transportation, refining or processing facilities or lack of capacity at such facilities. Increases
in activity in the Permian Basin could, in the future, contribute to bottlenecks in processing and transportation that could negatively
affect the production, transportation and sale of oil and natural gas from the Underlying Properties, and these adverse effects could
be disproportionately severe compared to more geographically diverse operations. If Boaz Energy or the third-party operators are forced
to reduce production due to such a curtailment, the revenues of the Trust and the amount of cash distributions to the Trust unitholders
would similarly be reduced due to the reduction of profits from the sale of production.
Boaz Energy or any other operator of any Underlying Property
may abandon the property, thereby terminating the related Net Profits Interest payable to the Trust that is attributable to the abandoned
property.
Boaz Energy or any third-party operator of the
Underlying Properties could determine during periods of low commodity prices to shut in or curtail production from wells on the Underlying
Properties or plug and abandon marginal wells that otherwise may have been allowed to continue to produce for a longer period under conditions
of higher prices. Boaz Energy or any other operator may abandon any well or property without the consent of the Trust or the Trust unitholders
if it reasonably believes that the well or property can no longer produce oil or natural gas in commercially paying quantities. This could
result in termination of the Net Profits Interest relating to the abandoned well or property. The Underlying Properties are sensitive
to decreasing commodity prices. The commodity price sensitivity is due to a variety of factors that vary from well to well, including
the costs associated with water handling and disposal, chemicals, surface equipment maintenance, downhole casing repairs and reservoir
pressure maintenance activities that are necessary to maintain production. As a result, the volatility of commodity prices may cause the
expenses of certain wells to exceed the well’s revenue. If this scenario occurs, Boaz Energy or any third-party operator may decide
to shut-in the well or plug and abandon the well. This could reduce future cash distributions to Trust unitholders.
The unavailability or high cost of equipment, supplies, personnel
and services could increase costs of developing and operating the Underlying Properties and result in a reduction in the amount of cash
available for distribution to the Trust unitholders.
The demand for qualified and experienced personnel
to conduct field operations, geologists, geophysicists, engineers and other professionals in the oil and natural gas industry can fluctuate
significantly, often in correlation with oil and natural gas prices, causing periodic shortages. Historically, there have been shortages
of drilling and workover rigs, pipe and other equipment as demand for rigs and equipment has increased along with the number of wells
being drilled. These factors also cause significant increases in costs for equipment, supplies, personnel and services. Higher oil and
natural gas prices generally stimulate demand and result in increased process for drilling rigs, crews and associated supplies, equipment
and services. Shortages of field personnel and equipment or price increases could hinder the ability to conduct operations. The occurrence,
timing and duration of these conditions in the future is impossible to predict. Such shortages could delay development and/or operating
activities or cause a significant increase in development and operating expenses associated with the Underlying Properties, which would
reduce the amount of cash received by the Trust and available for distribution to the Trust unitholders.
14
All of the Underlying Properties are concentrated in the Permian
Basin, making the Trust vulnerable to risks associated with operating in only one major geographic area.
As a result of the Trust’s geographic concentration,
an adverse development in the industry in the Permian Basin could have a greater impact on revenues of the Trust and the amount of cash
distributions to the Trust unitholders than if the Underlying Properties were more geographically diverse. The Underlying Properties may
also be disproportionately exposed to the impact of adverse developments in exploration and production of oil and natural gas, regional
supply and demand factors, governmental regulation or midstream capacity constraints. Delays or interruptions caused by such factors could
have a material adverse effect on revenues of the Trust and the amount of cash distributions to the Trust unitholders.
Similarly, the concentration of the Underlying
Properties within the Permian Basin exposes the Trust to risks, which could adversely affect development activities or production relating
to such formations. In addition, in areas where exploration and production activities are increasing, Boaz Energy could be subject to
increasing competition for drilling rigs, equipment, services, supplies and qualified personnel, which may lead to periodic shortages
or delays. The curtailments arising from these and similar circumstances may last from a few days to several months, and in many cases,
Boaz Energy may be provided only limited, if any, notice as to when such circumstances will arise and their duration.
A bankruptcy of Boaz Energy or any third-party operator could
adversely affect the operation of the wells and the development of the proved undeveloped reserves and interrupt or decrease distributions
to Trust unitholders.
The value of the Net Profits Interest and the
Trust’s ultimate cash available for distribution are highly dependent on Boaz Energy’s financial condition. Neither Boaz Energy
nor any other operator of the Underlying Properties has agreed with the Trust to maintain a certain net worth or to be restricted by other
similar covenants. In addition, Boaz Energy is not required to retain ownership of its Trust units and may sell such units or distribute
such units, or the proceeds from the sale thereof, to its owners. The ability to develop and operate the Underlying Properties depends
on Boaz Energy’s future financial condition and economic performance and access to capital, which in turn will depend upon the supply
of and demand for oil and natural gas, prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond
the control of Boaz Energy.
The bankruptcy of Boaz Energy or any third-party
operator of the Underlying Properties could impede the operation of the wells and the development of the proved undeveloped reserves and
decrease distributions to the Trust unitholders. For example:
· The working interest owners in the affected properties may have to seek a new party to perform the development and the operations
of the affected wells. The right to replace an operator would be subject to the terms of any joint operating agreement, and the exercise
thereof could be subject to the automatic stay in the operator’s bankruptcy case. Boaz Energy or the other working interest owners
may not be able to find a replacement operator, and they may not be able to enter into a new agreement with such replacement party on
favorable terms within a reasonable period of time.
· The payment of any accrued but unpaid oil and natural gas revenues payable on the Net Profits Interest at the time of a bankruptcy
case filing by Boaz Energy or another operator could be delayed or such amounts may be misapplied or not paid to the Trust at all, which
would result in a general unsecured claim in favor the Trust against Boaz Energy’s (or the applicable operator’s) bankruptcy
estate. There is no certainty that such unsecured claim would receive a distribution from the bankruptcy estate.
· Executory contracts to which Boaz Energy or another operator is party (including midstream and transportation contracts) would be
subject to possible rejection in the bankruptcy case, which would result in a loss of access to the service provided by the counterparty
to such contracts.
Boaz Energy is not a reporting company and
is not required to file periodic reports with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act. Therefore, Trust unitholders do not have access to
financial information about Boaz Energy.
15
FINANCIAL RISKS
The reserves attributable to the Underlying Properties are depleting
assets and production from those reserves will diminish over the long term and may eventually cease, therefore, proceeds to the Trust
and cash distributions to Trust unitholders will decrease over time and may eventually cease.
The profits payable to the Trust attributable
to the Net Profits Interest are derived from the sale of production of oil and natural gas from the Underlying Properties. The reserves
attributable to the Underlying Properties are depleting assets, which means that the reserves and the quantity of oil and natural gas
produced from the Underlying Properties will decline over time. Actual decline rates have varied and likely will continue to vary from
the decline rates projected in reserve reports.
Maintenance projects on the Underlying Properties
have affected and will likely continue to affect the quantity of proved reserves that can be economically produced from wells on the Underlying
Properties. The timing and size of these maintenance projects will depend on, among other factors, the market prices of oil and natural
gas. Boaz Energy is not under contractual obligation to develop or otherwise pay maintenance or other development expenses on the Underlying
Properties in the future. Furthermore, with respect to properties for which Boaz Energy is not designated as the operator, Boaz Energy
has limited control over the timing or amount of those maintenance projects and other development expenses. Boaz Energy also has the right
to non-consent and not participate in maintenance projects and other development activities on properties for which it is not the operator,
in which case Boaz Energy and the Trust will not receive the production resulting from such maintenance projects and other development
expenses until after payout occurs pursuant to the applicable joint operating agreement. If Boaz Energy or any third-party operator does
not implement maintenance projects when warranted, the future rate of production decline of proved reserves may be higher than the rate
currently expected by Boaz Energy or estimated in reserve reports. Furthermore, the Trust is not permitted to acquire other oil and natural
gas properties or net profits interests to replace the depleting assets and production attributable to the Net Profits Interest.
The Trustee reviews the Trust’s Net Profits
Interest in oil and natural gas properties for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value
of the Net Profits Interest may not be recoverable. In the event of material revisions, the Trustee reviews the impact of these revisions
on the amortization of Trust Units and impairment estimates. During 2023, a material revision was made to reserves resulting in the additional
recognition of amortization of Trust Units. The Trust recognized $4,164,943 of amortization of Trust Units for the year ended December
31, 2023. There was no impairment present for the year ended December 31, 2023, after revisions to undiscounted cash flows.
In general, neither the Trustee nor Boaz Energy view temporarily low prices as an indication of impairment. The markets for crude oil
and natural gas have a history of significant price volatility and though prices will occasionally drop significantly, industry prices
over the long term will continue to be driven by market supply and demand. If events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value
may not be recoverable, the Trustee would use the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows from the Net Profits Interest to evaluate
the recoverability of the Trust assets. If the undiscounted future net cash flows from the Net Profits Interest are less than the Net
Profits Interest carrying value, the Trust would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the Net Profits Interest carrying
value and the estimated fair value of the Net Profits Interest. The determination as to whether the Net Profits Interest is impaired is
based on the best information available to the Trustee at the time of the evaluation, including information provided by Boaz Energy such
as estimates of future production and development and operating expenses.
An increase in the differential between the price realized
by Boaz Energy for oil or natural gas produced from the Underlying Properties and the NYMEX or other benchmark price of oil or natural
gas could reduce the profits to the Trust and, therefore, the cash distributions by the Trust and the value of Trust units.
The prices received for Boaz Energy’s oil
and natural gas production have generally been lower than the relevant benchmark prices, such as NYMEX. The difference between the price
received and the benchmark price is called a basis differential. The differential may vary significantly due to market conditions, the
quality and location of production and other factors, including a regional oversupply of oil in the Permian Basin due to take-away constraints.
Boaz Energy cannot accurately predict oil or natural gas differentials in the future. Increases in the differential between the realized
price of oil and natural gas and the benchmark price for oil and natural gas could reduce the profits to the Trust, the cash distributions
by the Trust and the value of the Trust units.
16
Higher production and development costs related to the Underlying
Properties and other costs and expenses incurred by the Trust without concurrent increases in revenue, will result in decreased Trust
distributions.
The Trust indirectly bears an 80% share of all
costs and expenses related to the Underlying Properties, such as direct operating expenses and development expenses (including waterflood
expenses), which reduces the amount of cash received by the Trust and distributed to Trust unitholders. Historical costs may not be indicative
of future costs, and higher costs and expenses related to the Underlying Properties without concurrent increases in revenue will directly
decrease the amount of cash received by the Trust in respect of its Net Profits Interest. In addition, cash available for distribution
by the Trust will be further reduced by the Trust’s general and administrative expenses.
If direct operating expenses and development
expenses on the Underlying Properties together with the other costs exceed gross profits of production from the Underlying Properties,
the Trust will not receive net profits from those properties until future gross profits from production exceed the total of the excess
costs, plus accrued interest at the prime rate. If the Trust does not receive net profits pursuant to the Net Profits Interest, or if
such net profits are reduced, the Trust will not be able to distribute cash to the Trust unitholders, or such cash distributions will
be reduced, respectively. Development activities may not generate sufficient additional revenue to repay the costs.
A significant portion of the reserves associated with and production
from the Underlying Properties will be influenced by the success of secondary recovery techniques. There are uncertainties associated
with such techniques and, if these recovery methods do not result in expected production levels, net profits available for distribution
to Trust unitholders could be less than expected.
A significant portion of the future production
from the Underlying Properties will be associated with secondary recovery projects that are in the early or intermediate stage of implementation.
As a result, there can be no assurance that these operations will perform as expected or consistently with the analogous secondary recovery
operations used by Boaz Energy in establishing its reserve and production estimates. As secondary recovery techniques such as waterflooding
are used, the amount of oil recovered is expected to first increase as a result of such techniques and then will begin to decline over
the long term. Risks associated with secondary recovery techniques include, but are not limited to, the following:
· higher than projected operating costs;
· lower-than-expected production;
· longer response times;
· unusual or unexpected geological formations;
· fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices;
· regulatory changes;
· shortages of equipment; and
· lack of technical expertise.
If these secondary recovery operations do not
result in achieving projected production, then the reserves associated with the Underlying Properties may be less than expected.
The standardized measure of the estimated proved oil and natural
gas reserves attributable to the Trust’s interest in the Underlying Properties and the associated PV-10 calculation are not necessarily
the same as the current market value of those estimated reserves.
The present value of future net cash flow from
the proved reserves attributable to the Trust’s interest in the Underlying Properties, or standardized measure, and the related
PV-10 calculation, may not represent the current market value of the Trust’s interest in the estimated proved oil and natural gas
reserves of the Underlying Properties. In accordance with SEC requirements, the Trust bases the estimated discounted future net cash flow
from estimated proved reserves on the 12-month average oil index prices, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average for the first-day-of-the-month
price for each month and costs in effect as of the date of the estimate, holding the prices and costs constant throughout the life of
the properties. Actual future prices and costs may differ materially from those used in the net present value estimate, and future net
present value estimates using then current prices and costs may be significantly less than current estimates. In addition, the 10% discount
factor the Trust uses when calculating discounted future net cash flow for reporting requirements in compliance with the Financial Accounting
Standard Board Codification 932, “Extractive Activities-Oil and Gas,” may not be the most appropriate discount factor based
on interest rates in effect from time to time and risks associated with the Trust or the oil and natural gas industry in general.
17
The Trust units may lose value as a result of title deficiencies
with respect to the Underlying Properties.
Boaz Energy acquired the Underlying Properties
through various acquisitions since October 2013. The existence of a material title deficiency with respect to the Underlying Properties
could reduce the value of a property or render it worthless, thus adversely affecting the Net Profits Interest and the distributions to
Trust unitholders. Boaz Energy does not obtain title insurance covering mineral leaseholds, and Boaz Energy’s failure to cure any
title defects may cause Boaz Energy to lose its rights to production from the Underlying Properties. In the event of any such material
title problem, profits available for distribution to Trust unitholders and the value of the Trust units may be reduced.
The amount of cash available for distribution by the Trust
could be reduced by expenses caused by uninsured claims.
Boaz Energy maintains insurance coverage against
potential losses that it believes is customary in its industry. Boaz Energy is not required to maintain any minimum levels of insurance
and its ability to maintain any such coverages will depend on conditions in the insurance markets among other factors beyond Boaz Energy’s
control. In addition, Boaz Energy’s general liability insurance and excess liability policies do not provide coverage with respect
to legal and contractual liabilities of the Trust, and the Trust does not maintain such coverage since it is passive in nature and does
not have any ability to influence Boaz Energy or control the operations or development of the Underlying Properties. Boaz Energy does
not currently have any insurance policies in effect that are intended to provide coverage for losses solely related to waterflooding or
other completion operations. These policies may not cover fines, penalties or costs and expenses related to government-mandated remediation
of pollution. In addition, these policies do not provide coverage for all liabilities, and Boaz Energy cannot assure you that the insurance
coverage will be adequate to cover claims that may arise, including due to potential effects of climate change, or that Boaz Energy will
be able to maintain adequate insurance at rates it considers reasonable. The occurrence of an event not fully covered by insurance could
result in a significant decrease in the amount of cash available for distribution by the Trust.
War, military invasions, terrorism and continued geopolitical
hostilities could adversely affect the Trust’s distributions to its unitholders or the market price of its units.
The outbreak of war, military invasions, terrorist
attacks and the threat of such violence, whether domestic or foreign, as well as military or other actions taken in response to such attacks
or threats, could cause instability in the global financial, oil and natural gas markets. Such geopolitical hostilities could adversely
affect the Trust’s distributions to its unitholders or the market price of its units in unpredictable ways, including through the
disruption of oil and natural gas supplies and markets, increased volatility in oil and natural gas prices, or the possibility that the
infrastructure on which the operators of the Underlying Properties rely could be a direct target or an indirect casualty of such violence.
Future net profits income to the Trust may be subject to
risks relating to the creditworthiness of third parties.
The Trust does not lend money and has limited
ability to borrow money. The Trust’s future net profits income, however, may be subject to risks relating to the creditworthiness
of the operators of the Underlying Properties and purchasers of the oil and natural gas produced from the Underlying Properties. This
creditworthiness may be impacted by the price of oil and natural gas.
18
RISKS RELATED TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE TRUST
The Trust is passive in nature and neither the Trust nor the
Trust unitholders have any ability to influence Boaz Energy and other third-party operators or control the operation or development of
the Underlying Properties.
The Trust units are a passive investment that
entitle the Trust unitholder to only receive cash distributions from the Net Profits Interest conveyed to the Trust. Trust unitholders
have no voting rights with respect to Boaz Energy and, therefore, have no managerial, contractual or other ability to influence Boaz Energy’s
or other third-party operators’ activities or the operations of the Underlying Properties. Boaz Energy operated approximately 80%
of the production from the Underlying Properties as of December 31, 2023, and is generally responsible for making all decisions relating
to drilling activities, sale of production, compliance with regulatory requirements and other matters that affect such properties. Boaz
Energy may take actions that are in its own interest that may be different from the interests of the Trust. The failure of Boaz Energy
or any other third-party operator to conduct its operations, discharge its obligations and comply with regulatory requirements could have
an adverse effect on the net profits payable to the Trust.
Boaz Energy may transfer all or a portion of the Underlying
Properties at any time without Trust unitholder consent, subject to specified limitations.
Boaz Energy may at any time transfer all or part
of the Underlying Properties, subject to and burdened by the Net Profits Interest, and may abandon its interest in any individual wells
or properties if Boaz Energy, acting as a reasonable and prudent operator, believes a well or property has ceased to produce or is not
capable of producing in commercially paying quantities. Trust unitholders are not entitled to vote on any transfer or abandonment of the
Underlying Properties, and the Trust will not receive any profits from any such transfer, except in the limited circumstances when the
Net Profits Interest is released in connection with such transfer, in which case the Trust will receive an amount equal to the fair value
(net of sales costs) of the Net Profits Interest released. Following any sale or transfer of any of the Underlying Properties, if the
Net Profits Interest is not released in connection with such sale or transfer, the Net Profits Interest would continue to burden the transferred
property and net profits attributable to such property would continue to be calculated as part of the computation of net profits. Boaz
Energy may assign to the transferee responsibility for all of Boaz Energy’s obligations relating to the Net Profits Interest on
the portion of the Underlying Properties transferred. A transferee of the Underlying Properties may operate the Underlying Properties
differently than Boaz Energy and may determine not to pursue development projects to the same extent as Boaz Energy or at all.
In addition, Boaz Energy may, without the consent
of the Trust unitholders, require the Trust to release the Net Profits Interest associated with the sale of any interest in the Underlying
Properties that accounted for no more than 1.0% of the total production from the Underlying Properties in the prior 12 months, provided
that Boaz Energy may not require the release during any 365-day period of portions of the Net Profits Interest having an aggregate fair
value to the Trust of greater than $500,000 (a “Qualified De Minimis Sale”). These releases will be made only in connection
with a sale by Boaz Energy of the relevant Underlying Properties and the Trust will receive an amount equal to the fair value (net of
sales costs) of the Net Profits Interest released.
In addition, Boaz Energy may cause the Trustee
to (i) sell all or any part of the Trust estate, including all or any portion of the Net Profits Interest or (ii) release any portion
of the Net Profits Interest in connection with the sale, free from and unburdened by the Net Profits Interest, by Boaz Energy and/or its
affiliates of a divided or undivided portion of their interests in the Underlying Properties, if approved by Trust unitholders holding
at least 75% of the outstanding Trust units, provided that, after December 31, 2023, such a sale or release shall require approval of
a majority of the outstanding Trust units if Boaz Energy and its affiliates own less than 25% of the outstanding Trust units. The net
proceeds of any such sale or the consideration received in respect of such release, as applicable, shall be distributed to the Trust unitholders
in the manner approved by the Trust unitholders at such meeting.
Boaz Energy may also enter into farm-out, operating,
participation and other similar agreements to develop the property without the consent or approval of the Trustee or any Trust unitholder.
19
The Trustee must, under certain circumstances, sell the Net
Profits Interest and dissolve the Trust prior to the expected termination of the Trust. If this were to occur, Trust unitholders may not
recover their investment.
The Trustee must sell the Net Profits Interest
and dissolve the Trust if the holders of 75% of the outstanding units approve the sale of the Net Profits Interest or approve the dissolution
of the Trust or if the Trust is judicially dissolved. The Trustee must also sell the Net Profits Interest and dissolve the Trust if the
annual gross profits from the Underlying Properties attributable to the Net Profits Interest are less than $2.0 million for each of any
two consecutive years. The Trust will receive the net proceeds of any such sale and will distribute such proceeds to its unitholders after
deducting Trust expenses.
Conflicts of interest could arise between Boaz Energy and
its affiliates, on the one hand, and the Trust and the Trust unitholders, on the other hand.
As working interest owners in, and the operator
of substantially all of the production from the Underlying Properties, Boaz Energy and its related parties could have interests that conflict
with the interests of the Trust and the Trust unitholders. For example:
· Boaz Energy’s interests may conflict with those of the Trust and the Trust unitholders in situations involving the development,
maintenance, operation or abandonment of certain wells on the Underlying Properties for which Boaz Energy acts as the operator. Boaz Energy
may also make decisions with respect to development expenses that adversely affect the Underlying Properties. These decisions include
not incurring or reducing development expenses on properties for which Boaz Energy acts as the operator, which could cause the Trust to
not achieve the production growth projected in the reserve report or could cause oil and natural gas production to decline at a faster
rate and thereby result in lower cash distributions by the Trust in the future.
· Boaz Energy may sell some or all of the Underlying Properties without taking into consideration the interests of the Trust unitholders.
Such sales may not be in the best interests of the Trust unitholders. These purchasers may lack Boaz Energy’s experience or its
credit worthiness. Boaz Energy also has the right, under certain circumstances, to cause the Trust to release all or a portion of the
Net Profits Interest in connection with a sale of a portion of the Underlying Properties to which such Net Profits Interest relates. In
such an event, the Trust is entitled to receive the fair value (net of sales costs) of the Net Profits Interest released.
· Boaz Energy and its affiliates have registration rights and can sell Trust units without considering the effects such sale may have
on Trust unit prices or on the Trust itself. Additionally, Boaz Energy and its affiliates can vote their Trust units in their sole discretion
without considering the interests of the other Trust unitholders. Boaz Energy is not a fiduciary with respect to the Trust unitholders
or the Trust and does not owe any fiduciary duties or liabilities to the Trust unitholders or the Trust.
· Boaz Energy owns and operates oil and natural gas properties that are not included in the Underlying Properties. As a result, Boaz
Energy’s management team may dedicate their time and effort to the management of these other properties. Additionally, Boaz Energy
is under no obligation to dedicate financial resources to the Underlying Properties and may decide to direct capital expenditures to these
other properties.
The Trust is administered by a Trustee who cannot be replaced
except by a majority vote of the Trust unitholders at a special meeting, which may make it difficult for Trust unitholders to remove or
replace the Trustee.
The affairs of the Trust are managed by the Trustee.
The voting rights of Trust unitholders are more limited than those of stockholders of most public corporations. For example, there is
no requirement for annual meetings of Trust unitholders or for an annual or other periodic re-election of the Trustee, and the Trust does
not intend to hold annual meetings of Trust unitholders. The Trust Agreement provides that the Trustee may only be removed and replaced
by the holders of a majority of the Trust units present in person or by proxy at a meeting of such holders where a quorum is present,
including Trust units held by Boaz Energy, called by either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding Trust units.
As a result, it will be difficult for public Trust unitholders to remove or replace the Trustee without the cooperation of Boaz Energy
so long as it holds a significant percentage of total Trust units. On the other hand, the Trustee is entitled to resign, in which case
it a successor trustee would need to be appointed either at a special meeting of the unitholders or by action of a court.
20
Boaz Energy’s ability to perform its obligations to
the Trust could be limited by restrictions under its debt agreements.
Boaz Energy has various contractual obligations
to the Trust under the Trust Agreement and Conveyance. Restrictions under Boaz Energy’s debt agreements, including certain covenants,
financial ratios and tests, could impair its ability to fulfill its obligations to the Trust. The requirement that Boaz Energy comply
with these restrictive covenants and financial ratios and tests may materially adversely affect its ability to react to changes in market
conditions, take advantage of business opportunities it believes to be desirable, obtain future financing, fund needed capital expenditures
or withstand a continuing or future downturn in its business which may, in turn, impair Boaz Energy’s operations and its ability
to perform its obligations to the Trust under the Trust Agreement and Conveyance. If Boaz Energy is unable to perform its obligations
to the Trust under the Trust Agreement or Conveyance, it could have a material adverse effect on the Trust.
Trust unitholders have limited ability to enforce provisions
of the Conveyance creating the Net Profits Interest, and Boaz Energy’s liability to the Trust is limited.
The Trustee has the power and authority to cause
the Trust to sue Boaz Energy or any other future owner of the Underlying Properties to enforce the terms of the Conveyance creating the
Net Profits Interest. If the Trustee does not take appropriate action to cause the Trust to enforce provisions of the Conveyance, Trust
unitholders’ recourse would likely be limited to bringing a lawsuit against the Trustee to compel the Trustee to take specified
actions or, subject to any restrictions in the governing instrument to the Trust, to bring a derivative action seeking authority to bring
an action in the name of the Trust to enforce provisions of the Conveyance. As a result, Trust unitholders will not be able to sue Boaz
Energy or any future owner of the Underlying Properties to enforce these rights. However, such limitations do not apply to or otherwise
limit any claims that the Trust unitholders may have under the federal securities laws. Furthermore, the Conveyance provides that, except
as set forth in the Conveyance, Boaz Energy is not liable to the Trust for the manner in which it performs its duties in operating the
Underlying Properties as long as it acts without gross negligence or willful misconduct. Further, the Trust Agreement will provide that,
to the fullest extent permitted by law, Boaz Energy and its affiliates shall not be subject to fiduciary duties or be liable for conflicts
of interest principles.
RISKS RELATED TO OWNERSHIP OF THE TRUST UNITS
If the Trust cannot meet the New York Stock Exchange continued
listing requirements, the NYSE may delist the Trust units.
Under the continued listing requirements of the
NYSE, a company will be considered to be out of compliance with the exchange’s minimum price requirement if the company’s
average closing price over a consecutive 30 trading day period (“Average Closing Price”) is less than $1.00 (the “Minimum
Price Requirement”). Under NYSE rules, a company that is out of compliance with the Minimum Price Requirement has a cure period
of six months to regain compliance if it notifies the NYSE within 10 business days of receiving a deficiency notice of its intention to
cure the deficiency. A company may regain compliance if on the last trading day of any calendar month during the cure period the company
has a closing share price of at least $1.00 and an average closing share price of at least $1.00 over the 30-trading-day period ending
on the last trading day of that month. If at the expiration of the cure period, both a $1.00 closing share price on the last trading day
of the cure period and a $1.00 average closing share price over the 30-trading-day period ending on the last trading day of the cure period
are not attained, the NYSE will commence suspension and delisting procedures. If delisted by the NYSE, a company’s shares may be
transferred to the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market, a significantly more limited market than the NYSE, which could affect
the market price, trading volume, liquidity and resale price of such shares. Securities that trade on the OTC markets also typically experience
more volatility compared to securities that trade on a national securities exchange. During the cure period, the company’s shares
would continue to trade on the NYSE, subject to compliance with other continued listing requirements.
21
Boaz Energy may sell Trust units in the public or private
markets, and such sales could have an adverse impact on the trading price of the Trust units.
Boaz Energy held an aggregate of 4,884,861 Trust
units as of March 25, 2024. Boaz Energy may sell Trust units in the public or private markets, and any such sales could have an adverse
impact on the price of the Trust units or on any trading market that may develop. On May 4, 2018, the Trust entered into a registration
rights agreement for the benefit of Boaz Energy and certain of its affiliates and transferees, pursuant to which the Trust agreed to register
the offering of the Trust units held by Boaz Energy and certain of its affiliates and permitted transferees upon request by Boaz Energy.
The Trust filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 on April 28, 2022 (the “Registration Statement”) seeking the registration
of 5,801,675 Trust units held by Boaz Energy. The SEC confirmed the effectiveness of the Registration Statement on May 9, 2022 . The
Trust has not and will not receive any of the proceeds received from the sale of the Trust units. The selling unitholder will bear all
costs and expenses incidental to the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, excluding certain internal expenses of the
Trust, which will be borne by the Trust, and any underwriting discounts and commissions, which will be borne by the selling unitholder
as the seller of the Trust units. As of March 25, 2024, Boaz Energy owned 4,884,861 Trust units of the 12,165,732 units issued and outstanding.
The trading price for the Trust units may not reflect the
value of the Net Profits Interest held by the Trust.
The trading price for publicly traded securities
similar to the Trust units tends to be tied to recent and expected levels of cash distributions as well as oil and natural gas prices.
The amounts available for distribution by the Trust vary in response to numerous factors outside the control of the Trust, including prevailing
prices for sales of oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties and the timing and amount of direct operating expenses
and development expenses. Consequently, the market price for the Trust units may not necessarily be indicative of the value that the Trust
would realize if it sold the Net Profits Interest to a third-party buyer. In addition, such market price may not necessarily reflect the
fact that, since the assets of the Trust are depleting assets, a portion of each cash distribution paid with respect to the Trust units
should be considered by investors as a return of capital, with the remainder being considered as a return on investment. As a result,
distributions made to a Trust unitholder over the life of these depleting assets may not equal or exceed the purchase price paid by the
Trust unitholder.
Courts outside of Delaware may not recognize the limited liability
of the Trust unitholders provided under Delaware law.
Under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, Trust
unitholders are entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of corporations for profit under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. No assurance can be given, however, that the courts in jurisdictions outside of Delaware will
give effect to such limitation.
LEGAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND REGULATORY RISKS
The operations of the Underlying Properties are subject to
complex federal, state, local and other laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations, that could adversely affect
the cost, manner or feasibility of conducting operations on them or result in significant costs and liabilities, which could reduce the
amount of cash available for distribution to Trust unitholders.
The oil and natural gas exploration and production
operations on the Underlying Properties are subject to stringent and comprehensive federal, state and local laws and regulations, including
laws governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. These laws and regulations,
some of which are discussed under “Environmental Matters and Regulation,” may impose numerous obligations that apply to the
operations on the Underlying Properties, including the requirement to obtain a permit before conducting drilling, secondary recovery,
waste disposal or other regulated activities; the restriction of types, quantities and concentrations of materials that can be released
into the environment; restrictions on water withdrawal and use; and the limitation or prohibition of drilling activities on certain lands
lying within wilderness, wetlands and other protected areas. Compliance with such laws and regulations may generate significant costs,
such as development expenses to install pollution or safety-related controls at the operated facilities and impose substantial liabilities
for pollution resulting from operations. Failure to comply with these and other laws and regulations may result in litigation, the assessment
of administrative, civil or criminal penalties; the imposition of investigatory or remedial obligations; and the issuance of injunctions
limiting or preventing some or all of the operations on the Underlying Properties. Furthermore, the inability to comply with environmental
laws and regulations in a cost-effective manner, such as removal and disposal of produced water and other generated oil and natural gas
wastes, could impair the production of oil and natural gas from the Underlying Properties in a commercial manner, which could further
result in a reduction of distributable cash to the Trust unitholders.
22
There is inherent risk of incurring significant
environmental costs and liabilities in the course of operations on the Underlying Properties as a result of the handling of petroleum
hydrocarbons and wastes, air emissions and wastewater discharges related to operations, and historical industry operations and waste disposal
practices, which in turn could decrease the profitability of the Underlying Properties and result in a reduction of distributable cash
to the Trust unitholders. As discussed under “Environmental Matters and Regulation,” Boaz Energy can also be subject to remediation
costs related to contamination, which have the potential to adversely affect production on the Underlying Properties and could consequently
result in a reduction of distributable cash to the Trust unitholders. Private parties, including the owners of properties upon which wells
are drilled and facilities where petroleum hydrocarbons or wastes are taken for reclamation or disposal, may also have the right to pursue
legal actions to enforce compliance as well as to seek damages for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations or for personal
injury or property damage. In addition, the risk of accidental spills or releases could expose the Underlying Properties to significant
liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on their financial condition and results of operations, which in turn could reduce
the amount of cash available for distribution to Trust unitholders. Changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and
any changes that result in more stringent or costly operational control requirements or waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or
cleanup requirements could require operations on the Underlying Properties to incur significant expenditures to attain and maintain compliance
and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on their results of operations, competitive position or financial condition, which could
subsequently adversely affect the distribution of cash to the Trust unitholders.
The Trust indirectly bears 80% of all costs and
expenses paid by Boaz Energy, including those related to environmental compliance and liabilities associated with the Underlying Properties,
including costs and liabilities resulting from conditions that existed prior to Boaz Energy’s acquisition of the Underlying Properties
unless such costs and expenses result from the operator’s negligence or misconduct. In addition, as a result of the increased cost
of compliance, Boaz Energy may decide to discontinue drilling.
Federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating
to hydraulic fracturing could result in Boaz Energy incurring increased costs, additional operating restrictions or delays and fewer potential
drilling locations.
As discussed under “Environmental Matters
and Regulation – Hydraulic Fracturing Activities,” in recent years there has been increased public concern regarding an alleged
potential for hydraulic fracturing to adversely affect drinking water supplies and to induce seismic events. As a result, from time to
time, legislation has been introduced, but not enacted, in Congress to provide for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing and to require
disclosure of the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process. In the event that new federal restrictions relating to the hydraulic
fracturing process are adopted in areas where the Underlying Properties are located, Boaz Energy and outside operators may incur additional
costs or permitting requirements to comply with such federal requirements that may be significant and that could result in added delays
or curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development or production activities, which would in turn reduce the oil, natural gas and
NGLs produced from the Underlying Properties.
In addition, some states such as Texas, where
the Underlying Properties are located, have adopted regulations that impose new or more stringent permitting, disclosure, disposal and
well construction requirements on hydraulic fracturing operations. States could also elect to prohibit high volume hydraulic fracturing
altogether. In addition to state laws, local land use restrictions, such as city ordinances, may restrict drilling in general and/or hydraulic
fracturing in particular.
23
Increased regulation and attention given to the hydraulic
fracturing process could lead to greater opposition to, and litigation concerning, oil, natural gas and NGL production activities using
hydraulic fracturing techniques. Additional legislation or regulation could also lead to operational delays or increased operating costs
for our operators in the production of oil, natural gas and NGLs, including from the developing shale plays, or could make it more difficult
for Boaz Energy and outside operators to perform hydraulic fracturing. The adoption of any federal, state or local laws or the implementation
of regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing could potentially cause a decrease in Boaz Energy’s completion of new oil and natural
gas wells on the Underlying Properties and an associated decrease in the cash distributable to Trust unitholders.
The adoption and implementation of international, federal
or state climate change legislation or regulations could result in increased operating costs for Boaz Energy and reduced demand for the
oil, natural gas and NGLs that Boaz Energy produces.
The adoption and implementation of any international,
federal or state legislation or regulations that require reporting of GHGs or otherwise restrict emissions of GHGs, as described under
“Environmental Matters and Regulation – Climate Change,” could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating
restrictions and could have a material adverse effect on Boaz Energy’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Recent activism directed at shifting funding away from companies with energy-related assets could result in limitations or restrictions
on certain sources of funding for operators to engage in exploration and production activities, ultimately reducing income generated from
the Underlying Properties and, as a result, the cash distributable to Trust unitholders. Moreover, such new legislation or regulatory
programs could also increase the cost to consumers, and thereby reduce demand for oil and natural gas, which could reduce the demand for
the oil or natural gas produced and lower the value of the reserves.
The potential physical effects of climate change could disrupt
production on the Underlying Properties and cause Boaz Energy and other third-party operators to incur significant costs, thereby reducing
cash distributable to Trust unitholders.
Some scientists have concluded that increasing
concentrations of GHGs in the atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency
and severity of storms, droughts, and floods and other climate events. Extreme weather conditions can interfere with production on the
Underlying Properties and increase Boaz Energy’s operating expenses. Such damage or increased expenses from extreme weather may
not be fully insured. If any such effects were to occur, they could have an adverse effect on Boaz Energy’s results of operations
and, as a result, the cash distributable to Trust unitholders.
Additional restrictions on drilling activities intended to
protect certain species of wildlife may adversely affect Boaz Energy’s and other third-party operators’ ability to conduct
drilling activities.
In the United States, the ESA restricts activities
that may affect endangered or threatened species or their habitats. Similar protections are offered to migratory birds under the MBTA.
To the extent species that are listed under the ESA or similar state laws, or are protected under the MBTA, live in the areas where the
Underlying Properties are located, Boaz Energy’s abilities to conduct or expand operations on the Underlying Properties could be
limited, or Boaz Energy could be forced to incur material additional costs. Moreover, Boaz Energy’s drilling activities may be delayed,
restricted or precluded in protected habitat areas or during certain seasons, such as breeding and nesting seasons.
In addition, the designation of previously unidentified
endangered or threatened species could cause Boaz Energy’s operations to become subject to operating restrictions or bans, and limit
future development activity in affected areas. For example, there have been renewed calls to review protections currently in place for
the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard, whose habitat includes portions of the Permian Basin, and to reconsider listing the species under the ESA.
If the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard or other species are listed, the FWS and similar state agencies may designate critical or suitable habitat
areas that they believe are necessary for the survival of threatened or endangered species. Such a designation could materially restrict
use of or access to federal, state and private lands. To the extent species are listed under the ESA or similar state laws, or previously
unprotected species are designated as threatened or endangered in areas where the Underlying Properties are located, operations on the
Underlying Properties could incur increased costs arising from species protection measures and face delays or limitations with respect
to production activities thereon.
24
CYBERSECURITY RISKS
The business of Boaz Energy could be negatively affected by
various security threats, including cybersecurity threats, and other disruptions.
Boaz Energy faces various security
threats, including cybersecurity threats to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or to render data or systems unusable; threats
to the security of the facilities and infrastructure of Boaz Energy and of third parties on which Boaz Energy relies such as processing
plants and pipelines. These threats pose a risk to the security of Boaz Energy’s systems and networks, the confidentiality, availability
and integrity of its data and the physical security of its employees and assets. Boaz Energy relies on information technology (“IT”)
systems and networks in connection with its business activities, including certain of its exploration, development and production activities.
Boaz Energy relies on digital technology, including information systems and related infrastructure, as well as cloud applications and
services, to, among other things, estimate quantities of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves, analyze seismic and drilling information,
process and record financial and operating data and communicate with employees and third parties. As dependence on digital technologies
has increased in the oil and gas industry, cyber incidents, including deliberate attacks and attempts to gain unauthorized access
to computer systems and networks, have increased in frequency and sophistication . Boaz Energy has experienced cyber-attacks in
the past and may not be successful in preventing future security breaches or cyber-attacks or mitigating their effect. Any security breach
or cyber-attack could have a material adverse effect on Boaz Energy’s reputation and competitive position and could lead to losses
of sensitive information, critical infrastructure or capabilities essential to Boaz Energy’s operation of the Underlying Properties,
its calculation of gross and net profits and its remittance of payments in respect of the Net Profits Interest to the Trust. Cyber-attacks
or security breaches also could result in litigation or regulatory action. In addition, Boaz Energy’s implementation of various
procedures and controls to monitor and mitigate security threats, including cybersecurity threats, and to increase security for its information,
facilities and infrastructure may result in increased capital and operating costs.
In addition to the risks presented
to Boaz Energy’s systems and networks, cyber-attacks affecting oil and natural gas distribution systems maintained by third parties,
or the networks and infrastructure on which they rely, could delay or prevent delivery to markets. A cyber-attack of this nature would
be outside the Boaz Energy’s ability to control but could have a material adverse effect on Boaz Energy’s business, financial
condition and results of operations, and could have a material adverse effect on the Trust.
The Trustee may be subject to attempted cybersecurity
disruptions from a variety of sources.
The
Trustee maintains robust cybersecurity protocols including, but not limited to technological capabilities that prevent and detect disruptions;
computer workstations and programs protected with passwords and passphrases, as well as employee training throughout the year on cybersecurity
followed up by testing of that knowledge. Other, non-technical protocols include securing of documents and work areas that could
contain personal, non-public information and independent verification of information changes by outside vendors. If the measures
taken to protect against cybersecurity disruptions prove to be insufficient or if proprietary data is otherwise not protected, the Trustee
could be adversely affected. The Trust is also exposed to potential harm from cybersecurity events that may affect the operations of third
parties, including suppliers, service providers (including providers of cloud-hosting services for our data or applications), and customers.
Cybersecurity disruptions could cause physical harm to people or the environment, damage or destroy assets; compromise business systems;
result in proprietary information being altered, lost, or stolen; result in employee, customer, or third-party information being compromised;
or otherwise disrupt business operations. The Trust could incur significant costs to remedy the effects of a major cybersecurity disruption
in addition to costs in connection with resulting regulatory actions, litigations, or reputational harm.
TAX RISKS RELATED TO THE TRUST UNITS
The Trust has not requested a ruling from the IRS regarding
the tax treatment of the Trust. If the IRS were to determine (and be sustained in that determination) that the Trust is not a “grantor
trust” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Trust could be subject to more complex and costly tax reporting requirements that
could reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to Trust unitholders.
If the Trust were not treated as a grantor
trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Trust should be treated as a partnership for such purposes. Although the Trust would not
become subject to U.S. federal income taxation at the entity level as a result of treatment as a partnership, and items of income, gain,
loss and deduction would flow through to the Trust unitholders, the Trust’s tax reporting requirements would be more complex and
costly to implement and maintain, and its distributions to Trust unitholders could be reduced as a result.
25
If the Trust were treated for U.S. federal
income tax purposes as a partnership, it would likely be subject to new audit rules that alter the procedures for auditing large partnerships
and assessing and collecting income taxes due (including applicable penalties and interest) as a result of an audit. These rules effectively
would impose an entity level tax on the Trust, and Trust unitholders might have to bear the expense of the adjustment even if they were
not Trust unitholders during the audited taxable year.
Neither Boaz Energy nor the Trustee has requested
a ruling from the IRS regarding the tax status of the Trust, and neither Boaz Energy nor the Trust can assure you that such a ruling would
be granted if requested or that the IRS will not challenge these positions on audit.
Trust unitholders should be aware of any possible
state tax implications of owning Trust units.
Trust unitholders are required to pay U.S. federal income
taxes on their share of the Trust’s income, even if they do not receive any cash distributions from the Trust.
Trust unitholders are treated as if they own
the Trust’s assets and receive the Trust’s income and are directly taxable thereon as though the Trust were not in existence.
Because the Trust generates taxable income that can be different in amount than the cash the Trust distributes, Trust unitholders are
required to pay any U.S. federal income taxes and, in some cases, state and local income taxes, on their share of the Trust’s taxable
income even if they receive no cash distributions from the Trust. Trust unitholders may not receive cash distributions from the Trust
equal to their share of the Trust’s taxable income or even equal to the actual tax liability that results from that income.
A portion of any gain recognized on the disposition of the
Trust units could be taxed as ordinary income.
A Trust unitholder who sells his Trust units
will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the Trust unitholder’s adjusted tax basis
in those Trust units. A substantial portion of any gain recognized may be taxed as ordinary income due to potential recapture items, including
depletion recapture.
The Trust generally allocates its items of income, gain, loss
and deduction between transferors and transferees of the Trust units based upon the monthly record date. The IRS may challenge this treatment.
The Trust generally allocates its items of
income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of the Trust units each month based upon the ownership of the Trust
units on the monthly record date, instead of the date a particular Trust unit is transferred. The IRS could disagree with this allocation
method and could assert that income and deductions of the Trust should be determined and allocated on a daily or prorated basis, which
could require adjustments to the tax returns of the affected Trust unitholders and result in an increase in the administrative expense
of the Trust in subsequent periods.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity.
The Trust does not have a board of directors, so
the Trustee is responsible for oversight of the Trust’s risks from cybersecurity threats. The Trustee has dedicated personnel that
are responsible for assessing and managing the Trust’s cyber risk management program, informing senior management of the Trustee
regarding the prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents and supervising such efforts. The Trustee’s
information technology team has decades of experience selecting, deploying, and operating cybersecurity technologies, initiatives, and
processes, and relies on threat intelligence as well as other information obtained from governmental, public or private sources, including
external consultants engaged by the Trustee to monitor the prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents.
External partners are a key part of the Trustee’s cybersecurity protocols and policies. The Trustee works with leading firms in
the cybersecurity industry, leveraging their technology and expertise to monitor and maintain the performance and effectiveness of products
and services that are used by the Trustee.
26
The Trustee maintains a cyber risk management
program designed to identify, assess, manage, mitigate, and respond to cybersecurity threats, which processes are integrated into the
Trustee’s overall risk management process. The Trustee maintains robust cybersecurity protocols including, but not limited to technological
capabilities that prevent and detect disruptions; computer workstations and programs protected with passwords and passphrases, as well
as employee training throughout the year on financial regulations and cybersecurity followed up by testing of that knowledge. The protocols
are based on recognized best practices and standards for cybersecurity and information technology. The Trustee has an annual assessment,
performed by a third-party vendor, of the Trustee’s cyber risk management program.
Other non-technical protocols include securing
of documents and work areas that could contain personal, nonpublic information and independent verification of information changes by
outside vendors.
The Trust faces risks from cybersecurity threats
that could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or reputation. The Trustee
has experienced, and will continue to experience, cyber incidents in the normal course of its business. However, prior cybersecurity incidents
have not had a material adverse effect on the Trust’s business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. See “Risk
Factors – Cybersecurity Risks.”
Item 2. Properties
Description of the Underlying Properties
The Underlying Properties consist of 31,354
gross (22,394 net) acres in the Permian Basin. The Permian Basin extends over 75,000 square miles in West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico,
consists of multiple, stacked hydrocarbon-bearing formations and has produced over 30 billion Bbls of oil and more than 75 Tcf of natural
gas since its discovery in 1921. The basin is further characterized by a favorable operating environment, high oil and liquids-rich natural
gas content, significant in-place midstream infrastructure, a well-developed network of oilfield service providers and long-lived reserves
with generally consistent geologic attributes and reservoir quality.
The Underlying Properties consist of long-life
reserves in mature, conventional oil fields with established decline curves. As of December 31, 2023, the Underlying Properties had proved
reserves of 4.5 MMBoe and 96% of the volumes and 95% of PV-10 value were attributable to proved developed reserves. Approximately 93%
of the 4.5 MMBoe of proved reserves, based on PV-10 value, were operated by Boaz Energy. For more information regarding changes in proved
reserves, see Note 11 to the financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report.
Major Producing Areas
The Underlying Properties consist of the following
four operating areas:
The Permian Clearfork area consists of 2,434
net acres on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Hockley and Terry Counties, Texas. A majority of the production in the
Permian Clearfork area comes from wells in the Kingdom Clearfork field, which primarily produce from the Clearfork formation. Boaz Energy's
waterflooding operations were first implemented in the Kingdom Clearfork field in March 2015. As of December 31, 2023, Cawley, Gillespie
& Associates, Inc. (“Cawley Gillespie”) estimates the Underlying Properties in the Permian Clearfork to have 1.4 MMBoe
of total proved reserves, 92% of which are proved developed reserves.
27
The Permian Abo area consists of 1,667 net acres
on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Terry and Cochran Counties, Texas. A majority of the production in the Permian Abo
area comes from wells in the Kingdom Abo field, which primarily produce from the Abo formation. In 2011, a waterflood pilot program was
implemented in the North West Terry Abo unit (“NWTA”) located in the Kingdom Abo field that converted one producing well to
an injection well. Boaz Energy fully converted the field to water injection upon purchasing the NWTA in June 2016, and in January 2017
installed a new injection pump that added an additional injection capacity of 2,500 barrels of water per day. In August 2017, NWTA 313
demonstrated initial waterflood response. As of December 31, 2023, Cawley Gillespie estimates the Underlying Properties in the Permian
Abo to have 0.7 MMBoe of total proved reserves, 100% of which are proved developed reserves.
The Permian Shelf area consists of 14,390 net
acres on the Eastern Shelf of the Permian Basin in Glasscock, Schleicher, Stonewall and Coke Counties, Texas. A significant portion of
the production in the Permian Shelf area comes from wells in the Fort McKavitt and Flowers fields, which primarily produce from the Canyon
formation. As of December 31, 2023, Cawley Gillespie estimates the Underlying Properties in the Permian Shelf to have 1.2 MMBoe of total
proved reserves, 100% of which are proved developed reserves.
The Permian Platform area consists of 3,903 net
acres on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Ward, Crane, Terry and Ector Counties, Texas. The properties primarily produce
from the Clearfork, San Andres, and Devonian formations. As of December 31, 2023, Cawley Gillespie estimates the Underlying Properties
in the Permian Platform to have 1.3 MMBoe of total proved reserves, 95% of which are proved developed.
Oil and Natural Gas Data
Proved Reserves
Cawley Gillespie, independent petroleum and geological
engineers, estimated crude oil and natural gas (including natural gas liquids) proved reserves of the Underlying Properties’ full
economic life and for the Trust life as of December 31, 2023. Numerous uncertainties are inherent in estimating reserve volumes and values,
and the estimates are subject to change as additional information becomes available. The reserves actually recovered and the timing of
production of the reserves may vary significantly from the estimates. In addition, the reserves and net revenues attributable to the Net
Profits Interest include only 80% of the reserves attributable to the Underlying Properties that are expected to be produced within the
term of the Net Profits Interest. The technical person primarily responsible for overseeing the review of the third-party reserve reports
is Marshall Eves, Boaz Energy's Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Eves received a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering and Bachelor
of Science in Geophysics from Texas Tech University in 2004. Prior to joining Boaz Energy, Mr. Eves served as Executive Vice President
of Stanolind Oil and Gas LP from January 2009 to October 2013. Mr. Eves has over 19 years of experience working in various capacities
in the energy industry, including acquisition analysis, reserve estimation, reservoir engineering and operations engineering.
The independent petroleum engineer’s report
as to the proved oil and natural gas reserves as of December 31, 2023, was prepared by Cawley Gillespie. Cawley Gillespie, whose firm
registration number is F-693, was founded in 1961 and is a leader in the evaluation of oil and gas properties. The technical person at
Cawley Gillespie primarily responsible for overseeing the reserve estimates with respect to the Underlying Properties and the Net Profits
Interest attributable to the Trust is Mr. Zane Meekins. Mr. Meekins has been a practicing consulting petroleum engineer at Cawley
Gillespie since 1989. Mr. Meekins is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas (License No. 71055) and has over
36 years of practical experience in petroleum engineering, with over 34 years of experience in the estimation and evaluation of reserves.
He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. Mr. Meekins meets
or exceeds the education, training, and experience requirements set forth in the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of
Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers; he is proficient in judiciously applying industry
standard practices to engineering and geoscience evaluations as well as applying SEC and other industry reserve definitions and guidelines.
Proved reserves are reserves which, by analysis
of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward
from known reservoirs under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations prior to the time at which contracts
providing the right to operate expires, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic
or probabilistic methods are used for estimation. If deterministic methods are used, the term "reasonable certainty" implies
a high degree of confidence that the quantities of oil or natural gas actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimate. If probabilistic
methods are used, there should at least be a 90% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimate.
28
The technical and economic data used in
the estimation of the proved reserves include, but are not limited to, production performance decline curve analyses, well logs, geologic
maps, well-test data, production data (including flow rates), well data, historical price and cost information, and property ownership
interests. Cawley Gillespie uses this technical data, together with a combination of standard engineering and geoscience methods, including
the production performance, volumetric and analogy methods. After estimating the reserves of each proved developed property, it was determined
that a reasonable level of certainty exists with respect to the reserves which can be expected from any individual undeveloped well in
the field. The consistency of reserves attributable to the proved developed wells, which cover a wide area, further supports proved undeveloped
classification.
The proved undeveloped locations in the Underlying Properties are predominantly direct offsets of other producing wells.
Data from both Boaz Energy and offset operators with which Boaz Energy has exchanged technical data demonstrate a consistency in these
conventional plays over an area significantly larger than the Underlying Properties. In addition, information from other analogous fields
in similar geographical locations have also been used to analyze secondary reserves on the underlying properties.
Boaz Energy's internal petroleum engineer
works closely with its independent reserve engineers to ensure the integrity, accuracy and timeliness of data furnished to the independent
reserve engineers in their reserve estimating process. Periodically, the Boaz Energy petroleum engineer meets with the independent reserve
engineers to review properties and discuss methods and assumptions used by Boaz Energy and the independent reserve engineers to prepare
reserve estimates.
Reserve engineering is and must be recognized as a subjective process of estimating volumes of economically recoverable
oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of
available data and of engineering and geological interpretation. As a result, the estimates of different engineers often vary. In addition,
the results of drilling, testing and production may justify revisions of such estimates. Accordingly, reserve estimates often differ
from the quantities of economically recoverable oil and natural gas and of future net revenues which are based on a number of variables
and assumptions, all of which may vary from actual results, including geologic interpretation, prices and future production rates and
costs. Please read "Risk Factors" appearing elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.
The following table summarizes estimated proved
reserve quantities and PV-10 attributable to the Trust as of December 31, 2023:
Trust Net Profits
Interest
Oil
Natural Gas(1)
Total(2)
PV-10(3)(4)
(MBbls)
(MMcf)
(MBoe)
(in thousands)
Proved Developed
1,489.3
1,789.7
1,787.6
$
61,466.2
Proved Undeveloped
89.0
0.0
89.0
3,570.5
Total Proved
1,578.3
1,789.7
1,876.6
$
65,036.7
_____________
(1) Reserves for natural gas liquids are included as a component of natural gas reserves.
(2) Boe represents an approximate energy equivalent basis such that one Bbl of crude oil equals approximately six Mcf of natural gas.
However, the values of oil and natural gas fluctuate and the values of reserve volumes of oil and natural gas are often substantially
different than the amount implied by the Boe ratio.
(3) PV-10 is a non-GAAP financial measure and represents the present value of estimated future cash inflows from proved crude oil and
natural gas reserves, less future development and production costs, discounted at 10% per annum to reflect timing of future cash inflows
using the twelve-month unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month commodity prices, after adjustment for differentials
in location and quality, for each of the preceding twelve months. An estimate of PV-10 is provided because it provides useful information
to investors as it is widely used by professional analysts and sophisticated investors when evaluating oil and gas companies. PV-10 is
considered relevant and useful for evaluating the relative monetary significance of oil and natural gas reserves. PV-10 is not intended
to represent the current market value of the estimated reserves of the Underlying Properties.
(4) For 2023, $2.637 per MMBtu of natural gas and $78.22 per Bbl of oil were used in determining future net revenue.
29
Reserve quantities and revenues for the Net Profits
Interest were estimated from projections of reserves and revenues attributable to the Underlying Properties. Since the Trust has a defined
Net Profits Interest, the Trust does not own a specific percentage of the oil and natural gas reserve quantities. Accordingly, reserves
allocated to the Trust pertaining to its 80% Net Profits Interest in the Underlying Properties have effectively been reduced to reflect
recovery of the Trust’s 80% portion of applicable production and development costs. Because Trust reserve quantities are determined
using an allocation formula, any changes in actual or assumed prices or costs will result in revisions to the estimated reserve quantities
allocated to the Net Profits Interest.
Estimates of proved reserves were prepared in
accordance with guidelines prescribed by the SEC and the Financial Accounting Standards Board, which require that reserve estimates be
prepared under existing economic and operating conditions based upon the annual average Henry Hub spot market gas price and the average
annual WTI Cushing spot market price for oil. These prices are determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month
commodity price for the twelve months prior to the effective date of the evaluation . All prices are then further adjusted for quality,
transportation fees and regional price differentials.
Information concerning changes in net proved
reserves attributable to the Trust, and the calculation of the standardized measure of the related discounted future net revenues is contained
in the notes to the financial statements of the Trust included in this Form 10-K. Boaz Energy has not filed reserve estimates covering
the Underlying Properties with any other federal authority or agency.
Proved Undeveloped Reserves (PUDs)
The following table summarizes the changes in
estimated proved undeveloped reserves of the Trust for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Oil
(MBbls)(1)
Natural Gas (MMcf)(1)
Total
(MBoe)
Proved Undeveloped Reserves:
Balance, December 31, 2022
1,129.0
622.1
1,232.7
Conversions into proved developed reserves
0
0
0
Revisions of previous estimates (2)
(1,067.9 )
(622.1 )
(1,171.6 )
Extensions and discoveries
27.9
0
27.9
Acquisition of reserves
0
0
0
Balance, December 31, 2023
89.0
0.0
89.0
(1) Reserves for natural gas liquids are included as a component of natural gas reserves.
(2) Proved undeveloped reserves decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to the removal of 1,048.4 MBbl of proved
undeveloped reserves of oil and 622.1 MMcf of proved undeveloped reserves of natural gas due to the SEC five-year booking rule. Negative
price revisions due to lower oil prices also reduced proved undeveloped reserves of oil by 19.5 MBbl.
Developed and Undeveloped Acreage
The following table sets forth information
as of December 31, 2023, relating to the leasehold acreage associated with the Underlying Properties. Developed acreage consists of acreage
spaced or assigned to productive wells and does not include undrilled acreage held by production under the terms of the lease. Undeveloped
acreage is defined as acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial
quantities of oil or natural gas, regardless of whether such acreage contains proved reserves.
Developed
Acreage
Undeveloped
Acreage
Total
Acreage
Gross (1)
Net (2)
Gross (1)
Net (2)
Gross (1)
Net (2)
Permian Clearfork
1,992
1,860
609
574
2,601
2,434
Permian Abo
1,767
1,437
480
230
2,247
1,667
Permian Shelf
10,454
7,166
8,041
7,224
18,495
14,390
Permian Platform
5,240
1,631
2,771
2,272
8,011
3,903
Total
19,453
12,094
11,901
10,300
31,354
22,394
(1) A gross acre is an acre in which a working interest is owned. The number of gross acres is the total number of acres in which a
working interest is owned.
(2) A net acre is deemed to exist when the sum of the fractional ownership working interests in gross acres equals one. The number
of net acres is the sum of the fractional working interests owned in gross acres expressed as whole numbers and fractions thereof.
30
Producing Wells Count
The table below summarizes the producing wells
on the Underlying Properties as of December 31, 2023. Although many of these wells produce both oil and natural gas, a well is categorized
as an oil well or a natural gas well based upon the ratio of oil to natural gas production. All wells in the table below are oil wells
except for 5.0 gross (3.0 net) natural gas wells.
Wells (1)
Gross Wells (2)
Net Wells (3)
Permian Clearfork
65
59
Permian Abo
60
50
Permian Shelf
202
172
Permian Platform
179
49
Total
506
330
(1) Boaz Energy's total gross wells associated with the Underlying Properties include 338 operated wells and 168 non-operated wells.
(2) A gross well is a well in which a working interest is owned. The number of gross wells is the total number of wells in which a
working interest is owned.
(3) A net well is deemed to exist when the sum of the fractional ownership working interests in gross wells equals one. The number
of net wells is the sum of the fractional working interests owned in gross wells expressed as whole numbers and fractions thereof.
Drilling Results
The following is a summary of the number
of development and exploratory wells drilled and completed on the Underlying Properties during the years indicated.
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
2021
Gross
Net
Gross
Net
Gross
Net
Development Wells:
Productive
4.0
0.3
6.0
1.4
6.0
0.5
Dry holes
0
0
0
0
1
1
Exploratory Wells:
Productive
0
0
0
0
0
0
Dry holes
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total:
Productive
4.0
0.3
6.0
1.4
6.0
0.5
Dry holes
0
0
0
0
1
1
During 2023, there were 4 gross (0.3 net) producing
wells and 0 injection wells drilled, and 0 producing wells converted into injection wells on the Underlying Properties. During 2022, there
were 6 gross (1.4 net) producing wells and 0 injection wells drilled, and 0 producing wells converted into injection wells on the Underlying
Properties. During 2021, there were 7 gross (1.5 net) producing wells and 0 injection wells drilled, and 0 producing wells converted into
injection wells on the Underlying Properties.
31
On June 14, 2016, and December 14, 2017, Boaz
Energy acquired certain oil and gas leasehold acreages located in the State of Texas and various other related rights, permits, contracts,
equipment and other assets, known, respectively, as the Memorial Acquisition and the Crane Acquisition. Revenues and direct operating
expenses of the assets acquired in the Memorial Acquisition that are subject to the Net Profits Interest are referred to as the "Memorial
Underlying Properties". All of the assets acquired in the Crane County Acquisition are subject to the Net Profits Interest and are
referred to as the “Crane County Underlying Properties”.
Oil and Natural Gas Production
The following table presents the oil and natural
gas sales volumes, average sales prices and average costs per Boe for the Underlying Properties on a historical basis for the years ended
December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. All production derived from the Underlying Properties is from the Permian Basin.
Year
Ended
December 31,
2023
Year
Ended December 31, 2022
Year
Ended
December 31,
2021
Production volumes(1):
Oil (MBbls)
317.8
351.7
385.4
Natural Gas (MMcf)
387.6
409.9
501.7
Total (MBoe)
382.4
420
469
Average net daily production (Boe/d)
1,047.67
1150.75
1284.98
Average realized sales prices:
Oil ($/Bbl)
$ 76.24
$ 93.15
$ 60.13
Natural gas ($/Mcf)
$ 3.74
$ 7.94
$ 4.31
Average price per Boe
$ 67.15
$ 85.74
$ 54.23
Average expenses per Boe:
Lease operating expense
$ 19.05
$ 15.28
$ 11.45
Severance and ad valorem taxes
$ 5.11
$ 5.16
$ 3.38
Total operating expenses per Boe
$ 24.79
$ 22.58
$ 15.58
(1) Production from the Kingdom Clearfork field during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, was 70, 67, and 91 MBoe, respectively,
consisting of 70, 65, and 91 MBbls of oil, respectively, and 0.0, 10.7, and 0.0 MMcf of natural gas, respectively. Production from the
Kingdom Abo field during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was 60, 50, and 71 MBoe, respectively, consisting of 60, 50,
and 71 MBbls of oil, respectively, and 1.4, 0.0, and 0.0 MMcf of natural gas, respectively. Production from the Peak Victor field during
the year ended December 31, 2023, was 57 MBoe, consisting of 30 MBbls of oil and 164.4 MMcf of natural gas. Such fields are the only fields
that contain 15% or more of the total proved reserves attributable to the Underlying Properties as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Production costs for oil and natural gas attributable to the
Underlying Properties for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, were as follows:
Year
End
2023
2022
2021
Costs
Severance Tax
$ 1,032,842
$ 1,506,113
$ 1,033,282
Ad Valorem Tax
922,851
662,107
550,000
Lease Operating Expense
7,284,563
6,417,318
5,368,937
Development costs
4,409,823
5,831,453
4,600,043
Direct Operating Expense
2,194,843
3,066,774
1,938,378
Other
2,094,993
3,289,482
1,764,395
Total costs
$ 17,939,915
$ 20,773,247
$ 15,255,035
32
Abandonment and Sale of Underlying Properties
Boaz Energy or any transferee has the right to
abandon its interest in any well or property if Boaz Energy or such transferee, acting as a reasonable and prudent operator, believes
a well or property ceases to produce or is not capable of producing in commercially paying quantities. Upon termination of the lease,
the portion of the Net Profits Interest relating to the abandoned property will be extinguished.
Boaz Energy generally may sell all or a portion
of its interests in the Underlying Properties, subject to and burdened by the Net Profits Interest, without the consent of the Trust unitholders.
In addition, Boaz Energy may, under certain circumstances cause the Trust to release or sell portions of the Net Profits Interest.
Title to Properties
The Underlying Properties are or may be subject
to one or more of the burdens and obligations described below. To the extent that these burdens and obligations affect Boaz Energy’s
rights to production or the value of production from the Underlying Properties, they have been taken into account in calculating the Trust’s
interests and in estimating the size and the value of the reserves attributable to the Underlying Properties.
Boaz Energy’s interests in the oil and
natural gas properties comprising the Underlying Properties are typically subject, in one degree or another, to one or more of the following:
· royalties and other burdens, express and implied, under oil and natural gas leases and other arrangements;
· overriding royalties, production payments and similar interests and other burdens created by Boaz Energy’s predecessors in title;
· a variety of contractual obligations arising under operating agreements, farm-out agreements, production sales contracts and other
agreements that may affect the Underlying Properties or their title;
· liens that arise in the normal course of operations, such as those for unpaid taxes, statutory liens securing unpaid suppliers and
contractors and contractual liens under operating agreements that are not yet delinquent or, if delinquent, are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings;
· pooling, unitization and communitization agreements, declarations and orders;
· easements, restrictions, rights-of-way and other matters that commonly affect property;
· conventional rights of reassignment that obligate Boaz Energy to reassign all or part of a property to a third party if Boaz Energy
intends to release or abandon such property;
· preferential rights to purchase or similar agreements and required third-party consents to assignments or similar agreements;
· obligations or duties affecting the Underlying Properties to any municipality or public authority with respect to any franchise, grant,
license or permit, and all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any governmental authority; and
· rights reserved to or vested in the appropriate governmental agency or authority to control or regulate the Underlying Properties
and also the interests held therein, including Boaz Energy’s interests and the Net Profits Interest.
Boaz Energy believes that the burdens and obligations
affecting the Underlying Properties are conventional in the industry for similar properties. Boaz Energy also believes that the existing
burdens and obligations do not, in the aggregate, materially interfere with the use of the Underlying Properties and will not materially
adversely affect the Net Profits Interest or its value.
33
In order to give third parties notice of the
Net Profits Interest, Boaz Energy recorded the Conveyance in Texas in the real property records in the Texas counties in which the Underlying
Properties are located, or in such other public records of Texas as required under applicable law to place third parties on notice of
the Conveyance.
Under Texas law, the Conveyance constitutes the
conveyance of a presently vested, non-possessory interest in real property. Therefore, Boaz Energy and the Trust believe that, in a bankruptcy
of Boaz Energy, the Net Profits Interest will remain outside of any Boaz Energy bankruptcy estate and will be a continuing obligation
of any successor to Boaz Energy as the operator of the Underlying Properties under Texas law and, as such, outside of Boaz Energy’s
bankruptcy estate.
Boaz Energy believes that its title to the Underlying
Properties is, and the Trust’s title to the Net Profits Interest will be, good and defensible in accordance with standards generally
accepted in the oil and gas industry, subject to such exceptions as are not so material to detract substantially from the use or value
of such properties or royalty interests. Under the terms of the Conveyance, Boaz Energy has provided a special warranty of title with
respect to the Net Profits Interest, subject to the burdens and obligations described in this section.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
On October 1, 2018, a lawsuit styled Thaleia
L. Marston, Trustee of the Marston Trust v. Blackbeard Operating, LLC , et.al, No. 18-10-24761 – CVW in the 143rd District Court
in Ward County, Texas (the “2018 Litigation”) was filed, naming, among others, Boaz Energy and the Trust as defendants. The
plaintiff is a lessor under two leases operated by Blackbeard Operating LLC. The Underlying Properties include the interests of Boaz Energy
in some of the minerals covered by those leases. The litigation sought surface use damages and alleged violations of the terms of the
leases, among other things. The court had set a two-day bench trial to commence May 18, 2022, but on May 10, 2022, the court granted motions
for summary judgment effectively disposing of the plaintiff’s claims. At a status conference conducted on May 12, 2022, the plaintiff
confirmed the court’s rulings disposed of all the plaintiff’s claims. The court held a hearing regarding attorneys’
fees in June 2022. On May 12, 2023, the court entered its final judgment, incorporating its prior order granting the defendants’
motion for summary judgment and granting defendants’ motion for attorneys’ fees, but the plaintiff then filed a notice of
appeal to the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso County, Texas The plaintiff-appellants filed their opening brief on December 11, 2023;
and the defendant-appellees filed an answer brief on February 22, 2024.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART
II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Unitholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
The Trust units are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “PRT.” On March 25, 2024, there were 12,165,732 Trust units outstanding held
by 11 unitholders of record, including 7,233,171 Trust units held by beneficial owners whose shares are held in street name by brokers
and nominees.
Distributions
The Trust currently makes, and expects to continue
to make, monthly cash distributions of substantially all of its cash receipts, after deducting amounts for the Trust’s administrative
expenses and any cash reserves withheld by the Trustee, to holders of its Trust units as of the applicable record date on or before the
10 th business day after the record date.
Equity Compensation Plans
The Trust has no directors, executive officers
or employees. Accordingly, the Trust does not maintain any equity compensation plans and there are no Units reserved for issuance under
any such plans.
Unregistered Sales of Securities
None.
Purchases of Securities
None.
34
Item 6. [Reserved]
Item 7. Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
PermRock Royalty Trust, a Delaware statutory
trust formed in November 2017 by Boaz Energy, completed its initial public offering in May 2018. The Trust’s only asset and source
of income is the Net Profits Interest, which entitles the Trust to receive 80% of the net profits from oil and natural gas production
from the Underlying Properties. The Net Profits Interest is passive in nature and neither the Trust nor the Trustee has any management
control over or responsibility for costs relating to the operation of the Underlying Properties.
The Trust is required to make monthly cash distributions
of substantially all of its monthly cash receipts, after deduction of fees and expenses for the
administration of the Trust and any cash reserves , to holders of its Trust units as of the
applicable record date on or before the 10th business day after the record date . The
Net Profits Interest is entitled to a share of the profits attributable to production. Boaz Energy typically receives payment for oil
production 30 to 60 days after it is produced and for natural gas production 60 to 90 days after it is produced. The Trust is not subject
to pre-set termination provisions based on a maximum volume of oil or natural gas to be produced or the passage of time . The amount
of Trust revenues and cash distributions to Trust unitholders depends on, among other things:
· volumes produced;
· wellhead prices;
· price differentials;
· production and development costs;
· potential reductions or suspensions of production;
and
· the amount and timing of Trust administrative expenses .
Oil prices increased in 2021 and the first
part of 2022 following an extended period of depressed pricing primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unclear whether prices will
level out or decline further in 2023. Low oil and gas prices on production from the Underlying Properties could cause (i) a reduction
in the amount of net proceeds to which the Trust is entitled, which could materially reduce or completely eliminate the amount of cash
available for distribution to Trust unitholders and (ii) a reduction in the amount of oil and natural gas that are economic to produce
from the Underlying Properties.
2023 Recap and 2024 Outlook
In 2023, Boaz
Energy participated in non-operated drilling and recompletion projects, waterflood conformance and reactivations in Terry, Coke, and Crane
Counties. Boaz Energy completed reentry projects in the Permian Abo and Permian Shelf areas, maintained waterflood operations where prudent,
and did necessary repairs to bring wells back to production.
In
2024, Boaz Energy plans to drill new producing wells in the Permian Shelf area and stimulate
existing wells to improve production and waterflood operations. In addition, Boaz Energy plans to continue reactivating inactive wells
by either returning them to production or recompleting them to new formations to maximize oil and gas production in this high commodity
price environment .
35
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Year
Ended December 31,
2023
2022
2021
Net profits income
$ 7,127,379
$ 13,160,845
$ 8,144,472
Interest income
58,812
16,591
180
Total revenue
7,186,191
13,177,436
8,144,652
Expenditures – general and administrative
(923,935 )
(873,480 )
(773,591 )
Cash reserves
(0 )
(0 )
(0 )
Distributable income
$ 6,262,256
$ 12,303,956
$ 7,371,061
Distributable income per unit (12,165,732 Trust units)
$ 0.514745
$ 1.011357
$ 0.605881
Distributable Income
Based on 12,165,732 Trust units outstanding at each
date listed below, the per unit distributions during the year ended December 31, 2023, were as follows:
Record Date
Payment Date
Distribution per Unit
January 31, 2023
February 14, 2023
$ 0.070629
February 28, 2023
March 14, 2023
0.060217
March 31, 2023
April 14, 2023
0.050260
April 28, 2023
May 12, 2023
0.030888
May 31, 2023
June 14, 2023
0.030013
June 30, 2023
July 17, 2023
0.040784
July 31, 2023
August 14, 2023
0.039689
August 31, 2023
September 15, 2023
0.040201
September 29, 2023
October 16, 2023
0.040626
October 31, 2023
November 14, 2023
0.040837
November 30, 2023
December 14, 2023
0.040302
December 29, 2023
January 16, 2024
0.030299
$ 0.514745
Years Ended December 31, 2023, and 2022
The decrease in net profits income was primarily
due to decreased oil and natural gas sales volumes and prices. See “Computation of Income from the Net Profits Interest Received
by the Trust” below.
Interest Income . Interest income increased
for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher interest rates.
General and Administrative Expenditures .
General and administrative expenditures increased for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year, primarily because
of differences in the timing and payment of some expenses.
Cash Reserves . Pursuant to the Trust
Agreement, the Trustee was authorized to begin retaining cash reserves for administrative expenses beginning in May 2019. In April 2020,
the cash reserves retained reached $1,000,000 and no further cash reserves have been retained by the Trustee since April 2020. As of December
31, 2023, the Trustee continued to hold the previously retained $1,000,000 in cash reserves.
Years Ended December 31, 2022, and 2021
The increase in net profits income was primarily due to increased
oil and natural gas prices. See “Computation of Income from the Net Profits Interest Received by the Trust” below.
Interest Income . Interest income increased
for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher interest rates.
General and Administrative Expenditures .
General and administrative expenditures increased for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year, primarily because
of differences in the timing and payment of some expenses.
Cash Reserves . Pursuant to the Trust
Agreement, the Trustee was authorized to begin retaining cash reserves for administrative expenses beginning in May 2019. In April 2020,
the cash reserves retained reached $1,000,000 and no further cash reserves have been retained by the Trustee since April 2020. As of December
31, 2022, the Trustee continued to hold the previously retained $1,000,000 in cash reserves.
36
Computation of Income from the Net Profits
Interest Received by the Trust
The table below outlines the computation of income
from the Net Profits Interest received by the Trust for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021:
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
2021
Underlying Properties sales volumes (1) :
Oil (Bbl)
317,765
351,710
385,359
Natural gas (Mcf) (2)
387,631
409,881
501,689
Average realized sales price:
Oil (per Bbl)
$ 76.24
$ 93.15
$ 60.13
Natural gas (per Mcf)
3.74
7.94
4.31
Calculation of net profits:
Gross profits :
Oil sales
$ 24,225,807
$ 32,760,196
$ 23,172,855
Natural gas sales
1,451,047
3,254,621
2,162,779
Other revenue
103,601
102,468
99,991
Divestitures (Qualified De Minimis Sales)
0
1,090,386
0
Total gross profits
25,780,455
37,207,671
25,435,625
Costs:
Direct operating expenses:
2,194,843
3,066,774
1,938,378
Lease operating expenses
7,284,563
6,417,318
5,368,937
Severance and ad valorem taxes
1,955,693
2,168,220
1,583,282
Development expenses
4,409,823
5,831,453
4,600,043
Other expenses
2,094,993
1,709,482
1,774,395
Total costs
(17,939,915 )
(19,193,247 )
(15,265,035 )
Net profits
7,840,540
18,014,424
10,170,590
Percentage allocable to Net Profits Interest
80 %
80 %
80 %
Net profits income (before capital reserve)
6,272,432
14,411,540
8,136,472
Change in Capital Reserve (3)
828,000
(1,264,000 )
8,000
Interest income from savings account
26,947
13,305
0
Net profits interest audit fee
0
0
(0 )
Net profits income received by the Trust
$ 7,127,379
$ 13,160,845
$ 8,144,472
_______________
(1) Annual sales volumes for 2023 reflect production volumes for November 2022 through October 2023. Annual sales volumes for 2022
reflect production volumes for November 2021 through October 2022. Annual sales volumes for 2021 reflect production volumes for November
2020 through October 2021.
(2) Sales volumes for natural gas include NGLs.
(3) Boaz Energy is entitled under the Conveyance to reserve up to $3 million from the net profits
for certain taxes and development expenses. As of December 31, 2023, the balance of funds held back to cover certain future capital expenses
was $650,157 net to the Trust. The balance of funds held, net to the Trust, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $1,478,157 and $214,157,
respectively.
Years Ended December 31, 2023, and 2022
Important factors used in calculating the Trust’s
net profits income include the volumes of oil and gas produced from the Underlying Properties and the realized prices received for the
sale of those minerals, including natural gas liquids, as well as direct operating and development expenses.
37
Sales Volumes
Oil. Oil sales volumes decreased for
the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year. This was primarily due to decreased demand and the natural decline in
production.
Natural Gas. Natural gas sales volumes
decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year. This was primarily due to decreased demand and the natural
decline in production.
Sales Prices
Oil. The average realized oil price
per Bbl decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year. The average realized oil price per Bbl for the
year ended December 31, 2023, is primarily related to production from November 2022 through October 2023 , when the average NYMEX
price was $78.57 per Bbl.
Natural Gas. The average realized natural
gas price per Mcf decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year. The average realized natural gas price
per Mcf for the year ended December 31, 2023, is primarily related to production from November 2022 through October 2023, when the average
NYMEX price was $3.01 per Mcf.
Costs
Direct Operating Expenses. Direct operating
expenses decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year primarily due to a decrease in capital projects
to return wells to production.
Lease Operating Expenses. Lease operating
expenses increased for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year primarily due to additional Permian ABO wells.
Severance and Ad Valorem Taxes. Severance
and ad valorem taxes decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year primarily due to lower sales valuation
due to decreased industry prices for oil and natural gas.
Development Expenses Related to the Underlying
Properties. Development expenses related to the Underlying Properties decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared
to the prior year primarily due to fewer drilling and recompletion projects.
Other Expenses. Other expenses increased
for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year primarily due to an increase in overhead expenses.
Capital Reserve and Operator Advance.
Boaz Energy is entitled under the Conveyance to reserve up to $3 million from the net profits for certain taxes and development expenses.
As of December 31, 2023, the balance of funds held back to cover certain future capital expenses was $650,157 net to the Trust .
Years Ended December 31, 2022, and 2021
Important factors used in calculating the Trust’s
net profits income include the volumes of oil and gas produced from the Underlying Properties and the realized prices received for the
sale of those minerals, including natural gas liquids, as well as direct operating and development expenses.
Sales Volumes
Oil. Oil sales volumes decreased for the
year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year. This was primarily due to decreased demand and the natural decline in production.
Natural Gas. Natural gas sales volumes
decreased for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year. This was primarily due to decreased demand and the natural
decline in production.
38
Sales Prices
Oil. The average realized oil price
per Bbl increased for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year. The average realized oil price per Bbl for the
year ended December 31, 2022, is primarily related to production from November 2021 through October 2022 , when the average NYMEX
price was $93.39 per Bbl.
Natural Gas. The average realized natural
gas price per Mcf increased for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year. The average realized natural gas price
per Mcf for the year ended December 31, 2022, is primarily related to production from November 2021 through October 2022, when the average
NYMEX price was $6.03 per Mcf.
Costs
Direct Operating Expenses. Direct operating
expenses increased for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year primarily due to an increase in workovers to bring
wells back into operations.
Lease Operating Expenses. Lease operating
expenses increased for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year primarily due to increases in industry pricing
for materials and services.
Severance and Ad Valorem Taxes. Severance
and ad valorem taxes increased for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year primarily due to higher sales valuation
due to increased industry prices for oil and natural gas.
Development Expenses Related to the Underlying
Properties. Development expenses related to the Underlying Properties increased for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared
to the prior year primarily due to the potential for capital projects to have a greater economic benefit given higher oil and gas prices.
Other Expenses. Other expenses decreased
for the year ended December 31, 2022, as a result of a decrease in professional fees.
Capital Reserve and Operator Advance.
Boaz Energy is entitled under the Conveyance to reserve up to $3 million from the net profits for certain taxes and development expenses.
As of December 31, 2022, the balance of funds held back to cover certain future capital expenses was $1,478,157 net to the Trust .
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Trust’s principal sources of liquidity
and capital are cash flow generated from the Net Profits Interest and borrowings, if any, to fund administrative expenses. The Trust’s
primary uses of cash are distributions to Trust unitholders, payment of Trust administrative expenses, including, if applicable, any reserves
established by the Trustee for future liabilities.
Administrative expenses include the Trustee and
Delaware Trustee fees, accounting, engineering, legal, tax advisory and other professional fees, and tax reporting and distribution expenses.
The Trust is also responsible for paying other expenses incurred as a result of being a publicly traded entity, including costs associated
with annual, quarterly and current reports to the SEC, New York Stock Exchange listing fees, independent auditor fees and registrar and
transfer agent fees. If the Trustee determines that cash on hand and cash to be received in respect of the Net Profits Interest are, or
will be, insufficient to cover the Trust’s liabilities and expenses, the Trustee may cause the Trust to borrow funds to pay liabilities
of the Trust. If the Trustee causes the Trust to borrow funds, the Trust unitholders will not receive distributions until the borrowed
funds or the amount drawn, as applicable, are repaid.
Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the Trustee
was authorized beginning May 2019 to retain cash from the distributions it receives (i) in an amount not to exceed $1.0 million
at any one time to be used by the Trust in the event that its cash on hand (including available cash reserves) is not sufficient to pay
ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due and (ii) in such amounts as the Trustee in its discretion deems appropriate
to pay for future liabilities of the Trust. Boaz Energy provided the Trust with a $1.0 million Letter of Credit that could be drawn
by the Trust to pay its administrative expenses. The Trustee is permitted to retain cash from distributions in such amount as the Trustee
determines but not less than $25,000 per month or more than $100,000 per month until the reserve described in clause (i) equals or
exceeds $1.0 million, at which time, the Trustee is required to release the Letter of Credit. The Letter of Credit expired May 2,
2020, as the Trustee had retained a total of $1,000,000 in cash reserves. As of December 31, 2023, the Trustee continued to hold the previously
retained $1,000,000 in cash reserves.
39
On May 4, 2018, the Trust entered into a registration
rights agreement for the benefit of Boaz Energy and certain of its affiliates and transferees, pursuant to which the Trust agreed to register
the offering of the Trust units held by Boaz Energy and certain of its affiliates and permitted transferees upon request by Boaz Energy.
As of March 31, 2022, Boaz Energy owned 5,878,332 Trust units of the 12,165,732 Trust units issued and outstanding. The Trust filed a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 on April 28, 2022 (the “Registration Statement”) seeking the registration of 5,801,675
Trust units held by Boaz Energy. The SEC confirmed the effectiveness of the Registration Statement on May 9, 2022. The Trust has not and
will not receive any of the proceeds received from the sale of the Trust units. The selling unitholder will bear all costs and expenses
incidental to the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, excluding certain internal expenses of the Trust, which will be
borne by the Trust, and any underwriting discounts and commissions, which will be borne by the selling unitholder as the seller of the
Trust units. As of March 25, 2024, Boaz Energy owned 4,884,861 Trust units of the 12,165,732 units issued and outstanding.
Boaz Energy Capital Expenditure Budget
Boaz Energy’s estimated capital budget
for 2024 for the Underlying Properties is $4.5 million, of which approximately $0.9 million has been expended as of March 13, 2024. Based
on current oil and gas prices, Boaz anticipates continuing to participate in Crane and Glasscock Counties non-operated drilling and waterflood
conformance and expansion work in Crane & Terry Counties, as well as drilling 1 new operated wells in Crane County sometime in 2024.
The majority of capital spent in 2024 to date was spent on non-operated projects in the Permian Shelf Area. The $4.5 million estimate
is subject to change based on, among other things, changes in the price of oil and natural gas, Boaz Energy’s actual capital requirements,
the pace of regulatory approvals and the mix of projects.
Boaz Energy’s capital expenditure by
the end of 2023 was $4.4 million.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had no off-balance
sheet arrangements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
As the Trust’s financial statements are
prepared on the modified cash basis, most accounting pronouncements are not applicable to the Trust’s financial statements. No new
accounting pronouncements have been adopted or issued that would impact the financial statements of the Trust.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Trust uses the modified cash basis of accounting
to report Trust receipts of the Net Profits Interest and payments of expenses incurred. The Net Profits Interest represents the right
to receive revenues (oil and natural gas sales), less direct operating expenses (lease operating expenses and severance and ad valorem
taxes) and development expenses of the Underlying Properties, multiplied by 80%. Cash distributions of the Trust are made based on the
amount of cash received by the Trust pursuant to terms of the Conveyance creating the Net Profits Interest.
40
The financial statements of the Trust, as prepared
on a modified cash basis, reflect the Trust’s assets, liabilities, Trust corpus, earnings and distributions as follows:
· Income from the Net Profits Interest is recorded when distributions are received by the Trust;
· Distributions to Trust unitholders are recorded when declared by the Trust;
· Trust general and administrative expenses (which includes the Trustee’s fees as well as accounting, engineering, legal, tax
advisory and other professional fees) are recorded when paid;
· Cash reserves for Trust expenses may be established by the Trustee for certain expenditures that would not be recorded as contingent
liabilities under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”);
· Amortization of the investment in the Net Profits Interest is calculated on a unit-of-production basis and is charged directly to
Trust corpus, and such amortization does not affect distributions from the Trust; and
· The Trust’s investment in the Net Profits Interest is periodically assessed to determine whether its aggregate value has been
impaired below its total capitalized cost basis and, if an impairment loss is indicated by the carrying amount of the assets exceeding
the sum of the undiscounted expected future net cash flows, then an impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying
amount of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value.
The financial statements of the Trust are prepared
on a modified cash basis of accounting, which is considered to be the most meaningful basis of preparation for a royalty trust because
monthly distributions to the Trust unitholders are based on net cash receipts. Although this basis of accounting is permitted for royalty
trusts by the SEC, the financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP because net
profits income is not accrued in the month of production, expenses are not recognized when incurred and cash reserves may be established
for certain contingencies, and overpayments received do not need to be paid back and are instead taken from future payments that would
not be recorded in GAAP financial statements. This comprehensive basis of accounting other than GAAP corresponds to the accounting permitted
for royalty trusts by the SEC as specified by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 12:E, Financial Statements of Royalty Trusts .
The preparation of financial statements requires
the Trust to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimated future cash flows used to determine
amortization and potential impairment of the investment in the Net Profits Interest are subject to change.
Oil and Natural Gas Reserves . The proved
oil and natural gas reserves for the Underlying Properties are estimated by independent petroleum engineers. Reserve engineering is a
subjective process that is dependent upon the quality of available data and the interpretation thereof. Estimates by different engineers
often vary, sometimes significantly. In addition, physical factors such as the results of drilling, testing and production subsequent
to the date of an estimate, as well as economic factors such as changes in product prices, may justify revision of such estimates. Because
proved reserves are required to be estimated using prices at the date of the evaluation, estimated reserve quantities can be significantly
impacted by changes in product prices. Accordingly, oil and natural gas quantities ultimately recovered and the timing of production may
be substantially different from original estimates.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board requires
supplemental disclosures for oil and gas producers based on a standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved
oil and natural gas reserve quantities. Under this disclosure, future cash inflows are computed by applying the average prices during
the 12-month period prior to fiscal year-end, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month benchmark price
for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions.
Future price changes are only considered to the extent provided by contractual arrangements in existence at year-end. The standardized
measure of discounted future net cash flows is achieved by using a discount rate of 10% a year to reflect the timing of future cash flows
relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves. Changes in any of these assumptions, including consideration of other factors, could
have a significant impact on the standardized measure. The standardized measure does not necessarily result in an estimate of the current
fair market value of proved reserves.
41
Amortization of Net Profits Interest .
The Trust calculates amortization of the Net Profits Interest in oil and natural gas properties on a unit-of-production basis based on
the Underlying Properties’ production and reserves. The reserves upon which the amortization rate is based are quantity estimates
which are subject to numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation of proved reserves. The volumes considered to be commercially recoverable
fluctuate with changes in prices and operating costs. These estimates are expected to change as additional information becomes available
in the future. Downward revisions in proved reserves may result in an increased rate of amortization. Amortization is recorded on sales
volumes paid by the Trust during the relevant period and is charged directly to the Trust corpus balance. As a result, amortization does
not affect the cash earnings of the Trust.
Impairment of Net Profits Interest. The
Trustee reviews the Trust’s Net Profits Interest in oil and natural gas properties for impairment annually and whenever events or
circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the Net Profits Interest may not be recoverable. In the event of material revisions,
the Trustee reviews the impact of these revisions on the amortization of Trust Units and impairment estimates. During 2023, a material
revision was made to reserves resulting in the additional recognition of amortization of Trust Units. The Trust recognized $4,164,943
of amortization of Trust Units for the year ended December 31, 2023. There was no impairment present for the year ended December 31,
2023, after revisions to undiscounted cash flows. There was also no impairment as of December 31, 2022. In general, neither the Trustee
nor Boaz Energy view temporarily low prices as an indication of impairment. The markets for crude oil and natural gas have a history of
significant price volatility and though prices will occasionally drop significantly, industry prices over the long term will continue
to be driven by market supply and demand. If events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, the Trustee
would use the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows from the Net Profits Interest to evaluate the recoverability of the Trust assets.
If the undiscounted future net cash flows from the Net Profits Interest are less than the Net Profits Interest carrying value, the Trust
would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the Net Profits Interest carrying value and the estimated fair value of
the Net Profits Interest. The determination as to whether the Net Profits Interest is impaired is based on the best information available
to the Trustee at the time of the evaluation, including information provided by Boaz Energy such as estimates of future production and
development and operating expenses.
Refer to Note 2 to the financial statements included in Item
8 of this report for the Trust’s significant accounting policies.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Financial Statements . The following documents
are filed as part of the Trust’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Report of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID Number 410)
43
Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus
44
Statements of Distributable Income
45
Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus
46
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
47
42
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Unit Holders of
PermRock Royalty Trust and
Argent Trust Company, Trustee
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets,
liabilities, and trust corpus of PermRock Royalty Trust (the Trust) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related statements of distributable
income and changes in trust corpus for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively
referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects,
the assets, liabilities, and trust corpus of the Trust as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the distributable income and changes in trust
corpus for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with the modified cash basis of accounting, which
is a comprehensive basis of accounting other accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As described in Note 2 to the financial statements,
these financial statements were prepared on the modified cash basis of accounting, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other
than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Trustee. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting
firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent
with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards
of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an
audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal
control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal
control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess
the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond
to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
Critical audit matters are matters arising from the
current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that:
(1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective,
or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
WEAVER AND TIDWELL, L.L.P.
We have served as the Trust’s auditor since
2018.
Austin, Texas
April 1, 2024
Weaver
and Tidwell, L.L.P.
1601 South MoPac Expressway, Suite D250 |
Austin, Texas 78746
Main:
512.609.1900
CPAs
AND ADVISORS | WEAVER.COM
43
Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Trust Corpus
December
31
2023
2022
ASSETS
Cash and Short-Term Investments
$ 1,368,611
$ 1, 981,938
Net Profits Interests
75,876,170
80,041,113
TOTAL
$ 77,244,781
$ 82,023,051
December 31
2023
2022
LIABILITIES & TRUST CORPUS
Distribution Payable to Unitholders
$ 368,611
$ 981,938
Cash Reserves
1,000,000
1,000,000
Trust Corpus – 12,165,732 Trust Units Issued and Outstanding
75,876,170
80,041,113
TOTAL
$ 77,244,781
$ 82,023,051
These Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the
accompanying Notes to Financial Statements included herein.
44
Statements of Distributable Income
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
Year Ended
December 31, 2022
Year Ended
December 31, 2021
Net Profits Income
$ 7,127,379
$ 13,160,845
$ 8,144,472
Interest Income
58,812
16,591
180
Total Revenue
7,186,191
13,177,436
8,144,652
Expenditures – General and Administrative
(923,935 )
(873,480 )
(773,591 )
Distributable Income
$ 6,262,256
$ 12,303,956
$ 7,371,061
Distributable Income per Unit – 12,165,732 Trust Units Issued and Outstanding
$ 0.514745
$ 1.011357
$ 0.605881
These Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the
accompanying Notes to Financial Statements included herein.
45
Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
Year Ended
December 31, 2022
Year Ended
December 31, 2021
Trust Corpus, Beginning of Period
$ 80,041,113
$ 83,821,848
$ 87,916,359
Amortization of Net Profits Interest
(4,164,943 )
(3,780,735 )
(4,094,511 )
Distributable Income
6,262,256
12,303,956
7,371,061
Distributions Declared
(6,262,256 )
(12,303,956 )
(7,371,061 )
Trust Corpus, End of Period
$ 75,876,170
$ 80,041,113
$ 83,821,848
These Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the
accompanying Notes to Financial Statements included herein.
46
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization
of Trust
PermRock Royalty
Trust (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust formed on November 22, 2017 under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act pursuant
to a trust agreement dated November 22, 2017, as amended and restated on May 4, 2018, by and among Boaz Energy II, LLC (“Boaz Energy”),
as trustor, Simmons Bank, as Trustee (as hereinafter defined), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Delaware Trustee (the “Delaware
Trustee”) (such amended and restated trust agreement, as amended to date, the “Trust Agreement”).
In accordance with the successor trustee provisions
of the Trust Agreement, Argent Trust Company, as successor trustee of the Trust, is subject to all terms and conditions of the Trust Agreement.
The defined term “Trustee” as used herein shall refer to Simmons Bank (which maintains its offices at 2200 West 7th Street,
Suite 210, P.O. Box 470727, Fort Worth, Texas 76147) for periods prior to December 30, 2022, and shall refer to Argent Trust Company (which
maintains its offices at 3838 Oak Lawn Ave, Suite 1720, Dallas, Texas 75219) for periods on and after December 30, 2022.
The Trust was
created to acquire and hold the Net Profits Interest for the benefit of the Trust unitholders. In connection with the closing of the initial
public offering of Trust units, on May 4, 2018, Boaz Energy conveyed the Net Profits Interest to the Trust in exchange for Trust units
pursuant to a conveyance agreement between Boaz Energy, the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (the “Conveyance”). The Net Profits
Interest represents an interest in the Underlying Properties.
The Net Profits
Interest entitles the Trust to receive 80% of the net profits from the sale of oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties.
The Net Profits Interest is passive in nature and neither the Trust nor the Trustee has any control over, or responsibility for, costs
relating to the operation of the Underlying Properties. The Trust has and will continue to make monthly cash distributions of all of its
monthly cash receipts, after deduction of fees and expenses for the administration of the Trust and any cash reserves, to holders of its
Trust units as of the applicable record date on or before the 10th business day after the record date. Distributions generally relate
to sales from a one-month period.
The Trustee
may deposit funds awaiting distribution in an account with an FDIC-insured or national bank, including the Trustee, if the interest paid
to the Trust at least equals amounts paid by the Trustee on similar deposits, and make other short-term investments with the funds distributed
to the Trust.
In May 2018,
Boaz Energy completed an initial public offering of 6,250,000 of the 12,165,732 total Trust units outstanding, retaining ownership of
5,915,732 Trust units. As of March 25, 2024, Boaz Energy owned 4,884,861 Trust units of the 12,165,732 Trust units issued and outstanding.
2. Trust
Significant Accounting Policies
a. Basis
of Accounting
The Trust uses the modified cash basis of accounting
to report Trust receipts of the Net Profits Interest and payments of expenses incurred. The Net Profits Interest represents the right
to receive revenues (primarily oil and natural gas sales), less direct operating expenses, lease operating expenses, severance and ad
valorem taxes and development expenses of the Underlying Properties, multiplied by 80%. Cash distributions of the Trust are made based
on the amount of cash received by the Trust pursuant to terms of the Conveyance creating the Net Profits Interest. Certain reclassifications
of prior year’s data have been made to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on the Trust’s
previously reported Distributable Income or Trust Corpus.
47
The financial statements of the Trust, as prepared
on a modified cash basis, reflect the Trust’s assets, liabilities, Trust corpus, earnings and distributions as follows:
· Income from the Net Profits Interest is recorded when distributions are received by the Trust;
· Distributions to Trust unitholders are recorded when declared by the Trust;
· Trust general and administrative expenses (which includes the Trustee’s fees as well as accounting, printing, engineering, legal,
tax advisory and other professional fees) are recorded when paid; cash reserves for Trust expenses may be established by the Trustee for
certain expenditures that would not be recorded as contingent liabilities under United States generally accepted accounting principles
(“GAAP”);
· Amortization of the investment in the Net Profits Interest is calculated on a unit-of-production basis and is charged directly to
Trust corpus, and such amortization does not affect distributions from the Trust; and
· The Trust’s investment in the Net Profits Interest is periodically assessed to determine whether its aggregate value has been
impaired below its total capitalized cost basis. In general, neither the Trustee nor Boaz
Energy view temporarily low prices as an indication of impairment. The markets for crude oil and natural gas have a history of significant
price volatility and though prices will occasionally drop significantly, industry prices over the long term will continue to be driven
by market supply and demand. If events and circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable, the Trustee would use the
estimated undiscounted future net cash flows from the Net Profits Interest to evaluate the recoverability of the Trust assets. If the
undiscounted future net cash flows from the Net Profits Interest are less than the Net Profits Interest carrying value, the Trust would
recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the Net Profits Interest carrying value and the estimated fair value of the Net
Profits Interest. The determination as to whether the Net Profits Interest is impaired is based on the best information available to the
Trustee at the time of the evaluation, including information provided by Boaz Energy such as estimates of future production and development
and operating expenses .
· In the event of material revisions, the Trustee reviews the impact
of these revisions on the amortization of Trust Units and impairment estimates. During 2023, a material revision was made to reserves
resulting in the additional recognition of amortization of Trust Units. The Trust recognized $4,164,943 of amortization of Trust Units
for the year ended December 31, 2023. There was no impairment present for the year ended December 31, 2023, after revisions
to undiscounted cash flows. There was also no impairment as of December 31, 2022.
b. Financial
Statements.
The financial statements of the Trust are prepared
on a modified cash basis of accounting, which is considered to be the most meaningful basis of preparation for a royalty trust because
monthly distributions to the Trust unitholders are based on net cash receipts. Although this basis of accounting is permitted for royalty
trusts by the SEC, the financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP because net
profits income is not accrued in the month of production, expenses are not recognized when incurred and cash reserves may be established
for certain contingencies that would not be recorded in GAAP financial statements. This comprehensive basis of accounting other than GAAP
corresponds to the accounting permitted for royalty trusts by the SEC as specified by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 12:E, Financial
Statements of Royalty Trusts.
c. Use
of Estimates.
The preparation of financial statements requires
the Trust to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimated future cash flows used to determine
amortization and potential impairment of the investment in the Net Profits Interest are subject to change.
d. Risks
and Uncertainties.
The Trust’s revenue and distributions are
substantially dependent upon the prevailing and future prices for oil and natural gas, each of which depends on numerous factors beyond
the Trust’s control such as economic conditions, the global political environment, regulatory developments and competition from
other energy sources. Oil and natural gas prices historically have been volatile and may be subject to significant fluctuations in the
future.
e. Contingencies.
Contingencies related to the Underlying Properties
that are unfavorably resolved would generally be expected to result in reductions to cash receipts to the Trust in respect of the Net
Profits Interest with corresponding reductions to cash distributions to Trust unitholders. Please see the discussion of litigation in
Note 10.
3. Income
Taxes
Tax counsel advised the Trust at the time of
formation that for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Trust is treated as a grantor trust and is not subject to federal income tax
at the trust level. Trust unitholders are treated for such purposes as owning a direct interest in the assets of the Trust, and each Trust
unitholder is taxed directly on its pro rata share of the income and any gain, if sold, attributable to the assets of the Trust and is
entitled to claim its pro rata share of deductions and expenses attributable to the assets of the Trust. Each Trust unitholder should
consult his or her own tax advisor regarding income tax requirements, if any, applicable to such unitholder’s ownership of Trust
units.
48
4. Cash
Reserves
Pursuant to
the Trust Agreement, beginning in May 2019, the Trustee was authorized to begin retaining cash from the distributions the Trust receives
(i) in an amount not to exceed $1.0 million at any one time to be used by the Trust in the event that its cash on hand (including available
cash reserves) is not sufficient to pay ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due and (ii) in such amounts as the Trustee
in its discretion deems appropriate to pay for future liabilities of the Trust. Boaz Energy provided the Trust with a $1.0 million letter
of credit (the “Letter of Credit”) that could be drawn by the Trust to pay administrative expenses of the Trust. The Trustee
is permitted to retain cash from distributions in such amount as the Trustee determines but not less than $25,000 per month or more than
$100,000 per month until the reserve described in clause (i) equals or exceeds $1.0 million, at which time, the Trustee is required
to release the Letter of Credit. The Letter of Credit expired May 2, 2020, as the Trustee had retained a total of $1,000,000 in cash reserves.
As of December 31, 2023, the Trustee continued to hold the previously retained $1,000,000 in cash reserves.
Boaz
Energy is entitled under the Conveyance to reserve up to $3 million from the net profits for certain taxes and development expenses. As
of December 31, 2023, the balance of funds held back to cover certain future capital expenses was $ 650,157
net to the Trust.
5. Distributions
to Unitholders
The Trust makes monthly cash distributions of
all of its monthly cash receipts, after deduction of fees and expenses for the administration of the Trust and any cash reserves, to holders
of its Trust units as of the applicable record date on or before the 10th business day after the record date.
Based on 12,165,732 Trust units outstanding at
each date listed below, the monthly per unit distributions during the year ended December 31, 2023, were as follows:
Record Date
Payment Date
Distribution per Unit
January 31, 2023
February 14, 2023
$ 0.070629
February 28, 2023
March 14, 2023
0.060217
March 31, 2023
April 14, 2023
0.050260
April 28, 2023
May 12, 2023
0.030888
May 31, 2023
June 14, 2023
0.030013
June 30, 2023
July 17, 2023
0.040784
July 31, 2023
August 14, 2023
0.039689
August 31, 2023
September 15, 2023
0.040201
September 29, 2023
October 16, 2023
0.040626
October 31, 2023
November 14, 2023
0.040837
November 30, 2023
December 14, 2023
0.040302
December 29, 2023
January 16, 2024
0.030299
$ 0.514745
6. Related
Party Transactions
Trustee Administrative Fee . Under
the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Trust pays an annual administrative fee to the Trustee and Delaware Trustee. The Delaware Trustee’s
annual fee is $4,000. In 2023, the Trustee received $202,342 for the period from January through December 2023. For 2024, the Trustee’s
annual administrative fee will be approximately $205,031. The Trustee’s annual administrative fee increased at a rate of 3% per
year for the first three years of the Trust’s existence, increased at a rate of 2% in 2022 and 2023. The Trustee’s annual
administrative fee will increase at a rate of 1% in 2024, will continue to increase at a rate of 1% each year until the 20th anniversary
of the Trust’s formation, and then will remain flat thereafter. These costs of the Trust, which are included in administration expenses,
are deducted by the Trust before distributions are made to Trust unitholders.
49
Agreements with Boaz Energy . On
May 4, 2018, the Trust entered into a registration rights agreement for the benefit of Boaz Energy and certain of its affiliates and transferees,
pursuant to which the Trust agreed to register the offering of the Trust units held by Boaz Energy and certain of its affiliates and permitted
transferees upon request by Boaz Energy. The Trust filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 on April 28, 2022 (the “Registration
Statement”) seeking the registration of 5,801,675 Trust units held by Boaz Energy. The SEC confirmed the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement on May 9, 2022. As of March 25, 2024, Boaz Energy owned 4,884,861 Trust units of the 12,165,732 units issued and outstanding.
7. Certain
Contracts
The Trust is not a party to any purchase, gathering,
or processing contracts. Boaz Energy and other outside operators are parties to oil and natural gas sales contracts. For the year ended
December 31, 2023, Boaz Energy reported that Phillips 66, Plains All American Pipeline, Energy Transfer Partners, Blackbeard Operating
LLC, and Enterprise Crude Oil LLC accounted for 29.93%, 20.82%, 17.07%, 11.61%, and 10.23% respectively, of its total oil and natural
gas revenues, and that no other purchaser accounted for 10% or more of the total revenue of the Underlying Properties. Boaz Energy does
not believe that the loss of any of these parties as a purchaser of crude oil or natural gas production from the Underlying Properties
would have a material impact on the business or operations of Boaz Energy or the Underlying Properties because of the large number of
marketing firms and competitive nature of oil and gas purchasers in the Permian Basin. Oil and natural gas are currently sold to these
four customers under short-term contracts at market prices.
8. Significant
Customers
Information as to significant purchasers of oil
and gas production attributable to the Trust’s economic interests is included in Note 7, above.
9. Development
Costs
Boaz Energy’s original 2023 capital expenditure
estimate was $4.5 million. That budget was revised slightly by the end of 2023 to $4.4 million. Boaz Energy’s capital projects in
2023 included participation in non-operated drilling and recompletion projects, as well as waterflood conformance and reactivations in
Terry, Coke, Crane and Glasscock Counties. The cost of these capital projects were included in Boaz Energy’s 2023 capital expenditure
budget.
Boaz Energy’s estimated capital budget
for 2024 for the Underlying Properties is $4.5 million, of which approximately $0.9 million has been expended as of March 13, 2024. Based
on current oil and gas prices, Boaz anticipates continuing to participate in Crane and Glasscock Counties non-operated drilling and waterflood
conformance and expansion work in Crane & Terry Counties, as well as drilling 1 new operated wells in Crane County sometime in 2024.
The majority of capital spent in 2024 to date was spent on non-operated projects in the Permian Shelf Area. The $4.5 million estimate
is subject to change based on, among other things, changes in the price of oil and natural gas, Boaz Energy’s actual capital requirements,
the pace of regulatory approvals and the mix of projects.
10. Settlements
and Litigation
On October 1, 2018, a lawsuit styled Thaleia
L. Marston, Trustee of the Marston Trust v. Blackbeard Operating, LLC , et.al, No. 18-10-24761 – CVW in the 143rd District Court
in Ward County, Texas (the “2018 Litigation”) was filed, naming, among others, Boaz Energy and the Trust as defendants. The
plaintiff is a lessor under two leases operated by Blackbeard Operating LLC. The Underlying Properties include the interests of Boaz Energy
in some of the minerals covered by those leases. The litigation sought surface use damages and alleged violations of the terms of the
leases, among other things. The court had set a two-day bench trial to commence May 18, 2022, but on May 10, 2022, the court granted motions
for summary judgment effectively disposing of the plaintiff’s claims. At a status conference conducted on May 12, 2022, the plaintiff
confirmed the court’s rulings disposed of all the plaintiff’s claims. The court held a hearing regarding attorneys’
fees in June 2022. On May 12, 2023, the court entered its final judgment, incorporating its prior order granting the defendants’
motion for summary judgment and granting defendants’ motion for attorneys’ fees, but the plaintiff then filed a notice of
appeal to the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso County, Texas. The plaintiff-appellants filed their opening brief on December 11, 2023;
and the defendant-appellees filed an answer brief on February 22, 2024.
50
11. Supplemental
Oil and Gas Reserve Information (Unaudited)
Proved Oil and Natural Gas
Reserves
Proved oil and gas reserves have been estimated
by independent petroleum engineers. Proved reserves are those quantities of oil and natural gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and
engineering data can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward, from known reservoirs
and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulation before the time at which contracts providing the
right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain. Proved developed reserves are the quantities expected
to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively
minor compared with the cost of a new well. Due to the inherent uncertainties and the limited nature of reservoir data, such estimates
are subject to change as additional information becomes available. The reserves actually recovered and the timing of production of these
reserves may be substantially different from the original estimate. Revisions result primarily from new information obtained from development
drilling and production history and from changes in economic factors.
The following table presents a reconciliation
of proved reserve quantities attributable to the Trust as of the dates indicated below:
Oil
(MBbls)
Natural Gas
(MMcf)
Total
(MBoe)
Balance, Proved Reserves as of December 31, 2021
2,956
2,569
3,384
Revisions of previous estimates
162
327
217
Extensions, discoveries and other additions
2
3
2
Production
(153)
(159)
(179)
Balance, Proved Reserves as of December 31, 2022
2,967
2,740
3,424
Revisions of previous estimates
(1,235)
(572)
(1,330)
Extensions, discoveries and other additions
164
9
165
Production
(318)
(388)
(382)
Balance, Proved Reserves as of December 31, 2023
1,578
1,789
1,877
Proved developed reserves:
December 31, 2021
1,659
1,907
1,977
December 31, 2022
1,838
2,118
2,191
December 31, 2023
1,489
1,789
1,788
Proved undeveloped reserves:
December 31, 2021
1,296
662
1,407
December 31, 2022
1,129
622
1,233
December 31, 2023
89
0
89
Extensions and discoveries . During the year
ended December 31, 2023, 4 gross wells (0.3 net) were drilled in the Permian Platform area. Extensions and discoveries included
165 MBoe of proved developed and undeveloped reserves that were a result of drilling and waterflood activity.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, 6 gross wells
(0.5 net) were drilled in the Permian Platform area. Extensions and discoveries included 2.4 MBoe of proved developed and undeveloped
reserves that were a result of 2022 drilling activity.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, 5 gross wells
(0.42 net) were drilled in the Permian Platform area and 1 gross well (0.13 net) was drilled in the Permian Shelf area. Extensions
and discoveries included 29 MBoe of proved developed and undeveloped reserves that were a result of 2021 drilling activity in the Permian
Platform and Permian Shelf areas by working interest partners.
51
Revisions of previous estimates . During the
year ended December 31, 2023, revisions of previous estimates decreased proved reserves by 39%, primarily due to the removal of certain
proved undeveloped reserves due to the SEC five-year booking rule, and also due to negative price revisions related to lower oil and natural
gas prices. The annual average WTI Cushing and Henry Hub spot oil and natural gas price of $78.22
per Bbl and $2.64 per MMbtu used to determine reserves as of December 31, 2023, was 17% and 59% lower than the $93.67 per Bbl and
$6.36 per MMbtu used to determine reserves as of December 31, 2022, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, revisions
of previous estimates increased oil reserves by 6%, primarily due to an increase in the average oil price used to estimate future net
reserves. The annual average WTI Cushing spot oil price of $93.67 per Bbl used to determine
reserves as of December 31, 2022, was 29% higher than the $66.56 per Bbl used to determine reserves as of December 31, 2021.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, revisions
of previous estimates increased oil reserves by 25%, primarily due to an increase in the average oil price used to estimate future net
reserves. The annual average WTI Cushing spot oil price of $66.56 per Bbl used to determine
reserves as of December 31, 2021, was 67% higher than the $39.57 per Bbl used to determine reserves as of December 31, 2020.
Production .
During the year ended December
31, 2023, production decreased oil reserves by 382 MBoe.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, production
decreased oil reserves by 179 MBoe.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, production
decreased oil reserves by 172 MBoe.
Standardized Measure of
Discounted Future Net Cash Flows
The following is a summary of a standardized
measure of discounted future net cash flows related to the Trust’s Net Profits Interest in total proved natural gas and oil reserve
quantities. Information presented is based upon valuation of proved reserves by using discounted cash flows based upon average oil and
gas prices during the 12-month period prior to the fiscal year-end, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month
price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future
conditions and severance and ad valorem taxes, if any, and economic conditions, discounted at the required rate of 10%. As the Trust is
not subject to taxation at the Trust level, no provision for income taxes has been made in the following disclosure. Trust prices may
differ from posted NYMEX prices due to differences in product quality and property location. The impact of changes in current prices on
reserves could vary significantly from year to year. Accordingly, the information presented below should not be viewed as an estimate
of the fair market value of the Trust’s oil and natural gas reserves or the costs that would be incurred to acquire equivalent reserves.
A market value determination would require the analysis of additional parameters.
The standardized measure of discounted future
net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves attributable to the Trust was as follows as of the dates indicated (in thousands):
December
31,
2023
December 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
Future costs
$ 0
$ 0
$ 0
Future net cash flows
124,680
292,000
203,158
Discount of future net cash flows at 10%
(59,643 )
(146,982 )
(97,545 )
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
$ 65,037
$ 145,018
$ 105,613
Estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves
are by their nature imprecise. Estimates of future net revenue attributable to proved reserves are sensitive to the unpredictable prices
of oil and natural gas and other variables. Accordingly, under the allocation method used to derive the Trust’s quantity of proved
reserves, changes in prices will result in changes in quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves and estimated future net revenues.
52
The changes in standardized measure of discounted
future net cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves attributable to the Trust for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Total
2023
2022
2021
Balance at the beginning of the period (1)
$ 145,018
$ 105,613
$ 53,866
Net change in prices and production costs
(34,008 )
45,420
42,128
Net change in future development costs
0
0
0
Sales of oil and natural gas, net of production costs
(14,241 )
(15,779 )
(9,556 )
Extensions and discoveries
5,801
165
1,160
Purchase of reserves
0
0
0
Divestiture of reserves
0
0
0
Revisions of previous quantity estimates
(51,231 )
11,597
13,301
Previously estimated development costs incurred
0
0
0
Net change in income taxes
0
0
0
Accretion of discount
14,502
10,561
5,387
Changes in timing and other
(804 )
(12,559 )
(673 )
Balance at the end of the period (1)
$ 65,037
$ 145,018
$ 105,613
(1) Balance is as of December 31 of the previous year.
For 2023, $2.637 per MMBtu of natural gas and
$78.22 per Bbl of oil were used in determining future net revenue. These prices were based on a 12-month unweighted average of the first-day-of-the-month
pricing of Henry Hub natural gas and WTI oil.
For 2022, $6.358 per MMBtu of natural gas and
$93.67 per Bbl of oil were used in determining future net revenue. These prices were based on a 12-month unweighted average of the first-day-of-the-month
pricing of Henry Hub natural gas and WTI oil.
For 2021, $3.598 per MMBtu of natural gas and
$66.56 per Bbl of oil were used in determining future net revenue. These prices were based on a 12-month unweighted average of the first-day-of-the-month
pricing of Henry Hub natural gas and WTI oil.
12. Quarterly
Schedule of Distributable Income (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly
schedule of distributable income for the year ended December 31, 2023:
2023
Net Profits Income
Distributable Income
Distributable Income Per Unit
First Quarter
$ 2, 366,677
$ 2, 203,286
$ 0.181106
Second Quarter
1,573,745
1,237,091
0.101686
Third Quarter
1,691,590
1,466,168
0.120516
Fourth Quarter
1,495,367
1,355,711
0.111437
Total
$ 7,127,379
$ 6,262,256
$ 0.514745
13. Subsequent
Events
Distributions
On January 19, 2024, the Trust declared a cash
distribution of $0.034555 per Trust unit to unitholders of record as of January 31, 2024. The distribution was paid on February 14, 2024.
On February 16, 2024, the Trust declared a cash
distribution of $0.034740 per Trust unit to unitholders of record as of February 29, 2024. The distribution was paid on March 14, 2024.
On March 18, 2024, the Trust declared a cash
distribution of $0.022971 per Trust unit to unitholders of record as of March 28, 2024. The distribution will be paid on or about April
12, 2024.
53
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures . The
Trustee conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(a) and 15d-15(a) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on this evaluation, the Trustee has concluded
that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust are effective as of December 31, 2023, that the information required to be disclosed
by the Trust in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and such information is accumulated and communicated, as appropriate to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure. In its evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, the Trustee has relied, to the extent
considered reasonable, on information provided by Boaz Energy.
Due to the nature of the Trust as a passive entity
and in light of the contractual arrangements pursuant to which the Trust was created, including the provisions of the Trust Agreement
and the Conveyance of Net Profits Interest, the Trustee’s disclosure controls and procedures related to the Trust necessarily rely
on (A) information provided by Boaz Energy, including information relating to results of operations, the costs and revenues attributable
to the Trust’s interests under the Conveyance and other operating and historical data, plans for future operating and capital expenditures,
reserve information, information relating to projected production, and other information relating to the status and results of operations
of the Underlying Properties, and (B) conclusions and reports regarding reserves by the Trust’s independent reserve engineers.
Trustee’s Annual Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting . The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item is set forth below.
The Trustee is responsible for establishing and
maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under
the Exchange Act. The Trustee conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting
based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
of the Treadway Commission. Based on the Trustee’s evaluation under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) ,
the Trustee concluded that the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.
Because of its inherent
limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 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.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial
Reporting . There were no changes in the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December
31, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust’s internal control over financial
reporting. The Trustee notes for purposes of clarification that it has no authority over, has not evaluated and makes no statement concerning,
the internal control over financial reporting of Boaz Energy.
Item 9B. Other Information
(a) None.
(b) The Trust does not have any directors or officers, and as a result, no such person adopted or terminated
a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item
408(a) of Regulation S-K, during the most recent fiscal quarter. Because the Trust does not have officers, directors, or employees, it
has not adopted insider trading policies and procedures governing the purchase, sale, or other disposition of Trust securities by such
persons.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
54
PART
III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The Trust has no directors or executive officers.
The Trustee is a corporate trustee that may only be removed and replaced by the holders of a majority of the Trust units present in person
or by proxy at a meeting of such holders where a quorum is present, including Trust units held by Boaz Energy, called by either the Trustee
or the holders of not less than 10% of the then outstanding Trust units.
Audit Committee and Nominating Committee
Because the Trust does not have a board of directors,
it does not have an audit committee, an audit committee financial expert or a nominating committee.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Trust’s directors, officers or beneficial owners of more than ten percent of a registered
class of the Trust’s equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and to furnish the Trust
with copies of all such reports.
The Trust has no directors or officers and based
solely on its review of the reports received by it, the Trust believes that during 2023, no person who was a beneficial owner of more
than ten percent the Trust’s Units failed to file on a timely basis any report required by Section 16(a).
Code of Ethics
Because the Trust has no employees, it does not
have its own code of ethics. Employees of the Trustee, Argent Trust Company, must comply Argent Trust Company’s standards of conduct,
a copy of which will be provided to unitholders without charge, upon request made to Argent Trust Company, Trustee, 3838 Oak Lawn Ave,
Suite 1720, Dallas, Texas 75219, Attention: Jana Egeler.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The Trust does not have any executive officers,
directors or employees. The Trust does not have a board of directors, and it does not have a compensation committee. Pursuant to the Trust
Agreement, the Trust pays an annual administrative fee to the Trustee of $180,000 per year subject to escalation, as described in Note
6. Administrative fees paid to the Trustee in 2023 were $202,342.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Unitholder Matters
(a) Securities
Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans.
None.
(b) Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.
55
The following table sets forth certain information
regarding the beneficial ownership of the Trust units as of March 25, 2024, by each person who, to the Trustee’s knowledge, beneficially
owns more than 5% of the outstanding Trust units.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Title of Class
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
Percent of Class
Boaz Energy II, LLC, Marshall Eves, and Karan Eves
3300 N. A Street, Bldg. 7
Midland, Texas 79705
Trust units
4,884,861
40.2 %
Pursuant to the Schedule 13D (Amendment No. 8) dated December
1, 2023, as filed with the SEC on December 6, 2023, Boaz Energy reported that it was the sole record and beneficial owner of 4,913,761
Trust units, representing 40.4% of the outstanding Trust units, and had sole voting and dispositive power over those Trust units. Each
of Marshall Eves and Karan Eves reported that each of them directly own 4,400 Trust units and that, by virtue of them being married to
each other, each of them may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the Trust units directly held by the other. In addition, each of
Marshall Eves and Karan Eves reported that each of them own 38.9% of the limited liability company interests in Boaz Energy. Marshall
Eves is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Boaz Energy, and Karan Eves is the Chief Operating Officer of Boaz Energy. Each
of Marshall Eves and Karan Eves may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the Trust units held by Boaz Energy, representing 40.2%
of the outstanding trust Units as of March 25, 2024, and may also be deemed to share voting and dispositive power over those Trust units .
(c) Security
Ownership of Trustee.
As of March 25, 2024, Argent Trust Company has
no beneficial ownership of or power to vote any of the outstanding Trust units.
(d) Changes
in Control.
Boaz Energy informed the Trustee that the Trust
units owned by Boaz Energy have been pledged as security for a loan agreement. In the event that Boaz Energy defaults on the loan, it
is the Trustee’s understanding that the lender could become the owner of those Trust units, which could constitute a change of control
of the Trust. Boaz Energy has informed the Trustee that the lender is First Capital Bank.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Trustee Administrative Fee . In 2023, the
Trust paid the Trustee $202,342 in administrative fees. In 2024, the Trustee fee will be approximately $205,031. Under the terms of the
Trust Agreement, the Trust pays an annual administrative fee of $180,000 to the Trustee, subject to annual escalation as described in
Note 6, as well as an annual fee of $4,000 paid to the Delaware Trustee.
Registration Rights Agreement . The Trust
and Boaz Energy are parties to a Registration Rights Agreement whereby Boaz Energy, its affiliates and certain permitted transferees holding
registrable Trust units are entitled, upon receipt by the Trustee of written notice from holders of a majority of the then outstanding
registrable Trust units, to demand that the Trust effect the registration of the registrable Trust units. The holders of the registrable
Trust units are entitled to demand a maximum of five such registrations. In connection with the preparation and filing of any registration
statement, Boaz Energy will bear all costs and expenses incidental to any registration statement, excluding certain internal expenses
of the Trust, which will be borne by the Trust. Any underwriting discounts and commissions will be borne by the seller of the Trust units.
The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement,
a copy of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to this Form 10-K.
Director Independence
The Trust does not have a board of directors.
Further, the Trust relies on an exemption from the director independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange set forth in Rule
10A-3(c)(7) under the Exchange Act, applicable to listed issuers organized as trusts that do not have a board of directors.
56
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The Trust does not have an audit committee. Any
pre-approval and approval of all services performed by the principal auditor or any other professional service firms and related fees
are granted by the Trustee.
The following table presents fees for professional
audit services rendered by Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P. for the audit of the Trust’s financial statements for 2023, 2022, and 2021
and fees billed for other services rendered by Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P.
2023
2022
2021
Audit fees (1)
$ 124,008
$ 80,000
$ 75,000
Audit-related fees
0
0
0
Tax fees
0
0
0
All other fees
0
0
0
Total fees
$ 124,008
$ 80,000
$ 75,000
_______________
(1) Fees for audit services in 2023, 2022, and 2021 consisted of the audit of the Trust’s annual financial statements and reviews
of the Trust’s quarterly financial statements.
As referenced in Item 10 above, the Trust has
no audit committee, and as a result, has no audit committee pre-approval policy with respect to fees paid to Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P.
57
PART
IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
The following documents are filed as a part of
this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
(1) Financial
Statements
Included in Part II. Item 8 of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus
Statements of Distributable Income
Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) Financial
Statement Schedules
Financial statement schedules are omitted because
of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is given in the financial statements or
notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits
The exhibits below are filed or furnished herewith
or incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit
No.
Description
of Exhibit
3.1*
Certificate of Trust of PermRock Royalty Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on April 6, 2018 (Registration No. 333-224191)).
3.2*
Trust Agreement of PermRock Royalty Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on April 6, 2018 (Registration No. 333-224191)).
3.3*
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of PermRock Royalty Trust, dated May 4, 2018, among Boaz Energy II, LLC, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Delaware Trustee of PermRock Royalty Trust, and Simmons Bank, as Trustee of PermRock Royalty Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 8, 2018 (File No. 001-38472)).
3.4*
Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of PermRock Royalty Trust, dated May 4, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on form 8-K (SEC File No 001-38472) filed on May 6, 2022).
4.1*
Description of Trust Units (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed on March 30, 2020 (File No. 001-38472)).
10.1*
Conveyance of Net Profits Interest, dated effective as of January 1, 2018, by and between Boaz Energy II, LLC and Boaz Energy II Royalty, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 8, 2018 (File No. 001-38472)).
10.2*
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2018, by and between Boaz Energy II, LLC and PermRock Royalty Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 8, 2018 (File No. 001-38472)).
23.1
Consent of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
31.1
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
97
Executive Officer Compensation Recovery Policy
99.1
Report of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
_______________
* Asterisk indicates exhibit previously filed with the SEC and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not Applicable
58
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
PERMROCK ROYALTY TRUST
By: Argent Trust Company, as Trustee
By:
Jana Egeler
Jana Egeler
VP Trust Administrator
Date: April 1, 2024
The registrant, PermRock Royalty Trust, has no principal executive
officer, principal financial officer, board of directors or persons performing similar functions. Accordingly, no additional signatures
are available, and none have been provided. In signing the report above, the Trustee does not imply that it has performed any such function
or that any such function exists pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement under which it serves.
59
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.