VOC Energy Trust Announces Trust Quarterly Distribution
VOC Energy Trust (NYSE: VOC) announced a distribution of $1,445,000, or $0.085 per unit, for the payment period ending September 30, 2020, payable on November 13, 2020. This follows significant challenges due to low oil prices influenced by COVID-19, leading to reduced net proceeds. For the quarter, oil sales totaled $4,795,420, with 130,203 barrels sold at an average price of $36.83 per barrel. Despite covering a previous deficit, future distributions may be substantially lower if oil prices remain depressed.
- Paid $1,445,000 to unitholders, indicating operational revenue.
- Sales volumes: 130,203 barrels of oil and 64,863 Mcf of natural gas.
- Total gross proceeds for the quarter reached $4,887,448.
- Significant decline in net proceeds due to low oil prices.
- Reduced distributions expected if commodity prices stay low.
- Previous quarter's distribution was not made due to insufficient net proceeds.
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VOC Energy Trust (NYSE: VOC) announced the Trust distribution of net profits for the third quarterly payment period ended September 30, 2020.
Unitholders of record on October 30, 2020 will receive a distribution amounting to
Volumes, average sales prices and net profits for the payment period were:
Sales volumes: |
|
||
Oil (Bbl) |
130,203 |
|
|
Natural gas (Mcf) |
64,863 |
|
|
Total (BOE) |
141,014 |
|
|
Average sales prices: |
|
||
Oil (per Bbl) |
$ |
36.83 |
|
Natural gas (per Mcf) |
$ |
1.42 |
|
Gross proceeds: |
|
|
|
Oil sales |
$ |
4,795,420 |
|
Natural gas sales |
|
92,028 |
|
Total gross proceeds |
$ |
4,887,448 |
|
Costs: |
|
|
|
Lease operating expenses |
$ |
2,316,455 |
|
Production and property taxes |
|
135,358 |
|
Development expenses |
|
557,664 |
|
Total costs |
$ |
3,009,477 |
|
Net proceeds |
$ |
1,877,971 |
|
Percentage applicable to Trust’s Net Profits Interest |
80 |
% |
|
Net profits interest |
$ |
1,502,377 |
|
Recovery of deficiency from second quarter 2020 |
|
(7,045 |
) |
Total cash proceeds available for the Trust |
$ |
1,495,332 |
|
Provision for estimated Trust expenses |
|
(50,332 |
) |
Net cash proceeds available for distribution |
$ |
1,445,000 |
|
As previously reported, there was a substantial decrease in oil prices during the first six months of 2020 due in part to significantly decreased demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and an oversupply of crude oil. Oil prices have remained low through the third quarter of 2020 and could remain low for an extended period of time, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on Trust distributions. Low oil prices and other factors reduced net proceeds to which the Trust was entitled, and there were not sufficient net proceeds for VOC Energy Trust to make a payment for the scheduled quarterly distribution in August 2020 to unitholders of record on July 30, 2020. VOC Brazos Energy Partners L.P. applied funds from the reserve for future expenditures to cover the Trust deficit. For the quarter ended September 30, 2020, gross proceeds exceed quarterly costs and the reserve account is being replenished. The Trustee will withhold an additional minimal amount and use cash reserves from the provision for estimated Trust expenses provided in the first quarter distribution to pay current Trust administrative expenses. If commodity prices for crude oil remain at reduced levels, subsequent distributions in 2021 will be substantially lower than historical distributions, and in certain periods there may be no distribution to unitholders.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Although VOC Brazos Energy Partners, L.P. has advised the Trust that VOC Brazos Energy Partners, L.P. believes that the expectations contained in this press release are reasonable, no assurances can be given that such expectations will prove to be correct. The announced distributable amount is based on the amount of cash received or expected to be received by the Trustee from the underlying properties on or prior to the record date with respect to the quarter ended September 30, 2020. Any differences in actual cash receipts by the Trust could affect this distributable amount. Other important factors that could cause these statements to differ materially include the actual results of drilling operations, risks inherent in drilling and production of oil and gas properties, the ability of commodity purchasers to make payment, the effect, impact, potential duration or other implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dispute over production levels between Russia and the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, including Saudi Arabia, and other risk factors described in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements made in this press release are qualified by the cautionary statements made in these risk factors. The Trust does not intend, and assumes no obligations, to update any of the statements included in this press release.
