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Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

Form 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

 

x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

 

OR

 

o         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: 001-35508

 


 

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST II

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware

 

30-0709968

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

 

The Bank of New York Mellon

Trust Company, N.A., Trustee

919 Congress Avenue, Suite 500

Austin, Texas

 

78701

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(512) 236-6531

 

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: Not applicable

 


 

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 x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

o

 

Accelerated filer

x

Non-accelerated filer

o(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Smaller reporting company

o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No x

 

As of October 31, 2014, 37,293,750 Common Units and 12,431,250 Subordinated Units of Beneficial Interest in SandRidge Mississippian Trust II were outstanding.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST II

FORM 10-Q

Quarter Ended September 30, 2014

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

4

 

Statements of Assets and Trust Corpus

4

 

Statements of Distributable Income

5

 

Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus

6

 

Notes to Financial Statements

7

ITEM 2.

Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

13

ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

20

ITEM 4.

Controls and Procedures

20

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

Legal Proceedings

21

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

21

ITEM 6.

Exhibits

21

 

All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Trust” refer to SandRidge Mississippian Trust II. References to “SandRidge” refer to SandRidge Energy, Inc., and where the context requires, its subsidiaries. The royalty interests conveyed by SandRidge from its interests in certain properties in the Mississippian formation in northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas and held by the Trust are referred to as the “Royalty Interests.”

 

2



Table of Contents

 

DISCLOSURES REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”) includes “forward-looking statements” about the Trust, SandRidge and other matters discussed herein that are subject to risks and uncertainties within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this document, including, without limitation, statements under “Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 2 of Part I and elsewhere herein regarding the Trust’s or SandRidge’s plans and objectives for future operations, information regarding target distributions and statements regarding the number of development wells to be completed in future periods, are forward-looking statements. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as “estimate,” “target,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “potential,” “could,” “may,” “foresee,” “plan,” “goal,” “should,” “intend” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the risk factors discussed in Item 1A of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”), which could affect the future results of the energy industry in general, and the Trust and SandRidge 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 SandRidge’s business or the Trust’s results. 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.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

PART I. Financial Information

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

 

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST II

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND TRUST CORPUS

(In thousands, except unit data)

 

 

 

September 30,
2014

 

December 31,
2013

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2,234

 

$

2,236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in royalty interests

 

467,146

 

467,146

 

Less: accumulated amortization

 

(97,809

)

(72,816

)

Net investment in royalty interests

 

369,337

 

394,330

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

371,571

 

$

396,566

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRUST CORPUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust corpus, 37,293,750 common units and 12,431,250 subordinated units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

 

$

371,571

 

$

396,566

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST II

STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME

(In thousands, except unit and per unit data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalty income

 

$

20,076

 

$

33,430

 

$

66,672

 

$

84,965

 

Derivative settlements, net

 

(542

)

2,827

 

1,210

 

9,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

19,534

 

36,257

 

67,882

 

94,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post-production expenses

 

722

 

1,060

 

2,290

 

2,978

 

Property taxes

 

 

 

369

 

250

 

Production taxes

 

319

 

560

 

953

 

1,336

 

Trust administrative expenses

 

239

 

310

 

1,147

 

1,096

 

Cash reserves withheld for current Trust expenses, net of amounts used

 

236

 

400

 

60

 

751

 

Total expenses

 

1,516

 

2,330

 

4,819

 

6,411

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributable income available to unitholders

 

18,018

 

33,927

 

63,063

 

87,964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributable income per common unit (37,293,750 units issued and outstanding)

 

$

0.483

 

$

0.682

 

$

1.603

 

$

1.768

 

Distributable income per subordinated unit (12,431,250 units issued and outstanding)

 

$

0.000

 

$

0.682

 

$

0.264

 

$

1.768

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

5



Table of Contents

 

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST II

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Trust corpus, beginning of period

 

$

396,566

 

$

438,011

 

Amortization of investment in royalty interests

 

(24,993

)

(32,504

)

Net cash reserves withheld

 

60

 

751

 

Distributable income

 

63,063

 

87,964

 

Distributions paid or payable to unitholders

 

(63,125

)

(88,190

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust corpus, end of period

 

$

371,571

 

$

406,032

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST II

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. Organization of Trust

 

SandRidge Mississippian Trust II (the “Trust”) is a statutory trust formed under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act pursuant to a trust agreement, as amended and restated, by and among SandRidge Energy, Inc. (“SandRidge”), as Trustor, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (the “Trustee”), and The Corporation Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee (the “Delaware Trustee”).

 

The Trust holds Royalty Interests in specified oil and natural gas properties located in the Mississippian formation in Alfalfa, Grant, Kay, Noble and Woods counties in northern Oklahoma and Barber, Comanche, Harper and Sumner counties in southern Kansas (the “Underlying Properties”). The Royalty Interests were conveyed by SandRidge to the Trust concurrent with the initial public offering of the Trust’s common units in April 2012. As consideration for conveyance of the Royalty Interests, the Trust remitted the proceeds of the offering, along with 7,393,750 Trust common units and 12,431,250 Trust subordinated units, to certain wholly owned subsidiaries of SandRidge. At September 30, 2014, SandRidge owned 6,243,750 Trust common units and 12,431,250 Trust subordinated units, or approximately 37.6% of all Trust units.

 

The Royalty Interests entitle the Trust to receive 80% of the proceeds (after deducting post-production costs and any applicable taxes) from the sale of oil, natural gas liquids (“NGL”) and natural gas production attributable to SandRidge’s net revenue interest in 54 wells producing at December 31, 2011 and 13 additional wells awaiting completion at that time (together, the “Initial Wells”), and 70% of the proceeds (after deducting post-production costs and any applicable taxes) from the sale of oil, NGL and natural gas production attributable to SandRidge’s net revenue interest in 206 horizontal oil and natural gas development wells to be drilled (the “Trust Development Wells”) within an area of mutual interest (“AMI”) beginning January 1, 2012, the effective date of the conveyance.

 

As specified in the development agreement executed by the Trust with SandRidge (see Note 4), SandRidge is credited for having drilled one full Trust Development Well if the well is drilled and perforated for completion with a perforated length between 3,500 feet and 4,500 feet within the Mississippian formation and SandRidge’s net revenue interest in the well is equal to 47.4%. SandRidge receives proportional credit for Trust Development Wells if the perforated length is less than 3,500 feet or greater than 4,500 feet, or if SandRidge’s net revenue interest is less than or greater than 47.4%. Accordingly, the actual number of wells required to be drilled may increase or decrease in proportion to SandRidge’s net revenue interest and the perforated length of each well. At September 30, 2014, the Trust’s properties consisted of Royalty Interests in (a) the Initial Wells, (b) 166 additional wells (equivalent to approximately 197 Trust Development Wells under the development agreement as described in Note 4) that were drilled and perforated for completion between December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2014, and (c) the equivalent of approximately 9 Trust Development Wells to be drilled within the AMI.

 

The Trust makes quarterly cash distributions of substantially all of its cash receipts, after deducting amounts for the Trust’s administrative expenses, property tax and cash reserves withheld by the Trustee, on or about 60 days following the completion of each quarter. Due to the timing of the payment of production proceeds to the Trust, each distribution covers production from a three-month period consisting of the first two months of the most recently ended quarter and the final month of the quarter preceding it.

 

The common and subordinated units have identical rights and privileges, except with respect to their rights to receive distributions. The subordinated units, all of which are held by SandRidge, constitute 25% of the Trust units issued and outstanding. The subordinated units are entitled to receive pro rata distributions from the Trust each quarter if and to the extent there is sufficient cash to provide a cash distribution on the common units that is no less than 80% of the target distribution for the corresponding quarter (“Subordination Threshold”). If there is not sufficient cash to fund such a distribution on all of the common units, the distribution made with respect to the subordinated units is reduced or eliminated for such quarter in order to make a distribution, to the extent possible, of up to the Subordination Threshold amount on all of the common units. In exchange for agreeing to subordinate a portion of its Trust units, and in order to provide additional financial incentive to SandRidge to satisfy its drilling obligation, SandRidge is entitled to receive incentive distributions equal to 50% of the amount by which the cash available for distribution on all of the Trust units in any quarter exceeds 120% of the target distribution for such quarter (“Incentive Threshold”). On the day following the end of the fourth full calendar quarter subsequent to SandRidge’s satisfaction of its drilling obligation, the subordinated units will automatically convert into common units on a one-for-one basis and SandRidge’s right to receive incentive distributions in respect of subsequent periods will terminate. Distributions made to common units in respect of subsequent periods will no longer have the benefit of the Subordination Threshold or be subject to the Incentive Threshold, and all Trust unitholders will share on a pro rata basis in the Trust’s distributions.

 

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Table of Contents

 

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST II

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

(Unaudited)

 

2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Accounting. The financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) as the Trust records revenues when cash is received (rather than when earned) and expenses when paid (rather than when incurred) and may also establish cash reserves for contingencies, which would not be accrued in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. This comprehensive basis of accounting other than GAAP corresponds to the accounting permitted for royalty trusts by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as specified by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 12:E, Financial Statements of Royalty Trusts. Amortization of investment in royalty interests, calculated on a unit-of-production basis, and any impairments are charged directly to trust corpus. Distributions to unitholders are recorded when declared.

 

Significant Accounting Policies. Most accounting pronouncements apply to entities whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which may require such entities to accrue or defer revenues and expenses in a period other than when such revenues are received or expenses are paid. Because the Trust’s financial statements are prepared on the modified cash basis as described above, most accounting pronouncements are not applicable to the Trust’s financial statements.

 

The Trust is treated for federal and applicable state income tax purposes as a partnership. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no U.S. federal income tax liability. With respect to state taxation, a partnership is typically treated in the same manner as it is for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Distributable Income Per Common and Subordinated Unit. The Trust calculates distributable income per common and subordinated unit using the two-class method. In accordance with this method, undistributed earnings in the accompanying unaudited statements of distributable income have been allocated to the common and subordinated units based upon the subordinated units’ contractual participation rights as if all of the distributable income for the periods presented had been distributed. Distributable income per common and subordinated unit in the accompanying unaudited statements of distributable income differ. Distributable income per unit amounts as calculated for the periods presented in the accompanying unaudited statements of distributable income may differ from declared distribution amounts per unit due to the timing of the Trust’s receipt or payment of settlements on the novated derivative contracts. See discussion of the Trust’s derivative contracts at Note 4. After the conversion of the Trust’s subordinated units to common units and payment of the distribution in respect of the fourth full calendar quarter subsequent to SandRidge’s satisfaction of its drilling obligation, all unitholders will share on a pro rata basis in the Trust’s distributable income.

 

Interim Financial Statements. The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies stated in the audited financial statements contained in the 2013 Form 10-K and reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of the Trustee, necessary to state fairly the information in the Trust’s unaudited interim financial statements. The accompanying statement of assets and trust corpus as of December 31, 2013 has been derived from audited financial statements. The unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2013 Form 10-K.

 

3. Distributions to Unitholders

 

The Trust makes quarterly cash distributions of substantially all of its cash receipts, after deducting amounts for the Trust’s administrative expenses, property tax and cash reserves withheld by the Trustee, on or about 60 days following the completion of each quarter. Distributions cover a three-month production period. See Note 6 for discussion of the Trust’s quarterly distribution to be paid in November 2014. A summary of the Trust’s distributions to unitholders during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013 is as follows:

 

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Table of Contents

 

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST II

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Covered

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution

 

Distribution Per Unit

 

 

 

Production Period

 

Date Declared

 

Date Paid

 

Paid

 

Common

 

Subordinated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Calendar Quarter 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

September 1, 2013 – November 30, 2013

 

January 30, 2014

 

February 28, 2014

 

$

24.2

 

$

0.568

 

$

0.239

 

Second Quarter

 

December 1, 2013 – February 28, 2014

 

April 24, 2014

 

May 30, 2014

 

$

20.8

 

$

0.559

 

$

0.000

 

Third Quarter

 

March 1, 2014 – May 31, 2014

 

July 31, 2014

 

August 29, 2014

 

$

18.1

 

$

0.486

 

$

0.000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Covered

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution

 

Distribution Per Unit

 

 

 

Production Period

 

Date Declared

 

Date Paid

 

Paid

 

Common

 

Subordinated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Calendar Quarter 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

September 1, 2012 – November 30, 2012

 

January 31, 2013

 

March 1, 2013

 

$

26.5

 

$

0.533

 

$

0.533

 

Second Quarter

 

December 1, 2012 – February 28, 2013

 

April 25, 2013

 

May 30, 2013

 

$

27.8

 

$

0.558

 

$

0.558

 

Third Quarter

 

March 1, 2013 – May 31, 2013

 

July 25, 2013

 

August 29, 2013

 

$

34.0

 

$

0.683

 

$

0.683

 

Fourth Quarter

 

June 1, 2013 – August 31, 2013

 

October 24, 2013

 

November 29, 2013

 

$

26.4

 

$

0.536

 

$

0.514

 

 

4. Related Party Transactions

 

Trustee Administrative Fee. Under the terms of the trust agreement, the Trust pays an annual administrative fee of $150,000 to the Trustee, which will be adjusted for inflation by no more than 3% in any year beginning in January 2018. The Trustee’s administrative fees paid during each of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, totaled approximately $38,000. The Trustee’s administrative fees paid during each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, totaled approximately $113,000.

 

Registration Rights Agreement. The Trust is party to a registration rights agreement pursuant to which the Trust has agreed to register the offering of the Trust units held by SandRidge and certain of its affiliates and permitted transferees upon request by SandRidge. The holders have the right to require the Trust to file no more than five registration statements in aggregate. The Trust does not bear any expenses associated with such transactions.

 

Development Agreement. The Trust is party to a development agreement with SandRidge that obligates SandRidge to drill, or cause to be drilled, the Trust Development Wells by December 31, 2016. Additionally, SandRidge agreed not to drill and complete, or allow another person within its control to drill and complete, any other well in the AMI other than the Trust Development Wells until SandRidge has fulfilled its drilling obligation.

 

A wholly owned subsidiary of SandRidge granted to the Trust a lien (“Drilling Support Lien”) covering its interest in the AMI (except its interest in the Initial Wells) in order to secure the estimated amount of the drilling costs for the Trust’s interests in the undeveloped Underlying Properties. The initial amount recoverable by the Trust pursuant to the Drilling Support Lien could not exceed approximately $269.1 million, subject to adjustment as described below. Subsequent to the drilling of 103 Trust Development Wells, the total amount that may be recovered has been reduced proportionately as each of the remaining Trust Development Wells has been drilled. If SandRidge does not fulfill its drilling obligation by December 31, 2016, the Trust may foreclose on any remaining interest in the AMI that is subject to the Drilling Support Lien. Any amounts actually recovered in a foreclosure action would be applied to the completion of SandRidge’s drilling obligation and would not result in a distribution to the Trust’s unitholders. As of September 30, 2014, SandRidge had drilled and perforated for completion approximately 197 equivalent Trust Development Wells and, accordingly, the maximum amount potentially recoverable under the Drilling Support Lien had been reduced to approximately $23.1 million.

 

Administrative Services Agreement. The Trust is party to an administrative services agreement with SandRidge that obligates the Trust to pay SandRidge an annual administrative services fee for accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and informational services to be performed by SandRidge on behalf of the Trust. Additionally, the administrative services agreement designates SandRidge as the Trust’s hedge manager, pursuant to which SandRidge has authority to administer the derivative contracts underlying the derivatives agreement (described below), and, on behalf of the Trust, to administer the Trust’s derivative contracts with unaffiliated third parties. For its services under the administrative services agreement, SandRidge receives an annual fee of $300,000, which is payable in equal quarterly installments and will remain fixed for the life of the Trust. SandRidge is also entitled to receive reimbursement for its out-of-

 

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Table of Contents

 

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST II

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

(Unaudited)

 

pocket fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of any of the services under this agreement. The administrative services agreement will terminate on the earliest to occur of: (i) the date the Trust shall have dissolved and commenced winding up in accordance with the trust agreement, (ii) the date that all of the Royalty Interests have been terminated or are no longer held by the Trust, (iii) pertaining to services to be provided with respect to any Underlying Properties transferred by SandRidge, the date that either SandRidge or the Trustee may designate by delivering 90-days’ prior written notice, provided that SandRidge’s drilling obligation has been completed and the transferee of such Underlying Properties assumes responsibility to perform the services in place of SandRidge and (iv) a date mutually agreed to by SandRidge and the Trustee. During each of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Trust paid administrative fees to SandRidge equal to $75,000. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Trust paid administrative fees to SandRidge equal to $300,000 and $225,000, respectively.

 

Derivatives Agreement. The Trust is party to a derivatives agreement with SandRidge that provides the Trust with the economic effect of certain derivative contracts previously entered into by SandRidge with third parties. Under the derivatives agreement, SandRidge pays the Trust amounts it receives from its counterparties and the Trust pays SandRidge any amounts that SandRidge is required to pay such counterparties. Substantially concurrent with the execution of the derivatives agreement, SandRidge novated certain of the derivative contracts underlying the derivatives agreement to the Trust. As a party to these contracts, the Trust receives payment directly from the counterparties, and is required to pay any amounts owed directly to the counterparties. To secure its obligations under these novated contracts, the Trust entered into a collateral agency agreement and granted the counterparties a lien on the Royalty Interests. Under the collateral agency agreement, the Trust pays a $15,000 annual fee to the collateral agent. Under the derivatives agreement, as Trust Development Wells are drilled, SandRidge has the right, under certain circumstances, to assign or novate to the Trust additional derivative contracts. The Trust’s derivative contracts consist of fixed price swaps. SandRidge novated certain additional portions of the derivative contracts underlying the derivatives agreement to the Trust effective April 1, 2013, under which the Trust receives a fixed price and pays a floating price over specified periods for contracted volumes. During April 2014, the Trust, in accordance with the derivatives agreement, amended certain of its open contracts to better align the terms of its derivative contracts with the timing of expected future production. The amended contracts are for a total volume of approximately 274 MBbls during calendar 2015 at a weighted average fixed price of $90.30 per barrel compared to a total volume of approximately 211 MBbls for the period from April 2014 to December 2014 at a weighted average fixed price of $99.00 in the original contract. The Trust did not pay any amount in conjunction with the amendments.

 

The following tables present, as of September 30, 2014, the notional amount and weighted average fixed price of the open contracts underlying the derivatives agreement and the contracts that have been novated to the Trust. The combined volume in the tables below reflects the total volume of oil derivative contracts for the Trust.

 

Oil Contracts Underlying the Derivatives Agreement

 

 

 

Notional
(MBbl)

 

Weighted Avg.
Fixed Price

 

October 2014 — December 2014

 

71

 

$

99.00

 

January 2015 — December 2015

 

274

 

$

90.30

 

 

Oil Contracts Underlying the Derivatives Agreement and Novated to the Trust

 

 

 

Notional
(MBbl)

 

Weighted Avg.
Fixed Price

 

October 2014 — December 2014

 

85

 

$

99.00

 

 

5. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Loan Commitment. Pursuant to the trust agreement, if at any time the Trust’s cash on hand (including available cash reserves) is not sufficient to pay the Trust’s ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due, SandRidge will, at the Trustee’s request, loan funds to the Trust necessary to pay such expenses. Any funds loaned by SandRidge pursuant to this commitment will be limited to the payment of current accounts payable or other obligations to trade creditors in connection with obtaining goods or services or the payment of other accrued current liabilities arising in the ordinary course of the Trust’s business, and may not be used to satisfy Trust indebtedness, or to make distributions. If SandRidge loans funds pursuant to this commitment, unless SandRidge agrees otherwise, no further distributions will be made to unitholders (except in respect of any previously determined quarterly cash distribution amount) until such loan is repaid. Any such loan will be on an unsecured basis, and the terms of such loan will be substantially the same as those which would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction between SandRidge and an unaffiliated third party. There was no such loan outstanding with SandRidge at September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

 

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SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST II

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

(Unaudited)

 

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 overall oil and natural gas production and inventories in relevant markets, 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. The Trust’s derivative arrangements serve to mitigate a portion of the effect of this price volatility through December 31, 2015. See Note 4 for a discussion of the Trust’s open oil commodity derivative contracts.

 

Legal Proceedings. The Trust has been named as an additional defendant in a putative class action against SandRidge and others as described below.

 

On December 5, 2012, James Glitz and Rodger A. Thornberry, on behalf of themselves and all other similarly situated stockholders, filed a putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma against SandRidge and certain current and former executive officers of SandRidge. On January 4, 2013, Louis Carbone, on behalf of himself and all other similarly situated stockholders, filed a substantially similar putative class action complaint in the same court and against the same defendants. On March 6, 2013, the court consolidated these two actions under the caption “In re SandRidge Energy, Inc. Securities Litigation” (the “Securities Litigation”) and appointed a lead plaintiff and lead counsel.

 

On July 23, 2013 the lead plaintiff filed a consolidated amended complaint, in which the Trust was named as an additional defendant.  The Consolidated Amended Complaint asserts a variety of federal securities claims against the Trust and SandRidge and certain of its current and former officers and directors, among other defendants, on behalf of a putative class of (a) purchasers of SandRidge common stock during the period from February 24, 2011 to November 8, 2012, (b) purchasers of common units of SandRidge Mississippian Trust I in or traceable to its initial public offering on or about April 12, 2011, and (c) purchasers of common units of the Trust in or traceable to its initial public offering on or about April 23, 2012.  The claims are based on allegations that SandRidge and certain of its current and former officers and directors, among other defendants, including the Trust with respect to certain of the allegations, are responsible for making false and misleading statements, and omitting material information, concerning a variety of subjects, including oil and gas reserves, SandRidge’s capital expenditures, and certain transactions entered into by companies allegedly affiliated with SandRidge’s former CEO Tom Ward.  The plaintiffs seek class certification, an order rescinding the Trust’s initial public offering and an unspecified amount of damages, plus interest, attorneys’ fees and costs. The complaint was corrected by way of a Corrected Consolidated Amended Complaint filed on July 30, 2013.

 

The Trust and SandRidge each filed a Motion to Dismiss the claims asserted against the Trust in the Corrected Consolidated Amended Complaint.

 

Regardless of the outcome of the litigation, the Trust may incur expenses in defending the litigation, and any such expenses may increase the Trust’s administrative expenses significantly.  However, the Trust is entitled to contractual indemnification covering reasonable costs of investigation and attorney’s fees and expenses that the Trust believes will be applicable. The Trust will estimate and provide for potential losses that may arise out of litigation to the extent that such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment will be required in making any such estimates and any final liabilities of the Trust may ultimately be materially different than any estimates. The Trust is currently unable to assess the probability of loss or estimate a range of any potential loss the Trust may incur in connection with the Securities Litigation, and has not established any reserves relating to the Securities Litigation.  The Trust may withhold estimated amounts from future distributions to cover future costs associated with the litigation if determined necessary. The Trust has not yet fully analyzed any rights it may have to indemnities that may be applicable or any claims it may make in connection with the Securities Litigation.

 

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SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST II

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

(Unaudited)

 

6. Subsequent Events

 

Distribution to Unitholders. On October 30, 2014, the Trust declared a cash distribution of $0.402 per common unit covering production for the three-month period from June 1, 2014 to August 31, 2014 for record holders as of November 14, 2014. The distribution will be paid on or about November 28, 2014. Distributable income for June 1, 2014 to August 31, 2014 was calculated as follows (in thousands, except for unit and per unit amounts):

 

Revenues

 

 

 

Royalty income

 

$

16,503

 

Derivative settlements, net

 

(340

)

Total revenues

 

16,163

 

Expenses

 

 

 

Post-production expenses

 

569

 

Production taxes

 

270

 

Cash reserves withheld by Trustee(1)

 

335

 

Total expenses

 

1,174

 

Distributable income available to unitholders

 

$

14,989

 

Distributable income per common unit (37,293,750 units issued and outstanding)

 

$

0.402

 

Distributable income per subordinated unit (12,431,250 units issued and outstanding)

 

$

0.000

 

 


(1)               Includes amounts withheld for payment of future Trust administrative expenses.

 

Because income available for distribution on the Trust common units was $0.402 per unit, which was below the Subordination Threshold of $0.600 for the period, no distribution will be paid to subordinated units for the period.

 

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ITEM 2. Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Introduction

 

The following discussion and analysis is intended to help the reader understand the Trust’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Trust’s unaudited financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report and the Trust’s audited financial statements and the accompanying notes included in the 2013 Form 10-K.

 

Overview

 

The Trust is a statutory trust created under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. The business and affairs of the Trust are administered by the Trustee and, as necessary, the Delaware Trustee. The Trust’s purpose is to hold the Royalty Interests, to distribute to the Trust unitholders cash that the Trust receives in respect of the Royalty Interests and the Trust’s derivative contracts (described in Note 4 to the unaudited financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report) and to perform certain administrative functions in respect of the Royalty Interests and the Trust units. Other than the foregoing activities, the Trust does not conduct any operations or activities. The Trustee has no involvement with, control or authority over, or responsibility for, any aspect of the operations on or relating to the properties in which the Trust has an interest. The Trust derives all or substantially all of its income and cash flow from the Royalty Interests and the Trust’s derivative contracts. The Trust is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

 

Properties. As of September 30, 2014, the Trust’s properties consisted of Royalty Interests in (a) the Initial Wells, (b) 166 additional wells (equivalent to approximately 197 Trust Development Wells under the development agreement as described below) that were drilled and perforated for completion between December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2014, and (c) the equivalent of approximately 9 Trust Development Wells to be drilled within an AMI consisting of approximately 49,600 gross acres (39,000 net acres) in northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas.

 

SandRidge is obligated to drill, or cause to be drilled, the Trust Development Wells on or before December 31, 2016. SandRidge is not permitted to drill and complete any well within the AMI for its own account until it has satisfied the drilling obligation to the Trust. SandRidge has granted to the Trust a lien covering its interest in the AMI (except its interest in the Initial Wells) in order to secure the estimated amount of the drilling costs for the Trust’s interests in the undeveloped Underlying Properties. Subsequent to the drilling of 103 Trust Development Wells, the total amount that may be recovered has been reduced proportionately as each of the remaining Trust Development Wells has been drilled. At September 30, 2014, the amount potentially recoverable under the lien was approximately $23.1 million.

 

The Trust is not responsible for any costs related to the drilling of the Trust Development Wells or any other operating or capital costs related to the Underlying Properties. The following table presents the number of Initial Wells, Trust Development Wells drilled and Trust Development Wells to be drilled as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

 

 

 

Initial Wells

 

Trust
Development
Wells Drilled(1)

 

Trust
Development
Wells To Be
Drilled

 

Total

 

September 30, 2014

 

67

 

197

 

9

 

273

 

December 31, 2013

 

67

 

184

 

22

 

273

 

 


(1)                     SandRidge is credited for having drilled one full Trust Development Well if a well is drilled and perforated for completion with a perforated length between 3,500 feet and 4,500 feet within the Mississippian formation and SandRidge’s net revenue interest in the well is equal to 47.4%. For wells with a perforated length of less than 3,500 feet or greater than 4,500 feet and for wells in which SandRidge has a net revenue interest greater or less than 47.4%, SandRidge receives proportionate credit for such well.

 

Distributions. The Trust makes quarterly cash distributions of substantially all of its cash receipts, after deducting amounts for the Trust’s administrative expenses, property tax and cash reserves withheld by the Trustee, on or about 60 days following the completion of each quarter. The Trust’s subordinated units are entitled to receive pro rata distributions from the Trust each quarter if and to the extent there is sufficient cash to provide a cash distribution on the common units that is at least equal to the Subordination Threshold. If there is not sufficient cash to fund such a distribution on all of the common units (including the common units SandRidge owns), the distribution made with respect to the subordinated units is reduced or eliminated for such quarter in order to make a distribution, to the extent possible, to all of the common units (including the common units held by SandRidge) up to the Subordination Threshold. However, there is no minimum distribution. If the cash available for distribution on all of the Trust units in any quarter exceeds the Incentive Threshold for the corresponding quarter, SandRidge, as holder of the Trust’s subordinated units, is entitled to 50% of the amount by which the cash available for distribution exceeds the Incentive Threshold.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table sets forth the approximate Subordination Threshold and Incentive Threshold for each remaining calendar quarter through the fourth quarter of 2017, as set out in the trust agreement.

 

Period(1)

 

Subordination
Threshold(2)

 

Incentive
Threshold(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

Third quarter (3)

 

$

0.60

 

$

0.90

 

Fourth quarter

 

0.58

 

0.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter

 

0.63

 

0.95

 

Second quarter

 

0.64

 

0.97

 

Third quarter

 

0.64

 

0.96

 

Fourth quarter

 

0.64

 

0.96

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter

 

0.67

 

1.00

 

Second quarter

 

0.64

 

0.96

 

Third quarter

 

0.58

 

0.87

 

Fourth quarter

 

0.54

 

0.81

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter

 

0.51

 

0.77

 

Second quarter

 

0.48

 

0.73

 

Third quarter

 

0.46

 

0.69

 

Fourth quarter

 

0.44

 

0.66

 

 


(1)         Due to the timing of the payment of production proceeds to the Trust, each distribution covers production from a three-month period consisting of the first two months of the most recently ended quarter and the final month of the quarter preceding it.

(2)         The subordination period will terminate and the subordinated units will automatically convert into common units on a one-for-one basis after the fourth full calendar quarter following SandRidge’s completion of its drilling obligation, at which point the units will no longer be subject to the Subordination Threshold or have the benefit of the Incentive Threshold. Amounts have been rounded to two decimal places and are presented as set forth in the trust agreement. Actual distributions are declared and paid based upon a calculation carried out to three decimal places.

(3)         A distribution of $0.402 per common unit was declared on October 30, 2014 and is expected to be paid on or about November 28, 2014. Because income available for distribution on the Trust common units was $0.402 per unit, which was below the Subordination Threshold of $0.600 for the period, no distribution will be paid to the subordinated units for the period.  See Note 6 to the financial statements contained in Item 1 of this report for further discussion.

 

Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 1446, withholding tax on income effectively connected to a United States trade or business allocated to foreign partners should be made at the highest marginal rate. Under IRC Section 1441, withholding tax on fixed, determinable, annual, periodic income from United States sources allocated to foreign partners should be made at 30% of gross income unless the rate is reduced by treaty. This is intended to be a qualified notice to nominees and brokers as provided for under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b) by the Trust, and while specific relief is not specified for IRC Section 1441 income, this disclosure is intended to suffice. Nominees and brokers should withhold at the highest marginal rate, currently 39.6% for individuals, on the distribution made to foreign partners.

 

Litigation. As described in more detail in Item 1 of Part II, Legal Proceedings, the Trust has been named as an additional defendant in a putative class action against SandRidge and others.  Regardless of the outcome of the litigation, the Trust may incur expenses in defending the litigation, and any such expenses may increase the Trust’s administrative expenses significantly.  However, the Trust is entitled to contractual indemnification covering reasonable costs of investigation and attorney’s fees and expenses that the Trust believes will be applicable.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Results of Trust Operations

 

The primary factors affecting the Trust’s revenues and costs are the quantity of oil and natural gas production attributable to the Royalty Interests, the prices received for such production and amounts paid or received as net settlements under the derivatives agreement. Royalty income, post-production expenses, certain taxes and derivative settlements are recorded on a cash basis when net revenue distributions are received by the Trust from SandRidge and net derivative settlements are received from or paid to the Trust’s derivative counterparties. Information regarding the Trust’s production, pricing and costs for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is presented below.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2014(1)

 

2013(2)

 

2014(3)

 

2013(4)

 

Production Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (MBbls)(5)

 

155

 

306

 

541

 

768

 

Natural gas (MMcf)

 

1,423

 

2,073

 

4,588

 

5,533

 

Combined equivalent volumes (MBoe)

 

392

 

651

 

1,306

 

1,690

 

Average daily combined equivalent volumes (MBoe/d)

 

4.3

 

7.1

 

4.8

 

6.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial and Trust Development Wells producing - average

 

236

 

198

 

232

 

175

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalty income

 

$

20,076

 

$

33,430

 

$

66,672

 

$

84,965

 

Derivative settlements

 

(542

)

2,827

 

1,210

 

9,410

 

Total revenue

 

$

19,534

 

$

36,257

 

$

67,882

 

$

94,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post-production expenses

 

$

722

 

$

1,060

 

$

2,290

 

$

2,978

 

Property taxes

 

 

 

369

 

250

 

Production taxes

 

319

 

560

 

953

 

1,336

 

Trust administrative expenses

 

239

 

310

 

1,147

 

1,096

 

Cash reserves withheld for current Trust expenses, net of amounts used

 

236

 

400

 

60

 

751

 

Total expenses

 

$

1,516

 

$

2,330

 

$

4,819

 

$

6,411

 

Distributable income available to unitholders

 

$

18,018

 

$

33,927

 

$

63,063

 

$

87,964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (per Bbl)(5)

 

$

85.72

 

$

82.63

 

$

86.58

 

$

84.43

 

Natural gas (per Mcf)

 

$

4.77

 

$

3.95

 

$

4.32

 

$

3.64

 

Combined equivalent (per Boe)

 

$

51.18

 

$

51.35

 

$

51.06

 

$

50.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Prices — including impact of derivative settlements and post-production expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (per Bbl)(5)(6)

 

$

83.02

 

$

91.97

 

$

88.98

 

$

96.99

 

Natural gas (per Mcf)

 

$

4.26

 

$

3.44

 

$

3.82

 

$

3.11

 

Combined equivalent (per Boe)

 

$

48.28

 

$

54.10

 

$

50.30

 

$

54.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses (per Boe)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post-production

 

$

1.84

 

$

1.63

 

$

1.75

 

$

1.76

 

Production taxes

 

$

0.81

 

$

0.86

 

$

0.73

 

$

0.79

 

 

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(1)         Production volumes and related revenues and expenses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 (included in SandRidge’s August 2014 net revenue distribution to the Trust) represent oil and natural gas production from March 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014.

(2)         Production volumes and related revenues and expenses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 (included in SandRidge’s August 2013 net revenue distribution to the Trust) represent oil and natural gas production from March 1, 2013 to May 31, 2013.

(3)         Production volumes and related revenues and expenses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 (included in SandRidge’s February 2014, May 2014 and August 2014  net revenue distributions to the Trust) represent oil and natural gas production from September 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014.

(4)         Production volumes and related revenues and expenses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 (included in SandRidge’s March 2013, May 2013 and August 2013  net revenue distributions to the Trust) represent oil and natural gas production from September 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013.

(5)         Includes NGLs, which comprised approximately 9% and 5% of total production in the three-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 8% and 3% of total production in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

(6)         Includes impact of derivative settlements attributable to production from March 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 and from March 1, 2013 to May 31, 2013 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013. Includes impact of derivative settlements attributable to production from September 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 and from September 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013.

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

Revenues

 

Royalty Income. Royalty income received during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 totaled $20.1 million compared to $33.4 million received during the three-month period ended September 30, 2013. Royalty income is a function of production volumes sold attributable to the Royalty Interests and associated prices received. The decrease in royalty income was primarily attributable to the decrease in total production resulting from natural declines in production from the Initial Wells and Trust Development Wells. Royalty income received during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 was based upon production attributable to the Royalty Interests of 155 MBbls of oil and 1,423 MMcf of natural gas, or 392 MBoe of combined production, for the period from March 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014. Royalty income received during the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 was based upon production attributable to the Royalty Interests of 306 MBbls of oil and 2,073 MMcf of natural gas, or 651 MBoe of combined production, for the period from March 1, 2013 to May 31, 2013.

 

Derivative Settlements. The Trust’s derivatives agreement with SandRidge reduces the Trust’s exposure to commodity price volatility attributable to a portion of production from the Royalty Interests through December 31, 2015, including the effects of amendments executed in May 2014, by the use of oil fixed price swaps. In general, cash is received on settlements of contracts due to lower commodity prices at the time of settlement compared to the contract price for the Trust’s derivative contracts, and cash is paid on settlement of contracts due to higher commodity prices at the time of settlement compared to the contract price for the Trust’s derivative contracts. Net cash settlements paid related to the Trust’s derivatives during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 were approximately $542,000, and included (i) approximately $205,000 paid related to the conveyed contracts for production attributable to the Royalty Interests from March 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014, (ii) approximately $165,000 paid to the counterparty to the novated contracts for production attributable to the Royalty Interests from April 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014 and (iii) approximately $172,000 paid to the counterparty to the novated contracts for June 2014 production. Total net derivative settlements paid by the Trust for production from March 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014 were $418,000, including the impact of $48,000 paid in May 2014 to the counterparty to the novated contracts for March 2014 production, which effectively decreased the average price received for oil production for the related period by $2.70 per Bbl to $83.02 per Bbl. Derivative settlements paid during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014  related to June 2014 production will reduce the Trust’s November 2014 quarterly distribution. Net cash settlements received related to the Trust’s derivatives during the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 were approximately $2.8 million, and included (i) approximately $1.4 million received related to the conveyed contracts for production attributable to the Royalty Interests from March 1, 2013 to May 31, 2013, (ii) approximately $1.0 million received from the counterparty to the novated contracts for production attributable to the Royalty Interests from April 1, 2013 to May 31, 2013 and (iii) approximately $0.4 million received from the counterparty to the novated contracts for June 2013 production. Total net derivative settlements received by the Trust for production from March 1, 2013 to May 31, 2013 were $2.8 million, including $0.4 million received in May 2013 from the counterparty to the novated contracts for March 2013 production, which effectively increased the average price received for oil production for the related period by $9.34 per Bbl to $91.97 per Bbl.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Expenses

 

Post-Production Expenses. The Trust bears post-production expenses attributable to production from the Royalty Interests. Post-production expenses generally consist of costs incurred to gather, store, compress, transport, process, treat, dehydrate and market the oil and natural gas produced. Post-production expenses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 decreased to approximately $0.7 million from approximately $1.1 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 as a result of decreased total production in the 2014 period.

 

Production Taxes. Production taxes are calculated as a percentage of oil and natural gas revenues, excluding the effects of derivative settlements and net of any applicable tax credits. Production taxes for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 totaled approximately $0.3 million, or $0.81 per Boe, and were approximately 1.6% of royalty income. Production taxes for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 totaled approximately $0.6 million, or $0.86 per Boe, and were approximately 1.7% of royalty income.

 

Trust Administrative Expenses. Trust administrative expenses generally consist of fees paid to the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, administrative services fees paid to SandRidge, tax return and related form preparation fees, legal and accounting fees, and other expenses incurred as a result of being a publicly traded entity. Trust administrative expenses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 totaled approximately $0.2 million compared to approximately $0.3 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013. The Trust paid its 2014 Oklahoma franchise tax of approximately $20,000 during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014. There were no amounts paid for Oklahoma franchise tax during the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 due to a moratorium on Oklahoma franchise tax for the periods from July 1, 2010 through July 1, 2013 that was reinstated for the reporting period from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

 

Distributable Income

 

Distributable income for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014  was $18.0 million, which included a net addition to the cash reserve for payment of future Trust expenses of approximately $236,000 (approximately $475,000 withheld from the August 2014 cash distribution to unitholders partially offset by approximately $239,000 used to pay Trust expenses during the period ). Distributable income for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 was $33.9 million, which included a net addition to the cash reserve for payment of future Trust expenses of approximately $400,000 (approximately $710,000 withheld from the August 2013 cash distribution to unitholders partially offset by approximately $310,000 used to pay Trust expenses during the period).

 

Distributions to Common and Subordinated Unitholders. Holders of Trust common units received greater distributions than the holder of Trust subordinated units during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 as a result of the Trust’s subordination provisions. Because income available for distribution on all Trust units for the August 2014 distribution was below the Subordination Threshold, no distributions were paid to the subordinated unitholder for that period. As a result of the subordination provisions, holders of common units received approximately $4.5 million more in distributions for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 than such holders would have received had the subordination provisions not existed. Holders of Trust common and subordinated units received equal distributions during the three-month period ended September 30, 2013

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

Revenues

 

Royalty Income. Royalty income received during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 totaled $66.7 million compared to $85.0 million received during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. The decrease in royalty income was primarily attributable to the decrease in combined equivalent volumes produced resulting from natural declines in production from the Initial Wells and Trust Development Wells. The net revenue distributions from SandRidge received by the Trust during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 included royalty income attributable to production for the nine-month period from September 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014 of 541 MBbls of oil and 4,588 MMcf of natural gas, or 1,306 MBoe of combined production. The net revenue distributions from SandRidge received by the Trust during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 included royalty income attributable to production for the nine-month period from September 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013 of 768 MBbls of oil and 5,533 MMcf of natural gas, or 1,690 MBoe of combined production. The decrease in total production was slightly offset by increases in the average prices received for oil and natural gas production, excluding the impact of derivative settlements and post-production expenses. The average price received for oil increased to $86.58 per Bbl during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 from $84.43 per Bbl during the same period in 2013, while the average price received for natural gas increased to $4.32 per Mcf during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 from $3.64 per Mcf during the same period in 2013.

 

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Derivative Settlements. Net cash settlements received related to the Trust’s derivatives during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 were approximately $1.2 million, and included (i) approximately $0.8 million received related to the conveyed contracts for production attributable to the Royalty Interests from September 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014, (ii) approximately $0.6 million received from the counterparty to the novated contracts for production attributable to the Royalty Interests from October 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014 and (iii) approximately $0.2 million paid to the counterparty to the novated contracts for June 2014 production. Total net derivative settlements received by the Trust for production from September 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014 were $1.3 million, including the impact of $0.1 million paid in November 2013 to the counterparty to the novated contracts for September 2013 production, which effectively increased the average price received for oil production for the related period by $2.40 per Bbl to $88.98 per Bbl.  Net cash settlements received related to the Trust’s derivatives during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 were approximately $9.4 million, and included (i) approximately $4.1 million received related to the conveyed contracts for production attributable to the Royalty Interests from September 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013, (ii) approximately $4.9 million received from the counterparty to the novated contracts for production attributable to the Royalty Interests from October 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013 and (iii) approximately $0.4 million received from the counterparty to the novated contracts for June 2013 production. Total net derivative settlements received by the Trust for production from September 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013 were $9.6 million, including $0.6 million received in November 2012 from the counterparty to the novated contracts for September 2012 production, which effectively increased the average price received for oil production for the related period by $12.56 per Bbl to $96.99 per Bbl.

 

Expenses

 

Post-Production Expenses. Post-production expenses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 decreased to approximately $2.3 million from approximately $3.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 as a result of decreased total production in the 2014 period.

 

Property Taxes. Property taxes paid during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 totaled approximately $0.4 million compared to approximately $0.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013.

 

Production Taxes. Production taxes for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 totaled approximately $1.0 million, or $0.73 per Boe, and were approximately 1.4% of royalty income. Production taxes for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 totaled approximately $1.3 million, or $0.79 per Boe, and were approximately 1.6% of royalty income.

 

Trust Administrative Expenses. Trust administrative expenses for each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, totaled approximately $1.1 million.

 

Distributable Income

 

Distributable income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 was $63.1 million, which included a net addition to the cash reserve for payment of future Trust expenses of approximately $0.1 million (approximately $1.6 million withheld from the March 2014, May 2014 and August 2014 cash distributions to unitholders partially offset by approximately $1.5 million used to pay Trust expenses during the period ). Distributable income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 was $88.0 million, which included a net addition to the cash reserve for payment of future Trust expenses of approximately $0.8 million (approximately $2.1 million withheld from the March 2013, May 2013 and August 2013 cash distributions to unitholders partially offset by approximately $1.3 million used to pay Trust expenses during the period).

 

Distributions to Common and Subordinated Unitholders. Holders of Trust common units received greater distributions than the holder of Trust subordinated units during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 as a result of the Trust’s subordination provisions. Because income available for distribution on all Trust units for the related quarterly periods was below the Subordination Threshold, reduced distributions were paid to the subordinated unitholder for that period. As a result of the subordination provisions, holders of common units received approximately $12.8 million more in distributions for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 than such holders would have received had the subordination provisions not existed. Holders of Trust common and subordinated units received equal distributions during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Trust’s principal sources of liquidity and capital are cash flow generated from the Royalty Interests and the Trust’s derivative contracts, and borrowings to fund administrative expenses, including any amounts borrowed under SandRidge’s loan commitment described in Note 5 to the financial statements contained in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report. The Trust’s primary uses of cash are distributions to Trust unitholders, including, if applicable, incentive distributions to SandRidge during the subordination period, payment of amounts owed under the Trust’s derivatives contracts, payment of Trust administrative expenses, including any reserves established by the Trustee for future liabilities, payment of applicable taxes and payment of expense reimbursements to SandRidge for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Trust. The incentive distribution provisions will terminate concurrently with the subordination provisions. Under the conveyances granting the Royalty Interests, the Trust does not have any capital requirements related to drilling wells or any other operating and capital costs related to the wells.

 

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Administrative expenses include payments to the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee as well as a quarterly fee of $75,000 to SandRidge pursuant to an administrative services agreement. Each quarter, the Trustee determines the amount of funds available for distribution. Available funds are the excess cash, if any, received by the Trust from the sale of oil and natural gas production attributable to the Royalty Interests that quarter over the Trust’s expenses for the quarter, subject in all cases to the subordination and incentive provisions. If at any time the Trust’s cash on hand (including available cash reserves) is not sufficient to pay the Trust’s ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due, the Trust may borrow funds from the Trustee or other lenders, including SandRidge, to pay such expenses. The Trustee does not intend to lend funds to the Trust. If such funds are borrowed, no further distributions will be made to unitholders (except in respect of any previously determined quarterly distribution amount) until the borrowed funds have been repaid, except that if SandRidge loans such funds, SandRidge may permit the Trust to make distributions prior to SandRidge being repaid. There was no such loan outstanding at September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

 

Under the derivatives agreement, SandRidge pays the Trust amounts it receives from its counterparties and the Trust pays SandRidge any amounts that SandRidge is required to pay such counterparties. Additionally, the Trust receives payment directly from its counterparties to the contracts novated to the Trust by SandRidge and is required to pay any amounts owed under those contracts directly to the counterparties. Payments by the Trust to SandRidge or the counterparties to the novated contracts reduce, and could eliminate, distributions paid to unitholders.

 

2014 Trust Distributions to Unitholders. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Trust’s distributions to unitholders were as follows:

 

 

 

Covered Production
Period

 

Date Declared

 

Date Paid

 

Total
Distribution Paid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Calendar Quarter 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

September 1, 2013 – November 30, 2013

 

January 30, 2014

 

February 28, 2014

 

$

24.2

 

Second Quarter

 

December 1, 2013 – February 28, 2014

 

April 24, 2014

 

May 30, 2014

 

$

20.8

 

Third Quarter

 

March 1, 2014 — May 31, 2014

 

July 31, 2014

 

August 29, 2014

 

$

18.1

 

 

Future Trust Distributions to Unitholders. During the three-month production period from June 1, 2014 to August 31, 2014, total sales volumes were lower than initial Trust estimates and lower than the previous production period. This was primarily related to well performance and fewer development wells added during the period compared to the previous period. During the production period, NGL sales volumes were higher than in previous periods as a result of a contractual change to the gathering agreement. On October 30, 2014, the Trust declared a cash distribution of $0.402 per common unit covering production for the period for record unitholders as of November 14, 2014. The distribution will be paid on or about November 28, 2014 and was calculated as follows (in thousands, except for unit and per unit amounts):

 

Revenues

 

 

 

Royalty income

 

$

16,503

 

Derivative settlements, net

 

(340

)

Total revenues

 

16,163

 

Expenses

 

 

 

Post-production expenses

 

569

 

Production taxes

 

270

 

Cash reserves withheld by Trustee(1)

 

335

 

Total expenses

 

1,174

 

Distributable income available to unitholders

 

$

14,989

 

Distributable income per common unit (37,293,750 units issued and outstanding)

 

$

0.402

 

Distributable income per subordinated unit (12,431,250 units issued and outstanding)

 

$

0.000

 

 


(1)                  Includes amounts withheld for payment of future Trust administrative expenses.

 

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ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

This discussion provides information about commodity derivative contracts, the benefits and obligations of which SandRidge has passed to the Trust pursuant to a derivatives agreement. Under the derivatives agreement, SandRidge pays the Trust amounts it receives from counterparties under certain of its derivative contracts with third parties, and the Trust pays SandRidge any amounts that SandRidge is required to pay the counterparties under such derivative contracts. Concurrent with the execution of the derivatives agreement, SandRidge novated certain of the derivative contracts underlying the derivatives agreement to the Trust. As a party to these contracts, the Trust receives payment directly from the counterparties, and is required to pay any amounts owed directly to the counterparties. To secure its obligations under these novated contracts, the Trust entered into a collateral agency agreement and granted the counterparties a lien on the Royalty Interests. Under the collateral agency agreement, the Trust pays a $15,000 annual fee to the collateral agent. Under the derivatives agreement, as Trust Development Wells are drilled, SandRidge has the right, under certain circumstances, to assign or novate to the Trust additional derivative contracts. The commodity derivative contracts underlying the derivatives agreement are settled in cash and do not require the actual delivery of a commodity at settlement. Fixed price swap contracts are settled based upon New York Mercantile Exchange prices. The contracts underlying the derivatives agreement may not cover all of the future sales volumes of oil production through December 31, 2015. Except in limited circumstances involving the novation of an existing hedge, the Trust does not have the ability to enter into additional hedges. See Note 4 to the unaudited financial statements contained in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report for notional and price information of the Trust’s open oil derivative contracts. The Trust received net settlement proceeds of approximately $1.2 million and $9.4 million related to the derivatives agreement and the Trust’s derivative contracts with counterparties during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Commodity Price Risk. Because the Trust’s primary asset and source of income is the Royalty Interests, which generally entitle the Trust to receive a portion of the net proceeds from sales of oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties, the Trust’s most significant market risk relates to the prices received for oil and natural gas production. The derivative contracts described above are intended to mitigate a portion of the variability of oil prices received for the Trust’s share of production from the Underlying Properties through December 31, 2015.

 

Credit Risk. A portion of the Trust’s liquidity is concentrated in the derivative contracts described above. The use of derivative contracts, including the arrangement between the Trust and SandRidge, involves the risk that SandRidge or its counterparties or the Trust’s unaffiliated counterparties will be unable to meet their obligations under the contracts. The Trust’s counterparty under the derivatives agreement is SandRidge, whose counterparties are institutions with an “investment grade” credit rating. The counterparties to the derivative contracts novated by SandRidge to the Trust are also institutions with corporate credit ratings of at least an “investment grade” credit rating. SandRidge is not required to pay the Trust to the extent of payment defaults by SandRidge’s counterparties.

 

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

 

The Trustee conducted an evaluation of the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, the Trustee has concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust are effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. In its evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, the Trustee has relied, to the extent considered reasonable, on information provided by SandRidge.

 

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 (i) the trust agreement, (ii) the administrative services agreement, (iii) the development agreement and (iv) the conveyances granting the Royalty Interests, the Trustee’s disclosure controls and procedures related to the Trust necessarily rely on (A) information provided by SandRidge, including information relating to results of operations, the status of drilling of the Trust Development Wells, 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 the Royalty Interests, and (B) conclusions and reports regarding reserves by the Trust’s independent reserve engineers.

 

There were no changes in the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2014, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trustee’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 SandRidge.

 

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PART II. Other Information

 

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

 

The Trust has been named as an additional defendant in a putative class action against SandRidge Energy, Inc. (“SandRidge”) and others as described below.

 

On December 5, 2012, James Glitz and Rodger A. Thornberry, on behalf of themselves and all other similarly situated stockholders, filed a putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma against SandRidge and certain current and former executive officers of SandRidge. On January 4, 2013, Louis Carbone, on behalf of himself and all other similarly situated stockholders, filed a substantially similar putative class action complaint in the same court and against the same defendants. On March 6, 2013, the court consolidated these two actions under the caption “In re SandRidge Energy, Inc. Securities Litigation” (the “Securities Litigation”) and appointed a lead plaintiff and lead counsel.

 

On July 23, 2013 the lead plaintiff filed a consolidated amended complaint, in which the Trust was named as an additional defendant.  The Consolidated Amended Complaint asserts a variety of federal securities claims against the Trust and SandRidge and certain of its current and former officers and directors, among other defendants, on behalf of a putative class of (a) purchasers of SandRidge common stock during the period from February 24, 2011 to November 8, 2012, (b) purchasers of common units of SandRidge Mississippian Trust I in or traceable to its initial public offering on or about April 12, 2011, and (c) purchasers of common units of the Trust in or traceable to its initial public offering on or about April 23, 2012.  The claims are based on allegations that SandRidge and certain of its current and former officers and directors, among other defendants, including the Trust with respect to certain of the allegations, are responsible for making false and misleading statements, and omitting material information, concerning a variety of subjects, including oil and gas reserves, SandRidge’s capital expenditures, and certain transactions entered into by companies allegedly affiliated with SandRidge’s former CEO Tom Ward.  The plaintiffs seek class certification, an order rescinding the Trust’s initial public offering and an unspecified amount of damages, plus interest, attorneys’ fees and costs. The complaint was corrected by way of a Corrected Consolidated Amended Complaint filed on July 30, 2013.

 

The Trust and SandRidge each filed a Motion to Dismiss the claims asserted against the Trust in the Corrected Consolidated Amended Complaint.

 

Regardless of the outcome of the litigation, the Trust may incur expenses in defending the litigation, and any such expenses may increase the Trust’s administrative expenses significantly.  However, the Trust is entitled to contractual indemnification covering reasonable costs of investigation and attorney’s fees and expenses that the Trust believes will be applicable. The Trust will estimate and provide for potential losses that may arise out of litigation to the extent that such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment will be required in making any such estimates and any final liabilities of the Trust may ultimately be materially different than any estimates. The Trust is currently unable to assess the probability of loss or estimate a range of any potential loss the Trust may incur in connection with the Securities Litigation, and has not established any reserves relating to the Securities Litigation.  The Trust may withhold estimated amounts from future distributions to cover future costs associated with the litigation if determined necessary. The Trust has not yet fully analyzed any rights it may have to indemnities that may be applicable or any claims it may make in connection with the Securities Litigation.

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

 

Risk factors relating to the Trust are contained in Item 1A of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. No material change to such risk factors has occurred during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014.

 

ITEM 6. Exhibits

 

See the Exhibit Index accompanying this Quarterly Report.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A, Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael J. Ulrich

 

 

 

Michael J. Ulrich
Vice President

 

Date: November 7, 2014

 

The Registrant, SandRidge Mississippian Trust II, 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.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

Incorporated by Reference

 

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Exhibit Description

 

Form

 

SEC
File No.

 

Exhibit

 

Filing Date

 

Filed
Herewith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

Certificate of Trust of SandRidge Mississippian Trust II

 

S-1

 

333-178894

 

3.1

 

01/05/2012

 

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of SandRidge Mississippian Trust II, dated as of April 23, 2012, by and among SandRidge Energy, Inc., The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., and The Corporation Trust Company.

 

8-K

 

001-35508

 

4.1

 

04/24/2012

 

 

3.3

 

Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of SandRidge Mississippian Trust II, dated June 18, 2012, by the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

 

10-Q

 

001-35508

 

3.4

 

08/13/2012

 

 

31.1

 

Section 302 Certification

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

32.1

 

Section 906 Certification

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

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