# Marine Petroleum Trust: Form 10-Q for the period ended Dec 31, 2016

- Company: [Marine Petroleum Trust](/companies/marps.md) (CIK 62362)
- Form: 10-Q
- Filed: 2017-02-14
- Accepted by EDGAR: Feb 14, 2017, 11:33 ET
- Period: 2016-12-31
- Accession: 0001193125-17-042399
- Inline XBRL: no
- Main document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/62362/000119312517042399/d319240d10q.htm
- All documents and exhibits: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/62362/000119312517042399/

## Management's discussion and analysis

As filed, 20,120 characters.

### Organization

Marine Petroleum Trust (the “Trust”) is a royalty trust that was created in 1956 under the laws of the State of Texas. Southwest Bank, an independent state bank chartered under the laws of the State of Texas and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, serves as corporate trustee (the “Trustee”). The Trust’s Indenture (the “Indenture”) provides that the term of the Trust will expire on June 1, 2021, unless extended by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding units of beneficial interest. The Trust is not permitted to engage in any business activity because it was organized for the sole purpose of providing an efficient, orderly and practical means for the administration and liquidation of rights to payments from certain oil and natural gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico, pursuant to license agreements and amendments between the Trust’s predecessors and Gulf Oil Corporation (“Gulf”). As a result of various transactions that have occurred since 1956, these interests now are held by Chevron Corporation (“Chevron”) and its assignees. The Trust holds title to interests in properties that are situated offshore of Texas.

The Trust’s wholly owned subsidiary, Marine Petroleum Corporation (“MPC,” and collectively with the Trust, “Marine”), holds title to interests in properties that are situated offshore of Louisiana because at the time the

Trust was created, trusts could not hold these interests under Louisiana law. MPC is prohibited from engaging in a trade or business and only takes those actions that are necessary for the administration and liquidation of its properties.

Marine’s rights are generally referred to as overriding royalty interests in the oil and natural gas industry. An overriding royalty interest is created by an assignment by the owner of a working interest in an oil or natural gas lease. The royalty rights associated with an overriding royalty interest terminate when the underlying lease terminates. All production and marketing functions are conducted by the working interest owners of the leases. Income from overriding royalties is paid to Marine either (i) on the basis of the selling price of oil, natural gas and other minerals produced, saved or sold, or (ii) at the value at the wellhead as determined by industry standards, when the selling price does not reflect the value at the wellhead.

The Trustee assumes that some units of beneficial interest are held by middlemen, as such term is broadly defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations (and includes custodians, nominees, certain joint owners and brokers holding an interest for a customer in street name). Therefore, the Trustee considers the Trust to be a widely held fixed investment trust (“WHFIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Trust will provide tax information in accordance with applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations governing the information reporting requirements of the Trust as a WHFIT. The Trustee will provide the required information and the contact information for the Trustee is below:

Southwest Bank

2911 Turtle Creek Blvd., Suite 850

Dallas, Texas 75219

Telephone number: (855) 588-7839

Each unitholder should consult its own tax advisor for compliance with U.S. federal income tax laws and regulations.

### Liquidity and Capital Resources

As stated in the Indenture, there is no requirement for capital due to the limited purpose of the Trust. The Trust’s only obligation is to distribute the distributable income that is actually collected to unitholders. As an administrator of oil and natural gas royalty interests, the Trust collects royalties monthly, pays administrative expenses and disburses all net royalties that are collected to its unitholders each quarter, subject to the availability of distributable income on the distribution date after the payment of expenses.

The Indenture (and MPC’s charter and by-laws) expressly prohibits the operation of any kind of trade or business. The Trust’s oil and natural gas properties are depleting assets that are not being replaced due to the prohibition against investments. These restrictions, along with other factors, allow the Trust to be treated as a grantor trust. As a grantor trust, all income and deductions for state and U.S. federal income tax purposes generally flow through to each individual unitholder. The State of Texas imposes a franchise tax, but the Trust does not believe that it is subject to the franchise tax because at least 90% of its income is from passive sources. Please see Marine’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 for further information. MPC is a taxable entity that pays state and U.S. federal income taxes and state franchise taxes. However, MPC’s income specifically excludes 98% of the oil and natural gas royalties collected by MPC, which are retained by and delivered to the Trust because of the Trust’s net profits interest.

### The Leases

Marine relies on public records for information regarding drilling and workover operations. The public records available up to the date of this report indicate that there were no new well completions made during the three months ended December 31, 2016 on leases in which Marine has an interest. As of February 1, 2017, public records also indicated that there were no wells in the process of being drilled or recompleted on other leases in which Marine has an interest.

Marine holds an overriding royalty interest that is equal to three-fourths of one percent of the working interest and is calculated on the value at the well of any oil, natural gas or other minerals produced and sold from 55 leases covering 199,868 gross acres located in the Gulf of Mexico. Marine’s overriding royalty interest applies only to existing leases and does not apply to any new leases that Chevron may acquire. The Trust also owns a 32.6% interest in Tidelands Royalty Trust “B” (“Tidelands”). Tidelands has an overriding royalty interest in four oil and natural gas leases covering 17,188 gross acres in the Gulf of Mexico. As a result of this ownership, the Trust receives periodic distributions from Tidelands.

### Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

In accordance with the Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 12:E, *Financial Statements of Royalty Trusts*, Marine uses the modified cash basis method of accounting. Under this accounting method, royalty income is recorded when received, and distributions to unitholders are recorded when declared by the Trustee of the Trust. Expenses of Marine (including accounting, legal, other professional fees, trustees’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses) are recorded on an actual paid basis. Marine also reports distributable income instead of net income under the modified cash basis method of accounting. Cash reserves are permitted to be established by the Trustee for certain contingencies that would not be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

Marine did not have any changes in its critical accounting policies or estimates during the three months ended December 31, 2016. Please see Marine’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 for a detailed discussion of its critical accounting policies.

### New Accounting Pronouncements

There are no new pronouncements that are expected to have a significant impact on Marine’s financial statements.

### General

Marine’s royalty income is derived from the oil and natural gas production activities of third parties. Marine’s royalty income fluctuates from period to period based upon factors beyond Marine’s control, including, without limitation, the number of productive wells drilled and maintained on leases that are subject to Marine’s interest, the level of production over time from such wells and the prices at which the oil and natural gas from such wells are sold.

Important aspects of Marine’s operations are conducted by third parties. Marine’s royalty income is dependent on the operations of the working interest owners of the leases on which Marine has an overriding royalty interest. The oil and natural gas companies that lease tracts subject to Marine’s interests are responsible for the production and sale of oil and natural gas and the calculation of royalty payments to Marine. The only obligation of the working interest owners to Marine is to make monthly overriding royalty payments that reflect Marine’s interest in the oil and natural gas sold. Marine’s distributions are processed and paid by its transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

The volume of oil and natural gas produced and the selling prices of such oil and natural gas are the primary factors in calculating overriding royalty payments. Production is affected by the natural production decline of the producing wells, the number of new wells drilled and the number of existing wells that are re-worked and placed back in production on the leases. Production from existing wells is anticipated to decrease in the future due to normal well depletion. The operators do not provide Marine with information regarding future drilling or re-working operations that could impact the oil and natural gas production from the leases for which Marine has an overriding royalty interest.

### Summary of Operating Results

During the six months ended December 31, 2016, excluding the Trust’s interest in Tidelands, the Trust realized approximately 92% of its royalty income from the sale of oil and approximately 8% of its royalty income from the sale of natural gas. During the six months ended December 31, 2015, excluding the Trust’s interest in

Tidelands, the Trust realized approximately 83% of its royalty income from the sale of oil and approximately 17% of its royalty income from the sale of natural gas. Royalty income includes royalties from oil and natural gas received from producers. The change in ratio of oil and natural gas was due to significantly lower natural gas production in the six month period.

Distributable income per unit for the six months ended December 31, 2016 decreased to $0.15 as compared to $0.19 for the comparable period in 2015. Distributions per unit amounted to $0.13 per unit for the six months ended December 31, 2016, a decrease from distributions of $0.18 per unit for the comparable period in 2015. During the six months ended December 31, 2016, the difference between distributable income per unit and distributions per unit resulted from timing differences between the closing of the financial statements and the determination date of the distribution amount to unitholders.

For the six months ended December 31, 2016, excluding the Trust’s interest in Tidelands, oil production increased to 8,333 barrels (bbls) from 6,512 bbls and natural gas production decreased to 17,856 thousand cubic feet (mcf) from 32,034 mcf as compared to the comparable period in 2015. For the six months ended December 31, 2016, excluding the Trust’s interest in Tidelands, the average price realized for oil decreased to $44.27 per bbl as compared to the price of $58.41 realized for the comparable period in 2015 and the average price realized for natural gas (net of expenses) decreased to $1.75 per mcf as compared to the average price of $2.42 realized for the comparable period in 2015.

The following table presents the net production quantities of oil and natural gas and distributable income and distributions per unit for the last six quarters.

| Quarter Ended | Net Production Quantities (1) Oil (bbls) | Natural Gas (mcf) | Distributable Income Per Unit | Distributions Per Unit |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| September 30, 2015 | 4,019 | 16,485 | $0.13 | $0.11 |
| December 31, 2015 | 2,493 | 15,549 | $0.06 | $0.07 |
| March 31, 2016 | 4,986 | 12,046 | $0.09 | $0.09 |
| June 30, 2016 | 4,343 | 12,639 | $0.07 | $0.07 |
| September 30, 2016 | 3,941 | 9,087 | $0.09 | $0.04 |
| December 31, 2016 | 4,392 | 8,769 | $0.07 | $0.09 |

(1) Excludes the Trust’s interest in Tidelands.

### Results of Operations—Three Months Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to the Three Months Ended December 31, 2015

Income from oil and natural gas royalties, excluding the Trust’s interest in Tidelands, increased to $211,593 during the three months ended December 31, 2016 from $172,405 realized for the comparable period in 2015. Royalties increased for the three months ended December 31, 2016 primarily due to an increase in the production of oil, offset by a decrease in the price of oil and natural gas and production of natural gas, as compared to the comparable period in 2015.

Distributable income increased to $134,790 for the three months ended December 31, 2016 from $120,071 realized for the comparable period in 2015.

Income from oil royalties, excluding the Trust’s interest in Tidelands, for the three months ended December 31, 2016 increased to $194,171 from $140,330 realized for the comparable period in 2015. The volume of oil sold in the three months ended December 31, 2016 increased to 4,392 bbls from 2,493 bbls realized for the comparable period in 2015, and the average price realized for oil decreased to $44.21 per bbl for the three months ended December 31, 2016 from $56.29 per bbl realized for the comparable period in 2015.

Income from natural gas royalties (net of expenses), excluding the Trust’s interest in Tidelands, for the three months ended December 31, 2016 decreased to $17,422 from $32,075 for the comparable period in 2015. The volume of natural gas sold in the three months ended December 31, 2016 decreased to 8,769 mcf from 15,549 mcf realized for the comparable period in 2015, and the average price realized for natural gas (net of expenses) decreased to $1.99 per mcf for the three months ended December 31, 2016 from $2.09 per mcf realized for the comparable period in 2015.

Income from distributions received from Tidelands for the three months ended December 31, 2016 decreased to $106 from $23,058 for the comparable period in 2015. The decrease in distributions from Tidelands was the result of decreased production and pricing of both oil and natural gas.

The following table presents the quantities of oil and natural gas sold and the average price realized for the three months ended December 31, 2016, and those realized for the comparable period in 2015, excluding the Trust’s interest in Tidelands.

*(unaudited)*

| Oil | Three Months Ended December 31, 2016 | 2015 |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| Bbls sold | 4,392 | 2,493 |
| Average price | $44.21 | $56.29 |
| **Natural gas** |  |  |
| Mcf sold | 8,769 | 15,549 |
| Average price, net of expenses | $1.99 | $2.09 |

General and administrative expenses increased to $77,001 for the three months ended December 31, 2016 from $75,455 for the comparable period of 2015, primarily due to increased data service subscription expenses.

### Results of Operations—Six Months Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to the Six Months Ended December 31, 2015

Income from oil and natural gas royalties, excluding the Trust’s interest in Tidelands, decreased to $400,139 during the six months ended December 31, 2016 from $457,649 realized for the comparable period in 2015. Royalties decreased for the six months ended December 31, 2016 primarily due to a decrease in the price of oil and the price and production of natural gas, offset by an increase in the production of oil, as compared to the comparable period in 2015.

Distributable income decreased to $306,169 for the six months ended December 31, 2016 from $388,371 realized for the comparable period in 2015.

Income from oil royalties, excluding the Trust’s interest in Tidelands, for the six months ended December 31, 2016 decreased to $368,902 from $380,366 realized for the comparable period in 2015. The volume of oil sold in the six months ended December 31, 2016 increased to 8,333 bbls from 6,512 bbls realized for the comparable period in 2015, and the average price realized for oil decreased to $44.27 per bbl for the six months ended December 31, 2016 from $58.41 per bbl realized for the comparable period in 2015.

Income from natural gas royalties (net of expenses), excluding the Trust’s interest in Tidelands, for the six months ended December 31, 2016 decreased to $31,237 from $77,283 for the comparable period in 2015. The volume of natural gas sold in the six months ended December 31, 2016 decreased to 17,856 mcf from 32,034 mcf realized for the comparable period in 2015, and the average price realized for natural gas (net of expenses) decreased to $1.75 per mcf for the six months ended December 31, 2015 from $2.42 per mcf realized for the comparable period in 2015.

Income from distributions received from Tidelands for the six months ended December 31, 2016 decreased to $174 from $30,007 for the comparable period in 2015. The decrease in distributions from Tidelands was the result of decreased production and pricing of both oil and natural gas.

The following table presents the quantities of oil and natural gas sold and the average price realized for the six months ended December 31, 2016, and those realized for the comparable period in 2015, excluding the Trust’s interest in Tidelands.

*(unaudited)*

| Oil | Six Months Ended December 31, 2016 | 2015 |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| Bbls sold | 8,333 | 6,512 |
| Average price | $44.27 | $58.41 |
| **Natural gas** |  |  |
| Mcf sold | 17,856 | 32,034 |
| Average price, net of expenses | $1.75 | $2.42 |

General and administrative expenses decreased to $94,314 for the six months ended December 31, 2016 from $99,355 for the comparable period of 2015, primarily due to decreased printing fees and expenses.

### Forward-Looking Statements

The statements discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q regarding Marine’s future financial performance and results, and other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. This report uses the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “budget,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” or other similar words to identify forward-looking statements. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss future expectations, contain projections of Marine’s financial condition, and/or state other “forward-looking” information. Actual results may differ from expected results because of: reductions in price or demand for oil and natural gas, which might then lead to decreased production or impair Marine’s ability to make distributions; reductions in production due to the depletion of existing wells or disruptions in service, which may be caused by storm damage to production facilities, blowouts or other production accidents, or geological changes such as cratering of productive formations; changes in regulations; general economic conditions; actions and policies of petroleum-producing nations; other changes in domestic and international energy markets; the resignation of the Trustee; and the expiration, termination or release of leases subject to Marine’s interests. Additional risks are set forth in Marine’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016. Events may occur in the future that Marine is unable to accurately predict or over which it has no control. If one or more of these uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Except as required by applicable securities laws, Marine does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

### Website

Marine makes available, free of charge, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to such reports at its website at www.marps-marine.com. Each of these reports will be posted on this website as soon as reasonably practicable after such report is electronically filed with, or furnished, to the SEC.

## Market risk

As filed, 215 characters.

There has been no material change from the information provided in Marine’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, “Item 7A: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016.

## Controls and procedures

As filed, 1,569 characters.

### Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Southwest Bank, as Trustee of the Trust, is responsible for establishing and maintaining Marine’s disclosure controls and procedures. Marine’s disclosure controls and procedures include controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Marine 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. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Marine in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Trustee as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As of December 31, 2016, the Trustee carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Marine’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the Trustee concluded that Marine’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2016.

### Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in Marine’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Marine’s internal control over financial reporting.

## Risk factors

As filed, 217 characters.

As of the date of this filing, there have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the “Risk Factors” in Marine’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016.

Filed Feb 14, 2017.
Source: SEC EDGAR, the filing index for accession 0001193125-17-042399. Last ingested by Listed: Nov 14, 2026, 12:15 ET. No prices; not investment advice.