Pacific Coast Oil Trust Announces There Will Be No July Cash Distribution
PACIFIC COAST OIL TRUST (NYSE:ROYT) (the “Trust”) a perpetual royalty trust formed by Pacific Coast Energy Company LP (“PCEC”),
announced today that there will be no cash distribution to the holders of its units of beneficial interest of record on July 7,
2016. The Trust’s distribution calculation relates to net profits and overriding royalties generated during May 2016 as provided in
the conveyance of net profits and overriding royalty interest.
The current month’s calculation for the Developed Properties resulted in $643,000 of excess revenues over direct operating
expenses and development expenses. The current month’s revenues were $3.2 million, lease operating expenses including property
taxes were $2.3 million, and capital expenditures were $79,000. Average realized prices for the Developed Properties were $41.06
per Boe in May, as compared to $34.21 per Boe in April. The cumulative net profits deficit for the Developed Properties decreased
$643,000 in the current month and now stands at $1.1 million versus $1.7 million at the end of the prior month. There will be no
distribution from the Developed Properties until the cumulative net profits deficit has been reduced to zero.
The current month’s calculations included $39,000 for the 7.5% overriding royalty on the Remaining Properties from 33 Orcutt
Diatomite wells and seven Orcutt Field wells. Average realized prices for the Remaining Properties were $41.50 per Boe in May, as
compared to $31.63 per Boe in April. The cumulative net profits deficit on the Remaining Properties, including the 7.5% overriding
royalty payments, is now $2.1 million, $11,000 lower than the prior month.
The expected current month shortfall is $124,000, reflecting $88,000 for the monthly operating and services fee payable to PCEC
and $75,000 Trust general and administrative expenses, partially offset by $39,000 in proceeds from the 7.5% overriding royalty on
the Remaining Properties in May. The expected current month shortfall will be borrowed from PCEC in July 2016 and is expected to
increase the cumulative borrowings from PCEC to $863,000.
PCEC has agreed to loan funds to the Trust necessary to pay such expenses at an interest rate of 8.5% per annum. PCEC previously
provided the Trust with a $1 million letter of credit to be used by the Trust if its cash on hand (including available cash
reserves) is not sufficient to pay ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due. Any funds provided under the letter
of credit or loaned by PCEC may only be used for the payment of current accounts or other obligations to trade creditors in
connection with obtaining goods or services or for the payment of other accrued current liabilities arising in the ordinary course
of the Trust’s business. No distribution will be made to Trust unitholders until the indebtedness borrowed, including interest
thereon, has been paid in full.
Sales Volumes and Prices
The following table displays PCEC’s underlying sales volumes and average prices for the month of May 2016:
|
|
|
Underlying Properties |
|
|
|
Sales Volumes |
|
|
Average Price |
|
|
|
(Boe) |
|
|
(per Boe) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Developed Properties (a) |
|
|
77,199 |
|
|
$ |
41.06 |
Remaining Properties (b) |
|
|
15,995 |
|
|
$ |
41.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Crude oil sales represented 98% of sales volumes. |
(b) Crude oil sales represented 100% of sales volumes. |
|
Status of the Trust
As oil and natural gas prices continue to be depressed and as we are unable to predict future commodity prices with any greater
precision than the futures market, it appears likely that distributions to the Trust will continue to be significantly impacted.
The Trust Agreement provides that the Trust will terminate in the event that annual proceeds received by the Trust attributable to
the Conveyed Interests (as defined in the Trust Agreement), in the aggregate, are less than $2 million for each of any two
consecutive years.
Overview of Trust Structure
Pacific Coast Oil Trust is a perpetual Delaware statutory trust formed by PCEC to own interests in certain oil and gas
properties in the Santa Maria Basin and the Los Angeles Basin in California (the “Underlying Properties”). The Underlying
Properties and the Trust’s net profits and royalty interests are described in the Trust’s filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”). As described in the Trust’s filings with the SEC, the amount of any periodic distributions is expected to
fluctuate, depending on the proceeds received by the Trust as a result of actual production volumes, oil and gas prices,
development expenses, and the amount and timing of the Trust’s administrative expenses, among other factors. For additional
information on the Trust, please visit www.pacificcoastoiltrust.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains statements that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical facts, are
"forward-looking statements" for purposes of these provisions. These forward-looking statements include the amount and date of any
anticipated distribution to unitholders. The anticipated distribution is based, in part, on the amount of cash received or expected
to be received by the Trust from PCEC with respect to the relevant period. Any differences in actual cash receipts by the Trust
could affect this distributable amount. Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include
expenses of the Trust and reserves for anticipated future expenses. Statements made in this press release are qualified by the
cautionary statements made in this press release. Neither PCEC nor the Trustee intends, and neither assumes any obligation, to
update any of the statements included in this press release. An investment in units issued by Pacific Coast Oil Trust is subject to
the risks described in the Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on March 4,
2016, and if applicable, the Trust’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q reports are available over the Internet at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
Pacific Coast Oil Trust
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
Sarah Newell, 1-512-236-6555
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