Black Stone Minerals, L.P. (NYSE: BSM) (“Black Stone,” “BSM,” or “the Company”) today declared the distribution attributable to the second quarter of 2021. Additionally, the Company announced a new sustainability initiative and the date of its second quarter 2021 earnings call.
Common Distribution
The Board of Directors of the general partner (the “Board”) has approved a cash distribution for common units attributable to the second quarter of 2021 of $0.25 per unit. This represents an increase of approximately 43% over the common distribution paid with respect to the prior quarter. In determining the distribution level with respect to the second quarter, the Board considered a base distribution of $0.20 per unit, which it expects will be sustainable through the end of 2021, plus a special distribution of $0.05 per unit which reflects certain positive, non-recurring items in the quarter which will be discussed in greater detail in the earnings release scheduled for August 2, 2021. Distributions will be payable on August 20, 2021 to unitholders of record on August 13, 2021.
Thomas L. Carter, Jr., Black Stone Minerals’ Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, commented, “We are pleased to announce a significant distribution increase for the second quarter. The increase in our base distribution rate to $0.20 per unit was driven by the more constructive commodity price environment and the positive momentum in our core development areas. In addition, our very low debt balance allows us greater flexibility to reward our unitholders when we have positive one-time items occur in a quarter. Even with this additional $0.05 per unit special distribution we expect to have solid coverage for the quarter.
“Our improved distribution outlook extends beyond the remainder of 2021. With the uplift in our hedge prices into next year, we anticipate strong potential for further increases in the regular distribution level as we look forward to 2022.”
New Sustainability Initiative
Black Stone has created a nascent Carbon Responsibility Program and has taken first steps towards proactive measures in environmental responsibility. The Company expects to evaluate numerous alternatives in the future to be among the leaders in the mineral space in this area.
Black Stone has entered into several arrangements over the course of 2021 where the Company has granted surface use waivers on its mineral acreage in favor of solar developers. Proceeds to Black Stone from these efforts total approximately $1.1 million year-to-date. The Company plans to use a portion of these proceeds to purchase carbon credits to offset part of the CO2 emissions associated with its minerals production. Black Stone expects that the carbon credits purchased with these proceeds may more than offset the direct CO2 emissions from its Shelby Trough Angelina County 2021 royalty production.
Mr. Carter commented, “This new initiative, while modest in scale, is in recognition that we all need to do our part to lower our carbon footprint. As a minerals company, we have limited ways to directly impact emissions. This program builds on the positive environmental impact of supporting solar power generation on certain of our mineral acreage and further promotes our environmental stewardship by using those proceeds to offset emissions from one of our core areas.”
Earnings Conference Call
The Company is scheduled to release details regarding its results for the second quarter of 2021 after the close of trading on August 2, 2021. A conference call to discuss these results is scheduled for August 3, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Central time (10:00 a.m. Eastern time). The conference call will be broadcast live in listen-only mode on the company’s investor relations website at www.blackstoneminerals.com. If you would like to ask a question, the dial-in number for the conference call is 877-447-4732 for domestic participants and 615-247-0077 for international participants. The conference ID for the call is 5597384. Call participants are advised to call in 10 minutes in advance of the call start time.
A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the call through September 2, 2021, at 855-859-2056 for domestic replay and 404-537-3406 for international replay. The conference ID for the replay is 5597384.
About Black Stone Minerals, L.P.
Black Stone Minerals is one of the largest owners of oil and natural gas mineral interests in the United States. The Company owns mineral interests and royalty interests in 41 states in the continental United States. Black Stone believes its large, diversified asset base and long-lived, non-cost-bearing mineral and royalty interests provide for stable to growing production and reserves over time, allowing the majority of generated cash flow to be distributed to unitholders.
Information for Non-U.S. Investors
This press release is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b). Although a portion of Black Stone Minerals’ income may not be effectively connected income and may be subject to alternative withholding procedures, brokers and nominees should treat 100% of Black Stone Minerals’ distributions to non-U.S. investors as being attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, Black Stone Minerals’ distributions to non-U.S. investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest marginal rate, currently 37.0% for individuals.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this news release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Terminology such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “estimate,” “believe,” “target,” “continue,” “potential,” the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology often identify forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Black Stone Minerals undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after this news release. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Black Stone Minerals, which may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those summarized below:
- the Company’s ability to execute its business strategies;
- the scope and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities and other parties in response to the pandemic;
- the volatility of realized oil and natural gas prices;
- the level of production on the Company’s properties;
- overall supply and demand for oil and natural gas, as well as regional supply and demand factors, delays, or interruptions of production;
- conservation measures, technological advances, and general concern about the environmental impact of the production and use of fossil fuels;
- the Company’s ability to replace its oil and natural gas reserves;
- the Company’s ability to identify, complete, and integrate acquisitions;
- general economic, business, or industry conditions;
- competition in the oil and natural gas industry; and
- the level of drilling activity by the Company's operators, particularly in areas such as the Shelby Trough where the Company has concentrated acreage positions.
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