EX-99.1 2 d670454dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Whiting USA Trust I

Whiting USA Trust I Announces Trust Quarterly Distribution

WHITING USA TRUST I

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., Trustee

 

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Austin, Texas, February 7, 2014 – Whiting USA Trust I (NYSE Symbol – WHX) announced the first Trust distribution in 2014, which relates to net profits generated during the fourth quarterly payment period of 2013.

Unitholders of record on February 19, 2014 will receive a distribution of $0.557120 per unit, which is payable on or before March 3, 2014.

Volumes, average sales prices and net profits for the quarterly payment period were:

 

Sales volumes:

   

Oil (Bbl)(1)

      193,372   

Natural gas (Mcf)

      659,901   
  

 

 

  

Total (BOE)

      303,356   

Average sales prices:

   

Oil (per Bbl)(1)

    $ 81.30   

Natural gas (per Mcf)

    $ 3.50   

Gross proceeds:

   

Oil sales(1)

    $ 15,720,862   

Natural gas sales

      2,308,284   
  

 

 

  

Total gross proceeds

    $ 18,029,146   
  

 

 

  

Costs:

   

Lease operating expenses

    $ 7,763,527   

Production taxes

      1,339,696   

Realized gains on hedging settlements(2)

      —     
  

 

 

  

Total costs

    $ 9,103,223   
  

 

 

  
  

Net profits

    $ 8,925,923   

Percentage allocable to Trust’s Net Profits Interest

      90 % 
  

 

 

  
  

Total cash available for the Trust

    $ 8,033,331   

Provision for estimated Trust expenses

      (250,000 ) 

Montana state income taxes withheld

      (59,484 ) 
  

 

 

  

Net cash proceeds available for distribution

    $ 7,723,847   

Trust units outstanding

      13,863,889   
  

 

 

  

Cash distribution per Trust unit

    $ 0.557120   
  

 

 

  

  (1)

Oil includes natural gas liquids.

 

  (2)

All costless collar hedge contracts terminated as of December 31, 2012 (which hedging effects extended through the quarterly payment period covered by the February 2013 distribution to unitholders) and no additional hedges are allowed to be placed on the Trust assets. Consequently, for all distributions after February 2013, there will be no cash settlement gains or losses on commodity derivatives, and the Trust will have increased exposure to oil and natural gas price volatility.

The net profits interest represents the right to receive 90% of the net proceeds from Whiting Petroleum Corporation’s interests in certain existing oil and natural gas producing properties located primarily in the Rocky Mountains, Mid-Continent, Permian Basin and Gulf Coast regions of the United States.

The net profits interest will terminate when 9.11 MMBOE have been produced and sold from the underlying properties (which amount is equivalent to 8.20 MMBOE attributable to the net profits interest), and the Trust will soon thereafter wind up its affairs and terminate, after which it will pay no further distributions. As described in the Trust’s public filings, since the assets of the Trust are depleting assets, a portion of each cash distribution paid on the Trust units should be considered by investors as a return of capital, with the remainder being considered as a return on investment, and consequently the market price of the Trust units will decline to zero at termination of the Trust.

As of December 31, 2013, on a cumulative accrual basis, 7.12 MMBOE (87%) of the Trust’s total 8.20 MMBOE have been produced and sold. Based on the Trust’s reserve report for the underlying properties as of December 31, 2013, the 9.11 MMBOE of reserves (8.20 MMBOE to the 90% net profits interest) are projected to be produced from the underlying properties by March 31, 2015, shortly after which the Trust would terminate. Additionally, the year-end reserve report reflects an expected annualized decline rate of approximately 12.6% from 2014 through March 31, 2015, the estimated net profits interest termination date. However, the rate of future production cannot be predicted with certainty, and 9.11 MMBOE (8.20 MMBOE to the 90% net profits interest) may be produced before or after the currently projected date. In addition, cash distributions to unitholders may decline at a faster rate than the rate of production due to fixed and semi-variable costs attributable to the underlying properties.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including all statements made in this press release other than statements of historical fact. No assurances can be given that such statements will prove to be correct. The announced distributable amount is based, in part, on the amount of cash received or expected to be received by the Trust from Whiting Petroleum Corporation pursuant to the net profits interest with respect to the relevant quarterly 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, fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices, uncertainty of estimates of oil and natural gas reserves and production, risks inherent in the operation and production of oil and gas properties, and future production costs. Statements made in this press release are qualified by the cautionary statements made in this press release. The Trustee does not intend, and assumes no obligation, to update any of the statements included in this press release.

 

Contact:    Whiting USA Trust I
   The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
   Mary Jo Davis
   (800) 852-1422
   919 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
   http://whx.investorhq.businesswire.com/

 

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