-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, LfMr4XC3Sce0SCj91q9xKa4GJQ3rhJcLNKghHzDMEHwuBz7OnLAIskrzgnMdOA0w O01NVQPZeLfRRh6PvzuH3Q== 0000825881-98-000004.txt : 19980326 0000825881-98-000004.hdr.sgml : 19980326 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000825881-98-000004 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19971231 FILED AS OF DATE: 19980325 SROS: NONE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SOUTHWEST OIL & GAS INCOME FUND VIII-A L P CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000825881 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311] IRS NUMBER: 752220097 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-17707 FILM NUMBER: 98572743 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 407 N BIG SPRING STE 300 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 BUSINESS PHONE: 9156869927 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 407 N BIG SPRING ST STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 10-K 1 FORM 10-K SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 (Mark One) [x] Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [Fee Required] For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 OR [ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [No Fee Required] For the transition period from to Commission File Number 0-17707 Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its limited partnership agreement) Delaware 75-2220097 (State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 407 N. Big Spring, Suite 300, Midland, Texas 79701 (Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (915) 686-9927 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: limited partnership interests Indicate by check mark whether registrant (1) has filed 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 Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [x] The registrant's outstanding securities consist of Units of limited partnership interests for which there exists no established public market from which to base a calculation of aggregate market value. The total number of pages contained in this report is 45. There is no exhibit index. Table of Contents Item Page Part I 1. Business 3 2. Properties 7 3. Legal Proceedings 10 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 10 Part II 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters 11 6. Selected Financial Data 12 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 13 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 20 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 37 Part III 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 38 11. Executive Compensation 41 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 41 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 43 Part IV 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K 44 Signatures 45 Part I Item 1. Business General Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (the "Partnership" or "Registrant") was organized as a Delaware limited partnership on November 30, 1987. The offering of limited partnership interests began March 31, 1988, minimum capital requirements were met July 6, 1988 and the offering concluded March 31, 1989. The Partnership has no subsidiaries. The Partnership has expended its capital and acquired interests in producing oil and gas properties. After such acquisitions, the Partnership has produced and marketed the crude oil and natural gas produced from such properties. In most cases, the Partnership purchased working interests in oil and gas properties, with an occasional purchase of a royalty or overriding royalty interest. The Partnership purchased either all or part of the rights and obligations under various oil and gas leases. The principal executive offices of the Partnership are located at 407 N. Big Spring, Suite 300, Midland, Texas, 79701. The Managing General Partner of the Partnership, Southwest Royalties, Inc. (the "Managing General Partner") and its staff of 130 individuals, together with certain independent consultants used on an "as needed" basis, perform various services on behalf of the Partnership, including the selection of oil and gas properties and the marketing of production from such properties. H. H. Wommack, III, a stockholder, director, President and Treasurer of the Managing General Partner, is also a general partner. The Partnership has no employees. Principal Products, Marketing and Distribution The Partnership has acquired and holds working interests in oil and gas properties located in New Mexico and Texas. All activities of the Partnership are confined to the continental United States. All oil and gas produced from these properties is sold to unrelated third parties in the oil and gas business. The revenues generated from the Partnership's oil and gas activities are dependent upon the current market for oil and gas. The prices received by the Partnership for its oil and gas production depend upon numerous factors beyond the Partnership's control, including competition, economic, political and regulatory developments and competitive energy sources, and make it particularly difficult to estimate future prices of oil and natural gas. 1997 was another volatile year in the oil market. Prices ranged from a high of approximately $26 in the first quarter to a low near $18 per barrel. Two contributing factors that influence the oil industry are the strength of the economy and activity in the Middle East. Both influenced the supply and demand of oil, and both played roles in price swings this year. Economic expansion throughout the world enabled consumption to surpass 70 million barrels of oil per day. However, early in the year, producing countries failed to make up the difference in supply, placing upward pressure on prices. U.S. production fell slightly in 1997 to average roughly 6.4 million barrels of oil per day. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, OPEC agreed to increase their crude oil production ceiling by approximately 10%, but experts have said that many OPEC countries were already producing beyond their quotas, therefore, capacity is not expected to expand severely. Then on December 4th, the UN Security Council approved a renewal of the Iraqi oil-for-food program. The OPEC agreement and the UN's decision on the oil-for-food program will certainly increase the world supply of oil and most likely depress prices in the near term. However, world demand is expected to continue with strong growth in 1998. The December 31, 1997 NYMEX oil price of $17.64 dropped to $14.32 as of March 18, 1998. The price decline in the first quarter of 1998 could cause a material write down in oil and gas properties and a possible reduction in future distributions to investors. Overall the 1997 average price of natural gas increased nationwide from the 1996 rates. In some areas the increase was as high as 15%. The 1996 and 1997 average prices are by far the highest realized by the industry since 1985. The 1998 average price is expected to remain above the $2.00 per MMBTU level, however some early signs indicate that the prices will be softer in 1998 than they were in 1997. Forecasts for a mild winter and the lack of gas storage withdrawals are fueling speculation that the U.S. has an excess supply of gas thus driving the prices down to the early 1996 levels. Following is a table of the ratios of revenues received from oil and gas production for the last three years: Oil Gas 1997 84% 16% 1996 85% 15% 1995 84% 16% As the table indicates, the majority of the Partnership's revenue is from its oil production; therefore, Partnership revenues will be highly dependent upon the future prices and demands for oil. Seasonality of Business Although the demand for natural gas is highly seasonal, with higher demand in the colder winter months and in very hot summer months, the Partnership has been able to sell all of its natural gas, either through contracts in place or on the spot market at the then prevailing spot market price. As a result, the volumes sold by the Partnership have not fluctuated materially with the change of season. Customer Dependence No material portion of the Partnership's business is dependent on a single purchaser, or a very few purchasers, where the loss of one would have a material adverse impact on the Partnership. Two purchasers accounted for 66% of the Partnership's total oil and gas production during 1997: Scurlock Permian Corporation 48% and Mobil Corporation 18%. Two purchasers accounted for 69% of the Partnership's total oil and gas production during 1996: Scurlock Permian Corporation 50% and Mobil Corporation 19%. Two purchasers accounted for 66% of the Partnership's total oil and gas production during 1995: Scurlock Permian Corporation and Mobil Corporation purchased 48% and 18%, respectively. All purchasers of the Partnership's oil and gas production are unrelated third parties. In the event any of these purchasers were to discontinue purchasing the Partnership's production, the Managing General Partner believes that a substitute purchaser or purchasers could be located without undue delay. No other purchaser accounted for an amount equal to or greater than 10% of the Partnership's sales of oil and gas production. Competition Because the Partnership has utilized all of its funds available for the acquisition of interests in producing oil and gas properties, it is not subject to competition from other oil and gas property purchasers. See Item 2, Properties. Factors that may adversely affect the Partnership include delays in completing arrangements for the sale of production, availability of a market for production, rising operating costs of producing oil and gas and complying with applicable water and air pollution control statutes, increasing costs and difficulties of transportation, and marketing of competitive fuels. Moreover, domestic oil and gas must compete with imported oil and gas and with coal, atomic energy, hydroelectric power and other forms of energy. Regulation Oil and Gas Production - The production and sale of oil and gas is subject to federal and state governmental regulation in several respects, such as existing price controls on natural gas and possible price controls on crude oil, regulation of oil and gas production by state and local governmental agencies, pollution and environmental controls and various other direct and indirect regulation. Many jurisdictions have periodically imposed limitations on oil and gas production by restricting the rate of flow for oil and gas wells below their actual capacity to produce and by imposing acreage limitations for the drilling of wells. The federal government has the power to permit increases in the amount of oil imported from other countries and to impose pollution control measures. Various aspects of the Partnership's oil and gas activities are regulated by administrative agencies under statutory provisions of the states where such activities are conducted and by certain agencies of the federal government for operations on Federal leases. Moreover, certain prices at which the Partnership may sell its natural gas production are controlled by the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, the Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act of 1989 and the regulations promulgated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Environmental - The Partnership's oil and gas activities are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of materials into the environment. Governmental authorities have the power to enforce compliance with their regulations, and violations carry substantial penalties. This regulatory burden on the oil and gas industry increases its cost of doing business and consequently affects its profitability. The Managing General Partner is unable to predict what, if any, effect compliance will have on the Partnership. Industry Regulations and Guidelines - Certain industry regulations and guidelines apply to the registration, qualification and operation of oil and gas programs in the form of limited partnerships. The Partnership is subject to these guidelines which regulate and restrict transactions between the Managing General Partner and the Partnership. The Partnership complies with these guidelines and the Managing General Partner does not anticipate that continued compliance will have a material adverse effect on Partnership operations. Partnership Employees The Partnership has no employees; however, the Managing General Partner has a staff of geologists, engineers, accountants, landmen and clerical staff who engage in Partnership activities and operations and perform additional services for the Partnership as needed. In addition to the Managing General Partner's staff, the Partnership engages independent consultants such as petroleum engineers and geologists as needed. As of December 31, 1997, there were 130 individuals directly employed by the Managing General Partner in various capacities. Item 2. Properties In determining whether an interest in a particular producing property was to be acquired, the Managing General Partner considered such criteria as estimated oil and gas reserves, estimated cash flow from the sale of production, present and future prices of oil and gas, the extent of undeveloped and unproved reserves, the potential for secondary, tertiary and other enhanced recovery projects and the availability of markets. As of December 31, 1997, the Partnership possessed an interest in oil and gas properties located in Eddy and Chaves Counties of New Mexico; Borden, Cochran, Coke, Crockett, Dawson, Glasscock, Hockley, Howard, Leon, Martin, Midland, Nolan, Pecos, Reagan, Reeves, Runnels, Stonewall, Schleicher, Terry, Upton, Ward, Winkler and Yoakum Counties of Texas. These properties consist of various interests in approximately 145 wells and units. Due to the Partnership's objective of maintaining current operations without engaging in the drilling of any developmental or exploratory wells, or additional acquisitions of producing properties, there has not been any significant changes in properties during 1997, 1996 and 1995. Upon a determination by Management that they were either not profitable to own or Management received an offer that exceeded the leases reserves, the following leases were sold. During 1997, two leases were sold for approximately $40,000. The E. Vealmoor was sold effective June 1997 and the Scharbauer was sold effective November 1997. During 1996, one lease was sold for approximately $31,500. The IRT was sold effective June 1995. During 1995, five leases were sold for approximately $84,500. The XIT Unit was sold effective March 1995, the Exxon Fee was sold effective July 1995 and the Cunningham, Johnson and Bolin Wallis were sold effective November 1995. Significant Properties The following table reflects the significant properties in which the Partnership has an interest: Date Purchased No. of Proved Reserves* Name and Location and Interest Wells Oil (bbls) Gas (mcf) - ----------------- ------------ ------ ---------- ---------- Mobil Acquisition 4/89 at 5% 19 91,095 142,759 Ward and Reeves to 50% working Counties, Texas interest North American 3/89 at 50% 3 61,372 - Royalties working Yoakum County, interest Texas Ramsey/Sell 3/89 at 11% 6 65,230 15,470 Acquisition to 51% Winkler County, working Texas interest *The reserve estimates were prepared as of January 1, 1998, by Donald R. Creamer, P.E., an independent registered petroleum engineer. The reserve estimates were made in accordance with guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 4-10(a) of Regulation S- X. Such guidelines require oil and gas reserve reports be prepared under existing economic and operating conditions with no provisions for price and cost escalation except by contractual arrangements. The New York Mercantile Exchange price at December 31, 1997 of $17.64 was used as the beginning basis for the oil price. Oil price adjustments from $17.64 per barrel were made in the individual evaluations to reflect oil quality, gathering and transportation costs. The results are an average price received at the lease of $16.21 per barrel in the preparation of the reserve report as of January 1, 1998. In the determination of the gas price, the New York Mercantile Exchange price at December 31, 1997 of $2.26 was used as the beginning basis. Gas price adjustments from $2.26 per Mcf were made in the individual evaluations to reflect BTU content, gathering and transportation costs and gas processing and shrinkage. The results are an average price received at the lease of $2.50 per Mcf in the preparation of the reserve report as of January 1, 1998. As also discussed in Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, oil and gas prices were subject to frequent changes in 1997. The evaluation of oil and gas properties is not an exact science and inevitably involves a significant degree of uncertainty, particularly with respect to the quantity of oil or gas that any given property is capable of producing. Estimates of oil and gas reserves are based on available geological and engineering data, the extent and quality of which may vary in each case and, in certain instances, may prove to be inaccurate. Consequently, properties may be depleted more rapidly than the geological and engineering data have indicated. Unanticipated depletion, if it occurs, will result in lower reserves than previously estimated; thus an ultimately lower return for the Partnership. Basic changes in past reserve estimates occur annually. As new data is gathered during the subsequent year, the engineer must revise his earlier estimates. A year of new information, which is pertinent to the estimation of future recoverable volumes, is available during the subsequent year evaluation. In applying industry standards and procedures, the new data may cause the previous estimates to be revised. This revision may increase or decrease the earlier estimated volumes. Pertinent information gathered during the year may include actual production and decline rates, production from offset wells drilled to the same geologic formation, increased or decreased water production, workovers, and changes in lifting costs, among others. Accordingly, reserve estimates are often different from the quantities of oil and gas that are ultimately recovered. The Partnership has reserves which are classified as proved developed producing, proved developed non-producing and proved undeveloped. All of the proved reserves are included in the engineering reports which evaluate the Partnership's present reserves. Because the Partnership does not engage in drilling activities, the development of proved undeveloped reserves is conducted pursuant to farm- out arrangements with the Managing General Partner or unrelated third parties. Generally, the Partnership retains a carried interest such as an overriding royalty interest under the terms of a farm-out, or receives cash. The Partnership or the owners of properties in which the Partnership owns an interest can engage in workover projects or supplementary recovery projects, for example, to extract behind the pipe reserves which qualify as proved developed non-producing reserves. See Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Item 3. Legal Proceedings There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Partnership is a party. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 1997 through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise. Part II Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters Market Information Limited partnership interests, or units, in the Partnership were initially offered and sold for a price of $500. Limited partner units are not traded on any exchange and there is no public or organized trading market for them. The Managing General Partner has become aware of certain limited and sporadic transfers of units between limited partners and third parties, but has no verifiable information regarding the prices at which such units have been transferred. Further, a transferee may not become a substitute limited partner without the consent of the Managing General Partner. After completion of the Partnership's first full fiscal year of operations and each year thereafter, the Managing General Partner has offered and will continue to offer to purchase each limited partner's interest in the Partnership, at a price based on tangible assets of the Partnership, plus the present value of the future net revenues of proved oil and gas properties, minus liabilities with a risk factor discount of up to one- third which may be implemented in the sole discretion of the Managing General Partner. However, the Managing General Partner's obligation to purchase limited partner units is limited to an expenditure of an amount not in excess of 10% of the total limited partner units initially subscribed for by limited partners. In 1997, 303 limited partner units were tendered to and purchased by the Managing General Partner at an average base price of $244.03 per unit. In 1996, 161 limited partner units were tendered to and purchased by the Managing General Partner at an average base price of $124.94 per unit. In 1995, 257 limited partner units were tendered to and purchased by the Managing General Partner at an average base price of $128.62 per unit. Number of Limited Partner Interest Holders As of December 31, 1997, there were 613 holders of limited partner units in the Partnership. Distributions Pursuant to Article IV, Section 4.01 of the Partnership's Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership "Net Cash Flow" is distributed to the partners on a monthly basis. "Net Cash Flow" is defined as "the cash generated by the Partnership's investments in producing oil and gas properties, less (i) General and Administrative Costs, (ii) Operating Costs, and (iii) any reserves necessary to meet current and anticipated needs of the Partnership, as determined in the sole discretion of the Managing General Partner." During 1997, twelve monthly distributions were made totaling $646,000, with $581,400 distributed to the limited partners and $64,600 to the general partners. For the year ended December 31, 1997, distributions of $42.76 per limited partner unit were made, based upon 13,596 limited partner units outstanding. During 1996, twelve monthly distributions were made totaling $633,712, with $571,412 distributed to the limited partners and $62,300 to the general partners. For the year ended December 31, 1996, distributions of $42.03 per limited partner unit were made, based upon 13,596 limited partner units outstanding. During 1995, twelve monthly distributions were made totaling $429,924, with $391,224 distributed to the limited partners and $38,700 distributed to the general partners. For the year ended December 31, 1995, distributions of $28.77 per limited partner unit were made, based on 13,596 limited partner units outstanding. Item 6. Selected Financial Data The following selected financial data for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993 should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in Item 8: Years ended December 31, --------------------------------------------------------- 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Revenues $ 1,470,302 1,791,219 1,511,905 1,332,582 1,567,894 Net income (loss) 273,412 554,215 259,472 111,820 (942,312) Partners' share of net income (loss): General partners 50,541 67,821 41,647 29,582 35,298 Limited partners 222,871 486,394 217,825 82,238 (977,610) Limited partners' net income (loss) per unit 16.39 35.77 16.02 6.05 (71.90) Limited partners' cash distributions per unit 42.76 42.03 28.77 18.40 39.87 Total assets $ 1,310,347 1,682,520 1,762,282 1,935,208 2,099,330 Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations General The Partnership was formed to acquire interests in producing oil and gas properties, to produce and market crude oil and natural gas produced from such properties and to distribute any net proceeds from operations to the general and limited partners. Net revenues from producing oil and gas properties are not reinvested in other revenue producing assets except to the extent that producing facilities and wells are reworked or where methods are employed to improve or enable more efficient recovery of oil and gas reserves. The economic life of the Partnership thus depends on the period over which the Partnership's oil and gas reserves are economically recoverable. Increases or decreases in Partnership revenues and, therefore, distributions to partners will depend primarily on changes in the prices received for production, changes in volumes of production sold, lease operating expenses, enhanced recovery projects, offset drilling activities pursuant to farm-out arrangements and on the depletion of wells. Since wells deplete over time, production can generally be expected to decline from year to year. Well operating costs and general and administrative costs usually decrease with production declines; however, these costs may not decrease proportionately. Net income available for distribution to the limited partners is therefore expected to fluctuate in later years based on these factors. Based on current conditions, management anticipates performing workovers during the next year to enhance production. The Partnership may undergo an increase in 1998. Thereafter, the Partnership could possibly experience a normal decline of 10% to 12% per year. Results of Operations A. General Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 The following table provides certain information regarding performance factors for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996: Year Ended Percentage December 31, Increase 1997 1996 (Decrease) ---- ---- --------- Average price per barrel of oil $ 19.01 21.09 (10%) Average price per mcf of gas $ 2.55 2.75 (7%) Oil production in barrels 64,807 72,200 (10%) Gas production in mcf 91,776 96,800 (5%) Gross oil and gas revenue $1,466,0691,788,565 (18%) Net oil and gas revenue $ 609,794 785,150 (22%) Partnership distributions $ 646,000 633,712 2% Limited partner distributions $ 581,400 571,412 2% Per unit distribution to limited partners $ 42.76 42.03 2% Number of limited partner units 13,596 13,596 Revenues The Partnership's oil and gas revenues decreased to $1,466,069 from $1,788,565 for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, a decrease of 18%. The principal factors affecting the comparison of the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 are as follows: 1. The average price for a barrel of oil received by the Partnership decreased during the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to the year ended December 31, 1996 by 10%, or $2.08 per barrel, resulting in a decrease of approximately $150,200 in revenues. Oil sales represented 84% of total oil and gas sales during the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to 85% during the year ended December 31, 1996. The average price for an mcf of gas received by the Partnership decreased during the same period by 7%, or $.20 per mcf, resulting in a decrease of approximately $19,400 in revenues. The total decrease in revenues due to the change in prices received from oil and gas production is approximately $169,600. The market price for oil and gas has been extremely volatile over the past decade and management expects a certain amount of volatility to continue in the foreseeable future. 2. Oil production decreased approximately 7,400 barrels or 10% during the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to the year ended December 31, 1996, resulting in a decrease of approximately $140,500 in revenues. Gas production decreased approximately 5,000 mcf or 5% during the same period, resulting in a decrease of approximately $12,800 in revenues. The total decrease in revenues due to the change in production is approximately $153,300. The decrease is primarily the result of natural decline. Costs and Expenses Total costs and expenses decreased to $1,196,890 from $1,237,004 for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, a decrease of 3%. The decrease is the result of lower lease operating costs, general and administrative expense, offset by an increase in depletion expense. 1. Lease operating costs and production taxes were 15% lower, or approximately $147,100 less during the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to the year ended December 31, 1996. Decrease from 1996 due largely to significant cost in 1996 to re-equip a well. 2. General and administrative costs consist of independent accounting and engineering fees, computer services, postage, and Managing General Partner personnel costs. General and administrative costs decreased 1% or approximately $1,000 during the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to the year ended December 31, 1996. 3. Depletion expense increased to $232,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $124,000 for the same period in 1996. This represents a increase of 87%. Depletion is calculated using the units of revenue method of amortization based on a percentage of current period gross revenues to total future gross oil and gas revenues, as estimated by the Partnership's independent petroleum consultants. A contributing factor to the increase in depletion expense between the comparative periods was the decrease in the price of oil and gas used to determine the Partnership's reserves for January 1, 1998 as compared to 1997. Another contributing factor was due to the impact of revisions of previous estimates on reserves. Revisions of previous estimates can be attributed to the changes in production performance, oil and gas price and production costs. The impact of the revision would have increased depletion expense approximately $91,000 as of December 31, 1996. Results of Operations B. General Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 The following table provides certain information regarding performance factors for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995: Year Ended Percentage December 31, Increase 1996 1995 (Decrease) ---- ---- ---------- Average price per barrel of oil $ 21.09 16.90 25% Average price per mcf of gas $ 2.75 2.02 36% Oil production in barrels 72,200 75,400 (4%) Gas production in mcf 96,800 116,400 (17%) Gross oil and gas revenue $ 1,788,565 1,509,663 18% Net oil and gas revenue $ 785,150 526,123 49% Partnership distributions $ 633,712 429,924 47% Limited partner distributions $ 571,412 391,224 46% Per unit distribution to limited partners $ 42.03 28.77 46% Number of limited partner units 13,596 13,596 Revenues The Partnership's oil and gas revenues increased to $1,788,565 from $1,509,663 for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, an increase of 18%. The principal factors affecting the comparison of the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 are as follows: 1. The average price for a barrel of oil received by the Partnership increased during the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to the year ended December 31, 1995 by 25%, or $4.19 per barrel, resulting in an increase of approximately $315,900 in revenues. Oil sales represented 85% of total oil and gas sales during the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to 84% during the year ended December 31, 1995. The average price for an mcf of gas received by the Partnership increased during the same period by 36%, or $.73 per mcf, resulting in an increase of approximately $85,000 in revenues. The total increase in revenues due to the change in prices received from oil and gas production is approximately $400,900. The market price for oil and gas has been extremely volatile over the past decade, and management expects a certain amount of volatility to continue in the foreseeable future. 2. Oil production decreased approximately 3,200 barrels or 4% during the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to the year ended December 31, 1995, resulting in a decrease of approximately $67,500 in revenues. Gas production decreased approximately 19,600 mcf or 17% during the same period, resulting in a decrease of approximately $53,900 in revenues. The total decrease in revenues due to the change in production is approximately $121,400. The decrease is primarily a result of the sale of oil and gas properties. Costs and Expenses Total costs and expenses decreased to $1,237,004 from $1,252,433 for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, a decrease of 1%. The decrease is the result of lower general and administrative expense and depletion expense, offset by an increase in lease operating costs. 1. Lease operating costs and production taxes were 2% higher, or approximately $19,900 more during the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to the year ended December 31, 1995. 2. General and administrative costs consist of independent accounting and engineering fees, computer services, postage, and Managing General Partner personnel costs. General and administrative costs decreased 2% or approximately $2,300 during the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to the year ended December 31, 1995. 3. Depletion expense decreased to $124,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996 from $157,000 for the same period in 1995. This represents a decrease of 21%. Depletion is calculated using the units of revenue method of amortization based on a percentage of current period gross revenues to total future gross oil and gas revenues, as estimated by the Partnership's independent petroleum consultants. A contributing factor to the decline in depletion expense between the comparative periods was the increase in the price of oil and gas used to determine the Partnership's reserves for January 1, 1997 as compared to 1996. Another contributing factor was due to the impact of revisions of previous estimates on reserves. Revisions of previous estimates can be attributed to the changes in production performance, oil and gas price and production costs. The impact of the revision would have decreased depletion expense approximately $30,000 as of December 31, 1995. C. Revenue and Distribution Comparison Partnership net income for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $273,412, $554,215 and $259,472, respectively. Excluding the effects of depreciation, depletion and amortization, net income for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 would have been $505,412, $678,215 and $416,472, respectively. Correspondingly, Partnership distributions for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $646,000, $633,712 and $429,924, respectively. These differences are indicative of the changes in oil and gas prices, production and properties during 1997, 1996 and 1995. The sources for the 1997 distributions of $646,000 were oil and gas operations of approximately $591,000 and the change in oil and gas properties of approximately $1,500, with the balance from available cash on hand at the beginning of the period. The sources for the 1996 distributions of $633,712 were oil and gas operations of approximately $594,900 and property sales of approximately $71,000, offset by additions to oil and gas properties of approximately $14,500, resulting in excess cash for contingencies or subsequent distributions. The sources for the 1995 distributions of $429,924 were oil and gas operations of approximately $389,800 and property sales of approximately $88,500, offset by additions to oil and gas properties of approximately $47,400, resulting in excess cash for contingencies or subsequent distributions. Total distributions during the year ended December 31, 1997 were $646,000 of which $581,400 was distributed to the limited partners and $64,600 to the general partners. The per unit distribution to limited partners during the same period was $42.76. Total distributions during the year ended December 31, 1996 were $633,712 of which $571,412 was distributed to the limited partners and $62,300 to the general partners. The per unit distribution to limited partners during the same period was $42.03. Total distributions during the year ended December 31, 1995 were $429,924 of which $391,224 was distributed to the limited partners and $38,700 to the general partners. The per unit distribution to limited partners during the same period was $28.77. Since inception of the Partnership, cumulative monthly cash distributions of $6,856,651 have been made to the partners. As of December 31, 1997, $6,210,630 or $456.80 per limited partner unit, has been distributed to the limited partners, representing a 91% return of the capital contributed. Liquidity and Capital Resources The primary source of cash is from operations, the receipt of income from interests in oil and gas properties. The Partnership knows of no material change, nor does it anticipate any such change. The December 31, 1997 NYMEX oil price of $17.64 dropped to $14.32 as of March 18, 1998. The price decline in the first quarter of 1998 could cause a material write down in oil and gas properties and a possible reduction in future distributions to investors. Cash flows provided by operating activities were approximately $590,900 in 1997 compared to $594,900 in 1996 and approximately $389,800 in 1995. The primary source of the 1997 cash flow from operating activities was profitable operations. Cash flows provided by investing activities were approximately $1,500 in 1997 compared to $56,600 in 1996 and approximately $41,100 in 1995. The principal source of the 1997 cash flow from investing activities was the sale of oil and gas properties. Cash flows used in financing activities were approximately $646,000 in 1997 compared to $634,000 in 1996 and approximately $429,600 in 1995. The only use in financing activities was the distributions to partners. As of December 31, 1997, the Partnership had approximately $184,000 in working capital. The Managing General Partner knows of no unusual contractual commitments and believes the revenue generated from operations are adequate to meet the needs of the Partnership. Information Systems for the Year 2000 The Managing General Partner provides all data processing needs of the Partnership. The Managing General Partner has reviewed and evaluated its information systems to determine if its systems accurately process data referencing the year 2000. Primarily all necessary programming modifications to correct year 2000 referencing in the Managing General Partners internal accounting and operating systems have been made to-date. However the Managing General Partner has not completed its evaluation of its vendors and suppliers systems to determine the effect, if any, the non- compliance of such systems would have on the operation of the Managing General Partnership or the operations of the Partnership. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Index to Financial Statements Page Independent Auditors Reports 21 Balance Sheets 23 Statements of Operations 24 Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity 25 Statements of Cash Flows 26 Notes to Financial Statements 28 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT The Partners Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware Limited Partnership) We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (the "Partnership") as of December 31, 1997, and the related statement of operations, changes in partners' equity and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. as of December 31, 1997 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Midland, Texas March 18, 1998 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS To the Partners Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. Midland, Texas We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. as of December 31, 1996, and the related statements of operations, changes in partners' equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995. These financial statements are the responsibility of the partnership's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. as of December 31, 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. JOSEPH DECOSIMO AND COMPANY A Tennessee Registered Limited Liability Partnership Chattanooga, Tennessee March 14, 1997 Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Balance Sheets December 31, 1997 and 1996 1997 1996 ---- ---- Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,669 55,844 Receivable from Managing General Partner 141,933 227,459 Other receivable 40,239 - - --------- --------- Total current assets 184,841 283,303 - --------- --------- Oil and gas properties - using the full- cost method of accounting 5,406,615 5,448,326 Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization 4,281,109 4,049,109 - --------- --------- Net oil and gas properties 1,125,506 1,399,217 - --------- --------- $ 1,310,347 1,682,520 ========= ========= Liabilities and Partners' Equity Current liability - Distribution payable $ 686 271 - --------- --------- Partners' equity - General partners 10,405 24,464 Limited partners 1,299,256 1,657,785 - --------- --------- Total partners' equity 1,309,661 1,682,249 - --------- --------- $ 1,310,347 1,682,520 ========= ========= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Statements of Operations Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- Revenues Oil and gas revenue $ 1,466,069 1,788,5651,509,663 Interest 4,233 2,654 2,242 --------- - --------- --------- 1,470,302 1,791,219 1,511,905 --------- - --------- --------- Expenses Production 856,275 1,003,415 983,540 General and administrative 108,615 109,589 111,893 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 232,000 124,000 157,000 --------- - --------- --------- 1,196,890 1,237,004 1,252,433 --------- - --------- --------- Net income $ 273,412 554,215 259,472 ========= ========= ========= Net income allocated to: Managing General Partner $ 45,487 61,039 37,482 ========= ========= ========= General Partner $ 5,054 6,782 4,165 ========= ========= ========= Limited partners $ 222,871 486,394 217,825 ========= ========= ========= Per limited partner unit $ 16.39 35.77 16.02 ========= ========= ========= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 General Limited Partners Partners Total -------- -------- ----- Balance at December 31, 1994 $ 15,996 1,916,202 1,932,198 Net income 41,647 217,825 259,472 Distributions (38,700) (391,224) (429,924) ------- - --------- --------- Balance at December 31, 1995 18,943 1,742,803 1,761,746 Net income 67,821 486,394 554,215 Distribution (62,300) (571,412) (633,712) ------- - --------- --------- Balance at December 31, 1996 24,464 1,657,785 1,682,249 Net income 50,541 222,871 273,412 Distributions (64,600) (581,400) (646,000) ------- - --------- --------- Balance at December 31, 1997 $ 10,405 1,299,256 1,309,661 ======= ========= ========= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Statements of Cash Flows Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- Cash flows from operating activities: Cash received from oil and gas sales $ 1,566,614 1,692,414 1,488,831 Cash paid to Managing General Partner for administrative fees and general and administrative overhead (979,909) (1,100,155)(1,101,276) Interest received 4,233 2,654 2,242 ---------- - ---------- ---------- Net cash provided by operating activities 590,938 594,913 389,797 ---------- - ---------- ---------- Cash flows from investing activities: Additions to oil and gas properties (34,088) (14,460) (47,449) Sale of oil and gas properties 35,560 71,012 88,523 ---------- - ---------- ---------- Net cash provided by investing activities 1,472 56,552 41,074 ---------- - ---------- ---------- Cash flows used in financing activities: Distributions to partners (645,585) (633,977) (429,630) ---------- - ---------- ---------- Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (53,175) 17,488 1,241 Beginning of year 55,844 38,356 37,115 ---------- - ---------- ---------- End of year $ 2,669 55,844 38,356 ========== ========== ========== (continued) The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Statements of Cash Flows, continued Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Net income $ 273,412 554,215 259,472 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation, depletion and amortization 232,000 124,000 157,000 Decrease (increase) in receivables 100,545 (96,151) (20,873) Increase (decrease) in payables (15,019) 12,849 (5,802) ------- - ------- ------- Net cash provided by operating activities $ 590,938 549,913 389,797 ======= ======= ======= Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities: Sale of oil and gas property included in receivable from Managing General Partner $ 40,239 - 3,000 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Notes to Financial Statements 1. Organization Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. was organized under the laws of the state of Delaware on November 30, 1987, for the purpose of acquiring producing oil and gas properties and to produce and market crude oil and natural gas produced from such properties for a term of 50 years, unless terminated at an earlier date as provided for in the Partnership Agreement. The Partnership sells its oil and gas production to a variety of purchasers with the prices it receives being dependent upon the oil and gas economy. Southwest Royalties, Inc. serves as the Managing General Partner and H. H. Wommack, III, as the individual general partner. Revenues, costs and expenses are allocated as follows: Limited General Partners Partners -------- -------- Interest income on capital contributions 100% - Oil and gas sales 90% 10% All other revenues 90% 10% Organization and offering costs (1) 100% - Amortization of organization costs 100% - Syndication costs 100% - Property acquisition costs 100% - Gain/loss on property disposition 90% 10% Operating and administrative costs (2) 90% 10% Depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil and gas properties 100% - All other costs 90% 10% (1)All organization costs in excess of 3% of initial capital contributions will be paid by the Managing General Partner and will be treated as a capital contribution. The Partnership paid the Managing General Partner an amount equal to 3% of initial capital contributions for such organization costs. (2)Administrative costs in any year which exceed 2% of capital contributions shall be paid by the Managing General Partner and will be treated as a capital contribution. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Notes to Financial Statements 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Oil and Gas Properties Oil and gas properties are accounted for at cost under the full-cost method. Under this method, all productive and nonproductive costs incurred in connection with the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas reserves are capitalized. Gain or loss on the sale of oil and gas properties is not recognized unless significant oil and gas reserves are involved. The Partnership's policy for depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil and gas properties is computed under the units of revenue method. Under the units of revenue method, depreciation, depletion and amortization is computed on the basis of current gross revenues from production in relation to future gross revenues, based on current prices, from estimated production of proved oil and gas reserves. Under the units of revenue method, the Partnership computes the provision by multiplying the total unamortized cost of oil and gas properties by an overall rate determined by dividing (a) oil and gas revenues during the period by (b) the total future gross oil and gas revenues as estimated by the Partnership's independent petroleum consultants. It is reasonably possible that those estimates of anticipated future gross revenues, the remaining estimated economic life of the product, or both could be changed significantly in the near term due to the potential fluctuation of oil and gas prices or production. The depletion estimate would also be affected by this change. Should the net capitalized costs exceed the estimated present value of oil and gas reserves, discounted at 10%, such excess costs would be charged to current expense. As of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the net capitalized costs did not exceed the estimated present value of oil and gas reserves. Estimates and Uncertainties The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Syndication Costs Syndication costs are accounted for as a reduction of partnership equity. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Notes to Financial Statements 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - continued Environmental Costs The Partnership is subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws, which are constantly changing, regulate the discharge of materials into the environment and may require the Partnership to remove or mitigate the environmental effects of the disposal or release of petroleum or chemical substances at various sites. Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on their future economic benefit. Costs which improve a property as compared with the condition of the property when originally constructed or acquired and costs which prevent future environmental contamination are capitalized. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and that have no future economic benefits are expensed. Liabilities for expenditures of a non-capital nature are recorded when environmental assessment and/or remediation is probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Gas Balancing The Partnership utilizes the sales method of accounting for gas- balancing arrangements. Under this method the Partnership recognizes sales revenue on all gas sold. As of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Partnership was overproduced approximately 60 mcf of gas. Income Taxes No provision for income taxes is reflected in these financial statements, since the tax effects of the Partnership's income or loss are passed through to the individual partners. In accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes, the Partnership's tax basis in its net oil and gas properties at December 31, 1997 and 1996 is $248,114 and $231,231, respectively, more than that shown on the accompanying Balance Sheets in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Cash and Cash Equivalents For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Partnership considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Partnership maintains its cash at one financial institution. Number of Limited Partner Units As of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, there were 13,596 limited partner units outstanding held by 613 partners. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Notes to Financial Statements 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - continued Concentrations of Credit Risk The Partnership is subject to credit risk through trade receivables. Although a substantial portion of its debtors' ability to pay is dependent upon the oil and gas industry, credit risk is minimized due to a large customer base. All partnership revenues are received by the Managing General Partner and subsequently remitted to the partnership and all expenses are paid by the Managing General Partner and subsequently reimbursed by the partnership. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amount of cash and accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In June 1997, the FASB issued "Reporting Comprehensive Income," SFAS No. 130, which establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general- purpose financial statements. Specifically, this statements requires that an enterprise (i) classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in a financial statement and (ii) display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital in the equity section of a statement of financial position. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Partnership anticipates adoption of SFAS No. 130 in its year ended December 31, 1998 financial statements. Comprehensive income consists of the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from nonowner sources. Specifically, this includes net income and other comprehensive income, which is made up of certain changes in assets and liabilities that are not reported in a statement of operations but are included in the balances within a separate component of equity in a statement of financial position. Such changes include, but are not limited to, unrealized gains for marketable securities and futures contracts, foreign currency translation adjustments and minimum pension liability adjustments. Net Income (loss) per limited partnership unit The net income (loss) per limited partnership unit is calculated by using the number of outstanding limited partnership units. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Notes to Financial Statements 3. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities After completion of the Partnership's first full fiscal year of operations and each year thereafter, the Managing General Partner has offered and will continue to offer to purchase each limited partner's interest in the Partnership, at a price based on tangible assets of the Partnership, plus the present value of the future net revenues of proved oil and gas properties, minus liabilities with a risk factor discount of up to one-third which may be implemented in the sole discretion of the Managing General Partner. However, the Managing General Partner's obligation to purchase limited partner units is limited to an expenditure of an amount not in excess of 10% of the total limited partner units initially subscribed for by limited partners. The Partnership is subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations which establish standards and requirements for protection of the environment. The Partnership cannot predict the future impact of such standards and requirements, which are subject to change and can have retroactive effectiveness. The Partnership continues to monitor the status of these laws and regulations. As of December 31, 1997, the Partnership has not been fined, cited or notified of any environmental violations and management is not aware of any unasserted violations which would have a material adverse effect upon capital expenditures, earnings or the competitive position in the oil and gas industry. However, the Managing General Partner does recognize by the very nature of its business, material costs could be incurred in the near term to bring the Partnership into total compliance. The amount of such future expenditures is not reliably determinable due to several factors, including the unknown magnitude of possible contaminations, the unknown timing and extent of the corrective actions which may be required, the determination of the Partnership's liability in proportion to other responsible parties and the extent to which such expenditures are recoverable from insurance or indemnifications from prior owners of Partnership's properties. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Notes to Financial Statements 4. Related Party Transactions A significant portion of the oil and gas properties in which the Partnership has an interest are operated by and purchased from the Managing General Partner. As is usual in the industry and as provided for in the operating agreement for each respective oil and gas property in which the Partnership has an interest, the operator is paid an amount for administrative overhead attributable to operating such properties, with such amounts to Southwest Royalties, Inc. as operator approximating $149,000, $144,000 and $130,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. In addition, the Managing General Partner and certain officers and employees may have an interest in some of the properties that the Partnership also participates. Certain subsidiaries or affiliates of the Managing General Partner perform various oil field services for properties in which the Partnership owns an interest. Such services aggregated approximately $3,200, $22,000, $26,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and the Managing General Partner believes that these costs are comparable to similar charges paid by the Partnership to unrelated third parties. Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner, was paid $98,400 during 1997, 1996 and 1995 as an administrative fee for indirect general and administrative overhead expenses. Receivables from Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner, of approximately $141,933 and $227,459 are from oil and gas production, net of lease operating costs and production taxes, as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. In addition, a director and officer of the Managing General Partner is a partner in a law firm, with such firm providing legal services to the Partnership. There were no legal services provided for the year ended December 31, 1997 and approximately $100 for the year ended December 31, 1996. There were no legal services provided for the year ended December 31, 1995. 5. Major Customers No material portion of the Partnership's business is dependent on a single purchaser, or a very few purchasers, where the loss of one would have a material adverse impact on the Partnership. Two purchasers accounted for 66% of the Partnership's total oil and gas production during 1997: Scurlock Permian Corporation 48% and Mobil Corporation 18%. Two purchasers accounted for 69% of the Partnership's total oil and gas production during 1996: Scurlock Permian Corporation 50% and Mobil Corporation 19%. Two purchasers accounted for 66% of the Partnership's total oil and gas production during 1995: Scurlock Permian Corporation and Mobil Corporation purchased 48% and 18%, respectively. All purchasers of the Partnership's oil and gas production are unrelated third parties. In the event any of these purchasers were to discontinue purchasing the Partnership's production, the Managing General Partner believes that a substitute purchaser or purchasers could be located without undue delay. No other purchaser accounted for an amount equal to or greater than 10% of the Partnership's sales of oil and gas production. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Notes to Financial Statements 6. Estimated Oil and Gas Reserves (unaudited) The Partnership's interest in proved oil and gas reserves is as follows: Oil (bbls) Gas (mcf) ---------- --------- Proved developed and undeveloped reserves - January 1, 1995 673,000 923,000 Revisions of previous estimates 100,000 269,000 Production (75,000) (116,000) Sale of minerals in place (13,000) (5,000) ------- --------- December 31, 1995 685,000 1,071,000 Revisions of previous estimates 208,000 72,000 Production (72,000) (97,000) ------- --------- December 31, 1996 821,000 1,046,000 Revisions of previous estimates (384,000) (437,000) Production (65,000) (92,000) Sales of minerals in place (3,000) (8,000) ------- --------- December 31, 1997 369,000 509,000 ======= ========= Proved developed reserves - December 31, 1995 620,000 973,000 ======= ========= December 31, 1996 754,000 988,000 ======= ========= December 31, 1997 335,000 487,000 ======= ========= All of the Partnership's reserves are located within the continental United States. *The reserve estimates were prepared as of January 1, 1998, by Donald R. Creamer, P.E., an independent registered petroleum engineer. The reserve estimates were made in accordance with guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 4-10(a) of Regulation S-X. Such guidelines require oil and gas reserve reports be prepared under existing economic and operating conditions with no provisions for price and cost escalation except by contractual arrangements. The New York Mercantile Exchange price at December 31, 1997 of $17.64 was used as the beginning basis for the oil price. Oil price adjustments from $17.64 per barrel were made in the individual evaluations to reflect oil quality, gathering and transportation costs. The results are an average price received at the lease of $16.21 per barrel in the preparation of the reserve report as of January 1, 1998. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Notes to Financial Statements 6. Estimated Oil & Gas Reserves (unaudited) - continued In the determination of the gas price, the New York Mercantile Exchange price at December 31, 1997 of $2.26 was used as the beginning basis. Gas price adjustments from $2.26 per Mcf were made in the individual evaluations to reflect BTU content, gathering and transportation costs and gas processing and shrinkage. The results are an average price received at the lease of $2.50 per Mcf in the preparation of the reserve report as of January 1, 1998. The evaluation of oil and gas properties is not an exact science and inevitably involves a significant degree of uncertainty, particularly with respect to the quantity of oil or gas that any given property is capable of producing. Estimates of oil and gas reserves are based on available geological and engineering data, the extent and quality of which may vary in each case and, in certain instances, may prove to be inaccurate. Consequently, properties may be depleted more rapidly than the geological and engineering data have indicated. Unanticipated depletion, if it occurs, will result in lower reserves than previously estimated; thus an ultimately lower return for the Partnership. Basic changes in past reserve estimates occur annually. As new data is gathered during the subsequent year, the engineer must revise his earlier estimates. A year of new information, which is pertinent to the estimation of future recoverable volumes, is available during the subsequent year evaluation. In applying industry standards and procedures, the new data may cause the previous estimates to be revised. This revision may increase or decrease the earlier estimated volumes. Pertinent information gathered during the year may include actual production and decline rates, production from offset wells drilled to the same geologic formation, increased or decreased water production, workovers, and changes in lifting costs, among others. Accordingly, reserve estimates are often different from the quantities of oil and gas that are ultimately recovered. The Partnership has reserves which are classified as proved developed producing, proved developed non-producing and proved undeveloped. All of the proved reserves are included in the engineering reports which evaluate the Partnership's present reserves. Because the Partnership does not engage in drilling activities, the development of proved undeveloped reserves is conducted pursuant to farm-out arrangements with the Managing General Partner or unrelated third parties. Generally, the Partnership retains a carried interest such as an overriding royalty interest under the terms of a farm-out, or receives cash. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (a Delaware limited partnership) Notes to Financial Statements 6. Estimated Oil & Gas Reserves (unaudited) - continued The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 is presented below: 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- Future cash inflows $ 7,257,000 24,209,000 15,195,000 Production and development costs 4,820,000 13,068,000 8,901,000 ---------- ---------- ---------- Future net cash flows 2,437,000 11,141,000 6,294,000 10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows 780,000 4,214,000 2,397,000 ---------- ---------- ---------- Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows $ 1,657,000 6,927,000 3,897,000 ========== ========== ========== The principal sources of change in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 are as follows: 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- Sales of oil and gas produced, net of production costs $ (610,000)(1,220,000) (881,000) Changes in prices and production costs (3,699,000) 3,329,000 772,000 Changes of production rates (timing) and others 49,000 112,000 (754,000) Sales of minerals in place (27,000) - (36,000) Revisions of previous quantities estimates (1,676,000) 208,000 929,000 Accretion of discount 693,000 601,000 357,000 Discounted future net cash flows - Beginning of year 6,927,000 3,897,000 3,510,000 ---------- --------- --------- End of year $ 1,657,000 6,927,000 3,897,000 ========== ========= ========= Future net cash flows were computed using year-end prices and costs that related to existing proved oil and gas reserves in which the Partnership has mineral interests. Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure On June 9, 1997 Southwest Royalties, Inc. the Partnership's Managing General Partner (Southwest Royalties, Inc.) dismissed Joseph Decosimo and Company as the Partnership's independent accountants. The Managing General Partner's Board of Directors approved the decision to change the Partnership's independent accountants. The reports of Joseph Decosimo and Company on the financial statements for the past two fiscal years contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle. In connection with its audits for the two most recent fiscal years and through June 9, 1997, there have been no disagreements with Joseph Decosimo and Company on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statements disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of Joseph Decosimo and Company would have caused them to make reference thereto in their report on the financial statements for such years. The Registrant has requested that Joseph Decosimo and Company furnish it with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not is agrees with the above statements. A copy of that letter is included as Exhibit 16 and has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Part III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant Management of the Partnership is provided by Southwest Royalties, Inc., as Managing General Partner. The names, ages, offices, positions and length of service of the directors and executive officers of Southwest Royalties, Inc. are set forth below. Each director and executive officer serves for a term of one year. The present directors of the Managing General Partner have served in their capacity since the Company's formation in 1983. Name Age Position - -------------------- --- ----------------------------------- - ------- H. H. Wommack, III 42 Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer and Director H. Allen Corey 43 Secretary and Director Bill E. Coggin 44 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Phillip F. Hock, Jr. 54 Vice President, Exploration Jon P. Tate 40 Vice President, Land and Assistant Secretary Joel D. Talley 36 Vice President, Acquisitions and Exploitation Manager R. Douglas Keathley 42 Vice President, Operations J. Steven Person 39 Vice President, Marketing H. H. Wommack, III, is Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer, principal stockholder and a director of the Managing General Partner, and has served as its President since the Company's organization in August, 1983. Prior to the formation of the Company, Mr. Wommack was a self-employed independent oil producer engaged in the purchase and sale of royalty and working interests in oil and gas leases, and the drilling of exploratory and developmental oil and gas wells. Mr. Wommack holds a J.D. degree from the University of Texas from which he graduated in 1980, and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina in 1977. H. Allen Corey, a founder of the Managing General Partner, has served as the Managing General Partner's secretary and a director since its inception. Mr. Corey is President of Trolley Barn Brewery, Inc., a brew pub restaurant chain based in the Southeast. Prior to his involvement with Trolley Barn, Mr. Corey was a partner at the law firm of Miller & Martin in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is currently of counsel to the law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell, with the offices in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mr. Corey received a J.D. degree from the Vanderbilt University Law School and B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Bill E. Coggin, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has been with the Managing General Partner since 1985. Mr. Coggin was Controller for Rod Ric Corporation of Midland, Texas, an oil and gas drilling company, during the latter part of 1984. He was Controller for C.F. Lawrence & Associates, Inc., an independent oil and gas operator also of Midland, Texas during the early part of 1984. Mr. Coggin taught public school for four years prior to his business experience. Mr. Coggin received a B.S. in Education and a B.B.A. in Accounting from Angelo State University. Phillip F. Hock, Jr., Vice President, Exploration, assumed his responsibilities with the Managing General Partner as a geologist in November 1993. Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Hock was employed four (4) years by Ramco Oil and Gas as Exploitation Manager (1989- 1993), Robinson Brothers Drilling Company as Exploration Manager (1980- 1984), and as petroleum geologist by several companies throughout his career, Magic Circle Oil and Gas (1988-1989), Reading and Bates Petroleum Company (1984-1988), and Exxon (1971-1980). Mr. Hock received a B. S. in Geology from Morehead State University and a M. S. in Geology form the University of New Mexico. Jon P. Tate, Vice President, Land and Assistant Secretary, assumed his responsibilities with the Managing General Partner in 1989. Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Tate was employed by C.F. Lawrence & Associates, Inc., an independent oil and gas company, as Land Manager from 1981 through 1989. Mr. Tate is a member of the Permian Basin Landman's Association and received his B.B.S. degree from Hardin-Simmons University. Joel D. Talley, Vice President, Acquisitions and Exploitation Manager, assumed his responsibilities with the Managing General Partner on July 15, 1996. Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Talley was employed for four (4) years by Merit Energy Company as Acquisitions Manager and then as Region Manager over West Texas, New Mexico and Wyoming (1992- 1996) and eight (8) years by ARCO Oil & Gas Company in various engineering positions (1984-1992). Mr. Talley received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1984 from Texas A&M University. R. Douglas Keathley, Vice President, Operations, assumed his responsibilities with the Managing General Partner as a Production Engineer in October, 1992. Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Keathley was employed for four (4) years by ARCO Oil & Gas Company as senior drilling engineer working in all phases of well production (1988- 1992), eight (8) years by Reading & Bates Petroleum Company as senior petroleum engineer responsible for drilling (1980-1988) and two (2) years by Tenneco Oil Company as drilling engineer responsible for all phases of drilling (1978-1980). Mr. Keathley received his B.S. in Petroleum Engineering in 1977 from the University of Oklahoma. J. Steven Person, Vice President, Marketing, assumed his responsibilities with the Managing General Partner as National Marketing Director in 1989. Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Person served as Vice President of Marketing for CRI, Inc., and was associated with Capital Financial Group and Dean Witter (1983). He received a B.B.A. from Baylor University in 1982 and an M.D.A. from Houston Baptist University in 1987. Key Employees Accounting and Administrative Officer - Debbie A. Brock, age 45, assumed her position with the Managing General Partner in 1991. Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Ms. Brock was employed with Western Container Corporation as Accounting Manager (1982-1990), Synthetic Industries (Texas), Inc. as Accounting Manager (1976-1982) and held various accounting positions in the manufacturing industry (1971-1975). Ms. Brock received a B.B.A. from the University of Houston. Controller - Robert A. Langford, age 48, assumed his responsibilities with the Managing General Partner in 1992. Mr. Langford received his B.B.A. degree in Accounting in 1975 from the University of Central Arkansas. Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Langford was employed with Forest Oil Corporation as Corporate Coordinator, Regional Coordinator, Accounting Manager. He held various other positions from 1982-1992 and 1976-1980 and was Assistant Controller of National Oil Company from 1980- 1982. Financial Reporting Manager - Bryan Dixon, C.P.A., age 31, assumed his responsibilities with the Managing General Partner in 1992. Mr. Dixon received his B.B.A. degree in Accounting in 1988 from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Dixon was employed as a Senior Auditor with Johnson, Miller & Company from 1991-1992 and Audit Supervisor for Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center from 1988-1991. Production Superintendent - Steve C. Garner, age 56, assumed his responsibilities with the Managing General Partner as Production Superintendent in July, 1989. Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Garner was employed 16 years by Shell Oil Company working in all phases of oil field production as operations foreman, one and one-half years with Petroleum Corporation of Delaware as Production Superintendent, six years as an independent engineering consultant, and one year with Citation Oil & Gas Corp. as a workover, completion and production foreman. Mr. Garner has worked extensively in the Permian Basin oil field for the last 25 years. Tax Manager - Carolyn Cookson, age 41, assumed her position with the Managing General Partner in April, 1989. Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Ms. Cookson was employed as Director of Taxes at C.F. Lawrence & Associates, Inc. from 1983 to 1989, and worked in public accounting at McCleskey, Cook & Green, P.C. from 1981 to 1983 and Deanna Brady, C.P.A. from 1980 to 1981. She is a member of the Permian Basin Chapter of the Petroleum Accountants' Society, and serves on its Board of Directors and is liaison to the Tax Committee. Ms. Cookson received a B.B.A. in accounting from New Mexico State University. Investor Relations Manager - Sandra K. Flournoy, age 51, came to Southwest Royalties, Inc. in 1988 from Parker & Parsley Petroleum, where she was Assistant Manager of Investor Services and Broker/Dealer Relations for two years. Prior to that, Ms. Flournoy was Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent at Greenwood ISD for four years. In certain instances, the Managing General Partner will engage professional petroleum consultants and other independent contractors, including engineers and geologists in connection with property acquisitions, geological and geophysical analysis, and reservoir engineering. The Managing General Partner believes that, in addition to its own "in-house" staff, the utilization of such consultants and independent contractors in specific instances and on an "as-needed" basis allows for greater flexibility and greater opportunity to perform its oil and gas activities more economically and effectively. Item 11. Executive Compensation The Partnership does not have any directors or executive officers. The executive officers of the Managing General Partner do not receive any cash compensation, bonuses, deferred compensation or compensation pursuant to any type of plan, from the Partnership. The Managing General Partner received $98,400 during 1997, 1996 and 1995 as an annual administrative fee. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management There are no limited partners who own of record, or are known by the Managing General Partner to beneficially own, more than five percent of the Partnership's limited partnership interests. The Managing General Partner owns a nine percent interest in the Partnership as a general partner. Through repurchase offers to the limited partners, the Managing General Partner also owns 1,047 limited partner units, a 7.7% limited partner interest. The Managing General Partner total percentage interest ownership in the Partnership is 15.9%. No officer or director of the Managing General Partner owns Units in the Partnership. H. H. Wommack, III, as the individual general partner of the Partnership, owns a one percent interest in the Partnership as a general partner. The officers and directors of the Managing General Partner are considered beneficial owners of the limited partner units acquired by the Managing General Partner by virtue of their status as such. A list of beneficial owners of limited partner units, acquired by the Managing General Partner, is as follows: Amount and Nature of Percent Name and Address of Beneficial of Title of Class Beneficial Owner Ownership Class - ------------------- --------------------------- --------------- ------- Limited Partnership Southwest Royalties, Inc. Directly Owns 7.7% Interest Managing General Partner 1,047 Units 407 N. Big Spring Street Midland, TX 79701 Limited Partnership H. H. Wommack, III Indirectly Owns 7.7% Interest Chairman of the Board, 1,047Units President, CEO, Treasurer and Director of Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner 407 N. Big Spring Street Midland, TX 79701 Limited Partnership H. Allen Corey Indirectly Owns 7.7% Interest Secretary and Director of 1,047 Units Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner 633 Chestnut Street Chattanooga, TN 37450-1800 Limited Partnership Bill E. Coggin Indirectly Owns 7.7% Interest Vice President and CFO of 1,047 Units Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner 407 N. Big Spring Street Midland, TX 79701 Limited Partnership Phillip F. Hock, Jr. Indirectly Owns 7.7% Interest Vice President, Exploration 1,047 Units of Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner 407 N. Big Spring Street Midland, TX 79701 Limited Partnership Jon P. Tate Indirectly Owns 7.7% Interest Vice President, Land and 1,047 Units Assistant Secretary of Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner 407 N. Big Spring Street Midland, TX 79701 Limited Partnership J. Steven Person Indirectly Owns 7.7% Interest Vice President, Marketing 1,047 Units of Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner 407 N. Big Spring Street Midland, TX 79701 Amount and Nature of Percent Name and Address of Beneficial of Title of Class Beneficial Owner Ownership Class - ------------------- --------------------------- --------------- ------- Limited Partnership Joel D. Talley Indirectly Owns 7.7% Interest Vice President, Acquisitions 1,047 Units and Exploitation Manager of Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner 407 N. Big Spring Street Midland, TX 79701 Limited Partnership R. Douglas Keathley Indirectly Owns 7.7% Interest Vice President, 1,047 Units Operations of Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner 407 N. Big Spring Street Midland, TX 79701 There are no arrangements known to the Managing General Partner which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of the Partnership. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions In 1997, the Managing General Partner received $98,400 as an administrative fee. This amount is part of the general and administrative expenses incurred by the Partnership. In some instances the Managing General Partner and certain officers and employees may be working interest owners in an oil and gas property in which the Partnership also has a working interest. Certain properties in which the Partnership has an interest are operated by the Managing General Partner, who was paid approximately $149,000 for administrative overhead attributable to operating such properties during 1997. Certain subsidiaries or affiliates of the Managing General Partner perform various oilfield services for properties in which the Partnership owns an interest. Such services aggregated approximately $3,200 for the year ended December 31, 1997. In the opinion of management, the terms of the above transaction are similar to ones with unaffiliated third parties. Part IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K (a)(1) Financial Statements: Included in Part II of this report -- Reports of Independent Accountants Balance Sheets Statements of Operations Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity Statements of Cash Flows Notes to Financial Statements (2) Schedules required by Article 12 of Regulation S- X are either omitted because they are not applicable or because the required information is shown in the financial statements or the notes thereto. (3) Exhibits: 4 (a) Certificate of Limited Partnership of Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P., dated November 30, 1987. (Incorporated by reference from Partnership's S-1 Registration Statement File Number 33-18847 effective March 31, 1988.) (b) Agreement of Limited Partnership of Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. dated July 6, 1988. (Incorporated by reference from Partnership's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988.) 16 Letter on Change in Certifying Accountant (Incorporated by reference from Partnership's Form 8-K dated June 9, 1997.) 27 Financial Data Schedule (b) Reports on Form 8-K There were no reports filed on Form 8-K during the quarter ended December 31, 1997. Signatures Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Partnership has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership By: Southwest Royalties, Inc., Managing General Partner By: /s/ H. H. Wommack, III ----------------------------- H. H. Wommack, III, President Date: March 31, 1998 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Partnership and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. By: /s/ H. H. Wommack, III ----------------------------------- H. H. Wommack, III, Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer and Director Date: March 31, 1998 By: /s/ H. Allen Corey ----------------------------- H. Allen Corey, Secretary and Director Date: March 31, 1998 EX-27 2
5 This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Balance Sheet at December 31, 1997 and the Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. YEAR DEC-31-1997 DEC-31-1997 2,669 0 182,172 0 0 184,841 5,406,615 4,281,109 1,310,347 686 0 0 0 0 1,309,661 1,310,347 1,466,069 1,470,302 856,275 856,275 340,615 0 0 273,412 0 273,412 0 0 0 273,412 16.39 16.39
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