0000950170-25-099105.txt : 20250728 0000950170-25-099105.hdr.sgml : 20250728 20250728151424 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950170-25-099105 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20250331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20250728 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20250728 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000862022 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: OIL ROYALTY TRADERS [6792] ORGANIZATION NAME: 01 Energy & Transportation EIN: 586379215 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-10476 FILM NUMBER: 251155343 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O ARGENT TRUST COMPANY STREET 2: 3838 OAK LAWN AVE., SUITE 1720 CITY: DALLAS STATE: TX ZIP: 75219-4518 BUSINESS PHONE: 972-919-1360 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O ARGENT TRUST COMPANY STREET 2: 3838 OAK LAWN AVE., SUITE 1720 CITY: DALLAS STATE: TX ZIP: 75219-4518 10-Q 1 hgtxu_10-q_2503_argent.htm 10-Q 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to .

 

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas

1-10476

58-6379215

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(Commission File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

c/o The Corporate Trustee:

Argent Trust Company

3838 Oak Lawn Ave, Suite 1720

Dallas, Texas 75219-4518

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) (855) 588-7839

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if change since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Units of Beneficial Interest

 

HGTXU

 

OTC Pink

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all 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 þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ¨ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

 

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

þ

Smaller reporting company

þ

 

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ

Indicate the number of units of beneficial interest outstanding, as of the latest practicable date:

Outstanding as of July 28, 2025

40,000,000

 


 

 


 

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

 

The following are definitions of significant terms used in this Form 10-Q:

 

Bbl

 

Barrel (of oil)

 

 

 

Mcf

 

Thousand cubic feet (of natural gas)

 

 

 

MMBtu

 

One million British Thermal Units, a common energy measurement

 

 

 

net proceeds

 

Gross proceeds received by XTO Energy from sale of production from the underlying properties, less applicable costs, as defined in the net profits interest conveyances.

 

 

 

net profits income

 

Net proceeds multiplied by the net profits percentage of 80%, which is paid to the Trust by XTO Energy. “Net profits income” is referred to as “royalty income” for income tax purposes.

 

 

 

net profits interest

 

An interest in an oil and gas property measured by net profits from the sale of production, rather than a specific portion of production. The following defined net profits interests were conveyed to the Trust from the underlying properties:

 

 

 

 

80% net profits interests- interests that entitle the Trust to receive 80% of the net proceeds from the underlying properties.

 

 

 

underlying properties

 

XTO Energy’s interest in certain oil and gas properties from which the net profits interests were conveyed. The underlying properties include working interests in predominantly gas-producing properties located in Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming.

 

 

 

working interest

 

An operating interest in an oil and gas property that provides the owner a specified share of production that is subject to all production expense and development costs.

 

3


 

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

PART I ‑ FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

The condensed financial statements included herein are presented, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless specified otherwise, all amounts included herein are presented in U.S. dollars. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Trustee believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Trust’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Trustee, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the assets, liabilities and trust corpus of the Hugoton Royalty Trust at March 31, 2025, and the distributable income and changes in trust corpus for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, have been included. Distributable income for such interim periods is not necessarily indicative of the distributable income for the full year.

4


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

 

Condensed Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus (Unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and short-term investments

 

$

105,658

 

 

$

233,736

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net profits interests in oil and gas properties - net (Note 1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

105,658

 

 

$

233,736

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution payable to unitholders

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense reserve (a)(b)

 

 

105,658

 

 

 

233,736

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust corpus (40,000,000 units of beneficial interest authorized
   and outstanding)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

105,658

 

 

$

233,736

 

 

(a)
The expense reserve allows the Trustee to pay its obligations should it be unable to pay them out of the net profits income.
(b)
Expense reserve partially replenished by advance distribution of $500,000 from XTO Energy that was part of the Settlement Agreement between the Trust and XTO Energy. See Note 5 to Condensed Financial Statements.

 

The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

5


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

 

Condensed Statements of Distributable Income (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

Net profits income

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

2,407

 

 

 

4,678

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Total income

 

 

2,407

 

 

 

4,678

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Administration expense

 

 

130,485

 

 

 

228,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash reserves used for Trust expenses

 

 

(128,078

)

 

 

(223,745

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Distributable income

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Distributable income per unit (40,000,000 units)

 

$

0.000000

 

 

$

0.000000

 

The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

6


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

 

Condensed Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

Trust corpus, beginning of period

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributable income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust corpus, end of period

 

$

 

 

$

 

The accompanying notes to condensed financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

7


 

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

 

 

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1.
Basis of Accounting

The financial statements of Hugoton Royalty Trust (the “Trust”) are prepared on the following basis and are not intended to present the financial position and results of operations in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”):

-

Net profits income recorded for a month is the amount computed and paid by XTO Energy Inc. (“XTO Energy”), the owner of the underlying properties, to Argent Trust Company, as trustee (the “Trustee”) for the Trust. XTO Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation. Net profits income consists of net proceeds received by XTO Energy from the underlying properties in the prior month, multiplied by a net profits percentage of 80%.

 

-

Costs deducted in the calculation of net proceeds for the 80% net profits interests generally include applicable taxes, transportation, marketing and legal costs, production expense, development costs, operating charges and other costs.

 

-

Net profits income is computed separately for each of the three conveyances under which the net profits interests were conveyed to the Trust. If monthly costs exceed revenues for any conveyance, such excess costs must be recovered, with accrued interest, from future net proceeds of that conveyance and cannot reduce net proceeds from the other conveyances.

 

-

Interest income and distribution payable to unitholders include interest earned on the previous month’s investment.

 

-

Trust expenses are recorded based on liabilities paid and cash reserves established by the Trustee for liabilities and contingencies.

 

-

Distributions to unitholders are recorded when declared by the Trustee.

The Trust’s financial statements differ from those prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP because revenues are recognized when received rather than accrued in the month of production, expenses are recognized when paid rather than when incurred and certain cash reserves may be established by the Trustee for contingencies which would not be recorded under U.S. GAAP. This comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP corresponds to the accounting permitted for royalty trusts by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as specified by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 12:E, Financial Statements of Royalty Trusts.

Most accounting pronouncements apply to entities whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, directing such entities to accrue or defer revenues and expenses in a period other than when such revenues were received or expenses were paid. Because the Trust’s financial statements are prepared on the modified cash basis, as described above, most accounting pronouncements are not applicable to the Trust’s financial statements.

Net profits interests in oil and gas properties

The initial carrying value of the net profits interests of $247,066,951 represents XTO Energy’s historical net book value for the interests on December 1, 1998, the date of the transfer to the Trust. During the second quarter 2016, the carrying value of the net profits interests was written down to its fair value of $28,801,000, resulting in an impairment of $57,306,527 charged directly to trust corpus. During the third quarter 2019, the carrying value of the net profits interests was written down to its fair value of zero, resulting in an impairment of $15,681,533 charged directly to trust corpus. Amortization of the net profits interests is calculated on a unit-of-production basis using proved reserves and is charged directly to trust corpus. Accumulated amortization was $174,078,891 as of September 30, 2019, when the net profits interests was written down to its fair value of zero.

8


 

Liquidity and Going Concern

The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Trust will continue as a going concern. Financial statements prepared on a going concern basis assume the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business.

Accumulated excess costs for the Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming conveyances have resulted in insufficient net proceeds to the Trust which have resulted in no unitholder distributions since July 2023, and a reduction in the Trust’s expense reserve. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern as the Trust does not have sufficient cash to meet its obligations during the one-year period after the dates that the financial statements are issued. Factors attributable to the cash shortage are primarily the previously disclosed development costs to drill four non-operated wells in Major County, Oklahoma, lower oil and natural gas prices, and excess cost positions on the Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming conveyances including accumulated interest. However, substantial doubt about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern exists.

The Trustee has prepared a preliminary budget estimating the administrative expenses for the year ending December 31, 2025, and through July 31, 2026 which assumes no cash inflow from either net profits income or from other sources other than the $500,000 advance distribution received in second quarter 2024 from the Settlement Agreement with XTO Energy and the $500,000 second advance distribution from XTO Energy received subsequent to the end of the first quarter 2025, as described in Note 7 to Condensed Financial Statements. Based on the preliminary budget, the Trust’s cash reserves may be depleted during the one-year period after the dates that the financial statements are issued. Once the Trust's cash reserves are depleted the Trust will likely be unable to continue to make SEC filings, provide reporting to unitholders or provide audited financial statements or third-party reserve reports. To help control costs, the Trustee has reviewed all administrative functions and has attempted to reduce or eliminate costs for functions other than those required to comply with SEC regulations or the Trust Indenture; however, there can be no assurance that there will be sufficient funds available to continue such functions in the future. To further reduce administrative costs to the Trust, the Trustee has deferred payment of its monthly fee of approximately $7,300 since April 2024. Nothing in the Trust Indenture obligates the Trustee to pay for the Trust's expenses if the Trust's expense reserve were to be completely depleted, and the Trustee currently does not intend to advance funds to the Trust.

As previously disclosed, the Trustee has reviewed and may in the future review financing as an option to pay Trust obligations during the one-year period after the date the financial statements are issued; however, there can be no assurance that financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. If financing became available to the Trust, it would have to be repaid, together with interest, and the Trust’s expense reserve would have to be replenished prior to any distributions to unitholders. The Trustee has sought sources of financing, but currently believes that financing in an amount sufficient to satisfy the Trust's long term liquidity needs is unlikely to be a viable option for the Trust moving forward. As a result, the Trustee has reviewed and intends to continue to review options for the Trust which may include alternatives to continuing as a going concern such as seeking to terminate the Trust or marketing the Trust's interest (which are net profits interests burdened by excess costs) for a potential sale. The Trustee has reached out to potential third parties regarding interest in the Trust's assets but no interest has resulted from such discussions. As a result, the Trustee believes a potential sale of the Trust's assets may be unlikely in the near term; however, it will continue to consider any and all viable options. Even if a sale of the Trust assets was to occur, there is no assurance that the proceeds would result in funds to distribute to unitholders after all financial obligations of the Trust are met. Any material sale of assets and/or termination of the Trust requires unitholder approval by at least 80 percent of all outstanding units.

On July 9, 2020, the Trustee notified XTO Energy of the Trustee’s claim to indemnification to the Trust Estate for all liability, expense, claims, damages or loss incurred by the Trustee in connection with the administration of the Trust. The Trustee stated it anticipates seeking reimbursement from XTO Energy upon depletion of the Trust’s cash reserve. XTO Energy responded that any indemnity claim to XTO Energy is premature before the Trust Estate is exhausted. XTO Energy's position remains unchanged. XTO Energy has informed the Trustee that it currently has no intention of providing any additional financing or extending any credit to the Trustee or the Trust Estate beyond the outstanding advance distribution made in second quarter 2025 that can be withheld by XTO Energy from future net proceeds. See Note 7 to the Condensed Financial Statements for further information on the second quarter 2025 advance.

9


 

The Trust’s financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

2.
Income Taxes

For federal income tax purposes, the Trust constitutes a fixed investment trust that is taxed as a grantor trust. A grantor trust is not subject to tax at the trust level. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been made in the financial statements. The unitholders are considered, for federal income tax purposes, to own the Trust’s income and principal as though no trust were in existence. The income of the Trust is deemed to have been received or accrued by each unitholder at the time such income is received or accrued by the Trust and not when distributed by the Trust. Impairments recorded for book purposes will not result in a loss for tax purposes for the unitholders until the loss is recognized.

All revenues from the Trust are from sources within Kansas, Oklahoma or Wyoming. Because the Trust distributes all of its net income to unitholders, the Trust has not been taxed at the trust level in Kansas or Oklahoma. While the Trust has not owed tax, the Trustee is generally required to file Kansas and Oklahoma income tax returns reflecting the income and deductions of the Trust attributable to properties located in each state, along with a schedule that includes information regarding distributions to unitholders. However, the Trust will not file Kansas and Oklahoma income tax returns for the 2024 tax year due to the fact that there were no revenues attributable to properties located in Kansas and Oklahoma in that time period.

Wyoming does not impose a state income tax.

Each unitholder should consult their own tax advisor regarding income tax requirements, if any, applicable to such person’s ownership of Trust units.

Unitholders should consult the Trust’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more detailed discussion of federal and state tax matters.

3.
Contingencies

Litigation

Lawsuits and Governmental Proceedings

Certain of the underlying properties are involved in various lawsuits and governmental proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that, based on the information available at this stage of the various proceedings, it does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these claims will have a material effect on the financial position or liquidity of the Trust, but may have an effect on annual distributable income.

Other

Several states have enacted legislation requiring state income tax withholding from payments made to nonresident recipients of oil and gas proceeds. After consultation with its tax counsel, the Trustee believes that it is not required to withhold on payments made to the unitholders. However, regulations are subject to change by the various states, which could change this conclusion. Should amounts be withheld on payments made to the Trust or the unitholders, distributions to the unitholders would be reduced by the required amount, subject to the filing of a claim for refund or credit (to the extent available) by the Trust or unitholders for such amount.

4.
Excess Costs

If monthly costs exceed revenues for any of the three conveyances (one for each of the states of Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming), such excess costs must be recovered, with accrued interest, from future net proceeds of that conveyance and cannot reduce net proceeds from other conveyances.

10


 

The following summarizes excess costs activity, cumulative excess costs balances and accrued interest to be recovered by conveyance as calculated by XTO Energy:

 

Underlying

 

 

KS

 

 

OK

 

 

WY

 

 

Total

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 12/31/24

 

$

1,263,171

 

 

$

1,093,891

 

 

$

7,421,195

 

 

$

9,778,257

 

Net excess costs for the quarter ended 3/31/25

 

 

345,989

 

 

 

719,354

 

 

 

232,001

 

 

 

1,297,344

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 3/31/25

 

 

1,609,160

 

 

 

1,813,245

 

 

 

7,653,196

 

 

 

11,075,601

 

Accrued interest at 3/31/25

 

 

143,391

 

 

 

423,578

 

 

 

526,206

 

 

 

1,093,175

 

Total remaining to be recovered at 3/31/25

 

$

1,752,551

 

 

$

2,236,823

 

 

$

8,179,402

 

 

$

12,168,776

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NPI

 

 

KS

 

 

OK

 

 

WY

 

 

Total

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 12/31/24

 

$

1,010,537

 

 

$

875,113

 

 

$

5,936,955

 

 

$

7,822,605

 

Net excess costs for the quarter ended 3/31/25

 

 

276,791

 

 

 

575,483

 

 

 

185,601

 

 

 

1,037,875

 

Cumulative excess costs remaining at 3/31/25

 

 

1,287,328

 

 

 

1,450,596

 

 

 

6,122,556

 

 

 

8,860,480

 

Accrued interest at 3/31/25

 

 

114,713

 

 

 

338,863

 

 

 

420,965

 

 

 

874,541

 

Total remaining to be recovered at 3/31/25

 

$

1,402,041

 

 

$

1,789,459

 

 

$

6,543,521

 

 

$

9,735,021

 

For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, excess costs were $345,989 ($276,791 net to the Trust) on properties underlying the Kansas net profits interests.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, excess costs were $719,354 ($575,483 net to the Trust) on properties underlying the Oklahoma net profits interests.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, excess costs were $232,001 ($185,601 net to the Trust) on properties underlying the Wyoming net profits interests.

Underlying cumulative excess costs for the Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming conveyances remaining as of March 31, 2025, totaled $12.2 million ($9.7 million net to the Trust), including accrued interest of $1.1 million ($0.9 million net to the Trust).

5.
Advance Distribution

In the second quarter of 2024, XTO Energy provided the Trust an advance distribution of $500,000 (net to the Trust), that can be treated as a production cost, except that it can be recouped, together with interest, from what would otherwise be distributable net profits under any of the three conveyances; provided, however that XTO Energy shall only be entitled to withhold distributions of net proceeds as recoupment to the extent that such recoupment does not leave the Trust with less than $250,000 of available cash.

 

NPI

 

 

Total

 

Advance Distribution at 3/31/25

 

$

500,000

 

Accrued interest at 3/31/25

 

 

27,325

 

Total remaining to be recovered at 3/31/25

 

$

527,325

 

 

6.
Administration Expense

Administrative expenses are incurred so that the Trustee may meet its reporting obligations to the unitholders and regulatory entities and otherwise manage the administrative functions of the Trust. These obligations include, but are not limited to, all expenses, taxes, compensation to the Trustee for managing the Trust, fees to consultants, accountants, attorneys, transfer agents, other professional and expert persons, expenses for clerical and other administrative assistance, and fees and expenses for all other services.

11


 

7.
Subsequent Events

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

As filed on Form 8-K dated May 1, 2025, Argent Trust Company, as Trustee of the Trust and XTO Energy entered into an Advance Distribution Agreement (the “Agreement”) on April 30, 2025. XTO Energy agreed to provide the Trust a one-time advance distribution (“Second Advance Distribution”) intended to provide the Trustee of the Trust with liquidity to meet current and near-term financial reporting obligations, including payment of third-party auditor and other expenses related to the filing of the Trust's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2025, and additional near-term filing obligations. XTO Energy and the Trustee agreed:

The Second Advance Distribution shall be accounted for under the terms of the Conveyances, such that it is applicable to all three states and can be recouped out of what would otherwise be distributable net profits for any of the states.
Going forward, XTO Energy shall be entitled to recoup the Second Advance Distribution, along with any applicable interest, by withholding what would otherwise be distributions of Net Proceeds under any of the Conveyances. However, XTO Energy shall only be entitled to withhold distributions of Net Proceeds as recoupment of the Second Advance Distribution to the extent that such recoupment does not leave the Trust with less than $250,000 of available cash. The Trust will provide XTO Energy with documentation of its current available cash monthly until such time as the Second Advance Distribution has been recouped.
That the Trust’s entitlement to advances or loans from XTO Energy is a disputed issue. The Second Advance Distribution is being made in response to the Trust’s disclosures regarding the potential inability to continue as a going concern. XTO Energy and the Trustee agreed that by entering into this Agreement, neither of them is admitting, and each specifically denies, that they have engaged in any violation of state or federal law, breached any contractual commitments or committed any tortious act or omission.
The Second Advance Distribution amount of $500,000 and any accrued interest is fully assignable by XTO Energy. This Agreement will be binding on and will inure to the benefit of the Parties and upon their respective heirs, administrators, executors, successors, and assigns.

The Trustee currently intends that the $500,000 Second Advance Distribution will be used to partially replenish the Trust’s cash expense reserve.

Change in Trading Market

In June 2025, due to the inability to make a timely quarterly filing and subsequent non-compliance with the SEC, Trust units were de-listed from the OTCQB and began to be quoted on the OTC Pink Market ("OTC Pink"), which is maintained by the OTC Mark Group, Inc. The units still trade under the symbol "HGTXU". Trading on the OTC Pink is often characterized as thin with sporadic fluctuations in price and availability of buyers or sellers of a security. No assurance can be given that an active trading market for our Trust units will further develop or continue. The Trust units will likely be subject to greater volatility and lower trading volumes than when the Trust units were listed on the OTCQB. This could depress the trading price of the Trust units further and make it more difficult to purchase, dispose of or obtain accurate quotations as to the value of the Trust units. The Trustee currently intends to re-list the Trust shares on the OTCQB but makes no assurance as to its ability to do so or as to the timing of re-entry onto the OTCQB.

 

Other Events

XTO Energy has informed the Trustee that it closed the divestment of XTO Energy’s interest in the assets underlying the Trust to Mach Natural Resources LP and its affiliates (“Mach”) on April 30, 2025. Mach has assumed XTO Energy’s obligations under the Trust Indenture and operatorship of applicable properties.

12


 

Item 2. Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Trustee’s discussion and analysis contained in the Trust’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the condensed financial statements and notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports are available on the Trust’s website at www.hgt-hugoton.com.

Distributable Income

For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, net profits income was $0 compared to $0 for first quarter 2024. This was primarily the result of decreased oil and gas production ($0.8 million), increased taxes, transportation and other costs ($0.5 million), and lower gas and oil prices ($0.4 million), partially offset by net excess costs activity ($0.8 million), decreased overhead ($0.4 million), decreased development costs ($0.3 million), and decreased production expenses ($0.2 million). See “Net Profits Income” below.

After adding interest income of $2,407, deducting administration expense of $130,485, and utilizing $128,078 of the cash reserve for the payment of Trust expenses, distributable income for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, was $0 or $0.000000 per unit of beneficial interest. Administration expense for the quarter decreased $97,938 compared to the prior year quarter, primarily related to the timing of receipt and payment of Trust expenses and terms of professional services. Changes in interest income are attributable to fluctuations in net profits income, cash reserve and interest rates. For first quarter 2024, distributable income was $0 or $0.000000 per unit.

Distributions to unitholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, were:

Record Date

 

Payment Date

 

Distribution per Unit

 

January 31, 2025

 

February 14, 2025

 

$

0.000000

 

February 28, 2025

 

March 14, 2025

 

 

0.000000

 

March 31, 2025

 

April 14, 2025

 

 

0.000000

 

 

 

 

 

$

0.000000

 

Net Profits Income

Net profits income is recorded when received by the Trust, which is the month following receipt by XTO Energy, and generally two months after oil and gas production. Net profits income is generally affected by three major factors:

1.
oil and gas sales volumes,
2.
oil and gas sales prices, and
3.
costs deducted in the calculation of net profits income.

13


 

The following is a summary of the calculation of net profits income received by the Trust:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31 (a)

 

Increase

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

(Decrease)

Sales Volumes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas (Mcf) (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underlying properties

 

 

1,960,647

 

 

2,068,643

 

(5%)

Average per day

 

 

21,311

 

 

22,485

 

(5%)

Net profits interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (Bbls) (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underlying properties

 

 

39,032

 

 

48,791

 

(20%)

Average per day

 

 

424

 

 

530

 

(20%)

Net profits interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Sales Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas (per Mcf)

 

$

3.69

 

$

3.80

 

(3%)

Oil (per Bbl)

 

$

67.32

 

$

72.17

 

(7%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas sales

 

$

7,230,134

 

$

7,866,852

 

(8%)

Oil sales

 

 

2,627,809

 

 

3,521,319

 

(25%)

Total Revenues

 

 

9,857,943

 

 

11,388,171

 

(13%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxes, transportation and other

 

 

3,070,857

 

 

2,469,070

 

24%

Production expense

 

 

5,054,598

 

 

5,360,017

 

(6%)

Development costs

 

 

132,669

 

 

550,017

 

(76%)

Overhead

 

 

2,897,163

 

 

3,348,776

 

(13%)

Excess costs (c)

 

 

(1,297,344)

 

 

(339,709)

 

282%

Total Costs

 

 

9,857,943

 

 

11,388,171

 

(13%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Proceeds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Profits Percentage

 

 

80%

 

 

80%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Profits Income

 

$

 

$

 

 

(a)
Because of the two-month interval between time of production and receipt of net profits income by the Trust, gas and oil sales for the quarter ended March 31 generally represent production for the period November through January.
(b)
Gas and oil sales volumes are allocated to the net profits interests by dividing Trust net cash inflows by average sales prices. As gas and oil prices change, the Trust’s allocated production volumes are impacted as the quantity of production necessary to cover expenses changes inversely with price. As such, the underlying property production volume changes may not correlate with the Trust’s allocated production volumes in any given period. Therefore, comparative discussion of gas and oil sales volumes is based on the underlying properties.
(c)
See Note 4 to Condensed Financial Statements.

14


 

The following are explanations of significant variances on the underlying properties from first quarter 2024 to first quarter 2025:

Sales Volumes

Gas

Gas sales volumes decreased 5 percent for first quarter 2025 primarily because of timing of cash receipts, lower gas sales from new wells in Major County, Oklahoma, and natural production decline.

Oil

Oil sales volumes decreased 20 percent for first quarter 2025 primarily because of timing of cash receipts, lower oil sales from new wells in Major County, Oklahoma, and natural production decline.

The estimated rate of natural production decline on the underlying oil and gas properties is approximately 6 to 8 percent a year.

Sales Prices

Gas

The first quarter 2025 average gas price was $3.69 per Mcf, down 3 percent from the first quarter 2024 average gas price of $3.80 per Mcf.

Oil

The first quarter 2025 average oil price was $67.32 per Bbl, down 7 percent from the first quarter 2024 average oil price of $72.17 per Bbl.

Costs

Taxes, Transportation and Other

Taxes, transportation and other costs increased 24 percent for first quarter 2025 primarily because of increased gas deductions due to a retroactive inflation adjustment for the prior 2 years as permitted by the Timberland Gas Gathering agreement, partially offset by lower property taxes.

Production Expense

Production expense decreased 6 percent for first quarter 2025 primarily because of decreased labor costs, field costs, salt water disposal costs, and compression costs, partially offset by increased plug and abandonment expenses, and repairs and maintenance costs.

Development Costs

Development costs decreased 76 percent for first quarter 2025 primarily due to the timing of drilling costs related to non-operated wells in Major County, Oklahoma. Changes in oil or natural gas prices could impact future development plans on the underlying properties.

Overhead

Overhead decreased 13 percent for first quarter 2025. Overhead is charged by XTO Energy and other operators for administrative expenses incurred to support operations of the underlying properties. Overhead fluctuates based on changes in the active well count and drilling activity on the underlying properties, as well as an annual cost level adjustment based on an industry index.

15


 

Excess Costs

If monthly costs exceed revenues for any conveyance, these excess costs must be recovered, with accrued interest, from future net proceeds of that conveyance and cannot reduce net profits income from another conveyance. Underlying cumulative excess costs for the Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming conveyances remaining as of March 31, 2025, totaled $12.2 million ($9.7 million net to the Trust), including accrued interest of $1.1 million ($0.9 million net to the Trust). For further information on excess costs, see Note 4 to Condensed Financial Statements.

Contingencies

For information on contingencies, see Note 3 to Condensed Financial Statements.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information included in this Quarterly Report and other materials filed, or to be filed, by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by XTO Energy or the Trustee) contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the Trust, operations of the underlying properties and the oil and gas industry. Such forward-looking statements may concern, among other things, excess costs, continuation of the Trust as a going-concern, or alternatives to a going-concern, reserve-to-production ratios, future production, development activities and associated operating expenses, future development plans by area, increased density drilling, maintenance projects, development, production, regulatory and other costs, oil and gas prices and expectations for future demand, the impact of inflation and economic downturns on economic activity, government policy and its impact on oil and gas prices and future demand, the development and competitiveness of alternative energy sources, pricing differentials, proved reserves, future net cash flows, production levels, expense reserve budgets, availability of financing, arbitration, litigation, liquidity, financing, political and regulatory matters, such as tax and environmental policy, climate policy, trade barriers, sanctions, tariffs, competition, war and other political or security disturbances. Such forward-looking statements are based on XTO Energy’s and the Trustee’s current plans, expectations, assumptions, projections and estimates and are identified by words such as “may,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “should,” “could,” “would,” and similar words that convey the uncertainty of future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including those detailed in Part I, Item 1A of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which is incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. Therefore, actual financial and operational results may differ materially from expectations, estimates or assumptions expressed in, implied in, or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. XTO Energy and the Trustee assume no duty to update these statements as of any future date.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not applicable. Upon qualifying as a smaller reporting company, this information is no longer required.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Trustee carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Trustee concluded that the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Trust in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to the Trustee to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In its evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, the Trustee has relied, to the extent considered reasonable, on information provided by XTO Energy. There has not been any change in the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting.

16


 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Lawsuits and Governmental Proceedings

Certain of the underlying properties are involved in various lawsuits and governmental proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. XTO Energy has advised the Trustee that, based on the information available at this stage of the various proceedings, it does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these claims will have a material effect on the financial position or liquidity of the Trust, but may have an effect on annual distributable income.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes in the risk factors disclosed under Part I, Item 1A of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

The Trust may not have sufficient cash to meet its obligations during the one-year period after the date that the financial statements are issued, and the Trustee has reviewed and intends to continue to review alternatives to the Trust continuing as a going concern.

All three of the Trust’s conveyances are in excess costs resulting in no net proceeds to the Trust and a reduction in the Trust’s expense reserve, which have resulted in no unitholder distributions since July 2023. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern as the Trust does not have sufficient cash to meet its obligations during the one-year period after the date the financial statements are issued. The Trust’s financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, XTO Energy has advanced $500,000 to the Trust and pursuant to the Advance Distribution Agreement, XTO Energy has advanced an additional $500,000 to the Trust (which advances may be recouped, together with interest from what would otherwise be distributable net profits under any of the three conveyances; provided, however, that such recoupment does not leave the Trust with less than $250,000 of available cash). There are no assurances that even with such advances, the Trust will receive net profits income sufficient to pay its obligations during the one-year period after the date the financial statements are issued. The Trustee has sought sources of financing, but currently believes that financing in an amount sufficient to satisfy the Trust's long-term liquidity needs is unlikely to be a viable option for the Trust moving forward. Nothing in the Trust Indenture obligates the Trustee to pay for the Trust’s expenses if the Trust’s cash reserves were to be completely depleted, and the Trustee currently does not intend to advance funds to the Trust. As a result, the Trustee has reviewed and intends to continue to review options for the Trust, which may include alternatives to the Trust continuing as a going concern such as seeking to terminate the Trust or marketing the Trust’s interests (which are net profits interests burdened by excess costs) for a potential sale. The Trustee has reached out to potential third parties regarding interest in the Trust’s assets, but no interest has resulted from such discussions. As a result, the Trustee believes a potential sale of the Trust’s assets may be unlikely in the near term, however it will continue to consider any and all viable options. Even if a sale of the Trust assets were to occur, there is no assurance that the proceeds would result in funds to distribute to unitholders after all financial obligations of the Trust are met. Any material sale of assets and/or termination of the Trust requires unitholder approval by at least 80 percent of all outstanding units. Once the Trust's cash reserves are depleted, the Trust will likely be unable to continue to make SEC filings, provide reporting to unitholders, or provide audited financial statements or third-party reserve reports. As a result, the unitholders and potential investors may have limited or no information on which to base investment decisions, which could have a negative impact on the market price for the Trust units. If the Trust is unable to continue as a going concern, unitholders could incur significant losses on their investment in the Trust or lose their entire investment in the Trust altogether. For further information see Notes to Condensed Financial Statements - 1. Basis of Accounting – Liquidity and Going Concern.

 

17


 

Item 5. Other Information

The Trust does not have any directors or officers, and as a result, no such persons adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S‑K, during the most recent fiscal quarter.

Item 6. Exhibits

(10.1)

April 30, 2025 Advance Distribution Agreement on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 1, 2025 (incorporated herein by reference)

 

 

(31)

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification

 

 

(32)

Section 1350 Certification

 

 

(99)

Items 1A, 7 and 7A to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for Hugoton Royalty Trust filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2025 (incorporated herein by reference)

 

18


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

 

By ARGENT TRUST COMPANY, TRUSTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: July 28, 2025

By

/s/ NANCY WILLIS

 

 

 Nancy Willis

 

 

 Director of Royalty Trust Services

 

 

 

 

 

(The Trust has no directors or executive officers.)

 

 

19


EX-31 2 hgtxu-ex31.htm EX-31 EX-31

EXHIBIT 31

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Nancy Willis, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Hugoton Royalty Trust, for which Argent Trust Company acts as Trustee;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, distributable income and changes in trust corpus of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)), or for causing such controls and procedures to be established and maintained, for the registrant and I have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors:
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

In giving the certifications in paragraphs 4 and 5 above, I have relied to the extent I consider reasonable on information provided to me by XTO Energy Inc.

Date: July 28, 2025

 

By

/s/ NANCY WILLIS

 

 

Nancy Willis

 

 

Director of Royalty Trust Services

 

 

Argent Trust Company

 


EX-32 3 hgtxu-ex32.htm EX-32 EX-32

EXHIBIT 32

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Hugoton Royalty Trust (the “Trust”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, not in its individual capacity but solely as the Trustee of the Trust, certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to its knowledge:

(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Trust.

 

 

 

Argent Trust Company,

 

 

Trustee for Hugoton Royalty Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 28, 2025

By

/s/ NANCY WILLIS

 

 

Nancy Willis

 

 

Director of Royalty Trust Services