UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
Form 10-Q
[x] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For quarter ended March 31, 1997
or
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 2-70390
SANCHEZ-O'BRIEN 1981-A DRILLING COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
TEXAS 74-2216121
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS employer
incorporation or organization) identification no.)
5847 San Felipe, Suite 1900 Houston, Texas 77057
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(713) 783-8000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report.)
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 X No
APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED
IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING
THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all
documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the
distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by court.
Yes No
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
<PAGE>
SANCHEZ-O'BRIEN 1981-A DRILLING COMPANY
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q MARCH 31, 1997
INDEX
PART I - Financial information:
Item 1. Financial Statements
Balance Sheets for the periods March 31, 1997 and
December 31, 1996
Statements of Operations for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 and 1996
Statement of Partners' Equity as of March 31, 1997
Statements of Cash Flow for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 and 1996
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
PART II - Other information:
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 2. Changes in Securities (not applicable)
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities (not applicable)
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
(not applicable)
Item 5. Other Information (not applicable)
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Signatures
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
Part I. Financial Information
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Sanchez-O'Brien 1981-A Drilling Company
(a limited partnership)
Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
<CAPTION>
March 31, December 31,
1997 1996
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash $ 730,225 501,298
Accounts receivable 82,061 103,217
Total current assets 812,286 604,515
Oil and natural gas properties (full cost
method), at cost, pledged (note 2) 30,985,047 30,957,815
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion
and amortization (note 2) 30,263,924 30,222,924
Net oil and natural gas properties 721,123 734,891
Organization costs, less applicable
amortization 0 0
1,533,409 1,339,406
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable 57,097 7,834
Suspense payable-investors 151,430 154,625
Total current liabilities 208,527 162,459
Partners' equity:
Limited partners 1,311,637 1,165,181
General partner 13,245 11,766
Total partners' equity 1,324,882 1,176,947
$ 1,533,409 1,339,406
See accompanying notes to financial statements.<PAGE>
<PAGE>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
Sanchez-O'Brien 1981-A Drilling Company
(a limited partnership)
Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
1997 1996
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
REVENUES:
Oil and natural gas sales $238,676 185,818
Interest income 4,267 3,632
Other income 0 0
242,943 189,450
EXPENSES:
Operating expenses 39,498 48,381
General and administrative 14,510 14,624
Interest 0 0
Depreciation, depletion
and amortization (note 2) 41,000 45,000
95,008 108,005
Net income $147,935 81,445
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<PAGE>
Sanchez-O'Brien 1981-A Drilling Company
(a limited partnership)
Statement of Partners' Equity
Three Months Ended March 31, 1997
(Unaudited)
Limited General
Partners Partner Total
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balances at December 31, 1996 $1,165,181 11,766 1,176,947
Cash distributions 0 0 0
Net income 146,456 1,479 147,935
Balances at March 31, 1997 $1,311,637 13,245 1,324,882
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
</TABLE>
TABLE
<PAGE>
Sanchez-O'Brien 1981-A Drilling Company
(a limited partnership)
Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
1997 1996
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $147,935 81,445
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and
amortization 41,000 45,000
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 21,156 20,270
Accounts payable 49,263 (49,189)
Suspense payable (3,195) 0
Total adjustments 108,224 16,081
Net cash provided by operating
activities 256,159 97,526
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash distributions - -
Purchases of property and equipment (27,232) (11,093)
Net cash used in investing
activities (27,232) (11,093)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of long-term debt 0 0
Proceeds from long-term debt 0 0
Net cash provided by (used) financing
activities 0 0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 228,927 86,433
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
year 501,298 521,334
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
quarter $730,225 607,767
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
Sanchez-O'Brien 1981-A Drilling Company
(a limited partnership)
Notes to Financial Statements
March 31, 1997
(Unaudited)
(1) Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
a.Organization
Sanchez-O'Brien 1981-A Drilling Company (the Drilling
Company), is a Texas limited partnership formed on
December 18, 1980. Sanchez-O'Brien Drilling Corporation
is the General Partner and an Organizational Limited
Partner of the Drilling Company and has a 1% interest
therein.
The Drilling Company was initially formed with an
Organizational Limited Partner on December 18, 1980. Upon
the closing of subscriptions on June 23, 1981, with 3,207
Limited Partners contributing $26,520,000, the
Organizational Limited Partner was refunded his initial
contribution. In June, 1981, the Drilling Company entered
into a separate agreement to form a general partnership,
Sanchez-O'Brien 1981-A Drilling Partnership (the Drilling
Partnership), with Sanchez-O'Brien Oil & Gas Corporation
(Sanchez-O'Brien) as Managing General Partner. The
purpose of the Drilling Partnership is to conduct oil and
natural gas exploration activity in the continental United
States. Sanchez-O'Brien Drilling Corporation is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Sanchez-O'Brien Oil & Gas Corporation.
b.Basis of Financial Statement Presentation
The financial statements include the accounts of the
Drilling Company and its proportionate share in the
specific assets, liabilities and operating accounts of the
Drilling Partnership. All significant intercompany
balances have been eliminated.
<PAGE>
c.General
The financial statements included herein were prepared by
the Managing General Partner. In the opinion of
management, all adjustments have been made which are
necessary for a fair presentation of the financial
position of the Drilling Company at March 31, 1997 and the
results of operations for the period then ended.
(2)Oil and Gas Properties
The Drilling Company follows the full cost method of
accounting for its proportionate interest in the oil and gas
operations of the Drilling Partnership. Under this method,
all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and
development of properties, including costs of surrendered and
abandoned leaseholds, delay lease rentals and dry holes, are
capitalized. Dispositions of oil and gas properties are
accounted for as adjustments to capitalized costs, with no
gain or loss recognized. Depreciation, depletion and
amortization of oil and gas properties is provided by the
units-of-production method based on proved oil and gas
reserves.
Under the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas
operations, capitalized costs of oil and gas properties are
not to exceed the present value of future net revenues from
estimated production of proved oil and gas properties plus the
lower of cost or estimated fair market value of unproved
properties. If capitalized costs exceed this limitation, an
additional provision is to be made to depreciation, depletion
and amortization.
(3)Notes Payable
As of March 31, 1997, The Drilling Company does not have any
debt.
<PAGE>
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
As of March 31, 1997, forty-three wells have been drilled.
Of this number, ten wells are commercially productive,
twenty-four were dry holes or have been depleted and
abandoned, seven have been sold and two are shut-in.
As of March 31, 1997, the Drilling Company's share of capital
expenditures of the Drilling Partnership were in excess of the
available funds of the Drilling Company. Financing of these
expenditures was provided through borrowings from the Managing
General Partner.
As of March 31, 1997, each Limited Partner has received $355
per each $5,000. Future distributions will be made after
litigation on the S. W. Escobas (Trevino leases) Prospect is settled.
<PAGE>
PART II. Other Information
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The litigation against Pennzoil and Sanchez-O'Brien Oil & Gas Corporation
(Sanchez-O'Brien) on the Trevino leases in the S. W. Escobas Prospect
is ongoing. The interests in the Trevino Leases, which comprise part of
the S. W. Escobas Prospect, were acquired from Pennzoil. There are
currently four producing wells on the Trevino Leases, in which
the Drilling Partnership holds between 22.53%-23.177% gross
working interest. The interest in dispute in this lawsuit is
7/96 or 7.29% of Sanchez-O'Brien's and Pennzoil's interest.
The trial judge, on November 9, 1992, ruled in favor of the
defendants, Pennzoil and Sanchez-O'Brien. The plaintiffs
appealed the trial court ruling to the Court of Appeals for
the Fourth District of Texas at San Antonio. In May 1994, the
San Antonio Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's judgment.
The appellants (plaintiffs) filed an application for writ of error
to the Texas Supreme Court after the Fourth District Court rejected
a motion for a rehearing. On November 6, 1994, the Texas Supreme
Court denied the writ of error. On December 8, 1994, plaintiffs
filed a motion for a rehearing in the Texas Supreme Court.
The Texas Supreme Court granted a rehearing, and heard oral
arguments during September 1995. On October 18, 1996, the Texas
Supreme Court reversed the judgments of both lower courts.
On November 20, 1996, a motion for rehearing was filed and remains
pending.
An unfavorable ruling would force the Drilling Company to forfeit the
$223,541 currently being held in escrow. In addition, the Drilling
Company would lose approximately 7.29% of its' interest in the Trevino
properties, which would reduce the Drilling Company valuation by $19,766
at April 1, 1997. The total potential adverse effect would be $45.41
per each $5,000 limited partnership unit.
Beginning June 1, 1992, Sanchez-O'Brien started escrowing the amounts in
dispute in order to mitigate the effect to the Drilling Partnership and
the Limited Partners. The following is an estimate of the net financial
effect of this litigation.
a. Revenues received and applicable interest
The Drilling Partnership would have to remit to the
plaintiffs 7.29% of revenues from the wells on the Trevino
lease from May 1, 1987 forward, less the applicable share
of well costs and operating expenses. The Drilling
Partnership would also be responsible for any applicable
interest. The amount payable from the Drilling
Partnership for net revenues and applicable interest is
estimated to be $260,570, with $130,285 due from the
Drilling Company, or Limited Partners. Because this
amount has already been paid out and used by the Drilling
Company, the amounts would have to come from current and
future revenues. The net impact per each $5,000 limited
partnership unit would be $24.32.
b. Value of oil and gas revenues
The plaintiffs would be entitled to future revenues to be
derived from existing oil and gas revenues. The net
effect of losing these reserves at April 1, 1997 to the
Drilling Partnership is estimated to be $39,532, with
$19,766 being the interest of the Drilling Company, or
Limited Partners. The net impact per each $5,000 limited
partnership unit would be $3.69.
c. Funds retained in escrow
As mentioned, the Managing General Partner is currently
escrowing the net revenues applicable to the disputed
interest. At April 1, 1997, the total Drilling Company
funds being escrowed were $447,082, with $223,541 escrowed
for the Drilling Company, or Limited Partners. The net
impact per each $5,000 limited partnership unit would be
$41.72. The Managing General Partner will continue to
escrow the amounts in dispute. If the plaintiffs were to
prevail, the funds would be paid to the plaintiff.
However, if the defendants prevail, these additional
amounts would be available to the Drilling Company for
operations and/or distributions.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
No reports on Form 8-K have been filed during the quarter for
which this report is filed.
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.
SANCHEZ-O'BRIEN 1981-A DRILLING COMPANY
(Registrant)
By Sanchez-O'Brien Drilling Corporation.
General Partner
Date: 05/15/97 By: M. M. FREEMAN
M. M. Freeman
Senior Vice President, Treasurer,
Secretary and Director (Principal
Financial Officer)
Date: 05/15/97 By: OLIVER GARZA
Oliver Garza
Assistant Secretary - Controller
</TABLE>
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<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997
<CASH> 730225
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 82061
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 812286
<PP&E> 30985047
<DEPRECIATION> 30263924
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1533409
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 208527
<BONDS> 0
<COMMON> 0
0
0
<OTHER-SE> 1324882
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1533409
<SALES> 242943
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 242943
<CGS> 0
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<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 147935
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 147935
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<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 147935
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