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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
[ ] 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 1-8432
MESA OFFSHORE TRUST
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
TEXAS 76-6004065
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
CHASE BANK OF TEXAS,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
CORPORATE TRUST DIVISION
712 MAIN STREET
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (713) 216-6369
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON
TITLE OF EACH CLASS WHICH REGISTERED
UNITS OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST PACIFIC EXCHANGE
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT:
NONE
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 ____
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K 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 aggregate market value of 71,980,216 Units of Beneficial Interest in
Mesa Offshore Trust held by non-affiliates of the registrant at the closing
sales price on March 20, 1998, of $.156 was approximately $11,229,000.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
As of March 20, 1998, 71,980,216 Units of Beneficial Interest in Mesa
Offshore Trust.
Documents Incorporated By Reference: None.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I
PAGE
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Item 1. Business............................................................... 1
Description of the Trust............................................. 1
Description of the Units............................................. 2
Termination of the Trust............................................. 5
Description of Royalty Properties.................................... 6
Contracts............................................................ 13
Regulation and Prices................................................ 15
Item 2. Properties............................................................. 16
Item 3. Legal Proceedings...................................................... 16
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.................... 16
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and
Related Unitholder Matters........................................... 17
Item 6. Selected Financial Data................................................ 17
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.................................. 17
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data............................ 22
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure............................... 30
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant..................... 30
Item 11. Executive Compensation................................................. 30
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management....................................................... 30
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions......................... 30
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K....... 30
SIGNATURES........................................................................ 32
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NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-K includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than
statements of historical facts included in this Form 10-K, including without
limitation the statements under "Business -- Termination of the Trust,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and Note 1 to the financial statements of the Trust regarding the
future net revenues of the Trust, are forward-looking statements. Although
Pioneer Natural Resources Company ("Pioneer") has advised the Trust that it
believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have
been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from expectations ("Cautionary Statements") are disclosed in this
Form 10-K, including, without limitation in conjunction with the forward-looking
statements included in this Form 10-K. All subsequent written and oral
forward-looking statements attributable to the Trust or persons acting on its
behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements.
<PAGE>
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The Mesa Offshore Trust (the "Trust"), created under the laws of the
State of Texas, maintains its offices at the office of the Trustee, Chase Bank
of Texas National Association (the "Trustee"), 712 Main Street, Houston, Texas
77002. The telephone number of the Trust is (713) 216-6369.
The principal asset of the Trust consists of a 99.99% interest in the Mesa
Offshore Royalty Partnership (the "Partnership"). The Trust was created on
December 28, 1982, effective December 1, 1982, when Mesa Petroleum Co. conveyed
to the Partnership certain overriding royalty interests (collectively, the
"Royalty") carved out of Mesa Petroleum Co.'s existing working interests in
ten producing and non-producing oil and gas leases offshore Louisiana and Texas
(the "Royalty Properties"). The Partnership was formed for the purpose of
receiving and holding the Royalty, receiving the proceeds from the Royalty,
paying the liabilities and expenses of the Partnership and disbursing remaining
revenues to the Trustee and Mesa Offshore Management Co., the managing general
partner of the Partnership at that time, in accordance with their interests.
Until August 7, 1997, MESA Inc. owned and operated its assets through Mesa
Operating Co. ("Mesa"), the operator and the managing general partner of the
Royalty Properties. On August 7, 1997, MESA Inc. merged with and into Pioneer,
formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of MESA Inc., and Parker & Parsley Petroleum
Company merged with and into Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. (successor to
Mesa Operating Co.), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pioneer ("PNR") (collectively,
the mergers are referred to herein as the "Merger"). Subsequent to the Merger,
Pioneer owns and operates its assets through PNR and is also the managing
general partner of the Partnership. As hereinafter used in this report, the term
PNR generally refers to the operator of the Royalty Properties, unless otherwise
indicated. See "Termination of the Trust" on page 5 of this Form 10-K for
additional information regarding PNR and the Trust.
Units of beneficial interest ("units") in the Trust were issued on
December 28, 1982 to Mesa Petroleum Co. shareholders, who received one unit for
each share of Mesa Petroleum Co. common stock held. The units are listed on the
Pacific Exchange under the symbol MOS.
The terms of the Mesa Offshore Trust Indenture (the "Trust Indenture")
provide, among other things, that: (1) the Trust cannot acquire any asset other
than its interest in the Partnership and cannot engage in any business or
investment activity; (2) the Royalty can be sold in part or in total for cash
upon approval of the unitholders or upon termination of the Trust; (3) the
Trustee can establish cash reserves and borrow funds to pay liabilities of the
Trust and can pledge the assets of the Trust to secure payment of the borrowing;
(4) the Trustee will make quarterly distributions of cash available for
distribution to the unitholders in January, April, July and October of each
year; and (5) the Trust will terminate upon the first to occur of the following
events: (i) the total amount of cash received per year by the Trust for each of
three successive years commencing after December 31, 1987 is less than 10 times
one-third of the total amount payable to the Trustee as compensation for such
three-year period or (ii) a vote by the unitholders in favor of termination.
Amounts paid to the Trustee as compensation were $173,000, $123,000 and
$149,000, for the years 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Upon termination of
the Trust, the Trustee will sell for cash all the assets held in the Trust
estate and make a final distribution to unitholders of any funds remaining after
all Trust liabilities have been satisfied.
The terms of the First Amended and Restated Articles of General Partnership
of the Partnership (the "Partnership Agreement") provide that the Partnership
shall dissolve upon the occurrence of any of the following: (a) December 31,
2030; (b) the election of the Trustee to dissolve the Partnership; (c) the
termination of the Trust; (d) the bankruptcy of the Managing General Partner; or
(e) the dissolution of the Managing General Partner or its election to dissolve
the Partnership; provided that
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the Managing General Partner shall not elect to dissolve the Partnership so long
as the Trustee remains the only other partner of the Partnership.
The discussions of terms of the Trust Indenture and the Partnership
Agreement contained herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
Trust Indenture and the Partnership Agreement themselves, which are exhibits to
this Form 10-K and are available upon request from the Trustee.
Under the instrument conveying the Royalty to the Partnership, the Trust is
entitled to its share (99.99%) of 90% of the Net Proceeds, as hereinafter
defined, realized from the sale of the minerals as, if and when produced from
the Royalty Properties. See "Description of Royalty Properties" on page 6 of
this Form 10-K. The instrument of conveyance provides for a monthly computation
of Net Proceeds. "Net Proceeds" means the excess of Gross Proceeds, as
hereinafter defined, received by PNR during a particular period over operating
and capital costs and an amount to be recovered for future abandonment costs
during such period. "Gross Proceeds" means generally the amount received by
PNR from the sale of its share of minerals covered by the Royalty, subject to
certain adjustments. Operating costs means, generally, costs incurred by PNR in
operating the Royalty Properties, including capital costs. If operating and
capital costs exceed the Gross Proceeds for any month, the excess plus interest
thereon at the prime rate of the Bank of America plus one-half percent is
recovered out of future Gross Proceeds prior to the making of further payment to
the Trust. The Trust is not liable for any operating costs or other costs or
liabilities attributable to the Royalty Properties or minerals produced
therefrom. PNR, as owner of the working interest in the Royalty Properties, is
required to maintain books and records sufficient to determine the amounts
payable under the Royalty. Additionally, in the event of a controversy between
PNR and any purchaser as to the correct sale price for any production, amounts
received by PNR and promptly deposited by it with an escrow agent are not
considered as having been received by PNR and therefore are not subject to being
payable with respect to the Royalty until the controversy is resolved; but all
amounts thereafter paid to PNR by the escrow agent will be considered amounts
received from the sale of production. Similarly, operating costs include any
amounts PNR is required to pay whether as a refund, interest or penalty to any
purchaser because the amount initially received by PNR as the sales price was in
excess of that permitted by the terms of any applicable contract, statute,
regulation, order, decree or other obligation. Within thirty days following the
close of each calendar quarter, PNR is required to deliver to the Trustee a
statement of the computation of Net Proceeds attributable to such quarter.
The Royalty Properties are required to be operated by PNR in accordance
with reasonable and prudent business judgment and good oil and gas field
practices. PNR has the right to abandon any well or lease if, in its opinion,
such well or lease ceases to produce or is not capable of producing oil, gas or
other minerals in commercial quantities. PNR markets the production on terms
deemed by it to be the best reasonably obtainable in the circumstances. See
"Contracts" on page 13 of this Form 10-K. The Trustee has no power or
authority to exercise any control over the operation of the Royalty Properties
or the marketing of production therefrom.
The Trust has no employees. Administrative functions of the Trust are
performed by the Trustee.
DESCRIPTION OF THE UNITS
Each unit is evidenced by a transferable certificate issued by the Trustee,
which ranks equally as to distributions and has one vote on any matter submitted
to unitholders. Each unit evidences an undivided interest in the Trust, which in
turn owns a 99.99% interest in the Partnership.
DISTRIBUTIONS
The Trustee determines for each month the amount of cash available for
distribution for such month. Such amount (the "Monthly Distribution Amount")
is equal to the excess, if any, of the cash distributed by the Partnership to
the Trust during such month, plus any other cash receipts of the Trust during
such month (other than interest earned on the Monthly Distribution Amount for
any other month) over the liabilities of the Trust paid during such month, and
adjusted for changes made by the
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Trustee during such month in any cash reserves established for the payment of
contingent or future obligations of the Trust. The Monthly Distribution Amount
for each month is payable to unitholders of record on the monthly record date
(the "Monthly Record Date"), which is the close of business on the last
business day of such month, or such later date as the Trustee determines is
required to comply with legal or stock exchange requirements. However, to reduce
the administrative expenses of the Trust, the Trust Indenture provides that the
Trustee does not distribute cash monthly, but rather, during January, April,
July and October of each year, distributes to each person who was a unitholder
of record on a Monthly Record Date during one or more of the immediately
preceding three months, the Monthly Distribution Amount for the month or months
that he was a unitholder of record, together with interest earned on such
Monthly Distribution Amount from the Monthly Record Date to the payment date.
LIABILITY OF UNITHOLDERS
As regards the unitholders, the Trustee is fully liable if the Trustee
incurs any liability without ensuring that such liability will be satisfiable
only out of the Trust assets (regardless of whether the assets are adequate to
satisfy the liability) and in no event out of amounts distributed to, or other
assets owned by unitholders. However, under Texas law, it is unclear whether a
unitholder would be jointly and severally liable for any liability of the Trust
in the event that all of the following conditions were to occur: (a) the
satisfaction of such liability was not by contract limited to the assets of the
Trust; (b) the assets of the Trust were insufficient to discharge such
liability; and (c) the assets of the Trustee were insufficient to discharge such
liability. Although each unitholder should weigh this potential exposure in
deciding whether to retain or transfer his units, the Trustee is of the opinion
that because of the passive nature of the Trust assets, the restrictions on the
power of the Trustee to incur liabilities and the required financial net worth
of any trustee, the imposition of any liability on a unitholder is extremely
unlikely.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
OWNERSHIP OF UNITS
The federal income tax consequences to the unitholders of owning units
depend on whether the Trust is classifiable as a grantor trust, a non-grantor
trust, or a corporation. The Trustee reports on the basis that the Trust is a
grantor trust. Based on its recent audit policy, the Internal Revenue Service
(the "IRS") is expected to concur with such action. No IRS ruling has been
received with respect to the Trust, however, and no court case has been decided
involving identical facts and circumstances. It is possible, therefore, that the
IRS will assert on audit that the Trust is taxable as a corporation and that a
court might agree with such assertion.
INCOME AND DEPLETION
Royalty income, net of depletion and severance taxes, is treated as
portfolio income, and, subject to certain exceptions and transitional rules,
royalty income cannot be offset by losses from passive businesses. Additionally,
interest income is portfolio income. Administrative expense is an investment
expense.
Generally, prior to the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990, the transferee
of an oil and gas property could not claim percentage depletion with respect to
production from such property if it was "proved" at the time of the transfer.
This rule is not applicable in the case of transfers of properties after October
11, 1990. Thus, eligible unitholders that acquired units after that date are
entitled to claim an allowance for percentage depletion with respect to royalty
income attributable to such units to the extent that such allowance exceeds cost
depletion as computed for the relevant period.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Distributions from the Trust are generally subject to backup withholding at
a rate of 31% of such distributions. Backup withholding will not normally apply
to distributions to a unitholder, however,
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unless such unitholder fails to properly provide to the Trust his taxpayer
identification number ("TIN") or the IRS notifies the Trust that the TIN
provided by such unitholder is incorrect.
SALE OF UNITS
Generally, except for recapture items, the sale, exchange or other
disposition of a unit will result in capital gain or loss measured by the
difference between the basis in the unit and the amount realized. Such gain or
loss would be capital gain or loss if such unit was held by the unitholder as a
capital asset. For units sold on or prior to May 6, 1997, such capital gain will
be long-term if such unitholder's holding period exceeded one year as of the
date of sale or exchange. The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 reduced the maximum
capital gains rate of 20% for capital assets sold after May 6, 1997, but the
holding period necessary to qualify for the reduced rate increased to eighteen
months effective for sales after July 28, 1997. A special "mid-term" rate
(generally 28%) applies to capital assets sold after July 28, 1997 with a
holding period of over one year but not over eighteen months. Effective for
property placed in service after December 31, 1986, the amount of gain, if any,
realized upon the disposition of oil and gas property is treated as ordinary
income to the extent of the intangible drilling and development costs incurred
with respect to the property and depletion claimed with respect to such property
to the extent it reduced the taxpayer's basis in the property. Depletion
attributable to a positive Section 743(b) basis adjustment of a unit acquired
after 1986 will be subject to recapture as ordinary income upon disposition of
the unit or upon disposition of the oil and gas property to which the depletion
is attributable. The balance of any gain or any loss will be capital gain or
loss, if such unit was held by the unitholder as a capital asset.
FOREIGN UNITHOLDERS
In general, a unitholder who is a nonresident alien individual or which is
a foreign corporation (collectively "Foreign Taxpayer") will be subject to tax
on the gross income produced by the Royalty at a rate equal to 30% (or lower
treaty rate, if applicable). This tax will be withheld by the Trustee and
remitted directly to the United States Treasury. A Foreign Taxpayer may elect to
treat the income from the Royalty as effectively connected with the conduct of a
United States trade or business under Section 871 or Section 882 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), (or pursuant to any similar
provisions of applicable treaties). Upon making this election such unitholder is
entitled to claim all deductions with respect to such income, but he must file a
United States federal income tax return to claim such deductions. This election
once made is irrevocable (unless an applicable treaty allows the election to be
made annually). However, for tax years beginning after December 31, 1987, such
effectively connected income will be subjected to withholding equal to the
highest applicable percentage (tax rate)-39.6% for individual foreign
unitholders and 35% for corporate foreign unitholders.
Section 897 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder treat the
publicly traded Trust as if it were a United States real property holding
corporation. Accordingly, Foreign unitholders owning greater than 5 percent of
the outstanding units are subject to United States federal income tax on the
gain on the disposition of their units. Foreign unitholders owning 5 percent or
less of the outstanding units are not subject to United States federal income
tax on the gain on the disposition of their units.
Federal income taxation of a Foreign Taxpayer is a highly complex matter
which may be affected by many other considerations. Therefore, each Foreign
Taxpayer should consult with his own tax adviser as to the advisability of his
ownership of units.
TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS
Investments in publicly traded partnerships are treated the same as
investments in other partnerships for purposes of the rules governing unrelated
business taxable income. The Royalty and interest income should not be unrelated
business taxable income so long as, generally, a unitholder did not incur debt
to acquire a unit or otherwise incur or maintain a debt that would not have been
incurred or maintained if such unit had not been acquired. Legislative proposals
have been made from time to time
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which, if adopted, would result in the treatment of Royalty income as unrelated
business income. Tax-exempt unitholders should consult their own tax advisors
with respect to the treatment of royalty income.
TERMINATION OF THE TRUST
As discussed above under "Description of the Trust", the terms of the
Mesa Offshore Trust Indenture provide that the Trust will terminate upon the
first to occur of the following events: (1) the total amount of cash received
per year by the Trust for each of three successive years commencing after
December 31, 1987 is less than 10 times one-third of the total amount payable to
the Trustee as compensation for such three year period or (2) a vote by the
unitholders in favor of termination. Because the Trust will terminate in the
event the total amount of cash received per year by the Trust falls below
certain levels, it would be possible for the Trust to terminate even though some
of the Royalty Properties continued to have remaining productive lives. For
information regarding the estimated remaining life of each of the Royalty
Properties and the estimated future net revenues of the Trust based on
information provided by PNR, see pages 12 and 13 of this Form 10-K and Note 6 in
the Notes to Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Upon
termination of the Trust, the Trustee will sell for cash all the assets held in
the Trust estate and make a final distribution to unitholders of any funds
remaining after all Trust liabilities have been satisfied. The discussion set
forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Trust Indenture
itself, which is an exhibit to this Form 10-K and is available upon request from
the Trustee.
In addition, in the event of a dissolution of the Partnership (which could
occur under the circumstances described above under "Description of the
Trust") and a subsequent winding up and termination thereof, the assets of the
Partnership (i.e., the Royalty interest) could either (i) be distributed in kind
ratably to the Managing General Partner and the Trustee or (ii) be sold and the
proceeds thereof distributed ratably to the Managing General Partner and the
Trustee. In the event of a sale of the Royalty and a distribution of the cash
proceeds to the Trustee, the Trustee would make a final distribution to
unitholders of such cash proceeds plus any other cash held by the Trust after
the payment of or provision for all liabilities of the Trust, and the Trust
would be terminated.
The December 31, 1997, reserve report prepared for the Partnership
indicates that over 95% of future net revenues will be received by the Trust
during the next four years. As such, it is possible, depending on the timing of
future production, market conditions, and the success of future drilling
activities, if any, and other matters, that in 1998 the Trust may commence a
period of three successive years in which annual net royalty income would be
below the termination threshold prescribed in the Indenture, resulting in
termination of the Trust pursuant to the terms discussed above.
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DESCRIPTION OF ROYALTY PROPERTIES
PRODUCING ACREAGE AND WELLS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
<TABLE>
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PRODUCING WELLS(1)
------------------------------------------
PRODUCING ACRES GROSS NET
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
PROPERTY GROSS NET(2) OIL GAS OIL GAS
- ------------------------------------- --------- --------- --- --- --- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Offshore Louisiana--
South Marsh
Island 155...................... 5,000 2,625 -- 2 -- 1.0
South Marsh
Island 156...................... 5,000 2,625 -- 1 -- .5
West Delta 61...................... 5,000 3,750 -- 1 -- .8
West Delta 62...................... 5,000 3,750 -- 2 -- .9
Offshore Texas--
Brazos A-7......................... 5,760 2,160 -- 1 -- .4
Brazos A-39........................ 5,760 2,160 -- 2 -- .8
Matagorda
Island 624...................... 5,617 1,369 -- 1 -- .2
--------- --------- --- --- --- ---
Total..................... 37,137 18,439 0 10 0 4.6
========= ========= === === === ===
</TABLE>
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(1) Dual completions are counted as one well. For information regarding wells
producing at December 31, 1997, see "Net Proceeds, Production and Average
Prices" on page 21 of this Form 10-K.
(2) Net Producing Acres are calculated by multiplying gross producing acres by
the net Royalty interest (as defined by the Trust Indenture) attributable to
the Trust for each property.
RESERVES
A study of the proved oil and gas reserves attributable to the Partnership
as of December 31, 1997, has been made by PNR. The following letter (the
"Reserve Report") summarizes such reserve study. The Reserve Report reflects
estimated reserve quantities and future net revenue based upon estimates of the
future timing of actual production without regard to when received in cash by
the Trust, which differs from the manner in which the Trust recognizes and
accounts for its royalty income. For further information regarding the Net
Overriding Royalty Interest, the Basis of Accounting for the Trust and Reserves,
see Notes 2, 3 and 6, respectively, in the Notes to Financial Statements
contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
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SUMMARY REPORT
DATED
MARCH 1998
ON
RESERVES AND REVENUE
AS OF
DECEMBER 31, 1997
FROM
CERTAIN PROPERTIES
OWNED BY
MESA OFFSHORE ROYALTY PARTNERSHIP
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[PIONEER LETTERHEAD]
March 17, 1998
MESA Offshore Trust
Chase Bank (as Trustee)
Texas Commerce Tower
600 Travis Street, Suite 1150
Houston TX 77002
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to your request, we have prepared estimates, as of December 31, 1997,
of the extent and value of the proved crude oil, condensate, natural gas
liquids, and natural gas reserves of certain properties subject to a net profits
interest owned by the Mesa Offshore Royalty Partnership, hereinafter referred to
as the "Partnership", a partnership owned 99.99 percent by the Mesa Offshore
Trust. The interest appraised is referred to herein as the "Partnership
Interest" and consists of a 90 percent net profits interest in 10 Pioneer
Natural Resources USA, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "Pioneer") leases
located in the Gulf of Mexico offshore from Louisiana and Texas. The 10 offshore
leases subject to the net profits interest are hereinafter referred to as the
"Subject Properties". Three of these leases have been abandoned; reserves of the
remaining seven leases are reported herein.
The reserve estimates are based on a detailed study of the Subject Properties.
The method or combination of methods used in the study of each reservoir was
tempered by experience in the area, consideration of the stage of development of
the reservoir, and the quality and completeness of basic data.
Estimates of oil, condensate, natural gas liquids and gas reserves and future
net revenue should be regarded only as estimates that may change as further
production history and additional information become available. Not only are
such reserve and revenue estimates based on that information which is currently
available, but such estimates are also subject to the uncertainties inherent in
the application of judgment factors in interpreting such information.
In the preparation of this report, Pioneer has used internal information with
respect to property interests owned by the Partnership, production from such
properties, current costs of operation and development, current prices for
production, agreements relating to current and future operations and sale of
production, and various other information.
The development status shown herein represents the status applicable on December
31, 1997. Data available from wells drilled on the appraised properties through
December 31, 1997 were used in estimating gross ultimate recovery. Gross
production estimated to December 31, 1997 was deducted from gross ultimate
recovery to arrive at the estimates of gross reserves. In some fields, this
required that the production rates be estimated for a portion of 1997 since
production data for these properties were not available throughout 1997.
The reserve volumes and revenue values shown in this report for Partnership
Interest were estimated from projections of reserves and revenue attributable to
the combined interests consisting of the Partnership Interest
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MESA Offshore Trust
March 17, 1998
Page 2
and the retained Pioneer Interest in the Subject Properties (Combined Interest).
Net reserves attributable to the Partnership Interest were estimated by
allocating to the Partnership a portion of the estimated combined net reserves
of the Subject Properties based on future revenue. Because the net reserve
volumes attributable to the Partnership Interest are estimated using an
allocation of reserves based on estimates of future revenue, a change in prices
or costs will result in changes in the estimated net reserves. Therefore, the
estimated net reserves attributable to the Partnership Interest will vary if
different future price and cost assumptions are used.
Petroleum reserves included in this report are classified as proved and are
judged to be economically producible in future years from known reservoirs under
existing economic and operating conditions and assuming continuation of current
regulatory practices using conventional production methods and equipment. In the
analysis, reserves were estimated only to the limit of economic rates of
production under existing economic and operating conditions using prices and
costs as of the date the estimate is made, including consideration of changes in
existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements but not including
escalations based upon future conditions. The petroleum reserves are classified
as follows:
o Proved - Reserves that have been proved to a high degree of certainty
by analysis of the producing history of a reservoir and/or by
volumetric analysis of adequate geological and engineering data.
Commercial productivity has been established by actual production,
successful testing, or in certain cases by favorable core analyses and
electrical-log interpretation when the producing characteristics of the
formation are known from nearby fields. Volumetrically, the structure,
areal extent, volume, and characteristics of the reservoir are well
defined by a reasonable interpretation of adequate subsurface well
control and by known continuity of hydrocarbon-saturated material above
known fluid contacts, if any, or above the lowest known structural
occurrence of hydrocarbons.
o Developed - Reserves that are recoverable from existing wells with
current operating methods and expenses. Developed reserves include both
producing and nonproducing reserves. Estimates of producing reserves
assume recovery by existing wells producing from present completion
intervals with normal operating methods and expenses. Developed
nonproducing reserves are in reservoirs behind the casing or at minor
depths below the producing zone and are considered proved by production
from other wells in the field, by successful drill-stem tests, or by
core analysis from the particular zones. Nonproducing reserves require
only moderate expense to be brought into production.
o Undeveloped - Reserves that are recoverable from additional wells yet
to be drilled. Undeveloped reserves are those considered proved for
production by reasonable geological interpretation of adequate
subsurface control in reservoirs that are producing or proved by other
wells but are not recoverable from existing wells. This classification
of reserves requires drilling of additional wells, major deepening of
existing wells, or installation of enhanced recovery or other
facilities.
Estimates of the net proved reserves attributable to the Partnership Interest as
of December 31, 1997 are as follows:
TOTAL PROVED RESERVES:
Natural Gas (Mcf)............................... 2,464,682
Oil and Condensate (bbl)........................ 54,769
Natural Gas Liquids (bbl)....................... 15,348
9
<PAGE>
MESA Offshore Trust
March 17, 1998
Page 3
PROVED DEVELOPED RESERVES
Natural Gas (Mcf)............................... 2,464,682
Oil and condensate (bbl)........................ 54,769
Natural Gas Liquids (bbl)....................... 15,348
Revenue values attributable to the net proved reserves of the Partnership
Interest are expressed in terms of estimated future net revenue and present
worth of future net revenue. Future net revenue attributable to the Partnership
Interest was estimated monthly from a projection of the combined Pioneer and
Partnership future net revenue. Combined future net revenue values were
calculated by deducting operating expenses and capital costs from the future
gross revenue of the Combined Interest. The monthly values for the aggregate of
the Combined Interest in the Subject Properties were reduced by an overhead
charge, by a monthly amount necessary for Pioneer to accrue the abandonment
costs over the life of the properties, by the deficit balance as described below
from the previous month, and by the interest on that deficit balance when such
deficits occur. If the adjusted revenue resulting form this calculation was
negative, it was carried forward to the next month as a deficit balance. If the
adjusted revenue was greater than zero, it was multiplied by a factor of 90
percent to arrive at the future net revenue of the Partnership Interest. The
above calculations were made monthly in the aggregate for the Subject
Properties. Interest was charged monthly on the net profits deficit balance
(cost not recovered currently) at the rate of 9.0 percent per year. The deficit
balance as of December 31, 1997 was zero.
Future oil and gas producing rates estimated for this report are based on
production rates considering the most recent figures available or, in certain
cases, are based on estimates tempered by Pioneer's experience in the area. The
rates used for future production are rates that Pioneer has determined are
within the capacity of the well or reservoir to produce.
Gas volumes shown herein are expressed at standard conditions of 60 degrees
Fahrenheit and a 15.025 pounds per square inch absolute. Condensate reserves
estimated herein are those to be obtained from normal separator recovery.
Revenue values in this report were estimated using current prices and costs.
Future prices were estimated using guidelines established by the Securities and
Exchange Commission and the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
The assumptions used for estimating future prices and costs are as follows:
o Oil and Condensate Prices - Oil and condensate prices were held
constant for the life of the properties.
o Natural gas Prices - Gas prices were held constant for the life of the
properties.
o Natural Gas Liquids Prices - Natural gas liquids prices were held
constant for the life of the properties.
The initial and future prices and producing rates used in this report are those
that the Partnership could reasonably expect to receive over the life of the
properties.
o Operating and Capital Costs - Current estimates of operating costs were
used for the life of the properties with no increases in the future
based on inflation. Future capital expenditures were estimated using
1997 values and were not adjusted for inflation.
10
<PAGE>
MESA Offshore Trust
March 17, 1998
Page 4
A summary of estimated revenue and costs attributable to the Combined interest
in proved reserves and the future net revenue and present worth attributable to
the Partnership Interest, as of December 31, 1997 is as follows:
COMBINED INTEREST:
Future Gross Revenue ($)............................... 7,625,049
Production and Ad Valorem Taxes ($).................... 0
Operating Costs ($).................................... (4,603,026)
Capital Costs ($)1..................................... (11,011,180)
Future Net Revenue ($)................................. (7,989,151)
Accrued Revenue for Abandonment Costs ($).............. 9,932,542
Future Accrued Revenue for Abandonment Costs ($)....... 466,400
Revenue Subject to Net Profits Interest ($)............ 2,409,791
PARTNERSHIP INTEREST:
Future Net Revenue ($)2................................ 2,168,812
Present Worth at 10 Percent ($)........................ 1,884,188
The information relating to estimated proved reserves, estimated future net
revenue from proved reserves, and present worth of estimated future net revenue
from proved reserves of oil, condensate, natural gas liquids, and gas contained
in this report has been prepared in accordance with Paragraphs 10-13, 15 and
30(a)-(b) of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 69 (November 1982)
of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and Rules 4-10(a)(1)-(13) of
Regulation S-X and Rule 302(b) of Regulation S-K of the Securities and Exchange
Commission; provided, however, future income tax expenses have not been taken
into account in estimating the future net revenue and present worth values set
forth herein.
To the extent the above enumerated rules, regulations, and statements require
determinations of an accounting or legal nature or information beyond the scope
of this report, MESA is necessarily unable to express an opinion as to whether
the above-described information is in accordance therewith or sufficient
therefor.
Submitted,
/s/JOHN V. PETERS
John V. Peters
- --------
(1)Includes abandonment costs.
(2)Future income tax expenses were not taken into account in the preparation
of these estimates.
11
<PAGE>
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of
proved reserves and in projecting the future rates of production and timing of
development expenditures, including many factors beyond the control of the
producer. The preceding reserve data in the Reserve Report represent estimates
only and should not be construed as being exact. Reserve assessment is a
subjective process of estimating the recovery from underground accumulations of
gas and oil that cannot be measured in an exact way, and estimates of other
persons might differ materially from those of PNR. Accordingly, reserve
estimates are often different from the quantities of hydrocarbons that are
ultimately recovered.
Also, while estimates of reserves attributable to the Royalty Properties
are shown in order to comply with requirements of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"), there is no precise method of allocating estimates of
physical quantities of reserves between PNR and the Partnership, since the
Royalty is not a working interest and the Partnership does not own and is not
entitled to receive any specific volume of reserves from the Royalty. Reserve
quantities in the previously mentioned reserve study have been allocated based
on the method referenced in the Reserve Report. The quantities of reserves
attributable to the Partnership will be affected by future changes in various
economic factors utilized in estimating future gross and net revenues from the
Royalty Properties. Therefore, the estimates of reserves set forth in the
Reserve Report are to a large extent hypothetical and differ in significant
respects from estimates of reserves attributable to a working interest.
Moreover, the discounted present values in the Reserve Report should not be
construed as the current market value of the estimated gas and oil reserves
attributable to the Royalty Properties or the costs that would be incurred to
obtain equivalent reserves, since a market value determination would include
many additional factors. In accordance with applicable regulations of the SEC,
estimated future net revenues were based, generally, on current prices and
costs, whereas actual future prices and costs may be materially greater or less.
The estimates in the Reserve Report use market prices as of December 31, 1997
pursuant to gas contracts in effect on January 1, 1998. These prices (having a
weighted average of $2.36 per Mcf as of December 31, 1997) were held constant
over the estimated life of the Royalty Properties. Such prices were influenced
by seasonal demand for natural gas and may not be the most appropriate or
representative prices to use for estimating future revenues or related reserve
data. The average price of natural gas sold from the Royalty Properties during
1997 was $2.66 per Mcf, representing a combination of contract prices and spot
market prices.
The following is a summary of the estimated remaining life for each of the
Royalty Properties provided to the Trustee by PNR as of December 31, 1997. There
are numerous uncertainties present in estimating the remaining productive lives
for the Royalty Properties. The following summary represents an estimate only
and should not be construed as being exact. The estimated remaining productive
life of each property varies depending on the recoverable reserves and annual
production assumed by PNR. In addition, future economic and operating conditions
may cause significant changes in such estimates.
ESTIMATED
REMAINING LIFE
AS OF
PROPERTY DECEMBER 31, 1997(1)(2)
---------- -----------------------
South Marsh Island 155/156...................... 1-2 years
West Delta 61/62................................ 3-4 years
Brazos A-7...................................... 5-6 years
Brazos A-39..................................... 2-3 years
Matagorda Island 624............................ 3-4 years
(SEE NOTES ON FOLLOWING PAGE)
12
<PAGE>
- ------------
(1) The Trust will terminate in the event the total amount of cash received per
year by the Trust falls below certain levels. Accordingly, it would be
possible for the Trust to terminate even though some of the Royalty
Properties continued to have remaining productive lives. See "Termination
of the Trust" on page 5 of this Form 10-K.
(2) Estimates of remaining lives may vary significantly from year to year.
The future net revenues contained in the Reserve Report have not been
reduced for future general and administrative costs and expenses of the Trust,
which are expected to approximate $500,000 annually. The general and
administrative costs and expenses of the Trust may increase in future years,
depending on the amount of royalty income, increases in accounting, engineering,
legal and other professional fees and other factors.
PNR has advised the Trust that there have been no events subsequent to
December 31, 1997 that have caused a significant change in the estimated proved
reserves referred to in the Reserve Report.
PROCEEDS, PRODUCTION AND AVERAGE PRICES
Reference is made to "Net Proceeds, Production and Average Prices" under
Item 7 of this Form 10-K.
ASSETS
Reference is made to Item 6 of this Form 10-K for information relating to
the assets of the Trust.
CONTRACTS
GENERAL. PNR has advised the Trust that during 1997 its offshore gas
production was marketed under short term contracts at spot market prices to
multiple purchasers, including Penn Union Energy, Energy Source Inc. and Conoco.
PNR has further advised the Trust that it expects to continue to market its
production under short term contracts for the foreseeable future. Spot market
prices for natural gas in 1997 were generally higher than spot market prices in
1996. Information regarding recent prices received for production from the
Royalty Properties is provided below.
BRAZOS A-7 AND A-39. In March 1998, most of the gas from this
property was being sold to Columbia Energy Services at an average price of
$2.17 per MMBtu.
SOUTH MARSH ISLAND 155 AND 156. In March 1998, most of the gas from
this property was being sold to Columbia Energy Services at an average
price of $2.17 per MMBtu.
WEST DELTA 61 AND 62. In March 1998, most of the gas from this
property was being sold to Columbia Energy Services at an average price of
$2.20 per MMBtu.
MATAGORDA ISLAND 624. In March 1998, most of the gas from this
property was being sold to Columbia Energy Services at an average price of
$2.20 per MMBtu.
MARKET FOR NATURAL GAS
The amount of cash distributions by the Trust is dependent on, among other
things, the sales prices for natural gas produced from the Royalty Properties
and the quantities of gas sold. The natural gas industry in the United States
during the past decade has been affected generally by a surplus in natural gas
deliverability in comparison to demand. Demand for gas declined during this
period due to a number of factors including the implementation of energy
conservation programs, a shift in economic activity away from energy intensive
industries and competition from alternative fuel sources such as residual fuel
oil, coal and nuclear energy. The surplus of natural gas deliverability caused a
general deterioration in gas prices. The annual average wellhead price for
natural gas peaked in 1984 at $2.66 per Mcf and declined to $1.55 per Mcf in
1995. Annual wellhead prices have generally increased since 1995 to $2.17 per
MCF in 1996 and $2.37 per MCF in 1997, according to the Natural Gas Monthly
published by the Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy.
In addition, spot
13
<PAGE>
prices for domestic natural gas have been negatively affected by warmer than
normal weather in the fourth quarter of 1997 and the first quarter of 1998.
The seasonal nature of demand for natural gas and its effects on sales
prices and production volumes may cause the amounts of cash distributions by the
Trust to vary substantially on a seasonal basis. Generally, production volumes
and prices are higher during the first and fourth quarters of each calendar year
due primarily to peak demand in these periods. Because of the time lag between
the date on which PNR receives payment for production from the Royalty
Properties and the date on which distributions are made to unitholders, the
seasonality that generally affects production volumes and prices is generally
reflected in distributions to unitholders in later periods.
COMPETITION
The production and sale of gas from the areas in which the Royalty
Properties are located is highly competitive and PNR has a number of competitors
in these areas. PNR has advised the Trust that it believes that its competitive
position in these areas is affected by price, contract terms and quality of
service. PNR's business is affected not only by such competition, but also by
general economic developments, governmental regulations and other factors.
MARKETING OF LIQUIDS
PNR generally reserves in its gas purchase contracts the right to extract
condensate and other liquid and liquifiable hydrocarbons from all gas produced.
PNR is currently selling the condensate and other liquids to various purchasers
under contracts with terms of one year or less.
A PNR subsidiary, Mesa Transmission Co., owns a 100% interest in a pipeline
which transports crude oil from South Marsh Island 155 and 156 to an underwater
connection with Marathon Pipe Line Company's ("Marathon") pipeline on South
Marsh Island 139. In 1997, PNR charged $3.60 per barrel for transportation of
crude oil from these properties, which included Marathon's currently posted
tariff of $1.55 per barrel and Mesa Transmission Co.'s tariff of $2.05 per
barrel. Tariffs charged by Mesa Transmission Co. are subject to approval by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the "FERC").
Future pipeline construction and operation arrangements may be necessary
for the marketing of crude oil and other liquid hydrocarbon production, if any,
from the other Royalty Properties. Mesa Transmission Co. could be involved in
such arrangements.
14
<PAGE>
REGULATION AND PRICES
GENERAL
The production and sale of natural gas from the Royalty Properties are
affected from time to time in varying degrees by political developments and
federal, state and local laws and regulations. In particular, oil and gas
production operations and economics are, or in the past have been, affected by
price controls, taxes, conservation, safety, environmental and other laws
relating to the petroleum industry, by changes in such laws and by constantly
changing administrative regulations.
OPERATING HAZARDS AND UNINSURED RISKS
PNR's oil and gas activities are subject to all of the risks normally
incident to exploration for and production of oil and gas, including blowouts,
cratering and fires, each of which could result in damage to life and property.
Offshore operations are subject to a variety of operating risks, such as
hurricanes and other adverse weather conditions and lack of access to existing
pipelines or other means of transporting production. Furthermore, offshore oil
and gas operations are subject to extensive governmental regulations, including
certain regulations that may, in certain circumstances, impose absolute
liability for pollution damages, and to interruption or termination by
governmental authorities based on environmental or other considerations. In
accordance with customary industry practices, PNR carries insurance against
some, but not all, of these risks. Losses and liabilities resulting from such
events would reduce revenues and increase costs to the Trust to the extent not
covered by insurance.
FERC REGULATION
The FERC has recently required interstate pipeline companies to
"unbundle" their services. To the extent a pipeline company or its sales
affiliate makes gas sales as a merchant in the future, it does so pursuant to
private contracts in direct competition with all other sellers, such as PNR. In
recent years, the FERC also has pursued a number of other policy initiatives
which could significantly affect the marketing of natural gas. Several of these
initiatives are intended to enhance competition in natural gas markets, although
some, such as "spin-downs," may have the adverse effect of increasing the cost
of doing business on some in the industry. As to all of these recent FERC
initiatives, PNR has advised the Trust that the on-going, or, in some instances,
preliminary evolving nature of these regulatory initiatives makes it impossible
at this time to predict their ultimate impact on the Trust's business.
STATE REGULATION
State regulation of gathering facilities generally includes various safety,
environmental, and in some circumstances, non-discriminatory take requirements.
Recently some states have implemented more stringent legislation to regulate
gathering rates charged by gas gathering companies but to date the effect to PNR
is minimal.
ENVIRONMENTAL
PNR's operations are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and
regulations controlling the discharge of materials into the environment or
otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, including the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"
or "Superfund"), the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Clean Air Act, and the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act. These laws and regulations, including their
state counterparts, can impose liability upon the lessee under a lease for the
cost of cleanup of discharged materials resulting from a lessee's operations or
can subject the lessee to liability for damages to natural resources. Violations
of environmental laws, regulations, or permits can result in civil and criminal
penalties as well as potential injunctions curtailing operations in affected
areas and restrictions on the injection of liquids into the subsurface that may
contaminate groundwater. PNR maintains insurance for costs of cleanup
operations, but it is not fully insured against all such risks. A serious
release of regulated materials could result in the DOI requiring lessees under
federal leases to suspend or cease operations in the affected area. In addition,
the recent trend toward stricter standards and regulations in environmental
15
<PAGE>
legislation is likely to continue. For example, legislation has been proposed in
Congress that would reclassify certain oil and gas production wastes as
"hazardous wastes" which would subject the handling, disposal and cleanup of
these wastes to more stringent requirements and result in increased operating
costs for the Royalty Properties, as well as the oil and gas industry in
general. State initiatives to further regulate the disposal of oil and gas
wastes are also pending in certain states, and these initiatives could have a
similar impact on the Royalty Properties.
From time to time, federal and state environmental agencies propose
regulations which could have a direct and material impact on PNR's operations.
For example, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 ("OPA") and regulations thereunder
impose a variety of regulations on "responsible parties," including the owners
and operators of offshore facilities, related to the discharge of petroleum
products in reportable quantities in waters of the United States. In 1993, the
Minerals Management Service ("MMS") proposed regulations that would require
owners and operators of offshore facilities to establish $150 million in
financial responsibility. However, in October 1996, the President signed a bill
that amends OPA to reduce the level of financial responsibility to $35 million.
Therefore, the MMS proposal will not become effective. Under current federal
regulations concerning offshore operations, the MMS is authorized to require
lessees to post supplemental bonds to cover their potential leasehold
abandonment costs. By letter dated November 9, 1995, PNR was advised by the MMS
that it does not qualify for a waiver from supplemental bond requirements and
that PNR may be required to post supplemental bonds covering its potential
obligations with respect to offshore operations. PNR executed a guaranty of
abandonment liability (area wide) with the MMS on April 26, 1996, in
satisfaction of these obligations.
PNR has advised the Trust that it is not involved in any administrative or
judicial proceedings relating to the Royalty Properties arising under federal,
state, or local environmental protection laws and regulations or which would
have a material adverse effect on the Trust's financial position or results of
operations.
PLATFORM ABANDONMENT AND REMOVAL
PNR is responsible for the abandonment and removal of its offshore drilling
and production structures within one year after the cessation of production,
although extensions can be requested.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
Reference is made to Item 1 of this Form 10-K.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
There are no pending legal proceedings to which the Trust is a party.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the
fourth quarter of 1997.
16
<PAGE>
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED UNITHOLDER
MATTERS.
The units of beneficial interest of Mesa Offshore Trust are traded on the
Pacific Exchange -- ticker symbol MOS. The high and low sales prices and
distributions per unit for each quarter in the two years ended December 31, 1997
were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996
------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION
HIGH LOW PAID HIGH LOW PAID
--------- --------- ------------- --------- --------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
First Quarter............................. $ .344 $ .219 $ .0070 $ .250 $ .125 $-
Second Quarter............................ $ .344 $ .250 $ .0248 $ .688 $ .156 $-
Third Quarter............................. $ .250 $ .188 $ .0219 $ .438 $ .156 $-
Fourth Quarter............................ $ .250 $ .188 $ .0143 $ .281 $ .188 $-
</TABLE>
At March 20, 1998, the 71,980,216 units outstanding were held by 15,062
unitholders of record.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
-------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Royalty income................... $ 5,737,644 $ 36,014 $ 3,139,620 $ 9,104,615 $ 13,867,712
Distributable income............. $ 4,900,814 $ -- $ 2,803,862 $ 8,783,711 $ 13,458,769
Distributable income per unit.. $ .0681 $ -- $ .0390 $ .1220 $ .1870
Excess cost carryforward......... $ -- $ (3,149,598) $ (138,514) $ -- $ --
Total assets at year end......... $ 3,274,532 $ 2,602,742 $ 3,103,451 $ 4,724,878 $ 8,725,736
</TABLE>
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
YEARS 1997 AND 1996
Royalty income increased to $5,737,644 in 1997 as compared to $36,014 in
1996. The increase in royalty income was primarily due to the recovery of 1996
drilling costs on South Marsh Island blocks 155 and 156 by PNR in the first
quarter of 1997. Distributable income increased to $4,900,814 ($.0681 per unit)
in 1997 as compared to no distributable income in 1996.
Production volumes for natural gas decreased to 4,030,273 Mcf in 1997
compared with 4,499,242 Mcf in 1996. The decrease was due primarily to natural
production decline. The average sale price received for natural gas in 1997 was
$2.66 per Mcf compared with $2.25 per Mcf in 1996.
Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids production volumes increased
to 170,158 barrels in 1997 compared with 162,405 barrels in 1996. The increase
was due primarily to increased production on South Marsh Island. The average
sale price in 1997 for crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids was $16.97
per barrel compared with $15.83 per barrel in 1996.
YEARS 1996 AND 1995
Royalty income was $36,014 in 1996 as compared to $3,139,620 in 1995. There
was no distributable income in 1996 as compared to $2,803,862 ($.0390 per unit)
in 1995. The decrease in Royalty income and lack of distributable income was
primarily due to the recovery of capital costs associated with drilling and
completion of the wells on South Marsh Island.
Production volumes for natural gas increased to 4,499,242 Mcf in 1996
compared with 3,662,986 Mcf in 1995. The increase was due primarily to new
production on South Marsh Island, offset in part by a natural production decline
on other properties. The average sale price received for natural gas in 1996 was
$2.25 per Mcf compared with $1.54 per Mcf in 1995.
17
<PAGE>
Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids production volumes increased
to 162,405 barrels in 1996 compared with 113,322 barrels in 1995. The increase
was due primarily to new production on South Marsh Island, offset in part by a
natural production decline on other properties. The average sale price in 1996
for crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids was $15.83 per barrel compared
with $14.65 per barrel in 1995.
GENERAL
From inception of the Trust on December 1, 1982 through December 31, 1987,
PNR, as working interest owner, spent $110 million ($99 million net to the
Trust) to explore and develop the Royalty Properties. No significant
expenditures regarding exploration and development were made during 1988, 1989
or 1990. Beginning in late 1991 and continuing in 1992, PNR spent $9.6 million
($8.7 million net to the Trust) on exploration and development. No significant
exploration and development expenditures were made in 1993 or 1994. As discussed
below, PNR spent $3.4 million ($1.2 million net to the Trust) on exploration and
development during 1995, $21.9 million ($13.8 million net to the Trust) in 1996,
$2.9 million ($1.8 million net to the Trust in 1997 and anticipates spending up
to approximately $6.6 million ($.6 million net to the Trust) primarily on
planned workovers and recompletions in 1998.
ADDITIONAL DRILLING PROJECTS
During 1996, PNR drilled five wells from the existing "A" platform on the
South Marsh Island 155/156 block at a total cost of $21.9 million ($13.8 million
net to the Trust). See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Operational
Review" below and "Termination of the Trust" elsewhere in this Form 10-K for
additional information regarding the South Marsh Island drilling program.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
In accordance with the provisions of the Trust conveyance, generally all
revenues received by the Trust, net of Trust administrative expenses and any
cash reserves established for the payment of contingent or future obligations of
the Trust, are distributed currently to the unitholders.
The Trust's source of cash is the Royalty income received from its share of
the net proceeds from the Royalty Properties. Reference is made to Note 6 in the
Notes to Financial Statements under Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a discussion of
estimated future Royalty income attributable to the Partnership, of which the
Trust has a 99.99% interest.
As discussed above, PNR drilled five wells on the South Marsh Island
properties in 1996. During 1996, PNR recovered approximately $9.8 million in
drilling expenses net to the Trust related to the drilling on the South Marsh
Island blocks 155/156. PNR recovered all remaining costs related to the South
Marsh Island drilling program as of the February 1997 reporting month. In
addition, the Trust recovered approximately $.5 million in administrative
expenses paid from the Trust's reserve fund during the period in which Royalty
income was not paid to the Trust, replenishing the Trust's expense reserve fund
balance to $2 million.
The December 31, 1997, reserve report prepared for the Partnership
indicates that over 95% of future net revenues will be received by the Trust
during the next four years. As such, it is possible, depending on the timing of
future production, market conditions and the success of future drilling
activities, if any, and other matters, that in 1998 the Trust may commence a
period of three successive years in which annual net royalty income would be
below the termination threshold prescribed in the Indenture, resulting in
termination of the Trust pursuant to the terms discussed above.
During the mid-1980's, PNR withheld approximately $3.5 million ($3.1
million net to the Trust) as a reserve for potential liabilities for royalty
claims made by the MMS. These reserves, including accrued interest, were
approximately $6.7 million ($6.0 million net to the Trust) as of March 25, 1998.
The claims by the MMS relate to payments received by PNR from purchasers as
settlements under gas purchase contracts. PNR and the MMS have not settled or
litigated these claims.
18
<PAGE>
In connection with separate royalty claims by the MMS relating to, among
other things, transportation allowances attributable to the Trust's South Marsh
Island properties, PNR has advised the Trust that PNR submitted a settlement
agreement ( the "Transportation Settlement Agreement") in November 1997 for
approval by various regulatory agencies. The Transportation Settlement
Agreement, if approved, would involve payments by PNR of approximately $3.4
million ($3.0 million net to the Trust). PNR has advised the Trust that it will
use the reserve currently held in connection with the prior MMS royalty claims
to offset any payments due in connection with the Transportation Settlement
Agreement. Although PNR believes that current case law provides PNR with
favorable defenses in connection with the gas purchase contract claims made by
the MMS, PNR has advised the Trust that it cannot predict the timing of any
settlement or litigation in connection with such claims, nor the amount
attributable to the Trust at which PNR would settle such claims. Accordingly,
the Trust cannot predict, when, if ever, a release of remaining cash reserves,
or withholding of additional reserves, will be made by PNR.
INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR THE YEAR 2000
Pioneer has stated that it would be required to modify its information
systems in order to accurately process data referencing the year 2000. Because
of the importance of occurrence dates in the oil and gas industry, the
consequences of not pursuing these modifications could be very significant to
PNR's ability to manage and report operating activities. Currently, Pioneer
plans to contract with third parties to perform the software programming changes
necessary to correct any existing deficiencies. Pioneer has stated that the
costs to the Trust should not have a material financial impact to the Trust.
Pioneer has stated that such programming changes are anticipated to be completed
and tested by March 1, 1999. The Trustee has not yet determined the impact of
the year 2000 on the information systems of other working interest owners with
respect to its operating of financial effect of the Trust.
The Corporate Trustee has also undertaken a firmwide initiative to address
the year 2000 issue. The Corporate Trustee does not believe that the year 2000
will materially affect its ability to perform its functions on behalf of the
Trust or have a material financial impact on the Trust. However, there can be no
guarantee that the systems of other companies, on which the Corporate Trustee's
systems rely, will be timely converted or that a failure to convert by another
company or a conversion that is incompatible with the Corporate Trustee's
systems would not have a material adverse effect on the Trust.
OPERATIONAL REVIEW
As discussed in Item 1 of this Form 10-K, PNR has advised the Trust that
during 1997, its offshore gas production was marketed under short-term contracts
at spot market prices to multiple purchasers, including Penn Union Energy,
Pacific Gas & Electric Co., and Conoco, and that it expects to continue to
market its production under short-term contracts for the foreseeable future.
The amount of cash distributed by the Trust is dependent on, among other
things, the sales prices and quantities of gas, crude oil, condensate and
natural gas liquids produced from the Royalty Properties and the quantities
sold. Substantial uncertainties exist with regard to future gas and oil prices,
which are subject to fluctuations due to the regional supply and demand for
natural gas and oil, production levels and other activities of OPEC and other
oil and gas producers, weather, storage levels, industrial growth, conservations
measurers, competition and other variables.
The Brazos A-39 block has experienced an increase in natural gas production
in 1997 as compared to 1996 primarily due to the resumption of production from
block A-39, well A-3. Well A-3 resumed operation in September 1996, and was
producing approximately 2.4 MMCF of gas per day as of January 1998. PNR has
elected not to purchase 3-D seismic data over the A-39 block at this time. The
Brazos A-7 well, SS #4 has experienced a decline in production due to natural
production decline. PNR farmed out a portion of the Brazos A-7 well to another
operator and participated at a 10% working interest in the completion of an
exploratory gas well that was drilled in the second quarter of 1997. The No. 5
well encountered gas pay and was suspended pending completion operations. A
19
<PAGE>
proposal for production facilities was received in the third quarter of 1997,
and a proposal for completion and hook-up of the No. 5 well was received in the
first quarter of 1998. The combined completion and facility cost estimate of the
No. 5 well is approximately $6.6 million ($0.6 million net to the Trust).
Production from this well is expected to begin third quarter 1998.
The South Marsh Island 155 and 156 blocks experienced essentially flat
production in 1997 as compared to 1996, primarily due to the drilling program
performed in 1996. Currently, the A-20, A-22, and the A-14 ST are experiencing
natural decline, while the A-6 ST and A-21 have ceased production. The initial
gross producing rates from these five wells was approximately 40 MMCF of gas and
1,000 barrels of condensate per day which has subsequently declined to
approximately 4.6 MMCF of gas and 140 barrels of condensate per day as of
January 1998. The decrease in production is primarily due to natural production
decline. A recompletion of the A-6 ST well in the second quarter of 1997 was
performed at a cost of approximately $30,000 ($19,000 net to the Trust). The
initial production after recompletion was approximately 10 MMCF of gas per day.
As of October 1997, the well loaded up with water and has ceased to produce. PNR
purchased 3-D seismic data for the South Marsh Island 156 block at a cost of
$300,000 ($189,000 net to the Trust). The data has been evaluated and PNR has no
current plans for additional drilling.
The West Delta 61 and 62 blocks experienced a decrease in natural gas
production in 1997 as compared to 1996, primarily due to natural production
decline. In portions of West Delta block 62, the Trust is receiving royalty
income from this property pursuant to a farmout agreement with another operator.
The interest in the farmout wells, which is attributable to the Trust, consists
of a 7.5% net profits interest. In West Delta block 61, PNR has reviewed the
block and subsequently entered into a farmout agreement with another operator
for additional drilling.
Matagorda Island 624 oil and natural gas production increased in 1997 as
compared to 1996, primarily due to improved performance in the A-1 well. The A-8
development well, which was drilled in the fourth quarter of 1995, is currently
shut in due to mechanical problems. This well was reviewed for a tubing
replacement at a cost of approximately $500,000 ($146,000 net to the Trust), and
PNR determined that a workover could not be justified at this time.
20
<PAGE>
NET PROCEEDS, PRODUCTION AND AVERAGE PRICES (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SOUTH
MARSH WEST MATAGORDA
BRAZOS ISLAND 155 DELTA ISLAND
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997: A-7 AND A-39 AND 156 61 AND 62 624 TOTAL
------------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
90% of--
Gross proceeds................... $1,736,576 $8,909,206 $1,730,818 $1,226,177 $13,602,777
Less 90% of--
Operating costs.................. (431,282) (1,192,448) (748,218) (245,669) (2,617,617)
Capital costs recovered.......... (1,178) (4,917,298) (69,128) (4,644) (4,992,248)
Accrual for future abandonment
costs.......................... (123,115) (60,448) (61,395) (9,716) (254,674)
------------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Net Proceeds....................... $1,181,001 $2,739,012 $ 852,077 $ 966,148 $5,738,238
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Trust share of net proceeds
(99.99%)........................... 5,737,644
==========
90% of Production Volumes and Average
Sales Prices:
Crude oil, condensate and natural
gas liquids
(Bbls)......................... 1,215 145,493 13,891 9,559 170,158
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Average sales price per Bbl...... $ 18.36 $ 16.66 $ 18.24 $ 19.65 $ 16.97
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Natural gas (Mcf)................ 682,333 2,383,150 565,919 398,871 4,030,273
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Average sales price per Mcf...... $ 2.51 $ 2.72 $ 2.61 $ 2.60 $ 2.66
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Producing wells (gross).............. 3 3 3 1 10
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996:
90% of--
Gross proceeds................... $1,011,764 $7,714,044 $3,070,880 $ 906,788 $12,703,476
Less 90% of--
Operating costs.................. (600,885) (807,674) (727,325) (377,206) (2,513,090)
Capital costs recovered.......... -- (9,329,717) (5,335) (344,793) (9,679,845)
Accrual for future abandonment
costs and interest
on cost carryforward........... (86,181) (143,018) (231,185) (14,139) (474,523)
------------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Net Proceeds
(Excess Costs)................... $ 324,698 $(2,566,365) $2,107,035 $ 170,650 $ 36,018
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Trust share of net proceeds
(99.99%)........................... $ 36,014
==========
90% of Production Volumes and Average
Sales Prices:
Crude oil, condensate and natural
gas liquids
(Bbls)......................... 477 148,046 5,719 8,163 162,405
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Average sales price per Bbl...... $ N/A $ 15.74 $ 17.20 $ 20.41 $ 15.83
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Natural gas (Mcf)................ 521,846 2,397,012 1,220,306 360,078 4,499,242
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Average sales price per Mcf...... $ 1.99 $ 2.25 $ 2.44 $ 2.06 $ 2.25
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Producing wells (gross).............. 3 5 4 3 15
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995:
90% of--
Gross proceeds................... $1,691,468 $2,707,851 $2,471,303 $ 441,242 $7,311,864
Less 90% of--
Operating costs.................. (672,629) (1,036,990) (753,871) (385,096) (2,848,586)
Capital costs recovered.......... (209,034) (166,104) (62,267) (567,266) (1,004,671)
Accrual for future abandonment
costs and interest
on cost carryforward........... (127,301) (39,300) (128,166) (23,906) (318,673)
------------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Net Proceeds
(Excess Costs)................... $ 682,504 $1,465,457 $1,526,999 $ (535,026) $3,139,934
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Trust share of net proceeds
(99.99%)........................... $3,139,620
==========
90% of Production Volumes and Average
Sales Prices:
Crude oil, condensate and natural
gas liquids
(Bbls)......................... 2,886 95,368 10,478 4,590 113,322
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Average sales price per Bbl...... $ 16.09 $ 14.55 $ 14.82 $ 15.42 $ 14.65
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Natural gas (Mcf)................ 1,043,249 916,441 1,451,446 251,850 3,662,986
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Average sales price per Mcf...... $ 1.58 $ 1.44 $ 1.60 $ 1.47 $ 1.54
============= ========== ========= ========== ==========
Producing wells (gross).............. 3 2 2 3 10
</TABLE>
- ------------
o The amounts shown are for the Mesa Offshore Royalty Partnership.
o Producing wells indicates the gross number of wells capable of production as
of the end of the period.
o Gross proceeds is based on actual production for a twelve-month period ending
on October 31 of each year, respectively.
o Capital costs recovered represent capital costs incurred during the current or
prior period to the extent that such costs have been recovered by PNR from
gross proceeds.
o The cost carryforward resulting from the drilling on South Marsh Island was
$3.1 million at December 31, 1996. See the Operational Review Section for
additional information.
21
<PAGE>
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
MESA OFFSHORE TRUST
STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
-----------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Royalty income....................... $ 5,737,644 $ 36,014 $ 3,139,620
Interest income...................... 123,268 63,253 91,788
General and administrative expense... (960,098) (99,267) (427,546)
------------- ----------- -------------
Distributable income................. $ 4,900,814 $ -- $ 2,803,862
============= =========== =============
Distributable income per unit........ $ .0681 $ -- $ .0390
============= =========== =============
</TABLE>
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31
------------------------------------
1997 1996
----------------- -----------------
ASSETS
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and short-term investments............................................ $ 2,993,764 $ 1,535,247
Interest receivable........................................................ 32,568 5,090
Net overriding royalty interest in oil and gas properties.................. 380,905,000 380,905,000
Less: accumulated amortization........................................ (380,656,800) (379,842,595)
----------------- -----------------
$ 3,274,532 $ 2,602,742
================= =================
LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS
Reserve for trust expenses................................................. $ 2,000,000 $ 1,540,337
Distribution payable....................................................... 1,026,332 --
Trust corpus (71,980,216 units of beneficial
interest authorized and outstanding)..................................... 248,200 1,062,405
----------------- -----------------
$ 3,274,532 $ 2,602,742
================= =================
</TABLE>
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
----------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
-------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Trust corpus, beginning of year................................. $ 1,062,405 $ 1,067,160 $ 1,527,797
Distributable income....................................... 4,900,814 -- 2,803,862
Distributions to unitholders............................... (4,900,814) -- (2,803,862)
Amortization of net overriding royalty interest............ (814,205) (4,755) (460,637)
-------------- -------------- --------------
Trust corpus, end of year....................................... $ 248,200 $ 1,062,405 $ 1,067,160
============== ============== ==============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
22
<PAGE>
MESA OFFSHORE TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) TRUST ORGANIZATION AND PROVISIONS
THE TRUST
The Mesa Offshore Trust (the "Trust") was created effective December 1,
1982. On that date, Mesa Petroleum Co., predecessor to Mesa Limited Partnership,
which was predecessor to MESA Inc., transferred to the Trust a 99.99% interest
in the Mesa Offshore Royalty Partnership (the "Partnership"). The Trust is an
independent trust administered by Chase Bank of Texas National Association, as
trustee (the "Trustee").
The terms of the Mesa Offshore Trust Indenture (the "Trust Indenture")
provide, among other things, that:
(a) the Trust cannot engage in any business or investment activity or
purchase any assets;
(b) the interest in the Partnership can be sold in part or in total for
cash upon approval of the unitholders;
(c) the Trustee can establish cash reserves and borrow funds to pay
liabilities of the Trust and can pledge the assets of the Trust to
secure payment of the borrowings;
(d) the Trustee will make cash distributions to the unitholders in
January, April, July and October of each year as discussed more fully in
Note 4; and
(e) the Trust will terminate upon the first to occur of the following
events: (i) the total amount of cash received per year by the Trust for
each of three successive years commencing after December 31, 1987 is
less than 10 times one-third of the total amount payable to the Trustee
as compensation for such three-year period or (ii) a vote by the
unitholders in favor of termination. Amounts earned by the Trustee as
compensation were $173,000, $123,000 and $149,000 for the years 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively. Upon termination of the Trust, the Trustee
will sell for cash all the assets held in the Trust estate and make a
final distribution to unitholders of any funds remaining after all Trust
liabilities have been satisfied.
THE PARTNERSHIP
The Partnership was created to receive and hold a net overriding royalty
interest (the "Royalty") in ten producing and nonproducing oil and gas
properties located in federal waters offshore Louisiana and Texas (the "Royalty
Properties"). MESA Inc. created the Royalty out of its working interest in the
Royalty Properties and transferred it to the Partnership. Until August 7, 1997,
MESA Inc. owned and operated its assets through Mesa Operating Co. ("Mesa"),
the operator and the managing general partner of the Royalty Properties. On
August 7, 1997, MESA Inc. merged with and into Pioneer Natural Resources Company
("Pioneer"), formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of MESA, Inc., and Parker &
Parsley Petroleum Company merged with and into Pioneer Natural Resources USA,
Inc. (successor to Mesa Operating Co.), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pioneer
("PNR") (collectively, the mergers are referred to herein as the "Merger").
Subsequent to the Merger, Pioneer owns and operates its assets through PNR and
is also the managing general partner of the Partnership.
The Partnership is owned 99.99% by the Trust and 0.01% by PNR. PNR serves
as the managing general partner of the Partnership. PNR receives no compensation
for serving as managing general partner other than the income it receives
attributable to its interest in the Partnership.
STATUS OF THE TRUST
PNR has advised the Trust that in October 1995 it completed the drilling on
Matagorda Island block 624 and that it drilled five wells from the existing
"A" platform on the South Marsh Island 155 block during 1996. PNR recovered
all remaining costs related to the South March Island drilling
23
<PAGE>
MESA OFFSHORE TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
program as of the February 1997 reporting month. In addition, the Trust
recovered approximately $.5 million in administrative expenses paid from the
Trust's reserve fund during the period in which Royalty income was not paid to
the Trust, replenishing the Trust's expense reserve fund balance to $2 million.
The December 31, 1997, reserve report prepared for the Partnership (see
Note 6) indicates that 95% of future net revenues will be received by the Trust
during the next four years. As such, it is possible, depending on the timing of
future production, market conditions, the success of future drilling activities,
if any, and other matters, that in 1998 the Trust may commence a period of three
successive years in which annual net royalty income would be below the
termination threshold prescribed in the Indenture, resulting in termination of
the Trust pursuant to the terms discussed above.
(2) NET OVERRIDING ROYALTY INTEREST
The instruments conveying the Royalty to the Partnership provide that PNR
will calculate and pay to the Partnership each month an amount equal to 90% of
aggregate net proceeds for the preceding month. Generally, net proceeds means
the excess of the amounts received by PNR from sales of its share of oil and gas
from the Royalty Properties (gross proceeds) over the operating and capital
costs incurred. Costs exceeding gross proceeds for any month are recovered by
PNR, with interest thereon at the prime rate of the Bank of America plus
one-half percent, out of future gross proceeds prior to making further royalty
payments to the Partnership.
The initial carrying value of the Royalty represented the net book value
assigned by PNR to the Royalty Properties at the date of transfer to the Trust.
Amortization of the Royalty, which is calculated on the basis of current royalty
income in relation to estimated future royalty income, is charged directly to
trust corpus since such amounts do not affect distributable income.
(3) BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The financial statements of the Trust are prepared on the following basis:
(a) Royalty income recorded for a month is the Trust's interest in the
amount computed and paid by the working interest owner to the
Partnership for such month rather than either the value of a portion of
the oil and gas produced by the working interest owner for such month or
the amount subsequently determined to be 90% of the net proceeds for
such month;
(b) Interest income, interest receivable and distributions payable to
unitholders include interest to be earned on short-term investments from
the financial statement date through the next date of distribution; and
(c) Trust general and administrative expenses are recorded in the month
they accrue.
This basis for reporting distributable income is considered to be the most
meaningful because distributions to the unitholders for a month are based on net
cash receipts for such month. However, it will differ from the basis used for
financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles because, under such accounting principles, royalty income for a month
would be based on net proceeds from production for such month without regard to
when calculated or received and interest income for a month would be calculated
only through the end of such month.
(4) DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS
Under the terms of the Trust Indenture, the Trustee must distribute to the
unitholders all cash receipts, after paying liabilities and providing for cash
reserves as determined necessary by the Trustee. The amounts distributed are
determined on a monthly basis and are payable to unitholders of record as of the
last business day of each month. However, cash distributions are made quarterly
in January,
24
<PAGE>
MESA OFFSHORE TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
April, July and October, and include interest earned from the monthly record
dates to the dates of distribution.
(5) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The Trustee reports on the basis that the Trust is a grantor trust. Based
on its previous audit policy, the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") is
expected to concur with such action. No IRS ruling has been received or
requested with respect to the Trust, however, and no court case has been decided
involving identical facts and circumstances. It is possible, therefore, that the
IRS would assert upon audit that the Trust is taxable as a corporation and that
a court might agree with such assertion.
As a grantor trust, the Trust will incur no federal income tax liability.
In addition, it will incur little or no federal income tax liability if it is
held to be a non-grantor trust. If the Trust were held to be taxable as a
corporation, it would have to pay tax on its net taxable income at the corporate
rate.
(6) SUPPLEMENTAL RESERVE INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
Estimates of the proved oil and gas reserves attributable to the Royalty as
of December 31, 1997 and 1996, are based on a report prepared by PNR. The
estimates were prepared in accordance with guidelines established by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Accordingly, the estimates
were based on existing economic and operating conditions. The reserve volumes
and revenue values contained in the reserve report for the Partnership interest
were estimated by allocating to the Partnership a portion of the estimated
combined net reserve volumes of the Royalty Properties based on future net
revenue. Production volumes are allocated based on royalty income. Because the
net reserve volumes attributable to the Partnership interest are estimated using
an allocation of reserve volumes based on estimates of future net revenue, a
change in prices or costs will result in changes in the estimated net reserve
volumes. Therefore, the estimated net reserve volumes attributable to the
Partnership interest will vary if different future price and cost assumptions
are used. Only costs necessary to develop and produce existing proved reserve
volumes were assumed in the allocation of reserve volumes to the Royalty.
Future prices for natural gas were based on prices in effect as of each
year end and existing contract terms. Prices being received as of each year end
were used for sales of oil, condensate and natural gas liquids. Operating costs,
production and ad valorem taxes and future development and abandonment costs
were based on current costs as of each year end, with no escalation.
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating the quantities and
value of proved reserves and in projecting the future rates of production and
timing of expenditures. The reserve data below represent estimates only and
should not be construed as being exact. Moreover, the discounted values should
not be construed as representative of the current market value of the Royalty. A
market value determination would include many additional factors including: (i)
anticipated future oil and gas prices; (ii) the effect of federal income taxes,
if any, on the future royalties; (iii) an allowance for return on investment;
(iv) the effect of governmental legislation; (v) the value of additional
reserves, not considered proved at present, which may be recovered as a result
of further exploration and development activities; and (vi) other business
risks.
Estimates of reserve volumes attributable to the Royalty are shown in order
to comply with requirements of the SEC. There is no precise method of allocating
estimates of physical quantities of reserve volumes between PNR and the
Partnership, since the Royalty is not a working interest and the Partnership
does not own and is not entitled to receive any specific volume of reserves from
the Royalty. The quantities of reserves attributable to the Partnership have
been and will be affected by changes in various economic factors utilized in
estimating net revenues from the Royalty Properties, as well as any exploration
activities which may be conducted by PNR. Therefore, the estimates of reserve
25
<PAGE>
MESA OFFSHORE TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
volumes set forth below are to a large extent hypothetical and differ in
significant respects from estimates of reserves attributable to a working
interest.
The future net revenues contained in the previously mentioned reserve
report have not been reduced for future general and administrative costs and
expenses of the Trust, which are expected to approximate $500,000 annually. The
general and administrative costs and expenses of the Trust may increase in
future years, depending on the amount of royalty income, increases in
accounting, engineering, legal, and other professional fees and other factors.
The following schedules set forth (i) the estimated net quantities of
proved and proved developed oil, condensate and natural gas liquids and natural
gas reserves attributable to the Royalty, and (ii) the standardized measure of
the discounted future royalty income attributable to the Royalty and the nature
of changes in such standardized measure between years. These schedules are
prepared on the accrual basis, which is the basis on which PNR maintains its
production records and is different from the basis on which the Royalty is
computed. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to
conform to the current year presentation.
ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF PROVED AND PROVED DEVELOPED RESERVES (UNAUDITED)
OIL,
CONDENSATE
AND NATURAL NATURAL
GAS LIQUIDS GAS
------------ -------------
(BBLS) (MCF)
Proved Reserves:
December 31, 1994............... 153,058 3,637,928
------------ -------------
Revisions of previous
estimates.............. 2,937 (611,229)
Extensions, discoveries
and other additions.... 45,832 827,402
Production................ (48,659) (1,572,839)
------------ -------------
December 31, 1995............... 153,168 2,281,262
------------ -------------
Revisions of previous
estimates.............. (10,158) (319,134)
Extensions, discoveries
and other additions.... 133,190 2,111,233
Production................ (460) (12,755)
------------ -------------
December 31, 1996............... 275,740 4,060,606
------------ -------------
Revisions of previous
estimates.............. (131,509) (672,227)
Extensions, discoveries
and other additions.... -- 831,732
Production................ (74,114) (1,755,429)
------------ -------------
December 31, 1997............... 70,117 2,464,682
============ =============
Proved Developed Reserves:
December 31, 1995............... 116,623 1,621,034
============ =============
December 31, 1996............... 275,740 4,060,606
============ =============
December 31, 1997............... 70,117 2,464,682
============ =============
- ------------
(See Notes on following page.)
26
<PAGE>
MESA OFFSHORE TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
STANDARDIZED MEASURE OF FUTURE ROYALTY INCOME FROM
PROVED OIL AND GAS RESERVES, DISCOUNTED AT 10% PER ANNUM (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31
--------------------
1997 1996
--------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Ninety percent of future gross proceeds.................................................... $ 6,863 $ 30,690
Less ninety percent of --
Future operating costs................................................................ (3,723) (5,520)
Future capital costs, net of amounts previously accrued............................... (971) (3,994)
--------- ---------
Future royalty income...................................................................... 2,169 21,176
Discount at 10% per annum.................................................................. (285) (2,591)
--------- ---------
Standardized measure of future royalty
income from proved oil and gas reserves.................................................. $ 1,884 $ 18,585
========= =========
CHANGES IN THE STANDARDIZED MEASURE OF FUTURE ROYALTY INCOME FROM
PROVED OIL AND GAS RESERVES, DISCOUNTED AT 10% PER ANNUM (UNAUDITED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
-----------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
----------- --------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
Standardized measure at beginning of year................................... $ 18,585 $ 5,639 $ 6,877
----------- --------- -----------
Revisions of previous estimates........................................ 3,826 1,317 (6,039)
Net changes in prices and production costs............................. (17,362) 1,263 5,768
Extensions, discoveries and other additions............................ 714 9,838 1,485
Royalty income......................................................... (5,738) (36) (3,140)
Accretion of discount.................................................. 1,859 564 688
----------- --------- -----------
Net changes in standardized measure.................................... (16,701) 12,946 (1,238)
----------- --------- -----------
Standardized measure at end of year......................................... $ 1,884 $ 18,585 $ 5,639
=========== ========= ===========
</TABLE>
- ------------
o The estimated quantities of proved reserves for oil, condensate and natural
gas liquids include oil and condensate reserves at December 31, of the
respective years as follows: 1997, 54,769 Bbls; 1996, 192,574 Bbls; 1995,
123,220 Bbls.
o The estimated quantities of proved reserves, standardized measure of future
royalty income and changes in the standardized measure represent 100% of
amounts for the Partnership in which the Trust has a 99.99% interest.
o The "Future capital costs, net of amounts previously accrued" at December
31, 1997 includes, in thousands, $9,359 of future abandonment costs net of
$8,939 previously accrued by PNR.
o Oil and natural gas liquid prices have declined since December 31, 1997.
Accordingly, the standardized measure of future royalty income from proved
oil and gas reserves would be reduced if it was calculated in the first
quarter of 1998.
27
<PAGE>
MESA OFFSHORE TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
(7) SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARIZED QUARTERLY RESULTS
THREE MONTHS ENDED
--------------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPTEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1997:
Royalty income.................................. $ 1,111,555 $ 1,786,585 $1,756,412 $ 1,083,092
Distributable income............................ $ 509,533 $ 1,791,954 $1,572,995 $ 1,026,332
Distributable income per unit................... $ .0070 $ .0248 $ .0219 $ .0143
1996:
Royalty income.................................. $ 36,014 $ -- $ -- $ --
Distributable income............................ $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
Distributable income per unit................... $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
</TABLE>
28
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
TO CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (TRUSTEE)
AND THE UNITHOLDERS OF THE MESA OFFSHORE TRUST:
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets, liabilities and
trust corpus of the Mesa Offshore Trust as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and
the related statements of distributable income and changes in trust corpus for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Trustee. 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.
These financial statements were prepared on the basis of accounting
described in Note 3, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than
generally accepted accounting principles.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the assets, liabilities and trust corpus of the Mesa
Offshore Trust as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and its distributable income
and changes in trust corpus for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997, on the basis of accounting described in Note 3.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Houston, Texas
March 26, 1998
29
<PAGE>
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
There are no directors or executive officers of the Registrant. The Trustee
is a corporate trustee which may be removed by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the units then outstanding at a meeting of the holders of units of
beneficial interest of the Trust at which a quorum is present.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Not applicable.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
(A) SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS. Not applicable.
(B) SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT. Not applicable.
(C) CHANGES IN CONTROL. Registrant knows of no arrangement, including the
pledge of securities of the Registrant, the operation of which may at a
subsequent date result in a change in control of the Registrant.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
Not Applicable.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(A)(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following financial statements are set forth under Part II, Item 8 of
this Annual Report on Form 10-K on the pages indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE IN THIS
FORM 10-K
<S> <C>
Statements of Distributable Income................................................................... 22
Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus................................................... 22
Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus................................................................ 22
Notes to Financial Statements........................................................................ 23
Report of Independent Public Accountants............................................................. 29
</TABLE>
(A)(2) SCHEDULES
Schedules have been omitted because they are not required, not applicable
or the information required has been included elsewhere herein.
(A)(3) EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEC FILE
OR
REGISTRATION EXHIBIT
NUMBER NUMBER
<S> <C>
4(a) * Mesa Offshore Trust Indenture between Mesa Petroleum Co. and Texas
Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee, dated December 15,
1982............................................................... 2-79673 10(gg)
4(b) * Overriding Royalty Conveyance between Mesa Petroleum Co. and Mesa
Offshore Royalty Partnership, dated December 15, 1982.............. 2-79673 10(hh)
4(c) * Partnership Agreement between Mesa Offshore Management Co. and
Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee, dated
December 15, 1982.................................................. 2-79673 10(ii)
30
<PAGE>
SEC FILE
OR
REGISTRATION EXHIBIT
NUMBER NUMBER
4(d) * Amendment to Partnership Agreement between Mesa Offshore Management
Co., Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee, and Mesa
Operating Limited Partnership, dated December 27, 1985 (Exhibit
4(d) to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1992 of Mesa Offshore
Trust)............................................................. 1-8432 4(d)
4(e) * Amendment to Partnership Agreement between Texas Commerce Bank
National Association, as Trustee, and Mesa Operating dated as of
January 5, 1994 (Exhibit 4(e) to Form 10-K for year ended December
31, 1993 of Mesa Offshore Trust)................................... 1-8432 4(e)
27 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
- ------------
* Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated
herein by reference.
(B) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
None.
31
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 13 OR 15(D) 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.
MESA OFFSHORE TRUST
By CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, TRUSTEE
By /s/ PETE FOSTER
Pete Foster
Senior Vice President
& Trust Officer
March 24, 1998
The Registrant, Mesa Offshore Trust, has no principal executive officer,
principal financial officer, board of directors or persons performing similar
functions. Accordingly, no additional signatures are available and none have
been provided.
32
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM MESA OFFSHORE TRUST AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997
<CASH> 0
<SECURITIES> 2,993,764
<RECEIVABLES> 32,568
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 3,026,332
<PP&E> 380,905,000
<DEPRECIATION> 380,656,800
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,274,532
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,026,332
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 248,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,274,532
<SALES> 5,737,644
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 5,860,912
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 4,900,814
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,900,814
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 4,900,814
<EPS-PRIMARY> .07
<EPS-DILUTED> .07
</TABLE>
