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HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST - Quarter Report: 2008 June (Form 10-Q)

Unassociated Document


UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008
 
OR

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

Commission File Number: 1-10476

Hugoton Royalty Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas
 
58-6379215
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
     
U.S. Trust, Bank of America
   
Private Wealth Management
   
P.O. Box 830650, Dallas, Texas
 
75283-0650
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(877) 228-5083

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

NONE

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨

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

Large accelerated filer  þ
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes o No þ
 
Indicate the number of units of beneficial interest outstanding, as of the latest practicable date:

Outstanding as of July 1, 2008
40,000,000
 





HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
Page
     
 
     
 
     
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
     
     
     
 
     
     
     
 


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

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

Bbl
Barrel (of oil)
   
Mcf
Thousand cubic feet (of natural gas)
   
MMBtu
One million British Thermal Units, a common energy measurement
   
net proceeds
Gross proceeds received by XTO Energy from sale of production from the underlying properties, less applicable costs, as defined in the net profits interest conveyances
   
net profits income
Net proceeds multiplied by the net profits percentage of 80%, which is paid to the trust by XTO Energy. “Net profits income” is referred to as “royalty income” for tax reporting purposes.
   
net profits interest
An interest in an oil and gas property measured by net profits from the sale of production, rather than a specific portion of production. The following defined net profits interests were conveyed to the trust from the underlying properties:
   
 
80% net profits interests - interests that entitle the trust to receive 80% of the net proceeds from the underlying properties.
   
underlying properties
XTO Energy’s interest in certain oil and gas properties from which the net profits interests were conveyed. The underlying properties include working interests in predominantly gas-producing properties located in Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming.
   
working interest
An operating interest in an oil and gas property that provides the owner a specified share of production that is subject to all production expense and development costs


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

The condensed financial statements included herein are presented, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the trustee believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the trust’s financial statements and the notes thereto included in the trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of the trustee, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the assets, liabilities and trust corpus of the Hugoton Royalty Trust at June 30, 2008 and the distributable income and changes in trust corpus for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 have been included. Distributable income for such interim periods is not necessarily indicative of the distributable income for the full year.


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Bank of America, N.A., as Trustee
for the Hugoton Royalty Trust:

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed statement of assets, liabilities and trust corpus of the Hugoton Royalty Trust as of June 30, 2008 and the related condensed statements of distributable income and changes in trust corpus for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. These condensed financial statements are the responsibility of the trustee.

We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

The accompanying condensed financial statements are prepared on a modified cash basis as described in Note 1 which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with the basis of accounting described in Note 1.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the statement of assets, liabilities and trust corpus of the Hugoton Royalty Trust as of December 31, 2007, and the related statements of distributable income and changes in trust corpus for the year then ended (not presented herein), included in the trust’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in our report dated February 25, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed statement of assets, liabilities and trust corpus as of December 31, 2007 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the statement of assets, liabilities and trust corpus included in the trust’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K from which it has been derived.

KPMG LLP

Fort Worth, Texas
July 21, 2008


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST


Condensed Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus

   
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
   
(Unaudited)
     
ASSETS
             
               
Cash and short-term investments
 
$
12,301,280
 
$
5,214,000
 
               
Net profits interests in oil and gas properties - net (Note 1)
   
151,013,766
   
155,820,033
 
               
   
$
163,315,046
 
$
161,034,033
 
               
LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS
             
               
Distribution payable to unitholders
 
$
12,301,280
 
$
5,214,000
 
               
Trust corpus (40,000,000 units of beneficial interest authorized and outstanding)
   
151,013,766
   
155,820,033
 
               
   
$
163,315,046
 
$
161,034,033
 

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


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST


Condensed Statements of Distributable Income (Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30
 
June 30
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
2008
 
2007
 
                   
Net profits income
 
$
33,899,248
 
$
21,251,246
 
$
55,935,102
 
$
37,986,631
 
                           
Interest income
   
18,965
   
40,122
   
42,751
   
69,169
 
                           
Total income
   
33,918,213
   
21,291,368
   
55,977,853
   
38,055,800
 
                           
Administration expense
   
363,293
   
445,368
   
653,773
   
967,520
 
                           
Distributable income
 
$
33,554,920
 
$
20,846,000
 
$
55,324,080
 
$
37,088,280
 
                           
Distributable income per unit (40,000,000 units)
 
$
0.838873
 
$
0.521150
 
$
1.383102
 
$
0.927207
 

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


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST


Condensed Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus (Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30
 
June 30
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
2008
 
2007
 
                   
Trust corpus,
                         
beginning of period
 
$
153,688,416
 
$
161,914,911
 
$
155,820,033
 
$
163,796,772
 
                           
Amortization of
                         
net profits interests
   
(2,674,650
)
 
(2,320,017
)
 
(4,806,267
)
 
(4,201,878
)
                           
Distributable income
   
33,554,920
   
20,846,000
   
55,324,080
   
37,088,280
 
                           
Distributions declared
   
(33,554,920
)
 
(20,846,000
)
 
(55,324,080
)
 
(37,088,280
)
                           
Trust corpus, end of period
 
$
151,013,766
 
$
159,594,894
 
$
151,013,766
 
$
159,594,894
 

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


HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1.
Basis of Accounting

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

 
B
Net profits income recorded for a month is the amount computed and paid by XTO Energy Inc., the owner of the underlying properties, to Bank of America, N.A., as trustee for the trust. Net profits income consists of net proceeds received by XTO Energy from the underlying properties in the prior month, multiplied by a net profits percentage of 80%.

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

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

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

 
B
Distributions to unitholders are recorded when declared by the trustee.

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

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

The initial carrying value of the net profits interests of $247,066,951 represents XTO Energy’s historical net book value for the interests on December 1, 1998, the date of the transfer to the trust. Amortization of the net profits interests is calculated on a unit-of-production basis and charged directly to trust corpus. Accumulated amortization was $96,053,185 as of June 30, 2008 and $91,246,918 as of December 31, 2007.


2.
Development Costs

The following summarizes actual development costs, budgeted development costs deducted in the calculation of net profits income, and the cumulative actual costs compared to the amount deducted:
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30
 
June 30
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
2008
 
2007
 
Cumulative actual costs under (over) the amount deducted - beginning of period
 
$
1,432,611
 
$
5,311,688
 
$
(675,754
)
$
(3,410,174
)
Actual costs
   
(7,953,439
)
 
(10,010,915
)
 
(17,095,074
)
 
(13,789,053
)
Budgeted costs deducted
   
11,250,000
   
7,750,000
   
22,500,000
   
20,250,000
 
Cumulative actual costs under (over) the amount deducted - end of period
 
$
4,729,172
 
$
3,050,773
 
$
4,729,172
 
$
3,050,773
 


As a result of decreased development activity in first quarter 2007 and based on the development budget for 2007, the development cost deduction was lowered to $3.75 million per month beginning with the February 2007 distribution. Because of lower than anticipated actual costs as a result of the timing of expenditures, the development cost deduction was lowered to $2.0 million for the April and May 2007 distributions, but was increased to $3.75 million with the June 2007 distribution and was maintained at $3.75 million for the remainder of 2007 through second quarter 2008.

XTO Energy has advised the trustee that total 2008 budgeted development costs for the underlying properties are approximately $46.0 million. The 2008 budget year generally coincides with the trust distribution months from April 2008 through March 2009. Based on the development budget for 2008, the development cost deduction is expected to be maintained at $3.75 million for the remainder of 2008. The monthly development cost deduction will be reevaluated by XTO Energy and revised as necessary, based on the 2008 budget and the timing and amount of actual expenditures.

3.
Contingencies

Litigation

On October 17, 1997, an action, styled United States of America ex rel. Grynberg v. Cross Timbers Oil Company, et al., was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma by Jack J. Grynberg on behalf of the United States under the qui tam provisions of the U.S. False Claims Act against XTO Energy. The plaintiff alleges that XTO Energy underpaid royalties on natural gas produced from federal leases and lands owned by Native Americans in amounts in excess of 20% as a result of mismeasuring the volume of natural gas, incorrectly analyzing its heating content and improperly valuing the natural gas during at least the past ten years. The plaintiff seeks treble damages for the unpaid royalties (with interest, attorney’s fees and expenses), civil penalties between $5,000 and $10,000 for each violation of the U.S. False Claims Act, and an order for XTO Energy to cease the allegedly improper measuring practices. This lawsuit against XTO Energy and similar lawsuits filed by Grynberg against more than 300 other companies was consolidated in the United States District Court for Wyoming. In October 2002, the court granted a motion to dismiss Grynberg’s royalty valuation claims, and Grynberg’s appeal of this decision was dismissed for lack of appellate jurisdiction in May 2003. In response to a motion to dismiss filed by XTO Energy and other defendants, in October 2006 the district judge held that Grynberg failed to establish the jurisdictional requirements to maintain the action against XTO Energy and other defendants and dismissed the actions for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Grynberg has filed an appeal of this decision. While XTO Energy is unable to predict the final outcome of this case or estimate the amount of any possible loss, it has informed the trustee that it believes that the allegations of this lawsuit are without merit and intends to vigorously defend the action. However, an order to change measuring practices or a related settlement could adversely affect the trust by reducing net proceeds in the future by an amount that is presently not determinable, but, in XTO Energy management’s opinion, is not currently expected to be material to the trust’s annual distributable income, financial position or liquidity.


An amended petition for a class action lawsuit, Beer, et al. v. XTO Energy Inc., was filed in January 2006, in the District Court of Texas County, Oklahoma by royalty owners of natural gas wells in Oklahoma. The plaintiffs allege that XTO Energy has not properly accounted to the plaintiffs for the royalties to which they are entitled and seek an accounting regarding the natural gas and other products produced from their wells and the prices paid for the natural gas and other products produced, and for payment of the monies allegedly owed since June 2002, with a certain limited number of plaintiffs claiming monies owed for additional time. XTO Energy removed the case to federal district court in Oklahoma City. A hearing on the class certification has not been scheduled. The plaintiffs have not alleged in their petition an amount that they are seeking. XTO Energy has informed the trustee that it believes that it has strong defenses to this lawsuit and intends to vigorously defend its position. However, if XTO Energy ultimately makes any settlement payments or receives a judgment against it, the trust will bear its 80% share of such settlement or judgment related to production from the underlying properties. Additionally, if a judgment or settlement increases the amount of future payments to royalty owners, the trust would bear its proportionate share of the increased payments through reduced net proceeds. XTO Energy has informed the trustee that, although the amount of any reduction in net proceeds is not presently determinable, in its management’s opinion, the amount is not currently expected to be material to the trust’s annual distributable income, financial position or liquidity.  

Certain of the underlying properties are involved in various other lawsuits and certain governmental proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. XTO Energy has advised the trustee that it does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these claims will have a material effect on trust annual distributable income, financial position or liquidity.

Other

Several states have enacted legislation to require state income tax withholding from nonresident recipients of oil and gas proceeds. After consultation with its state tax counsel, XTO Energy has advised the trustee that it believes the trust is not subject to these withholding requirements. However, regulations could be issued by the various states which could change this conclusion. Should the trust be required to withhold state taxes, distributions to the unitholders would be reduced by the required amount, subject to the unitholder’s right to file a state tax return to claim any refund due.

4.
Excess Costs

Costs exceeded revenues by $853,468 ($682,774 net to the trust) on properties underlying the Wyoming net profits interests in November and December 2007. Limited pipeline capacity for shipping from the Rocky Mountain region and excess regional supply led to significantly lower realized regional gas prices for production. These lower gas prices caused costs to exceed revenues on properties underlying the Wyoming net profits interests, however, these excess costs did not reduce net proceeds from the remaining conveyances.

XTO Energy advised the trustee that with the onset of winter demand and the completion of the first phase of a major pipeline expansion in January 2008, Rocky Mountain gas prices increased and the excess costs, plus accrued interest of $10,090 ($8,072 net to the trust), were fully recovered by February 2008.


Item 2. Trustee’s Discussion and Analysis.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the trustee’s discussion and analysis contained in the trust’s 2007 annual report, as well as the condensed financial statements and notes thereto included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. The trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports are available on the trust’s web site at www.hugotontrust.com.

Distributable Income

Quarter

For the quarter ended June 30, 2008, net profits income was $33,899,248, as compared to $21,251,246 for second quarter 2007. This 60% increase in net profits income is primarily the result of higher oil and gas prices and increased oil and gas sales volumes, partially offset by higher development costs and higher taxes, transportation and other costs. See “Net Profits Income” on the following page.

After adding interest income of $18,965 and deducting administration expense of $363,293, distributable income for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 was $33,554,920, or $0.838873 per unit of beneficial interest. Administration expense for the first six months of 2008 was lower than in the first six months of 2007 primarily because of the timing of expenditures. For second quarter 2007, distributable income was $20,846,000, or $0.521150 per unit. Distributions to unitholders for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 were:

       
Distribution
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
per Unit
 
April 30, 2008
   
May 14, 2008
 
$
0.227840
 
May 30, 2008
   
June 13, 2008
   
0.303501
 
June 30, 2008
   
July 15, 2008
   
0.307532
 
               
         
$
0.838873
 

Six Months

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, net profits income was $55,935,102 compared with $37,986,631 for the same 2007 period. This 47% increase in net profits income is primarily the result of higher oil and gas prices and increased oil and gas sales volumes partially offset by higher development costs and higher taxes, transportation and other costs. See “Net Profits Income” on the following page.

After adding interest income of $42,751 and deducting administration expense of $653,773, distributable income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was $55,324,080, or $1.383102 per unit of beneficial interest. Administration expense for the first six months of 2008 was lower than in the first six months of 2007 primarily because of lower costs related to unitholder tax reporting, as a result of a decrease in the number of unitholders and the timing of expenditures. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, distributable income was $37,088,280, or $0.927207 per unit.


Net Profits Income

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

-  
oil and gas sales volumes,

-  
oil and gas sales prices, and

-  
costs deducted in the calculation of net profits income.

13

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

   
Three Months
     
Six Months
     
   
Ended June 30 (a)
 
Increase
 
Ended June 30 (a)
 
Increase
 
   
2008
 
2007
 
(Decrease)
 
2008
 
2007
 
(Decrease)
 
Sales Volumes
                         
Gas (Mcf) (b)
                         
Underlying properties
   
7,100,086
   
6,772,042
   
5%
 
 
14,267,674
   
13,858,793
   
3%
 
Average per day
   
78,890
   
76,090
   
4%
 
 
78,394
   
76,568
   
2%
 
Net profits interests
   
3,861,217
   
3,267,244
   
18%
 
 
6,938,696
   
5,917,208
   
17%
 
                 
 
                   
Oil (Bbls) (b)
                                     
Underlying properties
   
94,807
   
78,597
   
21%
 
 
169,028
   
146,723
   
15%
 
Average per day
   
1,053
   
883
   
19%
 
 
929
   
811
   
15%
 
Net profits interests
   
50,066
   
40,089
   
25%
 
 
84,931
   
73,266
   
16%
 
                                       
Average Sales Prices
                                     
Gas (per Mcf)
 
$
8.26
 
$
6.21
   
33%
 
$
7.37
 
$
6.07
   
21%
 
Oil (per Bbl)
 
$
102.16
 
$
58.60
   
74%
 
$
98.69
 
$
57.94
   
70%
 
                                       
Revenues
                                     
Gas sales
 
$
58,622,294
 
$
42,048,589
   
39%
 
$
105,120,701
 
$
84,113,926
   
25%
 
Oil sales
   
9,685,436
   
4,605,736
   
110%
 
 
16,681,879
   
8,500,434
   
96%
 
                                       
Total Revenues
   
68,307,730
   
46,654,325
   
46%
 
 
121,802,580
   
92,614,360
   
32%
 
                                       
Costs
                                     
Taxes, transportation and other
   
5,986,350
   
4,588,818
   
30%
 
 
11,439,921
   
9,453,616
   
21%
 
Production expense
   
6,324,110
   
5,556,962
   
14%
 
 
12,394,124
   
11,015,529
   
13%
 
Development costs (c)
   
11,250,000
   
7,750,000
   
45%
 
 
22,500,000
   
20,250,000
   
11%
 
Overhead
   
2,373,210
   
2,194,487
   
8%
 
 
4,686,099
   
4,411,926
   
6%
 
Excess Costs (d)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
863,558
   
-
   
-
 
                                       
Total Costs
   
25,933,670
   
20,090,267
   
29%
 
 
51,883,702
   
45,131,071
   
15%
 
                                       
Net Proceeds
   
42,374,060
   
26,564,058
   
60%
 
 
69,918,878
   
47,483,289
   
47%
 
                                       
Net Profits Percentage
   
80
%
 
80
%
       
80
%
 
80
%
     
                                       
Net Profits Income
 
$
33,899,248
 
$
21,251,246
   
60%
 
$
55,935,102
 
$
37,986,631
   
47%
 

(a)
Because of the two-month interval between time of production and receipt of net profits income by the trust, (1) oil and gas sales for the quarter ended June 30 generally represent production for the period February through April and (2) oil and gas sales for the six months ended June 30 generally represent production for the period November through April.

(b)
Oil and gas sales volumes are allocated to the net profits interests based upon a formula that considers oil and gas prices and the total amount of production expense and development costs. Changes in any of these factors may result in disproportionate fluctuations in volumes allocated to the net profits interests. Therefore, comparative discussion of oil and gas sales volumes is based on the underlying properties.

(c)
See Note 2 to Condensed Financial Statements.

(d)
See Note 4 to Condensed Financial Statements.


The following are explanations of significant variances on the underlying properties from second quarter 2007 to second quarter 2008 and from the first six months of 2007 to the comparable period in 2008:

Sales Volumes

Gas

Gas sales volumes increased 5% for the second quarter and 3% for the six-month period. Increased gas sales volumes are primarily because of increased production from new wells and workovers and the timing of cash receipts, partially offset by natural production decline.

Oil

Oil sales volumes increased 21% for the second quarter and 15% for the six-month period primarily because of increased production from new wells and workovers and the timing of cash receipts, partially offset by natural production decline. In addition, oil sales volumes increased for the six-month period because of prior period volume adjustments in 2007.

Sales Prices

Gas

The second quarter 2008 average gas price was $8.26 per Mcf, a 33% increase from the first quarter 2007 average gas price of $6.21 per Mcf. For the six-month period, the average gas price increased 21% to $7.37 per Mcf in 2008 from $6.07 per Mcf in 2007. Although the U.S. entered the winter with above average gas in storage, a normal winter and lower liquified natural gas imports led to normal gas storage levels. As a result of tighter storage levels and higher oil prices, recent gas prices have reached as high as $13.00 per MMBtu. Prices will continue to be affected by weather, oil prices, the U.S. economy, the level of North American production and import levels of liquified natural gas. Natural gas prices are expected to remain volatile. The second quarter 2008 gas price is primarily related to production from February through April 2008, when the average NYMEX price was $8.83 per MMBtu. The average NYMEX price for May and June 2008 was $11.60 per MMBtu. At July 15, 2008, the average NYMEX futures price for the following twelve months was $11.64 per MMBtu. Recent trust gas prices have averaged approximately 6% lower than the NYMEX price.

Oil

The second quarter 2008 average oil price was $102.16 per Bbl, a 74% increase from the second quarter 2007 average oil price of $58.60 per Bbl. The year-to-date average oil price increased 70% to $98.69 per Bbl in 2008 from $57.94 per Bbl in 2007. Oil prices have risen primarily because of increasing global demand and supply shortage concerns, inadequate sour crude refining capacity and political instability. In the last few months of 2007 and first half of 2008, continued tension in the Middle East, weakness in the U.S. dollar and strong demand caused prices to reach record levels of above $147.00 per Bbl. Oil prices are expected to remain volatile. The second quarter 2008 oil price is primarily related to production from February through April 2008, when the average NYMEX price was $104.21 per Bbl. The average NYMEX price for May and June 2008 was $130.14 per Bbl. At July 15, 2008, the average NYMEX futures price for the following twelve months was $140.40 per Bbl. Recent trust oil prices have averaged approximately 1% lower than the NYMEX price.


Costs

Taxes, Transportation and Other

Taxes, transportation and other increased 30% for the quarter and 21% for the six-month period primarily because of increased production taxes related to higher oil and gas revenues.

Production

Production expense increased 14% for the quarter and 13% for the six-month period primarily because of increased repair and maintenance, labor and fuel costs, partially offset by mechanical and marketing rebates.
 
Development

Development costs deducted in the calculation of net profits income are based on the development budget. These development costs increased 45% for the second quarter and 11% for the six-month period primarily because of the timing of development activity. During the first half of 2008, 12 wells were completed on the underlying properties and 17 wells were pending completion at June 30.

As of December 31, 2007, cumulative actual costs exceeded cumulative budgeted costs deducted by approximately $0.7 million. In calculating net profits income, XTO Energy deducted budgeted development costs of $11.3 million for the quarter and $22.5 million for the six-month period. After considering actual development costs of $8.0 million for the quarter and $17.1 million for the six-month period, cumulative budgeted costs deducted exceeded actual costs by approximately $4.7 million at June 30, 2008.

XTO Energy has advised the trustee that total 2008 budgeted development costs for the underlying properties are approximately $46.0 million. The 2008 budget year generally coincides with the trust distribution months from April 2008 through March 2009. Based on the development budget for 2008, the development cost deduction is expected to be maintained at $3.75 million for the remainder of 2008. The monthly development cost deduction will be reevaluated by XTO Energy and revised as necessary, based on the 2008 budget and the timing and amount of actual expenditures. See Note 2 to Condensed Financial Statements.
 
Overhead

Overhead increased 8% for the quarter and 6% for the six-month period primarily because of the annual rate adjustment based on an industry index.

Excess Costs 

Costs exceeded revenues by $853,468 ($682,774 net to the trust) on properties underlying the Wyoming net profits interests in November and December 2007. Limited pipeline capacity for shipping from the Rocky Mountain region and excess regional supply led to significantly lower realized regional gas prices for production. These lower gas prices caused costs to exceed revenues on properties underlying the Wyoming net profits interests, however, these excess costs did not reduce net proceeds from the remaining conveyances.

XTO Energy advised the trustee that with the onset of winter demand and the completion of the first phase of a major pipeline expansion in January 2008, Rocky Mountain gas prices increased and the excess costs, plus accrued interest of $10,090 ($8,072 net to the trust), were fully recovered by February 2008.


Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q 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 fact included in this Form 10-Q, including, without limitation, statements regarding the net profits interests, underlying properties, development activities, annual and monthly development, production and other costs and expenses, oil and gas prices and differentials to NYMEX prices, supply shortages, future drilling, workover and restimulation plans, distributions to unitholders and industry and market conditions, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties which are detailed in Part I, Item 1A of the trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, which is incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. Although XTO Energy and the trustee believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, neither XTO Energy nor the trustee can give any assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

There have been no material changes in the trust’s market risks, as disclosed in Part II, Item 7A of the trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the trustee carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the trust’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15. Based upon that evaluation, the trustee concluded that the trust’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting the trustee to material information relating to the trust required to be included in the trust’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In its evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, the trustee has relied, to the extent considered reasonable, on information provided by XTO Energy. There has not been any change in the trust’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the trust’s internal control over financial reporting.


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Not applicable.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes in the risk factors disclosed under Part I, Item 1A of the trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Items 2 through 5.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits.

 
(a)
Exhibits.

Exhibit Number
and Description

 
(15)
Awareness letter of KPMG LLP

 
(31)
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification

 
(32)
Section 1350 Certification

 
(99)
Items 1A, 7 and 7A to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for Hugoton Royalty Trust filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference)

 
SIGNATURES

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

HUGOTON ROYALTY TRUST
By BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., TRUSTEE
   
By
/s/ Nancy G. Willis
 
Nancy G. Willis
 
Vice President

  XTO ENERGY INC.
     
Date: July 22, 2008
By
/s/ Louis G. Baldwin
   
Louis G. Baldwin
   
Executive Vice President
   
and Chief Financial Officer

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