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MESA ROYALTY TRUST/TX - Quarter Report: 2002 September (Form 10-Q)


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002

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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 1-7884


MESA ROYALTY TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Texas 76-6284806
(State of Incorporation
or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

JPMorgan Chase Bank, Trustee
Institutional Trust Services
700 Lavaca
Austin, Texas

78701
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

1-512-479-2562
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

        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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

        As of November 14, 2002—1,863,590 Units of Beneficial Interest in Mesa Royalty Trust.





PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.    Financial Statements.

MESA ROYALTY TRUST

STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME
(Unaudited)

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
 
  2002
  2001
  2002
  2001
 
Royalty income   $ 1,488,156   $ 1,960,706   $ 3,482,345   $ 9,317,940  
Interest income     3,388     27,112     7,737     98,654  
General and administrative expense     (5,562 )   (8,200 )   (30,070 )   (21,591 )
   
 
 
 
 
  Distributable income   $ 1,485,982   $ 1,979,618   $ 3,460,012   $ 9,395,003  
   
 
 
 
 
  Distributable income per unit   $ .7974   $ 1.0623   $ 1.8566   $ 5.0413  
   
 
 
 
 


STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS

 
  September 30,
2002

  December 31,
2001

 
 
  (Unaudited)

   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
ASSETS  

Cash and short-term investments

 

$

1,482,594

 

$

1,167,273

 
Interest receivable     3,388     4,475  
Net overriding royalty interest in oil and gas properties     42,498,034     42,498,034  
Accumulated amortization     (32,355,817 )   (31,632,768 )
   
 
 
  Total assets   $ 11,628,199   $ 12,037,014  
   
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS  

Distributions payable

 

$

1,485,982

 

$

1,171,748

 
Trust corpus (1,863,590 units of beneficial interest authorized and outstanding)     10,142,217     10,865,266  
   
 
 
  Total liabilities and trust corpus   $ 11,628,199   $ 12,037,014  
   
 
 

(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.)

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MESA ROYALTY TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS

(Unaudited)

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
 
  2002
  2001
  2002
  2001
 
Trust corpus, beginning of period   $ 10,376,160   $ 11,462,465   $ 10,865,266   $ 11,861,903  
  Distributable income     1,485,982     1,979,618     3,460,012     9,395,003  
  Distributions to unitholders     (1,485,982 )   (1,979,618 )   (3,460,012 )   (9,395,003 )
  Amortization of net overriding royalty interest     (233,943 )   (186,493 )   (723,049 )   (585,931 )
   
 
 
 
 
Trust corpus, end of period   $ 10,142,217   $ 11,275,972   $ 10,142,217   $ 11,275,972  
   
 
 
 
 

(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.)

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MESA ROYALTY TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1—Trust Organization

        The Mesa Royalty Trust (the "Trust") was created on November 1, 1979 when Mesa Petroleum Co. conveyed to the Trust a 90% net profits overriding royalty interest (the "Royalty") in certain producing oil and gas properties located in the Hugoton field of Kansas, the San Juan Basin field of New Mexico and Colorado and the Yellow Creek field of Wyoming (collectively, the "Royalty Properties"). Mesa Petroleum Co. was the predecessor to Mesa Limited Partnership ("MLP"), the predecessor to MESA Inc. On April 30, 1991, MLP sold its interests in the Royalty Properties located in the San Juan Basin field to Conoco Inc. ("Conoco"). Conoco sold the portion of its interests in the San Juan Basin Royalty Properties located in Colorado to MarkWest Energy Partners, Ltd. (effective January 1, 1993) and Red Willow Production Company (effective April 1, 1992). On October 26, 1994, MarkWest Energy Partners, Ltd. sold substantially all of its interest in the Colorado San Juan Basin Royalty Properties to Amoco Production Company ("Amoco"), a subsidiary of BP Amoco. Until August 7, 1997, MESA Inc. operated the Hugoton Royalty Properties through Mesa Operating Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of MESA Inc. 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, the Hugoton Royalty Properties have been operated by PNR. The San Juan Basin Royalty Properties located in New Mexico are operated by Conoco. The San Juan Basin Royalty Properties located in Colorado are operated by Amoco. As used in this report, PNR refers to the operator of the Hugoton Royalty Properties, Conoco refers to the operator of the San Juan Basin Royalty Properties, other than the portion of such properties located in Colorado, and Amoco refers to the operator of the Colorado San Juan Basin Royalty Properties unless otherwise indicated. The terms "working interest owner" and "working interest owners" generally refer to the operators of the Royalty Properties as described above, unless the context in which such terms are used indicates otherwise.

Note 2—Basis of Presentation

        The accompanying unaudited financial information has been prepared by JPMorgan Chase Bank ("the Trustee"), in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q. JPMorgan Chase Bank was formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank and is the successor by mergers to the original name of the Trustee, Texas Commerce Bank National Association. The Trustee believes such information includes all the disclosures necessary to make the information presented not misleading. The information furnished reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of the Trustee, necessary for a fair presentation of the

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results for the interim periods presented. The financial information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Trust's 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

        The Mesa Royalty Trust Indenture was amended in 1985, the effect of which was an overall reduction of approximately 88.56% in the size of the Trust; therefore, the Trust is now entitled each month to receive 90% of 11.44% of the net proceeds for the preceding month. Generally, net proceeds means the excess of the amounts received by the working interest owners from sales of oil and gas from the Royalty Properties over operating and capital costs incurred.

        The financial statements of the Trust are prepared on the following basis:

            (a)  Royalty income recorded for a month is the amount computed and paid by the working interest owners to the Trustee for such month rather than either the value of a portion of the oil and gas produced by the working interest owners for such month or the amount subsequently determined to be the Trust's proportionate share 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;

            (c)  Trust general and administrative expenses, net of reimbursements, are recorded in the month they accrue;

            (d)  Amortization of the net overriding royalty interests, which is calculated on a unit-of-production basis, is charged directly to trust corpus since such amount does not affect distributable income; and

            (e)  Distributions payable are determined on a monthly basis and are payable to unitholders of record as of the last business day of each month or such other day as the Trustee determines is required to comply with legal or stock exchange requirements. However, cash distributions are made quarterly in January, April, July and October, and include interest earned from the monthly record dates to the date of distribution.

        This basis for reporting Royalty income is thought 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 accounting principles accepted in the United States. Under these 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.

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Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Note Regarding 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 facts included in this Form 10-Q, including without limitation the statements under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" are forward-looking statements. Although the Working Interest Owners have advised the Trust that they believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein 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-Q and in the Trust's Form 10-K including under the section "Business—Principal Trust Risk Factors". 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.


SUMMARY OF ROYALTY INCOME AND AVERAGE PRICES

        Royalty income is computed after deducting the Trust's proportionate share of capital costs, operating costs and interest on any cost carryforward from the Trust's proportionate share of "Gross Proceeds," as defined in the Royalty conveyance. The following unaudited summary illustrates the net effect of the components of the actual Royalty computation for the periods indicated (unaudited):

 
  Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
  2002
  2001
 
 
  Natural
Gas

  Oil,
Condensate
and Natural
Gas Liquids

  Natural
Gas

  Oil,
Condensate
and Natural
Gas Liquids

 
The Trust's proportionate share of Gross Proceeds(1)   $ 1,846,456   $ 502,559   $ 2,607,638   $ 608,653  
Less the Trust's proportionate share of:                          
  Capital costs recovered(2)     (87,335 )       (473,202 )    
  Operating costs     (688,326 )   (79,224 )   (707,054 )   (68,488 )
  Interest on cost carryforward     (5,974 )       (6,841 )    
   
 
 
 
 
Royalty income   $ 1,064,821   $ 423,335   $ 1,420,541   $ 540,165  
   
 
 
 
 
Average sales price   $ 2.95   $ 16.12   $ 4.30   $ 20.25  
   
 
 
 
 
      (Mcf)     (Bbls)     (Mcf)     (Bbls)  
Net production volumes attributable to the Royalty     361,099     26,258     330,697     26,677  
   
 
 
 
 

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  Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
  2002
  2001
 
 
  Natural
Gas

  Oil,
Condensate
and Natural
Gas Liquids

  Natural
Gas

  Oil,
Condensate
and Natural
Gas Liquids

 
The Trust's proportionate share of Gross Proceeds(1)   $ 4,995,645   $ 1,394,409   $ 10,789,044   $ 2,198,956  
Less the Trust's proportionate share of:                          
  Capital costs recovered(2)     (581,422 )       (1,023,209 )    
  Operating costs     (2,089,306 )   (220,850 )   (2,387,863 )   (236,285 )
  Interest on cost carryforward     (16,131 )       (22,703 )    
   
 
 
 
 
Royalty income   $ 2,308,786   $ 1,173,559   $ 7,355,269   $ 1,962,671  
   
 
 
 
 
Average sales price   $ 2.55   $ 14.40   $ 5.00   $ 23.78  
   
 
 
 
 
      (Mcf)     (Bbls)     (Mcf)     (Bbls)  
Net production volumes attributable to the Royalty     905,605     81,488     1,470,117     82,529  
   
 
 
 
 

(1)
Gross Proceeds from natural gas liquids attributable to the Hugoton and San Juan Basin Properties are net of a volumetric in-kind processing fee retained by PNR and Conoco, respectively.
(2)
Capital costs recovered represents capital costs incurred during the current or prior periods to the extent that such costs have been recovered by the working interest owners from current period Gross Proceeds. Cost carryforward represents capital costs incurred during the current or prior periods which will be recovered from future period Gross Proceeds. The cost carryforward resulting from the Fruitland Coal drilling program was $318,839 and $377,116 at September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2001, respectively. The cost carryforward at September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2001 relate solely to the San Juan Basin Colorado properties.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2001

        The distributable income of the Trust for each period includes the Royalty income received from the working interest owners during such period, plus interest income earned to the date of distribution. Trust administration expenses are deducted in the computation of distributable income. Distributable income for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 was $1,485,982, representing $.7974 per unit, compared to $1,979,618, representing $1.0623 per unit, for the quarter ended September 30, 2001. Based on 1,863,590 units outstanding for the quarters ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively, the per unit distributions were as follows:

 
  2002
  2001
July   $ .2724   $ .4294
August     .2645     .3569
September     .2605     .2760
   
 
    $ .7974   $ 1.0623
   
 

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Hugoton Field

        PNR has advised the Trust that since June 1, 1995 natural gas produced from the Hugoton field has generally been sold under short-term and multi-month contracts at market clearing prices to multiple purchasers including Tenaska, Greely Gas, Oneok Gas Marketing Inc., Amoco, and Anadarko Energy Services, Inc. PNR has advised the Trust that it expects to continue to market gas production from the Hugoton field under short-term and multi-month contracts. Overall market prices received for natural gas from the Hugoton Royalty Properties were lower in the third quarter of 2002 compared to the third quarter of 2001.

        In June 1994, PNR entered into a Gas Transportation Agreement ("Gas Transportation Agreement") with Western Resources, Inc. ("WRI") for a primary term of five years commencing June 1, 1995. This contract has been continued in effect on a year-to-year basis since June 1, 2001. PNR has extended the contract to June 1, 2003. Pursuant to the Gas Transportation Agreement, WRI has agreed to compress and transport up to 160 MMcf per day of gas and redeliver such gas to PNR at the inlet of PNR's Satanta Plant. PNR agreed to pay WRI a fee of $0.06 per Mcf escalating 4% annually as of June 1, 1996. This Gas Transportation Agreement has been assigned to Kansas Gas Service (Oneok).

        Royalty income attributable to the Hugoton Royalty decreased to $905,056 in the third quarter of 2002, as compared to $1,617,034 in the third quarter of 2001, primarily due to lower prices received for production of natural gas and natural gas liquids from the Hugoton Royalty Properties. The average price received in the third quarter of 2002 for natural gas and natural gas liquids sold from the Hugoton Royalty Properties was $3.20 per Mcf and $15.98 per barrel, respectively, compared to $4.58 per Mcf and $21.07 per barrel during the same period in 2001. Net production attributable to the Hugoton Royalty was 209,940 Mcf of natural gas and 14,596 barrels of natural gas liquids in the third quarter of 2002 compared to 274,378 Mcf of natural gas and 17,104 barrels of natural gas liquids in the third quarter of 2001.

        Allowable rates of production in the Hugoton field are set by the Kansas Corporation Commission (the "KCC") based on the level of market demand. The KCC set the Hugoton field allowable for the period April 1, 2002 through September 30, 2002, at 141.4 Bcf of gas, compared with 156.2 Bcf of gas during the same period last year.

San Juan Basin

        Royalty income from the San Juan Basin Royalty Properties is calculated and paid to the Trust on a state-by-state basis. Royalty income from the San Juan Basin Royalty Properties located in the state of New Mexico was $583,100 during the third quarter of 2002 as compared to $343,672 in the third quarter of 2001. The increase in Royalty income in the third quarter of 2002 as compared to the same period in 2001 is primarily due to decreased capital expenditures and higher natural gas production volumes. In the third quarter of 2001 there were increased capital expenditures related to drilling activity in the San Juan Basin. In addition as a result of plant maintenance that caused certain properties in the San Juan Basin to cease operations natural gas production was lower in the third quarter of 2001. In addition, natural gas production was lower in the third quarter of 2001. No Royalty income was received from Amoco with respect to the San Juan Basin Royalty Properties located in the state of Colorado for the third quarter of 2002 or 2001, as costs associated with the Fruitland Coal drilling program on such properties have not been fully recovered. Net production attributable to the San Juan Basin Royalty was 151,159 Mcf of natural gas and 11,662 barrels of natural gas liquids in the third quarter of 2002 as compared to 56,319 Mcf of natural gas and 9,573 barrels of natural gas liquids in the third quarter of 2001. The increase in net production in

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the San Juan Basin in the third quarter of 2002, as compared to the same period in 2001, is primarily due to the above mentioned plant closings in 2001. The average price received in the third quarter of 2002 for natural gas sold from the San Juan Basin Royalty Properties was $2.60 per Mcf and $16.30 per barrel, compared to $2.91 per Mcf and $18.78 per barrel during the same period in 2001.

        Substantially all of the natural gas that is currently being produced from the San Juan Basin Royalty Properties is currently being sold on the spot market.

        The Trust's interest in the San Juan Basin was conveyed from PNR's working interest in 31,328 net producing acres in northwestern New Mexico and southwestern Colorado. The San Juan Basin New Mexico reserves represent approximately 52% of the Trust's reserves. Substantially all of the natural gas produced from the San Juan Basin is currently being sold on the spot market. The San Juan Basin Royalty Properties located in Colorado account for less than 5% of the Trust's reserves.

        No distributions related to the Colorado portion of the San Juan Basin Royalty have been made since 1990, as the costs of the Fruitland Coal drilling in Colorado have not yet been recovered.

        Conoco has informed the Trust that it believes the production from the Fruitland Coal formation will generally qualify for the tax credits provided under Section 29 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Thus, unitholders are potentially eligible to claim their share of the tax credit attributable to this qualifying production. Each unitholder should consult his tax advisor regarding the limitations and requirements for claiming this tax credit.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2001

        Distributable income decreased to $3,460,012 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 from $9,395,003 for the same period in 2001.

Hugoton Field

        Royalty income attributable to the Hugoton Royalty Properties decreased to $2,174,580 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 from $6,054,083 for the same period in 2001 primarily due to lower natural gas and natural gas liquid average prices received. The average price received in the first nine months of 2002 for natural gas and natural gas liquids sold from the Hugoton field was $2.57 per Mcf and $13.74 per barrel, compared to $5.44 per Mcf and $23.64 per barrel during the same period in 2001.

San Juan Basin

        Royalty income attributable to the New Mexico San Juan Basin Royalty Properties decreased to $1,307,765 for the first nine months of 2002 compared to $3,263,857 in the first nine months of 2001. The average price received in the first nine months of 2002 for natural gas and natural gas liquids sold from the San Juan Basin was $2.51 per Mcf and $15.30 per barrel compared to $4.33 per Mcf and $24.01 per barrel during the same period in 2001. No Royalty income was received from San Juan Basin Royalty Properties located in Colorado for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, as costs associated with Fruitland Coal drilling on such properties have not been fully recovered.

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.

        The Trust does not utilize market sensitive instruments, however, see the discussion of marketing by the working interest owners above.

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Item 4.    Controls and Procedures.

        Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.    Trustee maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and regulations. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust is accumulated and communicated by the working interest owners to the Trustee and its employees who participate in the preparation of the Trust's periodic reports as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

        Within 90 days of the date of this report, the Trustee carried out an evaluation of the Trustee's disclosure controls and procedures. Mike Ulrich, as Trust Officer of the Trustee, has concluded that the controls and procedures are effective, while noting certain limitations on disclosure controls and procedures as set forth below.

        Due to the contractual arrangements of (i) the Trust Indenture and (ii) the rights of the Trust under the Conveyance regarding information furnished by the working interest owners, there are certain potential weaknesses that may limit the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures established by the Corporate Trustee or its employees and their ability to verify the accuracy of certain financial information. The contractual limitations creating potential weaknesses in disclosure controls and procedures may be deemed to include:

    The working interest owners alone control (i) historical operating data, including production volumes, marketing of products, operating and capital expenditures, environmental and other liabilities, the effects of regulatory changes and the number of producing wells and acreage, (ii) plans for future operating and capital expenditures, (iii) geological data relating to reserves, as well as the reserve reports that contain projected production, operating expenses and capital expenses, and (iv) information relating to projected production. While the Trustee requests material information for use in periodic reports as part of its disclosure controls and procedures, the Trustee does not control this information and relies entirely on the working interest owners to provide accurate and timely information when requested for use in the Trust's periodic reports.
    Under the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Trustee is entitled to rely, and in fact relies, on certain experts in good faith, including the independent public accountants with respect to annual audits of financial data provided by the working interest owners. Other than contracting independent auditors and reviewing information supplied by the working interest owners, the Trustee makes no independent or direct verification of this financial information. While the Trustee has no reason to believe its reliance upon experts is unreasonable, this reliance on experts and limited access to information may be viewed as a weakness.

        The Trustee does not intend to expand its responsibilities beyond those permitted or required by the Trust Indenture and those required under applicable law.

        Changes in Internal Controls.    To the knowledge of the Trustee, there have been no significant changes in the Trust's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the Trust's internal controls subsequent to the date the Trustee completed its evaluation. The Trustee notes for purposes of

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clarification that it has no authority over, and makes no statement concerning, the internal controls of the working interest owners.


PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)
Exhibits

        (Asterisk indicates exhibit previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated herein by reference. JPMorgan Chase Bank is successor by mergers to the original name of the Trustee Texas Commerce Bank National Association.)

 
   
  SEC File or Registration Number
  Exhibit Number
 
               
4 (a) *Mesa Royalty Trust Indenture between Mesa Petroleum Co. and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee, dated November 1, 1979   2-65217   1 (a)
4 (b) *Overriding Royalty Conveyance between Mesa Petroleum Co. and Texas Commerce Bank, as Trustee, dated November 1, 1979   2-65217   1 (b)
4 (c) *First Amendment to the Mesa Royalty Trust Indenture dated as of March 14, 1985 (Exhibit 4(c) to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1984 of Mesa Royalty Trust)   1-7884   4 (c)
4 (d) *Form of Assignment of Overriding Royalty Interest, effective April 1, 1985, from Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee, to MTR Holding Co. (Exhibit 4(d) to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1984 of Mesa Royalty Trust)   1-7884   4 (d)
4 (e) *Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated March 25, 1991, by and among Mesa Limited Partnership, Mesa Operating Limited Partnership and Conoco, as amended on April 30, 1991 (Exhibit 4(e) to Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1991 of Mesa Royalty Trust)   1-7884   4 (e)
(b)
Reports on Form 8-K

        (1)  A current report on Form 8-K dated July 3, 2002 and filed on July 11, 2002, as amended, reported that the Trust dismissed Arthur Andersen LLP as its independent public accountants and engaged KPMG LLP to serve as its independent accountants for 2002.

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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.

    MESA ROYALTY TRUST

 

 

By:

/S/  JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, TRUSTEE

 

 

By:

/s/  
MIKE ULRICH      
Mike Ulrich
Vice President & Trust Officer

Date: November 14, 2002

        The Registrant, Mesa Royalty 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.


CERTIFICATION

        I, Mike Ulrich, certify that:

        1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Mesa Royalty Trust, for which JPMorgan Chase Bank acts as Trustee;

        2.    Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

        3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, distributable income and changes in trust corpus of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

        4.    I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14), or for causing such procedures to be established and maintained, for the registrant and have:

            a)    designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such controls and procedures to be designed, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

            b)    evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

            c)    presented in this quarterly report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on my evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

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        5.    I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors:

            a)    all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

            b)    any fraud, whether or not material, that involves any persons who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and

        6.    I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of my most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

        In giving the foregoing certifications in paragraphs 4, 5 and 6, I have relied to the extent I consider reasonable on information provided to me by the working interest owners.


Date: November 14, 2002

/s/  
MIKE ULRICH      
Mike Ulrich,
Vice President and Trust Officer
JPMorgan Chase Bank

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QuickLinks

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
MESA ROYALTY TRUST STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME (Unaudited)
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS
MESA ROYALTY TRUST STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS (Unaudited)
MESA ROYALTY TRUST NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
SUMMARY OF ROYALTY INCOME AND AVERAGE PRICES
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
SIGNATURES
CERTIFICATION