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SandRidge Mississippian Trust I - Quarter Report: 2011 March (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011

OR

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number: 001-35122

 

 

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   27-6990649

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

The Bank of New York Mellon

Trust Company, N.A., Trustee

919 Congress Avenue, Suite 500

Austin, Texas

  78701
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(800) 852-1422

 

 

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  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    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.

 

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

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

As of May 16, 2011, 21,000,000 Common Units and 7,000,000 Subordinated Units of Beneficial Interest in SandRidge Mississippian Trust I were outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I

FORM 10-Q

Quarter Ended March 31, 2011

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
ITEM 1.   Financial Statements (Unaudited)      4   
  Statements of Assets and Trust Corpus      4   
  Notes to Financial Statements      5   
ITEM 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      10   
ITEM 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      12   
ITEM 4.   Controls and Procedures      13   
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION   
ITEM 1A.   Risk Factors      14   
ITEM 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      29   
ITEM 6.   Exhibits      29   

All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Trust” refer to SandRidge Mississippian Trust I. The royalty interests conveyed by SandRidge from its interests in certain properties in the Mississippian formation in Oklahoma and held by the Trust are referred to as the “Royalty Interests.” References to “SandRidge” refer to SandRidge Energy, Inc., and where the context requires, its subsidiaries.

 

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DISCLOSURES REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”) includes “forward-looking statements” about the Trust and SandRidge and other matters discussed herein that are subject to risk and uncertainties 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 document, including, without limitation, statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 2 of Part I and “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part II and elsewhere herein regarding the proved oil and natural gas reserves associated with the properties underlying the royalty interests held by the Trust, the Trust’s or SandRidge’s future financial position, business strategy, budgets, project costs and plans and objectives for future operations, information regarding target distributions, statements pertaining to future development activities and costs, statements regarding the number of development wells to be completed in future periods, and information regarding production and reserve growth, are forward-looking statements. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those projected. Our forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “potential,” “could,” “may,” “foresee,” “plan,” “goal,” “should,” “intend,” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the risk factors discussed in Item 1A of Part II of this Quarterly Report, which could affect the future results of the energy industry in general, and the Trust and SandRidge in particular, and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. The actual results or developments anticipated may not be realized or, even if substantially realized, they may not have the expected consequences to or effects on SandRidge’s business and the Trust’s operations. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. The Trust undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

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PART I. Financial Information

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND TRUST CORPUS

 

     March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 
     (Unaudited)         

ASSETS

     

Cash

   $ 1,000       $ 1,000   
                 

Total assets

   $ 1,000       $ 1,000   
                 

TRUST CORPUS

     

Trust corpus

   $ 1,000       $ 1,000   
                 

Total

   $ 1,000       $ 1,000   
                 

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

 

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SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. Organization of Trust

The Trust is a statutory trust formed on December 30, 2010 under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act pursuant to an initial trust agreement by and among SandRidge, as Trustor, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (the “Trustee”), and The Corporation Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee (the “Delaware Trustee”).

The Trust was created to acquire and hold Royalty Interests for the benefit of Trust unitholders pursuant to a trust agreement dated as of December 30, 2010, and subsequently amended and restated as of April 12, 2011 by and among SandRidge, the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (the “Trust Agreement”). These Royalty Interests are derived from SandRidge’s interests in specified oil and natural gas properties located in the Mississippian formation in Alfalfa, Garfield, Grant, Major and Woods counties, Oklahoma (the “Underlying Properties”). As of March 31, 2011, these properties consisted of (a) 36 wells producing at December 31, 2010, and one additional well undergoing completion operations at that time (together, the “Initial Producing Wells”), (b) 7 additional wells that commenced production between December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011 (the “Additional Producing Wells” and, together with the Initial Producing Wells, the “Producing Wells”) and (c) 116 horizontal oil and natural gas development wells to be drilled in the Mississippian formation (the “Remaining PUD Wells” and, together with the Additional Producing Wells, the “Development Wells”) in an area of mutual interest (“AMI”). SandRidge has retained interests in each of the Producing Wells and will retain interests in the Remaining PUD Wells. SandRidge will operate a substantial number of the Producing Wells and the Remaining PUD Wells.

The Royalty Interests are passive in nature and neither the Trust nor the Trustee has any control over, or responsibility for, costs relating to the operation of the Underlying Properties. The business and affairs of the Trust are managed by the Trustee. The Trust Agreement limits the Trust’s business activities to owning the Royalty Interests and any activity reasonably related to such ownership, including activities required or permitted by the terms of the conveyances related to the Royalty Interests and a derivatives agreement between the Trust and SandRidge.

The Trust is not responsible for any costs related to the drilling of the Development Wells or any other operating or capital costs. The Trust’s cash receipts with respect to the Trust properties are determined after deducting post-production costs and any applicable taxes associated with the Royalty Interests. Post-production costs generally consist of costs incurred to gather, store, compress, transport, process, treat, dehydrate and market the oil and natural gas produced. The Trust’s distributable income will be adjusted to account for hedging arrangements under the derivatives agreement with SandRidge, as discussed further in Note 7, and will be reduced by Trust general and administrative expenses when paid.

The Trust will dissolve and begin to liquidate on December 31, 2030 (the “Termination Date”) and will soon thereafter wind up its affairs and terminate. At the Termination Date, 50% of the Royalty Interests will revert automatically to SandRidge. The remaining 50% of the Royalty Interests will be retained by the Trust at the Termination Date and thereafter sold, and the net proceeds of the sale, as well as any remaining Trust cash reserves, will be distributed to the unitholders on a pro rata basis. SandRidge will have a right of first refusal to purchase the Royalty Interests retained by the Trust at the Termination Date.

2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting. These financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) as the Trust records revenues when received and expenses when paid and may also establish certain cash reserves for contingencies, which would not be accrued in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Amortization of the Investment in Royalty Interests, calculated on a unit-of-production basis, and any impairments are charged directly to the trust corpus. This comprehensive basis of accounting other than GAAP corresponds to the accounting permitted for royalty trusts by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as specified by Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 12:E, Financial Statements of Royalty Trusts.

The accompanying statements of assets and trust corpus as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 have been prepared by the Trust in accordance with the accounting policies noted below. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2010 audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the final prospectus filed with the SEC by the Trust pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 on April 7, 2011 (the “Prospectus”).

Significant Accounting Policies. Most accounting pronouncements apply to entities whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with 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.

 

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SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED

(Unaudited)

 

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements requires the Trust to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates that will impact the Trust’s financial statements include estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves, which are used to compute the Trust’s amortization of its Investment in Royalty Interests. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash. Cash consists of all highly-liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.

Investment in Royalty Interests. The conveyance of the Royalty Interests to the Trust is accounted for as a transfer of properties between entities under common control and recorded at the historical cost to SandRidge, which is determined by allocating the historical net book value of SandRidge’s full cost pool based on the fair value of the conveyed royalty interests in the Underlying Properties relative to the fair value of SandRidge’s full cost pool. The carrying value of the Trust’s Investment in Royalty Interests will not necessarily be indicative of the fair value of such Royalty Interests.

Significant dispositions or abandonment of the Underlying Properties are charged to Investment in Royalty Interests and the trust corpus. Amortization of the Investment in Royalty Interests is calculated on a units-of-production basis, whereby the Trust’s cost basis is divided by the proved reserves attributable to the Royalty Interests to derive an amortization rate per reserve unit. Such amortization does not reduce distributable income, rather it is charged directly to trust corpus. Revisions to estimated future units-of-production are treated on a prospective basis beginning on the date significant revisions are known.

Investment in Royalty Interests will be assessed to determine whether net capitalized cost is impaired whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment is indicated when the net capitalized costs of the Investment in Royalty Interests exceeds undiscounted future net revenues attributable to the proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Underlying Properties. The Trust will provide a write-down to the extent that the net capitalized costs exceed the fair value of the proved oil and natural gas reserves attributable to the Trust’s Royalty Interests. Any such write-down would be charged directly to trust corpus and would not reduce distributable income.

Revenue and Expenses. Revenues received by the Trust are net of existing royalties and overriding royalties associated with SandRidge’s interests and are reduced by gathering and post-production expenses, production taxes and other allowable costs, such as the Trust’s administrative expenses, in order to determine distributable income. In addition, the Royalty Interests are not burdened by field and lease operating expenses.

3. Income Taxes

The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust, which is taxed as a partnership for federal and applicable state income taxes. Consequently, the Trust will not incur any income tax liability.

4. Distributions to Unitholders

The Trust will make quarterly cash distributions of substantially all of its cash receipts, after deducting the Trust’s administrative expenses, on or about 60 days following the completion of each quarter through (and including) the quarter ending December 31, 2030. The first distribution, which will cover the first five months of 2011, is expected to be made on or about August 30, 2011 to record unitholders as of August 15, 2011. The Trustee intends to withhold $1.0 million from the first distribution to establish a cash reserve available for Trust administrative expenses. Distributions to unitholders will be recorded when declared.

5. Loan Commitment

Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, if at any time the Trust’s cash on hand (including available cash reserves) is not sufficient to pay the Trust’s ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due, SandRidge will loan funds to the Trust necessary to pay such expenses. Any funds loaned by SandRidge pursuant to this commitment will be limited to the payment of current accounts payable or other obligations to trade creditors in connection with obtaining goods or services or the payment of other accrued current liabilities arising in the ordinary course of the Trust’s business, and may not be used to satisfy Trust indebtedness or to make distributions. If SandRidge loans funds pursuant to this commitment, no further distributions will be made to unitholders (except in respect of any previously determined quarterly cash distribution amount) until such loan is repaid. Any such loan will be on an

 

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SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED

(Unaudited)

 

unsecured basis, and the terms of such loan will be substantially the same as those which would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction between SandRidge and an unaffiliated third party. As of March 31, 2011, there were no loans outstanding with SandRidge.

6. Related Party Transactions

Trustee Administrative Fee. Under the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Trust pays an annual administrative fee of $150,000 to the Trustee, which will be adjusted for inflation by no more than 3% in any year, beginning in 2017. The Trust will also pay, out of the first cash payment received by the Trust, the Trustee’s and the Delaware Trustee’s legal expenses incurred in forming the Trust as well as the Trustee’s acceptance fee in the amount of $10,000. There were no amounts paid to the Trustee for administrative fees during the three-month period ended March 31, 2011.

Agreements with SandRidge. The Trust entered into an administrative services agreement, a development agreement, a registration rights agreement and a derivatives agreement with SandRidge in April 2011. See Note 7.

7. Subsequent Events

Public Offering of Common Units and Issuance of Subordinated Units. Through an initial public offering in April 2011, the Trust sold 17,250,000 of its common units to the public, including 2,250,000 common units sold pursuant to the over-allotment option exercised by the underwriters, for net proceeds of approximately $336.9 million. The Trust delivered the net proceeds of the initial public offering, along with 3,750,000 common units and 7,000,000 subordinated units, to certain wholly owned subsidiaries of SandRidge, in exchange for the conveyance of the Royalty Interests to the Trust. Upon completion of these transactions, there were 28,000,000 Trust units, consisting of 21,000,000 common and 7,000,000 subordinated units, issued and outstanding. The common and subordinated units have identical rights and privileges, except with respect to their voting rights and rights to receive distributions as described below.

The subordinated units are entitled to receive pro rata distributions from the Trust each quarter if and to the extent there is sufficient cash to provide a cash distribution on the common units that is no less than 80% of the target distribution for the corresponding quarter (“subordination threshold”). If there is not sufficient cash to fund such a distribution on all of the common units, the distribution to be made with respect to the subordinated units will be reduced or eliminated for such quarter in order to make a distribution, to the extent possible, of up to the subordination threshold amount on all of the common units. In exchange for agreeing to subordinate a portion of its Trust units, and in order to provide additional financial incentive to SandRidge to satisfy its drilling obligation, SandRidge is entitled to receive incentive distributions equal to 50% of the amount by which the cash available for distribution on all of the Trust units in any quarter exceeds 120% of the target distribution for such quarter. At the end of the fourth full calendar quarter following SandRidge’s satisfaction of its drilling obligation with respect to the Development Wells (described below), the subordinated units will automatically convert into common units on a one-for-one basis and SandRidge’s right to receive incentive distributions will terminate. After such time, the common units will no longer have the protection of the subordination threshold, and all Trust unitholders will share on a pro rata basis in the Trust’s distributions.

Registration Rights Agreement. On April 12, 2011, the Trust entered into a registration rights agreement for the benefit of SandRidge and certain of its affiliates. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, the Trust agreed to register the Trust units held by SandRidge and certain of its affiliates and permitted transferees upon request by SandRidge.

Conveyance of Royalty Interest. Concurrent with the public offering, SandRidge conveyed Royalty Interests in the Underlying Properties, as described in Note 1, to the Trust. The conveyance of the Royalty Interests to the Trust was recorded in April 2011 at the historical cost to SandRidge, or $309.0 million, and was determined by allocating the historical net book value of SandRidge’s full cost pool based on the fair value of the conveyed Royalty Interests relative to the fair value of SandRidge’s total full cost pool.

The Royalty Interests entitle the Trust to receive 90% of the proceeds (after deducting post-production costs and any applicable taxes) from the sale of production of oil and natural gas attributable to SandRidge’s net revenue interest in the Initial Producing Wells and 50% of the proceeds (after deducting post-production costs and any applicable taxes) from the sale of oil and natural gas production attributable to SandRidge’s net revenue interest in the Development Wells beginning on the effective date of the conveyance, which is January 1, 2011. The table below presents estimated royalty income, post-production expenses and taxes from production attributable to the Royalty Interests for the three-month period ended March 31, 2011, which will be recognized when the revenue is received and when the expenses are paid. These estimates are subject to adjustment in future periods based on actual results.

 

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SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31, 2011
 
     (in thousands)  

Royalty income

   $ 18,287   

Less

  

Post-production expenses

     558   

Production taxes

     183   
        

Net royalty income

   $ 17,546   
        

Development Agreement. On April 12, 2011, the Trust entered into a development agreement with SandRidge, effective January 1, 2011, that obligates SandRidge to drill, or cause to be drilled, the Development Wells by December 31, 2014. In the event of delays, SandRidge will have until December 31, 2015 to fulfill its drilling obligation. Additionally, SandRidge agreed not to drill and complete, or allow another person within its control to drill and complete, any other well in the AMI other than the Development Wells until SandRidge has fulfilled its drilling obligation. A wholly owned subsidiary of SandRidge has granted to the Trust a lien covering its interest in the AMI (except its interest in the Producing Wells) in order to secure the estimated amount of the drilling costs for the Trust’s interests in the undeveloped Underlying Properties (“Drilling Support Lien”). The amount obtained by the Trust pursuant to the Drilling Support Lien may not exceed $166.1 million. As SandRidge fulfills its drilling obligation over time, the total amount that may be recovered will be proportionately reduced and the completed Development Wells will be released from the lien. As of March 31, 2011, seven Development Wells had been drilled and the maximum amount recoverable under the Drilling Support Lien had been reduced to $156.6 million.

Administrative Services Agreement. On April 12, 2011, the Trust entered into an administrative services agreement with SandRidge, effective January 1, 2011, that obligates the Trust to pay SandRidge an annual administrative services fee for accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and informational services to be performed by SandRidge on behalf of the Trust. The annual fee of $200,000 is payable in equal quarterly installments and will remain fixed for the life of the Trust. SandRidge is also entitled to receive reimbursement for its out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of any of the services under the agreement. The administrative services agreement will terminate on the earliest to occur of: (i) the date the Trust shall have dissolved and commenced winding up in accordance with the Trust Agreement, (ii) the date that all of the Royalty Interests have been terminated or are no longer held by the Trust, (iii) pertaining to services to be provided with respect to any Underlying Properties transferred by SandRidge, the date that either SandRidge or the Trustee may designate by delivering 90-days prior written notice, provided that SandRidge’s drilling obligation has been completed and the transferee of such Underlying Properties assumes responsibility to perform the services in place of SandRidge and (iv) a date mutually agreed to by SandRidge and the Trustee.

Derivatives Agreement. On April 12, 2011, the Trust entered into a derivatives agreement with SandRidge, effective April 1, 2011, that provides the Trust with the benefit of certain oil and natural gas derivative contracts previously entered into by SandRidge with third parties. The underlying commodity derivative contracts cover volumes of oil and natural gas production through December 31, 2015. Under this arrangement, SandRidge will pay the Trust amounts it receives from its counterparties in accordance with the underlying contracts, and the Trust will pay SandRidge any amounts that SandRidge is required to pay its counterparties under such contracts. The Trust did not bear any costs related to the establishment of the underlying contracts. Volumes covered under the derivatives agreement include production from the Initial Producing Wells and expected future production from the Development Wells. The Trust does not have the ability to enter into its own derivative contracts. These commodity derivative contracts consist of fixed price swaps and collars, which are described below:

 

Fixed price swaps:    The Trust receives a fixed price for the contract and pays a floating market price over a specified period for a contracted volume.
Collars:    Contain a fixed floor price (put) and a fixed ceiling price (call). If the market price exceeds the call strike price or falls below the put strike price, the Trust receives the fixed price and pays the market price. If the market price is between the call and the put strike price, no payments are due.

The following tables present the type, notional amount and weighted average fixed price or collar range of the contracts underlying the derivatives agreement. All of the oil contracts are fixed price swap contracts, while the natural gas contracts consist of both fixed price swap contracts and collars.

 

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SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED

(Unaudited)

 

Oil

 

Period and Type of Contract

   Notional
(MBbl)
     Weighted Avg.
Fixed Price
 

April 2011 — December 2011
Price swap contracts

     360       $ 103.60   

January 2012 — December 2012
Price swap contracts

     454       $ 104.15   

January 2013 — December 2013
Price swap contracts

     488       $ 102.07   

January 2014 — December 2014
Price swap contracts

     541       $ 100.94   

January 2015 — December 2015
Price swap contracts

     468       $ 101.07   

Natural Gas

 

Period and Type of Contract

   Notional
(MMBtu in
thousands)
     Weighted Avg.
Fixed Price
     Collar Range  

April 2011 — December 2011
Price swap contracts

     3,174       $ 4.61         —     

January 2012 — June 2012
Price swap contracts

     2,190       $ 4.90         —     

July 2012 — December 2012
Collars

     402         —         $ 4.00 - $6.20   

January 2013 — December 2013
Collars

     858         —         $ 4.00 - $7.15   

January 2014 — December 2014
Collars

     937         —         $ 4.00 - $7.78   

January 2015 — December 2015
Collars

     1,010         —         $ 4.00 - $8.55   

 

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ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Introduction

The following discussion and analysis is intended to help the reader understand the Trust’s financial condition and results of operations. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Trust’s financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report, the Trust’s audited financial statements and the accompanying notes included in the Prospectus, and the Discussion and Analysis of Historical Results from the Producing Wells contained in the Prospectus.

Overview

The Trust is a statutory trust created in December 2010 under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. The business and affairs of the Trust are managed by the Trustee and, as necessary, the Delaware Trustee. The Trust’s purpose is to hold the Royalty Interests (described below), to distribute to the Trust unitholders cash that the Trust receives in respect to the Royalty Interests and the derivatives agreement described in Note 7 to the financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report, and to perform certain administrative functions in respect of the Royalty Interests and the Trust units. The Trust does not conduct any operations or activities. The Trust derives all or substantially all of its income and cash flow from the Royalty Interests and the derivatives agreement. The Trust is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

During April 2011, the Trust completed an initial public offering of its common units, the proceeds of which were remitted to SandRidge as partial consideration for its conveyance to the Trust of Royalty Interests in certain properties located in Alfalfa, Garfield, Grant, Major and Woods Counties in Oklahoma (the “Underlying Properties”) as described below.

Concurrent with the public offering, SandRidge conveyed, effective January 1, 2011, Royalty Interests in the Underlying Properties, which at March 31, 2011 included interests in (a) 37 Initial Producing Wells, (b) 7 Additional Producing Wells, and (c) 116 Remaining PUD Wells within an AMI in which SandRidge presently holds approximately 64,200 gross acres (43,700 net acres). SandRidge is obligated to drill, or cause to be drilled, the equivalent of 123 horizontal oil and natural gas development wells from drill sites on the leased acreage in the AMI between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2014. Seven of these development wells had been drilled as of March 31, 2011 and were included in the Additional Producing Wells described above at the time of the conveyance. In the event of delays, SandRidge will have until December 31, 2015 to fulfill its drilling obligation to the Trust. The Trust is not responsible for any costs related to the drilling of the Development Wells or any other operating or capital costs and SandRidge will not be permitted to drill and complete any well in the Mississippian formation on lease acreage included within the AMI for its own account until it has satisfied its drilling obligation to the Trust.

The Royalty Interests entitle the Trust to receive 90% of the proceeds (after deducting post-production costs and any applicable taxes) from the sale of production of oil and natural gas attributable to SandRidge’s net revenue interest in the Initial Producing Wells and 50% of the proceeds (after deducting post-production costs and any applicable taxes) from the sale of oil and natural gas attributable to SandRidge’s net revenue interest in the Development Wells. Post-production costs generally consist of costs incurred to gather, store, compress, transport, process, treat, dehydrate and market the oil and natural gas produced. Pursuant to a derivatives agreement between the Trust and SandRidge, production and revenues attributable to the Royalty Interests have been hedged with a combination of fixed price swaps and collars from April 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015. The Trust’s distributable income will include net settlements under this derivatives agreement.

The Trust is required to make quarterly cash distributions of substantially all of its cash receipts, after deducting the Trust’s administrative expenses, on or about 60 days following the completion of each quarter through (and including) the quarter ending December 31, 2030. The first distribution, which will cover the first five months of 2011, is expected to be made on or about August 30, 2011 to record unitholders as of August 15, 2011. The Trustee will withhold $1.0 million from the first distribution to establish a cash reserve available for Trust administrative expenses.

The amount of the quarterly distributions will fluctuate from quarter to quarter depending on several factors, including:

 

   

timing of initial production from the Remaining PUD Wells;

 

   

oil and natural gas prices received;

 

   

volumes of oil and natural gas produced and sold;

 

   

post-production costs and any applicable taxes;

 

   

amounts realized under hedging agreements; and

 

   

administrative expenses of the Trust and expenses paid as a result of being a publicly traded entity.

 

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Subordination Threshold. In order to provide support for cash distributions on the common units, 7,000,000 units (65% of the Trust units SandRidge owns) are subordinated units. The subordinated units are entitled to receive pro rata distributions from the Trust each quarter if and to the extent there is sufficient cash to provide a cash distribution on the common units that is at least equal to the subordination threshold (“subordination threshold”) for the corresponding quarter as set forth in the Trust Agreement and Prospectus and as shown below. If there is not sufficient cash to fund such a distribution on all of the common units (including the common units SandRidge owns), the distribution to be made with respect to the subordinated units (i.e. 65% of the Trust units SandRidge owns) will be reduced or eliminated for such quarter in order to make a distribution, to the extent possible, to all the common units (including the common units held by SandRidge), up to the subordination threshold amounts.

Incentive Threshold. In exchange for agreeing to subordinate a portion of its Trust units, and in order to provide additional financial incentive to SandRidge to satisfy its drilling obligation and perform operations on the Underlying Properties in an efficient and cost-effective manner, SandRidge is entitled to receive incentive distributions equal to 50% of the amount by which the cash available for distribution on all of the Trust units in any quarter exceeds the incentive threshold for the corresponding quarter as set forth in the Trust Agreement and Prospectus and as shown below.

At the end of the fourth full calendar quarter following SandRidge’s satisfaction of its drilling obligation with respect to the Development Wells, the subordinated units will automatically convert into common units on a one-for-one basis and SandRidge’s right to receive incentive distributions will terminate. After such time, the common units will no longer have the protection of the subordination threshold, and all Trust unitholders will share on a pro rata basis in the Trust’s distributions. There is no assurance of any minimum distribution at any time.

The following table sets forth the subordination and incentive thresholds for each calendar quarter through the fourth quarter of 2016, as set out in the Trust Agreement and as included in the Prospectus.

 

Period

   Subordination
Threshold(1)
     Incentive
Threshold(1)
 

2011

     

First and second quarters(2)

   $ 0.81       $ 1.22   

Third quarter

     0.53         0.80   

Fourth quarter

     0.51         0.76   

2012

     

First quarter

     0.52         0.78   

Second quarter

     0.56         0.84   

Third quarter

     0.59         0.88   

Fourth quarter

     0.58         0.87   

2013

     

First quarter

     0.59         0.89   

Second quarter

     0.61         0.92   

Third quarter

     0.61         0.92   

Fourth quarter

     0.61         0.91   

2014

     

First quarter

     0.62         0.93   

Second quarter

     0.66         0.99   

Third quarter

     0.70         1.04   

Fourth quarter

     0.72         1.07   

2015

     

First quarter

     0.67         1.01   

Second quarter

     0.62         0.93   

Third quarter

     0.58         0.86   

Fourth quarter

     0.54         0.81   

2016

     

First quarter

     0.52         0.78   

Second quarter

     0.50         0.75   

Third quarter

     0.48         0.72   

Fourth quarter

     0.46         0.69   

 

(1) The subordination and incentive thresholds terminate after the fourth full calendar quarter following SandRidge’s completion of its drilling obligation.

 

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(2) Includes proceeds attributable to the first five months of production from January 1, 2011 to May 31, 2011, and gives effect to $1.0 million of reserves for general and administrative expenses withheld by the Trustee and additional administrative costs relating to the formation of the Trust.

The Trust will dissolve and begin to liquidate on December 31, 2030 (the “Termination Date”) and will soon thereafter wind up its affairs and terminate. At the Termination Date, 50% of the Royalty Interests will revert automatically to SandRidge. The remaining 50% will be retained by the Trust at the Termination Date and thereafter sold, and the net proceeds of the sale, as well as any remaining Trust cash reserves, will be distributed to the unitholders on a pro rata basis. SandRidge will have a right of first refusal to purchase the Royalty Interests retained by the Trust at the Termination Date.

Results of Trust Operations

The Trust did not receive or disburse any funds during the three-month period ended March 31, 2011. The table below presents estimated royalty income, post-production expenses and taxes from production attributable to the Royalty Interests for the three-month period ended March 31, 2011, which will be recognized when the revenue is received and when the expenses are paid. These estimates are subject to adjustment in future periods based on actual results.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011
 
     (in thousands)  

Royalty income

   $ 18,287   

Less

  

Post-production expenses

     558   

Production taxes

     183   
        

Net royalty income

   $ 17,546   
        

As of March 31, 2011 there were 44 Producing Wells and 2 wells undergoing completion operations. SandRidge anticipates there will be 55 Producing Wells by June 30, 2011, including the 2 wells undergoing completion operations at March 31, 2011 and 3 wells drilled in April 2011. However, there can be no assurance that this estimate will be realized.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Trust’s principal sources of liquidity and capital are cash flow generated from the Royalty Interests and under the derivatives agreement, and the loan commitment described in Note 5 to the financial statements contained in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report. The Trust’s primary uses of cash are distributions to Trust unitholders, including, if applicable, incentive distributions to SandRidge, payment of Trust administrative expenses, including any reserves established by the Trustee for future liabilities, and payment of expense reimbursements to SandRidge for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Trust. Administrative expenses include payments to the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee as well as a quarterly fee of $50,000 to SandRidge pursuant to an administrative services agreement. Each quarter, the Trustee determines the amount of funds available for distribution. Available funds are the excess cash, if any, received by the Trust from the sale of oil and natural gas production attributable to the Royalty Interests that quarter, over the Trust’s expenses for the quarter, subject in all cases to the subordination and incentive provisions described above.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Refer to Note 2 to the financial statements contained in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report for a description of the Trust’s accounting policies and use of estimates.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The discussion in this section provides information about commodity derivative contracts, the benefits of which SandRidge has provided to the Trust pursuant to a derivatives agreement effective April 1, 2011. Under the derivatives agreement, SandRidge will pay the Trust amounts it receives from counterparties under certain of its derivative contracts with third parties, and the Trust will pay SandRidge any amounts that SandRidge is required to pay the counterparties under such derivative contracts. The Trust did not bear any costs related to establishing the contracts underlying the derivatives agreement. The commodity derivative contracts are to be settled in cash and do not require the actual delivery of a commodity at settlement. Fixed price swap and collar contracts are settled based upon New York Mercantile Exchange prices. Settlement for oil derivative price swap contracts occurs in the succeeding month and settlement for natural gas derivative price swap contracts occurs in the production month. Collar contracts result in a cash

 

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settlement only when the settlement price exceeds the fixed price ceiling or falls below the fixed price floor. The contracts underlying the derivatives agreement cover volumes of oil and natural gas production through December 31, 2015, including production from the Initial Producing Wells as well as future production from the Development Wells. The Trust does not have the ability to enter into its own derivative contracts. See Note 7 to the financial statements contained in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report for a description of the Trust’s open oil and natural gas commodity derivative contracts.

Commodity Price Risk. As the Trust’s primary asset and source of income is the Royalty Interests, which generally entitle the Trust to receive varying portions of the net proceeds from oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties, the Trust’s most significant market risk relates to the prices received for oil and natural gas production. The derivative contracts described above mitigate a portion of the variability of oil and natural gas prices received for the Trust’s share of production.

Credit Risk. A portion of the Trust’s liquidity is concentrated in the derivative contracts underlying the derivatives agreement between the Trust and SandRidge described above. The use of derivative contracts, including the arrangement between the Trust and SandRidge, involves the risk that SandRidge or the counterparties will be unable to meet their obligations under the contracts. The derivative contracts underlying the derivatives agreement between the Trust and SandRidge are with Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, Credit Suisse Energy LLC and Royal Bank of Canada. The counterparties for all of SandRidge hedging transactions have an “investment grade” credit rating. The Trust does not have the ability to enter into any additional derivative contracts.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

The 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 Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly 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 disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust are effective.

Due to the nature of the Trust as a passive entity and in light of the contractual arrangements pursuant to which the Trust was created, including the provisions of (i) the Trust Agreement, (ii) the administrative services agreement and (iii) the conveyances granting the Royalty Interests, the Trustee’s disclosure controls and procedures related to the Trust necessarily rely on (A) information provided by SandRidge, including information relating to results of operations, the status of drilling of the Development Wells, the costs and revenues attributable to the Trust’s interests under the conveyance and other operating and historical data, plans for future operating and capital expenditures, reserve information, information relating to projected production, and other information relating to the status and results of operations of the Underlying Properties and the Royalty Interests, and (B) conclusions and reports regarding reserves by the Trust’s independent reserve engineers.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Trustee established its policies and procedures relating to internal control over financial reporting relating to the Trust. Except for the establishment of these policies and procedures, there has been no change in the Trustee’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trustee’s internal control over financial reporting related to the Trust. The Trustee notes for purposes of clarification that it has no authority over, and makes no statement concerning, the internal control over financial reporting of SandRidge.

 

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PART II. Other Information

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

Risks Related to the Units

Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas on the Underlying Properties are high risk activities with many uncertainties that could delay the anticipated drilling schedule for the Remaining PUD Wells and adversely affect future production from the Underlying Properties. Any such delays or reductions in production could decrease future revenues that are available for distribution to unitholders.

The drilling and completion of the Remaining PUD Wells are subject to numerous risks beyond the Trust’s and SandRidge’s control, including risks that could delay the current drilling schedule for the Remaining PUD Wells (including the drilling schedule of third party operators that may drill the Remaining PUD Wells) and the risk that drilling will not result in commercially viable oil and natural gas production. Drilling for oil and natural gas can be unprofitable if dry wells are drilled and if productive wells do not produce sufficient revenues to return a profit. SandRidge’s and third-party operators’ decisions to develop or otherwise exploit certain areas within the AMI will depend in part on the evaluation of data obtained through geophysical and geological analyses, production data and engineering studies, the results of which are often inconclusive or subject to varying interpretations. The costs of drilling, completing and operating wells for SandRidge and third-party operators are often uncertain before drilling commences. Overruns in budgeted expenditures are common risks that can make a particular project uneconomical. There can be no assurance that a Remaining PUD Well that is successfully completed will pay out the capital costs spent to drill it. Drilling and production operations on the Underlying Properties may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as results of various factors, including the following:

 

   

delays imposed by or resulting from compliance with regulatory requirements including permitting;

 

   

unusual or unexpected geological formations and miscalculations;

 

   

shortages of or delays in obtaining equipment and qualified personnel;

 

   

equipment malfunctions, failures or accidents;

 

   

lack of available gathering facilities or delays in construction of gathering facilities;

 

   

lack of available capacity on interconnecting transmission pipelines;

 

   

unexpected operational events and drilling conditions;

 

   

pipe or cement failures;

 

   

casing collapses;

 

   

pressures, fires and blowouts;

 

   

lost or damaged drilling and service tools;

 

   

loss of drilling fluid circulation;

 

   

uncontrollable flows of oil and natural gas, water or drilling fluids;

 

   

natural disasters;

 

   

environmental hazards, such as oil and natural gas leaks, pipeline ruptures and discharges of toxic gases;

 

   

adverse weather conditions;

 

   

reductions in oil and natural gas prices;

 

   

oil and natural gas property title problems; and

 

   

market limitations for oil and natural gas.

In the event that drilling of the Remaining PUD Wells is delayed or the Initial Producing Wells or Development Wells have lower than anticipated production due to one of the factors above or for any other reason, estimated future distributions to unitholders may be reduced. In addition, because horizontal wells drilled in the Mississippian formation in the AMI typically produce a larger volume of water than wells drilled in other areas, more saltwater disposal wells must be drilled by SandRidge. SandRidge’s inability to drill these wells or otherwise dispose of the water produced from the Initial Producing Wells and Development Wells in an efficient manner could delay production and therefore the Trust’s receipt of proceeds from the Royalty Interests.

 

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Oil and natural gas prices fluctuate due to a number of factors that are beyond the control of the Trust and SandRidge, and lower prices could reduce proceeds to the Trust and cash distributions to unitholders.

The Trust’s reserves and quarterly cash distributions are highly dependent upon the prices realized from the sale of oil and natural gas. The markets for these commodities are very volatile. Oil and natural gas prices can fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors that are beyond the control of the Trust and SandRidge. These factors include, among others:

 

   

regional, domestic and foreign supply, and perceptions of supply, of oil and natural gas;

 

   

the price of foreign imports;

 

   

U.S. and worldwide political and economic conditions;

 

   

the level of demand, and perceptions of demand, for oil and natural gas;

 

   

weather conditions and seasonal trends;

 

   

anticipated future prices of oil and natural gas, alternative fuels and other commodities;

 

   

technological advances affecting energy consumption and energy supply;

 

   

the proximity, capacity, cost and availability of pipeline infrastructure, treating, transportation and refining capacity;

 

   

acts of force majeure;

 

   

domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxation;

 

   

energy conservation and environmental measures; and

 

   

the price and availability of alternative fuels.

For oil, from 2007 through 2010, the highest monthly NYMEX settled price was $140.00 per Bbl and the lowest was $41.68 per Bbl. For natural gas, from 2007 through 2010, the highest monthly NYMEX settled price was $13.35 per MMBtu (one million British Thermal Units) and the lowest was $2.98 per MMBtu. In addition, the market price of oil and natural gas is generally higher in the winter months than during other months of the year due to increased demand for oil and natural gas for heating purposes during the winter season.

Lower oil and natural gas prices will reduce proceeds to which the Trust is entitled and may ultimately reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that is economic to produce from the Underlying Properties. As a result, SandRidge or any third-party operator of any of the Underlying Properties could determine during periods of low oil and natural gas prices to shut in or curtail production from wells on the Underlying Properties. In addition, the operator of the Underlying Properties could determine during periods of low oil and natural prices to plug and abandon marginal wells that otherwise may have been allowed to continue to produce for a longer period under conditions of higher prices. Specifically, SandRidge or any third party operator may abandon any well or property if it reasonably believes that the well or property can no longer produce oil and natural gas in commercially economic quantities. This could result in termination of the portion of the Royalty Interest relating to the abandoned well or property, and SandRidge would have no obligation to drill a replacement well. The volatility of oil and natural gas prices also reduces the accuracy of estimates of future cash distributions to Trust unitholders.

SandRidge entered into a derivatives agreement with the Trust to provide the Trust with the benefit of certain hedge contracts with third parties. Under this arrangement, approximately 54% of the expected production and approximately 60% of the expected revenues upon which the target distributions are based from April 1, 2011 through December 31, 2015 have been hedged. The derivatives agreement does not cover all of the oil and natural gas volumes that are expected to be produced during the term of the Trust. The Trust does not have the ability to enter into any additional hedge contracts. As a result, the amounts of the cash distributions to unitholders may fluctuate even more significantly after such period as a result of changes in oil and natural gas prices because there will be no hedge contracts in place to reduce the effects of such price changes.

Actual reserves and future production may be less than current estimates, which could reduce cash distributions by the Trust and the value of the Trust units.

The value of the Trust units and the amount of future cash distributions to the Trust unitholders will depend upon, among other things, the accuracy of the reserves estimated to be attributable to the Trust’s Royalty Interests. The Trust’s reserve quantities and revenues are based on estimates of reserve quantities and revenues for the Underlying Properties. It is not possible to measure underground accumulations of oil and natural gas in an exact way, and estimating reserves is inherently uncertain. Ultimately, actual production and revenues for the Underlying Properties could be materially less than estimated amounts. Petroleum engineers are required to make subjective estimates of underground accumulations of oil and natural gas based on factors and assumptions that include:

 

   

historical production from the area compared with production rates from other producing areas;

 

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oil and natural gas prices, production levels, Btu content, production expenses, transportation costs, severance and excise taxes and capital expenditures; and

 

   

the assumed effect of governmental regulation.

Changes in these assumptions or actual production costs incurred and results of actual development could materially decrease reserve estimates.

Reserve estimates for fields that do not have a lengthy production history are less reliable than estimates for fields with lengthy production histories. A lack of production history may contribute to inaccuracy in estimates of proved reserves, future production rates and the timing of development expenditures. Most of the Producing Wells have been operational for less than one year and estimated total reserves vary substantially from well to well and are not directly correlated to perforated lateral length or completion technique. Although SandRidge and Netherland Sewell and Associated, Inc. (“Netherland Sewell”), the independent third-party engineering firm that estimated the reserves attributable to the Underlying Properties analyzed historical production data from vertical wells drilled in the AMI since the 1940s, there can be no assurance that this data can accurately predict future production from horizontal wells. The lack of operational history for horizontal wells in the Mississippian formation may also contribute to the inaccuracy of estimates of proved reserves. A material and adverse variance of actual production, revenues and expenditures from those underlying reserve estimates, would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Trust and would reduce cash distributions to Trust unitholders.

The average perforated interval length of the wells assumed for purposes of calculating the PUD reserves (approximately 3,900 feet) is longer than the minimum perforated interval length required for SandRidge to receive credit for one full Development Well under the development agreement (2,500 feet). Further, there is no guarantee that wells drilled with shorter perforated interval lengths will achieve the same reserve recoveries as wells drilled with longer perforated interval lengths. Moreover, as with all horizontal drilling programs, there is a risk that some or all of a horizontal well could miss the target reservoir. As a result, unitholders may not receive the benefit of the total amount of estimated PUD reserves, notwithstanding the fact that SandRidge has satisfied its drilling obligation.

Estimates of future cash distributions to unitholders, subordination thresholds and incentive thresholds are based on assumptions that are inherently subjective and are subject to significant business, economic, financial, legal, regulatory and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual cash distributions to differ materially from those estimated.

Target distributions to unitholders, subordination thresholds and incentive thresholds, as set forth in the Prospectus and described above in Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations, were based on SandRidge’s calculations, and SandRidge did not receive an opinion or report on such calculations from any independent accountants, financial advisers, or engineers. Such calculations were based on assumptions about drilling, production, oil and natural gas prices, hedging activities, capital expenditures, expenses, tax rates and production tax credits under state law and other matters that were inherently uncertain and were subject to significant business, economic, financial, legal, regulatory and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated. For example, target distributions were based on assumptions that oil and natural gas production would be sold at prices based on settled NYMEX prices for January, February and March 2011 and NYMEX forward pricing as of March 18, 2011 for the 33-month period ending December 31, 2013, and assumed price increases after December 31, 2013 of 2.5% annually, capped at $120.00 per Bbl of oil in 2025 and $7.00 per MMBtu of natural gas in 2022, respectively. However, actual sales prices may be significantly lower. The target distributions were also based on assumptions that the Development Wells will be drilled on SandRidge’s anticipated schedule and the related Underlying Properties would achieve estimated production volumes; however, the drilling of the Development Wells could be delayed and actual production volumes may be significantly lower. Further, after wells are completed, production operations may be curtailed, delayed or terminated as a result of a variety of risks and uncertainties, including those described above under “—Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas on the Underlying Properties are high risk activities with many uncertainties that could delay the anticipated drilling schedule for the Remaining PUD Wells and adversely affect future production from the Underlying Properties. Any such delays or reductions in production could decrease future revenues that are available for distribution to unitholders.”

Furthermore, neither the target distribution nor the subordination threshold for each quarter during the subordination period necessarily represents the actual cash distributions unitholders will receive. To the extent actual production volumes or sales prices of oil and natural gas differ from the assumptions used to generate the target distributions, the actual distributions unitholders receive may be lower than the target distribution and the subordination threshold for the applicable quarter. A cash distribution to Trust unitholders below the target distribution amount or the subordination threshold may materially adversely affect the market price of the Trust units.

 

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The subordination of certain Trust units held by SandRidge does not assure that unitholders will in fact receive any specified return on unitholders investment in the Trust.

Although SandRidge will not be entitled to receive any distribution on its subordinated units unless there is enough cash for all of the common units to receive a distribution equal to the subordination threshold for such quarter (which is 20% below the target distribution level for the corresponding quarter), the subordinated units constitute only a 25% interest in the Trust, and this feature does not guarantee that common units will receive a distribution equal to the subordination threshold, or any distribution at all. Additionally, the subordination period will terminate and the subordinated units will convert into common units at the end of the fourth full calendar quarter following SandRidge’s completion of its drilling obligation. Depending on the prices at which SandRidge is able to sell volumes attributable to the Trust, the common units may receive a distribution that is below the subordination threshold.

Quarterly cash distributions will be made by the Trust based on the proceeds received by the Trust pursuant to the Royalty Interests for the preceding calendar quarter. If a quarterly cash distribution is lower than the target distribution amount or subordination threshold set forth in the Prospectus for any quarter, the common units will not be entitled to receive any additional distributions nor will the units be entitled to arrearages in any future quarter.

In order to satisfy its drilling obligation to the Trust, SandRidge will rely upon third parties to drill the Remaining PUD Wells where SandRidge is not the operator.

Pursuant to the development agreement between SandRidge and the Trust, SandRidge is obligated to drill, or cause to be drilled, 123 Development Wells in the AMI. SandRidge owns a majority working interest in approximately 75% of the locations on which it expects to drill the Development Wells, and it expects to operate such wells during the subordination period. In order to satisfy its drilling obligation, SandRidge will rely upon third-party operators to drill certain of these Development Wells. A significant portion of these wells may be drilled by a single third-party operator. The ability of third-party operators to help SandRidge meet the drilling obligation will depend on those operators’ future financial condition and economic performance and access to capital, which, in turn, will depend upon the supply and demand for oil and natural gas, prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors. The failure of an operator to adequately perform operations could reduce production from the Underlying Properties and the cash available for distribution to Trust unitholders. SandRidge may be provided little or no notice by these operators that they are failing to drill the Development Wells in accordance with pre-existing schedules. Because SandRidge does not have a majority working interest in most of the non-operated properties comprising the Underlying Properties, SandRidge may not be able to remove the operator in the event of poor or untimely performance. If the Development Wells take longer to be drilled than currently anticipated, this may delay revenue earned from the production of oil and natural gas by such wells. The revenues distributable to the Trust and the amount of cash distributable to the Trust unitholders would similarly be delayed.

For those Development Wells where SandRidge is the operator, SandRidge may rely on third party servicers to conduct the drilling operations.

Where SandRidge is the operator of a Development Well, it may rely on third party servicers to perform the necessary drilling operations. The ability of third-party servicers to perform such drilling operations will depend on those servicers’ financial condition and economic performance and access to capital, which in turn will depend upon the supply and demand for oil and natural gas, prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors. The failure of a third party servicer to adequately perform operations could delay drilling or completion or reduce production from the Underlying Properties and the cash available for distribution to Trust unitholders. If the Development Wells take longer to be drilled and completed than currently anticipated, this may delay revenue earned from the production of oil and natural gas by such wells. The revenues distributable to the Trust and the amount of cash distributable to the Trust unitholders would similarly be delayed.

Shortages or increases in costs of equipment, services and qualified personnel could delay the drilling of the Development Wells and result in a reduction in the amount of cash available for distribution.

The demand for qualified and experienced personnel to conduct field operations, geologists, geophysicists, engineers and other professionals in the oil and natural gas industry can fluctuate significantly, often in correlation with oil and natural gas prices, causing periodic shortages. Historically, there have been shortages of drilling rigs and other equipment as demand for rigs and equipment has increased along with the number of wells being drilled. These factors also cause significant increases in costs for equipment, services and personnel. Higher oil and natural gas prices generally stimulate demand and result in increased prices for drilling rigs, crews and associated supplies, equipment and services. Shortages of field personnel and equipment or price increases could significantly hinder SandRidge’s ability to perform the drilling obligations and delay completion of the development wells, which would reduce future distributions to Trust unitholders.

 

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Due to the Trust’s lack of industry and geographic diversification, adverse developments in the Trust’s existing area of operation could adversely impact its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and reduce its ability to make distributions to the unitholders.

The Underlying Properties will be operated for oil and natural gas production only and are focused exclusively in the Mississippian formation in Alfalfa, Garfield, Grant, Major and Woods counties in Oklahoma. This concentration could disproportionately expose the Trust’s interests to operational and regulatory risk in that area. Due to the lack of diversification in industry type and location of the Trust’s interests, adverse developments in the oil and natural gas market or the area of the Underlying Properties, including, for example, transportation or treatment capacity constraints, curtailment of production or treatment plant closures for scheduled maintenance, could have a significantly greater impact on the Trust’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows than if the Trust’s Royalty Interests were more diversified.

The generation of proceeds for distribution by the Trust depends in part on access to and the operation of gathering, transportation and processing facilities. Any limitation in the availability of those facilities could interfere with sales of oil and natural gas production from the Underlying Properties.

The amount of oil and natural gas that may be produced and sold from any well to which the Underlying Properties relate is subject to curtailment in certain circumstances, such as by reason of weather conditions, pipeline interruptions due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, failure of tendered oil and natural gas to meet quality specifications of gathering lines or downstream transporters, excessive line pressure which prevents delivery, physical damage to the gathering system or transportation system or lack of contracted capacity on such systems. The curtailments may vary from a few days to several months. In many cases, SandRidge is provided limited notice, if any, as to when production will be curtailed and the duration of such curtailments. If SandRidge is forced to reduce production due to such a curtailment, the revenues of the Trust and the amount of cash distributions to the Trust unitholders would similarly be reduced due to the reduction of proceeds from the sale of production. Although SandRidge currently does not have any material production shut-in and does not shut-in production on a routine basis as a result of lack of accessibility to transportation or lack of processing facilities, there can be no assurance this will be the case in the future.

Some of the Development Wells on the Underlying Properties will be drilled in locations that currently are not serviced by natural gas gathering and transportation pipelines or locations in which existing gathering and transportation pipelines do not have sufficient capacity to transport additional production. As a result, SandRidge may not be able to sell the natural gas production from certain Development Wells until the necessary gathering systems and/or transportation pipelines are constructed or until the necessary transportation capacity on an interstate pipeline is obtained. In particular, the system SandRidge intends to use to compress and process the natural gas produced from certain of the Underlying Properties is near its capacity and may not be able to process all of SandRidge’s gas. Any delay in the expansion of such system or the construction or expansion of any other natural gas gathering systems beyond the currently estimated construction schedules, or a delay in the procurement of additional transportation capacity would delay the receipt of any proceeds that may be associated with the natural gas production from the Development Wells.

The Trust units may lose value as a result of title deficiencies with respect to the Underlying Properties.

The existence of a title deficiency with respect to the Underlying Properties could reduce the value or render a property worthless, thus adversely affecting the distributions to unitholders. SandRidge does not obtain title insurance covering oil, gas and mineral leaseholds. Additionally, undeveloped leasehold acreage has greater risk of title defects than developed acreage.

Consistent with industry practice, SandRidge has not yet obtained drilling title opinions on the properties upon which SandRidge intends to drill the Remaining PUD Wells. Prior to the drilling of a Remaining PUD Well, SandRidge intends to obtain a drilling title opinion to identify defects in title to the leasehold. Frequently, as a result of such examinations, certain curative work must be done to correct identified title defects, and such curative work entails time and expense. SandRidge’s inability or failure to cure title defects could render some locations undrillable or cause SandRidge to lose its rights to some or all production from some of the Underlying Properties, which could result in a reduction in proceeds available for distribution to unitholders and the value of the Trust units if a comparable additional location to drill a Remaining PUD Well cannot be identified.

The Trust is passive in nature and has no stockholder voting rights in SandRidge, managerial, contractual or other ability to influence SandRidge, or control over the field operations of, sale of oil and natural gas from, or development of, the Underlying Properties.

Trust unitholders have no voting rights with respect to SandRidge and, therefore, have no managerial, contractual or other ability to influence SandRidge’s activities or operations of the Underlying Properties. In addition, some of the Development Wells may be operated by third parties unrelated to SandRidge. Such third party operators may not have the operational expertise of SandRidge within the AMI. Oil and natural gas properties are typically managed pursuant to an operating agreement among the working interest owners in the properties. The typical operating agreement contains procedures whereby the owners of the aggregate working interest in the property designate one of the interest owners to be the operator of the property. Under these arrangements, the operator is typically responsible for making all decisions relating to drilling activities, sale of production, compliance with regulatory

 

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requirements and other matters that affect the property. Neither the Trustee nor the Trust unitholders has any contractual ability to influence or control the field operations of, sale of oil and natural gas from, or future development of, the Underlying Properties. The Trust units are passive investments that entitle the Trust unitholder to only receive cash distributions from the Royalty Interests and hedging contracts being passed through to the Trust.

The oil and natural gas reserves estimated to be attributable to the Underlying Properties of the Trust are depleting assets and production from those reserves will diminish over time. Furthermore, the Trust is precluded from acquiring other oil and gas properties or Royalty Interests to replace the depleting assets and production.

The proceeds payable to the Trust from the Royalty Interests are derived from the sale of the production of oil and natural gas from the Underlying Properties. The oil and natural gas reserves attributable to the Underlying Properties are depleting assets, which mean that the reserves of oil and natural gas attributable to the Underlying Properties will decline over time. As a result, the quantity of oil and natural gas produced from the Underlying Properties will decline over time.

Future maintenance may affect the quantity of proved reserves that can be economically produced from the Underlying Properties to which the wells relate. The timing and size of these projects will depend on, among other factors, the market prices of oil and natural gas. With the exception of SandRidge’s commitment to drill the Development Wells, SandRidge has no contractual obligation to make capital expenditures on the Underlying Properties in the future. Furthermore, for properties on which SandRidge is not designated as the operator, SandRidge has no control over the timing or amount of those capital expenditures. SandRidge also has the right to non-consent and not participate in the capital expenditures on properties for which it is not the operator, in which case SandRidge and the Trust will not receive the production resulting from such capital expenditures. If SandRidge or other operators of the wells to which the Underlying Properties relate do not implement maintenance projects when warranted, the future rate of production decline of proved reserves may be higher than the rate currently estimated or expected by SandRidge or estimated in the reserve report.

The Trust Agreement provides that the Trust’s business activities are limited to owning the Royalty Interests and any activity reasonably related to such ownership, including activities required or permitted by the terms of the conveyances related to the Royalty Interests. As a result, the Trust is not permitted to acquire other oil and gas properties or royalty interests to replace the depleting assets and production attributable to the Trust.

An increase in the differential between the price realized by SandRidge for oil or natural gas produced from the Underlying Properties and the NYMEX or other benchmark price of oil or natural gas could reduce the proceeds to the Trust and therefore the cash distributions by the Trust and the value of Trust units.

The prices received for SandRidge’s oil and natural gas production usually fall below the relevant benchmark prices, such as NYMEX, that are used for calculating hedge positions. The difference between the price received and the benchmark price is called a differential. The amount of the differential will depend on a variety of factors, including discounts based on the quality and location of hydrocarbons produced, Btu content and post-production costs. These factors can cause differentials to be volatile from period to period. SandRidge has little or no control over the factors that determine the amount of the differential, and cannot accurately predict natural gas or crude oil differentials. Increases in the differential between the realized price of oil and natural gas and the benchmark price for oil and natural gas could reduce the proceeds to the Trust and therefore the cash distributions by the Trust and the value of the Trust units. The target distributions were prepared using an assumed negative differential of 19% from NYMEX futures prices for natural gas, and an assumed negative differential of $5.00 per barrel from NYMEX futures prices for oil.

The amount of cash available for distribution by the Trust will be reduced by post-production costs and applicable taxes associated with the Trust’s Royalty Interests, Trust expenses and incentive distributions payable to SandRidge.

The Royalty Interests and the Trust will bear certain costs and expenses that will reduce the amount of cash received by or available for distribution by the Trust to the holders of the Trust units. These costs and expenses include the following:

 

   

the Trust’s share of the costs incurred by SandRidge to gather, store, compress, transport, process, treat, dehydrate and market the oil and gas;

 

   

the Trust’s share of applicable taxes on the oil and gas; and

 

   

Trust administrative expenses, including fees paid to the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, the annual administrative services fee payable to SandRidge, tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and mailing costs, independent auditor fees and registrar and transfer agent fees, and costs associated with annual and quarterly reports to unitholders.

In addition, the amount of funds available for distribution to unitholders will be reduced by the amount of any cash reserves maintained by the Trustee in respect of anticipated future Trust administrative expenses.

 

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Further, during the subordination period, SandRidge will be entitled to receive a quarterly incentive distribution from the Trust equal to 50% of the amount by which cash available to be paid to all unitholders exceed the incentive threshold for the applicable quarter.

The amount of costs and expenses borne by the Trust may vary materially from quarter-to-quarter. The extent by which the costs and expenses of the Trust are higher or lower in any quarter will directly decrease or increase the amount received by the Trust and available for distribution to the unitholders. Historical post-production costs and taxes, however, may not be indicative of future post-production costs and taxes.

The hedging contracts entered into by SandRidge pursuant to the derivatives agreement cover only a portion of the oil and natural gas production attributable to the Trust, and such contracts limit the Trust’s ability to benefit from commodity price increases for hedged volumes above the corresponding hedge price.

Pursuant to the derivatives agreement, SandRidge has provided the Trust with the benefit of certain oil and natural gas hedging contracts that it has entered into with third parties. The derivatives agreement covers only a portion of the estimated oil and natural gas production attributable to the Trust’s Royalty Interests, and will terminate after December 31, 2015. The Trust’s receipt of any payments due to it based on the derivatives agreement depends upon the financial position of SandRidge and SandRidge’s hedge contract counterparties. A default by SandRidge or any of the hedge contract counterparties could reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to the Trust unitholders. See “—SandRidge’s ability to satisfy its obligations to the Trust depends on its financial position, and in the event of a default by SandRidge in its obligation to drill the Development Wells, or in the event of SandRidge’s bankruptcy, it may be expensive and time-consuming for the Trust to exercise its remedies.”

Pursuant to the derivatives agreement, 54% of the expected production and approximately 60% of the expected revenues upon which the target distributions are based from April 1, 2011 through December 31, 2015 have been hedged. The remaining estimated production of oil and natural gas during that time and all production after such time will not be hedged to protect against the price risks inherent in holding interests in oil and natural gas, a commodity that is frequently characterized by significant price volatility. Furthermore, while the use of hedging arrangements limits the downside risk of price declines, they may also limit the Trust’s ability to benefit from increases in oil and natural gas prices above the hedge price on the portion of the production attributable to the Trust’s Royalty Interests that is hedged. The Trust does not have any ability to terminate the hedging contracts.

The Trust’s counterparty under the derivatives agreement is SandRidge, whose counterparties are Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, Credit Suisse Energy, LLC, and Royal Bank of Canada. In the event that any of the counterparties to the oil and natural gas hedging contracts default on their obligations to make payments under such contracts, the cash distributions to the Trust unitholders would likely be materially reduced as the hedge payments are intended to provide additional cash to the Trust during periods of lower oil and natural gas prices. SandRidge will not be required to make payments to the Trust under the derivatives agreement to the extent of payment defaults by SandRidge’s hedge contract counterparties. The Trust has no ability to enter into its own hedges.

The Trustee may, under certain circumstances, sell the Royalty Interests and dissolve the Trust. The Trust will begin to liquidate on December 31, 2030.

The Royalty Interests will be sold and the Trust will be dissolved upon the occurrence of certain events. For example, the Trustee must sell the Royalty Interests if unitholders approve the sale or vote to dissolve the Trust. The Trustee must also sell the Royalty Interests if cash available for distribution is less than $1.0 million in each of any four consecutive quarters. The sale of all of the Royalty Interests will result in the dissolution of the Trust. Upon the dissolution of the Trust, the net proceeds of any such sale will be distributed to the Trust unitholders pro rata and unitholders will not be entitled to receive any proceeds from the sale of production from the Underlying Properties following such date.

At the Termination Date, 50% of the royalty interest on the Initial Producing Wells and 50% of the royalty interest on the Development Wells will automatically revert to SandRidge, while the remaining 50% of each of the Initial Producing Well Royalty Interest and the Development Well Royalty Interest will be sold and the proceeds will be distributed to the unitholders (including SandRidge to the extent of any Trust units it owns) at the Termination Date or soon thereafter. The price received by the Trust by any purchaser of the remaining 50% of each of the Initial Producing Well Royalty Interest and the Development Well Royalty Interest will depend, among other things, on the prices of oil and natural gas at that time. There can be no assurance that the prices of oil and natural gas will be at levels such that Trust unitholders will receive any particular amount of cash in return for the Trust’s sale of the remaining Royalty Interests. Moreover, SandRidge will have a right of first refusal to purchase the remaining Royalty Interests at the Termination Date, which may reduce the inclination of third parties to place a bid, and thereby reduce the value received by the Trust in a sale. If the Trustee receives a bid from a proposed purchaser other than SandRidge and wants to sell all or part of the remaining Royalty Interests to such third party, the Trustee will be required to give notice to SandRidge and identify the proposed purchaser and proposed sale price, and other terms of the bid.

 

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The Trust is managed by a Trustee who cannot be replaced except at a special meeting of Trust unitholders.

The business and affairs of the Trust are managed by the Trustee. A unitholder’s voting rights are more limited than those of stockholders of most public corporations. For example, there is no requirement for annual meetings of Trust unitholders or for an annual or other periodic re-election of the Trustee. The Trust Agreement provides that the Trustee may only be removed and replaced by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Trust units, excluding Trust units held by SandRidge voting in person or by proxy at a special meeting of Trust unitholders at which a quorum is present called by either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding Trust units. As a result, it may be difficult for public unitholders to remove or replace the Trustee without the cooperation of holders of a substantial percentage of the outstanding Trust units.

Trust unitholders have limited ability to enforce provisions of the Royalty Interests, and SandRidge’s liability to the Trust is limited.

The Trust Agreement permits the Trustee and the Trust to sue SandRidge or any other future owner of the Underlying Properties to enforce the terms of the conveyances creating the Initial Producing Well Royalty Interest and the Development Well Royalty Interest. If the Trustee does not take appropriate action to enforce provisions of these conveyances, a Trust unitholder’s recourse would be limited to bringing a lawsuit against the Trustee to compel the Trustee to take specified actions. The Trust Agreement expressly limits a Trust unitholder’s ability to directly sue SandRidge or any other party other than the Trustee. As a result, Trust unitholders will not be able to sue SandRidge or any future owner of the Underlying Properties to enforce the Trust’s rights under the conveyances. Furthermore, the Royalty Interest conveyances provide that, except as set forth in the conveyances, SandRidge will not be liable to the Trust for the manner in which it performs its duties in operating the Underlying Properties as long as it acts in good faith and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, will owe no fiduciary duties to the Trust or the unitholders.

Courts outside of Delaware may not recognize the limited liability of the Trust unitholders provided under Delaware law.

Under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, Trust unitholders are entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. No assurance can be given, however, that the courts in jurisdictions outside of Delaware will give effect to such limitation.

SandRidge may sell Trust units in the public or private markets and such sales could have an adverse impact on the trading price of the common units.

SandRidge owns an aggregate of 3,750,000 common units and 7,000,000 subordinated units. All of the subordinated units will automatically convert into common units at the end of the subordination period. SandRidge has agreed not to sell any Trust units until October 3, 2011 without the consent of Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. After such period, SandRidge may sell Trust units in the public or private markets, and any such sales could have an adverse impact on the price of the common units or on any trading market that may develop. The Trust has granted registration rights to SandRidge, which, if exercised, would facilitate sales of Trust units by SandRidge to the public.

Conflicts of interest could arise between SandRidge and the Trust unitholders.

As a working interest owner in the Underlying Properties, SandRidge could have interests that conflict with the interests of the Trust and the Trust unitholders. For example:

 

   

Notwithstanding its drilling obligation to the Trust, SandRidge’s interests may conflict with those of the Trust and the Trust unitholders in situations involving the development, maintenance, operation or abandonment of the Underlying Properties. Additionally, SandRidge may abandon a well that is uneconomic even though such well is still generating revenue for the Trust unitholders. Subsequent to fulfilling its drilling obligation, SandRidge may make decisions with respect to expenditures and decisions to allocate resources on projects in other areas that adversely affect the Underlying Properties, including reducing expenditures on these properties, which could cause oil and natural gas production to decline at a faster rate and thereby result in lower cash distributions by the Trust in the future.

 

   

SandRidge may sell some or all of the Underlying Properties, subject to its obligation not to sell any property relating to the Development Well Royalty Interest prior to satisfying its obligation to drill the Development Wells. Such sale may not be in the best interests of the Trust unitholders. Any purchaser may lack SandRidge’s experience in the Mississippian formation or its creditworthiness.

 

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SandRidge may, without the consent of the Trust unitholders, require the Trust to release Royalty Interests with an aggregate value to the Trust of up to $5.0 million during any 12-month period. These releases will be made only in connection with the sale by SandRidge of the Underlying Properties and are conditioned upon the Trust receiving an amount equal to the fair value to the Trust of such Royalty Interests.

 

   

SandRidge is permitted under the conveyance agreements creating the Royalty Interests to enter into new processing and transportation contracts without obtaining bids from or otherwise negotiating with any independent third parties, and SandRidge will deduct from the Trust’s proceeds any charges under such contracts attributable to production from the Trust properties. Provisions in the conveyance agreements, however, require that charges under future contracts with affiliates of SandRidge relating to processing or transportation of oil and natural gas be comparable to charges prevailing in the area for similar services.

 

   

At any time after October 3, 2011, SandRidge can sell its Trust units regardless of the effects such sale may have on common unit prices or on the Trust itself. Additionally, SandRidge can vote its Trust units in its sole discretion.

In addition, SandRidge has agreed that, if at any time the Trust’s cash on hand (including available cash reserves) is not sufficient to pay the Trust’s ordinary course administrative expenses as they become due, SandRidge will loan funds to the Trust necessary to pay such expenses. Any such loan will be on an unsecured basis, and the terms of such loan will be substantially the same as those which would be obtained in an arms’ length transaction between SandRidge and an unaffiliated third party. If SandRidge provides such funds to the Trust, it would become a creditor of the Trust and its interests as a creditor could conflict with the interests of unitholders.

SandRidge may sell all or a portion of the Underlying Properties, subject to and burdened by the Royalty Interests, after satisfying its drilling obligations to the Trust; any such purchaser could have a weaker financial position and/or be less experienced in oil and natural gas development and production than SandRidge.

Unitholders will not be entitled to vote on any sale of the Underlying Properties if the Underlying Properties are sold subject to and burdened by the Royalty Interests and the Trust will not receive any proceeds from any such sale. The purchaser would be responsible for all of SandRidge’s obligations relating to the Royalty Interests on the portion of the Underlying Properties sold, and SandRidge would have no continuing obligation to the Trust for those properties. Additionally, SandRidge may enter into farmout or joint venture arrangements with respect to the wells burdened by the Trust’s Royalty Interest. Any purchaser, farmout counterparty or joint venture partner could have a weaker financial position and/or be less experienced in oil and natural gas development and production than SandRidge.

SandRidge’s ability to satisfy its obligations to the Trust depends on its financial position, and in the event of a default by SandRidge in its obligation to drill the Development Wells, or in the event of SandRidge’s bankruptcy, it may be expensive and time-consuming for the Trust to exercise its remedies.

Pursuant to the terms of the development agreement, SandRidge is obligated to drill, or cause to be drilled, the Development Wells at its own expense. SandRidge owns a majority working interest in approximately 75% of the locations on which it expects to drill the Remaining PUD Wells, and it expects to operate such wells until completion of its drilling obligation. As of March 31, 2011, SandRidge is also the operator of 77% of the Producing Wells. The conveyances provide that SandRidge is obligated to market, or cause to be marketed, the oil and natural gas production related to the Underlying Properties. Additionally, SandRidge is the counterparty to the Trust’s derivatives agreement and has certain obligations to the Trust under the agreement. In the event that SandRidge defaults on its obligation to make payments under the derivatives agreement, the cash distributions to the Trust unitholders may be materially reduced as these payments are intended to provide additional cash to the Trust during periods of lower oil and natural gas prices. Due to the Trust’s reliance on SandRidge to fulfill these numerous obligations, the value of the Trust’s Royalty Interests and its ultimate cash available for distribution is highly dependent on SandRidge’s performance.

SandRidge’s ability to perform these obligations depends on its future financial condition and economic performance and access to capital, which in turn depends upon the supply and demand for oil and natural gas, prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond SandRidge’s control.

In the event that SandRidge defaults on its obligation to drill the Remaining PUD Wells, the Trust would be able to foreclose on the Drilling Support Lien to the extent of SandRidge’s remaining interests in the undeveloped portions of the AMI. As of March 31, 2011, the maximum amount the Trust can recover in such a foreclosure action is $156.6 million, which amount will be reduced proportionately as each Remaining PUD Well is drilled. There can be no assurance that the value of SandRidge’s interests in the undeveloped portions of the AMI secured by the Drilling Support Lien will be equal to the amount recoverable at any given time, and such interests may be worth considerably less. The process of foreclosing on such collateral may be expensive and time-consuming and delay the drilling and completion of the Remaining PUD Wells; such delays and expenses would reduce Trust distributions by reducing the amount of proceeds available for distribution. Any amounts actually recovered in a foreclosure action would be applied

 

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to completion of SandRidge’s drilling obligation, would not result in any distribution to the Trust unitholders and may be insufficient to drill the number of wells needed for the Trust to realize the full value of the Development Well Royalty Interest. Furthermore, the Trust would have to seek a new party to perform the drilling and operations of the wells. The Trust may not be able to find a replacement driller or operator, and it may not be able to enter into a new agreement with such replacement party on favorable terms within a reasonable period of time.

The proceeds of the Royalty Interests may be commingled, for a period of time, with proceeds of SandRidge’s retained interest in the Underlying Properties, and SandRidge will not be required to maintain a segregated account for proceeds payable to the Trust. It is possible that the Trust may not have adequate facts to trace its entitlement to funds in the commingled pool of funds and that other persons may, in asserting claims against SandRidge’s retained interest, be able to assert claims to the proceeds that should be delivered to the Trust. If there is an event of default under SandRidge’s credit facility, SandRidge must keep its accounts with banks that enter into control agreements with the administrative agent under the credit facility, which would permit the administrative agent to direct payment of funds in such accounts during the pendency of an event of default. In addition, during any bankruptcy of SandRidge, it is possible that payments of the royalties may be delayed or deferred. During the pendency of any SandRidge bankruptcy proceedings, the Trust’s ability to foreclose on the Drilling Support Lien, and the ability to collect cash payments being held in SandRidge’s accounts that are attributable to production from the Trust properties, may be stayed by the bankruptcy court. Delay in realizing on the collateral for the Drilling Support Lien is possible, and it cannot be guaranteed that a bankruptcy court would permit such foreclosure. It is possible that the bankruptcy would also delay the execution of a new agreement with another driller or operator. If the Trust enters into a new agreement with a drilling or operating partner, the new partner might not achieve the same levels of production or sell oil and natural gas at the same prices as SandRidge was able to achieve.

Oil and natural gas wells are subject to operational hazards that can cause substantial losses. SandRidge maintains insurance; however, SandRidge may not be adequately insured for all such hazards.

There are a variety of operating risks inherent in oil and natural gas production and associated activities, such as fires, leaks, explosions, mechanical problems, major equipment failures, blowouts, uncontrollable flow of oil and natural gas, water or drilling fluids, casing collapses, abnormally pressurized formations and natural disasters. The occurrence of any of these or similar accidents that temporarily or permanently halt the production and sale of oil and natural gas at any of the Underlying Properties will reduce Trust distributions by reducing the amount of proceeds available for distribution.

Additionally, if any of such risks or similar accidents occur, SandRidge could incur substantial losses as a result of injury or loss of life, severe damage or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, regulatory investigation and penalties and environmental damage and clean-up responsibility. If SandRidge experiences any of these problems, its ability to conduct operations and perform its obligations to the Trust could be adversely affected. While SandRidge intends to obtain and maintain insurance coverage it deems appropriate for these risks with respect to the Underlying Properties, SandRidge’s operations may result in liabilities exceeding such insurance coverage or liabilities not covered by insurance. If a well is damaged, SandRidge would have no obligation to drill a replacement well or make the Trust whole for the loss.

SandRidge is subject to complex federal, state, local and other laws and regulations that could adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of conducting its operations or expose SandRidge to significant liabilities.

SandRidge’s oil and natural gas exploration, production, transportation and treatment operations are subject to complex and stringent laws and regulations. In order to conduct its operations in compliance with these laws and regulations, SandRidge must obtain and maintain numerous permits, approvals and certificates from various federal, state and local governmental authorities. SandRidge may incur substantial costs in order to maintain compliance with these existing laws and regulations. Further, in light of the explosion and fire on the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as recent incidents involving the release of oil and natural gas and fluids as a result of drilling activities in the United States, there has been a variety of regulatory initiatives at the federal and state level to restrict oil and natural gas drilling operations in certain locations. Any increased regulation or suspension of oil and natural gas exploration and production, or revision or reinterpretation of existing laws and regulations, that arises out of these incidents or otherwise could result in delays and higher operating costs. Such costs or significant delays could have a material adverse effect on SandRidge’s business, financial condition and results of operations. SandRidge must also comply with laws and regulations prohibiting fraud and market manipulations in energy markets. To the extent SandRidge is a shipper on interstate pipelines, it must comply with the tariffs of such pipelines and with federal policies related to the use of interstate capacity.

Laws and regulations governing oil and natural gas exploration and production may also affect production levels. SandRidge is required to comply with federal and state laws and regulations governing conservation matters, including provisions related to the unitization or pooling of the oil and natural gas properties; the establishment of maximum rates of production from wells; the spacing of wells; and the plugging and abandonment of wells. These and other laws and regulations can limit the amount of oil and natural gas SandRidge can produce from its wells, limit the number of wells it can drill, or limit the locations at which it can conduct drilling operations, which in turn could negatively impact Trust distributions, estimated and actual future net revenues to the Trust and estimates of reserves attributable to the Trust’s interests.

 

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New laws or regulations, or changes to existing laws or regulations may unfavorably impact SandRidge, could result in increased operating costs and have a material adverse effect on SandRidge’s financial condition and results of operations. For example, Congress is currently considering legislation that, if adopted in its proposed form, would subject companies involved in oil and natural gas exploration and production activities to, among other items, additional regulation of and restrictions on hydraulic fracturing of wells, the elimination of most U.S. federal tax incentives and deductions available to oil and natural gas exploration and production activities, and the prohibition or additional regulation of private energy commodity derivative and hedging activities.

Additionally, state and federal regulatory authorities may expand or alter applicable pipeline safety laws and regulations, compliance with which may require increased capital costs on the part of SandRidge and third party downstream oil and natural gas transporters. These and other potential regulations could increase SandRidge’s operating costs, reduce SandRidge’s liquidity, delay SandRidge’s operations, increase direct and third party post production costs associated with the Trust’s interests or otherwise alter the way SandRidge conducts its business, which could have a material adverse effect on SandRidge’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and which could reduce cash received by or available for distribution, including any amounts paid by SandRidge for transportation on downstream interstate pipelines.

The operations of SandRidge are subject to environmental laws and regulations that may result in significant costs and liabilities.

The oil and natural gas exploration and production operations of SandRidge in the Mississippian formation are subject to stringent and comprehensive federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. These laws and regulations may impose numerous obligations that are applicable to SandRidge’s operations including the acquisition of a permit before conducting drilling; water withdrawal or waste disposal activities; the restriction of types, quantities and concentration of materials that can be released into the environment; the limitation or prohibition of drilling activities on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands and other protected areas; and the imposition of substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from operations. Numerous governmental authorities, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and analogous state agencies have the power to enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and the permits issued under them, often requiring difficult and costly actions. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil or criminal penalties; the imposition of investigatory or remedial obligations; and the issuance of injunctions limiting or preventing some or all of SandRidge’s operations.

There is inherent risk of incurring significant environmental costs and liabilities in the performance of SandRidge’s operations due to its handling of petroleum hydrocarbons and wastes, because of air emissions and wastewater discharges related to its operations, and as a result of historical industry operations and waste disposal practices. Under certain environmental laws and regulations, SandRidge could be subject to joint and several strict liability for the removal or remediation of previously released materials or property contamination regardless of whether SandRidge was responsible for the release or contamination or if the operations were not in compliance with all applicable laws at the time those actions were taken. Private parties, including the owners of properties upon which SandRidge’s wells are drilled and facilities where SandRidge’s petroleum hydrocarbons or wastes are taken for reclamation or disposal may also have the right to pursue legal actions to enforce compliance, as well as to seek damages for non-compliance, with environmental laws and regulations or for personal injury or property damage. In addition, the risk of accidental spills or releases could expose SandRidge to significant liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations. Changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and any changes that result in more stringent or costly waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or cleanup requirements could require SandRidge to make significant expenditures to attain and maintain compliance and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, competitive position or financial condition. SandRidge may not be able to recover some or any of these costs from insurance. As a result of the increased cost of compliance, SandRidge may decide to discontinue drilling. Additionally, permitting delays may inhibit SandRidge’s ability to drill the Remaining PUD Wells on schedule.

Climate change laws and regulations restricting emissions of “greenhouse gases” could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas that SandRidge produces while the physical effects of climate change could disrupt SandRidge’s production and cause SandRidge to incur significant costs in preparing for or responding to those effects.

On December 15, 2009, the EPA published its findings that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases (“GHGs”) present a danger to public health and the environment. These findings allow the agency to adopt and implement regulations that would restrict emissions of GHGs under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act. Accordingly, the EPA has proposed regulations that would require a reduction in emissions of GHGs from motor vehicles and adopted regulations that could trigger permit review for GHG emissions from certain stationary sources. In addition, on October 30, 2009, the EPA published a final rule

 

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requiring the reporting of GHG emissions from specified large GHG emission sources in the United States, beginning in 2011 for emissions occurring in 2010. On November 30, 2010, the EPA published a final rule that expands its October 2009 final rule on reporting of GHG emissions to include owners and operators of onshore oil and natural gas production, effective December 30, 2010. Both houses of Congress have actively considered legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs and the Obama Administration has indicated its support for legislation to reduce GHG emissions through an emission allowance system. At the state level, almost one-half of the states, either individually or through multi-state regional initiatives, already have begun implementing legal measures to reduce emissions of GHGs. The adoption and implementation of any regulations imposing reporting obligations on, or limiting emissions of GHGs from, SandRidge’s equipment and operations could require SandRidge to incur costs to reduce emissions of GHGs associated with its operations or could adversely affect demand for the oil and natural gas that it produces. Finally, it should be noted that some scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, droughts, and floods and other climatic events; if any such effects were to occur, they could have an adverse effect on SandRidge’s assets and operations.

Federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays as well as adversely affect SandRidge’s services.

Hydraulic fracturing is an important and common practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons from tight formations. The process involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into formations to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production. The process is typically regulated by state oil and gas commissions but is not subject to regulation at the federal level. The EPA has commenced a study of the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities, with results of the study anticipated to be available by late 2012 and final results by 2014. Also, for the second consecutive session, legislation has been introduced, but not adopted in, Congress to provide for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing and to require disclosure of the chemicals used in the fracturing process. In addition, some states have adopted, and other states are considering adopting, regulations that could restrict hydraulic fracturing in certain circumstances. For instance, in March 2011, bills were introduced into the Texas Senate and House of Representatives that, if adopted, would require disclosure of fluids to the Railroad Commission of Texas, additives and other chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations in Texas, subject to certain trade secret protections. If new laws or regulations that significantly restrict or regulate hydraulic fracturing are adopted, such legal requirements could make it more difficult or costly for SandRidge to perform fracturing to stimulate production from the Mississippian formation and thereby affect the determination of whether a well is commercially viable. Restrictions on hydraulic fracturing could also reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that SandRidge is ultimately able to produce in commercial quantities from the Underlying Properties.

The Trust is subject to the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which may impose cost and operating challenges on it.

The Trust is subject to certain of the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 which requires, among other things, maintenance by the Trust of, and reports regarding the effectiveness of, a system of internal control over financial reporting. Complying with these requirements may pose operational challenges and may cause the Trust to incur unanticipated expenses. Any failure by the Trust to comply with these requirements could lead to a loss of public confidence in the Trust’s internal controls and in the accuracy of the Trust’s publicly reported results.

Tax Risks Related to the Units

The Trust’s tax treatment depends on its status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) were to treat the Trust as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then its cash available for distribution to unitholders would be substantially reduced.

The anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in the Trust units depends largely on the Trust being treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Trust has not requested, and does not plan to request, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, on this or any other tax matter affecting it.

It is possible in certain circumstances for a publicly traded Trust otherwise treated as a partnership, such as the Trust, to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Although the Trust does not believe based upon its current activities that it is so treated, a change in current law could cause it to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject it to taxation as an entity.

If the Trust was treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would pay federal income tax on its taxable income at the corporate tax rate, which is currently a maximum of 35%, and would likely be required to pay state income tax on its taxable income at the corporate tax rate of such state. Distributions to unitholders would generally be taxed again as corporate distributions, and no income, gains, losses, deductions or credits would flow through to unitholders without first being subjected to

 

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taxation at the entity level. Because a tax would be imposed upon the Trust as a corporation, its cash available for distribution to unitholders would be substantially reduced. Therefore, treatment of the Trust as a corporation would result in a material reduction in the anticipated cash flow and after-tax return to the Trust unitholders, likely causing a substantial reduction in the value of the Trust units.

The Trust Agreement provides that if a law is enacted or existing law is modified or interpreted in a manner that subjects the Trust to taxation as a corporation or otherwise subjects it to entity-level taxation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution amounts may be adjusted to reflect the impact of that law on the Trust.

The tax treatment of an investment in Trust units could be affected by recent and potential legislative changes, possibly on a retroactive basis.

The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 includes a provision that, in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, subjects an individual having adjusted gross income in excess of $200,000 (or $250,000 for married taxpayers filing joint returns) to an additional “Medicare tax” equal generally to 3.8% of the lesser of such excess or the individual’s net investment income, which appears to include interest income and royalty income derived from investments such as the Trust units as well as any net gain from the disposition of Trust units. In addition, absent new legislation extending the current rates, beginning January 1, 2013, the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income and long-term capital gains of individuals will increase to 39.6% and 20%, respectively. Moreover, these rates are subject to change by new legislation at any time.

Current law may change so as to cause the Trust to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject the Trust to entity-level taxation. Specifically, the present U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including the Trust, or an investment in the Trust units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time. For example, at the federal level, legislation has been proposed in the past that would have eliminated partnership tax treatment for certain publicly traded partnerships. Although such legislation would not have applied to the Trust as it was proposed, it could be reintroduced in a manner that does apply to the Trust. Any such legislation would likely also affect the Trust tax treatment for state tax purposes.

The Trust will adopt positions that may not conform to all aspects of existing Treasury Regulations. If the IRS contests the tax positions the Trust takes, the value of the Trust units may be adversely affected, the cost of any IRS contest will reduce the Trust’s cash available for distribution and income, gain, loss and deduction may be reallocated among Trust unitholders.

If the IRS contests any of the U.S. federal income tax positions the Trust takes, the value of the Trust units may be adversely affected because the cost of any IRS contest will reduce the Trust’s cash available for distribution and income, gain, loss and deduction may be reallocated among Trust unitholders. For example, the Trust will generally prorate its items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of the Trust units each quarter based upon the record ownership of the Trust units on the quarterly record date, instead of on the basis of the date a particular Trust unit is transferred. Although simplifying conventions are contemplated by the Internal Revenue Code, and most publicly traded partnerships use similar simplifying conventions, the use of these methods may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations.

The Trust has not requested a ruling from the IRS with respect to its treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or any other matter affecting the Trust. The IRS may adopt positions that differ from the conclusions of the Trust’s counsel or from the positions the Trust takes. It may be necessary to resort to administrative or court proceedings to attempt to sustain some or all of the conclusions of the Trust’s counsel or the positions the Trust takes. A court may not agree with some or all of the conclusions of the Trust’s counsel or positions the Trust takes. Any contest with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for the Trust units and the price at which they trade. In addition, the Trust’s costs of any contest with the IRS will be borne indirectly by the Trust unitholders because the costs will reduce the Trust’s cash available for distribution.

Unitholders will be required to pay taxes on unitholders share of the Trust’s income even if unitholders do not receive any cash distributions from the Trust.

Because the Trust unitholders will be treated as partners to whom the Trust will allocate taxable income that could be different in amount than the cash the Trust distributes, unitholders will be required to pay any federal income taxes and, in some cases, state and local income taxes on unitholders share of the Trust’s taxable income even if unitholders receive no cash distributions from the Trust. Unitholders may not receive cash distributions from the Trust equal to unitholders share of the Trust’s taxable income or even equal to the actual tax liability that result from that income.

 

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Tax gain or loss on the disposition of the Trust units could be more or less than expected.

If a unitholder sells its Trust units, the unitholder will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the unitholder’s tax basis in those Trust units. Because distributions in excess of a unitholder’s allocable share of the Trust’s net taxable income decrease the unitholders tax basis in unitholders Trust units, the amount, if any, of such prior excess distributions with respect to the Trust units unitholders sell will, in effect, become taxable income to unitholders if unitholders sell such Trust units at a price greater than unitholders tax basis in those Trust units, even if the price the unitholder receives is less than the unitholder’s original cost. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the amount realized, whether or not representing gain, may be taxed as ordinary income due to potential recapture items, including depletion recapture.

Tax-exempt entities and non-U.S. persons face unique tax issues from owning the Trust units that may result in adverse tax consequences to them.

Investment in Trust units by tax-exempt entities, such as individual retirement accounts (known as IRAs), and non-U.S. persons raises issues unique to them. For example, distributions to non-U.S. persons will be reduced by withholding taxes at the highest applicable effective tax rate, and non-U.S. persons may be required to file U.S. federal income tax returns and pay tax on their share of the Trust’s taxable income. If a unitholders is a tax exempt entity or a non-U.S. person, the unitholder should consult a tax advisor before investing in the Trust units.

The Trust will treat each purchaser of Trust units as having the same economic attributes without regard to the actual Trust units purchased. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of the Trust units.

Due to a number of factors, including the Trust’s inability to match transferors and transferees of Trust units, the Trust will adopt positions that may not conform to all aspects of existing Treasury Regulations. A successful IRS challenge to those positions could adversely affect the amount of tax benefits available to unitholders. It also could affect the timing of these tax benefits or the amount of gain from unitholder’s sale of Trust units and could have a negative impact on the value of the Trust units or result in audit adjustments to a unitholder’s tax returns.

The Trust will prorate its items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of the Trust units each quarter based upon the record ownership of the Trust units on the quarterly record date, instead of on the basis of the date a particular Trust unit is transferred. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Trust unitholders.

The Trust will generally prorate its items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of the Trust units based upon the record ownership of the Trust units on the quarterly record date instead of on the basis of the date a particular Trust unit is transferred. The use of this peroration method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations, and, accordingly, the Trust’s counsel is unable to opine as to the validity of this method. If the IRS were to challenge the Trust’s peroration method, the Trust may be required to change its allocation of items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Trust unitholders.

A Trust unitholder whose Trust units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of Trust units may be considered as having disposed of those Trust units. If so, he would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those Trust units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition.

Because a Trust unitholder whose Trust units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of Trust units may be considered as having disposed of the loaned Trust units, he may no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those Trust units during the period of the loan to the short seller and the unitholder may recognize gain or loss from such disposition. Moreover, during the period of the loan to the short seller, any of the Trust’s income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those Trust units may not be reportable by the unitholder and any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those Trust units could be fully taxable as ordinary income. The Trust’s counsel has not rendered an opinion regarding the treatment of a unitholder where Trust units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of Trust units; therefore, Trust unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from loaning their Trust units.

The Trust will adopt certain valuation methodologies that may affect the income, gain, loss and deduction allocable to the Trust unitholders. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of the Trust units.

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Trust units will depend in part on the Trust’s estimates of the relative fair market values, and the initial tax bases of the Trust’s assets. Although the Trust may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, the Trust will make many of the relative fair market value estimates itself. These estimates and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss or deductions previously reported by Trust unitholders might change, and Trust unitholders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.

 

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The sale or exchange of 50% or more of the Trust’s capital and profits interests during any twelve-month period will result in the termination of the Trust’s partnership status for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The Trust will be considered to have technically terminated for U.S. federal income tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in its capital and profits within a twelve-month period. For purposes of determining whether the 50% threshold has been met, multiple sales of the same Trust unit within any 12 month period will be counted only once. The Trust’s termination would, among other things, result in the closing of its taxable year for all Trust unitholders, which would result in the Trust filing two tax returns (and the Trust unitholders could receive two Schedules K-1) for one calendar year. The IRS has recently announced a relief procedure whereby if a publicly traded partnership that has technically terminated requests and the IRS grants special relief, among other things, the partnership will be required to provide only a single Schedule K-1 to unitholders for the tax year in which the termination occurs. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than a calendar year ending December 31, the closing of the Trust’s taxable year may also result in more than 12 months of the Trust’s taxable income being includable in his taxable income for the year of termination. A technical termination would not affect the Trust’s classification as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but instead, the Trust would be treated as a new partnership for tax purposes. If treated as a new partnership, the Trust must make new tax elections and could be subject to penalties if the Trust is unable to determine that a technical termination occurred.

Certain U.S. federal income tax preferences currently available with respect to oil and natural gas production may be eliminated as a result of future legislation.

Among the changes contained in President Obama’s Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2012 is the elimination of certain key U.S. federal income tax preferences relating to oil and natural gas exploration and production. The President’s budget proposes to eliminate certain tax preferences applicable to taxpayers engaged in the exploration or production of natural resources. Specifically, the budget proposes to repeal the deduction for percentage depletion with respect to wells, including interests such as the Perpetual Royalty Interests, in which case only cost depletion would be available.

 

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ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Use of Proceeds

The Trust’s initial public offering of common units of beneficial interest was effected through a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File Nos. 333-171551 and 333-173341), which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2011, and registered an aggregate of 17,250,000 of common units that were sold at an initial public offering price of $21.00 per share, for an aggregate gross offering price of $362.3 million. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated acted as representatives of the underwriters of the offering. Following the sale of the 17,250,000 common units, including the sale of 2,250,000 common units sold pursuant to the underwriters’ over-allotment option, the offering terminated.

The underwriting commissions (including a structuring fee payable to Raymond James & Associates, Inc.) totaled approximately $25.4 million in connection with the offering. The net offering proceeds to the Trust, after deducting commissions and offering costs, were approximately $336.9 million.

The Trust used all $336.9 million of the net proceeds to pay SandRidge’s wholly-owned subsidiary, as partial consideration for the conveyance of the Royalty Interest. SandRidge used the proceeds received from the Trust to repay borrowings under its credit facility and for general corporate purposes, which included the funding of the drilling obligation to the Trust under the development agreement.

ITEM 6. Exhibits

See the Exhibit Index accompanying this Quarterly Report.

 

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SIGNATURE

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.

 

SandRidge Mississippian Trust I
By:  

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A, Trustee

By:  

/s/ Michael J. Ulrich

 

Michael J. Ulrich

Vice President

Date: May 20, 2011

The registrant, SandRidge Mississippian Trust I, 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. In signing the report above, the Trustee does not imply that it has performed any such function or that such function exists pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement under which it serves.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

          Incorporated by Reference         

Exhibit

No.

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

    

SEC

File No.

    

Exhibit

    

Filing Date

    

Filed

Herewith

 
  1.1    Underwriting Agreement, dated April 6, 2011, by and among SandRidge Energy, Inc., SandRidge Mississippian Trust I, and Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, as representatives of the several Underwriters      8-K         001-35122         1.1         04/08/2011      
  3.1    Certificate of Trust of SandRidge Mississippian Trust I      S-1         333-171551         3.1         01/05/2011      
  3.2    Trust Agreement of SandRidge Mississippian Trust I, dated December 30, 2010      S-1         333-171551         4.1         01/05/2011      
  3.3    Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2011, by and among SandRidge Energy, Inc., SandRidge Mississippian Trust I, and The Corporation Trust Company      8-K         001-35122         3.1         04/18/2011      
10.1    Perpetual Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance (PDP), by and between SandRidge Exploration and Production, LLC and SandRidge Mississippian Trust I      8-K         001-35122         10.1         04/18/2011      
10.2    Perpetual Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance (PUD), by and between SandRidge Exploration and Production, LLC and SandRidge Mississippian Trust I      8-K         001-35122         10.2         04/18/2011      
10.3    Assignment of Overriding Royalty Interest, by and between Mistmada Oil Company and SandRidge Mississippian Trust I      8-K         001-35122         10.3         04/18/2011      
10.4    Term Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance (PDP), by and between SandRidge Exploration and Production, LLC and Mistmada Oil Company      8-K         001-35122         10.4         04/18/2011      
10.5    Term Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance (PUD), by and between SandRidge Exploration and Production, LLC and Mistmada Oil Company      8-K         001-35122         10.5         04/18/2011      
10.6    Administrative Services Agreement, by and between SandRidge Energy, Inc. and SandRidge Mississippian Trust I      8-K         001-35122         10.6         04/18/2011      
10.7    Development Agreement, by and between SandRidge Energy, Inc., SandRidge Exploration and Production, LLC and SandRidge Mississippian Trust I      8-K         001-35122         10.7         04/18/2011      
10.8    Mortgage, dated as of April 12, 2011, by and between SandRidge Exploration and Production, LLC and SandRidge Mississippian Trust I      8-K         001-35122         10.8         04/18/2011      
10.9    Derivatives Agreement, by and between SandRidge Energy, Inc. and SandRidge Mississippian Trust I      8-K         001-35122         10.9         04/18/2011      
10.10    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2011, by and between SandRidge Energy, Inc. and SandRidge Mississippian Trust I      8-K         001-35122         10.10         04/18/2011      
31    Section 302 Certification – Trustee’s Vice President                  *   
32    Section 906 Certification – Trustee’s Vice President                  *   

 

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