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SandRidge Mississippian Trust I - Quarter Report: 2018 June (Form 10-Q)




UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

__________________________

Form 10-Q
__________________________
(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018 
OR

oTRANSITION 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)
__________________________


Delaware27-6990649 
(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
601 Travis Street, 16th Floor,
Houston, Texas		77002 
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)



Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(512) 236-6555

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: Not applicable
__________________________

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

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  o   No   o

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


Large accelerated fileroAccelerated filero
Non-accelerated filer
x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting companyo
Emerging growth companyo

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

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

As of August 2, 2018, 28,000,000 units of Beneficial Interest in SandRidge Mississippian Trust I were outstanding.




SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I
FORM 10-Q
Quarter Ended June 30, 2018 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.Financial Statements (Unaudited)
ITEM 2.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 4.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 6.


All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Trust” refer to SandRidge Mississippian Trust I. References to “SandRidge” refer to SandRidge Energy, Inc., and where the context requires, its subsidiaries. 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.”


2


DISCLOSURES REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”) includes “forward-looking statements” about the Trust, SandRidge and other matters discussed herein that are subject to risks and uncertainties within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). 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 elsewhere herein regarding the Trust’s or SandRidge’s plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as “estimate,” “target,” “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 the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (the “2017 Form 10-K”), 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 or the Trust’s results. 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.



3

PART I. Financial Information

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND TRUST CORPUS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except unit data)


June 30,December 31,
2018 2017 
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents$2,487 $2,337 
Investment in royalty interests308,964 308,964 
Less: accumulated amortization and impairment(283,009)(281,548)
Net investment in royalty interests25,955 27,416 
Total assets$28,442 $29,753 
TRUST CORPUS
Trust corpus, 28,000,000 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017
$28,442 $29,753 


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


4

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I
STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per unit data)



Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2018 2017 2018 2017 
Revenues
Royalty income$2,137 $2,716 $4,071 $4,983 
Total revenues2,137 2,716 4,071 4,983 
Expenses
Post-production expenses238 232 473 462 
Production taxes138 143 262 269 
Trust administrative expenses154 303 637 789 
Cash reserves withheld (used) for current Trust expenses, net of amounts (used) withheld
232 83 135 (16)
Total expenses762 761 1,507 1,504 
Distributable income available to unitholders$1,375 $1,955 $2,564 $3,479 
Distributable income per unit$0.0491 $0.0698 $0.0915 $0.1243 



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


5

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS (Unaudited)
(In thousands)


Six Months Ended June 30,
2018 2017 
Trust corpus, beginning of period$29,753 $32,579 
Amortization of investment in royalty interests(1,461)(1,629)
Net cash reserves withheld (used)
135 (16)
Distributable income2,564 3,479 
Distributions paid to unitholders(2,549)(3,475)
Trust corpus, end of period$28,442 $30,938 


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


6

SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


1. Organization of Trust

SandRidge Mississippian Trust I (the “Trust”) is a statutory trust formed under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act pursuant to a trust agreement, as amended and restated, by and among SandRidge Energy, Inc. (“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 holds Royalty Interests in specified oil and natural gas properties located in the Mississippian formation in Alfalfa, Garfield, Grant and Woods counties in Oklahoma (the “Underlying Properties”). The Royalty Interests were conveyed by SandRidge to the Trust concurrent with the initial public offering of the Trust’s common units in April 2011. As consideration for conveyance of the Royalty Interests, the Trust remitted the proceeds of the offering, along with 3,750,000 Trust common units and 7,000,000 Trust subordinated units, which subsequently converted to common units as a result of SandRidge having met its drilling obligation to the Trust in April 2013, to certain wholly owned subsidiaries of SandRidge. At June 30, 2018, SandRidge owned 7,528,063 Trust units, or approximately 26.9% of all Trust units.

The Trust is passive in nature and neither the Trust nor the Trustee has any control over, or responsibility for, any operating or capital costs related to the Underlying Properties. The business and affairs of the Trust are administered by the Trustee. The trust agreement generally limits the Trust’s business activities to owning the Royalty Interests and any activity reasonably related thereto, including activities required or permitted by the terms of the conveyances related to the Royalty Interests.

The Trust makes quarterly cash distributions of substantially all of its cash receipts, after deducting amounts for the Trust’s administrative expenses and cash reserves withheld by the Trustee, on or about the 60th day following the completion of each quarter. Due to the timing of the payment of production proceeds to the Trust, each distribution covers production from a three-month period consisting of the first two months of the most recently ended quarter and the final month of the quarter preceding it.

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 sold at that time, with the net proceeds of the sale, as well as any remaining Trust cash reserves, distributed to the unitholders on a pro rata basis. SandRidge has a right of first refusal to purchase the Royalty Interests retained by the Trust at the Termination Date. The Trust will not dissolve until the Termination Date unless any of the following occurs: (a) the Trust sells all of the Royalty Interests; (b) cash available for distribution for any four consecutive quarters, on a cumulative basis, is less than $1.0 million; (c) Trust unitholders approve an earlier dissolution of the Trust; or (d) the Trust is judicially dissolved. In the case of any of the foregoing, the Trustee would then sell all of the Trust’s assets, either by private sale or public auction, and distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Trust unitholders after payment, or reasonable provision for payment, of all Trust liabilities.

2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting. The 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 cash is received (rather than when earned) and expenses when paid (rather than when incurred) and may also establish cash reserves for contingencies, which would not be accrued in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. 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. Amortization of investment in royalty interests, calculated on a unit-of-production basis, and any impairments are charged directly to trust corpus. Distributions to unitholders are recorded when declared.

Significant Accounting Policies. Most accounting pronouncements apply to entities whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which may require such entities to accrue or defer revenues and expenses in a period other than when such revenues are received or expenses are 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.

7
SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
The Trust is treated for federal and applicable state income tax purposes as a partnership. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no U.S. federal income tax liability. With respect to state taxation, a partnership is typically treated in the same manner as it is for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Impairment of Investment in Royalty Interests.  On a quarterly basis, the Trust evaluates the carrying value of the investment in royalty interests by comparing the undiscounted cash flows expected to be realized from the Royalty Interests to the carrying value. If the expected future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, the Trust recognizes an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the Royalty Interests, which is determined using future cash flows of the net oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGL”) reserves attributable to the Royalty Interests, discounted at a rate based upon the weighted average cost of capital of publicly traded royalty trusts. The weighted average cost of capital is based upon inputs that are readily available in the public market. The future cash flows of the net oil, natural gas and NGL reserves attributable to the Royalty Interests utilizes the oil and natural gas futures prices readily available in the public market adjusted for differentials and estimated quantities of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves that geological and engineering data demonstrate, with reasonable certainty, to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. As there are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves, these quantities are a significant unobservable input resulting in the fair value measurement being considered a level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. There were no impairments in the carrying value of the investment in royalty interests during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. Material write-downs in subsequent periods may occur if commodity prices decline. Any impairment would result in a non-cash charge to trust corpus and would not affect the Trust’s distributable income. See “Risks and Uncertainties” in Note 5 below for further discussion.

Distributable Income Per Unit. Distributable income per unit amounts as calculated for the periods presented in the accompanying unaudited statements of distributable income may differ from declared distribution amounts per unit due to rounding and the timing of the Trust’s payment of Trust administrative expenses.

Interim Financial Statements. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies stated in the audited financial statements contained in the 2017 Form 10-K and reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of the Trustee, necessary to state fairly the information in the Trust’s unaudited interim financial statements. The accompanying statement of assets and trust corpus as of December 31, 2017 has been derived from audited financial statements. The unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2017 Form 10-K.

3. Distributions to Unitholders

The Trust makes quarterly cash distributions of substantially all of its cash receipts, after deducting amounts for the Trust’s administrative expenses and cash reserves withheld by the Trustee, on or about the 60th day following the completion of each quarter. Distributions cover a three-month production period. See Note 6 for discussion of the Trust’s quarterly distribution to be paid in August 2018. A summary of the Trust’s distributions to unitholders during the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 is as follows:


TotalDistribution
CoveredDistributionPer Common
Production PeriodDate DeclaredDate PaidPaidUnit
(in millions)
Calendar Quarter 2018
First QuarterSeptember 1, 2017 — November 30, 2017January 25, 2018February 23, 2018$1.2 $0.0422 
Second QuarterDecember 1, 2017 — February 28, 2018April  26, 2018May 25, 2018$1.4 $0.0488 



8
SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
TotalDistribution
CoveredDistributionPer Common
Production PeriodDate DeclaredDate PaidPaidUnit
(in millions)
Calendar Quarter 2017
First QuarterSeptember 1, 2016 — November 30, 2016January 26, 2017February 24, 2017$1.5 $0.0544 
Second QuarterDecember 1, 2016 — February 28, 2017April  27, 2017May 26, 2017$2.0 $0.0697 
Third QuarterMarch 1, 2017 — May 31, 2017July  27, 2017August 25, 2017$1.3 $0.0482 
Fourth QuarterJune 1, 2017 — August 31, 2017October 26, 2017November 24, 2017$1.3 $0.0449 



4. Related Party Transactions

Trustee Administrative Fee. Under the terms of the trust agreement, as of January 1, 2018 the Trust pays the Trustee an annual administrative fee of $153,150, which represents a 1.0% increase from the $151,575 annual fee paid to the Trustee in 2017. The annual fee can be adjusted for inflation by no more than 3% in any year. The Trustee’s administrative fees paid during each of the three-month periods ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 totaled approximately $38,000. The Trustee’s administrative fees paid during each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 totaled approximately $76,000.

Registration Rights Agreement. The Trust is party to a registration rights agreement pursuant to which the Trust has agreed to register the offering of the Trust units held by SandRidge and certain of its affiliates and permitted transferees upon request by SandRidge. The holders have the right to require the Trust to file no more than five registration statements in aggregate, one of which has been filed to date. The Trust does not bear any expenses associated with such transactions.

Administrative Services Agreement. The Trust is party to an administrative services agreement with SandRidge that obligates the Trust to pay SandRidge an annual administrative services fee for accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and informational services performed by SandRidge on behalf of the Trust. For its services under the administrative services agreement, SandRidge receives an annual fee of $200,000, which 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 administrative services 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 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. There were no amounts paid to SandRidge during the three-month period ended June 30, 2018, as the related quarterly administrative fee was paid during a prior period. Administrative fees paid to SandRidge for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017 totaled $50,000. During each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, the Trust paid administrative fees to SandRidge equal to $100,000.

5. Commitments and Contingencies

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, at the Trustee’s request, 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 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 unsecured basis, and the terms of such loan will be substantially the same as that which would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction between SandRidge and an unaffiliated third party. No such loan from SandRidge was outstanding at June 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

9
SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
Risks and Uncertainties. The Trust’s revenue and distributions are substantially dependent upon the prevailing and future prices for oil, natural gas and NGL, each of which depends on numerous factors beyond the Trust’s control such as overall oil, natural gas and NGL production and inventories in relevant markets, economic conditions, the global political environment, regulatory developments and competition from other energy sources. Oil, natural gas and NGL prices historically have been volatile and may be subject to significant fluctuations in the future. Low levels of future production, continued low commodity prices and the absence of any derivative arrangements would continue to reduce the Trust’s revenues and distributable income available to unitholders.

The Trust is highly dependent on its Trustor, SandRidge, for multiple services, including the operation of the Trust wells, remittance of net proceeds from the sale of associated production to the Trust, administrative services such as accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and informational services performed on behalf of the Trust. The ability to operate the properties depends on the Trustor’s future financial condition and economic performance, access to capital, and other factors, many of which are out of the control of the Trustor. On May 16, 2016, the Trustor and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Bankruptcy Court”) under the caption In re: SandRidge Energy Inc., et al. On September 20, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered an amended order confirming the Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization dated September 19, 2016 (the “Plan”), as modified by the Confirmation Order (the “Amended Confirmation Order”), and on October 4, 2016, the Plan became effective in accordance with its terms and the Debtors emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases. On September 23, 2016, an informal group of former SandRidge shareholders appealed the Amended Confirmation Order. On February 22, 2017, the district court before which the appeal was pending entered an order approving a stipulation to voluntarily dismiss the appeal with prejudice.

Legal Proceedings. On June 9, 2015, the Duane & Virginia Lanier Trust, on behalf of itself and all other similarly situated unitholders of the Trust, filed a putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma against the Trust, SandRidge and certain current and former executive officers of SandRidge, among other defendants (the “Securities Litigation”). The complaint, which was amended on November 11, 2016 (adding Ivan Nibur, Lawerence Ross, Jase Luna, and Mathew Willenbuncher as lead plaintiffs) and supplemented on May 1, 2017, asserts a variety of federal securities claims on behalf of a putative class of (a) purchasers of common units of the Trust in or traceable to its initial public offering on or about April 7, 2011, and (b) purchasers of common units of SandRidge Mississippian Trust II ("SDR") in or traceable to its initial public offering on or about April 17, 2012.  The claims are based on allegations that SandRidge and certain of its current and former officers and directors, among other defendants, including the Trust, are responsible for making false and misleading statements, and omitting material information, concerning a variety of subjects, including oil and gas reserves. The plaintiffs seek class certification, an order rescinding the Trust’s initial public offering and an unspecified amount of damages, plus interest, attorneys’ fees and costs. As a result of its reorganization in bankruptcy in 2016, SandRidge is a nominal defendant only.

On August 30, 2017, the Court entered an order dismissing the plaintiffs’ claims under Sections 11, 12(a)(2), and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933. As a result of the Court’s order, the only claims remaining in the litigation are the plaintiffs’ claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act Claims”). In addition, because of the Court’s order, the only remaining defendants in the litigation are the Trust, James D. Bennett, Matthew K. Grubb, Tom L. Ward, and SandRidge as a nominal defendant only.

On September 11, 2017, the Court entered a subsequent order granting in part and denying in part the remaining defendants’ motions to dismiss the Exchange Act Claims and finding that the plaintiffs may pursue certain of the Exchange Act Claims against the respective remaining defendants. In November 2017, the plaintiffs’ counsel informed counsel to the Trust that, notwithstanding the dismissal of all claims against SDR, the remaining claims in the litigation against the Trust are being asserted not only by purchasers of common units of the Trust, but also by purchasers of common units of SDR. 

On January 19, 2018, the Trust filed a Motion for Partial Judgment on the Pleadings as to any claims against it brought by purchasers of common units of SDR, arguing that non-purchasers of common units in the Trust lack statutory standing to pursue claims against the Trust. That motion is fully briefed and is awaiting a decision from the Court.

On February 15, 2018, plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification, which has been fully briefed and is awaiting a decision from the Court.

On July 2, 2018, defendants filed a motion for partial judgment on the pleadings, arguing that all claims asserted on behalf of the members of the putative class are barred by the statute of limitations.

10
SANDRIDGE MISSISSIPPIAN TRUST I
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
Regardless of the outcome of the litigation, the Trust may incur expenses in defending the litigation, and any such expenses may increase the Trust’s administrative expenses significantly. The Trust will estimate and, if the Trustee deems it appropriate, begin reserving funds for potential losses that may arise out of litigation to the extent that such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment will be required in making any such estimates and any final liabilities of the Trust may ultimately be materially different than any estimates. The Trust is currently unable to assess the probability of loss or estimate a range of any potential loss the Trust may incur in connection with the Securities Litigation, and has not established any reserves relating to the Securities Litigation. The Trust may withhold estimated amounts from future distributions to cover future costs associated with the litigation if determined necessary. The Trust has not yet fully analyzed any rights it may have to indemnities that may be applicable or any claims it may make in connection with the Securities Litigation.

6. Subsequent Events

Distribution to Unitholders. On July 26, 2018, the Trust declared a cash distribution of $0.0477 per unit covering production for the three-month period from March 1, 2018 to May 31, 2018. The distribution will be paid on or about August 24, 2018 to record holders as of August 10, 2018. Distributable income for March 1, 2018 to May 31, 2018 was calculated as follows (in thousands, except for unit and per unit amounts):


Revenues
Royalty income$2,092 
Total revenues2,092 
Expenses
Post-production expenses234 
Production taxes136 
Cash reserves withheld by Trustee (1)386 
Total expenses756 
Distributable income available to unitholders$1,336 
Distributable income per unit (28,000,000 units issued and outstanding)$0.0477 
____________________
(1) Includes amounts withheld for payment of future Trust administrative expenses.

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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 financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources of SandRidge Mississippian Trust I (the “Trust”). This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Trust’s unaudited interim financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report and the Trust’s audited financial statements and the accompanying notes included in the 2017 Form 10-K.

Overview

The Trust is a statutory trust created under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. The business and affairs of the Trust are administered by the Trustee and, as necessary, the Delaware Trustee. The Trust’s purpose is to hold the Royalty Interests, to distribute to the Trust unitholders cash that the Trust receives in respect of the Royalty Interests and to perform certain administrative functions in respect of the Royalty Interests and the Trust units. Other than the foregoing activities, the Trust does not conduct any operations or activities. The Trustee has no involvement with, control or authority over, or responsibility for, any aspect of the operations on or relating to the properties in which the Trust has an interest. The Trust derives all or substantially all of its income and cash flow from the Royalty Interests and, prior to its termination, the derivatives agreement. The Trust is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

Commodity Price Volatility. The Trust’s quarterly cash distributions are highly dependent upon the prices realized from the sale of oil, natural gas and NGL. The markets for these commodities are volatile and experienced depressed pricing throughout 2016. Although oil, natural gas and NGL prices rose during 2017, a buildup in inventories, lower global demand, or other factors could cause prices for U.S. oil, natural gas and NGL to weaken.

Properties. As of June 30, 2018, the Trust’s properties consisted of Royalty Interests in oil and natural gas wells located in Alfalfa, Garfield, Grant and Woods counties in Oklahoma.

Distributions. The Trust makes quarterly cash distributions of substantially all of its cash receipts, after deducting amounts for the Trust’s administrative expenses and cash reserves withheld by the Trustee, on or about the 60th day following the completion of each quarter.

Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 1446, withholding tax on income effectively connected to a United States trade or business allocated to foreign partners should be made at the highest marginal rate. Under IRC Section 1441, withholding tax on fixed, determinable, annual, periodic income from United States sources allocated to foreign partners should be made at 30% of gross income unless the rate is reduced by treaty. This is intended to be a qualified notice to nominees and brokers as provided for under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b) by the Trust, and while specific relief is not specified for IRC Section 1441 income, this disclosure is intended to suffice. Nominees and brokers should withhold at the highest marginal rate on the distribution made to foreign partners.

Litigation. As described in more detail in Item 1 of Part II, Legal Proceedings, claims were brought against the Trust, SandRidge and others in a putative class action during 2015. Regardless of the outcome of the litigation, the Trust may incur expenses in defending the litigation, and any such expenses may increase the Trust’s administrative expenses significantly. Further, any costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any settlement of or judgment in the litigation could increase the Trust’s administrative expenses significantly.

Recent Developments. As previously disclosed, on January 8, 2018, the Trust received written notification from The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) that the Trust no longer satisfied the continued listing compliance standards set forth under Rule 802.01C of the NYSE Listed Company Manual because the average closing price of the Trust units fell below $1.00 over a 30 consecutive trading-day period that ended January 4, 2018. If the Trust were unable to regain compliance with the applicable standards within a six-month cure period, the NYSE would commence suspension and delisting procedures. On June 4, 2018, the Trust received written notification from the NYSE that the average closing price of the Trust units for the 30 consecutive trading-day period that ended May 31, 2018 exceeded the minimum requirement of $1.00; therefore, because the closing price of the Trust units on May 31, 2018 also exceeded $1.00, the Trust had regained compliance with the NYSE’s listing compliance standards. Although the Trust units continue to be traded on the NYSE, the Trust might be unable to maintain compliance with the NYSE’s listing standards and could again become subject to the NYSE delisting procedures.

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Results of Trust Operations

The primary factors affecting the Trust’s revenues and costs are the quantity of oil, natural gas and NGL production attributable to the Royalty Interests and the prices received for such production. Royalty income, post-production expenses and certain taxes are recorded on a cash basis when net revenue distributions are received by the Trust from SandRidge. Information regarding the Trust’s production, pricing and costs for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 is presented below.
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2018(1) 2017(2) 2018(3) 2017(4) 
Production Data
Oil (MBbls)13 19 25 36 
NGL (MBbls)19 24 38 53 
Natural gas (MMcf)343 399 683 849 
Combined equivalent volumes (MBoe)89 109 177 230 
Average daily combined equivalent volumes (MBoe/d)1.0 1.2 1.0 1.3 
Well Data
Initial and Trust Development Wells producing - average105 116 107 119 
Revenues (in thousands)
Royalty income2,137 2,716 4,071 4,983 
Total revenue2,137 2,716 4,071 4,983 
Expenses (in thousands) 
Post-production expenses238 232 473 462 
Production taxes138 143 262 269 
Trust administrative expenses154 303 637 789 
Cash reserves withheld (used) for current Trust expenses, net of amounts (used) withheld
232 83 135 (16)
Total expenses762 761 1,507 1,504 
Distributable income available to unitholders$1,375 $1,955 $2,564 $3,479 
Average Prices
Oil (per Bbl)$59.56 $55.74 $55.13 $50.37 
NGL (per Bbl)$28.58 $19.91 $28.02 $17.50 
Combined oil and NGL (per Bbl)$40.82 $35.51 $38.76 $30.78 
Natural gas (per Mcf)$2.39 $2.97 $2.33 $2.64 
Combined equivalent (per Boe)$23.84 $24.78 $22.85 $21.60 
Average Prices – including impact of post-production expenses
Natural gas (per Mcf)$1.69 $2.39 $1.63 $2.09 
Combined equivalent (per Boe)$21.18 $22.67 $20.18 $19.60 
Expenses (per Boe) 
Post-production$2.66 $2.12 $2.67 $2.00 
Production taxes$1.54 $1.31 $1.48 $1.17 
____________________
(1) Production volumes and related revenues and expenses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2018 (included in SandRidge’s May 2018 net revenue distribution to the Trust) represent production from December 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018.
(2) Production volumes and related revenues and expenses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017 (included in SandRidge’s May 2017 net revenue distribution to the Trust) represent production from December 1, 2016 to February 28, 2017.
(3) Production volumes and related revenues and expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 (included in SandRidge’s February 2018 and May 2018 net revenue distributions to the Trust) represent production from September 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018.
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(4) Production volumes and related revenues and expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2017 (included in SandRidge’s February 2017 and May 2017 net revenue distributions to the Trust) represent production from September 1, 2016 to February 28, 2017.



Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017

Revenues

Royalty Income. Royalty income received during the three-month period ended June 30, 2018 totaled $2.1 million compared to $2.7 million received during the three-month period ended June 30, 2017. Royalty income is a function of production volumes sold attributable to the Royalty Interests and associated prices received. The approximate $0.6 million decrease in royalty income consisted of approximately $0.6 million attributable to a decrease in total volumes produced. The average number of producing wells in the three-month period ended June 30, 2018 decreased by 11 from 116 in the three-month period ended June 30, 2017 because wells that could not economically produce due to continued declining production were shut-in.

Expenses

Production Taxes. Production taxes are calculated as a percentage of oil and natural gas revenues, net of any applicable tax credits. Production taxes for the three-month period ended June 30, 2018 totaled approximately $0.1 million, or $1.54 per Boe, and were approximately 6.5% of royalty income. Production taxes for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017 totaled approximately $0.1 million, or $1.31 per Boe, and were approximately 5.3% of royalty income. Production tax rates increased in the 2018 period due to Trust wells reaching the expiration point of a previously reduced tax rate. The average effective production tax rate for the Trust will continue to increase, up to a maximum rate of 7%, as more Trust wells reach this expiration point.

Trust Administrative Expenses. Trust administrative expenses generally consist of fees paid to the Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, administrative services fees paid to SandRidge, tax return and related form preparation fees, legal and accounting fees, and other expenses incurred as a result of being a publicly traded entity. Trust administrative expenses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2018 totaled approximately $0.2 million compared to approximately $0.3 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017. The decrease during the 2018 period partially relates to the timing of administrative expense payments.

Distributable Income

Distributable income for the three-month period ended June 30, 2018 was $1.4 million, which included a net addition to the cash reserve for payment of future Trust expenses of approximately $0.2 million, reflecting approximately $0.4 million withheld from the May 2018 cash distribution to unitholders partially offset by approximately $0.2 million used to pay Trust expenses during the period. Distributable income for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017 was $2.0 million, which included a net addition to the cash reserve for payment of future Trust expenses of approximately $0.1 million, reflecting approximately $0.4 million withheld from the May 2017 cash distribution to unitholders partially offset by approximately $0.3 million used to pay Trust expenses during the period.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017

Revenues

Royalty Income. Royalty income received during the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 totaled $4.1 million compared to $5.0 million received during the six-month period ended June 30, 2017. The approximate $0.9 million decrease in royalty income consisted of approximately $1.2 million attributable to a decrease in total volumes produced, partially offset by approximately $0.3 million attributable to an increase in prices received. The average number of producing wells in the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 decreased by 12 from 119 in the six-month period ended June 30, 2017 because wells that could not economically produce due to continued declining production were shut-in.

Expenses

Production Taxes. Production taxes are calculated as a percentage of oil and natural gas revenues, net of any applicable tax credits. Production taxes for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 totaled approximately $0.3 million, or $1.48 per Boe, and were
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approximately 6.5% of royalty income. Production taxes for the six-month period ended June 30, 2017 totaled approximately $0.3 million, or $1.17 per Boe, and were approximately 5.4% of royalty income. Production tax rates increased in the 2018 period due to Trust wells reaching the expiration point of a previously reduced tax rate.

Trust Administrative Expenses. Trust administrative expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 totaled approximately $0.6 million compared to approximately $0.8 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2017. The decrease during the 2018 period partially relates to the timing of administrative expense payments.

Distributable Income

Distributable income for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 was $2.6 million, which included a net addition to the cash reserve for payment of future Trust expenses of approximately $136,000, reflecting approximately $773,000 withheld in aggregate from the February 2018 and May 2018 cash distributions to unitholders partially offset by approximately $637,000 used to pay Trust expenses during the period. Distributable income for the six-month period ended June 30, 2017 was $3.5 million, which included a net reduction to the cash reserve for payment of future Trust expenses of approximately $16,000, reflecting approximately $789,000 used to pay Trust expenses during the period partially offset by approximately $773,000 withheld in aggregate from the February 2017 and May 2017 cash distributions to unitholders.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Trust has no source of liquidity or capital resources other than cash flow generated from the Royalty Interests and borrowings to fund administrative expenses, including any amounts borrowed under SandRidge’s loan commitment described in Note 5 to the unaudited interim financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report. The Trust’s primary uses of cash are distributions to Trust unitholders, including, if applicable, payment of Trust administrative expenses, including any reserves established by the Trustee for future liabilities, payment of applicable taxes and payment of expense reimbursements to SandRidge for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Trust. The Trust does not have any capital requirements related to drilling wells or any other operating or capital costs related to the wells.

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 production attributable to the Royalty Interests that quarter over the Trust’s expenses for the quarter. 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, the Trust may borrow funds from the Trustee or other lenders, including SandRidge, to pay such expenses. The Trustee does not intend to lend funds to the Trust. If such funds are borrowed, no further distributions will be made to unitholders (except in respect of any previously determined quarterly distribution amount) until the borrowed funds have been repaid. No such loan was outstanding at June 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

The Trust is highly dependent on its Trustor, SandRidge, for multiple services, including the operation of the Trust wells, remittance of net proceeds from the sale of associated production to the Trust, administrative services such as accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and informational services performed on behalf of the Trust, and potentially for loans to pay Trust administrative expenses. The ability to operate the properties depends on the Trustor’s future financial condition and economic performance, access to capital, and other factors, many of which are out of the control of the Trustor. On May 16, 2016, the Trustor and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Bankruptcy Court”) under the caption In re: SandRidge Energy Inc., et al.  On September 20, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered an amended order confirming the Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization dated September 19, 2016 (the “Plan”), as modified by the Confirmation Order (the “Amended Confirmation Order”), and on October 4, 2016, the Plan became effective in accordance with its terms and the Debtors emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases. On September 23, 2016, an informal group of former SandRidge shareholders appealed the Amended Confirmation Order. On February 22, 2017, the district court before which the appeal was pending entered an order approving a stipulation to voluntarily dismiss the appeal with prejudice.

2018 Trust Distributions to Unitholders. During the six-month period ended June 30, 2018, the Trust’s distributions to
unitholders were as follows:


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Total
CoveredDistribution
Production PeriodDate DeclaredDate PaidPaid
(in millions)
Calendar Quarter 2018
First QuarterSeptember 1, 2017 — November 30, 2017January 25, 2018February 23, 2018$1.2 
Second QuarterDecember 1, 2017 — February 28, 2018April  26, 2018May 25, 2018$1.4 

Future Trust Distributions to Unitholders. During the three-month production period from March 1, 2018 to May 31, 2018, combined sales volumes were slightly higher than the previous period. Although oil prices increased during the period, natural gas and NGL prices decreased. On July 26, 2018, the Trust declared a cash distribution of $0.0477 per unit covering production for the period. The distribution will be paid on or about August 24, 2018 to record unitholders as of August 10, 2018 and was calculated as follows (in thousands, except for unit and per unit amounts):

Revenues
Royalty income$2,092 
Total revenues2,092 
Expenses
Post-production expenses234 
Production taxes136 
Cash reserves withheld by Trustee(1)386 
Total expenses756 
Distributable income available to unitholders$1,336 
Distributable income per unit (28,000,000 units issued and outstanding)$0.0477 
____________________
(1) Includes amounts withheld for payment of future Trust administrative expenses.

As the Trust cannot acquire or cause additional wells to be drilled on its behalf, the Trust’s production is expected to decline each quarter during the remainder of its life.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Commodity Price Risk. Because the Trust’s primary asset and source of income is the Royalty Interests, which generally entitle the Trust to receive a portion of the net proceeds from sales of production from the Underlying Properties, the Trust’s most significant market risk relates to the prices received for oil, natural gas and NGL production. Revenue derived from the Royalty Interests, and therefore the amount of cash flow available for distribution to the Trust unitholders, depends substantially on prevailing oil, natural gas and NGL prices. Lower prices may also reduce the amount of oil, natural gas and NGL that can be economically produced from the Underlying Properties.


ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Trustee conducted an evaluation of the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, the Trustee has concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust are effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. In its evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, the Trustee has relied, to the extent considered reasonable, on information provided by SandRidge.

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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, (iii) the development agreement and (iv) 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 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.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2018, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trustee’s internal control over financial reporting. The Trustee notes for purposes of clarification that it has no authority over, has not evaluated and makes no statement concerning, the internal control over financial reporting of SandRidge.

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PART II. Other Information

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

On June 9, 2015, the Duane & Virginia Lanier Trust, on behalf of itself and all other similarly situated unitholders of the Trust, filed a putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma against the Trust, SandRidge and certain current and former executive officers of SandRidge, among other defendants (the “Securities Litigation”). The complaint, which was amended on November 11, 2016 (adding Ivan Nibur, Lawerence Ross, Jase Luna, and Mathew Willenbuncher as lead plaintiffs) and supplemented on May 1, 2017, asserts a variety of federal securities claims on behalf of a putative class of (a) purchasers of common units of the Trust in or traceable to its initial public offering on or about April 7, 2011, and (b) purchasers of common units of SandRidge Mississippian Trust II ("SDR") in or traceable to its initial public offering on or about April 17, 2012.  The claims are based on allegations that SandRidge and certain of its current and former officers and directors, among other defendants, including the Trust, are responsible for making false and misleading statements, and omitting material information, concerning a variety of subjects, including oil and gas reserves. The plaintiffs seek class certification, an order rescinding the Trust’s initial public offering and an unspecified amount of damages, plus interest, attorneys’ fees and costs. As a result of its reorganization in bankruptcy in 2016, SandRidge is a nominal defendant only.

On August 30, 2017, the Court entered an order dismissing the plaintiffs’ claims under Sections 11, 12(a)(2), and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933. As a result of the Court’s order, the only claims remaining in the litigation are the plaintiffs’ claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act Claims”). In addition, because of the Court’s order, the only remaining defendants in the litigation are the Trust, James D. Bennett, Matthew K. Grubb, Tom L. Ward, and SandRidge as a nominal defendant only.

On September 11, 2017, the Court entered a subsequent order granting in part and denying in part the remaining defendants’ motions to dismiss the Exchange Act Claims and finding that the plaintiffs may pursue certain of the Exchange Act Claims against the respective remaining defendants. In November 2017, the plaintiffs’ counsel informed counsel to the Trust that, notwithstanding the dismissal of all claims against SDR, the remaining claims in the litigation against the Trust are being asserted not only by purchasers of common units of the Trust, but also by purchasers of common units of SDR.

On January 19, 2018, the Trust filed a Motion for Partial Judgment on the Pleadings as to any claims against it brought by purchasers of common units of SDR, arguing that non-purchasers of common units in the Trust lack statutory standing to pursue claims against the Trust. That motion is fully briefed and is awaiting a decision from the Court.

On February 15, 2018, plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification, which has been fully briefed and is awaiting a decision from the Court.

On July 2, 2018, defendants filed a motion for partial judgment on the pleadings, arguing that all claims asserted on behalf of the members of the putative class are barred by the statute of limitations.

Regardless of the outcome of the litigation, the Trust may incur expenses in defending the litigation, and any such expenses may increase the Trust’s administrative expenses significantly. The Trust will estimate and, if the Trustee deems it appropriate, begin reserving funds for potential losses that may arise out of litigation to the extent that such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment will be required in making any such estimates and any final liabilities of the Trust may ultimately be materially different than any estimates. The Trust is currently unable to assess the probability of loss or estimate a range of any potential loss the Trust may incur in connection with the Securities Litigation, and has not established any reserves relating to the Securities Litigation.  The Trust may withhold estimated amounts from future distributions to cover future costs associated with the litigation if determined necessary. The Trust has not yet fully analyzed any rights it may have to indemnities that may be applicable or any claims it may make in connection with the Securities Litigation.


ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors contained in Item 1A of the 2017 Form 10-K.

ITEM 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed or furnished as part of this Quarterly Report:

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Incorporated by Reference 
Exhibit
No.
Exhibit Description Form 
SEC
File No.
Exhibit Filing Date 
Filed or Furnished
Herewith
3.1 




S-1

333-171551


3.1 
01/05/2011

3.2 

8-K

001-35122


3.1 
04/18/2011


3.3 

10-Q

001-35122


3.3 
08/13/2012

31.1 * 
32.1 * 



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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/ Sarah Newell
Sarah Newell
Vice President


Date: August 9, 2018

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 any such function exists pursuant to the terms of the trust agreement under which it serves.

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