Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Notes to Financial Statements

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

1. Basis of Presentation

Dorchester Minerals, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership that was formed in December 2001, and commenced operations on January 31, 2003. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Dorchester Minerals Oklahoma LP, Dorchester Minerals Oklahoma GP, Inc., Maecenas Minerals LLP, Dorchester-Maecenas GP LLC, The Buffalo Co., A Limited Partnership, and DMLPTBC GP LLC.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Partnership have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments unless indicated otherwise) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position and operating results for the interim period. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of the results for the calendar year. For more information regarding limitations on the forward-looking statements contained herein, see page 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Per unit information is calculated by dividing the income or loss applicable to holders of the Partnership’s common units by the weighted average number of units outstanding. The Partnership has no potentially dilutive securities and, consequently, basic and diluted income per unit do not differ. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Partnership’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the consolidated results of the Partnership. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. For example, estimates of uncollected revenues and unpaid expenses from Royalty Properties (which are interests in oil and natural gas leases that give the Partnership the right to receive a portion of the production from the leased acreage, without bearing the costs of such production) and net profits overriding royalty interests (referred to as the Net Profits Interest, or “NPI”) operated by non-affiliated entities are particularly subjective due to our inability to gain accurate and timely information. Therefore, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Events – In January 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and the significant risks to the international community and economies as the virus spreads globally beyond its point of origin. In March 2020, the WHO classified COVID-19 as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally, and thereafter, COVID-19 continued to spread throughout the U.S. and worldwide. In addition, actions taken by OPEC members and other exporting nations on the supply and demand in global oil and natural gas markets resulted in significant negative pricing pressure in the first half of 2020, followed by a recovery in pricing and an increase in demand in the second half of 2020 and into 2021. The financial results of companies in the oil and natural gas industry have been impacted materially as a result of changing market conditions. Such circumstances generally increase uncertainty in the Partnership’s accounting estimates. Although demand and market prices for oil and natural gas have recently increased, due to the rising energy use and the improvement in the U.S. economic activity, we cannot predict events that may lead to future price volatility and the near term energy outlook remains subject to heightened levels of uncertainty.

Although demand and market prices for oil and natural gas have recently increased due to the rising energy use and the improvement in the U.S. economic activity, we are continuing to closely monitor the overall impact and the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the spread of its variants, along with future OPEC actions on all aspects of our business, including how these events may impact our future operations, financial results, liquidity, employees and operators. Additional actions may be required in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on a national, state, and local level by governmental authorities, and such actions may further adversely affect general and local economic conditions, particularly if the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic continues. We cannot predict the long-term impact of these events on our liquidity, financial position, results of operations or cash flows due to uncertainties including the severity of COVID-19 and the effect the virus will have on the demand for oil and natural gas. These situations remain fluid and unpredictable, and we are actively managing our response.

Revenue Recognition – Revenues from Royalty Properties and the NPI are recorded under the cash receipts approach as directly received from the remitters’ statement accompanying the revenue check. Since the revenue checks are generally received two to four months after the production month, the Partnership accrues for revenue earned but not received by estimating production volumes and product prices. Identified differences between our accrued revenue estimates and actual revenue received historically have not been significant.

The Partnership does not record revenue for unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligations. The Partnership’s right to revenues from Royalty Properties and the NPI occurs at the time of production, at which point, payment is unconditional, and no remaining performance obligation exists for the Partnership. Accordingly, the Partnership’s revenue contracts for Royalty Properties and NPI do not generate contract assets or contract liabilities.

Revenues from lease bonus payments are recorded upon receipt. The lease bonus is separate from the lease itself and is recognized as revenue to the Partnership upon receipt of payment. The Partnership generates lease bonus revenue by leasing its mineral interests to exploration and production companies and includes proceeds from assignments of leasehold interests where the Partnership retains an interest. A lease agreement represents the Partnership’s contract with a lessee and generally transfers the rights to develop oil or natural gas, grants the Partnership a right to a specified royalty interest, and requires that drilling and completion operations commence within a specified time period. Upon signing a lease agreement, no further performance obligation exists for the Partnership, and therefore, no contract assets or contract liabilities are generated.