UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
x |
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014
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: 000-51272
ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 25-2004 (A) L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
|
55-0856393 |
(State or other jurisdiction or |
|
(I.R.S. Employer |
Park Place Corporate Center One 1000 Commerce Drive, Suite 400 Pittsburgh, PA |
|
15275 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
|
Zip code |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (412) 489-0006
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
|
Name of each exchange on which registered |
None |
|
None |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
Common Units representing Limited Partnership Interests
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, 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 x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
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 definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨ |
|
Accelerated filer ¨ |
|
Non-accelerated filer ¨ |
|
Smaller reporting company x |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None
ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 25-2004 (A) L.P.
INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT
ON FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
Page |
PART I |
|
Item 1: |
6 |
|
|
|
Item 2: |
|
19 |
|
|
Item 3: |
|
21 |
|
|
Item 4: |
|
21 |
PART II |
|
Item 5: |
|
21 |
|
|
Item 7: |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
22 |
|
|
Item 8: |
|
29 |
|
|
Item 9: |
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
49 |
|
|
Item 9A: |
|
49 |
PART III |
|
Item 10: |
|
50 |
|
|
Item 11: |
|
51 |
|
|
Item 12: |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Unitholder Matters |
52 |
|
|
Item 13: |
|
52 |
|
|
Item 14: |
|
52 |
PART IV |
|
Item 15: |
|
53 |
|
54 |
2
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Bbl. One stock tank barrel or 42 United States gallons liquid volume.
Bpd. Barrels per day.
Condensate. A mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in the gaseous phase at original reservoir temperature and pressure, but that, when produced, is in the liquid phase at surface pressure and temperature.
Developed acreage. Acres spaced or assigned to productive wells.
Development well. A well drilled within a proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.
Dry hole or well. An exploratory, development or extension well found to be incapable of producing either oil or gas in sufficient quantities to justify completion as an oil and gas well.
FASB. Financial Accounting Standards Board.
Field. An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic condition. There may be two or more reservoirs in a field that are separated vertically by intervening impervious strata, or laterally by local geologic barriers, or by both. Reservoirs that are associated by being in overlapping or adjacent fields may be treated as a single or common operational field. The geological terms structural feature and stratigraphic condition are intended to identify localized geological features as opposed to the broader terms of basins, trends, provinces, plays, areas-of-interest, etc.
GAAP. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Gross acres or gross wells. The total acres or wells, as the case may be, in which a working interest is owned.
MBbl. One thousand barrels of oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
Mcf. One thousand cubic feet.
Mcfe. One thousand cubic feet equivalent, determined using the ratio of six Mcf of gas to one Bbl of oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.
Mcfd. One thousand cubic feet per day.
Mcfed. One Mcfe per day.
Net acres or net wells. The sum of the fractional working interests owned in gross acres or gross wells, as the case may be.
NGL. Natural gas liquids, which are the hydrocarbon liquids contained within gas.
NYMEX. The New York Mercantile Exchange.
Oil. Crude oil and condensate.
Productive well. A well that is found to be capable of producing either oil or gas in sufficient quantities to justify completion as an oil and gas well.
Proved developed reserves. Reserves of any category that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.
Proved reserves. Proved gas and oil reserves are those quantities of gas and oil, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible—from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations—prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.
PV-10. Present value of future net revenues. See the definition of “standardized measure”.
3
Reserves. Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of gas and oil and related substances anticipated to be economically producible, as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations. In addition, there must exist, or there must be a reasonable expectation that there will exist, the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in the production, installed means of delivering gas and oil or related substances to market, and all permits and financing required to implement the project.
Reservoir. A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of economically productive oil and/or gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is individual and separate from other reserves.
SEC. Securities Exchange Commission.
Standardized Measure. Standardized measure, or standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved gas and oil reserve quantities, is the present value of estimated future net revenues to be generated from the production of proved reserves, determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (using prices and costs in effect as of the date of estimation) without giving effect to non-property related expenses such as general and administrative expenses, debt service or to depreciation, depletion and amortization and discounted using an annual discount rate of 10%. Standardized measure differs from PV-10 because standardized measure includes the effect of future income taxes.
Successful well. A well capable of producing gas and/or oil in commercial quantities.
Undeveloped acreage. Lease acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities of gas and oil regardless of whether such acreage contains proved reserves.
Working interest. The operating interest that gives the owner the right to drill, produce and conduct operating activities on the property and a share of production.
4
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The matters discussed within this report include forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” or “will,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. In particular, statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance contained in this report are forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. The following and other important factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements:
· |
the demand for natural gas, oil, NGLs and condensate; |
· |
the price volatility of natural gas, oil, NGLs and condensate; |
· |
changes in the differential between benchmark prices for oil and natural gas and wellhead prices that we receive; |
· |
changes in the market price of our common units; |
· |
future financial and operating results; |
· |
resource potential; |
· |
economic conditions and instability in the financial markets; |
· |
the accuracy of estimated natural gas and oil reserves; |
· |
the financial and accounting impact of hedging transactions; |
· |
the limited payment of distributions, or failure to declare a distribution; |
· |
the ability to obtain adequate water to conduct drilling and production operations, and to dispose of the water used in and generated by these operations at a reasonable cost and within applicable environmental rules; |
· |
the effects of unexpected operational events and drilling conditions, and other risks associated with drilling operations; |
· |
impact fees and severance taxes; |
· |
changes and potential changes in the regulatory and enforcement environment in the areas in which we conduct business; |
· |
the effects of intense competition in the natural gas and oil industry; |
· |
the ability to retain certain key customers; |
· |
dependence on the gathering and transportation facilities of third parties; |
· |
the availability of drilling rigs, equipment and crews; |
· |
potential incurrence of significant costs and liabilities in the future resulting from a failure to comply with new or existing environmental regulations or an accidental release of hazardous substances into the environment; |
· |
uncertainties with respect to the success of drilling wells at identified drilling locations; |
· |
uncertainty regarding leasing operating expenses, general and administrative expenses and funding and development costs; |
· |
exposure to financial and other liabilities of the managing general partner; |
· |
the ability to comply with, and the potential costs of compliance with, new and existing federal, state, local and other laws and regulations applicable to our business and operations; |
· |
restrictions on hydraulic fracturing; |
· |
exposure to new and existing litigation; |
· |
development of alternative energy resources; and |
· |
the effects of a cyber event or terrorist attack. |
Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this report are made only as of the date hereof. We do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update any such statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of these statements to reflect future events or developments, except as may be required by law.
5
PART I.
Overview
Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P. (“we, “us” or the “Partnership”) is a Delaware limited partnership and was formed on January 21, 2004 with Atlas Resources, LLC serving as its Managing General Partner and Operator (“Atlas Resources” or the “MGP”). Atlas Resources is an indirect subsidiary of Atlas Resource Partners, L.P. (“ARP”) (NYSE:ARP). ARP is a publicly traded master limited partnership and an independent developer and producer of natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids, with operations in basins across the United States. ARP is a leading sponsor and manager of tax-advantaged investment partnerships, in which it co-invests to finance a portion of its natural gas and oil production activities.
On October 13, 2014, the MGP’s ultimate parent, Atlas Energy L.P. (“Atlas Energy”) (NYSE: ATLS), and its midstream subsidiary, Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. (“APL”), entered into definitive agreements to be acquired by Targa Resources Corp. and Targa Resources Partners LP, respectively. Immediately prior to the acquisition, Atlas Energy distributed to its unitholders 100% of the limited liability company interests in ARP’s general partner, which changed its name to Atlas Energy Group, LLC (“New Atlas”) and became a separate, publicly traded company as a result of the distribution. Following the distribution, New Atlas continues to hold the Partnership’s business as well as ARP’s general partner interest and incentive distribution rights, and now holds the non-midstream assets and ARP limited partner units previously held by Atlas Energy.
In March 2012, Atlas Energy contributed to ARP, a newly-formed exploration and production master limited partnership, substantially all of Atlas Energy’s natural gas and oil development and production assets and its partnership management business, including ownership of our MGP.
On February 17, 2011, Atlas Energy, a then-majority owned subsidiary of Atlas Energy, Inc. and parent of the general partner of APL, completed an acquisition of assets from Atlas Energy, Inc., which included its investment partnership business, its gas and oil exploration, development, and production activities conducted in Tennessee, Indiana and Colorado, certain shallow wells and leases in New York and Ohio, and certain well interests in Pennsylvania and Michigan and its ownership and management of investments in Lightfoot Capital Partners, L.P. and related entities (the “Transferred Business”).
After formation, we received total cash subscriptions from investors of $27,601,100, which were paid to our MGP acting as operator and general drilling contractor under our drilling and operating agreement. Our MGP contributed leases, tangible equipment, and paid all syndication and offering costs for a total capital contribution of $11,674,600. We have drilled 141 development wells within the Clinton/Medina, Upper Devonian Sandstones and Southern Appalachia Shale geological formations in Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
We have drilled and currently operate wells located in Pennsylvania and Tennessee. We have no employees and rely on our MGP for management, which in turn, relies on its parent company, Atlas Energy (after February 27, 2015, New Atlas), for administrative services. (See Item 11: “Executive Compensation”).
6
Business Strategy
We intend to produce our wells until they are depleted or become uneconomical to produce, at which time they will be plugged and abandoned or sold. No other wells will be drilled and no additional funds will be required for drilling (See Item 2: “Properties” for information concerning our wells).
The MGP continues to manage our exposure to commodity price risk. To limit our exposure to changing commodity prices and enhance and stabilize our cash flow, our MGP uses financial hedges for a portion of our natural gas and oil production. Principally, the MGP uses fixed price swaps and puts on our behalf as the mechanism for the financial hedging of our commodity prices.
Our operating cash flows are generated from our wells, which produce natural gas and oil. Our produced natural gas and oil is then delivered to market through affiliated and/or third-party gas gathering systems. The majority of our natural gas is delivered into the Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC (“Laurel Mountain”) gas gathering system. Laurel Mountain owns and operates all of APL’s previously owned Northern Appalachian assets. Our MGP entered into new gas gathering agreements with Laurel Mountain, whereby they pay to Laurel Mountain a gathering fee based on a range, generally from $0.35 per Mcf to the amount of the competitive gathering fee which is currently defined as 16% of the gross sales price received for our gas.
Our ongoing operating and maintenance costs have been and are expected to be fulfilled through revenues from the sale of our natural gas and oil production. We pay our MGP a monthly well supervision fee of $313 per well per month as outlined in our drilling and operating agreement. This well supervision fee covers all normal and regularly recurring operating expenses for the production and sale of natural gas and oil such as:
● |
Well tending, routing maintenance and adjustment; |
● |
Reading meters, recording production, pumping, maintaining appropriate books and records; and |
● |
Preparation of reports for us and government agencies. |
The well supervision fees, however, do not include costs and expenses related to the purchase of certain equipment and materials and brine disposal. If these expenses are incurred, we pay the costs for third-party services, materials and a competitive charge for services performed directly by our MGP or its affiliates. Also, beginning one year after each of our wells has been placed into production, our MGP, as operator, may retain $200 per month per well to cover the estimated future plugging and abandonment cost of the well. As of December 31, 2014, our MGP withheld $18,500 of net production revenue for this purpose.
Gas and Oil Production
Production Volumes
The following table presents our total net natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids production volumes for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Production:(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (Mcf) |
|
212,864 |
|
|
|
242,366 |
|
Oil (Bbl) |
|
1,311 |
|
|
|
1,084 |
|
Natural gas liquids (Bbl) |
|
323 |
|
|
|
172 |
|
Total (Mcfe) |
|
222,668 |
|
|
|
249,902 |
|
|
(1) |
Production quantities consist of the sum of our proportionate share of production from wells in which we have a direct interest, based on our proportionate net revenue interest in such wells. |
7
Production Revenues, Prices and Costs
The MGP markets the majority of our natural gas production to gas marketers directly or to third party plant operators who process and market the gas. The sales price of natural gas produced is a function of the market in the area and typically tied to a regional index. The production area and pricing indices for the Appalachian Basin are Dominion South Point, Tennessee Gas Pipeline and Transco Leidy Line.
Our production revenues and estimated gas, oil and natural gas liquid reserves are substantially dependent on prevailing market prices for natural gas. The following table presents our production revenues and average sales prices for our natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids production for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, along with our average production costs in each of the reported periods:
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Production revenues (in thousands): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas revenue |
$ |
745 |
|
|
$ |
933 |
|
Oil revenue |
|
116 |
|
|
|
103 |
|
Natural gas liquids revenue |
|
16 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Total revenues |
$ |
877 |
|
|
$ |
1,045 |
|
Average sales price: (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (per Mcf) (2) |
$ |
3.57 |
|
|
$ |
4.14 |
|
Oil (per Bbl) |
$ |
88.60 |
|
|
$ |
95.36 |
|
Natural gas liquids (per Bbl) |
$ |
50.15 |
|
|
$ |
51.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs (per Mcfe) |
$ |
2.98 |
|
|
$ |
2.86 |
|
|
(1) |
Average sales prices represent accrual basis pricing after reversing the effect of previously recognized gains resulting from prior period impairment charges. |
(2) |
Average gas prices are calculated by including in total revenue derivative gains previously recognized into income in connection with prior period impairment charges and dividing by the total volume for the period. Previously recognized derivative gains were $14,100 and $69,200 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. |
Drilling Activity
We received total cash subscriptions from investors of $27,601,100, which were paid to our MGP acting as operator and general drilling contractor under our drilling and operating agreement. Our MGP contributed leases, tangible equipment, and paid all syndication and offering costs for a total capital contribution of $11,674,600. We have drilled 141 development wells within the Clinton/Medina, Upper Devonian Sandstones and Southern Appalachia Shale geological formations in Pennsylvania and Tennessee. We intend to produce our wells until they are depleted or become uneconomical to produce, at which time they will be plugged and abandoned or sold. No other wells will be drilled and no additional funds will be required for drilling. The following table summarizes the number of gross and net wells drilled by the Partnership:
|
Gross |
|
|
Net |
|
||
Gas and/or oil wells drilled |
|
137 |
|
|
|
129.05 |
|
Dry hole |
|
4 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Total wells drilled |
|
141 |
|
|
|
133.05 |
|
8
Natural Gas and Oil Leases
The MGP has contributed all the undeveloped leases or lease interests necessary to drill each of the partnership’s wells. The MGP has received a credit to its capital account equal to the cost of each lease or the fair market value of each lease if the MGP has reason to believe that cost is materially more than the fair market value.
Contractual Revenue Arrangements
Natural Gas. The MGP markets the majority of our natural gas production to gas marketers directly or to third party plant operators who process and market the gas. The sales price of natural gas produced is a function of the market in the area and typically linked to a regional index. The pricing indices for the majority of our production areas are as follows:
· |
Appalachian Basin - Dominion South Point, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Zone 4 (200 Leg), Transco Leidy Line, Columbia Appalachia, NYMEX and Transco Zone 5. |
We attempt to sell the majority of our natural gas at monthly, fixed index prices and a smaller portion at index daily prices.
Crude Oil. Crude oil produced from our wells flows directly into leasehold storage tanks where it is picked up by an oil company or a common carrier acting for an oil company. The crude oil is typically sold at the prevailing spot market price for each region, less appropriate trucking/pipeline charges. We do not have delivery commitments for fixed and determinable quantities of crude oil in any future periods under existing contracts or agreements.
Natural Gas Liquids. NGLs are extracted from the natural gas stream by processing and fractionation plants enabling the remaining “dry” gas to meet pipeline specifications for transport or sale to end users or marketers operating on the receiving pipeline. The resulting plant residue natural gas is sold as described above and the NGLs are generally priced and sold using the Mont Belvieu (TX) or Conway (KS) regional processing indices. The cost to process and fractionate the NGLs from the gas stream is typically either a volumetric fee for the gas and liquids processed or a percentage retention by the processing and fractionation facility. We do not have delivery commitments for fixed and determinable quantities of NGLs in any future periods under existing contracts or agreements.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, Chevron Natural Gas and Hess Energy Marketing, LLC accounted for approximately 66% and 10%, respectively of our total natural gas, oil, and NGL production revenues, with no other single customer accounting for more than 10% of revenues for this period.
9
Natural Gas, Oil and NGL Hedging
The MGP provides greater stability in our cash flows through its use of financial hedges for our natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids production. The financial hedges may include purchases of regulated NYMEX futures and options contracts and non-regulated over-the-counter futures and options contracts with qualified counterparties. Financial hedges are contracts between ourselves and counterparties and do not require physical delivery of hydrocarbons. Financial hedges allow us to mitigate hydrocarbon price risk, and cash is settled to the extent there is a price difference between the hedge price and the actual NYMEX settlement price. Settlement typically occurs on a monthly basis, at the time in the future dictated within the hedge contract. Financial hedges executed in accordance with the MGP’s secured credit facility do not require cash margin and are secured by our natural gas and oil properties. To assure that the financial instruments will be used solely for hedging price risks and not for speculative purposes, the MGP has a management committee to assure that all financial trading is done in compliance with its hedging policies and procedures. The MGP does not intend to contract for positions that we cannot offset with actual production.
Natural Gas Gathering Agreements
Virtually all natural gas produced is gathered through one or more pipeline systems before sale or delivery to a marketer or an interstate pipeline. A gathering fee can be charged for each gathering activity that is utilized and by each separate gatherer providing the service. Fees will vary depending on the distance the gas travels and whether additional services such as compression, blending, or contaminant removal are provided.
In Appalachia, we have gathering agreements with Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC (“Laurel Mountain”). Under these agreements, we dedicate our natural gas production in certain areas within southwest Pennsylvania to Laurel Mountain for transportation to interstate pipeline systems or local distribution companies, subject to certain exceptions. In return, Laurel Mountain is required to accept and transport our dedicated natural gas subject to certain conditions. The greater of $0.35 per mcf or 16% of the gross sales price of the natural gas is charged by Laurel Mountain for the majority of the gas. A lesser fee does apply to a small number of specific wells in the area.
10
Competition
We operate in a highly competitive environment for acquiring properties and other energy companies, attracting capital, contracting for drilling equipment and securing trained personnel. We also compete with the exploration and production divisions of public utility companies for mineral property acquisitions. Competition is intense for the acquisition of leases considered favorable for the development of hydrocarbons in commercial quantities. Our competitors may be able to pay more for hydrocarbon properties and to evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties than our financial or personnel resources permit. Furthermore, competition arises not only from numerous domestic and foreign sources of hydrocarbons but also from other industries that supply alternative sources of energy. Product availability and price are the principal means of competition in selling natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids. Many of our competitors possess greater financial and other resources which may enable them to identify and acquire desirable properties and market their hydrocarbon production more effectively than we do.
Markets
The availability of a ready market for natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids and the price obtained, depends upon numerous factors beyond our control. Product availability and price are the principal means of competition in selling natural gas, oil and NGLs. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we did not experience problems in selling our natural gas, oil and NGLs, although prices have varied significantly during those periods.
Seasonal Nature of Business
Generally, but not always, the demand for natural gas decreases during the summer months and increases during the winter months. Seasonal anomalies such as mild winters or hot summers sometimes lessen this fluctuation. In addition, certain natural gas users utilize natural gas storage facilities and purchase some of their anticipated winter requirements during the summer. This can also lessen seasonal demand fluctuations. In addition, seasonal weather conditions and lease stipulations can limit our drilling and producing activities and other operations in certain areas. These seasonal anomalies may pose challenges for meeting our well construction objectives and increase competition for equipment, supplies and personnel, which could lead to shortages and increase costs or delay our operations.
Environmental Matters and Regulation
Overview. Our operations relating to drilling and waste disposal are subject to stringent and complex laws and regulations pertaining to health, safety and the environment. As operators within the complex natural gas and oil industry, we must comply with laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels. These laws and regulations can restrict or affect our business activities in many ways, such as by:
· |
restricting the way waste disposal is handled; |
· |
limiting or prohibiting drilling, construction and operating activities in sensitive areas such as wetlands, coastal regions, non-attainment areas, tribal lands or areas inhabited by threatened or endangered species; |
· |
requiring the acquisition of various permits before the commencement of drilling; |
· |
requiring the installation of expensive pollution control equipment and water treatment facilities; |
11
· |
restricting the types, quantities and concentration of various substances that can be released into the environment in connection with siting, drilling, completion, production, and plugging activities; |
· |
requiring remedial measures to reduce, mitigate and/or respond to releases of pollutants or hazardous substances from existing and former operations, such as pit closure and plugging of abandoned wells; |
· |
enjoining some or all of the operations of facilities deemed in non-compliance with permits issued pursuant to such environmental laws and regulations; |
· |
imposing substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from operations; and |
· |
requiring preparation of a Resource Management Plan, an Environmental Assessment, and/or an Environmental Impact Statement with respect to operations affecting federal lands or leases. |
Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil or criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial requirements, and the issuance of orders enjoining future operations. Certain environmental statutes impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required to clean up and restore sites where pollutants or wastes have been disposed or otherwise released. Neighboring landowners and other third parties can file claims for personal injury or property damage allegedly caused by noise and/or the release of pollutants or wastes into the environment. These laws, rules and regulations may also restrict the rate of natural gas and oil production below the rate that would otherwise be possible. The regulatory burden on the natural gas and oil industry increases the cost of doing business in the industry and consequently affects profitability. Additionally, Congress and federal and state agencies frequently enact new, and revise existing, environmental laws and regulations, and any new laws or changes to existing laws that result in more stringent and costly waste handling, disposal and clean-up requirements for the natural gas and oil industry could have a significant impact on our operating costs.
We believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, and compliance with existing federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations. Nevertheless, the trend in environmental regulation is to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment. As a result, there can be no assurance as to the amount or timing of future expenditures for environmental compliance or remediation, and actual future expenditures may be different from the amounts we currently anticipate. Moreover, we cannot assure future events, such as changes in existing laws, the promulgation of new laws, or the development or discovery of new facts or conditions will not cause us to incur significant costs.
Environmental laws and regulations that could have a material impact on our operations include the following:
National Environmental Policy Act. Natural gas and oil exploration and production activities on federal lands are subject to the National Environmental Policy Act, or “NEPA”. NEPA requires federal agencies, including the Department of Interior, to evaluate major federal agency actions having the potential to significantly affect the environment. In the course of such evaluations, an agency will typically require an Environmental Assessment to assess the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of a proposed project and, if necessary, will prepare a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement that will be made available for public review and comment. All of our proposed exploration and production activities on federal lands, if any, require governmental permits, many of which are subject to the requirements of NEPA. This process has the potential to delay the development of natural gas and oil projects.
12
Waste Handling. The Solid Waste Disposal Act, including RCRA, and comparable state statutes regulate the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal and cleanup of “hazardous wastes” and the disposal of non-hazardous wastes. Under the auspices of USEPA, individual states administer some or all of the provisions of RCRA, sometimes in conjunction with their own more stringent requirements. Drilling fluids, produced waters, and most of the other wastes associated with the exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas constitute “solid wastes,” which are regulated under the less stringent non-hazardous waste provisions, but there is no guarantee that USEPA or individual states will not adopt more stringent requirements for the handling of non-hazardous wastes or categorize some non-hazardous wastes as hazardous for future regulation. Moreover, ordinary industrial wastes such as paint wastes, waste solvents, laboratory wastes and waste compressor oils may be regulated as solid waste. The transportation of natural gas in pipelines may also generate some hazardous wastes that are subject to RCRA or comparable state law requirements.
We believe that our operations are currently in substantial compliance with the requirements of RCRA and related state and local laws and regulations, and that they hold all necessary and up-to-date permits, registrations and other authorizations to the extent that they are required under such laws and regulations. Although we do not believe the current costs of managing wastes to be significant, any more stringent regulation of natural gas and oil exploitation and production wastes could increase the costs to manage and dispose of such wastes.
CERCLA. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), also known as the “Superfund” law, imposes joint and several liability, without regard to fault or legality of conduct, on persons who are considered under the statute to be responsible for the release of a “hazardous substance” into the environment. These persons include the owner or operator of the site where the release occurred and companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substance at the site. Under CERCLA, such persons may be liable for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, for damages to natural resources and for the costs of certain health studies. In addition, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the hazardous substances released into the environment.
Our operations are, in many cases, conducted at properties that have been used for natural gas and oil exploitation and production for many years. Although we believe that we utilized operating and waste disposal practices that were standard in the industry at the time, hazardous substances, wastes or hydrocarbons may have been released on or under the properties owned or leased by us or on or under other locations, including off-site locations, where such substances have been taken for disposal. There may be evidence that petroleum spills or releases have occurred at some of the properties owned or leased by us. However, none of these spills or releases appears to be material to our financial condition and we believe all of them have been or will be appropriately remediated. In addition, some of these properties have been operated by third parties or by previous owners or operators whose treatment and disposal of hazardous substances, wastes or hydrocarbons was not under our control. These properties, and the substances disposed or released on them, may be subject to CERCLA, RCRA and analogous state laws. Under such laws, we could be required to remove previously disposed substances and wastes (including waste disposed of by prior owners or operators), remediate contaminated property (including groundwater contamination, whether from prior owners or operators or other historic activities or spills), or perform remedial plugging or pit closure operations to prevent future contamination.
Water Discharges. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, the federal regulations that implement the Clean Water Act, and analogous state laws and regulations impose restrictions and strict controls on the discharge of pollutants, including produced waters and other natural gas and oil wastes, into navigable waters of the United States. The discharge of pollutants into regulated waters is prohibited, except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued by USEPA or the relevant state. These permits may require pretreatment of produced waters before discharge. Compliance with such permits and requirements may be costly. Further, much of our natural gas extraction activity utilizes a process called hydraulic fracturing, which results in water discharges that must be treated and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
13
On April 21, 2014, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and USEPA proposed a rule that would define ‘Waters of the United States,’ i.e., the scope of waters protected under the Clean Water Act, in light of several U.S. Supreme Court opinions (U.S. v. Riverside Bayview, Rapanos v. United States, and Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and USEPA have stated that the proposed rule would enhance protection for nationwide public health and aquatic resources, and increase Clean Water Act program predictability and consistency. The public comment period concluded on November 14, 2014. USEPA is in the process of reviewing the more than 800,000 comments received on the proposed rule, and has indicated that a final rule may be issued in 2015. As drafted, this proposed rule may increase the costs of compliance and result in additional permitting requirements for some of our existing or future facilities. Additionally, USEPA’s Science Advisory Board released its review of USEPA’s Office of Research and Development’s draft “Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence” report issued October 17, 2014. USEPA released the final report publicly on January 15, 2015.
The Clean Water Act also prohibits the discharge of dredge and fill material in regulated waters, including wetlands, unless authorized by a permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Clean Water Act also requires specified facilities to maintain and implement spill prevention, control and countermeasure plans and to take measures to minimize the risks of petroleum spills. Federal and state regulatory agencies can impose administrative, civil and criminal penalties for failure to obtain or non-compliance with discharge permits or other requirements of the federal Clean Water Act and analogous state laws and regulations. We believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with the requirements of the Clean Water Act.
Air Emissions. Our operations are subject to the Clean Air Act, as amended, the federal regulations that implement the Clean Air Act, and comparable state laws and regulations. These laws and regulations regulate emissions of air pollutants from various industrial sources, including drilling sites, processing plants, certain storage vessels and compressor stations, and also impose various monitoring and reporting requirements. These laws and regulations also apply to entities that use natural gas as fuel, and may increase the costs of customer compliance to the point where demand for natural gas is affected. Such laws and regulations may require obtaining pre-approval for the construction or modification of certain projects or facilities expected to produce air emissions or result in the increase of existing air emissions, obtain and comply with air permits containing various emissions and operational limitations, or utilize specific emission control technologies to limit emissions. Various air quality regulations are periodically reviewed by USEPA and are amended as deemed necessary. USEPA may also issue new regulations based on changing environmental concerns.
Recent revisions to federal NSPS and NESHAP rules impose additional emissions control requirements and practices on our operations. Some of our new facilities may be required to obtain permits before work can begin, and existing facilities may be required to incur capital costs in order to comply with new or revised requirements. These regulations may increase the costs of compliance for some facilities. Our failure to comply with these requirements could subject us to monetary penalties, injunctions, conditions or restrictions on operations, and potentially criminal enforcement actions. We believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act and comparable state laws and regulations.
While we will likely be required to incur certain capital expenditures in the future for air pollution control equipment to comply with applicable regulations and to obtain and maintain operating permits and approvals for air emissions, we believe that our operations will not be materially adversely affected by such requirements, and the requirements are not expected to be any more burdensome to us than other similarly situated companies.
OSHA and Other Regulations. We are subject to the requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, or “OSHA”, and comparable state statutes. The OSHA hazard communication standard, USEPA community right-to-know regulations under Title III of CERCLA and similar state statutes require that we organize and/or disclose information about hazardous materials used or produced in our operations. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with these applicable requirements and with other OSHA and comparable requirements.
14
Greenhouse Gas Regulation and Climate Change. To date, legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to greenhouse gas emissions have not had a material impact on our business. However, Congress has been actively considering climate change legislation. More directly, USEPA has begun regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. In response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Massachusetts v. EPA, 549 U.S. 497 (2007) (holding that greenhouse gases are air pollutants covered by the Clean Air Act), USEPA made a final determination that greenhouse gases endangered public health and welfare, 74 Fed. Reg. 66,496 (December 15, 2009). This finding led to the regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Currently, USEPA has promulgated two rules that will affect our businesses.
First, USEPA promulgated the so-called “Tailoring Rule” which established emission thresholds for greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act permitting programs, 75 Fed. Reg. 31,514 (June 3, 2010). Both the federal preconstruction review program, known as “PSD”, and the operating permit program are now implicated by emissions of greenhouse gases. These programs, as modified by the Tailoring Rule, could require some new facilities to obtain a PSD permit depending on the size of the new facilities. In addition, existing facilities as well as new facilities that exceed the emissions thresholds could be required to obtain the requisite operating permits.
On June 23, 2014, the United States Supreme Court ruled on challenges to the Tailoring Rule in the case of Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA, 134 S. Ct. 2427 (2014). The Court limited the applicability of the PSD program and Tailoring Rule to only new sources or modifications that would trigger PSD for another criteria pollutant such that projects cannot trigger PSD based solely on greenhouse gas emissions. However, if PSD is triggered for another pollutant, greenhouse gases could be subject to a control technology review process. The Court’s decision also means that sources cannot trigger a federal operating permit requirement based solely on greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, we expect that impact of the Tailoring Rule after the Court’s decision is unlikely to have much, if any, impact on our operations.
Second, USEPA finalized its Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases rule in 2009, 74 Fed. Reg. 56,260 (October 30, 2009). Subsequent revisions, additions and clarification rules were promulgated, including a rule specifically addressing the natural gas industry. This subpart was most recently revised in November 2014, when USEPA finalized changes to calculation methods, monitoring and data reporting requirements, and other provisions. Shortly thereafter, in December 2014, USEPA proposed additional revisions to this subpart for public comment. In general, the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule requires certain industry sectors that emit greenhouse gases above a specified threshold to report greenhouse gas emissions to USEPA on an annual basis. The natural gas industry is covered by the rule and requires annual greenhouse gas emissions to be reported by March 31 of each year for the emissions during the preceding calendar year. This rule imposes additional obligations on us to determine whether the greenhouse gas reporting applies and if so, to calculate and report greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to these existing rules, the Obama Administration announced in January 2015 that it is developing additional rules to curb greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas sector, as part of a new national strategy for reducing methane emissions from the sector by 40 – 45% from 2012 levels by the year 2025. Among other steps being taken as part of this national methane strategy, USEPA is expected to build on the 2012 NSPS in a rulemaking action aimed at reducing both methane and VOC emissions from the oil and gas sector.
There are also ongoing legislative and regulatory efforts to encourage the use of cleaner energy technologies. While natural gas is a fossil fuel, it is considered to be more benign, from a greenhouse gas standpoint, than other carbon-based fuels, such as coal or oil. Thus, future regulatory developments could have a positive impact on our business to the extent that they either decrease the demand for other carbon-based fuels or position natural gas as a favored fuel.
15
In addition to domestic regulatory developments, the United States is a participant in multi-national discussions intended to deal with the greenhouse gas issue on a global basis. To date, those discussions have not resulted in the imposition of any specific regulatory system, but such talks are continuing and may result in treaties or other multi-national agreements that could have an impact on our business.
Finally, the scientific community continues to engage in a healthy debate as to the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on planetary conditions. For example, such emissions may be responsible for increasing global temperatures, and/or enhancing the frequency and severity of storms, flooding and other similar adverse weather conditions. We do not believe that these conditions are having any material current adverse impact on our business, and we are unable to predict at this time, what, if any, long-term impact such climate effects would have.
Energy Policy Act. Much of our natural gas extraction activity utilizes a process called hydraulic fracturing. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 amended the definition of “underground injection” in the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, or the “SDWA”. This amendment effectively excluded hydraulic fracturing for oil, gas or geothermal activities from the SDWA permitting requirements, except when “diesel fuels” are used in the hydraulic fracturing operations. Recently, this subject has received much regulatory and legislative attention at both the federal and state level and we anticipate that the permitting and compliance requirements applicable to hydraulic fracturing activity are likely to become more stringent and could have a material adverse impact on our business and operations. For instance, USEPA published a draft “Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels” on May 10, 2012. In February 2014, USEPA released its revised final guidance document on SDWA underground injection control permitting for hydraulic fracturing using diesel fuels, along with responses to selected substantive public comments on USEPA’s previous draft guidance, a fact sheet and a memorandum to USEPA’s regional offices regarding implementation of the guidance. The process for implementing USEPA’s final guidance document may vary across states depending on the regulatory authority responsible for implementing the SDWA UIC program in each state.
The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives considered legislative bills in the 111th, 112th, and 113th Sessions of Congress that, if enacted, would have repealed the SDWA permitting exemption for hydraulic fracturing activities. Titled the “Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act,” or “Frac Act”, the legislative bills as proposed could have potentially led to significant oversight of hydraulic fracturing activities by federal and state agencies. If re-introduced in the current 114th Session of Congress and enacted into law, the legislation as proposed could potentially result in significant regulatory oversight, which may include additional permitting, monitoring, recording and recordkeeping requirements for us.
We believe our operations are in substantial compliance with existing SDWA requirements. However, future compliance with the SDWA could result in additional requirements and costs due to the possibility that new or amended laws, regulations or policies could be implemented or enacted in the future.
Hydrogen Sulfide. Exposure to gas containing high levels of hydrogen sulfide, referred to as sour gas, is harmful to humans and can result in death. We conduct our natural gas extraction activities in certain formations where hydrogen sulfide may be, or is known to be, present. We employ numerous safety precautions at its operations to ensure the safety of its employees. There are various federal and state environmental and safety requirements for handling sour gas, and we are in substantial compliance with all such requirements.
Drilling and Production. State laws regulate the size and shape of drilling and spacing units or proration units governing the pooling of natural gas and oil properties. Some states allow forced pooling or integration of tracts to facilitate exploitation while other states rely on voluntary pooling of lands and leases. In some instances, forced pooling or unitization may be implemented by third parties and may reduce our interest in the unitized properties. In addition, state conservation laws establish maximum rates of production from natural gas and oil wells, generally prohibit the venting or flaring of natural gas, and impose requirements regarding the ratability of production. These laws and regulations may limit the amount of natural gas and oil we can produce from our or its wells or limit the number of wells or the locations at which we can drill. Moreover, each state generally imposes a production or severance tax or impact fee with respect to the production and sale of oil, natural gas and NGLs within its jurisdiction.
16
State Regulation and Taxation of Drilling. The various states regulate the drilling for, and the production, gathering and sale of, natural gas, including imposing severance taxes and requirements for obtaining drilling permits. For example, Pennsylvania has imposed an impact fee on wells drilled into an unconventional formation, which includes the Marcellus Shale. The impact fee, which changes from year to year, is based on the average annual price of natural gas as determined by the NYMEX price, as reported by the Wall Street Journal for the last trading day of each calendar month. For example, based upon natural gas prices for 2014, the impact fee for qualifying unconventional horizontal wells spudded during 2014 was $50,300 per well, while the impact fee for unconventional vertical wells was $10,100 per well. The payment structure for the impact fee makes the fee due the year after an unconventional well is spudded, and the fee will continue for 15 years for an unconventional horizontal well and 10 years for an unconventional vertical well. States also regulate the method of developing new fields, the spacing and operation of wells and the prevention of waste of natural gas resources.
States may regulate rates of production and may establish maximum limits on daily production allowable from natural gas wells based on market demand or resource conservation, or both. States do not regulate wellhead prices or engage in other similar direct economic regulation, but there can be no assurance that they will not do so in the future. The effect of these regulations may be to limit the amounts of natural gas that may be produced from our wells, the type of wells that may be drilled in the future in proximity to existing wells and to limit the number of wells or locations from which we can drill. Texas imposes a 7.5% tax on the market value of natural gas sold, 4.6% on the market value of condensate and oil produced and an oil field clean up regulatory fee of $0.000667 per Mcf of gas produced and $.00625 per barrel of crude. New Mexico imposes, among other taxes, a severance tax of up to 3.75% of the value of oil and gas produced, a conservation tax of up to 0.24% of the oil and gas sold, and a school emergency tax of up to 3.15% for oil and 4% for gas. Alabama imposes a production tax of up to 2% on oil or gas and a privilege tax of up to 8% on oil or gas. Oklahoma imposes a gross production tax of 7% per Bbl of oil, up to 7% per Mcf of natural gas and a petroleum excise tax of $0.095 on the gross production of oil and gas.
The petroleum industry is also subject to compliance with various other federal, state and local regulations and laws. Some of those laws relate to occupational safety, resource conservation and equal employment opportunity. We do not believe that compliance with these laws will have a material adverse effect upon our unitholders.
Oil Spills and Hydraulic Fracturing. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990, as amended (“OPA”), contains numerous requirements relating to the prevention of and response to oil spills into waters of the United States. The OPA subjects owners of facilities to strict, joint and several liability for all containment and cleanup costs and certain other damages arising from a spill, including, but not limited to, the costs of responding to a release of oil to surface waters. While we believe we have been in compliance with OPA, noncompliance could result in varying civil and criminal penalties and liabilities.
A number of federal agencies, including USEPA and the Department of Interior, are currently evaluating a variety of environmental issues related to hydraulic fracturing. For example, USEPA is conducting a study that evaluates any potential effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water and ground water. USEPA released a progress report on this study on December 21, 2012 that did not provide any results or conclusions. On December 9, 2013, USEPA’s Hydraulic Fracturing Study Technical Roundtable of subject-matter experts from a variety of stakeholder groups met to discuss the work underway to answer the hydraulic fracturing study’s key research questions. Individual research projects associated with USEPA’s study were published in July 2014. Research results are expected to be released in draft form for review by the public and USEPA Science Advisory Board. USEPA has not provided a specific date for completion of the draft report after peer review, which may occur in 2015. The Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management published a revised proposed rule to regulate hydraulic fracturing on federal and Indian lands on May 24, 2013. The comment period closed on August 23, 2013 and the revised proposed rule drew more than 175,000 comments. A revised rule was sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget review in August 2014, and a final rule is expected to be issued in 2015.
17
In addition, state and local conservancy districts and river basin commissions have all previously exercised their various regulatory powers to curtail and, in some cases, place moratoriums on hydraulic fracturing. State regulations include express inclusion of hydraulic fracturing into existing regulations covering other aspects of exploration and production and specifically may include, but not be limited to, the following:
· |
requirement that logs and pressure test results are included in disclosures to state authorities; |
· |
disclosure of hydraulic fracturing fluids and chemicals, and the ratios of same used in operations; |
· |
specific disposal regimens for hydraulic fracturing fluids; |
· |
replacement/remediation of contaminated water assets; and |
· |
minimum depth of hydraulic fracturing. |
Local regulations, which may be preempted by state and federal regulations, have included, but have not been limited to, the following, which may extend to all operations including those beyond hydraulic fracturing:
· |
noise control ordinances; |
· |
traffic control ordinances; |
· |
limitations on the hours of operations; and |
· |
mandatory reporting of accidents, spills and pressure test failures. |
Other Regulation of the Natural Gas and Oil Industry. The natural gas and oil industry is extensively regulated by federal, state and local authorities. Legislation affecting the natural gas and oil industry is under constant review for amendment or expansion, frequently increasing the regulatory burden. Also, numerous departments and agencies, both federal and state, are authorized by statute to issue rules and regulations binding on the natural gas and oil industry and its individual members, some of which carry substantial penalties for failure to comply. Although the regulatory burden on the natural gas and oil industry increases our cost of doing business and, consequently, affects our profitability, these burdens generally do not affect us any differently or to any greater or lesser extent than they affect other companies in their industries with similar types, quantities and locations of production.
Legislation continues to be introduced in Congress and development of regulations continues in the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies concerning the security of industrial facilities, including natural gas and oil facilities. Our operations may be subject to such laws and regulations. Presently, it is not possible to accurately estimate the potential costs to comply with any such facility security laws or regulations, but such expenditures could be substantial.
Employees
We do not directly employ any of the persons responsible for our management or operation. In general, personnel employed by Atlas Energy manage and operate our business. Some of the officers of our general partner may spend a substantial amount of time managing the business and affairs of our general partner and its affiliates other than us and may face a conflict regarding the allocation of their time between our business and affairs and their other business interests.
18
Available Information
We make our periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, available through our MGP’s website at www.atlasresourcepartners.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). To view these reports, click on “Investment Programs”, then “Drilling Program SEC Filings” and finally the respective program of your inquiry. You may also receive, without charge, a paper copy of any such filings by request to us at Park Place Corporate Center One, 1000 Commerce Drive, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15275, telephone number (800) 251-0171. A complete list of our filings is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Any of our filings are also available at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. The Public Reference Room may be contacted at telephone number (800) 732-0330 for further information.
Natural Gas, Oil and NGL Reserves
The following tables summarize information regarding our estimated proved natural gas, oil and NGL reserves as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Proved reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made. Prices include consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements, but not on escalations based upon future conditions. All of the reserves are located in the United States. We base these estimated proved natural gas, oil and NGL reserves and future net revenues of natural gas, oil and NGL reserves upon reports prepared by Wright & Company, Inc., an independent third-party reserve engineer. We have adjusted these estimates to reflect the settlement of asset retirement obligations on gas, oil and NGL properties. A summary of the reserve report related to our estimated proved reserves at December 31, 2014 is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. In accordance with SEC guidelines, we make the standardized measure estimates of future net cash flows from proved reserves using natural gas, oil and NGL sales prices in effect as of the dates of the estimates which are held constant throughout the life of the properties. Our estimates of proved reserves are calculated on the basis of the unweighted adjusted average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and are adjusted for basis differentials:
|
December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Natural gas (per Mcf) |
$ |
4.35 |
|
|
$ |
3.67 |
|
Oil (per Bbl) |
$ |
94.99 |
|
|
$ |
96.78 |
|
Natural gas liquids (per Bbl) |
$ |
30.21 |
|
|
$ |
30.10 |
|
Reserve estimates are imprecise and may change as additional information becomes available. Furthermore, estimates of natural gas, oil and NGL reserves are projections based on engineering data. There are uncertainties inherent in the interpretation of this data as well as the projection of future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures. Reservoir engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of natural gas, oil and NGL that cannot be measured in an exact way and the accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment.
The preparation of our natural gas, oil and NGL reserve estimates was completed in accordance with our MGP’s prescribed internal control procedures by its reserve engineers. For the periods presented, Wright & Company, Inc., was retained to prepare a report of proved reserves. The reserve information includes natural gas and oil reserves which are all located in the United States. The independent reserves engineer’s evaluation was based on more than 38 years of experience in the estimation of and evaluation of petroleum reserves, specified economic parameters, operating conditions, and government regulations. Our MGP’s internal control procedures include verification of input data delivered to our third-party reserve specialist, as well as a multi-functional management review. The preparation of reserve estimates was overseen by our MGP’s Senior Reserve Engineer, who is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and has more than 16 years of natural gas and oil industry experience. The reserve estimates were reviewed and approved by our MGP’s Senior Engineering Staff and management, with final approval by our MGP’s Chief Operating Officer.
19
Results of drilling, testing, and production subsequent to the date of the estimate may justify revision of these estimates. Future prices received from the sale of natural gas, oil and NGL may be different from those estimated by Wright & Company, Inc. in preparing its reports. The amounts and timing of future operating and development costs may also differ from those used. Accordingly, the reserves set forth in the following tables ultimately may not be produced. You should not construe the estimated standardized measure values as representative of the current or future fair market value of our proved natural gas, oil and NGL properties. Standardized measure values are based upon projected cash inflows, which do not provide for changes in natural gas, oil and NGL prices or for the escalation of expenses and capital costs. The meaningfulness of these estimates depends upon the accuracy of the assumptions upon which they were based.
We evaluate natural gas reserves at constant temperature and pressure. A change in either of these factors can affect the measurement of natural gas reserves. We deduct operating costs, development costs and production-related and ad valorem taxes in arriving at the estimated future cash flows. We base the estimates on operating methods and conditions prevailing as of the dates indicated. Proved developed reserves are reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods:
|
Proved Reserves at December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Proved reserves: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas reserves (Mcf) |
|
1,131,900 |
|
|
|
1,552,800 |
|
Oil reserves (Bbl) |
|
2,900 |
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
Total proved developed reserves (Mcfe) |
|
1,149,300 |
|
|
|
1,570,800 |
|
Standardized measure of discounted future cash flows(1) |
$ |
843,300 |
|
|
$ |
1,345,700 |
|
Standardized measure of discounted future cash flows per Limited Partner Unit (2) |
$ |
495 |
|
|
$ |
790 |
|
Undiscounted future cash flows per Limited Partner Unit |
$ |
691 |
|
|
$ |
1,179 |
|
|
(1) |
Standardized measure is the present value of estimated future net revenues to be generated from the production of proved reserves, determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC without giving effect to non-property related expenses, such as general and administrative expenses, interest and income tax expenses, or to depletion, depreciation and amortization. The future cash flows are discounted using an annual discount rate of 10%. Standardized measure does not give effect to commodity derivative contracts. Because we are a limited partnership, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been included in the December 31, 2014 and 2013 calculations of standardized measure, which is, therefore, the same as the PV-10 value. |
(2) |
This value per limited partner unit is determined by following the methodology used for determining our proved reserves using the data discussed above. However, this value does not necessarily reflect the fair market value of a unit, and each unit is illiquid. Also, the value of the unit for purposes of presentment of the unit to our MGP for purchase is different, because it is calculated under a formula set forth in the Partnership Agreement. |
Productive Wells
Productive wells consist of producing wells and wells capable of production, including natural gas wells awaiting pipeline connections to commence deliveries and oil wells awaiting connection to production facilities. Gross wells are the total number of producing wells in which we have an interest and net wells are the sum of our fractional working interests in gross wells. The following table sets forth information regarding productive natural gas and oil wells in which we have a working interest as of December 31, 2014:
|
Number of productive wells |
|
|||||
|
|
Gross |
|
|
|
Net |
|
Gas and/or oil wells |
|
137 |
|
|
|
129.05 |
|
20
Developed Acreage
The following table sets forth information about our developed natural gas and oil acreage as of December 31, 2014:
|
Developed Acreage |
|
|||||
|
Gross |
|
|
Net |
|
||
Pennsylvania |
|
2,497.19 |
|
|
|
2,405.57 |
|
Tennessee |
|
80.00 |
|
|
|
80.00 |
|
Total |
|
2,577.19 |
|
|
|
2,485.57 |
|
The leases for our developed acreage generally have terms that extend for the life of the wells. We believe that we hold good and indefeasible title to our producing properties, in accordance with standards generally accepted in the natural gas industry, subject to exceptions stated in the opinions of counsel employed by us in the various areas in which we conduct our activities. We do not believe that these exceptions detract substantially from our use of any property. As is customary in the natural gas industry, we conduct only a perfunctory title examination at the time we acquire a property. Before we commence drilling operations, we conduct an extensive title examination and we perform curative work on defects that we deem significant. We or our predecessors have obtained title examinations for substantially all of our managed producing properties. No single property represents a material portion of our holdings.
Our properties are subject to royalty, overriding royalty and other outstanding interests customary in the industry. Our properties are also subject to burdens such as liens incident to operating agreements, taxes, development obligations under natural gas and oil leases, farm-out arrangements and other encumbrances, easements and restrictions. We do not believe that any of these burdens will materially interfere with our use of our properties.
We are party to various routine legal proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of our business. Management believes that none of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. (See Item 8: Note 9 Commitments and Contingencies).
Affiliates of the MGP and their subsidiaries are party to various routine legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of their respective businesses. The MGP’s management believes that none of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the MGP’s financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 4: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES (Not applicable)
PART II
ITEM 5: MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED UNITHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
There is no established public trading market for our units and we do not anticipate that a market for our units will develop. Our units may be transferred only in accordance with the provisions of Article VI of our Partnership Agreement which requires:
● |
our MGP’s consent; |
● |
the transfer not result in materially adverse tax consequences to us; and |
● |
the transfer does not violate federal or state securities laws. |
An assignee of a unit may become a substituted partner only upon meeting the following conditions:
● |
the assignor gives the assignee the right; |
● |
our MGP consents to the substitution; |
● |
the assignee pays to us all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the substitution; and |
● |
the assignee executes and delivers the instruments, which our MGP requires to effect the substitution and to confirm his or her agreement to be bound by the term of our partnership agreement. |
21
A substitute partner is entitled to all of the rights of full ownership of the assigned units, including the right to vote. As of December 31, 2014, we had 643 limited partners.
Our MGP reviews our accounts monthly to determine whether cash distributions are appropriate and the amount to be distributed, if any. We distribute those funds which our MGP determines are not necessary for us to retain. We will not advance or borrow funds for purposes of making distributions. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we distributed the following:
|
Distributions |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Limited Partners |
$ |
149,800 |
|
|
$ |
275,600 |
|
Managing General Partner |
|
62,800 |
|
|
|
78,400 |
|
Total distributions |
$ |
212,600 |
|
|
$ |
354,000 |
|
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion and analysis presented below provides information to assist in understanding our financial condition and results of operations. This discussion should be read in conjunction with (“Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”), which contains our financial statements.
The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those made, projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. We believe the assumptions underlying the financial statements are reasonable. However, our financial statements included herein may not necessarily reflect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows in the future.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P. (“we”, “us” or the “Partnership”) is a Delaware limited partnership and formed on January 21, 2004 with Atlas Resources, LLC serving as its Managing General Partner and Operator (“Atlas Resources” or the “MGP”). Atlas Resources is an indirect subsidiary of Atlas Resources Partners, L.P. (“ARP”) (NYSE: ARP).
On October 13, 2014, the MGP’s ultimate parent, Atlas Energy L.P. (“Atlas Energy”) (NYSE: ATLS), and its midstream subsidiary, Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. (“APL”), entered into definitive agreements to be acquired by Targa Resources Corp. and Targa Resources Partners LP, respectively. Immediately prior to the acquisition, Atlas Energy distributed to its unitholders 100% of the limited liability company interests in ARP’s general partner, which changed its name to Atlas Energy Group, LLC (“New Atlas”) and became a separate, publicly traded company as a result of the distribution. Following the distribution, New Atlas continues to hold the Partnership’s business as well as ARP’s general partner interest and incentive distribution rights, and now holds the non-midstream assets and ARP limited partner units previously held by Atlas Energy.
We have drilled and currently operate wells located in Pennsylvania and Tennessee. We have no employees and rely on our MGP for management, which in turn, relies on its parent company, Atlas Energy (after February 27, 2015, New Atlas), for administrative services.
We intend to continue to produce our wells until they are depleted or become uneconomical to produce, at which time they will be plugged and abandoned or sold. We expect that no other wells will be drilled and no additional funds will be required for drilling.
22
The following discussion provides information to assist in understanding our financial condition and results of operations. Our operating cash flows are generated from our wells, which primarily produce natural gas, but also some oil. Our produced natural gas and oil is then delivered to market through affiliated and/or third-party gas gathering systems. Our ongoing operating and maintenance costs have been and are expected to be fulfilled through revenues from the sale of our natural gas and oil production. We pay our MGP, as operator, a monthly well supervision fee, which covers all normal and regularly recurring operating expenses for the production and sale of natural gas and oil such as:
● |
Well tending, routine maintenance and adjustment; |
● |
Reading meters, recording production, pumping, maintaining appropriate books and records; and |
● |
Preparation of reports for us and government agencies. |
The well supervision fees, however, do not include costs and expenses related to the purchase of certain equipment, materials and brine disposal. If these expenses are incurred, we pay cost for third-party services, materials, and a competitive charge for service performed directly by our MGP or its affiliates. Also, beginning one year after each of our wells has been placed into production, our MGP, as operator, may retain $200 per month, per well, to cover the estimated future plugging and abandonment costs of the well. As of December 31, 2014, our MGP withheld $18,500 of net production revenue for this purpose.
MARKETS AND COMPETITION
The availability of a ready market for natural gas and oil produced by us, and the price obtained, depends on numerous factors beyond our control, including the extent of domestic production, imports of foreign natural gas and oil, political instability or terrorist acts in gas and oil producing countries and regions, market demand, competition from other energy sources, the effect of federal regulation on the sale of natural gas and oil in interstate commerce, other governmental regulation of the production and transportation of natural gas and oil and the proximity, availability and capacity of pipelines and other required facilities. Our MGP is responsible for selling our production. During 2014 and 2013, we experienced no problems in selling our natural gas and oil. Product availability and price are the principal means of competing in selling natural gas and oil production. While it is impossible to accurately determine our comparative position in the industry, we do not consider our operations to be a significant factor in the industry.
Natural Gas. The MGP markets the majority of our natural gas production to gas marketers directly or to third-party plant operators who process and market the gas. The sales price of natural gas produced is a function of the market in the area and typically tied to a regional index. The production area and pricing indices for the Appalachian Basin are Dominion South Point, Tennessee Gas Pipeline and Transco Leidy Line.
We do not hold firm transportation obligations on any pipeline that requires payment of transportation fees regardless of natural gas production volumes. As is customary in certain of our other operating areas, we occasionally commit a predictable portion of monthly production to the purchaser in order to maintain a gathering agreement.
Crude Oil. Crude oil produced from our wells flows directly into leasehold storage tanks where it is picked up by an oil company or a common carrier acting for an oil company. The crude oil is typically sold at the prevailing spot market price for each region, less appropriate trucking charges. We do not have delivery commitments for fixed and determinable quantities of crude oil in any future periods under existing contracts or agreements.
Natural Gas Liquids. NGLs are extracted from the natural gas stream by processing and fractionation plants enabling the remaining “dry” gas to meet pipeline specifications for transport to end users or marketers operating on the receiving pipeline. The resulting dry natural gas is sold as described above and our NGLs are generally priced using the Mont Belvieu (TX) or Conway (KS) regional processing indices. The cost to process and fractionate the NGLs from the gas stream is typically either a volumetric fee for the gas and liquids processed or a volumetric retention by the processing and fractionation facility. We do not have delivery commitments for fixed and determinable quantities of NGLs in any future periods under existing contracts or agreements.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, Chevron Natural Gas and Hess Energy Marketing, LLC accounted for approximately 66% and 10%, respectively of our total natural gas, oil and NGL production revenues, with no other single customer accounting for more than 10% of revenues for this period.
23
GENERAL TRENDS AND OUTLOOK
We expect our business to be affected by the following key trends. Our expectations are based on assumptions made by us and information currently available to us. To the extent our underlying assumptions about or interpretations of available information prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from our expected results.
The natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids commodity price markets have suffered significant declines during the fourth quarter of 2014 and early 2015, particularly in December 2014 and January 2015. The causes of these declines are based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, a significant increase in natural gas, oil and NGL production. While we anticipate continued high levels of exploration and production activities over the long-term in the areas in which we operate, fluctuations in energy prices can greatly affect production rates and investments in the development of new natural gas, oil and NGL reserves.
Our future gas and oil reserves, production, cash flow, and our ability to make distributions to our unitholders, depend on our success in producing our current reserves efficiently. We face the challenge of natural production declines and volatile natural gas, oil and NGL prices. As initial reservoir pressures are depleted, natural gas and oil production from particular wells decreases.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
GAS AND OIL PRODUCTION: The following table sets forth information related to our production revenues, volumes, sales prices, production costs and depletion during the periods indicated:
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Production revenues (in thousands): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gas |
$ |
745 |
|
|
$ |
933 |
|
Oil |
|
116 |
|
|
|
103 |
|
Liquids |
|
16 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Total |
$ |
877 |
|
|
$ |
1,045 |
|
Production volumes: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gas (mcf/day) |
|
583 |
|
|
|
664 |
|
Oil (bbls/day) |
|
4 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Liquids (bbls/day) |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Total (mcfe/day) |
|
613 |
|
|
|
688 |
|
Average sales price: (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gas (per mcf) (2) |
$ |
3.57 |
|
|
$ |
4.14 |
|
Oil (per bbl) |
$ |
88.60 |
|
|
$ |
95.36 |
|
Liquids (per bbl) |
$ |
50.15 |
|
|
$ |
51.68 |
|
Production costs: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As a percent of revenues |
|
76 |
% |
|
|
68 |
% |
Per mcfe |
$ |
2.98 |
|
|
$ |
2.86 |
|
Depletion per mcfe |
$ |
.64 |
|
|
$ |
1.23 |
|
|
(1) |
Average sales prices represent accrual basis pricing after reversing the effect of previously recognized gains resulting from prior period impairment charges. |
(2) |
Average gas prices are calculated by including in total revenue derivative gains previously recognized into income in connection with prior period impairment charges and dividing by the total volume for the period. Previously recognized derivative gains were $14,100 and $69,200 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. |
24
Natural Gas Revenues. Our natural gas revenues were $744,800 and $933,200 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, a decrease of $188,400 (20%). The $188,400 decrease in natural gas revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the prior year period was attributable to a $113,600 decrease in production volumes and a $74,800 decrease in natural gas prices after the effect of financial hedges, which were driven by market conditions. Our production volumes decreased to 583 mcf per day for the year ended December 31, 2014 from 664 mcf per day for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of 81 (12%) mcf per day. The price we receive for our natural gas is primarily a result of the index driven agreements (See Item 1: “Business-Contractual Revenue Arrangements”). Thus, the price we receive for our natural gas may vary significantly each month as the underlying index changes in response to market conditions. The decrease in production volume is mostly due to the normal decline inherent in the life of the wells.
Oil Revenues. We drill wells primarily to produce natural gas, rather than oil, but some wells have limited oil production. Our oil revenues were $116,100 and $103,300 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an increase of $12,800 (12%). The $12,800 increase in oil revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the prior year was attributable to a $21,700 increase in production volumes, partially offset by a $8,900 decrease in oil prices after the effect of financial hedges. Our production volumes increased to 4 bbls per day for the year ended December 31, 2014 from 3 bbls per day for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of 1 bbl per day (33%).
Natural Gas Liquids Revenue. The majority of our wells produce “dry gas”, which is composed primarily of methane and requires no additional processing before being transported and sold to the purchaser. Some wells, however, produce “wet gas”, which contains larger amounts of ethane and other associated hydrocarbons (i.e. “natural gas liquids”) that must be removed prior to transporting the gas. Once removed, these natural gas liquids are sold to various purchasers. Our natural gas liquids revenues were $16,200 and $8,900 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an increase of $7,300 (82%). The $7,300 increase in liquid revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the prior year period was attributable to a $7,800 increase in production volumes, partially offset by a $500 decrease in liquid prices. Our production volumes were .88 and .47 bbls per day for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an increase of .41 (87%) bbls per day.
Costs and Expenses. Production expenses were $664,100 and $714,100 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, a decrease of $50,000 (7%). This decrease was primarily due to a combination of a decrease in operating fees and lower transportation expenses. The transportation charges were affected by a decrease in production volumes.
Depletion of our gas and oil properties as a percentage of gas and oil revenues was 16% and 29% for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This change was primarily attributable to changes in gas and oil reserve quantities and to a lesser extent revenues, product prices and production volumes and changes in the depletable cost basis of gas and oil properties.
General and administrative expenses were $134,400 and $148,700 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, a decrease of $14,300 (10%). These expenses include third-party costs for services as well as the monthly administrative fees charged by our MGP and vary from period to period due to the costs and services provided to us.
Impairment of gas and oil properties for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $1,460,100. There was no impairment recognized for the year ended December 31, 2013. Annually, we compare the carrying value of our proved developed gas and oil producing properties to their estimated fair market value. To the extent our carrying value exceeds the estimated fair market value, an impairment charge is recognized. As a result of this assessment, an impairment charge was recognized for the year ended December 31, 2014. This charge is based on reserve quantities, future market prices and our carrying value. We cannot provide any assurance that similar charges may or may not be taken in future periods.
Liquidity and Capital Resources. Cash provided by operating activities decreased $200,100 for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $151,700 as compared to $351,800 the year ended December 31, 2013. This decrease was mostly due to a decrease in net earnings before depletion, net non-cash loss on derivative value, impairment, and accretion of $159,100, a decrease in the change in accrued liabilities of $6,500, a decrease in the change in asset retirement receivable-affiliate of $18,500, a decrease in asset retirement obligation settled of $100, a decrease in payable to limited partners of $240,800 partially offset by, an increase in the change in accounts receivable trade-affiliate of $224,900.
Cash provided by investing activities was $1,100 during the year ended December 31, 2014 resulting from the sale of tangible equipment.
Cash used in financing activities decreased $141,400 to $212,600 for the year ended December 31, 2014, from $354,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013. This decrease was due to a decrease in cash distributions to partners.
25
Our MGP may withhold funds for future plugging and abandonment costs. Through December 31, 2014, our MGP has withheld $18,500 of funds for this purpose. Any additional funds, if required, will be obtained from production revenues or borrowings from our MGP or its affiliates, which are not contractually committed to make loans to us. The amount that we may borrow at any one time may not at any time exceed 5% of our total subscriptions, and we will not borrow from third-parties.
We are generally limited to the amount of funds generated by the cash flow from our operations, which we believe is adequate to fund future operations and distributions to our partners. Historically, there has been no need to borrow funds from our MGP to fund operations.
Impairment
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recognized impairment expense of $1,460,100 related to gas and oil properties within property, plant, and equipment on our balance sheet. This impairment related to the carrying amount of our gas and oil properties being in excess of our estimate of their fair value at December 31, 2014. The estimate of fair value of these gas and oil properties was impacted by, among other factors, the deterioration of natural gas and oil prices. There was no impairment of oil and gas properties for the year ended December 31, 2013.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
Our operations are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the release of regulated materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection or human health or safety (See “Item 1: Business —Environmental Matters and Regulations”). We believe that our operations and facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. Any failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil or criminal penalties, imposition of remedial requirements, issuance of injunctions affecting our operations, or other measures. We have ongoing environmental compliance programs. However, risks of accidental leaks or spills are associated with our operations. There can be no assurance that we will not incur significant costs and liabilities relating to claims for damages to property, the environment, natural resources, or persons resulting from the operation of our business. Moreover, it is possible other developments, such as increasingly strict environmental laws and regulations and enforcement policies, could result in increased costs and liabilities to us.
Environmental laws and regulations have changed substantially and rapidly over the last 25 years, and we anticipate that there will be continuing changes. Trends in environmental regulation include increased reporting obligations and placing more restrictions and limitations on activities, such as emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, generation and disposal of wastes, including wastes that may have naturally occurring radioactivity, and use, storage and handling of chemical substances that may impact human health, the environment and/or endangered species. Other increasingly stringent environmental restrictions and limitations have resulted in increased operating costs for us and other similar businesses throughout the United States. It is possible that the costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations may continue to increase. We will attempt to anticipate future regulatory requirements that might be imposed and to plan accordingly, but there can be no assurance that we will identify and properly anticipate each such change, or that our efforts will prevent material costs, if any, from rising.
CHANGES IN PRICES AND INFLATION
Our revenues and the value of our assets have been and will continue to be affected by changes in natural gas and oil market prices. Natural gas and oil prices are subject to significant fluctuations that are beyond our ability to control or predict.
Inflation affects the operating expenses of our operations. Inflationary trends may occur if commodity prices were to increase, since such an increase may cause the demand for energy equipment and services to increase, thereby increasing the costs of acquiring or obtaining such equipment and services. While we anticipate that inflation will affect our future operating costs, we cannot predict the timing or amounts of any such effects.
26
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires making 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 actual revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Although we base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results may differ from the estimates on which our financial statements are prepared at any given point of time. Changes in these estimates could materially affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Significant items that are subject to such estimates and assumptions include revenue and expense accruals, depletion and amortization, impairment, fair value of derivative instruments and the probability of forecasted transactions. We summarize our significant accounting policies within our financial statements (See “Item 8: Financial Statements”) included in this report. The critical accounting policies and estimates we have identified are discussed below.
Depletion and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-Lived Assets. The cost of natural gas and oil properties, less estimated salvage value, is generally depleted on the units-of-production method.
Natural gas and oil properties are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. A long-lived asset is considered to be impaired when the undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset are less than its carrying amount. The undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset are based upon our estimates that rely on various assumptions, including natural gas and oil prices, production and operating expenses. Any significant variance in these assumptions could materially affect the estimated net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. As discussed in General Trends and Outlook within this section, recent increases in natural gas drilling have driven an increase in the supply of natural gas and put a downward pressure on domestic prices. Further declines in natural gas prices may result in additional impairment charges in future periods.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recognized $1,460,100 of impairment within natural gas and oil properties. There was no impairment recognized for the year ended December 31, 2013. The impairment related to the carrying amount of these gas and oil properties being in excess of our estimate of their fair value at December 31, 2014. The estimate of fair value of these gas and oil properties was impacted by, among other factors, the deterioration of natural gas and oil prices at the date of measurement.
Events or changes in circumstances that would indicate the need for impairment testing include, among other factors: operating losses; unused capacity; market value declines; technological developments resulting in obsolescence; changes in demand for products manufactured by others utilizing our services or for our products; changes in competition and competitive practices; uncertainties associated with the United States and world economies; changes in the expected level of environmental capital, operating or remediation expenditures; and changes in governmental regulations or actions.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
We have established a hierarchy to measure our financial instruments at fair value, which requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs represent market data obtained from independent sources, whereas unobservable inputs reflect the Partnership’s own market assumptions, which are used if observable inputs are not reasonably available without undue cost and effort. The hierarchy defines three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets and liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset and liability or can be corroborated with observable market data for substantially the entire contractual term of the asset or liability.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that reflect the entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in the pricing of the asset or liability and are consequently not based on market activity but rather through particular valuation techniques.
27
We use a fair value methodology to value the assets and liabilities for our outstanding derivative contracts. Our commodity hedges are calculated based on observable market data related to the change in price of the underlying commodity and are therefore defined as Level 2 fair value measurements.
Liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include our asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) that are defined as Level 3. Estimates of the fair value of ARO’s are based on discounted cash flows using numerous estimates, assumptions, and judgments regarding the cost, timing of settlement, our MGP’s credit-adjusted risk-free rate and inflation rates.
Reserve Estimates
Our estimates of proved natural gas, oil and NGL reserves and future net revenues from them are based upon reserve analyses that rely upon various assumptions, including those required by the SEC, as to natural gas, oil and NGL prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures and availability of funds. The accuracy of these reserve estimates is a function of many factors including the following: the quality and quantity of available data, the interpretation of that data, the accuracy of various mandated economic assumptions, and the judgments of the individuals preparing the estimates. We engaged Wright & Company, Inc., an independent third-party reserve engineer, to prepare a report of our proved reserves (See “Item 2: Properties”).
Any significant variance in the assumptions utilized in the calculation of our reserve estimates could materially affect the estimated quantity of our reserves. As a result, our estimates of proved natural gas and oil reserves are inherently imprecise. Actual future production, natural gas, oil and NGL prices, revenues, development expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable natural gas, oil and NGL reserves may vary substantially from our estimates or estimates contained in the reserve reports and may affect our ability to pay distributions. In addition, our proved reserves may be subject to downward or upward revision based upon production history, prevailing natural gas, oil and NGL prices, mechanical difficulties, governmental regulation and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our reserves and their relation to estimated future net cash flows impact the calculation of impairment and depletion of natural gas and oil properties. Generally, an increase or decrease in reserves without a corresponding change in capitalized costs will have a corresponding inverse impact to depletion expense.
Asset Retirement Obligations
We recognize and estimate the liability for the plugging and abandonment of our gas and oil wells. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long lived asset.
The estimated liability is based on our historical experience in plugging and abandoning wells, estimated remaining lives of those wells based on reserve estimates, external estimates as to the cost to plug and abandon the wells in the future and federal and state regulatory requirements. The liability is discounted using our MGP’s assumed credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. Revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in estimates of plugging and abandonment costs or remaining lives of the wells, or if federal or state regulators enact new plugging and abandonment requirements. We have no assets legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligations. Except for our gas and oil properties, we believe that there are no other material retirement obligations associated with tangible long lived assets.
Working Interest
Our Partnership Agreement establishes that revenues and expenses will be allocated to our MGP and limited partners based on their ratio of capital contributions to total contributions (“working interest”). Our MGP is also provided an additional working interest of 7% as provided in the Partnership Agreement. Due to the time necessary to complete drilling operations and accumulate all drilling costs, estimated working interest percentage ownership rates are utilized to allocate revenues and expense until the wells are completely drilled and turned on-line into production. Once the wells are completed, the final working interest ownership of the partners is determined and any previously allocated revenues based on the estimated working interest percentage ownership are adjusted to conform to the final working interest percentage ownership.
28
ITEM 8: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Partners of
Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P. (a Delaware Limited Partnership) (the “Partnership”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related statements of operations, comprehensive loss, changes in partners’ capital, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P. as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
March 31, 2015
29
ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 25-2004 (A) L.P.
BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31,
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
3,800 |
|
|
$ |
63,600 |
|
Accounts receivable trade–affiliate |
|
93,400 |
|
|
|
289,500 |
|
Asset retirement receivable-affiliate |
|
18,500 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Accounts receivable monetized gains-affiliate |
|
- |
|
|
|
11,100 |
|
Current portion of derivative assets |
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
1,400 |
|
Total current assets |
|
124,500 |
|
|
|
365,600 |
|
Gas and oil properties, net |
|
1,798,900 |
|
|
|
2,432,000 |
|
Long-term derivative assets |
|
7,400 |
|
|
|
7,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,930,800 |
|
|
$ |
2,804,600 |
|
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued liabilities |
$ |
11,200 |
|
|
$ |
9,300 |
|
Payable to limited partners |
|
- |
|
|
|
120,400 |
|
Current portion of put premiums payable-affiliate |
|
5,600 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
16,800 |
|
|
|
129,700 |
|
Asset retirement obligations |
|
3,128,500 |
|
|
|
2,036,400 |
|
Long-term put premiums payable-affiliate |
|
6,500 |
|
|
|
12,600 |
|
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partners’ capital: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Managing general partner’s interest |
|
(131,900 |
) |
|
|
682,300 |
|
Limited partners’ interest (1,106.75 units) |
|
(1,093,200 |
) |
|
|
(49,200 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
4,100 |
|
|
|
(7,200 |
) |
Total partners’ capital |
|
(1,221,000 |
) |
|
|
625,900 |
|
|
$ |
1,930,800 |
|
|
$ |
2,804,600 |
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
30
ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 25-2004 (A) L.P.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
REVENUES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas, oil and liquids |
$ |
877,100 |
|
|
$ |
1,045,400 |
|
Total revenues |
|
877,100 |
|
|
|
1,045,400 |
|
COST AND EXPENSES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production |
|
664,100 |
|
|
|
714,100 |
|
Depletion |
|
143,200 |
|
|
|
308,100 |
|
Impairment |
|
1,460,100 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Accretion of asset retirement obligation |
|
120,900 |
|
|
|
114,300 |
|
General and administrative |
|
134,400 |
|
|
|
148,700 |
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
2,522,700 |
|
|
|
1,285,200 |
|
Net loss |
$ |
(1,645,600 |
) |
|
$ |
(239,800 |
) |
Allocation of net loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Managing general partner |
$ |
(751,400 |
) |
|
$ |
(77,800 |
) |
Limited partners |
$ |
(894,200 |
) |
|
$ |
(162,000 |
) |
Net loss per limited partnership unit |
$ |
(808 |
) |
|
$ |
(146 |
) |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
31
ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 25-2004 (A) L.P.
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Net loss |
$ |
(1,645,600 |
) |
|
$ |
(239,800 |
) |
Other comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on cash flow hedging contracts |
|
4,100 |
|
|
|
(10,600 |
) |
Difference in estimated hedge gains receivable |
|
13,900 |
|
|
|
28,200 |
|
Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net loss from cash flow hedges |
|
(6,700 |
) |
|
|
(16,900 |
) |
Total other comprehensive income |
|
11,300 |
|
|
|
700 |
|
Comprehensive loss |
$ |
(1,634,300 |
) |
|
$ |
(239,100 |
) |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
32
ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 25-2004 (A) L.P.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013
|
Managing |
|
|
Limited |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Total |
|
||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 |
$ |
838,500 |
|
|
$ |
388,400 |
|
|
$ |
(7,900 |
) |
|
$ |
1,219,000 |
|
Participation in revenue and costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net production revenues |
|
117,200 |
|
|
|
214,100 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
331,300 |
|
Depletion |
|
(103,000 |
) |
|
|
(205,100 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(308,100 |
) |
Accretion of asset retirement obligation |
|
(40,000 |
) |
|
|
(74,300 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(114,300 |
) |
General and administrative |
|
(52,000 |
) |
|
|
(96,700 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(148,700 |
) |
Net loss |
|
(77,800 |
) |
|
|
(162,000 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(239,800 |
) |
Other comprehensive income |
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
700 |
|
|
|
700 |
|
Distributions to partners |
|
(78,400 |
) |
|
|
(275,600 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(354,000 |
) |
Balance at December 31, 2013 |
$ |
682,300 |
|
|
$ |
(49,200 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,200 |
) |
|
$ |
625,900 |
|
Participation in revenue and costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net production revenues |
|
75,800 |
|
|
|
137,200 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
213,000 |
|
Depletion |
|
(65,100 |
) |
|
|
(78,100 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(143,200 |
) |
Impairment |
|
(672,800 |
) |
|
|
(787,300 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,460,100 |
) |
Accretion of asset retirement obligation |
|
(42,300 |
) |
|
|
(78,600 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(120,900 |
) |
General and administrative |
|
(47,000 |
) |
|
|
(87,400 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(134,400 |
) |
Net loss |
|
(751,400 |
) |
|
|
(894,200 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,645,600 |
) |
Other comprehensive income |
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
11,300 |
|
|
|
11,300 |
|
Distributions to partners |
|
(62,800 |
) |
|
|
(149,800 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(212,600 |
) |
Balance at December 31, 2014 |
$ |
(131,900 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,093,200 |
) |
|
$ |
4,100 |
|
|
$ |
(1,221,000 |
) |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
33
ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 25-2004 (A) L.P.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
$ |
(1,645,600 |
) |
|
$ |
(239,800 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depletion |
|
143,200 |
|
|
|
308,100 |
|
Non-cash loss on derivative value, net |
|
14,100 |
|
|
|
69,200 |
|
Impairment |
|
1,460,100 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Accretion of asset retirement obligation |
|
120,900 |
|
|
|
114,300 |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable trade-affiliate |
|
196,100 |
|
|
|
(28,800 |
) |
Increase in accrued liabilities |
|
1,900 |
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
Asset retirement receivable-affiliate |
|
(18,500 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
(Decrease) increase in payable to limited partners |
|
(120,400 |
) |
|
|
120,400 |
|
Asset retirement obligation settled |
|
(100 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
151,700 |
|
|
|
351,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of tangible equipment |
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net cash provided by investing activities |
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to partners |
|
(212,600 |
) |
|
|
(354,000 |
) |
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
(212,600 |
) |
|
|
(354,000 |
) |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
|
(59,800 |
) |
|
|
(2,200 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
63,600 |
|
|
|
65,800 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ |
3,800 |
|
|
$ |
63,600 |
|
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset retirement obligation revision |
$ |
971,300 |
|
|
$ |
(179,800 |
) |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
34
ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 25-2004 (A) L.P.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013
NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a Delaware limited partnership, formed on January 21, 2004 with Atlas Resources, LLC serving as its Managing General Partner and Operator (“Atlas Resources” or the “MGP”). Atlas Resources is an indirect subsidiary of Atlas Resource Partners, L.P. (“ARP”) (NYSE: ARP).
On October 13, 2014, the MGP’s ultimate parent, Atlas Energy L.P. (“Atlas Energy”) (NYSE: ATLS), and its midstream subsidiary, Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. (“APL”), entered into definitive agreements to be acquired by Targa Resources Corp. and Targa Resources Partners LP, respectively. Immediately prior to the acquisition, Atlas Energy distributed to its unitholders 100% of the limited liability company interests in ARP’s general partner, which changed its name to Atlas Energy Group, LLC (“New Atlas”) and became a separate, publicly traded company as a result of the distribution. Following the distribution, New Atlas continues to hold the Partnership’s business as well as ARP’s general partner interest and incentive distribution rights, and now holds the non-midstream assets and ARP limited partner units previously held by Atlas Energy.
In March 2012, Atlas Energy contributed to ARP, a newly-formed exploration and production master limited partnership, substantially all of Atlas Energy’s natural gas and oil development and production assets and its partnership management business, including ownership of our MGP.
On February 17, 2011, Atlas Energy, a then-majority owned subsidiary of Atlas Energy, Inc. and parent of the general partner of APL, completed an acquisition of assets from Atlas Energy, Inc., which included its investment partnership business, its gas and oil exploration, development and production activities conducted in Tennessee, Indiana and Colorado, certain shallow wells and leases in New York and Ohio, and certain well interests in Pennsylvania and Michigan and its ownership and management of investments in Lightfoot Capital Partners, L.P. and related entities (the “Transferred Business”).
The Partnership has drilled and currently operates wells located in Pennsylvania and Tennessee. The Partnership has no employees and relies on the MGP for management, which in turn, relies on its parent company, Atlas Energy (after February 27, 2015, New Atlas), for administrative services.
The Partnership’s operating cash flows are generated from its wells, which produce natural gas and oil. Produced natural gas and oil is then delivered to market through affiliated and/or third-party gas gathering systems. The Partnership intends to produce its wells until they are depleted or become uneconomical to produce, at which time they will be plugged and abandoned or sold. The Partnership does not expect to drill additional wells and expects no additional funds will be required for drilling.
NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Use of Estimates
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 the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities that exist at the date of the Partnership’s financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and costs and expenses during the reporting periods. The Partnership’s financial statements are based on a number of significant estimates, including the revenue and expense accruals, depletion, impairments, fair value of derivative instruments and the probability of forecasted transactions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
35
Cash Equivalents
The carrying amounts of the Partnership’s cash equivalents approximate fair values because of the short maturities of these instruments. The Partnership considers all highly liquid investments with a remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Receivables
Accounts receivable affiliate on the balance sheets consist solely of the trade accounts receivable associated with the Partnership’s operations. In evaluating the realizability of its accounts receivable, the MGP performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and adjusts credit limits based upon payment history and the customer’s current creditworthiness, as determined by management’s review of the credit information. The Partnership extends credit on sales on an unsecured basis to many of their customers. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Partnership had recorded no allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable on its balance sheets.
Gas and Oil Properties
Gas and oil properties are stated at cost. Maintenance and repairs that generally do not extend the useful life of an asset for two years or more through the replacement of critical components are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements that generally extend the useful life of an asset for two years or more through the replacement of critical components are capitalized.
The Partnership follows the successful efforts method of accounting for gas and oil producing activities. Oil and natural gas liquids are converted to gas equivalent basis (“Mcfe”) at the rate of one barrel of oil to six mcf of natural gas.
The Partnership’s depletion expense is determined on a field-by-field basis using the units-of-production method. Depletion rates for lease, well and related equipment costs are based on proved developed reserves associated with each field. Depletion rates are determined based on reserve quantity estimates and the capitalized cost of developed producing properties.
Upon the sale or retirement of a complete field of a proved property, the Partnership eliminates the cost from the property accounts and the resultant gain or loss is reclassified to the Partnership’s statements of operations. Upon the sale of an individual well, the Partnership credits the proceeds to accumulated depreciation and depletion within its balance sheets.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Partnership reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If it is determined that an asset’s estimated future cash flows will not be sufficient to recover its carrying amount, an impairment charge will be recorded to reduce the carrying amount of that asset to its estimated fair value if such carrying amount exceeds the fair value.
The review of the Partnership’s gas and oil properties is done on a field-by-field basis by determining if the historical cost of proved properties less the applicable accumulated depletion and impairment is less than the estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows including salvage. The expected future cash flows are estimated based on the Partnership’s plans to continue to produce and develop proved reserves. Expected future cash flow from the sale of the production of reserves is calculated based on estimated future prices. The Partnership estimates prices based upon current contracts in place, adjusted for basis differentials and market related information, including published futures prices. The estimated future level of production is based on assumptions surrounding future prices and costs, field decline rates, market demand and supply and the economic and regulatory climates. If the carrying value exceeds the expected future cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the estimated fair market value and the carrying value of the assets.
36
The determination of oil and natural gas reserve estimates is a subjective process, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data and the application of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Estimates of economically recoverable reserves and future net cash flows depend on a number of variable factors and assumptions that are difficult to predict and may vary considerably from actual results.
In addition, reserve estimates for wells with limited or no production history are less reliable than those based on actual production. Estimated reserves are often subject to future revisions, which could be substantial, based on the availability of additional information which could cause the assumptions to be modified. The Partnership cannot predict what reserve revisions may be required in future periods.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Partnership recognized $1,460,100 of impairment related to gas and oil properties. This impairment relates to the carrying amount of these gas and oil properties being in excess of the Partnership’s estimate of their fair value at December 31, 2014. The estimate of the fair value of these gas and oil properties was impacted by, among other factors, the deterioration of natural gas and oil prices at the date of measurement. There was no impairment of gas and oil properties for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Derivative Instruments
The MGP enters into certain financial contracts to manage the Partnership’s exposure to movement in commodity prices (See Note 6). The derivative instruments recorded in the balance sheets were measured as either an asset or liability at fair value. Changes in a derivative instrument’s fair value are recognized currently in the Partnership’s statements of operations unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Partnership recognizes an estimated liability for the plugging and abandonment of its gas and oil wells and related facilities (See Note 5). The Partnership recognizes a liability for its future asset retirement obligations in the current period if a reasonable estimate of the fair value of that liability can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset.
Income Taxes
The Partnership is not treated as a taxable entity for federal income tax purposes. Any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit flows through to the partners as though each partner had incurred such item directly. As a result, each partner must take into account their pro rata share of all items of partnership income and deductions in computing their federal income tax liability.
The Partnership evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Partnership’s tax returns and disallows the recognition of tax positions not deemed to meet a “more-likely-than-not” threshold of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. The Partnership’s management does not believe it has any tax positions taken within its financial statements that would not meet this threshold. The Partnership’s policy is to reflect interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, when and if they become applicable. However, the Partnership has not recognized any potential interest or penalties in its financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
The Partnership files Partnership Returns of Income in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Partnership is no longer subject to income tax examinations by major tax authorities for years prior to 2010. The Partnership is not currently being examined by any jurisdiction and is not aware of any potential examinations as of December 31, 2014.
At December 31, 2013, the Partnership included $120,400 in accounts receivable-affiliate from the refund of state income tax withholdings. This amount is payable to the limited partners only.
37
Environmental Matters
The Partnership is subject to various federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. Management has established procedures for the ongoing evaluation of the Partnership’s operations, to identify potential environmental exposures and to comply with regulatory policies and procedures. Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and do not contribute to current or future revenue generation are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or clean-ups are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The Partnership maintains insurance which may cover in whole or in part certain environmental expenditures. The Partnership had no environmental matters requiring specific disclosure or requiring the recognition of a liability for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Partnership sells natural gas, crude oil, and NGLs under contracts to various purchasers in the normal course of business. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Partnership had two customers that individually accounted for approximately 66% and 10% of the Partnership’s natural gas, oil and NGL combined revenues, excluding the impact of all financial derivative activity. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Partnership had one customer that individually accounted for approximately 71% of the Partnership’s natural gas, oil and NGL combined revenues, excluding the impact of all financial derivative activity.
Revenue Recognition
The Partnership generally sells natural gas, crude oil, and NGLs at prevailing market prices. Generally, the Partnership’s sales contracts are based on pricing provisions that are tied to a market index, with certain fixed adjustments based on proximity to gathering and transmission lines and the quality of its natural gas. Generally, the market index is fixed two business days prior to the commencement of the production month. Revenue and the related accounts receivable are recognized when produced quantities are delivered to a custody transfer point, persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, the rights and responsibility of ownership pass to the purchaser upon delivery, collection of revenue from the sale is reasonably assured and the sales price is fixed or determinable. Revenues from the production of natural gas, crude oil, and NGLs, in which the Partnership has an interest with other producers, are recognized on the basis of its percentage ownership of the working interest and/or overriding royalty.
The MGP and its affiliates perform all administrative and management functions for the Partnership including billing revenues and paying expenses. Accounts receivable trade-affiliate on the Partnership’s balance sheets includes the net production revenues due from the MGP. The Partnership accrues unbilled revenue due to timing differences between the delivery of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil and condensate and the receipt of a delivery statement. These revenues are recorded based upon volumetric data from the Partnership’s records and management estimates of the related commodity sales and transportation and compression fees which are, in turn, based upon applicable product prices (See Note 2: “Use of Estimates” for further description). The Partnership had unbilled revenues at December 31, 2014 and 2013 of $90,100 and $135,500, respectively, which were included in accounts receivable trade-affiliate within the Partnership’s balance sheets.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss includes net loss and all other changes in the equity of a business during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources that, under U.S. GAAP, have not been recognized in the calculation of net loss. These changes, other than net loss, are referred to as “other comprehensive income” and for the Partnership include changes in the fair value of unsettled derivative contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges.
38
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date (“Update 2013-04”). Update 2013-04 provides guidance for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements, for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in U.S. GAAP. Examples of obligations within the scope of this update include debt arrangements, other contractual obligations and settled litigation and judicial rulings. Update 2013-04 requires an entity to measure joint and several liability arrangements, for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. In addition, Update 2013-04 provides disclosure guidance on the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information. Update 2013-04 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Partnership adopted the requirements of Update 2013-04 upon its effective date of January 1, 2014, and it had no material impact on its financial position, results of operations or related disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items (“Update 2015-01”). The amendments in Update 2015-01 simplify the income statement presentation requirements in Subtopic 225-20 by eliminating the concept of extraordinary items. Extraordinary items are events and transactions that are distinguished by their unusual nature and by the infrequency of their occurrence. Eliminating the extraordinary classification simplifies income statement presentation by altogether removing the concept of extraordinary items from consideration. The amendments in Update 2015-01 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendments prospectively. A reporting entity may also apply the amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Partnership will adopt the requirements of Update 2015-01 upon its effective date of January 1, 2016, and it does not anticipate it having a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or related disclosures.
In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share is More Akin to Debt or to Equity (“Update 2014-16”). Certain classes of shares include features that entitle the holders to preferences and rights (such as conversion rights, redemption rights, voting powers, and liquidation and dividend payment preferences) over the other shareholders. Shares that include embedded derivative features are referred to as hybrid financial instruments, which must be separated from the host contract and accounted for as a derivative if certain criteria are met under Subtopic 815-10. One criterion requires evaluating whether the nature of the host contract is more akin to debt or to equity and whether the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative feature are “clearly and closely related” to the host contract. In making that evaluation, an issuer or investor may consider all terms and features in a hybrid financial instrument including the embedded derivative feature that is being evaluated for separate accounting or may consider all terms and features in the hybrid financial instrument except for the embedded derivative feature that is being evaluated for separate accounting. The use of different methods can result in different accounting outcomes for economically similar hybrid financial instruments. Additionally, there is diversity in practice with respect to the consideration of redemption features in relation to other features when determining whether the nature of a host contract is more akin to debt or to equity. The amendments in Update 2014-16 clarify how current GAAP should be interpreted in evaluating the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share. The effects of initially adopting the amendments in Update 2014-16 should be applied on a modified retrospective basis to existing hybrid financial instruments issued in the form of a share as of the beginning of the fiscal year for which the amendments are effective. Retrospective application is permitted to all relevant prior periods. The amendments in Update 2014-16 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption, including adoption in an interim period, is permitted. The Partnership will adopt the requirements of Update 2014-16 upon its effective date of January 1, 2016, and is evaluating the impact of the adoption on its financial position, results of operations or related disclosures.
39
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) (“Update 2014-15”). The amendments in Update 2014-15 provide GAAP guidance on the responsibility of an entity’s management in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and about related footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, an entity’s management will be required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date the financial statements are issued. In doing so, the amendments in Update 2014-15 should reduce diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures. The amendments in Update 2014-15 are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership will adopt the requirements of Update 2014-15 upon its effective date of January 1, 2017, and it does not anticipate it having a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or related disclosures.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“Update 2014-09”), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements (and some cost guidance) in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the Accounting Standards Codification. In addition, the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of nonfinancial assets that are not in a contract with a customer (for example, assets within the scope of Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, and intangible assets within the scope of Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other) are amended to be consistent with the guidance on recognition and measurement (including the constraint on revenue) in Update 2014-09. Topic 606 requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve this, an entity should identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies the performance obligations. These requirements are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. The Partnership will adopt the requirements of Update 2014-09 retrospectively upon its effective date of January 1, 2017, and is evaluating the impact of the adoption on its financial position, results of operations or related disclosures.
40
NOTE 3—PARTICIPATION IN REVENUES AND COSTS
Working Interest
The Partnership Agreement establishes that revenues and expenses will be allocated to the MGP and limited partners based on their ratio of capital contributions to total contributions (“working interest”). The MGP is also provided an additional working interest of 7% as provided in the Partnership Agreement. Due to the time necessary to complete drilling operations and accumulate all drilling costs, estimated working interest percentage ownership rates are utilized to allocate revenues and expense until the wells are completely drilled and turned on-line into production. Once the wells are completed, the final working interest ownership of the partners is determined and any previously allocated revenues based on the estimated working interest percentage ownership are adjusted to conform to the final working interest percentage ownership.
The MGP and the limited partners will generally participate in revenues and costs in the following manner:
|
|
Managing |
|
|
|
Limited |
|
Organization and offering cost |
|
100% |
|
|
|
0% |
|
Lease costs |
|
100% |
|
|
|
0% |
|
Revenues (1) |
|
35% |
|
|
|
65% |
|
Operating costs, administrative costs, direct and all other costs (2) |
|
35% |
|
|
|
65% |
|
Intangible drilling costs |
|
.68% |
|
|
|
99.32% |
|
Tangible equipment costs |
|
70.59% |
|
|
|
29.41% |
|
|
(1) |
Subject to the MGP’s subordination obligation, substantially all partnership revenues will be shared in the same percentage as capital contributions are to the total partnership capital contributions, except that the MGP will receive an additional 7% of the partnership revenues. |
(2) |
These costs will be charged to the partners in the same ratio as the related production revenues are credited. |
NOTE 4—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The following is a summary of natural gas and oil properties at the dates indicated:
|
December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Proved properties: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leasehold interests |
$ |
716,500 |
|
|
$ |
716,500 |
|
Wells and related equipment |
|
35,903,400 |
|
|
|
34,933,200 |
|
Total natural gas and oil properties |
|
36,619,900 |
|
|
|
35,649,700 |
|
Accumulated depletion and impairment |
|
(34,821,000 |
) |
|
|
(33,217,700 |
) |
Gas and oil properties, net |
$ |
1,798,900 |
|
|
$ |
2,432,000 |
|
The Partnership recorded depletion expense on natural gas and oil properties of $143,200 and $308,100 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Upon the sale or retirement of a complete or partial unit of a proved property, the cost is eliminated from the property accounts, and the resultant gain or loss is reclassified to accumulated depletion. Upon the sale of an entire interest where the property had been assessed for impairment, a gain or loss is recognized in the statement of operations.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Partnership recognized a $1,460,100 of impairment related to gas and oil properties on its balance sheet. This impairment related to the carrying amount of these gas and oil properties being in excess of the Partnership’s estimate of the fair value at December 31, 2014. The estimate of fair value of these gas and oil properties was impacted by among other factors, the deterioration of natural gas and oil prices at the date of measurement. There was no impairment of gas and oil properties recognized for the year ended December 31, 2013.
41
NOTE 5—ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The Partnership recognizes an estimated liability for the plugging and abandonment of its gas and oil wells and related facilities. It also recognizes a liability for future asset retirement obligations if a reasonable estimate of the fair value of that liability can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. The estimated liability is based on the MGP’s historical experience in plugging and abandoning wells, estimated remaining lives of those wells based on reserve estimates, external estimates as to the cost to plug and abandon the wells in the future and federal and state regulatory requirements. The liability is discounted using an assumed credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. Revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in cost estimates, remaining lives of the wells or if federal or state regulators enact new plugging and abandonment requirements. The Partnership has no assets legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligations. Except for the Partnership’s gas and oil properties, the Partnership determined that there were no other material retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets.
The MGP’s historical practice and continued intention is to retain distributions from the limited partners as the wells within the Partnership near the end of their useful life. On a partnership-by-partnership basis, the MGP assesses its right to withhold amounts related to plugging and abandonment costs based on several factors including commodity price trends, the natural decline in the production of the wells and current and future costs. Generally, the MGP’s intention is to retain distributions from the limited partners as the fair value of the future cash flows of the limited partners’ interest approaches the fair value of the future plugging and abandonment cost. Upon the MGP’s decision to retain all future distributions to the limited partners of the Partnership, the MGP will assume the related asset retirement obligations of the limited partners. As of December 31, 2014, the MGP withheld $18,500 of net production revenue for future plugging and abandonment costs.
A reconciliation of the Partnership’s liability for well plugging and abandonment costs for the periods indicated is as follows:
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Asset retirement obligations, beginning of period |
$ |
2,036,400 |
|
|
$ |
2,101,900 |
|
Asset retirement obligation revision |
|
971,300 |
|
|
|
(179,800 |
) |
Asset retirement obligations settled |
|
(100 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Accretion of asset retirement obligation |
|
120,900 |
|
|
|
114,300 |
|
Asset retirement obligations, end of period |
$ |
3,128,500 |
|
|
$ |
2,036,400 |
|
NOTE 6—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The MGP, on behalf of the Partnership, uses a number of different derivative instruments, principally swaps, collars and options, in connection with the Partnership’s commodity price risk management activities. Management uses financial instruments to hedge forecasted commodity sales against the variability in expected future cash flows attributable to changes in market prices. Swap instruments are contractual agreements between counterparties to exchange obligations of money as the underlying commodities are sold. Under commodity-based swap agreements, the Partnership receives or pays a fixed price and receives or remits a floating price based on certain indices for the relevant contract period. To manage the risk of regional commodity price differences, the Partnership occasionally enters into basis swaps. Basis swaps are contractual arrangements that guarantee a price differential for a commodity from a specified delivery point price and the comparable national exchange price. For natural gas basis swaps, which have negative differentials to NYMEX, the Partnership receives or pays a payment from the counterparty if the price differentials to NYMEX is greater or less than the stated terms of the contract. Commodity-based put option instruments are contractual agreements that require the payment of a premium and grant the purchaser of the put option the right, but not the obligation, to receive the difference between a fixed, or strike price, and a floating price based on certain indices for the relevant contract period, if the floating price is lower than the fixed price. The put option instrument sets a floor price for commodity sales being hedged. Costless collars are a combination of a purchased put option and a sold call option, in which the premiums net to zero. The costless collar eliminates the initial cost of the purchased put, but places a ceiling price for commodity sales being hedged.
42
The MGP formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and the items being hedged, including its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedging transactions. This includes matching the commodity derivative contracts to the forecasted transactions. The MGP assesses, both at the inception of the derivative and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative was effective in offsetting changes in the forecasted cash flow of the hedged item. If the MGP determines that a derivative is not effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be an effective hedge due to the loss of adequate correlation between the hedging instrument and the underlying item being hedged, the MGP will discontinue hedge accounting for the derivative and subsequent changes in the derivative fair value, which are determined by management of the MGP through the utilization of market data, will be recognized immediately within gain (loss) on mark-to-market derivatives in the Partnership’s statements of operations. For derivatives qualifying as hedges, the Partnership recognizes the effective portion of changes in fair value of derivative instruments as accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassifies the portion relating to the Partnership’s commodity derivatives to gas and oil production revenues within the Partnership’s statements of operations as the underlying transactions are settled. For non-qualifying derivatives and for the ineffective portion of qualifying derivatives, the Partnership recognizes changes in fair value within gain (loss) on mark-to-market derivatives in the Partnership’s statements of operations as they occur.
The Partnership enters into derivative contracts with various financial institutions, utilizing master contracts based upon the standards set by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. These contracts allow for rights of offset at the time of settlement of the derivatives. Due to the right of offset, derivatives are recorded on the Partnership’s balance sheets as assets or liabilities at fair value on the basis of the net exposure to each counterparty. Potential credit risk adjustments are also analyzed based upon the net exposure to each counterparty. Premiums paid for purchased options are recorded on the Partnership’s balance sheets as the initial value of the options. The Partnership reflected net derivative assets on its balance sheets of $16,200 and $8,400 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The Partnership enters into commodity future option and collar contracts to achieve more predictable cash flows by hedging its exposure to changes in commodity prices. At any point in time, such contracts may include regulated NYMEX futures and options contracts and non-regulated over-the-counter futures contracts with qualified counterparties. NYMEX contracts are generally settled with offsetting positions, but may be settled by the physical delivery of the commodity. Crude oil contracts are based on a West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) index. NGL fixed price swaps are priced based on a WTI crude oil index. These contracts have qualified and been designated as cash flow hedges and recorded at their fair values.
At December 31, 2014, the Partnership had the following commodity derivatives:
Natural Gas Put Options
Production |
|
|
Volumes |
|
|
Average |
|
|
Fair Value |
|||
2015 |
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
$ |
8,800 |
2016 |
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
|
|
4.15 |
|
|
|
7,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
16,200 |
|
(1) |
“MMBtu” represents million British Thermal Units. |
(2) |
Fair value based on forward NYMEX natural gas prices, as applicable. |
43
Effects of Derivative Instruments on Statements of Operations:
The following table summarizes the gain or loss recognized in the statements of operations for effective derivative instruments for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Gains from cash flow hedges reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into natural gas, oil and liquids revenues |
$ |
6,700 |
|
|
$ |
16,900 |
|
As the underlying prices and terms in the Partnership’s derivative contracts were consistent with the indices used to sell its natural gas and oil, there were no gains or losses recognized during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, for hedge ineffectiveness or as a result of the discontinuance of any cash flow hedges.
Monetized Gains
At December 31, 2013, remaining hedge monetization cash proceeds of $17,400 related to the amounts hedged on behalf of the Partnership’s limited partners were included within accounts receivable monetized gains-affiliate. The Partnership allocated the monetized net proceeds to the limited partners based on the natural gas and oil production generated over the period of the original derivative contracts. There were no amounts for monetized gains remaining due to the Partnership at December 31, 2014.
During June 2012, the MGP used the undistributed monetized funds to purchase natural gas put options on behalf of the limited partners of the Partnership only. A premium (“put premium”) was paid to purchase the contracts and will be allocated to natural gas production revenues generated over the contractual term of the purchased hedging instruments. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the put premiums were recorded as short-term payables to affiliate, of $5,600 and $6,300, respectively and long-term payables to affiliate of $6,500 and $12,600, respectively.
The following table summarizes the gross and net fair values of the Partnership’s balances on the Partnership’s balance sheets for the periods indicated:
Offsetting Assets |
|
Gross |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Net Amount of Assets |
|
|||
As of December 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable monetized gains-affiliate |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Total |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
As of December 31, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Accounts receivable monetized gains-affiliate |
|
$ |
17,400 |
|
|
$ |
(6,300 |
) |
|
$ |
11,100 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
17,400 |
|
|
|
(6,300 |
) |
|
|
11,100 |
|
Offsetting Liabilities |
|
Gross |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Net Amount of |
|
|||
As of December 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Put premiums payable-affiliate |
|
$ |
(5,600 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(5,600 |
) |
Long-term put premiums payable-affiliate |
|
|
(6,500 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(6,500 |
) |
Total |
|
$ |
(12,100 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(12,100 |
) |
As of December 31, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Put premiums payable-affiliate |
|
$ |
(6,300 |
) |
|
$ |
6,300 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Long-term put premiums payable-affiliate |
|
|
(12,600 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(12,600 |
) |
Total |
|
$ |
(18,900 |
) |
|
$ |
6,300 |
|
|
$ |
(12,600 |
) |
44
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
As a result of the put options, the Partnership recorded a net deferred gain on its balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive income of $4,100 as of December 31, 2014. During the current year, $3,700 of net losses were recorded by the Partnership and allocated only to the limited partners. Of the remaining $4,100 of net unrealized income in accumulated other comprehensive income, the Partnership will reclassify $3,200 of net gains to the Partnership’s statements of operations over the next twelve month period and the remaining $900 of gains in later periods.
NOTE 7—FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Partnership has established a hierarchy to measure its financial instruments at fair value, which requires it to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs represent market data obtained from independent sources, whereas unobservable inputs reflect the Partnership’s own market assumptions, which are used if observable inputs are not reasonably available without undue cost and effort. The hierarchy defines three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1–Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets and liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2–Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset and liability or can be corroborated with observable market data for substantially the entire contractual term of the asset or liability.
Level 3–Unobservable inputs that reflect the entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in the pricing of the asset or liability and are consequently not based on market activity but rather through particular valuation techniques.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The carrying values of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their respective fair values due to the short-term maturities of such financial instruments. The Partnership uses a market approach fair value methodology to value the assets and liabilities for its outstanding derivative contracts (See Note 6). The Partnership manages and reports the derivative assets and liabilities on the basis of its net exposure to market risks and credit risks by counterparty. The Partnership’s commodity derivative contracts are valued based on observable market data related to the change in price of the underlying commodity and are therefore defined as Level 2 assets and liabilities within the same class of nature and risk. The fair values of these derivative instruments are calculated by utilizing commodity indices, quoted prices for futures and options contracts traded on open markets that coincide with the underlying commodity, expiration period, strike price (if applicable) and the pricing formula utilized in the derivative instrument.
Information for assets and liabilities measured at fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:
As of December 31, 2014 |
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
||||
Derivative assets, gross |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity puts |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
16,200 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
16,200 |
|
Derivative liabilities, gross |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity puts |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total derivative, fair value, net |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
16,200 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
16,200 |
|
As of December 31, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Derivative assets, gross |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity puts |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
8,400 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
8,400 |
|
Derivative liabilities, gross |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity puts |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total derivative, fair value, net |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
8,400 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
8,400 |
|
45
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
The Partnership’s other current assets and liabilities on its balance sheets are considered to be financial instruments. The estimated fair values of these instruments approximate their carrying amounts due to their short-term nature and thus are categorized as Level 1.
The Partnership estimates the fair value of its asset retirement obligations based on discounted cash flow projections using numerous estimates, assumptions and judgments regarding factors at the date of establishment of an asset retirement obligation such as: amounts and timing of settlements, the credit-adjusted risk-free rate of the Partnership and estimated inflation rates (See Note 5). Adjustments to retirement obligations, defined as Level 3, measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis was $971,300, for the year ended December 31, 2014. There were no adjustments to retirement obligations, defined as Level 3, measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The Partnership estimates the fair value of its long-lived assets in conjunction with the review of assets for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, using estimates, assumptions, and judgments regarding such events or circumstances. There was no impairment for the year ended December 31, 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Partnership recognized a $1,460,100 impairment of long-lived assets which was defined as a level 3 fair value measurement (See Note 2: Impairment of Long Lived Assets).
NOTE 8—CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Partnership has entered into the following significant transactions with the MGP and its affiliates as provided under its Partnership Agreement. Administrative costs, which are included in general and administrative expenses in the Partnership’s statements of operations, are payable at $75 per well per month. Monthly well supervision fees which are included in general and administrative expenses in the Partnership’s statements of operations are payable at $313 per well per month for operating and maintaining the wells. Well supervision fees are proportionately reduced to the extent the Partnership does not acquire 100% of the working interest in a well. Transportation fees are included in production expenses in the Partnership’s statements of operations and are generally payable at 13% of the natural gas sales price. Direct costs, which are included in production and general administrative expenses in the Partnership’s statements of operations, are payable to the MGP and its affiliates as reimbursement for all costs expended on the Partnership’s behalf.
The following table provides information with respect to these costs and the periods incurred:
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Administrative fees |
$ |
83,900 |
|
|
$ |
87,300 |
|
Supervision fees |
|
346,000 |
|
|
|
360,300 |
|
Transportation fees |
|
92,600 |
|
|
|
125,200 |
|
Direct Costs |
|
276,000 |
|
|
|
290,000 |
|
Total |
$ |
798,500 |
|
|
$ |
862,800 |
|
The MGP and its affiliates perform all administrative and management functions for the Partnership, including billing revenues and paying expenses. Accounts receivable trade-affiliate on the Partnership’s balance sheets includes the net production revenues due from the MGP. Payable to limited partners on the Partnership’s balance sheets at December 31, 2013 includes $120,400, related to a refund of state income tax withholdings, payable to limited partners only.
46
NOTE 9—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
General Commitments
Subject to certain conditions, investor partners may present their interests for purchase by the MGP. The purchase price is calculated by the MGP in accordance with the terms of the partnership agreement. The MGP is not obligated to purchase more than 5% of the total outstanding units in any calendar year. In the event that the MGP is unable to obtain the necessary funds, it may suspend its purchase obligation.
Beginning one year after each of the Partnership’s wells has been placed into production, the MGP, as operator, may retain $200 per month per well to cover estimated future plugging and abandonment costs. As of December 31, 2014, the MGP withheld $18,500 of net production revenue for future plugging and abandonment costs.
Legal Proceedings
The Partnership is a party to various routine legal proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of its business. Management believes that none of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s financial condition or results of operations.
Affiliates of the MGP and their subsidiaries are party to various routine legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of their respective businesses. The MGP’s management believes that none of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the MGP’s financial condition or results of operations.
NOTE 10—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management has considered for disclosure any material subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.
NOTE 11—SUPPLEMENTAL GAS AND OIL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
Gas and Oil Reserve Information. The preparation of the Partnership’s natural gas and oil reserve estimates was completed in accordance with our MGP’s prescribed internal control procedures by its reserve engineers. The accompanying reserve information included below is attributable to the reserves of the Partnership and was derived from the reserve reports prepared for Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P. annual Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (See Note 2). For the periods presented, Wright & Company, Inc., an independent third-party reserve engineer, was retained to prepare a report of proved reserves related to the Partnership. The reserve information for the Partnership includes natural gas and oil reserves which are all located in the United States. The independent reserves engineer’s evaluation was based on more than 38 years of experience in the estimation of and evaluation of petroleum reserves, specified economic parameters, operating conditions, and government regulations. The MGP’s internal control procedures include verification of input data delivered to its third-party reserve specialist, as well as a multi-functional management review. The preparation of reserve estimates was overseen by our MGP’s Senior Reserve Engineer, who is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and has more than 16 years of natural gas and oil industry experience. The reserve estimates were reviewed and approved by the MGP’s Senior Engineering Staff and management, with final approval by the MGP’s Chief Operating Officer.
The reserve disclosures that follow reflect estimates of proved developed reserves net of royalty interests, of natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids owned at year end. Proved developed reserves are those reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well. In accordance with the prevailing accounting literature, the proved reserves quantities and future net cash flows as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were estimated using an unweighted 12-month average pricing based on the prices on the first day of each month during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, including adjustments related to regional price differentials and energy content.
47
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proven reserves and in projecting future net revenues and the timing of development expenditures. The reserve data presented represents estimates only and should not be construed as being exact. In addition, the standardized measures of discounted future net cash flows may not represent the fair market value of gas and oil reserves included within the Partnership or the present value of future cash flows of equivalent reserves, due to anticipated future changes in gas and oil prices and in production and development costs and other factors, for their effects have not been proved.
Reserve quantity information and a reconciliation of changes in proved reserve quantities included within the Partnership are as follows (unaudited):
|
Gas (Mcf) |
|
|
Oil (Bbls) |
|
|
|
|
|||
Balance, December 31, 2012 |
|
625,100 |
|
|
|
3,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
Revisions(1) |
|
1,170,100 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
|
|
Production |
|
(242,400 |
) |
|
|
(1,100 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2013 |
|
1,552,800 |
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Revisions (2) |
|
(208,000 |
) |
|
|
1,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
Production |
|
(212,900 |
) |
|
|
(1,300 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2014 |
|
1,131,900 |
|
|
|
2,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The upward revision in natural gas and oil forecast is primarily due to an increase in SEC base pricing from the prior year resulting in longer economic life. |
(2) |
The downward revision in natural gas forecasts is primarily due to forecast adjustments in order to reflect actual production. The upward revision in oil forecasts is primarily due to forecast adjustments in order to better reflect actual production |
Capitalized Costs Related to Gas and Oil Producing Activities. The components of capitalized costs related to gas and oil producing activities of the Partnership during the periods indicated were as follows:
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Natural gas and oil properties: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leasehold interest |
$ |
716,500 |
|
|
$ |
716,500 |
|
Wells and related equipment |
|
35,903,400 |
|
|
|
34,933,200 |
|
Accumulated depletion, accretion and impairment |
|
(34,821,000 |
) |
|
|
(33,217,700 |
) |
Net capitalized costs |
$ |
1,798,900 |
|
|
$ |
2,432,000 |
|
Results of Operations from Gas and Oil Producing Activities. The results of operations related to the Partnership’s gas and oil producing activities during the periods indicated were as follows:
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Revenues |
$ |
877,100 |
|
|
$ |
1,045,400 |
|
Production costs |
|
(664,100 |
) |
|
|
(714,100 |
) |
Depletion |
|
(143,200 |
) |
|
|
(308,100 |
) |
Impairment |
|
(1,460,100 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
(1,390,300 |
) |
|
$ |
23,200 |
|
48
Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Cash Flows. The following schedule presents the standardized measure of estimated discounted future net cash flows relating to the Partnership’s proved gas and oil reserves. The estimated future production was priced at a twelve-month average for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, adjusted only for regional price differentials and energy content. The resulting estimated future cash inflows were reduced by estimated future costs to produce the proved reserves based on year-end cost levels and includes the effect on cash flows of settlement of asset retirement obligations on gas and oil properties. The future net cash flows were reduced to present value amounts by applying a 10% discount factor. The standardized measure of future cash flows was prepared using the prevailing economic conditions existing at the dates presented and such conditions continually change. Accordingly, such information should not serve as a basis in making any judgment on the potential value of recoverable reserves or in estimating future results of operations:
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Future cash inflows |
$ |
4,240,000 |
|
|
$ |
6,253,400 |
|
Future production costs |
|
(3,063,600 |
) |
|
|
(4,245,300 |
) |
Future net cash flows |
|
1,176,400 |
|
|
|
2,008,100 |
|
Less 10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows |
|
(333,100 |
) |
|
|
(662,400 |
) |
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows |
$ |
843,300 |
|
|
$ |
1,345,700 |
|
ITEM 9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Securities Exchange Act of 1934 reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our general partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Under the supervision of our general partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and with the participation of our disclosure committee appointed by such officers, we have carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our general partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The management of our general partner is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our general partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based upon criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework (COSO framework).
An effective internal control system, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and circumvention or overriding of controls and therefore can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to reliable financial reporting. Furthermore, effectiveness of an internal control system in future periods cannot be guaranteed because the design of any system of internal controls is based in part upon assumptions about the likelihood of future events. There can be no assurance that any control design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time certain controls may become inadequate because of changes in business conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies and procedures may deteriorate. As such, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
49
Based on our evaluation under the COSO framework, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2014. This annual report does not include an attestation report by our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting because such a report is not required pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART III
ITEM 10: DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Our general partner manages our activities. Unitholders do not directly or indirectly participate in our management or operation or have actual or apparent authority to enter into contracts on our behalf or to otherwise bind us.
Officers and Key Operations Employees of Our General Partner
The following table sets forth information with respect to those persons who serve as the officers of and on the board of directors of, our general partner:
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position(s) |
|
Sean P. McGrath |
|
|
43 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Matthew A. Jones |
|
|
53 |
|
Senior Vice President and President of ARP |
Freddie M. Kotek |
|
|
59 |
|
Senior Vice President of Investment Partnership Division |
Sean P. McGrath has served as Chief Financial Officer of our general partner since February 2012. Mr. McGrath served as Chief Financial Officer of Atlas Energy’s general partner from February 2011 until February 2015. Mr. McGrath was Chief Accounting Officer of Atlas Energy, Inc. and Chief Accounting Officer of Atlas Energy Resources, LLC from December 2008 until February 2011. Mr. McGrath served as Chief Accounting Officer of Atlas Energy GP, LLC from January 2006 until November 2009 and as Chief Accounting Officer of Atlas Pipeline Partners GP, LLC from May 2005 until November 2009. Mr. McGrath was Controller of Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (a publicly-traded partnership that transports, terminals and stores refined products and crude oil) from 2002 until 2005. Mr. McGrath is a Certified Public Accountant.
Matthew A. Jones has served as our general partner’s Senior Vice President and President of ARP since February 2015. Before that, he was President and Director of our general partner from March 2012 until February 2015, and as Chief Operating Officer from March 2012 until October 2013. Mr. Jones served as a Senior Vice President of Atlas Energy’s general partner and President and Chief Operating Officer of the exploration and production division of Atlas Energy’s general partner from February 2011 until February 2015. Mr. Jones was Chief Financial Officer of Atlas Energy, Inc. from March 2005 until February 2011 and Executive Vice President of Atlas Energy, Inc. from October 2009 until February 2011. Mr. Jones was Chief Financial Officer of Atlas Energy Resources, LLC and Atlas Energy Management, Inc. from June 2006 until February 2011. Mr. Jones served as Chief Financial Officer of Atlas Energy GP, LLC from January 2006 until September 2009 and served as a member of the Board of Directors of Atlas Energy GP, LLC from February 2006 to February 2011. Mr. Jones served as Chief Financial Officer of Atlas Pipeline Partners GP, LLC from March 2005 to September 2009. From 1996 to 2005, Mr. Jones worked in the Investment Banking Group at Friedman Billings Ramsey, concluding as Managing Director, and in its Energy Investment Banking Group from 1999 to 2005. Mr. Jones is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr. Jones brings extensive financial and operational knowledge to our company and to the board of directors of our general partner, derived from his long background of service to our predecessors.
Freddie M. Kotek has served as Senior Vice President of Investment Partnership Division of our general partner since March 2012. Mr. Kotek served as Senior Vice President of the Investment Partnership Division of Atlas Energy’s general partner from February 2011 until February 2015. Mr. Kotek was an Executive Vice President of Atlas Energy, Inc. from February 2004 until February 2011 and served as a director from September 2001 until February 2004. Mr. Kotek also was Chief Financial Officer of Atlas Energy, Inc. from February 2004 until March 2005. Mr. Kotek has been Chairman of Atlas Resources, LLC since September 2001 and Chief Executive Officer and President since January 2002. Mr. Kotek was a Senior Vice President of Resource America, Inc. from 1995 until May 2004 and President of Resource Leasing, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Resource America, Inc.) from 1995 until May 2004.
50
Key Operations Employees
Mark D. Schumacher has served as Chief Operating Officer of our general partner since October 2013 and served as Executive Vice President of our general partner from July 2012 to October 2013. From August 2008 to July 2012, Mr. Schumacher served as President of Titan Operating, LLC, which we acquired in July 2012. From November 2006 until August 2008, Mr. Schumacher served as President of Titan Resources, LLC, which built an acreage position in the Barnett Shale that it sold to XTO Energy in October 2008. From February 2005 to November 2006, Mr. Schumacher served as the Team Lead of EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. where he was responsible for Encana’s Barnett Shale development. Mr. Schumacher was an engineer with Union Pacific Resources from 1984 to 2000. Mr. Schumacher has over 29 years of experience in drilling, production and reservoir engineering management, operations and business development in East Texas, Austin Chalk, Barnett Shale, Mid-Continent, the Rockies, the Gulf of Mexico, Latin America and Canada.
Dave Leopold has served as Senior Vice President of Operations of our general partner since December 2013 and served as Regional Vice President of Operations from March 2013 to December 2013. From March 2008 to February 2013, Mr. Leopold was the Operations Manager for Chesapeake Energy in Fort Worth, Texas where he led the Barnett Shale operations team to become the second largest producer in the play. From August 2000 to September 2006, Mr. Leopold held various management positions at Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, most recently serving as Production Engineering Manager over the Austin Chalk, Bossier Shale and what is now known as the Eagle Ford Shale. From 1991 to 2000, Mr. Leopold held various engineering and management roles with Union Pacific Resources in Fort Worth, Texas. From 1987 to 1991, he held drilling and reservoir engineering roles with Plains Petroleum Operating Company in Kansas and Colorado.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Because the Partnership does not directly employ any persons, the MGP has determined that the partnership will rely on a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer of our general partner, as well as to persons performing services for us generally. We will make a printed copy of our code of ethics available to any limited partner who so requests. Requests for print copies may be directed to us as follows: Atlas Resource Partners, L.P., Park Place Corporate Center One, 1000 Commerce Drive, 4th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15275-1011, Attention: Secretary. The code of business conduct is also posted, and any waivers we grant thereunder will be posted, on our website at www.atlasresourcepartners.com.
ITEM 11: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Introduction
We do not directly employ any persons to manage or operate our businesses. Instead, all of the persons (including executive officers of our general partner and other personnel) necessary for the management of our business are employed and compensated by Atlas Energy. Pursuant to our partnership agreement, our general partner manages our operations and activities through its and its affiliates’ employees (including employees of Atlas Energy and its general partner). No officer or director of our MGP receives any direct remuneration or other compensation from us. (See “Item 13: Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” for a discussion of compensation paid by us to our MGP).
51
ITEM 12: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
As of December 31, 2014, we had 1,106.75 units outstanding. Mr. Jack Hollander, an officer of our MGP owns .58 units, which equals a partnership interest of .034%. Mr. Freddie Kotek, an officer of our MGP, owns 1.00 units, which equals .059%. Although, subject to certain conditions, investor partners may present their units to us for purchase, the MGP is not obligated by the Partnership Agreement to purchase more than 5% of our total outstanding units in any calendar year. The MGP is owned 100% by Atlas Resource Partners, whose ultimate parent was Atlas Energy at December 31, 2014.
ITEM 13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Our Relationship with Atlas Resource, LLC
Gas and Oil Revenues. Our MGP is allocated 35% of our gas and oil revenues in return for its payment and/or contribution of services towards our syndication and offering costs equal to 15% of our subscriptions, its payment of 70.59% of the tangible costs and .68% of intangible costs of drilling and completing our wells and its contributions to us of all of our gas and oil leases for a total capital contribution of $11,674,600. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, our MGP received $75,800 and $117,200, respectively, for our net production revenues.
Administrative costs, which are included in general and administrative expenses in the Partnership’s statements of operations, are payable at $75 per well per month. Monthly well supervision fees which are included in general and administrative expenses in the Partnership’s statements of operations are payable at $313 per well per month for operating and maintaining the wells. Well supervision fees are proportionately reduced to the extent the Partnership does not acquire 100% of working interest in a well. Transportation fees are included in production expenses in the Partnership’s statements of operations and are generally payable at 13% of the natural gas sales price. Direct costs, which are included in production and general administrative expenses in the Partnership’s statements of operations, are payable to the MGP and its affiliates as reimbursement for all costs expended on the Partnership’s behalf.
The following table provides information with respect to these costs and the periods incurred:
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Administrative fees |
$ |
83,900 |
|
|
$ |
87,300 |
|
Supervision fees |
|
346,000 |
|
|
|
360,300 |
|
Transportation fees |
|
92,600 |
|
|
|
125,200 |
|
Direct Costs |
|
276,000 |
|
|
|
290,000 |
|
Total |
$ |
798,500 |
|
|
$ |
862,800 |
|
Other Compensation. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, our MGP did not advance any funds to us, nor did it provide us with any equipment, supplies or other services.
ITEM 14: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the accounting fees and services charged by Grant Thornton, LLP, our independent auditors, were as follows:
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|||||
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
||
Audit fees |
$ |
33,200 |
|
|
$ |
33,700 |
|
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The audit committee of our general partner, on at least an annual basis, will review audit and non-audit services performed by Grant Thornton LLP as well as the fees charged by Grant Thornton LLP for such services. Our policy is that all audit and non-audit services must be pre-approved by the audit committee. All of such services and fees were pre-approved during 2014 and 2013.
52
PART IV
ITEM 15: EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
Description |
|
Location |
4(a) |
|
Certificate of Limited Partnership for Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P. |
|
Previously filed in our Form S-1 on June 30, 2004 |
4(b) |
|
Amended and Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership for Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P. |
|
Previously filed in our Form S-1 on June 30, 2004 |
4(c) |
|
Drilling and Operating Agreement for Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P. (1) |
|
Previously filed in our Form S-1 on June 30, 2004 |
23.1 |
|
Consent of Wright & Company, Inc. |
|
|
31.1 |
|
Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d) – 14 (a) Certification |
|
|
31.2 |
|
Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d) – 14 (a) Certification. |
|
|
32.1 |
|
Section 1350 Certification. |
|
|
32.2 |
|
Section 1350 Certification. |
|
|
99.1 |
|
Summary Reserve Report |
|
|
101 |
|
Interactive Data File |
|
|
|
(1) |
Filed on October 18, 2006 in the Form S-1 Registration Statement dated October 18, 2006, File No. 333-138068 |
53
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
ATLAS RESOURCES PARTNERS L.P. |
|
|
|
BY: ATLAS RESOURCE PARTNERS GP, LLC, ITS GENERAL PARTNER |
|
|
|
ATLAS ENERGY L.P. |
|
Date: March 31, 2015 |
|
By: |
/s/ FREDDIE M. KOTEK |
|
|
|
Freddie M. Kotek, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following person on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date: March 31, 2015 |
|
By: |
/s/ SEAN P. MCGRATH |
|
|
|
Sean P. McGrath, Chief Financial Officer |
54
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS
Wright & Company, Inc. hereby consents to the use of our analysis relating to the evaluation titled Evaluation of Oil and Gas Reserves To the Interests of Certain Partnerships Managed by Atlas Resource Partners, L.P., Pursuant to the Requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Effective January 1, 2015, Job 15.1688-A, dated March 11, 2015, for use in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to all references to Wright & Company, Inc., as having prepared such analysis and as an expert concerning such analysis.
|
|
Wright & Company, Inc. TX Reg. No. F-12302
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ D. Randall Wright |
|
|
|
D. Randall Wright |
|
|
|
President |
Wright & Company, Inc.
Brentwood, Tennessee
March 11, 2015
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Freddie M. Kotek, certify that:
1. |
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 of Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P.; |
2. |
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. |
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. |
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
(a) |
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
(b) |
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
(c) |
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
(d) |
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. |
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
(a) |
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
(b) |
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
/s/ FREDDIE M. KOTEK |
Freddie M. Kotek |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner |
March 31, 2015 |
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Sean P. McGrath, certify that:
1. |
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 of Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P.; |
2. |
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. |
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. |
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
(a) |
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
(b) |
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
(c) |
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
(d) |
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. |
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
(a) |
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
(b) |
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
/s/ SEAN P. MCGRATH |
Sean P. McGrath |
Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner |
March 31, 2015 |
EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P. (the “Partnership”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Freddie M. Kotek, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) |
The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and |
(2) |
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership. |
/s/ FREDDIE M. KOTEK |
Freddie M. Kotek |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner |
March 31, 2015 |
EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Atlas America Series 25-2004 (A) L.P. (the “Partnership”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Sean P. McGrath, Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) |
The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
(2) |
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership. |
/s/ SEAN P. MCGRATH |
Sean P. McGrath |
Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner |
March 31, 2015 |
Exhibit 99.1
March 11, 2015
Atlas Resource Partners, L.P. 1845 Walnut Street, 10th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attention: Mr. Matthew A. Jones
SUBJECT:Evaluation of Oil and Gas Reserves
To the Interests of Certain Partnerships
Managed by Atlas Resource Partners, L.P.
Pursuant to the Requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission
Effective January 1, 2015
Job 15.1688-A
At the request of Atlas Resource Partners, L.P. (Atlas), a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Energy, L.P. (Atlas Energy), Wright & Company, Inc. (Wright) has performed an evaluation to estimate proved reserves and associated cash flow and economics from certain properties that are a part of various Atlas Partnerships (Partnerships). This evaluation was authorized by Mr. Mark Schumacher of Atlas, the Managing General Partner of the Partnerships. Projections of the reserves and cash flow to the evaluated interests were based on specified economic parameters, operating conditions, and government regulations considered applicable at the effective date. This reserves evaluation is pursuant to the financial reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as specified in Regulation S-X, Rule 4-10(a) and Regulation S-K, Rule 1202(a)(8). It is the understanding of Wright that the purpose of this evaluation is for inclusion in relevant registration statements or other filings to the SEC for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. The effective date of this report is January 1, 2015. This report was completed March 11, 2015. The attached Exhibit A contains a list of the various Partnerships and provides a summary of the results of this report.
The properties evaluated in this report are located in the states of Colorado, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia. According to Atlas, the total proved reserves included in this report represent 100 percent of the reported total proved reserves of each Partnership.
Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas which can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations. As specified by the SEC regulations, when calculating economic producibility, the base product price must be the 12-month average price, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the prior 12-month period. The benchmark base prices used for this evaluation were $94.99 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate oil at Cushing, Oklahoma, and $4.350 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) for natural gas at Henry Hub, Louisiana. Atlas has various gas purchase agreements throughout many regions, and these benchmark base prices were adjusted for energy content, quality, and basis differential, as
Mr. Matthew A. Jones
Atlas Resource Partners, L.P.
March 11, 2015
Page 2
appropriate based on those specific agreements or contracts. The NGL product price was calculated to be approximately 46.50 percent of the base oil price. The resultant average adjusted product prices for each Partnership can be found in the attached Exhibit A. The base product prices were held constant for the life of the properties.
Oil and other liquid hydrocarbon volumes are expressed in thousands of United States (U.S.) barrels (Mbbl), one barrel equaling 42 U.S. gallons. Gas volumes are expressed in millions of standard cubic feet (MMcf) at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and at the legal pressure base that prevails in the state in which the reserves are located. No adjustment of the individual gas volumes to a common pressure base has been made.
Net income to the evaluated interests is the cash flow after consideration of royalty revenue payable to others, standard state and county taxes or fees, operating expenses, and investments, as applicable. The cash flow is before federal income tax (BTAX) and excludes consideration of any encumbrances against the properties if such exist. The Cash Flow (BTAX) was discounted monthly at an annual rate of 10.0 percent in accordance with the reporting requirements of the SEC.
The estimates of reserves contained in this report were determined by accepted industry methods, and the procedures used in this evaluation are appropriate for the purpose served by the report. Where sufficient production history and other data were available, reserves for producing properties were determined by extrapolation of historical production or sales trends. Analogy to similar producing properties was used for development projects and for those properties that lacked sufficient production history to yield a definitive estimate of reserves. When appropriate, Wright may have also utilized volumetric calculations and log correlations in the determination of estimated ultimate recovery (EUR). These calculations are often based upon limited log and/or core analysis data and incomplete formation fluid and rock data. Since these limited data must frequently be extrapolated over an assumed drainage area, subsequent production performance trends or material balance calculations may cause the need for significant revisions to the estimates of reserves. Wright used all methods and procedures it considered necessary under the circumstances to prepare this report.
Oil and gas reserves were evaluated for the proved developed producing (PDP), proved developed nonproducing (PDNP), proved developed nonproducing shut-in (PDNP-SI), and proved developed nonproducing temporarily abandoned (PDNP-TA) reserves categories. The summary classification of total proved reserves combines all of the above categories. In preparing this evaluation, no attempt has been made to quantify the element of uncertainty associated with any category. Reserves were assigned to each category as warranted. Wright is not aware of any local, state, or federal regulations that would preclude Atlas from continuing to produce from currently active wells or to fully develop those properties included in this report.
There are significant uncertainties inherent in estimating reserves, future rates of production, and the timing and amount of future costs. The estimation of oil and gas reserves must be recognized as a subjective process that cannot be measured in an exact way, and estimates of others might differ materially from those of Wright. The accuracy of any reserves estimate is a function of the quantity and quality of available data and of subjective interpretations and judgments. It should be emphasized that production data subsequent to the date of these estimates or changes in the analogous properties may
Mr. Matthew A. Jones
Atlas Resource Partners, L.P.
March 11, 2015
Page 3
warrant revisions of such estimates. Accordingly, reserves estimates are often different from the quantities of oil and gas that are ultimately recovered.
All data utilized in the preparation of this report were provided by Atlas. No inspection of the properties was made as this was not considered to be within the scope of this evaluation. Wright has not independently verified the accuracy and completeness of information and data furnished by Atlas with respect to ownership interests, oil and gas production or sales, historical costs of operation and development, product prices, or agreements relating to current and future operations and sales of production. Wright requested and received detailed information allowing Wright to check and confirm any calculations provided by Atlas with regard to product pricing, appropriate adjustments, and lease operating expenses. Furthermore, if in the course of Wright’s examination something came to our attention that brought into question the validity or sufficiency of any information or data, Wright did not rely on such information or data until we had satisfactorily resolved our questions relating thereto or independently verified such information or data. In accordance with the requirements of the SEC, all operating costs were held constant for the life of the properties.
In accordance with the instructions of Atlas, abandonment costs net of salvage values were included where appropriate. In some areas, Atlas represented that the cost to abandon the property would be directly offset by the salvage value. Wright has not performed a detailed study of the abandonment costs nor the salvage values and offers no opinion as to Atlas’s calculations and assumptions.
Wright is not aware of any potential environmental liabilities that may exist concerning the properties evaluated. There are no costs included in this evaluation for potential property restoration, liability, or clean up of damages, if any, that may be necessary due to past or future operating practices.
Wright is an independent petroleum consulting firm founded in 1988 and owns no interests in the oil and gas properties covered by this report. No employee, officer, or director of Wright is an employee, officer, or director of Atlas, Atlas Energy, or the Partnerships, nor does Wright or any of its employees have direct financial interest in Atlas, Atlas Energy, or the Partnerships. Neither the employment of nor the compensation received by Wright is contingent upon the values assigned or the opinions rendered regarding the properties covered by this report.
This report is prepared for the information of the Partnerships, their investors, and for the information and assistance of their independent public accountants in connection with their review of and report upon the financial statements of the Partnerships, and for reporting disclosures as required by the SEC. This report is also intended for public disclosure as an exhibit in filings made to the SEC by the Partnerships and Atlas.
Based on data and information provided by Atlas, and the specified economic parameters, operating conditions, and government regulations considered applicable at the effective date, it is Wright’s conclusion that this report provides a fair and accurate representation of the oil and gas reserves to the interests of the Partnerships in those certain properties included in this report.
The professional qualifications of the petroleum consultants responsible for the evaluation of the reserves and economics information presented in this report meet the standards of Reserves
Mr. Matthew A. Jones
Atlas Resource Partners, L.P.
March 11, 2015
Page 4
Estimator as defined in the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information as promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
It has been a pleasure to serve you by preparing this evaluation. All related data will be retained in our files and are available for your review.
|
|
Very truly yours,
Wright & Company, Inc. TX Reg. No. F-12302
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ D. Randall Wright |
|
|
|
D. Randall Wright |
|
|
|
President |
DRW/EKL/ts
1_Letter 14.1586-A(SEC).docx
EXHIBIT A |
||||||||||
Job 15.1688-A |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Partnership |
Total Proved Net Reserves |
Average Resultant Adjusted Product Prices |
Cash Flow (BTAX), M$ |
10.0 Percent Cum. Disc. (BTAX), M$ |
||||||
Oil, Mbbl |
Gas, MMcf |
NGL, Mbbl |
Oil, Mbbl |
Gas, MMcf |
NGL, Mbbl |
|||||
ATLAS AMERICA PUB #12-2003 LTD |
0.224 |
1,147.316 |
0.000 |
90.61 |
3.568 |
0.00 |
1,079.870 |
775.347 |
||
ATLAS AMERICA PUB #14-2004 LTD |
8.454 |
1,809.644 |
0.000 |
90.87 |
3.592 |
0.00 |
2,239.453 |
1,570.899 |
||
ATLAS AMERICA PUB #14-2005 (A) |
23.023 |
3,091.368 |
0.000 |
90.65 |
3.537 |
0.00 |
4,676.078 |
3,054.633 |
||
ATLAS AMERICA PUB #15-2005 (A) |
7.127 |
2,056.377 |
0.000 |
91.59 |
3.577 |
0.00 |
2,860.406 |
1,884.675 |
||
ATLAS AMERICA PUB #15-2006 (B) |
7.898 |
8,481.961 |
0.000 |
91.50 |
3.541 |
0.00 |
11,625.228 |
7,150.653 |
||
ATLAS AMERICA PUB #16-2007 |
46.255 |
9,983.502 |
0.000 |
91.96 |
3.559 |
0.00 |
15,117.325 |
9,286.280 |
||
ATLAS AMERICA PUB. #11-2002 LTD |
4.847 |
868.480 |
0.000 |
90.61 |
3.613 |
0.00 |
753.459 |
588.818 |
||
ATLAS AMERICA PUBLIC 10 LTD |
5.478 |
1,340.853 |
0.000 |
90.61 |
3.742 |
0.00 |
1,466.702 |
1,047.057 |
||
ATLAS AMERICA PUBLIC 9 LTD |
5.523 |
772.482 |
0.000 |
90.61 |
3.792 |
0.00 |
791.245 |
605.277 |
||
ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 25-2004A |
2.895 |
1,131.932 |
0.000 |
90.61 |
3.514 |
0.00 |
1,176.369 |
843.319 |
||
ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 25-2004B |
2.287 |
1,149.862 |
0.000 |
91.04 |
3.541 |
0.00 |
1,324.203 |
899.115 |
||
ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 26-2005 |
9.840 |
1,254.038 |
0.000 |
90.64 |
3.606 |
0.00 |
1,651.379 |
1,186.378 |
||
ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 27-2006 L.P. |
7.018 |
3,026.025 |
0.000 |
91.07 |
3.563 |
0.00 |
3,841.760 |
2,523.788 |
||
ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC #17-2007 (A) |
31.928 |
8,332.247 |
0.000 |
92.11 |
3.518 |
0.00 |
11,720.928 |
7,604.159 |
||
ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC #17-2008 (B) LP |
99.362 |
12,162.898 |
4.547 |
92.25 |
3.509 |
44.17 |
23,673.557 |
13,245.804 |
||
ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC #18-2008 (A) LP |
33.762 |
10,418.272 |
96.377 |
90.70 |
3.604 |
44.17 |
18,336.992 |
10,385.698 |
||
ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC #18-2009 (B) LP |
18.044 |
18,078.732 |
49.337 |
90.64 |
3.428 |
44.17 |
36,373.137 |
17,685.990 |
||
ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC #18-2009 (C) LP |
0.000 |
58,707.039 |
0.000 |
0.00 |
3.426 |
0.00 |
132,739.422 |
58,051.188 |
||
ATLAS RESOURCES SERIES 28 2010 LP |
0.000 |
49,648.730 |
0.000 |
0.00 |
3.644 |
0.00 |
107,729.805 |
47,740.184 |
Professional Qualifications
D. Randall Wright
President
I, D. Randall Wright, am the primary technical person in charge of the estimates of reserves and associated cash flow and economics on behalf of Wright & Company, Inc. (Wright) for the results presented in this report to Atlas Resource Partners, L.P. I have a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University.
I am a qualified Reserves Estimator as set forth in the “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information” promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. This qualification is based on more than 40 years of practical experience in the estimation and evaluation of petroleum reserves with Texaco, Inc., First City National Bank of Houston, Sipes, Williamson & Associates, Inc., Williamson Petroleum Consultants, Inc., and Wright which I founded in 1988.
I am a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas (TBPE #43291), granted in 1978, a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and a member of the Order of the Engineer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ D. Randall Wright |
|
|
|
D. Randall Wright, P.E. |
DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES
Wright & Company, Inc. frequently prepares estimates of oil and gas reserves. Such reserves estimates usually include quantities which are represented as “proved” and, depending upon the data base and/or the desire of the client, may include additional reserves which are classified as “unproved”. The scope of the analyses may also incorporate “contingent resources”. These definitions as presented are an abridged version of the disclosure guidelines as set forth by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 4-10(a) (1)-(32) of Regulation S-X and the Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting, Final Rule dated January 14, 2009 in the Federal Register. The definitions of oil and gas reserves used by Wright & Company, Inc. are briefly set forth below.
RESERVES are estimated remaining quantities of oil and gas and related substances anticipated to be economically producible as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations. In addition, there must exist, or there is a reasonable expectation that there will exist, the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in the production, installed means of delivering oil and gas or related substances to market, and all permits and financing required to implement project.
PROVED OIL AND GAS RESERVES are those quantities of oil and gas, which by analysis of geoscience and engineering data can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward from known reservoirs and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulation. The area of the reservoir considered as proved includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the area identified by drilling and limited by fluid contacts, if any, and adjacent undrilled portions of the reservoir that can, with reasonable certainty, be judged to be continuous with it and to contain economically producible oil or gas on the basis of available geoscience and engineering data.
In the absence of data on fluid contacts, proved quantities in a reservoir are limited by the lowest known hydrocarbons unless geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establish a lower contact with reasonable certainty.
Reserves that can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques are included in the proved classification when both the following occur: (i) successful testing by a pilot in an area of the reservoir with properties no more favorable than in the reservoir as a whole, or the operation of an installed program in the reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or other evidence using reliable technology establishes the reasonable certainty of the engineering analysis on which the project or program is based and, (ii) the project has been approved for development by all necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities.
Existing economic conditions include prices and costs at which the economic producibility of a reservoir is to be determined. The base product price shall be the 12-month average price, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the prior 12-month period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions.
PROVED DEVELOPED OIL AND GAS RESERVES are proved reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well or through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.
PROVED UNDEVELOPED OIL AND GAS RESERVES are proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion. Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibility at greater distances. Undrilled locations can be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless the specific circumstances justify a longer time.
ANALOGOUS RESERVOIRS have similar rock and fluid properties, reservoir conditions and drive mechanisms, but one typically at a more advanced stage of development than the reservoir of interest and this may provide concepts to assist in the interpretation of more limited data and estimation recovery.
REASONABLE CERTAINTY means a higher degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered. A high degree of confidence exists if the quantity is much more likely to be achieved than not and, as changes due to increased availability of geoscience (geological, geophysical, and geomechanical), engineering, and economic data are made to estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) with time, reasonably certain EUR is much more likely to increase or remain constant than to decrease.
RELIABLE TECHNOLOGY is a grouping of one or more technologies (including computerized methods) that have been field tested and have demonstrated to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability in the formation being evaluated or in an analogous formation.
UNPROVED PROBABLE reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves but which, together with proved reserves, are as likely to be recovered as not. Probable reserves estimates also include potential incremental quantities associated with a greater percentage recovery of the hydrocarbons in place than assumed for proved reserves.
UNPROVED POSSIBLE reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves. Portions of the reservoir that do not meet the reasonable certainty criterion may be assigned probable and possible oil and gas reserves based on reservoir fluid properties and pressure gradient interpretations.
Wright & Company, Inc. may separate proved developed reserves into proved developed producing and proved developed non-producing reserves. This is to identify proved developed producing reserves as those to be recovered from actively producing wells. Proved developed nonproducing reserves are those to be recovered from wells or intervals within wells, which are completed but shut-in waiting on equipment or pipeline connections, or wells where a relatively minor expenditure is required for recompletion to another zone.
Supplemental Gas and Oil Information (Unaudited) (Narrative) (Details)
|
12 Months Ended |
---|---|
Dec. 31, 2014
|
|
Natural Gas and Oil Producing Activities [Abstract] | |
Present value of discount factor | 10.00% |
KW0R3
MS=KGYZ?@1S-X1J92QT]:Y%]$PR'94"97@+U2#TYZE[LI6$S.5M_Z`GS5*.<%
M/=3VFSI^YJ*L+%1[!@&YN%;Y\PTW#!(*-E'J,9BJ`0!^D12N,R`A],G_'T5N
MJPQ/YM%L$4\2D*,]-_96.$N,V,%8)7\%4>*@>I/TQ60"]"_OTRA=SI+9_-\N
M)!#Y`&^HI9NU5D<$30-[FI:Z%DQ6X-Q%%CCZ6/\6*N`YDVOGDN$%1A"%@?(\
M;J;I?$T>(:?L1;,]UR1CQ:Y3N%(`7L\(D0\97\]ZA^+$#L6ESK%MPP1X]VSI
MR;ZO*&:]9$0"&1J2N&Q-H)O>)G*+0#<`2):+WC]`!LVTI]X-)D8$TS'!VSL[
M<88AO#[T:7JZ<]#,?=&2Z00NEC':;BB8Q,MD(!B102?_?V[,O/U@)NY%D)XO,!AU$906\?-X$;N5F<
M/%EXM7
A=4N.XVH=.28'J-'CB]F8_EU;TC(CUL*]4"3(N40;4/I
M5;3O1T#$1@>R=.N/WB_,\QA0C,9YYKH+94R+(!(!-RMOWQ"X>CZC>K.FQ^%%
MZ+\5'&GH$];O:.RCLHG,CMHZC7[0+)V%G?0:&-5S])]V#-\=R5,\L5FB]^+@
M;4^E<:^T:23U>.]WJJ5U-WIJ7.I=A"/:0UCMABWLT0%7NVV*F*P]EV7R&BR4
MYBB_C-4K]3YMMCJO+