10-K 1 ser26-10k_20141231.htm 10-K

 

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: 000-51945

 

ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 26-2005 L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

20-2879859

(State or other jurisdiction or
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

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 26-2005 L.P.

INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT

ON FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

PART I

 

Item 1:

Business

6

 

 

 

Item 2:

 

Properties

18

 

 

 

Item 3:

 

Legal Proceedings

20

 

 

 

Item 4:

 

Mine Safety Disclosures (Not Applicable)

20

 

PART II

 

 

Item 5:

 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Unitholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

21

 

 

 

Item 7:

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

21

 

 

 

Item 8:

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

29

 

 

 

Item 9:

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

49

 

 

 

Item 9A:

 

Controls and Procedures

49

 

PART III

 

 

Item 10:

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

50

 

 

 

Item 11:

 

Executive Compensation

51

 

 

 

Item 12:

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Unitholder Matters

51

 

 

 

Item 13:

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

52

 

 

 

Item 14:

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

52

 

PART IV

 

 

Item 15:

 

Exhibits

53

 

SIGNATURES

54

 

 

 

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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”.


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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.

 

 

 

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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.

 

ITEM  1: BUSINESS

Overview

Atlas America Series 26-2005 L.P. (“we, “us” or the “Partnership”) is a Delaware limited partnership and was formed on May 26, 2005 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 $34,886,500, 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 $14,342,000. We have drilled 144 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”).

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).


6


 

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 $318 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 $23,000 of net production revenue for this purpose.

Gas and Oil Production

Production Volumes

The following table presents our total net natural gas and oil production volumes for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

  

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

2014

 

  

2013

 

Production:(1)

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Natural gas (Mcf)

 

241,533

  

  

 

274,605

  

Oil (Bbl)

 

2,162

  

  

 

1,805

  

Total (Mcfe)

 

254,505

  

  

 

285,435

  

 

(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 and oil 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 and oil 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

$

903

 

 

$

1,067

 

Oil revenue

 

181

 

 

 

170

 

Total revenues

$

1,084

 

 

$

1,237

 

 

Average sales price: (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas (per Mcf) (2)

$

3.80

 

 

$

4.18

 

Oil (per Bbl)

$

83.78

 

 

$

94.40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production costs (per Mcfe)

$

2.65

 

 

$

2.47

 

 

(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 $16,300 and $79,800 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Drilling Activity

We received total cash subscriptions from investors of $34,886,500, 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 $14,342,000. We have drilled 144 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

 

140

 

 

 

130.53

 

Dry hole

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

Total wells drilled

 

144

 

 

 

134.53

 

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.


8


 

 

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, Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC and Interstate Gas accounted for approximately 53%, 14%, and 11%, 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.

 

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.

 


9


 

 

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;

 

·

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;


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·

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.

 


11


 

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.


12


 

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.

 


13


 

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 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.

 


14


 

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.


15


 

 

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.


16


 

 

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.

 


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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.

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.

 

ITEM  2: PROPERTIES

Natural Gas and Oil Reserves

The following tables summarize information regarding our estimated proved natural gas and oil reserves as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Proved reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas, 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 and oil reserves and future net revenues of natural gas and oil 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 and oil 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 and oil 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

 

Reserve estimates are imprecise and may change as additional information becomes available. Furthermore, estimates of natural gas and oil 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 and oil 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.


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The preparation of our natural gas and oil 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.

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 and oil 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 and oil properties. Standardized measure values are based upon projected cash inflows, which do not provide for changes in natural gas and oil 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)

 

1,254,000

 

 

 

1,751,900

 

Oil reserves (Bbl)

 

9,800

 

 

 

12,500

 

Total proved developed reserves (Mcfe)

 

1,312,800

 

 

 

1,826,900

 

Standardized measure of discounted future cash flows (1)

$

1,186,400

 

 

$

1,882,500

 

Standardized measure of discounted future cash flows per Limited Partner Unit (2)

$

541

 

 

$

859

 

Undiscounted future cash flows per Limited Partner Unit

$

753

 

 

$

1,315

 

 

(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.


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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

 

140

  

  

 

130.53

  

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

 

2,727.40

  

  

 

2,595.38

  

Tennessee

 

920.00

  

  

 

841.25

  

Total

 

3,647.40

  

  

 

3,436.63

  

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.

 

ITEM  3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

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)

 


20


 

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.

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 591 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

$

262,800

 

 

$

315,100

 

Managing General Partner

 

131,500

 

 

 

135,000

 

Total distributions

$

394,300

 

 

$

450,100

 

 

 

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.


21


 

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Atlas America Series 26-2005 L.P. (“we”, “us” or the “Partnership”) is a Delaware limited partnership and formed on May 26, 2005 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.

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 $23,000 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.


22


 

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.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, Chevron Natural Gas, Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC and Interstate Gas accounted for approximately 53%, 14% and 11%, respectively, of our total natural gas and oil production revenues, with no other single customer accounting for more than 10% of revenues for this period.

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 and 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 by third parties in the development of new natural gas and oil 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.


23


 

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

$

903

 

 

$

1,067

 

Oil

 

181

 

 

 

170

 

Total

$

1,084

 

 

$

1,237

 

 

Production volumes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas (mcf/day)

 

662

 

 

 

752

 

Oil (bbls/day)

 

6

 

 

 

5

 

Total (mcfe/day)

 

698

 

 

 

782

 

 

Average sales price: (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas (per mcf) (2)

$

3.80

 

 

$

4.18

 

Oil (per bbl)

$

83.78

 

 

$

94.40

 

 

Production costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a percent of revenues

 

62

%

 

 

57

%

Per mcfe

$

2.65

 

 

$

2.47

 

Depletion per mcfe

$

1.05

 

 

$

1.62

 

 

(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 $16,300 and $79,800 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Natural Gas Revenues. Our natural gas revenues were $902,600 and $1,066,800 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, a decrease of $164,200 (15%). The $164,200 decrease in natural gas revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the prior year was attributable to a $128,500 decrease in production volumes and a $35,700 decrease in natural gas prices after the effect of financial hedges, which were driven by market conditions. Our production volumes decreased to 662 mcf per day for the year ended December 31, 2014 from 752 mcf per day for the year ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of 90 (12%) mcf per day. The price we received 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 $181,100 and $170,400 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an increase of $10,700 (6%). The $10,700 increase in oil revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the prior year was attributable to a $33,700 increase in production volumes, partially offset by an $23,000 decrease in oil prices after the effect of financial hedges. Our production volumes increased to 6 bbls per day for the year ended December 31, 2014 from 5 bbls per day for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of 1 bbl per day (20%).

Costs and Expenses. Production expenses were $675,500 and $705,400 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, a decrease of $29,900 (4%). This decrease was primarily due to a combination of a decrease in water disposal charges and lower supervision fees. The lower disposal costs were due to decreases in negotiated rates along with a decrease in the amount of water produced.


24


 

Depletion of our oil and gas properties as a percentage of oil and gas revenues was 25% and 37% for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This change was primarily attributable to changes in oil and gas reserve quantities and to a lesser extent revenues, product prices and production volumes and changes in the depletable cost basis of oil and gas properties.

General and administrative expenses were $131,000 and $145,100 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, a decrease of $14,100 (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 $1,941,700. 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 $99,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $350,600 as compared to $449,600 the year ended December 31, 2013. This decrease was due to a decrease in net earnings before depletion, non-cash loss on derivative value, impairment, and accretion of $172,700, a decrease in the change in accrued liabilities of $6,700, a decrease in the change in payables to limited partners of $177,400, a decrease in the asset retirement receivable- affiliate of $23,000, partially offset by a $253,000 increase in the change in accounts receivable trade-affiliate and a $27,800 increase in asset retirement obligations settled, for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.

Cash provided by investing activities was $10,400 during the year ended December 31, 2013 resulting from the sale of tangible equipment.

Cash used in financing activities decreased $55,800 to $394,300 for the year ended December 31, 2014, from $450,100 for the year ended December 31, 2013. This decrease was due to a decrease in cash distributions to partners.

Our MGP may withhold funds for future plugging and abandonment costs. Through December 31, 2014, our MGP has withheld $23,000 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 $1,941,700 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.


25


 

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.

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 $1,941,700 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.


26


 

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.

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 and oil 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 and oil 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 and oil prices, revenues, development expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable natural gas and oil 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 and oil 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.


27


 

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 26-2005 L.P.

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Atlas America Series 26-2005 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 26-2005 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 26-2005 L.P.

BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31,

 

 

2014

 

  

2013

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

-

  

  

$

43,700

  

Accounts receivable trade–affiliate

 

150,600

  

  

 

319,600

  

Asset retirement receivable-affiliate

 

23,000

 

 

 

-

 

Accounts receivable monetized gains-affiliate

 

-

  

  

 

11,000

  

Current portion of derivative assets

 

9,400

  

  

 

1,300

  

Total current assets

 

183,000

  

  

 

375,600

  

 

Gas and oil properties, net

 

1,932,800

  

  

 

3,478,500

  

Long-term derivative assets

 

7,900

  

  

 

6,900

  

 

$

2,123,700

  

  

$

3,861,000

  

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Accrued liabilities

$

8,000

  

  

$

7,900

  

Payable to limited partners

 

-

 

 

 

88,700

 

Current portion of put premiums payable-affiliate

 

6,000

 

 

 

-

 

Total current liabilities

 

14,000

  

  

 

96,600

  

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

2,848,700

  

  

 

2,063,900

  

Long-term put premiums payable-affiliate

 

6,900

  

  

 

12,300

  

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

  

  

 

 

  

 

Partners’ capital:

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Managing general partner’s interest

 

96,100

  

  

 

978,800

  

Limited partners’ interest (1,400 units)

 

(846,400

)

  

 

718,800

  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

4,400

 

  

 

(9,400

)

Total partners’ capital

 

(745,900

)

  

 

1,688,200

  

 

$

2,123,700

  

  

$

3,861,000

  

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

30


 

ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 26-2005 L.P.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

 

 

2014

 

  

2013

 

REVENUES

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Natural gas and oil

$

1,083,700

 

  

$

1,237,200

  

Total revenues

 

1,083,700

 

  

 

1,237,200

  

 

COST AND EXPENSES

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Production

 

675,500

 

  

 

705,400

  

Depletion

 

266,600

 

  

 

462,800

  

Impairment

 

1,941,700

 

 

 

-

 

Accretion of asset retirement obligation

 

122,500

 

  

 

116,100

  

General and administrative

 

131,000

 

  

 

145,100

  

Total costs and expenses

 

3,137,300

 

  

 

1,429,400

  

Net loss

$

(2,053,600

)

  

$

(192,200

)  

 

Allocation of net loss:

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Managing general partner

$

(751,200

)

  

$

(8,100

)  

Limited partners

$

(1,302,400

)

  

$

(184,100

)  

Net loss per limited partnership unit

$

(930

)

  

$

(132

)

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

31


 

 

ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 26-2005 L.P.

STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

 

 

2014

 

  

2013

 

Net loss

$

(2,053,600

)

  

$

(192,200

)  

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gain (loss) on cash flow hedging contracts

 

4,400

 

  

 

(10,400

)  

Difference in estimated hedge gains receivable

 

16,300

 

  

 

29,000

 

Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net loss from cash flow hedges

 

(6,900

)

  

 

(10,900

)  

Total other comprehensive income

 

13,800

 

  

 

7,700

  

Comprehensive loss

$

(2,039,800)

 

  

$

(184,500

)

See accompanying notes to financial statements. )

 

 

 

32


 

 

ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 26-2005 L.P.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

 

 

Managing
General
Partner

 

 

Limited
Partners

 

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income

 

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

$

1,121,900

    

 

$

1,218,000

    

 

$

(17,100

)

 

$

2,322,800

    

 

Participation in revenue and costs and expenses:

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net production revenues

  

194,800

    

 

  

337,000

    

 

  

-

    

 

  

531,800

    

Depletion

  

(108,600

)  

 

  

(354,200

)  

 

  

-

    

 

  

(462,800

)

Accretion of asset retirement obligation

  

(41,900

)  

 

  

(74,200

)  

 

  

-

    

 

  

(116,100

)  

General and administrative

  

(52,400

)

 

  

(92,700

)  

 

  

-

    

 

  

(145,100

)

Net loss

  

(8,100

)  

 

  

(184,100

)  

 

  

-

    

 

  

(192,200

)  

 

Other comprehensive income

  

-

    

 

  

-

    

 

  

7,700

    

 

  

7,700

    

 

Distributions to partners

  

(135,000

)

 

  

(315,100

)

 

  

-

    

 

  

(450,100

)

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

$

978,800

 

 

$

718,800

 

 

$

(9,400

)

 

$

1,688,200

    

 

Participation in revenue and costs and expenses:

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

Net production revenues

  

149,200

 

 

  

259,000

 

 

  

-

    

 

  

408,200

 

Depletion

  

(99,800

)

 

  

(166,800

)

 

  

-

    

 

  

(266,600

)

Impairment

 

(709,000

)

 

 

(1,232,700

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,941,700

)

Accretion of asset retirement obligation

  

(44,300

)

 

  

(78,200

)

 

  

-

    

 

  

(122,500

)

General and administrative

  

(47,300

)

 

  

(83,700

)

 

  

-

    

 

  

(131,000

)

Net loss

  

(751,200

)

 

  

(1,302,400

)

 

  

-

    

 

  

(2,053,600

)

 

Other comprehensive income

  

-

    

 

  

-

    

 

  

13,800

    

 

  

13,800

    

 

Distributions to partners

  

(131,500

)

 

  

(262,800

)

 

  

-

    

 

  

(394,300

)

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

$

96,100

    

 

$

(846,400

)    

 

$

4,400

 

  

$

(745,900

)    

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

33


 

 

ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 26-2005 L.P.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

 

 

2014

 

  

2013

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

  

  

  

    

  

  

  

Net loss

$

(2,053,600

)

    

$

(192,200

)    

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

  

 

 

    

  

 

  

Depletion

  

266,600

 

    

  

462,800

    

Non-cash loss on derivative value

  

16,300

 

    

  

79,500

    

Impairment

 

1,941,700

 

 

 

-

 

Accretion of asset retirement obligation

  

122,500

 

    

  

116,100

    

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

  

 

 

    

  

 

  

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable-affiliate

  

169,000

 

    

  

(84,000

)    

Increase in accrued liabilities

  

100

 

    

 

6,800

 

(Decrease) increase in payable to limited partner

 

(88,700

)

 

 

88,700

 

Asset retirement receivable-affiliate

 

(23,000

)

 

 

-

 

Asset retirement obligation liabilities settled

 

(300

)

 

 

(28,100

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

  

350,600

    

    

  

449,600

    

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

  

 

 

    

  

 

  

Proceeds from sale of tangible equipment

  

-

 

    

  

10,400

    

Net cash provided by investing activities

  

-

 

    

  

10,400

    

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

  

 

 

    

  

 

  

Distributions to partners

  

(394,300

)

    

  

(450,100

)    

Net cash used in financing activities

  

(394,300

)

    

  

(450,100

)    

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

  

(43,700

)    

    

  

9,900

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  

43,700

    

    

  

33,800

    

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

-

    

    

$

43,700

    

 

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

  

 

  

    

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

    

  

 

  

Asset retirement obligation revision

$

662,600

 

    

$

(158,600

)

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

34


 

 

ATLAS AMERICA SERIES 26-2005 L.P.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

 

NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Atlas America Series 26-2005 L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a Delaware limited partnership, formed on May 26, 2005 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.

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.


36


 

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 $1,941,700 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 $88,700 in accounts receivable-affiliate from the refund of state income tax withholdings. This amount is payable to 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 and crude oil under contracts to various purchasers in the normal course of business. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Partnership had three customers that individually accounted for approximately 53%, 14% and 11%, of the Partnership’s natural gas and oil combined revenues, excluding the impact of all financial derivative activity. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Partnership had two customers that individually accounted for approximately 56% and 12%, of the Partnership’s natural gas and oil combined revenues, excluding the impact of all financial derivative activity.

Revenue Recognition

The Partnership generally sells natural gas and crude oil 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 and crude oil, 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, 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 $129,200 and $166,000, 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.

 


39


 

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.

 

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
General
Partner

 

Limited
Partners

Organization and offering cost

100%

 

0%

Lease costs

100%

 

0%

Revenues (1)

36%

 

64%

Operating costs, administrative costs, direct and all other costs (2)

36%

 

64%

Intangible drilling costs

3%

 

97%

Tangible equipment costs

68%

 

32%

 

(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 4PROPERTY, 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

$

1,102,500

 

  

$

1,102,500

  

Wells and related equipment

 

44,270,700

 

  

 

43,608,100

  

Total natural gas and oil properties

 

45,373,200

 

  

 

44,710,600

  

Accumulated depletion and impairment

 

(43,440,400

)

  

 

(41,232,100

)

Gas and oil properties, net

$

1,932,800

 

  

$

3,478,500

 

 

The Partnership recorded depletion expense on natural gas and oil properties of $266,600 and $462,800 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.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Partnership recognized $1,941,700, of impairment related to gas and oil properties on its balance sheet. This impairment relates to the carrying amount of these oil and gas properties being in excess of the Partnership’s estimate of their fair value at December 31, 2014. The estimate of fair value of these oil and gas 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.

 


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 $23,000 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

$

2,063,900

 

  

$

2,134,500

  

Asset retirement obligation settled

 

(300

)

 

 

(28,100

)

Accretion of asset retirement obligation

 

122,500

 

  

 

116,100

  

Asset retirement obligation revision

 

662,600

 

  

 

(158,600

)

Asset retirement obligations, end of period

$

2,848,700

 

  

$

2,063,900

  

 

 

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 differential 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 $17,300 and $8,200 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
Period Ending
December 31,

 

 

Volumes
(MMBtu)(1)

 

 

Average
Fixed Price
(per MMBtu)(1)

 

 

Fair Value
Asset (2)

2015

 

 

 

9,000

 

 

$

4.00

 

 

$

9,400

2016

 

 

 

9,000

 

 

 

4.15

 

 

 

7,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

17,300

 

(1)

“MMBtu” represents million British Thermal Units.

(2)

Fair value based on forward NYMEX natural gas prices, as applicable.

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 and oil revenues

$

6,900

  

  

$

10,900

  

 


43


 

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 $17,200 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 $6,000 and $6,200 respectively, and long-term payables to affiliate of $6,900 and $12,300, 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
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets

 

 

Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Balance Sheets

 

 

Net Amount of Assets
Presented in the
Balance Sheets

 

As of December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable monetized gains-affiliate

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

Total

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

As of December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable monetized gains-affiliate

 

$

17,200

 

 

$

(6,200

)

 

$

11,000

 

Total

 

$

17,200

 

 

$

(6,200

)

 

$

11,000

 

 

Offsetting Liabilities

 

Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities

 

 

Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Balance Sheets

 

 

Net Amount of
Liabilities Presented
in the Balance Sheets

 

As of December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put premiums payable-affiliate

 

$

(6,000

)

 

$

-

 

 

$

(6,000

)

Long-term put premiums payable-affiliate

 

 

(6,900

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(6,900

)

Total

 

 

(12,900

)

 

$

-

 

 

$

(12,900

)

 

As of December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put premiums payable-affiliate

 

$

(6,200

)

 

$

6,200

 

 

$

-

 

Long-term put premiums payable-affiliate

 

 

(12,300

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(12,300

)

Total

 

$

(18,500

)

 

$

6,200

 

 

$

(12,300

)

 


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 $4,400 as of December 31, 2014. During the current year, $4,800 of net losses were recorded by the Partnership and allocated only to the limited partners. Of the remaining $4,400 of net unrealized gain in accumulated other comprehensive income, the Partnership will reclassify $3,400 of net gains to the Partnership’s statements of operations over the next twelve month period and the remaining gains of $1,000 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

  

$

-

 

 

 

17,300

 

 

 

-

 

 

$

17,300

  

Derivative liabilities, gross

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity puts

  

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

  

Total derivative, fair value, net

  

$

-

 

 

 

17,300

 

 

 

-

 

 

$

17,300

  

 

As of December 31, 2013

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

Derivative assets, gross

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Commodity puts

  

$

-

  

  

$

8,200

  

  

$

-

  

  

$

8,200

  

Derivative liabilities, gross

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Commodity puts

  

 

-

  

  

 

-

  

  

 

-

  

  

 

-

  

Total derivative, fair value, net

  

$

-

  

  

$

8,200

  

  

$

-

  

  

$

8,200

  

 


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 $662,600, 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. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Partnership recognized a $1,941,700 impairment of long-lived assets which was defined as a Level 3 fair value measurement (See Note 2: Impairment of Long-Lived Assets). No impairment was recognized for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

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 $318 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

$

80,700

  

  

$

84,100

  

Supervision fees

 

337,100

  

  

 

351,200

  

Transportation fees

 

121,700

  

  

 

154,900

  

Direct Costs

 

267,000

  

  

 

260,300

  

Total

$

806,500

  

  

$

850,500

  

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 $88,700 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 $23,000 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 26-2005 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

 

1,002,500

 

  

 

12,300

 

Revisions(1)

 

1,024,000

 

  

 

2,000

 

Production

 

(274,600

)

  

 

(1,800

)

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

 

1,751,900

 

  

 

12,500

 

Revisions (2)

 

(256,400

)

  

 

(500

)

Production

 

(241,500

)

  

 

(2,200

)

 

Balance, December 31, 2014

 

1,254,000

 

  

 

9,800

 

 

(1)

The upward revision in natural gas and oil forecasts 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 downward 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

$

1,102,500

  

  

$

1,102,500

  

Wells and related equipment

 

44,270,700

  

  

 

43,608,100

  

Accumulated depletion, accretion and impairment

 

(43,440,400

)

  

 

(41,232,100

)

Net capitalized costs

$

1,932,800

  

  

$

3,478,500

  

 

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

$

1,083,700

 

  

$

1,237,200

  

Production costs

 

(675,500

)

  

 

(705,400

)

Depletion

 

(266,600

)

  

 

(462,800

)

Impairment

 

(1,941,700

)

 

 

-

 

 

$

(1,800,100

)

  

$

69,000

 

 


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

$

5,413,300

 

  

$

7,870,100

  

Future production costs

 

(3,761,900

)

  

 

(4,986,800

)

Future net cash flows

 

1,651,400

 

  

 

2,883,300

  

Less 10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows

 

(465,000

)

  

 

(1,000,800

)

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

$

1,186,400

 

  

$

1,882,500

  

 

 

ITEM  9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

ITEM 9A:

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

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).


49


 

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.

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.


50


 

 

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.

 

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).

 

ITEM  12: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

As of December 31, 2014, we had 1,400 units outstanding. No officer or director of our MGP owns any units. 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.


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ITEM  13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Our Relationship with Atlas Resource, LLC

Gas and Oil Revenues. Our MGP is allocated 36.13% of our gas and oil revenues in return for its payment and/or contribution of services towards our syndication and offering costs equal to 14% of our subscriptions, its payment of 68.18% of the tangible costs and 2.9% 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 $14,342,000. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, our MGP received $149,200 and $194,800, 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 $318 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

$

80,700

  

  

$

84,100

  

Supervision fees

 

337,100

  

  

 

351,200

  

Transportation fees

 

121,700

  

  

 

154,900

  

Direct Costs

 

267,000

  

  

 

260,300

  

Total

$

806,500

  

  

$

850,500

  

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.

 

 


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PART IV

 

ITEM  15: EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

Description

Location

 

 

 

4(a)

Certificate of Limited Partnership for Atlas America Series 26-2005 L.P.

Previously filed in our Form S-1 on August 9, 2005

 

 

 

4(b)

Amended and Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership for

Previously filed in our Form S-1 on August 9, 2005

 

Atlas America Series 26-2005 L.P. (1)

 

 

 

 

4(c)

Drilling and Operating Agreement for Atlas America Series 26-2005 L.P. (1)

Previously filed in our Form S-1 on August 9, 2005

 

 

 

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 April 28, 2006 in the Form S-1 Registration Statement dated April 28, 2006, File No. 0-51945

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

 

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