Whiting USA Trust II Announces Trust Quarterly Distribution

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Whiting USA Trust II WHZ announced the first Trust distribution in 2015, which relates to net profits generated during the fourth quarterly payment period of 2014.

Unitholders of record on February 19, 2015 will receive a distribution of $0.327255 per unit, which is payable on or before March 2, 2015.

Volumes, average sales prices and net profits for the quarterly payment period were:

Sales volumes:
Oil (Bbl)(1)					289,980
Natural gas (Mcf)					501,484
Total (BOE)					373,561
Average sales prices:
Oil (per Bbl)(1)				$	64.65
Natural gas (per Mcf)(2)				$	4.45
Gross proceeds:
Oil sales(1)				$	18,745,977
Natural gas sales					2,230,670
Total gross proceeds				$	20,976,647
Costs:
Lease operating expenses(3)				$	12,625,597
Production taxes					1,056,725
Development costs					1,420,072
Cash settlements on commodity derivatives(4)					(988,530	)
Total costs				$	14,113,864
Net profits				$	6,862,783
Percentage allocable to Trust's Net Profits Interest					90	%
Total cash available for the Trust				$	6,176,505
Provision for estimated Trust expenses					(150,000	)
Montana state income taxes withheld					(5,010	)
Net cash proceeds available for distribution				$	6,021,495
Trust units outstanding					18,400,000
Cash distribution per Trust unit				$	0.327255

(1)		Oil includes natural gas liquids.
(2)		The average sales price of natural gas for the gas production months within the distribution period exceeded the average NYMEX gas prices for those same months within the period due to the "liquids rich" content of a portion of the natural gas volumes produced by the underlying properties.
(3)		The Trust's underlying properties experienced increases in lease operating expenses compared to the prior quarter's distribution because the fourth quarterly payment period of 2014 includes $2.8 million in ad valorem taxes. Ad valorem taxes are paid annually, typically in the fourth quarter, and therefore, similar payments were not made during the prior period. This timing of payment for the underlying properties' annual ad valorem tax bills is consistent with when the prior year's tax payments were made.
(4)		All costless collar hedge contracts terminated as of December 31, 2014 (which hedging effects extended through the quarterly payment period covered by the February 2015 distribution to unitholders), and no additional hedges are allowed to be placed on Trust assets. Consequently, for all distributions after the February 2015 distribution, there will be no further cash settlements on commodity hedges, and the Trust will have increased exposure to oil and natural gas price volatility.

The Trust's net profits interest represents the right to receive 90% of the net proceeds from Whiting Petroleum Corporation's interests in certain existing oil and natural gas properties located primarily in the Rocky Mountains, Permian Basin, Gulf Coast and Mid-Continent regions of the United States.

The net profits interest will terminate on the later to occur of (1) December 31, 2021, or (2) the time when 11.79 MMBOE (10.61 MMBOE to the 90% net profits interest) have been produced from the underlying properties and sold, and the Trust will soon thereafter wind up its affairs and terminate, after which it will pay no further distributions. Consequently, the market price of the Trust units will decline to zero around or shortly after the net profits interest termination date, which is currently estimated to be December 31, 2021. As described in the Trust's public filings, since the assets of the Trust are depleting assets, a portion of each cash distribution paid on the Trust units should be considered by investors as a return of capital, with the remainder being considered as a return on investment.

As of December 31, 2014, on a cumulative accrual basis, 4.60 MMBOE (43%) of the Trust's total 10.61 MMBOE have been produced and sold. Based on the Trust's reserve report for the underlying properties as of December 31, 2014, the Trust's 10.61 MMBOE are projected to be produced from the underlying properties prior to December 31, 2021, and the net profits interest would therefore terminate on December 31, 2021. Additionally, the year-end reserve report reflects an expected annualized decline rate of approximately 8.0% between 2015 and 2021. However, cash distributions to unitholders may decline at a faster rate than the rate of production due to fixed and semi-variable costs attributable to the underlying properties, or if expected future development is delayed, reduced or cancelled.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including all statements made in this press release other than statements of historical fact. No assurances can be given that such statements will prove to be correct. The announced distributable amount is based, in part, on the amount of cash received or expected to be received by the Trust from Whiting Petroleum Corporation pursuant to the net profits interest with respect to the relevant quarterly period. Any differences in actual cash receipts by the Trust could affect this distributable amount. Additionally, the estimated time when the market price of the Trust units should decline to zero is based on the economic rights of the Trust units. The trading price of the Trust units is affected by factors outside of the control of the Trust or Whiting, including actions of market participants, among others. Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include expenses of the Trust, fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices, uncertainty of estimates of oil and natural gas reserves and production, the timing of any such production, risks inherent in the operation, production and development of oil and gas properties, and future production and development costs. Statements made in this press release are qualified by the cautionary statements made in this press release. The Trustee does not intend, and assumes no obligation, to update any of the statements included in this press release.