ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
Apache Offshore Investment Partnership, a Delaware general partnership (the Investment Partnership), was formed on October 31, 1983, consisting of Apache Corporation, a Delaware corporation, (Apache or Managing Partner), as Managing Partner and public investors (the Investing Partners). The Investment Partnership invested its entire capital in Apache Offshore Petroleum Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the Operating Partnership), of which Apache is the sole general partner and the Investment Partnership is the sole limited partner. The primary business of the Investment Partnership is to serve as the sole limited partner of the Operating Partnership. The primary business of the Operating Partnership is to conduct oil and gas exploration, development and production operations. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the Investment Partnership.
The Investment Partnership does not maintain its own website. However, copies of this Form 10-K and the Partnership’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) can be found on the Managing Partner’s website at www.apachecorp.com/Offshore_Investment_Partnership. The Investment Partnership will also provide paper copies of these filings, free of charge, to anyone so requesting. Included in the Investment Partnership’s annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q are the certifications of the Managing Partners’ principal executive officer and principal financial officer that are required by applicable laws and regulations. Any requests to the Partnership for copies of documents filed with the SEC should be made by mail to Apache Offshore Investment Partnership, 2000 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77056, Attention: Investor Relations, or by telephone at 1-281-302-2286. The Partnership’s reports filed with the SEC are also made available to read and copy at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. You may obtain information about the Public Reference Room by contacting the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Reports filed with the SEC are also made available on its website at www.sec.gov.
The Investing Partners purchased Units of Partnership Interests (Units) in the Investment Partnership at $150,000 per Unit, with five percent down and the balance in payments as called by the Investment Partnership. As of December 31, 2014, a total of $85,000 had been called for each Unit. In 1989, the Investment Partnership determined that the full $150,000 per Unit was not needed, fixed the total calls at $85,000 per Unit, and released the Investing Partners from liability for future calls. The Investment Partnership invested, and will continue to invest, its entire capital in the Operating Partnership. As used hereafter, the term “Partnership” refers to either the Investment Partnership or the Operating Partnership, as the case may be.
The Partnership’s business is participation in oil and gas exploration, development and production activities on federal lease tracts in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Louisiana and Texas. Except for an additional interest acquired in Matagorda Island Block 681 and 682 in 1992, the Partnership acquired its oil and gas interests through the purchase of 85 percent of the working interests held by Apache as a participant in a venture (the Venture) with Shell Oil Company (Shell) and certain other companies. The Venture acquired substantially all of its oil and gas properties through bidding for leases offered by the federal government, and relied on Shell’s knowledge and expertise in determining bidding strategies and development of the properties. The Partnership owns working interests ranging from 6.29 percent to 7.08 percent in the Venture’s properties.
Offshore exploration differs from onshore exploration in that production from a prospect generally will not commence until a sufficient number of productive wells have been drilled to justify the significant costs associated with construction of a production platform. Exploratory wells usually are drilled from mobile platforms until there are sufficient indications of commercial production to justify construction of a permanent production platform.
Apache, as Managing Partner, manages the Partnership’s business activities. Apache uses a portion of its staff and facilities for this purpose and is reimbursed for actual costs paid on behalf of the Partnership, as well as for general, administrative and overhead costs properly allocable to the Partnership.
2014 Results and Business Development
The Partnership reported net income in 2014 of $0.8 million, or $530 per Investing Partner Unit. Earnings were down $0.2 million, or 16 percent, from 2013 on lower gas production and oil prices. Natural gas production averaged 262 Mcf per day in 2014, down 62 percent from 2013 with declines on most of the Partnership’s properties. The Partnership experienced a 70 percent decline in gas production at North Padre Island 969/976 with seven months of downtime for repairs and a 60 percent drop in production at Ship Shoal 258/259 as a result of downtime for pipeline repairs and natural depletion. Oil production averaged 64 barrels of oil per day in 2014, up two percent from 2013. The Partnership’s average realized gas price increased 32 percent from a year ago to $5.03 per Mcf while oil prices declined seven percent from a year ago. During 2014, the Partnership’s cash outlays for oil and gas property additions were less than $0.1 million as the Partnership did not participate in any new drilling projects and participated in only one recompletion.
Based on preliminary information available to the Partnership, it anticipates capital expenditures will total approximately $0.1 million in 2015 for recompletion activity and approximately $0.3 million for plugging and abandonment costs. Such estimates may change based on realized oil and gas prices, drilling results, rates charged by contractors or changes by the operator to their development or abandonment plans.
Since inception, the Partnership has acquired an interest in 49 prospects. As of December 31, 2014, 45 of those prospects have been surrendered or sold. As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership had 28 productive wells on the Partnership’s four remaining developed fields. The Partnership had, at December 31, 2014, estimated proved oil and gas reserves of 4.3 Bcfe.
For a more in-depth discussion of the Partnership’s 2014 results and its capital resources and liquidity, please see Part II, Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Form 10-K
Marketing
The Partnership is currently marketing its oil and gas production under the joint operating agreements with the operators of its properties. The operator seeks and negotiates oil and gas marketing arrangements with various marketers and purchasers. The objective is to maximize the value of the crude oil or natural gas sold by identifying the best markets and most economical transportation routes available to move the oil or natural gas. These contracts provide for sales that are priced at prevailing market prices. The Partnership’s oil and gas production during 2014 was remitted largely by Fieldwood Energy.
Through the operator, the Partnership’s natural gas is sold primarily to Local Distribution Companies (LDCs), utilities, end-users, and integrated major oil companies. Most of the Partnership’s natural gas is sold on a monthly basis at either monthly or daily market prices. The Partnership’s oil is generally sold under thirty day evergreen contracts that renew automatically until cancelled by either party. The Partnership believes that the sales prices it receives for oil and natural gas sales are market prices.
See Note (5) “Major Customer and Related Parties Information” to the Partnership’s financial statements under Item 8. Because the Partnership’s oil and gas products are commodities and the prices and terms of its sales reflect those of the market, the Partnership does not believe that the loss of any customer would have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s business or results of operations.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The Partnership’s business activities are subject to significant hazards and risks, including those described below. If any of such events should occur, the Partnership’s business, financial condition, liquidity, and/or results of operations could be materially harmed, and holders of the Partnership Units could lose part or all of their investments.
Crude oil and natural gas price volatility, including the recent decline in prices for oil and natural gas, could adversely affect our operating results.
The Partnership’s revenues, operating results and future rate of growth depend highly upon the prices we receive for our crude oil and natural gas production. Historically, the markets for crude oil and natural gas have been volatile and are likely to continue to be volatile in the future. For example, the NYMEX daily settlement price for the prompt month oil contract in 2014 ranged from a high of $107.26 per barrel to a low of $53.27 per barrel. The NYMEX daily settlement price for the prompt month natural gas contract in 2014 ranged from a high of $6.15 per MMBtu to a low of $2.89 per MMBtu. The market prices for crude oil and natural gas depend on factors beyond the Partnership’s control. These factors include demand for crude oil and natural gas, which fluctuates with changes in market and economic conditions, and other factors, including:
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worldwide and domestic supplies of crude oil and natural gas;
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actions taken by foreign oil and gas producing nations;
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political conditions and events (including instability or armed conflict) in crude oil or natural gas producing regions;
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the level of global crude oil and natural gas inventories;
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the price and level of imported foreign crude oil and natural gas;
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the price and availability of alternative fuels, including coal and biofuels;
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the availability of pipeline capacity and infrastructure;
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the availability of crude oil transportation and refining capacity;
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weather conditions;
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electricity generation;
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domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes; and
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the overall economic environment.
Our results of operations as well as the carrying value of our oil and gas properties are substantially dependent upon the prices of oil and natural gas, which have declined significantly since June 2014. Lower crude oil and natural gas prices for an extended period may have the following effects on our business:
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limiting our financial condition, liquidity, and/or ability to fund planned capital expenditures and operations;
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reducing the amount of crude oil and natural gas that we can produce economically;
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causing us to delay or postpone some of our capital projects;
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reducing our revenues, operating income and cash flows; or
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a reduction in the carrying and market value of our crude oil and natural gas properties.
Our ability to sell natural gas or oil and/or receive market prices for our natural gas or oil may be adversely affected by pipeline and gathering system capacity constraints and various transportation interruptions.
A portion of our natural gas and oil production may be interrupted, limited, or shut in, from time to time for numerous reasons, including as a result of weather conditions, accidents, loss of pipeline or gathering system access, field labor issues or strikes, or capital constraints that limit the ability of third parties to construct gathering systems, processing facilities or interstate pipelines to transport our production, or we might voluntarily curtail production in response to market conditions. For example, from July 2010 until mid-2011, the Partnership’s production at South Timbalier 295 was shut-in as a result of a leak in a third-party pipeline, which significantly reduced the Partnership’s revenues, earnings, cash flow from operating activities, and liquidity in 2011 and 2010. Similarly, the Partnership experienced extended downtime in 2014 for platform repairs at North Padre Island 969/976 and pipeline repairs at Ship Shoal 258/259 which reduced current year revenues, earnings and cash flow. If a substantial amount of our production is interrupted at the same time or for an extended period of time, it could adversely affect our cash flow.
Future economic conditions in the U.S. and certain international markets may materially adversely impact the Partnership’s operating results.
Current global market conditions, and uncertainty, including the economic instability in Europe and certain emerging markets, are likely to have significant long-term effects. Global economic growth drives demand for energy from all sources, including fossil fuels. A lower future economic growth rate could result in decreased demand growth for the Partnership’s crude oil and natural gas production as well as lower commodity prices, which would reduce our cash flows from operations and our profitability.
Weather and climate change may have a significant adverse impact on our revenues and productivity.
Demand for oil and natural gas are, to a significant degree, dependent on weather and climate, which impact the price we receive for the commodities we produce. In addition, our exploration and development activities and equipment can be adversely affected by severe weather, such as hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico or freezing temperatures, which may cause a loss of production from temporary cessation of activity or lost or damaged equipment. Our planning for normal climatic variation, insurance programs, and emergency recovery plans may inadequately mitigate the effects of such weather, and not all such effects can be predicted, eliminated, or insured against.
Oil and gas operations involve a high degree of operational risk, particularly risk of personal injury, damage, or loss of equipment, and environmental accidents.
The Partnership’s operations are subject to hazards and risks inherent in the drilling, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas, including:
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well blowouts, explosions, and cratering;
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pipeline or other facility ruptures and spills;
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fires;
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formations with abnormal pressures;
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equipment malfunctions;
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hurricanes which could affect our operations on- and offshore the Gulf Coast, and other natural disasters and weather conditions; and
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surface spillage and water contamination from petroleum constituents, saltwater, or hydraulic fracturing chemical additives
Failure or loss of equipment, as the result of equipment malfunctions, cyber-attacks, or natural disasters such as hurricanes, could result in property damages, personal injury, environmental pollution and other damages for which we could be liable. Litigation arising from a catastrophic occurrence, such as a well blowout, explosion, or fire at a location where our equipment and services are used, or water contamination from hydraulic fracturing chemical additives may result in substantial claims for damages. Ineffective containment of a drilling well blowout, or pipeline rupture or surface spillage and water contamination from petroleum constituents or hydraulic fracturing chemical additives could result in extensive environmental pollution and substantial remediation expenses. If a significant amount of our production is interrupted, our containment efforts prove to be ineffective or litigation arises as the result of a catastrophic occurrence, our cash flows, and, in turn, our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Declining commodity prices may require the Partnership to reduce capital expenditures or distributions to partners, or both, as cash from operating activities decline.
The Partnership did not make any distributions to Investing Partners during 2014 as a result of the Partnership building cash reserves to fund future asset retirement obligations (ARO). The Partnership’s goal is to maintain cash
and cash equivalents in the Partnership at least sufficient to cover its undiscounted future ARO. If oil and natural gas prices remain at or fall below levels at the end of 2014, the Partnership may not be able to make a distribution to Investing Partners during 2015. Declines in cash from operating activities may reduce funds available for capital expenditures.
We are exposed to counterparty credit risk as a result of our receivables.
The Partnership is exposed to risk of financial loss from trade, joint venture and other receivables. The Partnership currently sells its crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs through the properties’ operators under the joint venture operating agreement. Some of the joint venture partners that act as operators or their oil and gas purchasers may experience liquidity problems and may not be able to meet their financial obligations. Nonperformance by a trade creditor or joint venture partner could result in significant financial losses.
Reserves and production will decline materially without discoveries or acquisitions of reserves.
The production rate from oil and gas properties generally declines as reserves are depleted and production from offshore wells tends to decline at a faster rate than onshore wells, while related per-unit production costs generally increase as a result of decreasing reservoir pressures and other factors. Therefore, unless we add reserves through development or exploration drilling, identify and develop additional behind-pipe zones, or acquire additional properties containing proved reserves, our estimated proved reserves will decline materially as reserves are produced. Future oil and gas production is, therefore, highly dependent upon our level of success in acquiring or finding additional reserves on an economic basis. Furthermore, if oil or gas prices increase, our cost for additional reserves could also increase. The Partnership has not and does not plan to engage in future acquisition or exploration activities, therefore, we expect declines in future oil and gas production, which are likely to adversely impact our cash flow and results from operations.
The Partnership may not realize an adequate return on its drilling activities.
Drilling for oil and gas involves numerous risks, including the risk that we will not encounter commercially productive oil or gas reservoirs. The wells we participate in may not be productive and we may not recover all or any portion of our investment in those wells. The costs of drilling, completing, and operating wells are often uncertain, and drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed, or canceled as a result of a variety of factors including, but not limited to:
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unexpected drilling conditions;
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pressure or irregularities in formations;
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equipment failures or accidents;
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fires, explosions, blow-outs and surface cratering;
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marine risks such as capsizing, collisions and hurricanes;
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other adverse weather conditions; and
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increase in cost of, or shortages or delays in the delivery of equipment.
Future drilling activities may not be successful and, if unsuccessful, this failure could have an adverse effect on our future results of operations and financial condition. While all drilling, whether developmental or exploratory, involves these risks, exploratory drilling involves greater risks of dry holes or failure to find commercial quantities of hydrocarbons. The Partnership is not likely to participate in exploratory drilling at this time.
Crude oil and natural gas reserves are estimates, and actual recoveries may vary significantly.
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating crude oil and natural gas reserves and their value. Reservoir engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of crude oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. Because of the high degree of judgment involved, the accuracy of any reserve estimate is inherently imprecise, and a function of the quality of available data and the engineering and
geological interpretation. Our reserves estimates are based on 12-month average prices, except where contractual arrangements exist; therefore, reserve quantities will change when actual prices increase or decrease. In addition, results of drilling, testing, and production may substantially change reserve estimates for a given reservoir over time. The estimates of our proved reserves and estimated future net revenues also depend on a number of factors and assumptions that may vary considerably from actual results, including:
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historical production from the area compared with production from other areas;
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the assumed effects of regulations by governmental agencies;
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future operating costs and capital expenditures; and
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workover and remediation costs.
For these reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable quantities of crude oil and natural gas attributable to any particular group of properties, classifications of those reserves and estimates of the future net cash flows expected from them prepared by different engineers or by the same engineers but at different times may vary substantially. Accordingly, reserves estimates may be subject to upward or downward adjustment, and actual production, revenue and expenditures with respect to our reserves likely will vary, possibly materially, from estimates.
The Partnership may incur significant costs related to environmental matters.
As an owner or lessee of interests in oil and gas properties, the Partnership is subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the discharge of materials into, and protection of, the environment. These laws and regulations may, among other things, impose liability on the lessee under an oil and gas lease for the cost of pollution clean-up and other remediation activities resulting from operations, subject the lessee to liability for pollution and other damages, limit or constrain operations in affected areas, and require suspension or cessation of operations in affected areas. The Partnership’s efforts to limit its exposure to such liability and the operator of the properties ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations may prove inadequate and result in significant adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, it is possible that the increasingly strict requirements imposed by environmental laws and enforcement policies could require us to make significant capital expenditures. Such capital expenditures could adversely impact our cash flows and our financial condition.
Our operations are subject to governmental risks that may impact our operations.
Our operations have been, and at times in the future may be, affected by political developments and by federal, state and local laws and regulations such as restrictions on production, changes in taxes, royalties and other amounts payable to governments or governmental agencies, price or gathering rate controls and environmental protection laws and regulations. New political developments, laws and regulations may adversely impact our results on operations.
Proposed regulations related to emissions and the impact of any changes in climate could adversely impact our business.
While legislation is not currently pending in the United States, there has been discussion regarding legislation or regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG). Any such legislation, if enacted, could tax or assess some form of GHG related fees on the Partnership’s operations and could lead to increased operating expenses. Such legislation, if enacted, could also potentially cause the Partnership to make significant capital investments for infrastructure modifications.
In the event the predictions for rising temperatures and sea levels suggested by reports of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change do transpire, we do not believe those events by themselves are likely to impact the Partnership’s assets or operations. However, any increase in severe weather could have a material adverse effect on our assets and operations.
Proposed federal regulation regarding hydraulic fracturing could increase our operating and capital costs.
Several proposals are before the U.S. Congress that, if implemented, would either prohibit the practice of hydraulic fracturing or subject the process to regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Hydraulic fracturing of wells and subsurface water disposal are also under public and governmental scrutiny due to potential environmental and physical impacts, including possible links to earthquakes. The Partnership may use fracturing techniques to expand the available space for natural gas to migrate toward the well-bore. It is typically done at substantial depths in very tight formations.
Although it is not possible at this time to predict the final outcome of the legislation regarding hydraulic fracturing, any new federal restrictions on hydraulic fracturing that may be imposed in areas in which we conduct business could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions in the U.S.
The enactment of new or stricter laws and regulations and other related developments in the Gulf of Mexico as well as other locations following the Deepwater Horizon incident could adversely affect the Partnership’s business.
In response to the Deepwater Horizon incident in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in April 2010, and as directed by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), issued new guidelines and regulations regarding safety, environmental matters, drilling equipment, and decommissioning applicable to drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. These new regulations have imposed additional requirements with respect to development and production activities in the Gulf of Mexico and have delayed the approval of applications to drill in both deepwater and shallow-water areas.
The enactment of new or stricter regulations in the United States and increased liability for companies operating in this sector could adversely affect the Partnership’s operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
We have limited control over the activities on properties we do not operate.
Other companies operate the properties in which we have an interest. The Partnership has limited ability to influence or control the operation or future development of these non-operated properties or the amount of capital expenditures that we are required to fund with respect to them. Our dependence on the operator and other working interest owners for these projects and our limited ability to influence or control the operation and future development of these properties could materially adversely affect the realization of projected costs and future cash flow.
The Partnership faces significant industry competition.
The Partnership is a very minor participant in the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico area and faces strong competition from much larger producers for the marketing of its oil and gas. The Partnership’s ability to compete for purchasers and favorable marketing terms will depend on the general demand for oil and gas from Gulf of Mexico producers. More particularly, it will depend largely on the efforts of Apache to find the best markets for the sale of the Partnership’s oil and gas production.
Cyber-attacks targeting systems and infrastructure used by the oil and gas industry may adversely impact our operations.
The Partnership’s business has become increasingly dependent on digital technologies to conduct certain exploration, development and production activities. The Partnership, its Managing Partner and joint venture operators depend on digital technology to estimate quantities of oil and gas reserves, process and record financial and operating data, analyze seismic and drilling information, communicate with third party partners, and conduct many of our activities. Unauthorized access to our digital technology could lead to operational disruption, data corruption, or exposure to communication interruption, loss of intellectual property, loss of confidential and fiduciary data, loss or corruption of reserves or other proprietary information. Also, digital technologies control nearly all of the oil and gas distribution and refining systems in the United States, which are necessary to transport and market our production. A cyber-attack directed at oil and gas distribution systems could damage critical distribution and storage assets or the environment, delay or prevent delivery of production to markets and make it difficult or impossible to accurately account for production and settle transactions.
Insurance policies do not cover all of the risks we face, which could result in significant financial exposure.
Exploration for and production of oil and natural gas can be hazardous, involving natural disasters and unforeseen events such as blowouts, cratering, fires and loss of well control, which can result in damage to or destruction of wells or production facilities, injury to persons, loss of life, or damage to property or the environment. The insurance coverage that we maintain against certain losses or liabilities arising from our operations may be inadequate to cover any such resulting liability; moreover, insurance is not available to us against all operational risks.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership did not have any unresolved comments from the staff of the SEC.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Acreage
Acreage is held by the Partnership pursuant to the terms of various leases on federal lease tracts in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Louisiana and Texas. The Partnership does not anticipate any difficulty in retaining any of its leases. A summary of the Partnership’s gross and net acreage as of December 31, 2014, is set forth below:
At December 31, 2014, the Partnership did not have an interest in any undeveloped acreage.
Productive Oil and Gas Wells
The number of productive oil and gas wells in which the Partnership had an interest as of December 31, 2014, is set forth below:
Net Wells Drilled
The following table shows the results of the oil and gas wells drilled and tested for each of the last three fiscal years:
Production, Pricing and Lease Operating Cost Data
The following table provides, for each of the last three fiscal years, oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and gas production for the Partnership, average lease operating costs per Mcfe (including gathering and transportation expense) and average sales prices.
At December 31, 2014, the South Timbalier 295 field contained approximately 89 percent of the Partnership’s proved reserved, expressed on an oil-equivalent-barrels basis.
Estimated Proved Reserves and Future Net Cash Flows
Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of natural gas, crude oil, condensate, and NGLs that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing conditions, operating conditions, and government regulations. Reserve estimates are considered proved if they are economically producible and are supported by either actual production or conclusive formation tests. Estimated reserves that can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques are included in the “proved” classification when successful testing by a pilot project or the operation of an active, improved recovery program using reliable technology establishes the reasonable certainty for the engineering analysis on which the project or program is based. Economically producible means a resource which generates revenue that exceeds, or is reasonably expected to exceed, the costs of the operation. Reasonable certainty means a high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered. Reliable technology is a grouping of one or more technologies (including computational methods) that have been field tested and have been demonstrated to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability in the formation being evaluated or in an analogous formation. Estimated proved developed oil and gas reserves can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.
Proved undeveloped reserves include those reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion. Undeveloped reserves may be classified as proved reserves on undrilled acreage directly offsetting development areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, or where reliable technology provides reasonable certainty of economic producibility. Undrilled locations may be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless specific circumstances justify a longer time period.
As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership had total estimated proved reserves of 424,639 barrels of crude oil and condensate, 77,395 barrels of NGLs and 1.25 Bcf of natural gas. Combined, these total estimated proved reserves are equivalent to 4.3 Bcf of gas. The Partnership has elected not to disclose probable and possible reserves or reserve estimates based upon futures or other prices in this filing.
The following table shows proved oil, NGL and gas reserves as of December 31, 2014, based on commodity average prices in effect on the first day of each month in 2014, held flat for the life of the production, except where future oil and gas sales are covered by physical contract terms.
The Partnership’s estimates of proved reserves and proved developed reserves at December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, changes in estimated proved reserves during the last three years, and estimates of future net cash flows and discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves are contained in Note 10 - Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) in the 2014 Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Estimated future net cash flows were calculated using a discount rate of 10 percent per annum, end of period costs, and average commodity prices in effect on the first day of each the previous 12 months, held flat for the life of the production, except where future oil and gas sales are covered by physical contract terms.
The volumes of reserves are estimates which, by their nature, are subject to revision. The estimates are made using available geological and reservoir data, as well as production performance data. These estimates are reviewed annually and revised, either upward or downward, as warranted by additional performance data.
The Partnership’s estimate of proved oil and gas reserves are prepared by Ryder Scott Company, L.P. Petroleum Consultants (Ryder Scott) utilizing oil and gas price data and cost estimates provided by Apache as Managing Partner. Ryder Scott is an independent petroleum engineering consulting firm that has been providing petroleum consulting services throughout the world for over seventy years. A copy of Ryder Scott’s report on the Shell Offshore Venture, of which the partnership owned 100 percent at December 31, 2014, is filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K.
The primarily technical person responsible for overseeing the preparation of the Partnership’s reserve estimates is Mr. Michael F. Stell, an Advising Senior Vice President with Ryder Scott. Mr. Stell has more than 30 years of industry experience and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. He is also a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers.
At least annually, each property is reviewed in detail by Apache’s centralized and operating region engineers to ensure forecasts of operating expenses, netback prices, production trends and development timing are reasonable. Apache’s engineers furnish this information and estimates of dismantlement and abandonment cost to Ryder Scott for their consideration in preparing the Partnership’s reserve reports. The internal property reviews and collection of data provided to Ryder Scott is overseen by Apache’s Executive Vice President of Corporate Reservoir Engineering.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no material legal proceedings pending to which the Partnership is a party or to which the Partnership’s interests are subject.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
As of December 31, 2014, there were 1,021.5 of the Partnership’s Units outstanding held by 895 Investing Partners of record. The Partnership has no other class of security outstanding or authorized. The Units are not traded on any security market. No distributions were made to Investing Partners during 2014, 2013, or 2012.
As discussed in Item 7, an amendment to the Partnership Agreement in February 1994, created a right of presentment under which all Investing Partners have a limited and voluntary right to offer their Units to the Partnership twice each year to be purchased for cash.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data for the five years ended December 31, 2014, should be read in conjunction with the Partnership’s financial statements and related notes included under Item 8 below of this Form 10-K.
ITEM 7
ITEM 7
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
The Partnership’s business is participation in oil and gas exploration, development and production activities on federal lease tracts in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Louisiana and Texas. The Partnership is a very minor participant in the oil and gas industry and faces strong competition in all aspects of its business. With a relatively small amount of capital invested in the Partnership and management’s decision to avoid incurring debt, the Partnership has not engaged in acquisition or exploration activities in recent years. The Partnership has not carried any debt since January 1997. The limited amount of capital and the Partnership’s modest reserve base, have contributed to the Partnership’s focus on production activities and development of existing leases.
The following discussion should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Form 10-K, and the Risk Factors information set forth in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K.
The Partnership derives its revenue from the production and sale of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs). With only modest levels of production from current wells, the Partnership sells its production at market prices and has not used derivative financial instruments or otherwise engaged in hedging activities. Prices in recent years have remained volatile and this volatility has caused the Partnership’s revenues and resulting cash flow from operating activities to fluctuate widely over the years. .During 2014, the Partnership’s average realized oil price declined seven percent from 2013, a direct result of sharply lower oil prices in the fourth quarter of 2014. The Partnership’s average realized price for natural gas increased 32 percent during 2014 as market prices during the first half of the year improved from 2013. With market prices for oil at the beginning of 2015 at less than half their mid-2014 level, the Partnership can anticipate lower revenues, earnings and cash flow in 2015. At current prices, the Partnership anticipates a loss for 2015 and a negative cash flow from operating activities after plugging cost.
During 2014, the Partnership gas production fell 62 percent from 2013 with declines at Matagorda Island 681/682, Ship Shoal 258/259 and North Padre Island 969/976. Oil production increased two percent from last year as a result of a recompletion at South Timbalier 295 during 2014.
The Partnership participates in development drilling and recompletion activities as recommended by the operators of the properties in which the Partnership owns an interest. During 2014, the Partnership’s had cash outlays for oil and gas property additions of less than $100,000 as the Partnership did not participate in any new drilling projects during 2014, and participated in only one recompletion project during the year.
With the pending abandonment of Matagorda Island 681/682 and significant declines in natural gas production, the Partnership did not make any distributions to the Investing Partners during 2014. The Partnership will continue to review available cash balances, cash requirements for plugging and abandonment activity, oil and gas prices realized by the Partnership for the sale of its production, especially in light of the sharp decline in commodity prices in recent months, and the level of drilling, recompletion and repair activity to determine whether there are sufficient funds to make a distribution to Investing Partners in 2015.
Results of Operations
This section includes a discussion of the Partnership’s results of operations, and items contributing to changes in revenues and expenses during 2014, 2013, and 2012.
Net Income and Revenue
The Partnership reported net income of $0.8 million for 2014 compared to $1.0 million for 2013. Net income per Investing Partner Unit for 2014, of $530 was down from $626 per Unit in 2013. The decline in earnings and net income per Investing Partner Unit from 2013 reflected lower oil prices and gas production in 2014. The Partnership reported earnings of $1.5 million in 2012.
Total revenues in 2014 of $2.9 million decreased 17 percent from 2013 on lower oil prices and gas production. The Partnership’s total revenues in 2013 of $3.6 million decreased 19 percent from 2012 on lower gas prices and production.
Declines in oil and gas production can be expected in future years as a result of normal depletion. Given the small number of producing wells owned by the Partnership, and that production from offshore wells tends to decline at a faster rate than production from onshore wells, the Partnership’s future production will be subject to more volatility than those companies with greater reserves and longer-lived properties. It is not anticipated that the Partnership will acquire any additional exploratory leases or that significant drilling will take place on leases in which the Partnership currently holds interests.
The Partnership’s oil, gas and NGL production volume and price information is summarized in the following table (gas volumes are presented in thousand cubic feet (Mcf) per day):
In June, 2014, North Padre Island 969/976 was taken off production for repairs and to address safety issues raised by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). The operator of the field is currently developing the work scope, drawings and cost estimates to address the repairs and modifications required to restore production, and estimates the work will commence in April 2015. Production will not likely resume until July 2015 or later. The field averaged slightly over 100 Mcf per day net to the Partnership before going off production in 2014 and 144 Mcf per day net to the Partnership in 2013.
During 2014, Ship Shoal 258/259 encountered approximately three months of downtime while a third-party pipeline performed repairs to their pipeline and equipment. The field also experienced significant declines as a result of natural depletion. These events combined to reduced production by approximately 135 Mcf per day from 2013.
In August, 2013, Matagorda Island 681/682 was taken off production as being uneconomical. The field, which had sales of approximately 300 Mcf per day net to the Partnership during 2013, was producing at uneconomic rates despite attempts during the year to increase production. During 2013, Apache performed a workover on the Matagorda Island 681 JA-12 well in an attempt to boost production. While production initially increased, the well did not maintain economic production levels. With production falling below economical levels and limited remaining potential for development, the field was shut-in for future abandonment.
Natural Gas Sales
2014 vs. 2013 Natural gas sales in 2014 decreased 50 percent from a year ago, dropping to $0.5 million on lower production. A 62 percent decrease in natural gas volumes in 2014 from the same period a year ago curtailed sales by $0.8 million. The Partnership’s gas production in 2014 was impacted by the shut-in of Matagorda Island 681/682 as being uneconomical, a 60 percent decline in production at Ship Shoal 258/259 for natural depletion and three months downtime for repairs to a third-party pipeline, and the shut-in of North Padre Island 969/976 in 2014 for ongoing repairs as noted above. The Partnership’s average realized gas prices increased from $3.82 per Mcf in 2013 to $5.03 per Mcf in 2014, increasing sales by $0.3 million.
2013 vs. 2012 The Partnership’s natural gas sales in 2013 which totaled $1.0 million, decreased 23 percent from 2012 on lower production. A 42 percent decrease in natural gas volumes in 2013 from the same period in 2012 curtailed sales by $0.7 million. The Partnership’s gas production in 2013 was impacted by a 66 percent decline in production at Ship Shoal 258/259 and the shut-in of Matagorda Island 681/682 since August 2013 as the field was determined to be uneconomical. The Partnership’s average realized gas prices increased from $2.84 per Mcf in 2012 to $3.82 per Mcf in 2013, increasing sales by $0.4 million.
Crude Oil Sales
2014 vs. 2013 In 2014, the Partnership’s crude oil sales totaled $2.3 million, down five percent from 2013 on lower prices. The Partnership’s average realized oil price in 2014 decreased seven percent from 2013, dropping to $99.78 per barrel in 2014. The Partnership’s crude oil volumes increased to 64 barrels per day from 63 barrels per day during 2013 as a result of a recompletion at South Timbalier 295 in 2014.
2013 vs. 2012 The Partnership’s crude oil sales in 2013 totaled $2.5 million, down 17 percent from 2012. The Partnership’s crude oil volumes decreased to 63 barrels per day from 75 barrels per day during 2012 as a result of declining production at South Timbalier 295 in 2013. The Partnership’s average realized oil price in 2013 decreased one percent from 2012, dropping to $107.69 per barrel in 2013.
NGL Sales
The Partnership sold 8 barrels per day of natural gas liquids in 2014, down from 10 barrels per day in 2013. The decrease reflected lower processed volumes at Ship Shoal 258/259 in 2014. NGL prices in 2014 increased seven percent from 2013, rising to $39.69 per barrel for the year. The Partnership’s natural gas liquids in 2013 were down two barrels per day from the 12 barrels per day sold in 2012. The decrease reflected lower processed volumes at Ship Shoal 258/259 and South Timbalier 295 in 2012.
Since the Partnership does not anticipate acquiring additional acreage or conducting exploratory drilling on leases in which it currently holds an interest, declines in oil and gas production can be expected in future periods as a result of natural depletion. Also, given the small number of producing wells owned by the Partnership and exposure to inclement weather in the Gulf of Mexico, the Partnership’s production may be subject to more volatility than those companies with a larger or more diversified property portfolio.
Operating Expenses
2014 vs. 2013 The Partnership’s depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) rate, expressed as a percentage of oil and gas sales, was approximately 20 percent in both 2014 and 2013. The dollar amount of DD&A expense in 2014 decreased from the comparable periods a year ago as a result of lower oil and gas sales in 2014. For 2014, and 2013, the Partnership recognized asset retirement obligation accretion of $112,566 and $107,568, respectively. Lease operating expenses (LOE) for 2014 were down 25 percent from the same period a year ago, decreasing to $0.9 million in 2014, reflecting lower repair costs in 2014 and reduced cost from shutting-in Matagorda Island 681/682. Gathering and transportation costs for the delivery of oil and gas decreased 7 percent from the same period in 2013 on lower gas volumes in 2014. Administrative expense for 2014 decreased two percent compared to the same period in 2013.
2013 vs. 2012 The Partnership’s depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) rate, expressed as a percentage of oil and gas sales, was approximately 20 percent in 2013 while DD&A, expressed as a percentage of oil and gas sales, for 2012 was 21 percent. The dollar amount of DD&A expense in 2013 decreased from the comparable periods a year ago as a result of lower oil and gas sales in 2013. For 2013, and 2012, the Partnership recognized asset retirement obligation accretion of $107,568 and $122,101, respectively. Lease operating expenses (LOE) for 2013 were down six percent from the same period a year ago, decreasing to $1.3 million in 2013, reflecting lower workovers and repair costs in 2013. Gathering and transportation costs for the delivery of oil and gas decreased four percent from the same period in 2012 on lower gas volumes in 2013. Administrative expense for 2013 decreased three percent compared to the same period in 2012.
The Partnership’s oil and natural gas is generally sold utilizing two common types of agreements, both of which include a transportation charge. One is a netback arrangement, under which oil or natural gas is sold at the wellhead and the Partnership collects a price, net of transportation incurred by the operator or purchaser. In this case, the Partnership records sales at the price received from the final purchaser which is net of transportation costs. Under the other arrangement, the oil or natural gas is sold at a specific delivery point, the operator or Partnership pays transportation to a carrier and receives from the purchaser a price with no transportation deduction. In this case, the Partnership records the separate transportation cost as gathering and transportation costs.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
The Partnership’s primary capital resource is net cash provided by operating activities, which totaled $1.3 million for 2014 and $1.6 million for 2013. Net cash provided by operating activities declined from 2013 as a result of the lower gas production and oil prices which negatively impacted the Partnership’s earnings in 2014.
At December 31, 2014, the Partnership had approximately $5.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, up from approximately $4.3 million at December 31, 2013. The Partnership’s goal is to maintain cash and cash equivalents at least sufficient to cover the undiscounted value of its future asset retirement obligation liability. The Partnership also plans to reserve funds for repairs which may disrupt the Partnership’s production.
The Partnership’s future financial condition, results of operations and cash from operating activities will largely depend upon prices received for its oil and natural gas production. A substantial portion of the Partnership’s production is sold under market-sensitive contracts. Prices for oil and natural gas are subject to fluctuations in response to changes in supply, market uncertainty and a variety of factors beyond the Partnership’s control. These factors include worldwide political and economic conditions (especially in the Middle East), the foreign and domestic supply of oil and natural gas, the price of foreign imports, the level of consumer demand, weather and the price and availability of alternative fuels.
The Partnership’s oil and gas reserves and production will also significantly impact future results of operations and cash from operating activities. The Partnership’s production is subject to fluctuations in response to remaining quantities of oil and gas reserves, weather, pipeline capacity, consumer demand, mechanical performance and workover, recompletion and drilling activities. Declines in oil and gas production can be expected in future years as a result of normal depletion and the Partnership’s non-participation in acquisition or exploration activities. Based on production estimates from independent engineers and current market conditions, the Partnership forecasts it will be able to meet its liquidity needs for routine operations in the foreseeable future. The Partnership will reduce capital expenditures and distributions to partners as cash from operating activities declines.
Approximately 87 percent of the Partnership’s proved developed reserves are classified as proved not producing. These reserves relate to zones that are either behind pipe, or that have been completed but not yet produced or zones that have been produced in the past, but are not now producing due to mechanical reasons. These reserves may be regarded as less certain than producing reserves because they are frequently based on volumetric calculations rather than performance data. Future production associated with behind pipe reserves is scheduled to follow depletion of the currently producing zones in the same wellbores. It should be noted that additional capital will have to be spent to access these reserves. The Partnership’s liquidity may be negatively impacted if the actual quantities of reserves that are ultimately produced are materially different from current estimates. Also, if prices decline significantly from current levels, the Partnership may not be able to fund the necessary capital investment, or development of the remaining reserves may not be economical for the Partnership.
The Partnership may reduce capital expenditures or distributions to partners, or both, as cash from operating activities decline. In the event that future short-term operating cash requirements are greater than the Partnership’s financial resources, the Partnership may seek short-term, interest-bearing advances from the Managing Partner as needed. The Managing Partner, however, is not obligated to make loans to the Partnership. The Partnership does not intend to incur debt from banks or other outside sources or solicit capital from existing Unit holders or in the open market.
On an ongoing basis, the Partnership reviews the possible sale of lower value properties prior to incurring associated dismantlement and abandonment costs. The Partnership did not sell any properties in 2014, 2013, or 2012.
Capital Commitments
The Partnership’s primary needs for cash are for operating expenses, drilling and recompletion expenditures, future dismantlement and abandonment costs, distributions to Investing Partners, and the purchase of Units offered by Investing Partners under the right of presentment. To the extent it has discretion, the Partnership allocates available capital to investment in the Partnership’s properties so as to maximize production and resultant cash flow. The Partnership had no outstanding debt or lease commitments at December 31, 2014. The Partnership did not have any contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014, other than the liability for dismantlement and abandonment costs of its oil and gas properties. The Partnership has recorded a separate liability for the present value of this asset retirement obligation as discussed in the notes to the financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K.
During each of the last three years, the Partnership had negligible cash outlays for oil and gas property additions as it did not participate in any new drilling projects. During 2014, the Partnership participated in one recompletion at South Timbalier 295. The Partnership settled ARO liabilities totaling $0.2 million in each of 2014 and 2013, and a negligible amount in 2012.
Based on preliminary information available to the Partnership, it anticipates capital expenditures will total approximately $0.1 million in 2015 for recompletion activity and approximately $0.3 million for plugging and abandonment costs. Such estimates may change based on realized oil and gas prices, drilling results, rates charged by contractors or changes by the operator to their development or abandonment plans.
With the pending abandonment of Matagorda Island 681/682 and significant declines in natural gas production during the year, the Partnership did not make any distributions to the Investing Partners during 2014. The Partnership also did not make distributions to Investing Partners during 2013 and 2012 as the Partnership built up cash reserves to fund future plugging and abandonment costs.
The amount of future distributions will be dependent on actual and expected production levels, realized and anticipated oil and gas prices, expected drilling and recompletion expenditures, and prudent cash reserves for future dismantlement and abandonment costs that will be incurred after the Partnership’s reserves are depleted. The Partnership’s goal is to maintain cash and cash equivalents in the Partnership at least sufficient to cover the undiscounted value of its future asset retirement obligations. The Partnership will continue to review available cash balances, cash requirements for plugging and abandonment activity, oil and gas prices realized by the Partnership for the sale of its production, especially in light of the sharp decline in commodity prices in recent months, and the level of drilling and recompletion activity to determine whether there are sufficient funds to make a distribution to Investing Partners in 2015. In addition, the Partnership will monitor the cost of repairs required to restore production at North Padre Island 969/976.
As provided in the Amended Partnership Agreement, a first right of presentment valuation was computed during the first quarter of 2014. The per-unit value was determined to be $16,020 based on the valuation date of December 31, 2013. A second right of presentment valuation was computed during October 2014 and the per-unit value was determined to be $16,260 based on a valuation date of June 30, 2014. The Partnership did not repurchase any Investing Partner Units (Units) during 2014 as a result of the Partnership’s limited amount of cash available for discretionary purposes. The per-unit right of presentment value computed during the first quarter of 2013 based on the valuation date of December 31, 2012, was $15,412 and the second per-unit right of presentment in 2013 was $15,622 based on a valuation date of June 30, 2013. The Partnership did not repurchase any Units during 2013. Pursuant to the Amended Partnership Agreement, the Partnership has no obligation to repurchase any Units presented to the extent it determines that it has insufficient funds for such purchases.
There will be two rights of presentment in 2015, but the Partnership is not in a position to predict how many Units will be presented for repurchase and cannot, at this time, determine if the Partnership will have sufficient funds available to repurchase Units. The Amended Partnership Agreement contains limitations on the number of Units that the Partnership can repurchase, including an annual limit on repurchases of 10 percent of outstanding Units.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Partnership does not currently utilize any off-balance sheet arrangements with unconsolidated entities to enhance liquidity and capital resource positions, or any other purpose. Any future transactions involving off-balance sheet arrangements will be fully scrutinized by the Managing Partner and disclosed by the Partnership.
Insurance
The Managing Partner maintains insurance coverage that includes coverage for physical damage to the Partnership’s oil and gas properties, third party liability, workers’ compensation and employers’ liability, general liability, sudden pollution and other coverage. The insurance coverage includes deductibles which must be met prior to recovery. Additionally, the Managing Partner’s insurance is subject to exclusions and limitations and there is no assurance that such coverage will adequately protect us against liability from all potential consequences and damages.
The Managing Partner’s various insurance policies also provide coverage for, among other things, liability related to negative environmental impacts of a sudden pollution, charterer’s legal liability and general liability, employer’s liability and auto liability. The Managing Partner’s service agreements, including drilling contracts, generally indemnify Apache and the Partnership for injuries and death of the service provider’s employees as well as contractors and subcontractors hired by the service provider.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Partnership prepares its financial statements and the accompanying notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Management identifies certain accounting policies as critical based on, among other things, their impact on the Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity and the degree of difficulty, subjectivity, and complexity in their development. Critical accounting policies cover accounting matters that are inherently uncertain because the future resolution of such matters is unknown. The following is a discussion of Partnership’s most critical accounting policies:
Reserve Estimates
Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of natural gas, crude oil, condensate, and NGL’s that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing conditions, operating conditions, and government regulations.
Proved undeveloped reserves include those reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion. Undeveloped reserves may be classified as proved reserves on undrilled acreage directly offsetting development areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, or where reliable technology provides reasonable certainty of economic producibility. Undrilled locations may be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless specific circumstances justify a longer time.
Despite the inherent imprecision in these engineering estimates, the Partnership’s reserves have a significant impact on its financial statements. For example, the quantity of reserves could significantly impact the Partnership’s DD&A expense. The Partnership’s oil and gas properties are also subject to a “ceiling” limitation based in part on the quantity of our proved reserves. These reserves are the basis for our supplemental oil and gas disclosures.
Reserves are calculated using an unweighted arithmetic average of commodity prices in effect on the first day of each of the previous 12 months, held flat for the life of production, except where prices are defined by contractual arrangements.
The Partnership has elected not to disclose probable and possible reserves or reserve estimates based upon futures or other prices in this filing.
The Partnership’s estimate of proved oil and gas reserves are prepared by Ryder Scott Company, L.P. Petroleum Consultants, independent petroleum engineers, utilizing oil and gas price data and cost estimates provided by Apache as Managing Partner.
Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO)
The Partnership has obligations to remove tangible equipment and restore the land or seabed at the end of oil and gas production operations. These obligations may be significant in light of the Partnership’s limited operations and estimate of remaining reserves. The Partnership’s removal and restoration obligations are primarily associated with plugging and abandoning wells and removing and disposing of offshore oil and gas platforms. Estimating the future restoration and removal costs is difficult and requires management to make estimates and judgments because most of the removal obligations are many years in the future and asset removal technologies and costs are constantly changing, as are regulatory, political, environmental, safety and public relations considerations.
Asset retirement obligations associated with retiring tangible long-lived assets, are recognized as a liability in the period in which a legal obligation is incurred and becomes determinable. This liability is offset by a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the underlying asset. The ARO liability reflects the estimated present value of the amount of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation and similar activities associated with Partnership’s oil and gas properties. The Partnership utilizes current retirement costs to estimate the expected cash outflows for retirement obligations. The cost of the tangible asset, including the initially recognized ARO, is depleted such that the cost of the ARO is recognized over the useful life of the asset.
Inherent in the present value calculation are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the present value of the existing ARO liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the oil and gas property balance. Accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Partnership’s major market risk exposure is in the pricing applicable to its oil and gas production. Realized pricing is primarily driven by the prevailing worldwide price for crude oil and spot prices applicable to its natural gas production. Prices received for oil and gas production continue to be volatile and unpredictable. The Partnership has not used derivative financial instruments or otherwise engaged in hedging activities during 2014 or 2013.
Commodity Risk
The primary objective of the following information is to provide forward-looking quantitative and qualitative information about our exposure to market risk. The term market risk relates to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in oil, gas and NGL prices, interest rates, weather and climate, and governmental risks. The disclosures are not meant to be precise indicators of expected future losses, but rather indicators of reasonably possible losses. The forward-looking information provides indicators of how we view and manage our ongoing market risk exposures.
The Partnership’s revenues, earnings, cash flow, capital investments and, ultimately, future rate of growth are highly dependent on the prices we receive for our crude oil, natural gas and NGLs, which have historically been very volatile. Realized pricing is primarily driven by the prevailing worldwide price for crude oil and spot prices applicable to the Partnership’s natural gas production. Prices received for oil and gas production have been and remain volatile and unpredictable. During 2014, monthly oil price realizations ranged from a low of $61.08 per barrel to a high of $112.22 per barrel. Gas price realizations ranged from a monthly low of $3.67 per Mcf to a monthly high of $6.38 per Mcf during the same period. Based on the Partnership’s average daily production for 2014, a $1.00 per barrel change in the weighted average realized oil price would have increased or decreased revenues for the year by approximately $23,000 and a $0.10 per Mcf change in the weighted average realized price of natural gas would have increased or decreased revenues for the year by approximately $10,000. The Partnership did not use derivative financial instruments or otherwise engage in hedging activities during the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. Due to the volatility of commodity prices, the Partnership is not in a position to predict future oil and gas prices.
Demand for oil and natural gas are, to a significant degree, dependent on weather and climate, which impact the price we receive for the commodities we produce. In addition, our exploration and development activities and equipment can be adversely affected by severe weather, such as hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, which may cause a loss of production from temporary cessation of activity or lost or damaged equipment. While our planning for normal climatic variation, insurance program, and emergency recovery plans mitigate the effects of the weather, not all such effects can be predicted, eliminated or insured against.
Forward-Looking Statements and Risk
This report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included or incorporated by reference in this report, including, without limitation, statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected revenues, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking
statements are based on our examination of historical operating trends, the information that was used to prepare our estimate of proved reserves as of December 31, 2014, and other data in our possession or available from third parties. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” or “continue” or similar terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, our assumptions about:
•
the market prices of oil, natural gas, NGLs, and other products or services;
•
the supply and demand for oil, natural gas, NGLs, and other products or services;
•
pipeline and gathering system capacity;
•
production and reserve levels;
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drilling risks;
•
economic and competitive conditions;
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the availability of capital resources;
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capital expenditure and other contractual obligations;
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weather conditions;
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inflation rates;
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the availability of goods and services;
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legislative or regulatory changes, including environmental regulation;
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terrorism or cyber-attacks;
•
the capital markets and related risks such as general credit, liquidity, market and interest-rate risks; and
•
other factors disclosed under Items 1 and 2 - “Business and Properties - Estimated Proved Reserves and Future Net Cash Flows,” Item 1A - “Risk Factors,” Item 7 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” Item 7A - “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Partnership, or persons acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements. We assume no duty to update or revise our forward-looking statements based on changes in internal estimates or expectations or otherwise.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP
Environmental Compliance
As an owner or lessee and operator of oil and gas properties and facilities, the Partnership is subject to numerous federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to discharge of materials into, and protection of, the environment. These laws and regulations may, among other things, impose liability on the lessee under an oil and gas lease for the cost of pollution clean-up resulting from operations, subject the lessee to liability for pollution damages and require suspension or cessation of operations in affected areas. Although environmental requirements have a substantial impact upon the energy industry, as a whole, we do not believe that these requirements affect us differently, to any material degree, than other companies in our industry.
The Partnership has made and will continue to make expenditures in our efforts to comply with these requirements, which we believe are necessary business costs in the oil and gas industry. The Managing Partner has established policies for continuing compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including regulations applicable to the Partnership’s operations. The costs incurred under these policies and procedures are inextricably connected to normal operating expenses such that we are unable to separate expenses related to environmental matters; however, the Partnership does not believe expenses related to training and compliance with regulations and laws that have been adopted or enacted to regulate the discharge of materials into the environment will have a material impact on its capital expenditures or earnings.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
Schedules -
All financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are either not required, not applicable or the information required to be presented is included in the financial statements or related notes thereto.
REPORT OF MANAGEMENT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management of the Partnership is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the consolidated financial statements appearing in this annual report on Form 10-K. The financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and include amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments.
Management of the Partnership is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). The Partnership’s and Managing Partner’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Our internal control over financial reporting is supported by appropriate reviews by management, written policies and guidelines, careful selection and training of qualified personnel and a written code of business conduct adopted by the Managing Partner’s board of directors, applicable to all the Managing Partner’s directors, officers and employees.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements and even when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessment, management believes that the Partnership maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014.
/s/ John J. Christmann
Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) of Apache Corporation, Managing Partner
/s/ P. Anthony Lannie
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of Apache Corporation, Managing Partner
/s/ Rebecca A. Hoyt
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (principal accounting officer) of Apache Corporation, Managing Partner
Houston, Texas
February 27, 2015
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Partners of Apache Offshore Investment Partnership:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Apache Offshore Investment Partnership (a Delaware general partnership) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related statements of consolidated income, cash flows and changes in partners’ capital for each of the three 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, and 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 consolidated financial position of Apache Offshore Investment Partnership at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Houston, Texas
February 27, 2015
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION
Nature of Operations
Apache Offshore Investment Partnership, a Delaware general partnership (the Investment Partnership), was formed on October 31, 1983, consisting of Apache Corporation (Apache or Managing Partner) as Managing Partner and public investors (the Investing Partners). The Investment Partnership invested its entire capital in Apache Offshore Petroleum Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the Operating Partnership). The primary business of the Investment Partnership is to serve as the sole limited partner of the Operating Partnership. The primary business of the Operating Partnership is to conduct oil and gas exploration, development and production operations. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the Investment Partnership. The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of both the Investment Partnership and Operating Partnership. Apache is the general partner of both the Investment and Operating partnerships, and held approximately five percent of the 1,021.5 Investing Partner Units (Units) outstanding at December 31, 2014. The term “Partnership”, as used hereafter, refers to the Investment Partnership or the Operating Partnership, as the case may be.
The Partnership purchased, at cost, an 85 percent interest in offshore leasehold interests acquired by Apache as a co-venturer in a series of oil and gas exploration, development and production activities on 87 federal lease tracts in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Louisiana and Texas. The remaining 15 percent interest was purchased by an affiliated partnership or retained by Apache. The Partnership acquired an increased net revenue interest in Matagorda Island Blocks 681 and 682 in November 1992, when the Partnership and Apache formed a joint venture to acquire a 92.6 percent working interest in the blocks. The Partnership’s working interests in the four remaining venture prospects range from 6.29 percent to 7.08 percent.
The Partnership’s future financial condition and results of operations will depend largely upon prices received for its oil and natural gas production and the costs of acquiring, finding, developing and producing reserves. A substantial portion of the Partnership’s production is sold under market-sensitive contracts. Prices for oil and natural gas are subject to fluctuations in response to changes in supply, market uncertainty and a variety of factors beyond the Partnership’s control. These factors include worldwide political instability (especially in the Middle East), the foreign supply of oil and natural gas, the price of foreign imports, the level of consumer demand, and the price and availability of alternative fuels.
Under the terms of the Partnership Agreements, the Investing Partners receive 80 percent and Apache receives 20 percent of revenue. Lease operating, gathering and transportation, and administrative expenses are allocated to the Investing Partners and Apache in the same proportion as revenues. The Investing Partners receive 100 percent of the interest income earned on short-term cash investments. The Investing Partners generally pay for 90 percent and Apache generally pays for 10 percent of exploration and development costs and expenses incurred by the Partnership. However, intangible drilling costs, interest costs and fees or expenses related to the loans incurred by the Partnership are allocated 99 percent to the Investing Partners and one percent to Apache until such time as the amount so allocated to the Investing Partners equals 90 percent of the total amount of such costs, including such costs incurred by Apache prior to the formation of the Partnership.
Right of Presentment
In February 1994, an amendment to the Partnership Agreement created a right of presentment under which all Investing Partners have a limited and voluntary right to offer their Units to the Partnership twice each year to be purchased for cash. The Partnership did not offer to purchase any Units from Investing Partners in 2014, 2013, or 2012 as a result of the limited amount of cash available for discretionary purposes.
The Partnership is not in a position to predict how many Units will be presented for repurchase during 2015; however, no more than 10 percent of the outstanding Units may be purchased under the right of presentment in any year. The Partnership has no obligation to purchase any Units presented to the extent that it determines that it has insufficient funds for such purchases.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The table below sets forth the total repurchase price and the repurchase price per Unit for all outstanding Units at each presentment period, based on the right of presentment valuation formula defined in the amendment to the Partnership Agreement. The right of presentment offers made twice annually are based on a discounted Unit value formula. The discounted Unit value will be not less than the Investing Partner’s share of: (a) the sum of (i) 70 percent of the discounted estimated future net revenues from proved reserves, discounted at a rate of 1.5 percent over prime or First National Bank of Chicago’s base rate in effect at the time the calculation is made, (ii) cash on hand, (iii) prepaid expenses, (iv) accounts receivable less a reasonable reserve for doubtful accounts, (v) oil and gas properties other than proved reserves at cost less any amounts attributable to drilling and completion costs incurred by the Partnership and included therein, and (vi) the book value of all other assets of the Partnership, less the debts, obligations and other liabilities of all kinds (including accrued expenses) then allocable to such interest in the Partnership, all determined as of the valuation date, divided by (b) the number of Units, and fractions thereof, outstanding as of the valuation date. The discounted Unit value does not purport to be, and may be substantially different from, the fair market value of a Unit.
Capital Contributions
A total of $85,000 per Unit, or approximately 57 percent, of investor subscription had been called through December 31, 2014. The Partnership determined the full purchase price of $150,000 per Unit was not needed, and upon completion of the last subscription call in November 1989, released the Investing Partners from their remaining liability. As a result of investors defaulting on cash calls and repurchases under the presentment offer discussed above, the original 1,500 Units have been reduced to 1,021.5 Units at December 31, 2014.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting policies used by the Partnership reflect industry practices and conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Significant policies are discussed below.
Statement Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Apache Offshore Investment Partnership and Apache Offshore Petroleum Limited Partnership after elimination of intercompany balances and transactions.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Partnership bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Partnership evaluates its estimates and assumptions on a regular basis. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions used in preparation of its financial statements and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. Significant estimates with regard to these financial statements include the estimate of proved oil and gas reserve quantities and the related present value of estimated future net cash flows therefrom (see Note10 - Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures) and the assessment of asset retirement obligations (see Note 8 - Asset Retirement Obligation).
Cash Equivalents
The Partnership considers all highly liquid short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Partnership had $5.3 million and $4.3 million, respectively, of cash and cash equivalents.
Oil and Gas Properties
The Partnership follows the full-cost method of accounting for its investment in oil and gas properties for financial statement purposes. Under this method of accounting, the Partnership capitalizes all acquisition, exploration and development costs incurred for the purpose of finding oil and gas reserves. The amounts capitalized under this method include dry hole costs, leasehold costs, engineering, geological, exploration, development and other similar costs. All costs related to production and administrative functions are expensed in the period incurred. The Partnership includes the present value of its dismantlement, restoration and abandonment costs within the capitalized oil and gas property balance as described in Note 8. Unless a significant portion of the Partnership’s reserve volumes are sold (greater than 25 percent), proceeds from the sale of oil and gas properties are accounted for as reductions to capitalized costs, and gains or losses are not recognized.
Capitalized costs of oil and gas properties are amortized on the future gross revenue method whereby depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) expense is computed quarterly by dividing current period oil and gas sales by estimated future gross revenue from proved oil and gas reserves (including current period oil and gas sales) and applying the resulting rate to the net cost of evaluated oil and gas properties, including estimated future development costs.
Under the full-cost method of accounting, the Partnership limits the capitalized costs of proved oil and gas properties, net of accumulated DD&A, to the estimated future net cash flows from proved oil and gas reserves discounted at 10 percent, plus the lower of cost or fair value of unproved properties included in the costs being amortized, if any. This ceiling test is performed each quarter. If capitalized costs exceed this limit, the excess is charged to expense and reflected as additional DD&A in the accompanying statement of consolidated income. Estimated future net cash flows are calculated using end-of-period costs and an unweighted arithmetic average of commodity prices in effect on the first day of each of the previous 12 months, held flat for the life of the production, except where prices are defined by contractual arrangements. The Partnership has not recorded any write-downs of capitalized costs for the three years presented. See Note 10 - Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures included in this Form 10-K for a discussion on calculation of estimated future net cash flows.
Asset Retirement Costs and Obligation
The initial estimated asset retirement obligation related to properties is recorded as a liability at its fair value, with an offsetting asset retirement cost recorded as an increase to oil and gas properties on the consolidated balance sheet. If the fair value of the recorded asset retirement obligation changes, a revision is recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement cost. Revisions in estimated liabilities can result from revisions of estimated inflation rates, changes in service and equipment costs and changes in the estimated timing of settling asset retirement obligations. Accretion expense on the liability is recognized over the estimated productive life of the related assets.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Revenue Recognition
Oil and gas revenues are recognized when production is sold to a purchaser at a fixed or determinable price, when delivery has occurred and title has transferred, and if collectability of the revenue is probable. The Partnership uses the sales method of accounting for natural gas revenues. Under this method, revenues are recognized based on actual volumes of gas sold to purchasers. The volumes of gas sold may differ from the volumes to which the Partnership is entitled based on its interests in the properties. These differences create imbalances that are recognized as a liability only when the estimated remaining reserves will not be sufficient to enable the underproduced owner to recoup its entitled share through production. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Partnership did not have any liabilities for imbalances in excess of remaining reserves. No receivables are recorded for those wells where the Partnership has taken less than its share of production. Gas imbalances are reflected as adjustments to proved gas revenues and future cash flows in the unaudited supplemental oil and gas disclosures. Adjustments for gas imbalances totaled less than one percent of the Partnership’s proved gas reserves at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Insurance Coverage
The Partnership recognizes an insurance receivable when collection of the receivable is deemed probable. Any recognition of an insurance receivable is recorded by crediting and offsetting the original charge. Any differential arising between insurance recoveries and insurance receivables is recorded as a capitalized cost or as an expense, consistent with its original treatment.
Net Income Per Investing Unit
The net income per Investing Partner Unit is calculated by dividing the aggregate Investing Partners’ net income for the period by the number of weighted average Investing Partner Units outstanding for that period.
Income Taxes
The profit or loss of the Partnership for federal income tax reporting purposes is included in the income tax returns of the partners. Accordingly, no recognition has been given to income taxes in the accompanying financial statements.
Receivable from / Payable to Apache Corporation
The receivable from/payable to Apache Corporation, the Partnership’s Managing Partner, represents the net result of the Investing Partners’ revenue and expenditure transactions in the current month. Generally, cash in this amount will be paid by Apache to the Partnership or transferred to Apache in the month after the Partnership’s transactions are processed and the net results of operations are determined.
Maintenance and Repairs
Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
New Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued a joint revenue recognition standard, ASU 2014-09. The new standard removes inconsistencies in existing standards, changes the way companies recognize revenue from contracts with customers, and increases disclosure requirements. The guidance requires companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard is required to be adopted using either the full retrospective approach, with all prior periods presented adjusted, or the modified retrospective approach, with a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings on the opening balance sheet. The Partnership is currently evaluating the level of effort needed to implement the standard, the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements, and whether to use the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
3. COMPENSATION TO AFFILIATES
Apache is entitled to the following types of compensation and reimbursement for costs and expenses.
Apache operated certain Partnership properties through September 30, 2013, at which time Fieldwood Energy LLC purchased Apache’s interest in South Timbalier 295, Ship Shoal 258/259 and Matagorda Island 681/682 and became operator of these properties. Billings to the Partnership were made on the same basis as to unaffiliated third parties or at prevailing industry rates.
4. OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES
The following tables contain direct cost information and changes in the Partnership’s oil and gas properties for each of the years ended December 31. All costs of oil and gas properties are currently being amortized.
Development cost for 2013 included $0.2 million of asset retirement cost. The Partnership’s 2014 and 2012 asset retirement cost additions were negligible.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Partnership’s aggregate DD&A expense as a percentage of oil and gas sales for 2014, 2013, and 2012 was 20 percent, 20 percent and 21 percent, respectively.
5. MAJOR CUSTOMER AND RELATED PARTIES INFORMATION
Revenues received from major third party customers that equaled ten percent or more of oil and gas sales are discussed below. No other third party customers individually accounted for ten percent or more of oil and gas sales.
Remittances from Fieldwood Energy accounted for 91 percent of the Partnership’s oil and gas sales for the year 2014. Shell Trading Company accounted for 34 percent and 68 percent of the Partnership’s oil and gas sales for the year 2013 and 2012, respectively. BP Products North America accounted for 34 percent of the Partnership’s oil and gas sales for the year 2013.
The Partnership paid an Apache subsidiary transportation fees totaling $3,086 in 2013 and $10,274 in 2012 for the transportation of Partnership’s share of gas through a 14.4 mile natural gas and condensate pipeline connecting Matagorda Island Block 681 to onshore markets. The fees were at the same rates and terms as previously paid to Shell Oil Company before they sold the pipeline to the Apache subsidiary. Matagorda Island Blocks 681 and 682 have been off production since August 2013 and no fees paid by the Partnership since that time.
All transactions with related parties were consummated at fair value.
The Partnership’s revenues are derived principally from uncollateralized sales to customers in the oil and gas industry; therefore, customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic and other conditions within the industry. The Partnership has not experienced material credit losses on such sales.
6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Certain assets and liabilities are reported at fair value on a recurring basis in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheet. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values:
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable -
As of December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, the carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short-term nature or maturity of these instruments.
The Partnership did not use derivative financial instruments or otherwise engage in hedging activities during the years ended December 31, 2014, and 2013.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation - The Partnership is subject to governmental and regulatory controls arising in the ordinary course of business. It is the opinion of the Apache’s management that all claims and litigation involving the Partnership are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.
Environmental - The Partnership, as an owner or lessee of interests in oil and gas properties, is subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to discharge of materials into, and protection of, the environment. These laws and regulations may, among other things, impose liability on the lessee under an oil and gas lease for the cost of pollution clean-up resulting from operations and subject the lessee to liability for pollution damages. Apache maintains insurance coverage on the Partnership’s properties, which it believes is customary in the industry, although the Partnership is not fully insured against all environmental risks.
8. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The following table describes the changes to the Partnership’s asset retirement obligation (ARO) liability for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
The ARO liability reflects the estimated present value of the amount of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation, and similar activities associated with the Partnership’s oil and gas properties. The Partnership utilizes current retirement costs to estimate the expected cash outflows for retirement obligations. The Partnership estimates the ultimate productive life of the properties, a risk-adjusted discount rate, and an inflation factor in order to determine the current present value of this obligation. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the present value of the existing ARO liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the oil and gas property balance.
Liabilities settled primarily relate to individual wells plugged and abandoned during the periods presented. The current portion of the ARO liability represents the retirement obligations expected to be incurred in the next twelve months. During 2014, the operator of North Padre Island 969/976 provided guidance that work would be performed to extend the life of the field and plugging operations would not commence in 2014 as originally anticipated by the Partnership.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9. TAX-BASIS FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A reconciliation of ordinary income for federal income tax reporting purposes to net income under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States is as follows:
The Partnership’s tax bases in net oil and gas properties at December 31, 2014, and 2013 was $5,931,933 and $6,348,848, respectively, lower than the carrying value of oil and gas properties under full cost accounting. The difference reflects the timing deductions for depreciation, depletion and amortization, intangible drilling costs and dismantlement and abandonment costs. For federal income tax reporting, the Partnership had capitalized syndication cost of $8,660,878 at December 31, 2014, and 2013.
A reconciliation of liabilities for federal income tax reporting purposes to liabilities under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States is as follows:
Asset retirement liabilities for future dismantlement and abandonment costs are not recognized for federal income tax reporting purposes until settled.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
10. SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS DISCLOSURES (Unaudited)
Oil and Gas Reserve Information
Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of natural gas, crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids (NGLs) that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing conditions, operating conditions, and government regulations.
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves and projecting future rates of production and timing of development expenditures. The following reserve data represents estimates only and should not be construed as being exact.
(Oil in Mbbls and gas in MMcf)
Oil includes crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids.
All the Partnership’s reserves are located on federal lease tracts in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Louisiana and Texas. Approximately 87 percent of the Partnership’s proved developed reserves are classified as proved not producing. These reserves relate to zones that are either behind pipe, or that have been completed but not yet produced or zones that have been produced in the past, but are not now producing due to mechanical reasons. These reserves may be regarded as less certain than producing reserves because they are frequently based on volumetric calculations rather than performance data. Future production associated with behind pipe reserves is scheduled to follow depletion of the currently producing zones in the same wellbores. It should be noted that additional capital will have to be spent to access these reserves. The capital and economic impact of production timing is reflected in the Partnership’s standardized measure under Future Net Cash Flows.
Future Net Cash Flows
Future cash inflows as of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were calculated using an unweighted arithmetic average of oil and gas prices in effect on the first day of each month in the respective year, except where prices are defined by contractual arrangements. Operating costs, production and ad valorem taxes and future development costs are based on current costs with no escalation.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table sets forth unaudited information concerning future net cash flows from proved oil and gas reserves. As the Partnership pays no income taxes, estimated future income tax expenses are omitted. This information does not purport to present the fair value of the Partnership’s oil and gas assets, but does present a standardized disclosure concerning possible future net cash flows that would result under the assumptions used.
Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to Proved Reserves
The following table sets forth the principal sources of change in the discounted future net cash flows:
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. SUPPLEMENTAL QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
(1) The sum of the individual net income per Investing Partner Unit may not agree with the year-to-date net income per Investing Partner Unit as each quarterly computation is based on the weighted average number of Investing Partner Units during that period.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
The financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, included in this report, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, registered public accounting firm, as stated in their audit report appearing herein. There have been no changes in or disagreements with the accountants during the periods presented.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
John J. Christmann, the Managing Partner’s Chief Executive Officer and President (in his capacity as principal executive officer), and P. Anthony Lannie, the Managing Partner’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (in his capacity as principal financial officer), evaluated the effectiveness of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014, the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation and as of the date of that evaluation, these officers concluded that the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, providing effective means to ensure that the information it is required to disclose under applicable laws and regulations is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under the Commission’s rules and forms and communicated to our management, including the Managing Partner’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We also made no changes in the Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ending December 31, 2014, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management report called for by Item 308(a) of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to the Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, included on page 22 of this report. This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Partnership’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Partnership’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit the Partnership to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There was no change in the Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ending December 31, 2014, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
All management functions are performed by Apache, the Managing Partner of the Partnership. The Partnership itself has no officers or directors. Information concerning the officers and directors of Apache set forth under the captions “Nominees for Election as Directors”, “Continuing Directors”, “Executive Officers of the Company”, and “Securities Ownership and Principal Holders” in the proxy statement relating to the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders of Apache (the Apache Proxy Statement) is incorporated herein by reference.
Code of Business Conduct
Pursuant to Rule 303A.10 of the NYSE and Rule 4350(n) of the NASDAQ, Apache was required to adopt a code of business conduct and ethics for its directors, officers, and employees. In February 2004, Apache’s Board of Directors adopted a Code of Business Conduct (Code of Conduct), and revised it in November 2013. The revised Code of Conduct also meets the requirements of a code of ethics under Item 406 of Regulation S-K. You can access Apache’s Code of Conduct on the “Governance” page of Apache’s website at www.apachecorp.com. Changes in and any waivers to the Code of Conduct for Apache’s directors, chief executive officer and certain senior financial officers will be posted on Apache’s website within five business days and maintained for at least twelve months.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
See Note (3), “Compensation to Affiliates” of the Partnership’s financial statements, under Item 8 above, for information regarding compensation to Apache as Managing Partner. The information concerning the compensation paid by Apache to its officers and directors set forth under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Summary Compensation Table,” “Grants of Plan Based Awards Table,” “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table,” “Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table,” “Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table,” “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,” and “Director Compensation Table” in the Apache Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER MATTERS
Apache, as an Investing Partner and the General Partner, owns 53 Units, or 5.2 percent of the outstanding Units of the Partnership, as of December 31, 2014. Apache owns a one-percent General Partner interest (15 equivalent Units). To the knowledge of the Partnership, no Investing Partner owns, of record or beneficially, more than five percent of the Partnership’s outstanding Units, except for Apache which owns 53 Units or 5.2 percent of the outstanding Units. Apache did not acquire additional Units during the three years covered by these financial statements. Apache’s ownership percentage exceeds five percent due to the decrease in the number of outstanding units resulting from the right of presentment (see Note 1).
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
See Note (3), “Compensation to Apache” of the Partnership’s financial statements, under Item 8 above, for information regarding compensation to Apache as Managing Partner. See Note (5), “Major Customers and Related Parties Information” of the Partnership’s financial statements for amounts paid to subsidiaries of Apache, and for other related party information. The Partnership itself has no directors. Information concerning the directors of Apache set forth under the caption “Director Independence” in the Apache Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Accountant fees and services paid to Ernst & Young LLP, the Partnership’s independent auditors, are included in amounts paid by the Partnership’s Managing Partner. Information on the Managing Partner’s principal accountant fees and services is set forth under the caption “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors” in the Apache Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
a.
(1)
Financial Statements - See accompanying index to financial statements in Item 8 above.
(2)
Financial Statement Schedules - See accompanying index to financial statements in Item 8 above.
(3)
Exhibits
* Filed herewith.
b. See a (3) above.
c. See a (2) above.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
APACHE OFFSHORE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
By:
Apache Corporation, Managing Partner
Dated: February 27, 2015
/ s / John J. Christmann
John J. Christmann
Chief Executive Officer and President
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The officers and directors of Apache Corporation, Managing Partner of Apache Offshore Investment Partnership, whose signatures appear below, hereby constitute and appoint John J. Christmann , P. Anthony Lannie and Rebecca A. Hoyt, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone), the true and lawful attorney-in-fact to sign and execute, on behalf of the undersigned, any amendment(s) to this report and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
Title
Date
/s/ John J. Christmann
Chief Executive Officer and President
(principal executive officer)
February 27, 2015
John J. Christmann
/s/ P. Anthony Lannie
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)
February 27, 2015
P. Anthony Lannie
/s/ Rebecca A. Hoyt
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (principal accounting officer)
February 27, 2015
Rebecca A. Hoyt