Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
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| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include our consolidated accounts and the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Change in Accounting Estimate
Management evaluates its estimates on a routine basis. Effective July 1, 2019, TPL revised the estimated useful lives of certain water service-related assets after its disaggregation of water service-related projects into sub classifications. TPL purchased these water service-related assets from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019. Based on information gained from operations over this time period, management believes that these water service-related assets will benefit periods ranging from to 30 years, beginning at the point the water service-related assets were originally placed in service.
The net book value of these water service-related assets at June 30, 2019, was not modified and is depreciated over the revised estimated useful lives of these assets. The effect of the change in estimated useful lives resulted in an additional $2.4 million of depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Revenue Recognition
Oil and Gas Royalties
Oil and gas royalties are received in connection with royalty interests owned by TPL. Oil and gas royalties are reported net of production taxes and are recognized as revenue when crude oil and gas products are removed from the respective mineral reserve locations. Oil and gas royalty payments are generally received to two months after the crude oil and gas products
are removed. An accrual is included in accrued receivables for amounts not received during the month removed based on historical trends.
The oil and gas royalties which we receive are dependent upon the market prices for oil and gas. The market prices for oil and gas are subject to national and international economic and political conditions and subject to significant price fluctuations.
TPL has analyzed public reports of drilling activities by the oil companies operating where we have an oil and gas royalty interest in an effort to identify unpaid royalties associated with royalty interests we own. Rights to certain oil and gas royalties we believe to be due and payable may be subject to dispute with the oil company involved as a result of disagreements with respect to drilling and related engineering information. Disputed oil and gas royalties are recorded when these contingencies are resolved.
Easements and Other Surface-Related Income
Easement contracts represent contracts which permit companies to install pipe lines, electric lines and other equipment on land owned by TPL. When TPL receives a signed contract and payment, we make available the respective parcel of land to the grantee. Easement income is recognized upon the execution of the easement agreement, or in the event of a renewal upon receipt of the renewal payment, as at that point in time, we have satisfied its performance obligation and the customer has right of use.
Other surface-related income includes commercial lease income related to leasing arrangements to companies in a wide array of industries, including: agricultural, oil and gas, construction, wind power, solar farms and other industries. Commercial lease income is recognized when earned. These leases generally require fixed annual payments or royalties and lease terms are typically ten years. Lease cancellations are allowed under certain circumstances, but initial lease payments are generally nonrefundable. Advance lease payments are deferred and amortized over the appropriate accounting period. Lease payments not received are included in accrued receivables. Additionally, other surface-related income includes permit income and material sales. Revenue from these sources is recognized when earned.
Water Sales and Royalties
Water sales and royalty revenue encompasses sales of water to operators and other customers and royalties received pursuant to legacy agreements with operators. The earnings cycle for both revenue streams is complete upon delivery of water. Water sales and royalty revenue is recognized as earned.
Land Sales and Exchanges
We consider purchasers of land to be our customers as land management, leasing and sales are normal operating activities for TPL. Revenue is recognized on land sales when the performance obligation to the purchaser (customer) is complete. Revenue from land exchanges is recognized based upon the estimated fair value of the consideration exchanged.
Sales of Oil and Gas Royalty Interests
Income is recognized on sales of oil and gas royalty interests when earned.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
We consider investments in bank deposits, money market funds and highly-liquid cash investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):
Accrued Receivables
Accrued receivables consist primarily of amounts due under oil and gas royalty leases, water sales or royalty agreements and commercial leases. An allowance is recorded for expected credit losses and is based upon our historical write-off experience, aging of trade accounts receivable and collectability patterns of our customers. As of December 31, 2020, the allowance for expected credit losses was less than $0.1 million. No allowance was considered necessary as of December 31, 2019.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Costs associated with our development of infrastructure for sourcing and treating water are capitalized. We account for depreciation of property, plant and equipment on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciable lives by category are as follows:
Real Estate Acquired
Real estate acquired is recorded at cost and carried at the lower of cost or market. Valuations are periodically performed or obtained by management whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Impairments, if any, are recorded by a charge to net income and a valuation allowance if the carrying value of the property exceeds its estimated fair value. Minimal real estate improvements are made to land. No impairments were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Royalty Interests Acquired
We follow the successful efforts method of accounting for our royalty interests acquired, which are carried at the lower of cost or market. Valuations are periodically performed or obtained by management whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Impairments, if any, are recorded by a charge to net income and a reduction in the carrying value of our royalty interests if the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value. No impairments were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Depletion is recorded based upon a units of production basis. Depletion expense was approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There was no depletion expense for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Real Estate and Royalty Interests Assigned Through the 1888 Declaration of Trust
The fair market value of the Trust’s land and royalty interests that were assigned through the 1888 Declaration of Trust, (referred to as “Assigned”) land and royalty interests, was not determined in 1888 when the Trust was formed; therefore, no value is assigned in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets to the Assigned land and royalty interests, Certificates of Proprietary Interest, and Sub-share Certificates of Proprietary Interest (“Sub-shares”). Consequently, in the consolidated statements of income and total comprehensive income, no allowance is made for depletion and no cost is deducted from the proceeds of sales of the Assigned land and royalty interests. Even though the 1888 value of real properties cannot be precisely determined, it has been concluded that the effect of this matter can no longer be significant to the Trust’s financial position or results of operations. For Federal income tax purposes, however, deductions are made for depletion, computed on the statutory percentage basis of income received from royalties. Minimal real estate improvements are made to land.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax
credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits is zero as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
We invest our cash and cash equivalents (which include U.S. Treasury bills and commercial paper with maturities of three months or less) among three major financial institutions in an attempt to minimize exposure to risk from any one of these entities. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had cash and cash equivalents deposited in our financial institutions in excess of federally-insured levels. We regularly monitor the financial condition of these financial institutions and believe that we are not exposed to any significant credit risk in cash and cash equivalents.
Net Income per Sub-share
Net income per Sub-share is based on the weighted average number of Sub-shares and equivalent Sub-shares outstanding during each period.
Purchases and Retirements of Sub-shares
The costs of Sub-shares purchased and retired are charged to net proceeds from all sources.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting capital that, under GAAP, are excluded from net income.
Significant Customers
Two customers represented, in the aggregate, 28.3%, 36.5% and 31.3% of the TPL’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Reclassifications
Certain financial information on the consolidated statements of income as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 have been revised to conform to the current year presentation. These revisions include a reclassification of $0.2 million of land sales expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019 and less than $0.1 million for the same period of 2018 previously included in general and administrative expenses to a separate financial statement line item within operating expenses. Land sales expenses include cost basis and closing costs associated with land sales. Total assets and expenses were not affected by these reclassifications.
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance
Credit Losses
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The ASU amends the impairment model by requiring entities to use a forward-looking approach based on expected losses to
estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. The Trust adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2020. Due to the short-term nature of our trade accounts receivable, the adoption of this guidance had a minimal impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Defined Benefit Plans
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation — Retirement Benefits — Defined Benefit Plans — General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework — Changes to Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” The ASU eliminates requirements for certain disclosures and requires additional disclosures under defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement plans. The Trust adopted the guidance as of December 31, 2020. The impacts to the Trust’s footnote disclosures were limited to adding a narrative description of reasons for any significant gains and losses affecting the benefit obligation and omitting any disclosure regarding amounts expected to be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income over the next year.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) — Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” The ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, hybrid taxes and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. It also clarifies and simplifies other aspects of the accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted in interim or annual periods with any adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. The adoption of this guidance effective January 1, 2021, had a minimal impact on the Trust’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
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