Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Segment Reporting We operate our business in two segments: Land and Resource Management and Water Services and Operations. Our segments provide management with a comprehensive financial view of our key businesses. The segments enable the alignment of strategies and objectives of TPL and provide a framework for timely and rational allocation of resources within businesses.
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
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
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, 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. In the event estimates and/or assumptions prove to be different from actual amounts, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information.
Revenue Recognition
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 natural gas products are removed from the respective mineral reserve locations. Oil and gas royalty payments are generally received one to two months after the crude oil and gas products are removed. An accrual for amounts not received during the month crude oil and natural gas products are removed is included in accounts receivable and accrued receivables, net based on historical trends.
 
The oil and gas royalties which we receive are dependent upon the market prices for oil and gas, and locational and contractual price differences. 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.
 
Water Sales
 
Water sales revenue encompasses sales of water to operators and other customers, royalties received related to areas of mutual interest (“AMI”), and royalties received pursuant to legacy agreements with operators. In certain instances, we enter into agreements with third parties to provide various water services, including but not limited to, the purchase, sale or transfer of water within a specific geographic area, also known as an AMI. Our performance obligation is deemed satisfied upon the delivery of water at which point, revenue is recognized. In instances where a third party other than the customer is involved in the sale and/or transport of water, such as a revenue share agreement, brokered water sale transaction or third party acquisition of water, the Company will either be acting as the principal or the agent in the water sales transaction. If the Company is deemed to be acting as a principal, the associated revenues are reported on a gross basis in water sales revenue and the corresponding costs associated with the sale are reported as an operating expense in water service-related expenses in the consolidated income statement. If the Company is deemed to be acting as an agent, principally in brokered water transactions, the associated water sales revenue is reported net of the corresponding costs associated with the sale and included in the water sales revenue line item on the consolidated income statement.

Purchases of water from third parties, transfer costs and treatment expenses associated with water sales are included in water service-related expenses.

Produced Water Royalties

Produced water royalties represent revenue from the transfer and disposal of saltwater from producing oil and gas wells on our land. Revenue is recognized when the water is transported across or injected into our land.

Easements and Other Surface-Related Income
 
Easement contracts represent contracts which permit companies to install pipelines, 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 our performance obligation and the customer has right of use.
 
Leases of our surface acreage include, but are not limited to, facility, roadway and surface leases with a typical lease term of ten years and generally require fixed annual payments. Lease cancellations are allowed under certain circumstances, but initial lease deposits are generally nonrefundable. The initial lease deposits and annual payments are recorded as unearned revenue upon receipt and amortized over the life of the lease. Advance lease payments are deferred and amortized over the appropriate accounting period.

Other surface-related income includes revenue from permits, material sales, and renewable energy sources. Revenue from permits is recognized upon execution of the contract and receipt of payment. Revenue from material sales is recognized upon the removal of materials by the customer. Revenue from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, generally consist of leases, some of which may include a provision for future royalties once certain circumstances occur. As discussed above, lease payments are recorded as unearned revenue and amortized over the life of the lease. Royalties are recognized based upon actual production.
 
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.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
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.
Receivables
Receivables
 
Receivables consist primarily of royalty income due related to our oil, gas and produced water royalties and trade accounts receivable related to water and material sales. 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.
Accrual Of Oil And Gas Royalties Accrual of Oil and Gas RoyaltiesThe Company accrues oil and gas royalties, which are included in accounts receivable and accrued receivables, net. An accrual is necessary due to the time lag between the removal of crude oil and natural gas products from the respective mineral reserve locations and generation of the actual payment by operators. The oil and gas royalty accrual is based upon historical production volumes, estimates of the timing of future payments and recent market prices for oil and gas.
Real Estate Acquired
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.
Property, Plant and Equipment
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:
Range of Estimated Useful Lives (in years)
Water wells and other water-related assets 3 to 20
Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3 to 15
Royalty Interests Acquired
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.
Real Estate And Royalty Interests Assigned
Real Estate and Royalty Interests Assigned Through the Declaration of Trust
 
The fair market value of the land and royalty interests that were assigned through the 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. 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 our financial position or results of operations. Minimal real estate improvements are made to land.
Intangible Assets Net
Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible assets include a saltwater disposal easement and acquired groundwater rights. When the Company acquires intangible assets that are attached to real estate and/or other tangible assets, an allocation of the total purchase price, including any direct costs of the acquisition, is made at the date of acquisition based on the estimated relative fair values of the assets acquired.
Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives ranging from 15 to 20 years. Intangible assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. In such event, the fair value of the asset is determined using an undiscounted cash flow analysis of the asset at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exist. If an impairment has occurred, a loss for the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the intangible asset is recognized in the statement of income.
Leases
Leases

We lease certain facilities under operating leases. A determination of whether a contract contains a lease is made at the inception of the arrangement. Our leased facilities include our administrative offices located in Dallas and Midland, Texas, as well as some modular buildings in our West Texas yards.

Our leases generally contain options to extend or terminate the lease. We reevaluate our leases on a regular basis to consider the economic and strategic incentives of exercising the renewal options, and how they align with our operating strategy. Therefore, substantially all of the renewal option periods are not included within the lease term and the associated payments are not included in the measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability as the options to extend are not reasonably certain at lease commencement. Short-term leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recognized in the right-to-use asset and lease liability on the consolidated balance sheets.

The lease liabilities are measured at the lease commencement date and determined using the present value of the minimum lease payments not yet paid and our incremental borrowing rate, which approximates the rate at which we would borrow, on a collateralized basis, over the term of a lease in the applicable currency environment. The interest rate implicit in the lease is generally not determinable in transactions where we are the lessee.

For real estate leases, we account for lease components and non-lease components (such as common area maintenance) as a single lease component. Certain real estate leases require reimbursement for real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance, which are expensed as incurred as variable lease costs. Certain leases contain fixed lease payments for items such as common area maintenance and parking. These fixed payments are considered part of the lease payment and included in the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. See Note 12, “Commitments” for additional information.
Income Taxes
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.
Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation
The Company utilizes the closing stock price on the date of grant to determine the fair value of stock awards and service-vesting awards, which for the Company includes stock awards, restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and performance stock units (“PSUs”) with a performance condition. For PSUs with a market condition, grant date fair value is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Unvested awards are entitled to dividends or dividend equivalents which are accrued and distributed to award recipients at the time such awards vest. Dividends are forfeitable if the related award is forfeited. For RSAs, RSUs and PSUs with performance conditions, forfeitures are recognized in the period in which they occur. For PSU awards with market conditions, forfeitures are only recognized if the award recipient does not render the required service during the measurement period.

Share-based compensation expense for stock awards is recognized in the financial statements immediately on date of grant as there is no requisite service period. Share-based compensation expense for RSUs and RSAs is recognized in the financial statements over the awards’ vesting periods using the graded-vesting method. Share-based compensation expense for PSU awards with performance conditions is recognized ratably over the measurement period at such time as the awards are probable and estimable. Share-based compensation expense for PSU awards with market conditions is recognized ratably over the measurement period whether the market condition is satisfied or not if the service for the award is rendered. Share-based compensation is reported on the consolidated statements of income and total comprehensive income as a component of salaries and related employee expenses for employee awards and in general and administrative expenses for director awards.
Net Income Per Share
Net Income Per Share
 
Basic income per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed based upon the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period plus unvested shares issued pursuant to our equity and deferred compensation plans. See Note 11, “Earnings Per Share.”
Treasury Stock
Treasury Stock

Treasury stock purchases are accounted for under the cost method whereby the entire cost of the acquired Common Stock is recorded as treasury stock. The cost associated with issuance of treasury stock is based on the average cost of treasury stock as of the date of issuance.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
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.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
We invest our cash and cash equivalents (which include U.S. Treasury bills, money market funds, and commercial paper with maturities of three months or less) among two major financial institutions in an attempt to minimize exposure to risk from any one of these entities. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, 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.
Significant Customers
Significant Customers
 
Three customers represented, in the aggregate, 42.5% of TPL’s total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023. Four customers represented, in the aggregate, 51.8% of TPL’s total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022. Three customers represented, in the aggregate, 41.0% of TPL’s total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Reclassifications
Reclassifications

Certain financial information on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and consolidated statement of income and total comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, have been revised to conform to the current year presentation. These revisions include a balance sheet reclassification of $454,000 of other taxes payable previously included in accounts payable and accrued expenses to ad valorem and other taxes payable, an income statement reclassification of $120,000 of property taxes previously included in general and administrative expenses to ad valorem and other taxes, an income statement reclassification of $55,000 from land sales expenses to general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 and an income statement reclassification of $144,000 of property taxes previously included in general and administrative expenses to ad valorem and other taxes for the year ended December 31, 2021.