EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1657788
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 1657788_10-K_2022_0001558370-22-002143.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Overview
We are a Delaware limited partnership formed in 2015 to own and acquire mineral and royalty interests in oil and natural gas properties throughout the United States. Effective as of September 24, 2018, we have elected to be taxed as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes. As an owner of mineral and royalty interests, we are entitled to a portion of the revenues received from the production of oil, natural gas and associated NGLs from the acreage underlying our interests, net of post-production expenses and taxes. We are not obligated to fund drilling and completion costs, lease operating expenses or plugging and abandonment costs at the end of a well’s productive life. Our primary business objective is to provide increasing cash distributions to unitholders resulting from acquisitions from third parties, our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties and from organic growth through the continued development by working interest owners of the properties in which we own an interest.
The diagram below depicts a simplified version of our organizational structure as of February 18, 2022:
(1) The Sponsors are affiliates of our founders, Messrs. Fortson, R. Ravnaas, Taylor and Wynne.
(2) Includes common units beneficially owned by the Sponsors other than those reflected as held by Kimbell GP Holdings, LLC. Also includes common units beneficially owned by our directors and officers and other of our affiliates.
(3) Includes the Kimbell Art Foundation, Cupola Royalty Direct LLC, Rivercrest Capital Partners LP and certain affiliates of PEP I Holdings, LLC, PEP II Holdings, LLC and PEP III Holdings, LLC.
(4) Kimbell Operating has entered into a management services agreement with us and separate management services agreements with entities controlled by affiliates of certain of our Sponsors and certain Contributing Parties for the provision of certain management, administrative and operational services.
Significant Acquisitions
On March 25, 2019, we completed the acquisition (the “Phillips Acquisition”) of all of the equity interests in subsidiaries of PEP I Holdings, LLC, PEP II Holdings, LLC and PEP III Holdings, LLC (collectively, the “Phillips Sellers”). The aggregate consideration for the Phillips Acquisition consisted of 9,400,000 OpCo common units and an equal number of Class B units. The assets acquired in the Phillips Acquisition consist of approximately 866,528 gross acres and 12,210 net royalty acres.
On April 17, 2020, we completed the acquisition of all of the equity interests in Springbok Energy Partners, LLC and Springbok Energy Partners II, LLC (the “Springbok Acquisition”) from the owners of such entities (collectively, the “Springbok Sellers”). The aggregate consideration for the Springbok Acquisition consisted of (i) approximately $95.0 million in cash, (ii) the issuance of 2,224,358 common units and (iii) the issuance of 2,497,134 OpCo common units and an equal number of Class B units. At the time of the Springbok Acquisition, the acreage acquired had over 90 operators on 2,160 net royalty acres across core areas of the Delaware Basin, DJ Basin, Haynesville, STACK, Eagle Ford and other U.S. leading basins.
On December 7, 2021, we completed the acquisition of all of the equity interests in certain subsidiaries owned by Caritas Royalty Fund LLC and certain of its affiliates (the “Cornerstone Acquisition”) for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $54.6 million in cash. The Partnership funded the payment of the purchase price with borrowings under its secured revolving credit facility. The assets acquired in the Cornerstone Acquisition consisted of approximately 26,000 gross producing wells across the Permian, Mid-Continent, Haynesville and other leading U.S. basins.
Kimbell Tiger Acquisition Corporation
In April 2021, we formed Kimbell Tiger Acquisition Corporation (“TGR”) as a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The sponsor of TGR is Kimbell Tiger Acquisition Sponsor, LLC (the “TGR Sponsor”), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Operating Company. The Sponsor owns a combination of equity securities in TGR and TGR’s operating company, Kimbell Tiger Operating Company, LLC (“TGR Opco”), that represent 20% of the total outstanding shares of common stock of TGR. TGR intends to focus its search for a target business in the energy and natural resources industry in North America.
On February 8, 2022, TGR completed its initial public offering of 23,000,000 units, including 3,000,000 units that were issued pursuant to the underwriter’s exercise in full of its over-allotment option. Each unit had an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one share of Class A common stock of the TGR, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), and one-half of one redeemable warrant of TGR (each such whole warrant, a “Public Warrant”). Each Public Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share.
On February 8, 2022, simultaneously with the closing of TGR’s IPO and pursuant to a separate private placement warrants purchase agreement dated February 3, 2022, TGR completed the private sale of 14,100,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) to the TGR Sponsor at a purchase price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds of $14,100,000. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase for $11.50 one share of Class A Common Stock.
Of the net proceeds of TGR’s IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, $236,900,000, including $8,050,000 of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, has been deposited into a U.S. based trust account at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee.
Our Oil and Gas Assets
We categorize our oil and gas assets into two groups: mineral interests and overriding royalty interests.
Mineral Interests
Mineral interests are real property interests that are typically perpetual and grant ownership to all the oil and natural gas lying below the surface of the property, as well as the right to explore, drill and produce oil and natural gas on
that property or to lease such rights to a third party. Mineral owners typically grant oil and gas leases to operators for an initial three-year term with an upfront cash payment to the mineral owners known as a lease bonus. Under the lease, the mineral owner retains a royalty interest entitling it to a cost-free percentage (usually ranging from 20-25%) of production or revenue from production. The lease can be extended beyond the initial term with continuous drilling, production or other operating activities. When production or drilling ceases on the leased property, the lease is typically terminated, subject to certain exceptions, and all mineral rights revert back to the mineral owner who can then lease the exploration and development rights to another party. We also own royalty interests that have been carved out of mineral interests and are known as nonparticipating royalty interests. Nonparticipating royalty interests are typically perpetual and have rights similar to mineral interests, including the right to a cost-free percentage of production revenues for minerals extracted from the acreage, without the associated executive right to lease and the right to receive lease bonuses.
We combine our mineral and nonparticipating royalty assets into one category because they share many of the same characteristics due to the nature of the underlying interest. For example, we receive similar royalties from operators with respect to our mineral interests or nonparticipating royalty interests as long as such interests are subject to an oil and gas lease. When evaluating our business, our management team does not distinguish between mineral and nonparticipating royalty interests on leased acreage due to the similarity of the royalties received by the interests.
Overriding Royalty Interests
In addition to mineral interests, we also own overriding royalty interests, which are royalty interests that burden the working interests of a lease and represent the right to receive a fixed, cost-free percentage of production or revenue from production from a lease. Overriding royalty interests typically remain in effect until the associated lease expires and, because substantially all the underlying leases are perpetual so long as production in paying quantities perpetuates the leasehold, substantially all of our overriding royalty interests are likewise perpetual.
Overview of Our Oil and Gas Assets and Operations
As of December 31, 2021, we owned mineral and royalty interests in approximately 11.4 million gross acres and overriding royalty interests in approximately 4.7 million gross acres, with approximately 62% of our aggregate acres located in the Permian Basin, Mid-Continent and Bakken/Williston Basin. We refer to these non-cost-bearing interests collectively as our “mineral and royalty interests.” As of December 31, 2021, over 99% of the acreage subject to our mineral and royalty interests was leased to working interest owners (including approximately 100% of our overriding royalty interests), and substantially all of those leases were held by production. Our mineral and royalty interests are located in 28 states and in every major onshore basin across the continental United States and include ownership in over 122,000 gross wells, including over 46,000 wells in the Permian Basin. The geographic breadth of our assets gives us exposure to potential production and reserves from new and existing plays. Over the long term, we expect working interest owners will continue to develop our acreage through infill drilling, horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing, recompletions and secondary and tertiary recovery methods. As an owner of mineral and royalty interests, we benefit from the continued development of the properties in which we own an interest without the need for investment of additional capital by us.
As of December 31, 2021, the estimated proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves attributable to our interests in our underlying acreage were 45,474 MBoe (42.2% liquids, consisting of 65.2% oil and 34.8% NGLs) based on the reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott Company, L.P. (“Ryder Scott”). All of our reserves were classified as PDP reserves. The properties underlying our mineral and royalty interests typically have low estimated decline rates. Our PDP reserves have an average estimated yearly decline rate of 11.8% during the initial five-years.
Our revenues are derived from royalty payments we receive from the operators of our properties based on the sale of oil and natural gas production, as well as the sale of NGLs that are extracted from natural gas during processing. As of December 31, 2021, there were approximately 1,500 operators actively producing on our acreage, with our top ten operators (Chesapeake Operating, Inc., SWN Production Company LLC, Chevron USA, Inc., EOG Resources, Inc., Pioneer Natural Resources Company, PDC Energy, Inc., XTO Energy, Inc., Aethon Energy Operating, Continental Resources, Inc. and Occidental Petroleum Corporation) together accounting for approximately 36.8% of our revenues.
During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, payments we received from our top purchaser accounted for approximately 6.0%, 7.1% and 6.0%, respectively, of our revenues. We do not believe that the loss of any individual purchaser would have a material adverse effect on us due to the high number of purchasers actively producing on our acreage. As of December 31, 2021, there were 61 rigs operating on our acreage compared to 39 rigs operating on our acreage as of December 31, 2020. The increase in rig count was primarily attributable to the COVID-19 outbreak and international supply and demand imbalances, which both originated during the 2020 period and caused a significant reduction in rig count during 2020. Please read “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Business Environment - COVID-19 Pandemic and Impact on Global Demand for Oil and Natural Gas” for further discussion.
Our revenues and the amount of cash available for distribution on common units may vary significantly from period to period as a result of changes in volumes of production sold or changes in commodity prices. For the year ended December 31, 2021, our revenues were generated 49% from oil sales, 37% from natural gas sales, 12% from NGL sales and 2% from other sales.
Business Strategies
Our primary business objective is to provide increasing cash distributions to unitholders resulting from acquisitions from third parties, our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties and from organic growth through the continued development by working interest owners of the properties in which we own an interest. We will also seek to utilize TGR to further our primary business objective. We intend to accomplish this objective by executing the following strategies:
● Acquire additional mineral and royalty interests from third parties and leverage our relationships with our Sponsors, the Contributing Parties and TGR to grow our business. We intend to make opportunistic acquisitions of mineral and royalty interests that have substantial resource and organic growth potential and meet our acquisition criteria, which include (i) mineral and royalty interests in high-quality producing acreage that enhance our asset base, (ii) significant amounts of recoverable oil and natural gas in place with geologic support for future production and reserve growth and (iii) a geographic footprint complementary to our diverse portfolio. For example, on December 7, 2021, we completed the Cornerstone Acquisition, which consisted of approximately 26,000 gross producing wells, enhancing our asset base.
We also may have opportunities to acquire mineral or royalty interests from third parties jointly with our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties. We have a right to participate, at our option and on substantially the same or better terms, in up to 50% of any acquisitions, other than de minimis acquisitions, for which Messrs. R. Ravnaas, Taylor and Wynne provide, directly or indirectly, any oil and gas diligence, reserve engineering or other business services. We believe this arrangement will give us access to third-party acquisition opportunities we might not otherwise be in a position to pursue. Please read “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence-Agreements and Transactions with Affiliates in Connection with our Initial Public Offering-Contribution Agreement.”
We may also seek to pursue an acquisition opportunity jointly with TGR. We may co-invest with TGR in the target business at the time of its initial business combination, or we may seek to acquire assets from the target business or other equity or equity-linked securities from the business or TGR. In addition, we may seek to acquire a royalty interest in the underlying assets of the target business at the time of its initial business combination. We may elect to take these or other actions to, among other reasons, (i) increase the amount of committed capital available to consummate TGR’s initial business combination, including in the event that the market for issuing securities to unaffiliated investors in a private investment in public equity, or PIPE, is challenging or difficult to consummate at the desired issue price, (ii) reduce dilution in connection with raising equity capital for TGR’s initial business combination, and (iii) demonstrate synergies among KRP and the target business, especially in light of our knowledge and expertise in the oil and gas sector, our royalty interest ownership and the industry network of our management team and board of directors. However, we have no obligation to make any such investment or acquisition.
● Acquire additional mineral and royalty interests from our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties. The Contributing Parties, including affiliates of our Sponsors, continue to own significant mineral and royalty
interests in oil and gas properties. We believe our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties view our partnership as part of their growth strategy. In addition, we believe their direct or indirect ownership in us will incentivize them to offer us additional mineral and royalty interests from their existing asset portfolios in the future. The Contributing Parties have no obligation to sell any additional assets to us or to accept any offer that we may make for any additional assets, and we may decide not to acquire such additional assets even if such Contributing Parties offer them to us. Please read “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence-Agreements and Transactions with Affiliates in Connection with our Initial Public Offering-Contribution Agreement.”
● Benefit from reserve, production and cash flow growth through organic production growth and development of our mineral and royalty interests. Our assets consist of diversified mineral and royalty interests. As of December 31, 2021, 67% and 61% of our well count and gross aggregate acreage, respectively, are located in the Permian Basin, Mid-Continent and Haynesville, which are some of the most active areas in the country. Over the long term, we expect working interest owners will continue to develop our acreage through infill drilling, horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing, recompletions and secondary and tertiary recovery methods. As an owner of mineral and royalty interests, we are entitled to a portion of the revenues received from the production of oil, natural gas and associated NGLs from the acreage underlying our interests, net of post-production expenses and taxes. We are not obligated to fund drilling and completion costs, lease operating expenses or plugging and abandonment costs at the end of a well’s productive life. As such, we benefit from the continued development of the properties we own a mineral or royalty interest in without the need for investment of additional capital by us.
● Maintain a conservative capital structure and prudently manage our business for the long term. We are committed to maintaining a conservative capital structure that will afford us the financial flexibility to execute our business strategies on an ongoing basis. The limited liability company agreement of our General Partner contains provisions that prohibit certain actions without a supermajority vote of at least 662/3% of the members of the General Partner’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”). Among the actions requiring a supermajority vote are the incurrence of borrowings in excess of 2.5 times our Debt to EBITDAX Ratio (as defined in our General Partner’s limited liability company agreement) for the preceding four quarters and the issuance of any partnership interests that rank senior in right of distributions or liquidation to our common units.
We have a $275.0 million secured revolving credit facility with an elected commitment amount feature permitting aggregate commitments under the secured revolving credit facility to be increased to up to $500.0 million, subject to the limitations of our borrowing base, which is currently $275.0 million, and the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the election of existing lenders to increase commitments or the procurement of additional commitments from new lenders. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Board of Directors approved the repayment of $27.5 million in outstanding borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility, which reduced our cash available for distribution on common units. Of the $27.5 million, $8.0 million was approved in connection with the fourth quarter distribution and will be repaid in the first quarter of 2022. With respect to future quarters, the Board of Directors may continue to allocate cash generated by our business to the repayment of outstanding borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility. We believe that this liquidity, along with internally generated cash from operations and access to capital markets, will provide us with the financial flexibility to grow our production, reserves and cash generated from operations through strategic acquisitions of mineral and royalty interests and the continued development of our existing assets.
Competitive Strengths
We believe that the following competitive strengths will allow us to successfully execute our business strategies and achieve our primary business objective:
● Significant diversified portfolio of mineral and royalty interests in mature producing basins and exposure to undeveloped opportunities. We have a diversified, low decline asset base with exposure to high-quality conventional and unconventional plays. As of December 31, 2021, we owned mineral and royalty interests
in approximately 11.4 million gross acres and overriding royalty interests in approximately 4.7 million gross acres, with approximately 62% of our aggregate acres located in the Permian Basin, Mid-Continent and Bakken/Williston Basin, and as of December 31, 2021, over 99% of the acreage subject to our mineral and royalty interests was leased to working interest owners (including approximately 100% of our overriding royalty interests), and substantially all of those leases were held by production. The estimated proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves attributable to our interests in our underlying acreage were 45,474 MBoe (42.2% liquids, consisting of 65.2% oil and 34.8% NGLs) based on the reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott. All of our reserves were classified as PDP reserves. The geographic breadth of our assets gives us exposure to potential production and reserves from new and existing plays without further required investment on our behalf. We believe that we will continue to benefit from these cost-free additions to production and reserves for the foreseeable future as a result of technological advances and continuing interest by third-party producers in development activities on our acreage.
● Exposure to many of the leading resource plays in the United States. We expect the operators of our properties to continue to drill new wells and to complete drilled but uncompleted wells on our acreage, which we believe should substantially offset the natural production declines from our existing wells. We believe that our operators have significant drilling inventory remaining on the acreage underlying our mineral or royalty interests in multiple resource plays. Our mineral and royalty interests are located in 28 states and in every major onshore basin across the continental United States and include ownership in over 122,000 gross wells, including over 46,000 wells in the Permian Basin.
● Financial flexibility to fund expansion. We believe that our conservative capital structure will permit us to maintain financial flexibility to allow us to opportunistically purchase strategic mineral and royalty interests, subject to the supermajority vote provisions of the limited liability company agreement of our General Partner as discussed above. Please read “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Indebtedness” for further information. We believe that we will be able to expand our asset base through acquisitions utilizing our secured revolving credit facility, internally generated cash from operations and access to capital markets.
● Experienced and proven management team with a track record of making acquisitions. The members of our management team and Board of Directors have an average of over 30 years of oil and gas experience. Our management team and Board of Directors, which includes our founders, have a long history of buying mineral and royalty interests in high-quality producing acreage throughout the United States. Certain members of our management team have managed a significant investment program, investing in over 160 acquisitions. We believe we have a proven competitive advantage in our ability to source, engineer, evaluate, acquire and manage mineral and royalty interests in high-quality producing acreage.
Our Properties
Material Basins and Producing Regions
The following is an overview of the United States basins and producing regions we consider most material to our current and future business.
● Permian Basin. The Permian Basin extends from southeastern New Mexico into west Texas and is currently one of the most active drilling regions in the United States. It includes three geologic provinces: the Midland Basin to the east, the Delaware Basin to the west, and the Central Basin in between. The Permian Basin consists of mature legacy onshore oil and liquids-rich natural gas reservoirs and has been actively drilled over the past 90 years. The extensive operating history, favorable operating environment, mature infrastructure, long reserve life, multiple producing horizons, horizontal development potential and liquids-rich reserves make the Permian Basin one of the most prolific oil-producing regions in the United States. Our acreage underlies prospective areas for the Wolfcamp play in the Midland and Delaware Basins, the Spraberry formation in the Midland Basin, and the Bone Springs formation in the Delaware Basin, which are among the most active plays in the country.
● Mid-Continent. The Mid-Continent is a broad area containing hundreds of fields in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas and including the Granite Wash, Cleveland and the Mississippi Lime formations. The Anadarko Basin is a structural basin centered in the western part of Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, extending into southwestern Kansas and southeastern Colorado. A key feature of the Anadarko Basin is the stacked geologic horizons including the Cana-Woodford and Springer shale in the SCOOP and STACK.
● Terryville/Cotton Valley/Haynesville. We own a substantial position in the core of the Terryville Field that the Contributing Parties acquired in 2007. Our mineral interests are leased and operated by Range Resources Corporation/Memorial Resource Development Corp. Producing since 1954, the Terryville Field is one of the most prolific natural gas fields in North America. Redevelopment of the field with horizontal drilling and modern completion techniques has resulted in high recoveries relative to drilling and completion costs, high initial production rates with high liquids yields, and long reserve life with multiple stacked producing zones.
● Appalachian Basin. The Appalachian Basin covers most of Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, West Virginia, western Maryland, eastern Kentucky, central Tennessee, western Virginia, northwestern Georgia, and northern Alabama. The basin’s most active plays in which we have acreage are the Marcellus Shale and Utica plays, which cover most of Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, and eastern Ohio. In addition to the Marcellus Shale and Utica plays, there are a number of other conventional and unconventional plays to which we have material exposure in the Appalachian Basin, including the Berea, Big Injun, Devonian, Huron and Rhinestreet.
● Eagle Ford. The Eagle Ford shale formation stretches across south Texas and includes some of the most economic and productive areas in the United States. The Eagle Ford contains significant amounts of hydrocarbons and is considered the source rock, or the original source, for much of the oil and natural gas contained in the Austin Chalk Basin. The Eagle Ford shale formation has benefitted from improvements in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.
● Bakken/Williston Basin. The Williston Basin stretches through North Dakota, the northwest part of South Dakota, and eastern Montana and is best known for the Bakken/Three Forks shale formations. The Bakken ranks as one of the largest oil developments in the United States in the past 40 years. Development of the Bakken became commercial on a large scale over the past ten years with the advent of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.
● DJ Basin/Rockies/Niobrara. The Denver-Julesburg Basin, also known as the DJ Basin, is a geologic basin centered in eastern Colorado stretching into southeast Wyoming, western Nebraska and western Kansas. The area includes the Wattenberg Gas Field, one of the largest natural gas deposits in the United States, and the Niobrara formation. The Niobrara includes three separate zones and stretches from the DJ Basin up into the Powder River Basin in Wyoming. Development in this area is currently focused on horizontal drilling in the Niobrara and Codell formations.
The following tables present information about our mineral and royalty interest acreage, well count and production by basin and producing region. We may own more than one type of interest in the same tract of land. Consequently, some of the acreage shown for one type of interest below may also be included in the acreage shown for another type of interest.
Mineral Interests
The following table sets forth information about our mineral and nonparticipating royalty interests. We combine our mineral and nonparticipating royalty assets into one category because they share many of the same characteristics due to the nature of the underlying interest.
December 31, 2021
Gross
Net
Percent
Basin or Producing Region
Acres
Acres
Leased
Permian Basin (1)
2,640,425
19,654
99.2
%
Mid-Continent
3,174,297
26,495
99.7
%
Terryville/Cotton Valley/Haynesville
1,301,662
6,725
99.6
%
Appalachian Basin (2)
434,116
16,968
99.8
%
Eagle Ford
476,193
5,059
96.8
%
Barnett Shale/Fort Worth Basin
316,408
3,548
99.1
%
Bakken/Williston Basin (3)
1,214,446
3,132
99.9
%
San Juan Basin
85,604
99.2
%
Onshore California
67,139
95.7
%
DJ Basin/Rockies/Niobrara
46,398
96.1
%
Illinois Basin
11,163
100.0
%
Other Western (onshore) Gulf Basin
614,310
4,247
98.0
%
Other TX/LA/MS Salt Basin
308,850
3,841
95.3
%
Other
677,084
3,305
99.1
%
Total (4)
11,368,095
94,196
99.2
%
(1) Includes mineral interests in approximately 1,195,210 gross (8,038 net) acres in the Wolfcamp/Bone Spring.
(2) Includes mineral interests in approximately 209,340 gross (5,637 net) acres in the Marcellus/Utica.
(3) Includes mineral interests in approximately 1,103,904 gross (3,013 net) acres in the Bakken/Three Forks.
(4) Percentage leased represents the weighted average of our leased acres relative to our total acreage in the basins in which we own mineral interests.
ORRIs
The following table sets forth information about our ORRIs:
December 31, 2021
Gross
Net
Percent
Basin or Producing Region
Acres
Acres
Producing
Permian Basin (1)
294,946
3,906
100.0
%
Mid-Continent
2,195,061
17,815
99.1
%
Terryville/Cotton Valley/Haynesville
127,245
1,194
99.6
%
Appalachian Basin (2)
307,238
6,235
100.0
%
Eagle Ford
147,955
1,671
100.0
%
Barnett Shale/Fort Worth Basin
76,755
100.0
%
Bakken/Williston Basin (3)
425,631
3,006
100.0
%
San Juan Basin
98,633
1,313
99.0
%
Onshore California
10,668
100.0
%
DJ Basin/Rockies/Niobrara
27,754
100.0
%
Illinois Basin
16,848
1,080
100.0
%
Other Western (onshore) Gulf Basin
89,209
1,215
100.0
%
Other TX/LA/MS Salt Basin
45,502
1,443
99.9
%
Other
814,388
15,544
99.9
%
Total (4)
4,677,833
55,393
99.5
%
(1) Includes overriding royalty interests in approximately 184,729 gross (1,950 net) acres in the Wolfcamp/Bone Spring.
(2) Includes overriding royalty interests in approximately 254,348 gross (4,852 net) acres in the Marcellus/Utica.
(3) Includes overriding royalty interests in approximately 411,439 gross (2,909 net) acres in the Bakken/Three Forks.
(4) Percentage producing represents the weighted average of our acres that are producing relative to our total acreage in the basins in which we own ORRIs. Virtually all acreage is producing.
Wells
The following table sets forth the well count in which we had mineral or royalty interest:
Basin or Producing Region
December 31, 2021
Permian Basin
46,933
Mid-Continent
19,118
Terryville/Cotton Valley/Haynesville
16,065
Appalachian Basin
3,818
Eagle Ford
3,930
Barnett Shale/Fort Worth Basin
5,880
Bakken/Williston Basin
5,180
San Juan Basin
1,860
Onshore California
DJ Basin/Rockies/Niobrara
12,502
Other
6,638
Total
122,899
Production
We designate wells as either conventional or unconventional by reviewing the basin, field, and hole direction of each well, as well as the start date of the wells. In estimating the percentage of conventional wells that are subject to enhanced oil recovery (“EOR”), we compare forecasted production decline against historical production decline, as well as publicly available information related to injection volumes, operator information, unit size, well count and location. We estimate that approximately 22% of our total production as of December 31, 2021 is attributable to conventional assets including certain EOR projects. We believe this conventional production provides a base level of production stability that helps facilitate overall organic production growth as new unconventional wells come online.
Oil and Natural Gas Data
Proved Reserves
Evaluation and Review of Estimated Proved Reserves
Our historical reserve estimates as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were prepared by Ryder Scott, an independent petroleum engineering firm. Ryder Scott is a third-party engineering firm and does not own an interest in any of our properties and is not employed by us on a contingent basis.
Within Ryder Scott, the technical person primarily responsible for preparing the reserve estimates set forth in the reserve report incorporated herein is Mr. Scott Wilson, who has been practicing petroleum-engineering consulting at Ryder Scott since 2000. Mr. Wilson is a registered Professional Engineer in the States of Alaska, Colorado, Texas and Wyoming. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 1983 and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Colorado in 1985. As technical principal, Mr. Wilson meets or exceeds the education, training and experience requirements set forth in the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and is proficient in applying industry standard practices to engineering evaluations as well as in applying United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and other industry reserves definitions and guidelines. A copy of Ryder Scott’s estimated proved reserve report as of December 31, 2021 is attached as an exhibit to this Annual Report.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Robert D. Ravnaas, has agreed to provide us with reserve engineering services. Mr. R. Ravnaas is a petroleum engineer with over 32 years of reservoir and operations experience. Mr. R. Ravnaas and certain engineers and geoscience professionals under his supervision worked closely with our independent reserve engineers to ensure the integrity, accuracy and timeliness of the data used to calculate our proved reserves relating to our mineral and royalty interests. Mr. R. Ravnaas met with our independent reserve engineers periodically during the period covered by the reserve report to discuss the assumptions and methods used in the proved reserve estimation process. We provide historical information to the independent reserve engineers for our properties such as ownership interest, oil and gas production, well test data, commodity prices and operating and development costs. Operating and development costs are not realized to our interest but are used to calculate the economic limit life of the wells. These costs are estimated and checked by our independent reserve engineers.
Mr. R. Ravnaas is primarily responsible for the preparation of our reserves. In addition, the preparation of our proved reserve estimates is completed in accordance with internal control procedures, including the following:
● review and verification of historical production data, which data is based on actual production as reported by the operators of our properties;
● preparation of reserve estimates by Mr. R. Ravnaas or under his direct supervision;
● review by Mr. R. Ravnaas of all of our reported proved reserves at the close of each quarter, including the review of all significant reserve changes; and
● verification of property ownership by our land department.
Under SEC rules, proved reserves are those quantities of oil and natural gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible-from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations-prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. If deterministic methods are used, the SEC has defined reasonable certainty for proved reserves as a “high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered.” All of our proved reserves as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were estimated using a deterministic method. The estimation of reserves involves two distinct determinations. The first determination results in the estimation of the quantities of recoverable oil and gas and the second determination results in the estimation of the uncertainty associated with those estimated quantities in accordance with the definitions established under SEC rules. The process of estimating the quantities of recoverable oil and gas reserves relies on the use of certain generally accepted analytical procedures. These analytical procedures fall into three broad categories or methods: (1) performance-based methods, (2) volumetric-based methods and (3) analogy. These methods may be used singularly or in combination by the reserve evaluator in the process of estimating the quantities of reserves. The proved reserves for our properties were estimated by performance methods, analogy or a combination of both methods. All proved producing reserves attributable to producing wells were estimated by performance methods. These performance methods include, but may not be limited to, decline curve analysis, which utilized extrapolations of available historical production and pressure data. All proved developed non-producing and undeveloped reserves were estimated by the analogy method.
To estimate economically recoverable proved reserves and related future net cash flows, Ryder Scott considered many factors and assumptions, including the use of reservoir parameters derived from geological, geophysical and engineering data which cannot be measured directly, economic criteria based on current costs and the SEC pricing requirements and forecasts of future production rates. To establish reasonable certainty with respect to our estimated proved reserves, the technologies and economic data used in the estimation of our proved reserves included production and well test data, downhole completion information, geologic data, electrical logs, radioactivity logs, core analyses, available seismic data and historical well cost and production cost data.
Summary of Estimated Proved Reserves
Estimates of reserves as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were prepared using an average price equal to the unweighted arithmetic average of hydrocarbon prices received on a field-by-field basis on the first day of each month within the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, in accordance with SEC guidelines applicable to reserve estimates as of the end of such period. The unweighted arithmetic average first day of the month prices were $66.56, $39.57 and $55.69 per Bbl for oil and $3.60, $1.99 and $2.58 per MMBtu for natural gas at December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The price per Bbl for NGLs was modeled as a percentage of oil price, which was derived from historical accounting data. Reserve estimates do not include any value for probable or possible reserves that may exist, nor do they include any value for undeveloped acreage. The reserve estimates represent our net revenue interest in our properties. Although we believe these estimates are reasonable, actual future production, cash flows, taxes, development expenditures, production costs and quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas reserves may vary substantially from these estimates.
The following table presents our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves:
December 31,
Estimated proved developed reserves:
Oil (MBbls)
12,511
12,294
11,303
Natural gas (MMcf)
157,764
144,233
141,181
Natural gas liquids (MBbls)
6,669
6,085
6,079
Total (MBoe)(6:1) (1)
45,474
42,418
40,912
Estimated proved undeveloped reserves:
Oil (MBbls)
-
-
1,015
Natural gas (MMcf)
-
-
7,562
Natural gas liquids (MBbls)
-
-
Total (MBoe)(6:1) (1)
-
-
2,651
Estimated proved reserves:
Oil (MBbls)
12,511
12,294
12,318
Natural gas (MMcf)
157,764
144,233
148,743
Natural gas liquids (MBbls)
6,669
6,085
6,455
Total (MBoe)(6:1) (1)
45,474
42,418
43,563
Percent proved developed
%
%
%
(1) Estimated proved reserves are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion of six Mcf per barrel of “oil equivalent.” This conversion is based on energy equivalence and not price or value equivalence. If a price equivalent conversion based on the twelve-month average prices for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was used, the conversion factor would be approximately 18.5 Mcf per Bbl of oil, 19.9 Mcf per Bbl of oil and 21.6 Mcf per Bbl of oil, respectively.
The foregoing reserves are all located within the continental United States. Reserve engineering is and must be recognized as a subjective process of estimating volumes of economically recoverable oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation. As a result, the estimates of different engineers often vary. In addition, the results of drilling, testing, and production may justify revisions of such estimates. Accordingly, reserve estimates often differ from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered. Estimates of economically recoverable oil and natural gas and of future net revenues are based on several variables and assumptions, all of which may vary from actual results, including geologic interpretation, prices, and future production rates and costs. Please read “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Additional information regarding our estimated proved reserves can be found in the reserve report as of December 31, 2021, which is included as an exhibit to this Annual Report.
Estimated Proved Undeveloped Reserves
Changes in PUD reserves that occurred from December 31, 2019 through December 31, 2020 were due to negative revisions of approximately 2,651 MBoe in PUD reserves. After evaluating certain external factors in the first quarter of 2020, including the significant decline in oil and natural gas prices related to reduced demand for oil and natural gas as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the announcement of price reductions and production increases in March 2020 by members of OPEC and other foreign, oil-exporting countries and other supply factors, as well as longer-term commodity price outlooks, we determined that significant drilling uncertainty existed regarding our PUD reserves that were included in our total estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2019, as well as our unevaluated oil and natural gas properties. Specifically, with respect to our PUD reserves (which accounted for approximately 6.1% of total estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2019), we determined that we did not have reasonable certainty as to the timing of the development of the PUD reserves and, therefore, recorded an impairment on such properties for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
As of year-end 2020, we transitioned to 100% proved developed reserves. Historically, our net organic growth has held PDP rates relatively flat to increasing over time, which we believe supports our inventory of drilling locations.
Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Production and Pricing
Production and Price History
The following table sets forth information regarding our production of oil and natural gas and certain price and cost information for each of the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
Production Data:
Oil and condensate (Bbls)
1,343,771
1,409,163
1,113,150
Natural gas (Mcf)
19,085,400
17,891,384
17,045,519
Natural gas liquids (Bbls)
714,494
681,575
561,797
Total (Boe)(6:1) (1)
5,239,165
5,072,635
4,515,867
Average daily production (Boe/d)(6:1)
14,354
13,860
12,331
Average Realized Prices:
Oil and condensate (per Bbl)
$
64.86
$
36.98
$
54.66
Natural gas (per Mcf)
$
3.51
$
1.79
$
2.21
Natural gas liquids (per Bbl)
$
29.33
$
12.39
$
15.96
Average Unit Cost per Boe (6:1)
Production and ad valorem taxes
$
2.00
$
1.26
$
1.71
(1) “Btu-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of six Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is based on approximate energy equivalency and does not reflect the price or value relationship between oil and natural gas.
Productive Wells
Productive wells consist of producing wells, wells capable of production, and exploratory, development or extension wells that are not dry wells. As of December 31, 2021, we owned mineral or royalty interests in over 122,000 gross productive wells, which consisted of over 88,000 oil wells and over 34,000 natural gas wells.
Acreage
Mineral and Royalty Interests
The following table sets forth information relating to the acreage underlying our mineral and nonparticipating royalty interests at December 31, 2021:
Developed
Undeveloped
Total
State
Acreage
Acreage
Acreage
Texas
4,892,009
55,617
4,947,626
Oklahoma
2,002,061
7,534
2,009,595
North Dakota
1,097,983
1,000
1,098,983
Wyoming
301,330
302,101
Kansas
608,320
2,001
610,321
Louisiana
618,711
1,045
619,756
Arkansas
407,848
1,218
409,066
Montana
165,955
5,059
171,014
New Mexico
199,475
1,843
201,318
Utah
144,053
-
144,053
Other
836,591
17,671
854,262
Total
11,274,336
(1)
93,759
(2)
11,368,095
(1) Reflects mineral interests in approximately 11,274,336 total gross (84,785 net) developed acres.
(2) Reflects mineral interests in approximately 93,759 total gross (9,411 net) undeveloped acres.
ORRIs
The following table sets forth information relating to our acreage for our ORRIs at December 31, 2021:
Developed
Undeveloped
Total
State
Acreage
Acreage
Acreage
Texas
1,383,846
1,384,526
Oklahoma
1,336,042
19,000
1,355,042
North Dakota
419,177
-
419,177
Wyoming
350,846
-
350,846
Utah
235,432
-
235,432
Colorado
192,402
-
192,402
Pennsylvania
124,298
-
124,298
West Virginia
116,938
-
116,938
Louisiana
119,002
119,512
New Mexico
107,600
108,560
Other
270,372
271,100
Total
4,655,955
(1)
21,878
(2)
4,677,833
(1) Reflects ORRIs in approximately 4,655,955 total gross (55,281 net) developed acres.
(2) Reflects ORRIs in approximately 21,878 total gross (112 net) undeveloped acres.
Drilling Results
As a holder of mineral and royalty interests, we generally are not provided information as to whether any wells drilled on the properties underlying our acreage are classified as exploratory or as developmental wells. We are not aware of any dry holes drilled on the acreage underlying our mineral and royalty interests during the relevant period.
Competition
The oil and natural gas industry is intensely competitive; we primarily compete with companies for the acquisition of oil and natural gas properties some of whom have greater resources than we do. These companies may be able to pay more for productive oil and natural gas properties and exploratory prospects or to define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or human resources permit. Additionally, many of our competitors are, or are affiliated with, operators that engage in the exploration and production of their oil and gas properties, which allows them to acquire larger assets that include operated properties. Our larger or more integrated competitors may be able to absorb the burden of existing, and any changes to, federal, state and local laws and regulations more easily than we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position. These companies may also have a greater ability to continue exploration activities during periods of low oil and natural gas market prices. Our ability to acquire additional properties in the future will be dependent upon our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. In addition, because we have fewer financial and human resources than many companies in our industry, we may be at a disadvantage in bidding for exploratory prospects and producing oil and natural gas properties.
Seasonal Nature of Business
Generally, demand for oil increases during the summer months and decreases during the winter months, while natural gas decreases during the summer months and increases during the winter months. Certain natural gas users utilize natural gas storage facilities and purchase some of their anticipated winter requirements during the summer, which can lessen seasonal demand fluctuations. Seasonal weather conditions and lease stipulations can limit drilling and producing activities and other oil and natural gas operations in a portion of our operating areas. These seasonal anomalies can pose challenges for the operators of our properties in meeting well drilling objectives and can increase competition for equipment, supplies and personnel during the spring and summer months, which could lead to shortages and increase costs or delay operations.
Regulation
The following disclosure describes regulation directly associated with operators of oil and natural gas properties, including our current operators, and other owners of working interests in oil and natural gas properties.
Oil and natural gas operations are subject to various types of legislation, regulation and other legal requirements enacted by governmental authorities. This legislation and regulation affecting the oil and natural gas industry is under constant review for amendment or expansion. Some of these requirements carry substantial penalties for failure to comply. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases the cost of doing business.
Environmental Matters
Oil and natural gas exploration, development and production operations are subject to stringent laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to protection of the environment or occupational health and safety. These laws and regulations have the potential to impact production on our properties, which could materially adversely affect our business and our prospects. Numerous federal, state and local governmental agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and Department of the Interior (“DOI”), issue regulations that often require difficult and costly compliance measures that carry substantial administrative, civil and criminal penalties and may result in injunctive obligations for non-compliance. These laws and regulations may require the acquisition of a permit before drilling commences, restrict the types, quantities and concentrations of various substances that can be released into the environment in connection with drilling and production activities, limit or prohibit construction or drilling activities on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands, ecologically sensitive and other protected areas, require action to prevent or remediate pollution from current or former operations, such as plugging abandoned wells or closing earthen pits, result in the suspension or revocation of necessary permits, licenses and authorizations, require that additional pollution controls be installed and impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from operations. The strict, joint and several liability nature of certain environmental laws and regulations could impose liability upon the operators of our properties regardless of fault. Moreover, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances, hydrocarbons or other waste products into the environment. Changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and any changes that result in more stringent and costly pollution control or waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or cleanup requirements could materially adversely affect our business and prospects.
Non-Hazardous and Hazardous Waste
The federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended (“RCRA”), and comparable state statutes and regulations promulgated thereunder, affect oil and natural gas exploration, development and production activities by imposing requirements regarding the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal and cleanup of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. With federal approval, the individual states administer some or all of the provisions of RCRA, sometimes in conjunction with their own, more stringent requirements. Administrative, civil and criminal penalties can be imposed for failure to comply with waste handling requirements. Although most wastes associated with the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas are exempt from regulation as hazardous wastes under RCRA, these wastes typically constitute nonhazardous solid wastes that are subject to less stringent requirements under RCRA or related waste regulations. From time to time, the EPA and state regulatory agencies have considered the adoption of stricter disposal standards for nonhazardous wastes, including crude oil and natural gas wastes. Moreover, it is possible that some wastes generated in connection with exploration and production of oil and gas that are currently classified as nonhazardous may, in the future, be designated as “hazardous wastes,” resulting in the wastes being subject to more rigorous and costly management and disposal requirements. Any changes in the laws and regulations in the future could have a material adverse effect on the operators of our properties’ capital expenditures and operating expenses, which in turn could affect production from the acreage underlying our mineral and royalty interests and adversely affect our business and prospects.
Remediation
The federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended (“CERCLA”), and analogous state laws, generally impose strict, joint and several liability, without regard to fault or legality of the original conduct, on classes of persons who are considered to be responsible for the release of a “hazardous
substance” into the environment. These persons include the current owner or operator of a contaminated facility, a former owner or operator of the facility at the time of contamination, and those persons that disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substance at the facility. Under CERCLA and comparable state statutes, persons deemed “responsible parties” may be subject to strict, joint and several liability for the costs of removing or remediating previously disposed wastes (including wastes disposed of or released by prior owners or operators) or property contamination (including groundwater contamination), for damages to natural resources and for the costs of certain health studies. In addition, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the hazardous substances released into the environment. In addition, the risk of accidental spills or releases could expose the operators of the acreage underlying our mineral interests to significant liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on the operators’ businesses, financial condition and results of operations. Liability for any contamination under these laws could require the operators of the acreage underlying our mineral interests to make significant expenditures to investigate and remediate such contamination or attain and maintain compliance with such laws and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on their results of operations, competitive position or financial condition.
Water Discharges
The federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 (“Clean Water Act”), the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”), the Oil Pollution Act (“OPA”), and analogous state laws and regulations promulgated thereunder impose restrictions and strict controls regarding the unauthorized discharge of pollutants, including produced waters and other gas and oil wastes, into regulated waters. The discharge of pollutants into regulated waters is prohibited, except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued by the EPA or the state. The Clean Water Act and regulations implemented thereunder also prohibit the discharge of dredge and fill material into regulated waters, including jurisdictional wetlands, unless authorized by an appropriately issued permit. The EPA issued a final rule outlining its position on the federal jurisdictional reach over waters of the United States, in September 2015, but this rule was promptly challenged in courts and was enjoined by judicial action in some states.
In October 2019, the EPA and the United States Army Corps of Engineers issued a final rule that repealed the 2015 regulations and reinstated the agencies’ narrower pre-2015 scope of federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction. In April 2020, the EPA and the United States Army Corps of Engineers issued a new final waters of the United States (“WOTUS”) definition that continues to provide a narrower scope of federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction than contemplated under the 2015 WOTUS definition, while also providing for greater predictability and consistency of federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction. On August 30, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona vacated and remanded the 2020 Rule, and in June 2021, the EPA and the Department of the Army announced their intention to initiate a new rulemaking process to restore the pre-2015 definition of “waters of the United States.” The proposed rule was published on December 7, 2021, and the comment period closed on February 7, 2022. In January 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari in a case, Sackett v. EPA, that could further impact this rulemaking process and the ultimate rule. If the 2015 rule is ultimately implemented, the expansion of Clean Water Act jurisdiction will result in additional costs of compliance as well as increased monitoring, recordkeeping and recording for some of our facilities.
In addition, spill prevention, control and countermeasure plan requirements under federal law require appropriate containment berms and similar structures to help prevent the contamination of navigable waters in the event of a petroleum hydrocarbon tank spill, rupture or leak. The EPA has also adopted regulations requiring certain oil and natural gas exploration and production facilities to obtain individual permits or coverage under general permits for storm water discharges.
The OPA is the primary federal law for oil spill liability. The OPA contains numerous requirements relating to the prevention of and response to petroleum releases into regulated waters, including the requirement that operators of offshore facilities and certain onshore facilities near or crossing waterways must develop and maintain facility response contingency plans and maintain certain significant levels of financial assurance to cover potential environmental cleanup and restoration costs. The OPA subjects owners of facilities to strict, joint and several liability for all containment and cleanup costs and certain other damages arising from a release, including, but not limited to, the costs of responding to a release of oil into surface waters.
Noncompliance with the Clean Water Act or the OPA may result in substantial administrative, civil and criminal penalties, as well as injunctive obligations, for the operators of the acreage underlying our mineral interests.
Air Emissions
The federal Clean Air Act, and comparable state laws and regulations, regulate emissions of various air pollutants through the issuance of permits and the imposition of other requirements. The EPA has developed, and continues to develop, stringent regulations governing emissions of air pollutants at specified sources. New facilities may be required to obtain permits before work can begin, and existing facilities may be required to obtain additional permits and incur capital costs in order to remain in compliance. For example, most recently in May 2016, the EPA finalized additional regulations under the federal Clean Air Act that established new emission control requirements for oil and natural gas production and processing operations. In August 2020, the EPA issued two final rules that rescinded the methane-specific requirements of the regulations applicable to sources in the production and processing segments and removed the transmission and storage segments from the source category, which removes them from the scope of the regulations. However, these 2020 rules are being challenged in the U.S. Circuit Court for the D.C. Circuit. In addition, on January 20, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order on “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis” directing the EPA to consider publishing a proposed rule suspending, revising or rescinding the 2020 rules. More stringent laws and regulations may increase the costs of compliance for oil and natural gas producers and impact production of the acreage underlying our mineral and royalty interests, and federal and state regulatory agencies can impose administrative, civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with air permits or other requirements of the federal Clean Air Act and associated state laws and regulations. Moreover, obtaining or renewing permits has the potential to delay the development of oil and natural gas projects.
Climate Change
In response to findings that emissions of greenhouse gases (“GHGs”), including carbon dioxide and methane, present an endangerment to public health and the environment, the EPA has adopted regulations under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act that, among other things, require preconstruction and operating permits for certain large stationary sources. In addition, the EPA has adopted rules requiring the monitoring and reporting of GHGs from certain onshore oil and natural gas production sources on an annual basis. As a result of this continued regulatory focus, future GHG regulations of the oil and gas industry remain a possibility.
President Biden has issued Executive Orders seeking to adopt new regulations and policies to address climate change and suspend, revise or rescind prior agency actions that are identified as conflicting with the Biden administration’s climate policies. Congress has from time to time considered adopting legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs and many states have already taken legal measures to reduce emissions of GHGs primarily through the planned development of GHG emission inventories and/or regional GHG cap and trade programs. Although Congress has not adopted such legislation at this time, it may do so in the future, and many states continue to pursue regulations to reduce GHG emissions. Restrictions on emissions of methane or carbon dioxide that may be imposed in various states could adversely affect the oil and natural gas industry, and state and local climate change initiatives and, at this time, it is not possible to accurately estimate how potential future laws or regulations addressing GHG emissions would impact our business.
Additionally, efforts have been made and continue to be made in the international community toward the adoption of international treaties or protocols that would address global climate change issues. As an example, the United States participated in the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in 2015, which led to the creation of the Paris Climate Agreement (the “Paris Agreement”). In April 2016, the United States was one of 175 countries to sign the Paris Agreement, which requires member countries to review and “represent a progression” in their intended nationally determined contributions, which set GHG emission reduction goals, every five years beginning in 2020. The Paris Agreement entered into force in November 2016. In line with a June 2017 announcement from President Trump, the United States withdrew from the Paris Agreement in November 2020. However, on January 20, 2021, President Biden signed an instrument that reversed this withdrawal, and the United States formally re-joined the Paris Agreement on February 19, 2021. More recently, President Biden announced in April 2021 a new, more rigorous nationally determined emissions reduction level of 50 percent to 52 percent from 2005 levels in economy-wide net GHG emissions by 2030, and in November 2021, the international community gathered again in Glasgow at the 26th Conference of the Parties ("COP26"). During COP26, multiple efforts (not having the effect of law) were announced, including a call for countries to eliminate certain fossil fuel subsidies and pursue further action to reduce non-carbon dioxide GHG emissions. Relatedly, the United States and European Union jointly announced at COP26 the launch of a Global Methane Pledge, an initiative joined by more than 100 countries, committing to a collective goal of reducing global methane emissions by at least 30 percent from 2020
levels by 2030, including "all feasible reductions" in the energy sector. The impacts of these efforts, pledges, agreements and any legislation or regulation promulgated to fulfill the United States' commitments under the Paris Agreement, COP26, or other international conventions cannot be predicted at this time.
Moreover, activists and members of the investment community concerned about the potential effects of climate change have directed their attention at sources of funding for energy companies, which has resulted in certain financial institutions, funds and other sources of capital restricting or eliminating their investment in oil and natural gas activities. Ultimately, this could make it more difficult for operators on our properties to secure funding for exploration and production activities. Additionally, activist shareholders have introduced proposals that may seek to force companies to adopt aggressive emission reduction targets or restrict more carbon-intensive activities. While we cannot predict the outcomes of such proposals, they could ultimately make it more difficult or costly for operators to engage in exploration and production activities.
Finally, one potential consequence of climate change could be increased severity of extreme weather conditions such as more intense hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornados, droughts and snow or ice storms, as well as rising sea levels. Another possible consequence of climate change is increased volatility in seasonal temperatures. Extreme weather conditions can interfere with production and increase costs, and damage resulting from extreme weather may not be fully insured. However, at this time, we are unable to determine the extent to which climate change may lead to increased storm or weather hazards affecting our business.
Regulation of Hydraulic Fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing is an important and common practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons from tight formations. The process involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into formations to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production. Hydraulic fracturing operations have historically been overseen by state regulators as part of their oil and natural gas regulatory programs. Legislation has been introduced before Congress that would provide for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing and would require disclosure of the chemicals used in the fracturing process. If enacted, these or similar bills could result in additional permitting requirements for hydraulic fracturing operations as well as various restrictions on those operations. In March 2015, the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) adopted a rule requiring, among other things, public disclosure to the BLM of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations after fracturing operations have been completed and would strengthen standards for wellbore integrity and management of fluids that return to the surface during and after fracturing operations on federal and Indian lands. That rule was rescinded in December 2017. This rescission was upheld in March 2020 by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, but the decision has been appealed. If these requirements went into effect, they could result in delays in operations at well sites and increased costs to make wells productive.
On August 16, 2012, the EPA approved final regulations under the federal Clean Air Act that establish new air emission controls for oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing operations. Specifically, the EPA’s rule package includes New Source Performance Standards to address emissions of sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”) and a separate set of emission standards to address hazardous air pollutants frequently associated with oil and natural gas production and processing activities. The final rule seeks to achieve a 95% reduction in VOCs emitted by requiring the use of reduced emission completions or “green completions” on all hydraulically-fractured natural gas wells constructed or refractured after January 1, 2015. The rules also establish specific new requirements regarding emissions from compressors, controllers, dehydrators, storage tanks and other production equipment. In May 2016, the EPA finalized similar rules that impose VOC emissions limits on certain oil and natural gas operations that were previously unregulated, including hydraulically fractured oil wells, as well as methane emissions limits for certain new or modified oil and natural gas emissions sources. The EPA is currently reconsidering the rules and has proposed to stay their requirements. However, the rules currently remain in effect.
In addition, governments have studied the environmental aspects of hydraulic fracturing practices. For example, in December 2016, the EPA issued its final report on a study it had conducted over several years regarding the effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water sources. The final report, contrary to several previously published draft reports issued by the EPA, did not find evidence that hydraulic fracturing has led to widespread, systematic impacts on drinking water resources but did identify instances in which impacts to drinking water may occur, including situations involving large volume spills and inadequate mechanical integrity of wells. The report also noted significant data gaps that prevented
the EPA from determining the extent or severity of these impacts. This study and other ongoing or proposed studies, depending on their degree of pursuit and whether any meaningful results are obtained, could spur initiatives to further regulate hydraulic fracturing under the SDWA or other regulatory authorities.
Several states have adopted, or are considering adopting, regulations that could restrict or prohibit hydraulic fracturing in certain circumstances and/or require the disclosure of the composition of hydraulic fracturing fluids. In addition, local governments also may seek to adopt ordinances within their jurisdictions regulating the time, place and manner of drilling activities in general or hydraulic fracturing activities in particular or prohibit the performance of well drilling in general or hydraulic fracturing in particular.
There has been increasing public controversy regarding hydraulic fracturing with regard to the use of fracturing fluids, impacts on drinking water supplies, use of water and the potential for impacts to surface water, groundwater and the environment generally. A number of lawsuits and enforcement actions have been initiated across the country implicating hydraulic fracturing practices. State and federal regulatory agencies recently have focused on a possible connection between the hydraulic fracturing related activities, particularly the disposal of produced water in underground injection wells, and the increased occurrence of seismic activity. When caused by human activity, such events are called induced seismicity. In some instances, operators of injection wells in the vicinity of seismic events have been ordered to reduce injection volumes or suspend operations. Some state regulatory agencies, including those in Colorado, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas, have modified their regulations or taken other regulatory actions to curtail injection of produced water to account for induced seismicity. These developments could result in additional regulation and restrictions on the use of injection wells and hydraulic fracturing. Such regulations and restrictions could cause delays and impose additional costs and restrictions on the operators of our properties and on their waste disposal activities.
If new laws or regulations that significantly restrict hydraulic fracturing and related activities are adopted, such laws could make it more difficult or costly to perform fracturing to stimulate production from tight formations as well as make it easier for third parties opposing the hydraulic fracturing process to initiate legal proceedings based on allegations that specific chemicals used in the fracturing process could adversely affect groundwater. In addition, if hydraulic fracturing is further regulated at the federal or state level, fracturing activities could become subject to additional permitting and financial assurance requirements, more stringent construction specifications, increased monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping obligations, plugging and abandonment requirements and also to attendant permitting delays and potential increases in costs. Such legislative changes could cause operators to incur substantial compliance costs, and compliance or the consequences of any failure to comply by operators could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. At this time, it is not possible to estimate the impact on our business of newly enacted or potential federal or state legislation governing hydraulic fracturing.
Other Regulation of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
The oil and natural gas industry is extensively regulated by numerous federal, state and local authorities. Legislation affecting the oil and natural gas industry is under constant review for amendment or expansion, frequently increasing the regulatory burden. Also, numerous departments and agencies, both federal and state, are authorized by statute to issue rules and regulations that are binding on the oil and natural gas industry and its individual members, some of which carry substantial penalties for failure to comply. For example, on January 20, 2021, the Acting Secretary for the Department of the Interior signed an order suspending new fossil fuel leasing and permitting on federal lands for 60 days. In addition, on January 27, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order directing the Secretary of the Interior to pause entering into new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or offshore waters “to the extent possible,” and launch a review of all existing leasing and permitting practices related to fossil fuel development on public lands and waters. The Executive Order also directed federal agencies to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies. Although the regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases the cost of doing business and potentially delays operations, these burdens generally do not affect us any differently or to any greater or lesser extent than they affect other companies in the industry with similar types, quantities and locations of production.
The availability, terms and cost of transportation significantly affect sales of oil and natural gas. The interstate transportation of oil and natural gas and the sale for resale of natural gas is subject to federal regulation, including regulation of the terms, conditions and rates for interstate transportation, storage and various other matters, primarily by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Federal and state regulations govern the price and terms for access
to oil and natural gas pipeline transportation. FERC’s regulations for interstate oil and natural gas transmission in some circumstances may also affect the intrastate transportation of oil and natural gas.
Although oil and natural gas prices are currently unregulated, Congress historically has been active in the area of oil and natural gas regulation. We cannot predict whether new legislation to regulate oil and natural gas might be proposed, what proposals, if any, might be enacted by Congress or the various state legislatures, and what effect, if any, the proposals might have on our operations. Sales of crude oil, condensate and NGLs are not currently regulated and are made at market prices.
Drilling and Production
The operations of the operators of our properties are subject to various types of regulation at the federal, state and local level. These types of regulation include requiring permits for the drilling of wells, drilling bonds and reports concerning operations. The state, and some counties and municipalities, in which we operate also regulate one or more of the following:
● the location of wells;
● the method of drilling and casing wells;
● the timing of construction or drilling activities, including seasonal wildlife closures;
● the rates of production or “allowables”;
● the surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled;
● the plugging and abandoning of wells; and
● notice to, and consultation with, surface owners and other third parties.
State laws regulate the size and shape of drilling and spacing units or proration units governing the pooling of oil and natural gas properties. Some states allow forced pooling or integration of tracts to facilitate exploration while other states rely on voluntary pooling of lands and leases. In some instances, forced pooling or unitization may be implemented by third parties and may reduce our interest in the unitized properties. In addition, state conservation laws establish maximum rates of production from oil and natural gas wells, generally prohibit the venting or flaring of natural gas and impose requirements regarding the ratability of production. These laws and regulations may limit the amount of oil and natural gas that the operators of our properties can produce from our wells or limit the number of wells or the locations at which operators can drill. Moreover, each state generally imposes a production or severance tax with respect to the production and sale of oil, natural gas and NGLs within its jurisdiction. States do not regulate wellhead prices or engage in other similar direct regulation, but we cannot assure you that they will not do so in the future. The effect of such future regulations may be to limit the amounts of oil and natural gas that may be produced from our wells, negatively affect the economics of production from these wells or to limit the number of locations operators can drill.
Federal, state and local regulations provide detailed requirements for the abandonment of wells, closure or decommissioning of production facilities and pipelines and for site restoration in areas where the operators of our properties operate. The United States Army Corps of Engineers and many other state and local authorities also have regulations for plugging and abandonment, decommissioning and site restoration. Although the United States Army Corps of Engineers does not require bonds or other financial assurances, some state agencies and municipalities do have such requirements.
Natural Gas Sales and Transportation
FERC has jurisdiction over the transportation and sale for resale of natural gas in interstate commerce by natural gas companies under the Natural Gas Act of 1938 (“NGA”) and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978. Since 1978, various federal laws have been enacted which have resulted in the complete removal of all price and non-price controls for sales of domestic natural gas sold in “first sales.”
Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, FERC has substantial enforcement authority to prohibit the manipulation of natural gas markets and enforce its rules and orders, including the ability to assess substantial civil penalties. FERC also regulates interstate natural gas transportation rates and service conditions and establishes the terms under which the operators of our properties may use interstate natural gas pipeline capacity, as well as the revenues the operators of our properties receive for sales of natural gas and release of natural gas pipeline capacity. Interstate pipeline companies are required to provide nondiscriminatory transportation services to producers, marketers and other shippers, regardless of whether such shippers are affiliated with an interstate pipeline company. FERC’s initiatives have led to the development of a competitive, open access market for natural gas purchases and sales that permits all purchasers of natural gas to buy gas directly from third party sellers other than pipelines.
Gathering service, which occurs upstream of jurisdictional transmission services, is regulated by the states onshore and in state waters. Section 1(b) of the NGA exempts natural gas gathering facilities from regulation by FERC under the NGA. Although its policy is still in flux, FERC has in the past reclassified certain jurisdictional transmission facilities as non-jurisdictional gathering facilities, which may increase the operators’ costs of transporting gas to point-of-sale locations. This may, in turn, affect the costs of marketing natural gas that the operators of our properties produce.
Historically, the natural gas industry has been very heavily regulated; therefore, we cannot guarantee that the less stringent regulatory approach currently pursued by FERC and Congress will continue indefinitely into the future nor can we determine what effect, if any, future regulatory changes might have on our natural gas related activities.
Oil Sales and Transportation
Sales of crude oil, condensate and NGLs are not currently regulated and are made at negotiated prices. Nevertheless, Congress could reenact price controls in the future.
Crude oil sales are affected by the availability, terms and cost of transportation. The transportation of oil in common carrier pipelines is also subject to rate regulation. FERC regulates interstate oil pipeline transportation rates under the Interstate Commerce Act and intrastate oil pipeline transportation rates are subject to regulation by state regulatory commissions. The basis for intrastate oil pipeline regulation, and the degree of regulatory oversight and scrutiny given to intrastate oil pipeline rates, varies from state to state. Insofar as effective interstate and intrastate rates are equally applicable to all comparable shippers, we believe that the regulation of oil transportation rates will not affect our operations in any materially different way than such regulation will affect the operations of our competitors.
Further, interstate and intrastate common carrier oil pipelines must provide service on a non-discriminatory basis. Under this open access standard, common carriers must offer service to all similarly situated shippers requesting service on the same terms and under the same rates. When oil pipelines operate at full capacity, access is governed by prorationing provisions set forth in the pipelines’ published tariffs. Accordingly, we believe that our access to oil pipeline transportation services will not materially differ from our competitors’ access to oil pipeline transportation services.
State Regulation
Texas regulates the drilling for, and the production, gathering and sale of, oil and natural gas, including imposing severance taxes and requirements for obtaining drilling permits. Texas currently imposes a 4.6% severance tax (2.3% for enhanced recovery) on the market value of oil production and a 7.5% severance tax on the market value of natural gas production. States also regulate the method of developing new fields, the spacing and operation of wells and the prevention of waste of oil and natural gas resources.
States may regulate rates of production and may establish maximum daily production allowables from oil and natural gas wells based on market demand or resource conservation, or both. States do not regulate wellhead prices or engage in other similar direct economic regulation, but we cannot assure you that they will not do so in the future. Should direct economic regulation or regulation of wellhead prices by the states increase, this could limit the amount of oil and natural gas that may be produced from our wells and the number of wells or locations the operators of our properties can drill.
The petroleum industry is also subject to compliance with various other federal, state and local regulations and laws. Some of those laws relate to resource conservation and equal employment opportunity. We do not believe that compliance with these laws will have a material adverse effect on our business.
Title to Properties
We believe that the title to our assets is satisfactory in all material respects. Although title to these properties is subject to encumbrances in some cases, such as customary interests generally retained in connection with the acquisition of real property, customary royalty interests and contract terms and restrictions, liens under operating agreements, liens related to environmental liabilities associated with historical operations, liens for current taxes and other burdens, easements, restrictions and minor encumbrances customary in the oil and natural gas industry, we believe that none of these liens, restrictions, easements, burdens and encumbrances will materially detract from the value of these properties or from our interest in these properties. Under our secured revolving credit facility, we have granted the lenders a lien on substantially all of the mineral and royalty interests of our wholly owned subsidiaries.
Human Capital Resources
The officers of our General Partner manage our operations and activities. However, neither we, our General Partner nor our subsidiaries have employees. We have entered into a management services agreement with Kimbell Operating, which in turn has entered into separate services agreements with entities controlled by affiliates of certain of our Sponsors and certain Contributing Parties, pursuant to which they and Kimbell Operating provide management, administrative and operational services for us, including the operation of our properties. The compensation for all our employees is indirectly paid by us pursuant to the management services agreement with Kimbell Operating. Please read “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence-Management Services Agreements” for more information regarding such management services agreements.
Our success depends on our ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate qualified employees. We recognize that we are in a competitive marketplace when it comes to finding top talent. As a result, talent acquisition and the retention of employees continue to be a priority initiative for us. We strive to continue to attract, retain and motivate qualified employees by offering competitive compensation and benefits in an inclusive and safe workplace, with opportunities for our employees to grow and develop in their careers. Our employees may participate in a robust benefits program, which includes a focus on health and wellness, and we offer a variety of other employee perks.
As of December 31, 2021, Kimbell Operating had approximately 28 employees performing services for our operations and activities. Women represent approximately 32% of our workforce, and men represent approximately 68%. We believe that our employees are one of our greatest assets and that we are made up of talented and dedicated employees working together to achieve common and rewarding goals. We value integrity, hard work, dedication and teamwork. Our goal is to promote an environment where employees are encouraged to do their best work with high professional standards.
Our first priority in our response to the COVID-19 health crisis has been the health and safety of our employees. To address these concerns, we implemented safety protocols and procedures to protect our employees. We modified certain business practices (including those related to employee travel, employee work locations, and physical participation in meetings, events and conferences) to conform to government restrictions and best practices encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the “CDC”), the World Health Organization (the “WHO”) and other governmental and regulatory authorities. In mid-March 2020, we restricted access to our offices to only essential employees and directed the remainder of our employees to work from home to the extent possible. Beginning in mid-May 2020, we opened our offices to employees on a voluntary basis, with employees having the option to work from home. We will continue to give employees the option to work from home until the CDC recommends businesses and employers resume to pre-pandemic operations.
Facilities
Our principal executive offices are located at 777 Taylor Street, Suite 810, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. We believe that our leased facilities are adequate for our current operations.
Additional Information
We electronically file various reports with the SEC including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov. Additionally, information about us, including our reports filed with the SEC, is available through our website at www.kimbellrp.com. These reports are accessible at no charge through our website and are made available as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with or furnished to the SEC. Our website and the information contained on that site, or connected to that site, are not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There are many factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition and cash flows. New risks may emerge at any time and we cannot predict those risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect financial performance. Each of the risks described below could adversely impact the value of our common units.
Risks Related to Business Disruptions
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the related impact on oil and natural gas prices have adversely affected, and could continue to adversely affect, our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has reached more than 200 countries and has continued to be a rapidly evolving economic and public health situation. The pandemic has resulted in widespread adverse impacts on the global economy and financial markets, including record economic contraction in the United States, and we and our third-party operators and other parties with whom we have business relations have experienced disrupted business operations as a result. For example, in mid-March, we had to limit access to our administrative offices and took certain other precautionary measures intended to help minimize the risk to our employees, our business and our community. Beginning in mid-May, we opened our offices to employees on a voluntary basis, with employees having the option to work from home. There is considerable uncertainty regarding the extent to which COVID-19 will continue to spread and the extent and duration of governmental and other measures implemented to try to slow the spread of COVID-19, such as large-scale travel bans and restrictions, border closures, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders and business and government shutdowns. While shelter-in-place restrictions subsided in the second half of 2020, the possibility of future restrictions remains. Because our employees have the option to work remotely, there is an increased risk of security breaches or other cyber-incidents or attacks, loss of data, fraud and other disruptions.
The impact of the pandemic, including the resulting significant reduction in global demand for oil and, to a lesser extent, natural gas, coupled with the sharp decline in oil prices following the announcement of price reductions and production increases in March 2020 by members of OPEC and other foreign, oil-exporting countries, has led to significant global economic contraction generally and in our industry in particular. Although OPEC agreed in April 2020 to cut oil production and has extended such production cuts through March 2021, crude oil prices remained depressed through December 31, 2020 as a result of an increasingly utilized global storage network and the decrease in crude oil demand due to COVID-19. Oil and natural gas prices are expected to continue to be volatile as a result of these events and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and as changes in oil and natural gas inventories, industry demand and economic performance are reported. The volatile price environment in 2020 and 2021 has caused some of our operators’ wells to become uneconomic, which has resulted, and may result in the future, in suspension of production from those wells or a significant reduction in, or no royalty revenues from, existing production. Some operators may also attempt to shut in producing wells and avoid lease termination or payment of shut-in royalties by claiming force majeure, if provided for in the applicable lease. The curtailment of production or the shut-in of wells as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and any drop in commodity prices are both outside of our control, and the materialization of either circumstance could have a significant impact on our result of operations. For example, in April 2020, we received notices from two operators regarding well shut-ins and curtailments of production on properties in which we own an interest. The properties were primarily located in the Eagle Ford Shale, and the production attributable to such properties on a Boe/d basis (6:1) represented approximately one percent of our total production for the first quarter of 2020. We received subsequent notice that the curtailment on all Eagle Ford Shale production had ceased and production resumed, effective June 1, 2020. We also received notifications of well shut-
ins and curtailment in the second quarter of 2020 from additional operators, and the production attributable to such properties on a Boe/d basis (6:1) accounted for less than one percent of our total production for the second quarter of 2020. We did not receive any additional notifications of well shut-ins or curtailments in the second half of 2020; however, we cannot predict whether any shut-ins and curtailments of production will be instituted by our operators in the future. During the 2021 period, there were no material shut-in or curtailments of our production as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to the significant decline in oil and natural gas prices related to reduced demand for oil and natural gas as a result of COVID-19, the announcement of price reductions and production increases in March 2020 by members of OPEC and other foreign, oil-exporting countries, and other supply factors, as well as longer-term commodity price outlooks that existed during 2020, we recorded an impairment on our oil and natural gas properties of $251.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. If the price of oil, natural gas and NGLs decrease further in future periods, we may be required to record additional impairments as a result of the full-cost ceiling limitation. The Partnership did not record an impairment on its oil and natural gas properties for the year ended December 31, 2021.
To the extent that access to the capital and other financial markets is adversely affected by the effects of COVID-19 and commodity prices generally, we may need to consider alternative sources of funding for our future acquisitions, which may increase our cost of, as well as adversely impact our access to, capital or otherwise impact our ability to complete acquisitions. We cannot predict the full impact that COVID-19 or the significant disruption and volatility in the oil and natural gas markets will have on our business, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations at this time, due to numerous uncertainties. The ultimate impact will depend on future developments beyond our control, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including, among others, the ultimate severity of COVID-19, the consequences of governmental and other measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the development, availability and administration of effective treatments and vaccines, the duration of the pandemic, future actions taken by members of OPEC and other foreign oil-exporting countries, actions taken by governmental authorities, third-party operators and other third parties and the timing and extent of any return to normal economic and operating conditions.
A terrorist attack or armed conflict could harm our business.
Terrorist activities, anti-terrorist activities and other armed conflicts involving the United States or other countries may adversely affect the United States and global economies. If any of these events occur, the resulting political instability and societal disruption could reduce overall demand for oil and natural gas, potentially putting downward pressure on demand for our operators’ services and causing a reduction in our revenues. Oil and natural gas facilities, including those of our operators, could be direct targets of terrorist attacks, and if infrastructure integral to our operators is destroyed or damaged, they may experience a significant disruption in their operations. Any such disruption could materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
Cyber-attacks targeting systems and infrastructure used by the oil and gas industry and related regulations may adversely impact our operations and, if we are unable to obtain and maintain adequate protection for our data, our business may be harmed.
The oil and natural gas industry has become increasingly dependent on digital technologies to conduct certain exploration, development and production activities. For example, the oil and natural gas industry depends on digital technology to estimate quantities of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves, process and record financial and operating data, analyze seismic and drilling information, and communicate with customers, employees and third-party partners. At the same time, cyber incidents, including deliberate attacks or unintentional events, have increased. The United States government has issued public warnings that indicate that energy assets might be specific targets of cyber security threats. We are dependent on our and our operators’ information systems and computer-based programs. If any of such programs or systems were to fail for any reason, including as a result of a cyber-attack, or create erroneous information in our or our operators’ hardware or software network infrastructure, possible consequences include loss of communication links and inability to automatically process commercial transactions or engage in similar automated or computerized business activities. In addition to the service providers who provide substantial services to us under our services agreement with Kimbell Operating, we rely on third party service providers to perform some of our data entry, investor relations and other functions. If the programs or systems used by our third-party service providers are not adequately functioning, we could experience loss of important data.
In addition, unauthorized access to our reserves information or other proprietary or commercially sensitive information could lead to data corruption, communication interruption or other disruptions in our operations or planned business transactions, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations. Our systems for protecting against cyber security risks may not be sufficient, and our increased reliance on remote access to our information system as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has increased our exposure to potential cyber security risks. Further, as cyber-attacks continue to evolve, we or our service providers, who we are generally obligated to reimburse for costs incurred in connection with the provision of their services to us, may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any vulnerabilities to cyber-attacks. In addition, new laws and regulations governing data privacy and the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information pose increasingly complex compliance challenges and potentially elevate costs, and any failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in significant penalties and legal liability.
Risks Related to Our Organization and Structure
We may not have sufficient available cash to pay any quarterly distribution on our common units.
We may not have sufficient available cash each quarter to enable us to pay any distributions to our common unitholders. Substantially all of the cash we have to distribute each quarter depends upon the amount of oil, natural gas and NGL revenues we generate, which is dependent upon the prices that the operators of our properties realize from the sale of oil and natural gas production. In addition, the actual amount of our available cash we will have to distribute each quarter will be reduced by replacement capital expenditures we make, payments in respect of our debt instruments and other contractual obligations, tax obligations, general and administrative expenses and fixed charges and reserves for future operating or capital needs that the Board of Directors may determine are appropriate.
In addition, each holder of Class B units has paid five cents per Class B unit to us as an additional capital contribution for the Class B units (such aggregate amount, the “Class B Contribution”) in exchange for Class B units. Each holder of Class B units is entitled to receive cash distributions equal to 2.0% per quarter on their respective Class B Contribution prior to distributions on our common units.
The amount of cash we have available for distribution to holders of our common units depends primarily on our cash flow and not solely on profitability, which may prevent us from paying cash distributions during periods when we record net income.
The amount of cash we have available for distribution to holders of our common units depends primarily upon our cash flow and not solely on profitability, which will be affected by non-cash items such as impairment expense or unit-based compensation expense. For example, we may have significant capital expenditures in the future. While these items
may not affect our profitability in a quarter, they would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to holders of our common units with respect to such quarter. As a result, we may pay cash distributions during periods in which we record net losses for financial accounting purposes and may be unable to pay cash distributions during periods in which we record net income.
The amount of our quarterly cash distributions, if any, may vary significantly both quarterly and annually and is directly dependent on the performance of our business. We do not have a minimum quarterly distribution or employ structures intended to consistently maintain or increase distributions over time and could pay no distribution with respect to any particular quarter.
Our future business performance may be volatile, and our cash flows may be unstable. Please read “-All of our revenues are derived from royalty payments that are based on the price at which oil, natural gas and NGLs produced from the acreage underlying our interests is sold. The volatility of these prices due to factors beyond our control greatly affects our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.” We do not have a minimum quarterly distribution or employ structures intended to consistently maintain or increase distributions over time. Because our quarterly distributions will significantly correlate to the cash we generate each quarter after payment of our fixed and variable expenses, future quarterly distributions paid to our unitholders will vary significantly from quarter to quarter and may be zero. Please read “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Unitholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities-Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.”
Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute all of our available cash, which could limit our ability to grow and make acquisitions.
Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute all of our available cash each quarter. As a result, we will have limited cash available to reinvest in our business or to fund acquisitions, and we may rely upon external financing sources, including commercial bank borrowings and the issuance of debt and equity securities, to fund our acquisitions and growth capital expenditures. To the extent we are unable to finance growth externally, our distribution policy will significantly impair our ability to grow. In addition, the incurrence of commercial borrowings or other debt to finance our growth strategy would result in increased interest expense, which, in turn, would reduce the available cash that we have to distribute to our common unitholders.
We have funded a significant portion of the consideration paid in connection with many of our acquisitions with the issuance of equity securities, including common units and securities that are convertible or exchangeable into common units. There are no limitations in our partnership agreement on our ability to issue additional common units and, as a limited partnership, we are not required to seek unitholder approval for issuances of common units (including issuances in excess of 20% of our outstanding equity securities or issuances of equity to certain affiliates). To the extent we issue additional units in connection with any acquisitions or growth capital expenditures or as in-kind distributions, the payment of distributions on those additional units may increase the risk that we will be unable to maintain or increase our per unit distribution level.
The limited liability company agreement of our General Partner contains restrictive covenants, governance and other provisions that may restrict our ability to pursue our business strategies.
The limited liability company agreement of our General Partner, which is controlled by our Sponsors, contains provisions that prohibit certain actions without a supermajority vote of at least 662/3% of the members of the Board of Directors, including:
● the incurrence of borrowings in excess of 2.5 times our Debt to EBITDAX Ratio for the preceding four quarters;
● the reservation of a portion of cash generated from operations to finance acquisitions;
● modifications to the definition of “available cash” in our partnership agreement; and
● the issuance of any partnership interests that rank senior in right of distributions or liquidation to our common units.
The Board of Directors is made up of eight members. Therefore, the vote of three directors would be sufficient to prevent us from undertaking the items discussed above. These restrictions may limit our ability to obtain future financings and acquire additional oil and gas properties. We may also be prevented from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise because of the limitations that these restrictions impose on us. Our inability to execute financings or acquire additional properties may materially adversely affect our results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
Our General Partner and its affiliates, including our Sponsors and their respective affiliates, have conflicts of interest with us and limited duties to us and our unitholders, and they may favor their own interests to the detriment of us and our unitholders. Additionally, we have no control over the business decisions and operations of our Sponsors and their respective affiliates, which are under no obligation to adopt a business strategy that favors us.
As of February 18, 2022, the owners of our Sponsors own or control up to an aggregate of approximately 11.7% of our outstanding common units and Class B units, and our Sponsors indirectly own and control our General Partner. Our General Partner has sole responsibility for conducting our business and managing our operations. Although our General Partner has a duty to manage us in a manner that is in, or not adverse to, the best interests of us and our unitholders, the directors and officers of our General Partner also have a duty to manage our General Partner in a manner that is beneficial to Kimbell Holdings and its parents, our Sponsors. Conflicts of interest may arise between our Sponsors and their respective affiliates, including our General Partner, on the one hand, and us and our unitholders, on the other hand. In resolving these conflicts, our General Partner may favor its own interests and the interests of its affiliates, including our Sponsors and their respective affiliates, over the interests of our unitholders. These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:
● neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires our Sponsors or the Contributing Parties to pursue a business strategy that favors us or utilizes our assets, which could involve decisions by our Sponsors to undertake acquisition opportunities for themselves or any other investment partnership that they control, and the directors and officers of our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties have a fiduciary duty to make these decisions in the best interests of our Sponsors and such Contributing Parties, which may be contrary to our interests;
● our Sponsors may change their strategy or priorities in a way that is detrimental to our future growth and acquisition opportunities;
● many of the officers and directors of our General Partner are also officers or directors of, and equity owners in, our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties and owe fiduciary duties to our Sponsors, or any other investment partnership that they control, and the Contributing Parties and their respective owners;
● our partnership agreement does not limit our Sponsors’ or their respective affiliates’ ability to compete with us and, subject to the 50% participation right included in the contribution agreement that we entered into with our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties in connection with our IPO, neither our Sponsors nor the Contributing Parties have any obligation to present business opportunities to us;
● our Sponsors may be constrained by the terms of their current or future debt instruments from taking actions, or refraining from taking actions, that may be in our best interests;
● our partnership agreement replaces the fiduciary duties that would otherwise be owed by our General Partner with contractual standards governing its duties, limiting our General Partner’s liabilities, and restricting the remedies available to our unitholders for actions that, without these limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty;
● except in limited circumstances, our General Partner has the power and authority to conduct our business without unitholder approval;
● contracts between us, on the one hand, and our General Partner and its affiliates, on the other hand, may not be the result of arm’s length negotiations;
● disputes may arise under agreements we have with our General Partner or its affiliates;
● our General Partner determines the amount and timing of acquisitions and dispositions, borrowings, issuance of additional partnership securities and the creation, reduction or increase of cash reserves, each of which can affect the amount of cash that is distributed to our unitholders;
● our General Partner determines which costs incurred by it or its affiliates are reimbursable by us;
● our partnership agreement does not restrict our General Partner from causing us to reimburse it or its affiliates for any services rendered to us or entering into additional contractual arrangements with any of these entities on our behalf;
● we have entered into a management services agreement with Kimbell Operating, which in turn has entered into separate services agreements with entities controlled by affiliates of certain of our Sponsors and certain Contributing Parties, pursuant to which they and Kimbell Operating provide management, administrative and operational services to us, and such entities also provide these services to certain other entities, including certain of the Contributing Parties;
● our General Partner intends to limit its liability regarding our contractual and other obligations;
● our General Partner may exercise its right to call and purchase all of the common units and Class B units not owned by it and its affiliates if it and its affiliates own more than 80% of our common units and Class B units (taken as a single class);
● our General Partner controls the enforcement of obligations owed to us by our General Partner and its affiliates, including under the contribution agreement entered into in connection with our IPO and other agreements with our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties; and
● our General Partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants or others to perform services for us.
Our partnership agreement does not restrict our Sponsors and their respective affiliates or the Contributing Parties from competing with us. Certain of our directors and officers may in the future spend significant time serving, and may have significant duties with, investment partnerships or other private entities that compete with us in seeking out acquisitions and business opportunities and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating time or pursuing business opportunities.
Our partnership agreement provides that our General Partner is restricted from engaging in any business activities other than acting as our General Partner and those activities incidental to its ownership of interests in us. Affiliates of our General Partner are not prohibited from owning projects or engaging in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. Similarly, our partnership agreement does not limit our Sponsors’ or their respective affiliates’ ability to compete with us and, subject to the 50% participation right included in the contribution agreement that we entered into with our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties in connection with our IPO, neither our Sponsors nor the Contributing Parties have any obligation to present business opportunities to us.
Affiliates of our Sponsors currently hold interests in, and may make investments in and purchases of, entities that acquire and own mineral and royalty interests. In addition, certain of our officers and directors, including the individuals who control our Sponsors, may in the future hold similar positions with investment partnerships or other private entities that are in the business of identifying and acquiring mineral and royalty interests. In such capacities, these individuals would likely devote significant time to such other businesses and would be compensated by such other businesses for the services rendered to them. The positions of these directors and officers may give rise to duties that are in conflict with duties owed to us. In addition, these individuals may become aware of business opportunities that may be appropriate for
presentation to us as well as the other entities with which they are or may be affiliated. Due to these potential future affiliations, they may have duties to present potential business opportunities to those entities prior to presenting them to us, which could cause additional conflicts of interest. Our Sponsors and their respective affiliates are under no obligation to make any acquisition opportunities available to us, except as provided for under the contribution agreement entered into in connection with our IPO.
Under the terms of our partnership agreement, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, does not apply to our General Partner or any of its affiliates, including its executive officers and directors, our Sponsors and their respective affiliates or the Contributing Parties. Any such person or entity that becomes aware of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for us does not have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to us. Any such person or entity is not liable to us or to any limited partner for breach of any fiduciary duty or other duty by reason of the fact that such person or entity pursues or acquires such opportunity for itself, directs such opportunity to another person or entity or does not communicate such opportunity or information to us. This may create actual and potential conflicts of interest between us and affiliates of our General Partner and result in less than favorable treatment of us and holders of our units.
Our General Partner intends to limit its liability regarding our obligations.
Our General Partner intends to limit its liability under contractual arrangements between us and third parties so that the counterparties to such arrangements have recourse only against our assets, and not against our General Partner or its assets. Our General Partner may therefore cause us to incur indebtedness or other obligations that are nonrecourse to our General Partner. Our partnership agreement permits our General Partner to limit its liability, even if we could have obtained more favorable terms without the limitation on liability. In addition, we are obligated to reimburse or indemnify our General Partner to the extent that it incurs obligations on our behalf. Any such reimbursement or indemnification payments would reduce the amount of cash otherwise available for distribution to our unitholders.
Neither we, our General Partner nor our subsidiaries have any employees, and we rely solely on Kimbell Operating to manage and operate, or arrange for the management and operation of, our business. The management team of Kimbell Operating, which includes the individuals who will manage us, also provides substantially similar services to other entities and thus is not solely focused on our business.
Neither we, our General Partner nor our subsidiaries have any employees, and we rely solely on Kimbell Operating to manage us and operate our assets. We have entered into a management services agreement with Kimbell Operating, which in turn has entered into separate services agreements with entities controlled by affiliates of certain of our Sponsors and certain Contributing Parties, pursuant to which they and Kimbell Operating provide management, administrative and operational services to us.
Kimbell Operating also provides substantially similar services and personnel to other entities, including certain of the Contributing Parties, and, as a result, may not have sufficient human, technical and other resources to provide those services at a level that it would be able to provide to us if it did not provide similar services to these other entities. Additionally, Kimbell Operating may make internal decisions on how to allocate its available resources and expertise that may not always be in our best interest compared to those of other entities or other affiliates of our General Partner. There is no requirement that Kimbell Operating favor us over these other entities in providing its services. If the employees of Kimbell Operating do not devote sufficient attention to the management and operation of our business, our financial results may suffer and our ability to make distributions to our unitholders may be reduced.
Our partnership agreement replaces fiduciary duties applicable to a corporation with contractual duties and restricts the remedies available to our unitholders for actions taken by our General Partner that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that replace fiduciary duties applicable to a corporation with contractual duties and restrict the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken by our General Partner that might
otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty under state fiduciary duty law. For example, our partnership agreement provides that:
● whenever our General Partner (acting in its capacity as our General Partner), the Board of Directors or any committee thereof (including the conflicts committee) makes a determination or takes, or declines to take, any other action in their respective capacities, our General Partner, the Board of Directors and any committee thereof (including the conflicts committee), as applicable, is required to make such determination, or take or decline to take such other action, in good faith, meaning that it subjectively believed that the decision was in, or not adverse to, our best interests, and, except as specifically provided by our partnership agreement, will not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by our partnership agreement, Delaware law or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity;
● our General Partner will not have any liability to us or our unitholders for decisions made in its capacity as a general partner so long as such decisions are made in good faith;
● our General Partner and its officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us or our limited partners resulting from any act or omission unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that our General Partner or its officers and directors, as the case may be, acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the conduct was unlawful; and
● our General Partner will not be in breach of its obligations under the partnership agreement (including any duties to us or our unitholders) if a transaction with an affiliate or the resolution of a conflict of interest is:
● approved by the conflicts committee of the Board of Directors, although our General Partner is not obligated to seek such approval;
● approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding any common units owned by our General Partner and its affiliates;
● determined by the Board of Directors to be on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from third parties; or
● determined by the Board of Directors to be fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships among the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us.
In connection with a situation involving a transaction with an affiliate or a conflict of interest, any determination by our General Partner or the conflicts committee must be made in good faith. If an affiliate transaction or the resolution of a conflict of interest is not approved by our common unitholders or the conflicts committee and the Board of Directors determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to the affiliate transaction or conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in the third and fourth sub bullet points above, then it will be presumed that, in making its decision, the Board of Directors acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership challenging such determination, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption.
Our partnership agreement replaces our General Partner’s fiduciary duties to our unitholders with contractual standards governing its duties.
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that eliminate the fiduciary standards to which our General Partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty law and replaces those duties with several different contractual standards. For example, our partnership agreement permits our General Partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our General Partner, free of any duties to us and our unitholders other than the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing, which means that a court will enforce the reasonable expectations of the partners where the language in the partnership agreement does not provide for a clear course of action.
This provision entitles our General Partner to consider only the interests and factors that it desires and relieves it of any duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or our limited partners. Examples of decisions that our General Partner may make in its individual capacity include:
● how to allocate corporate opportunities among us and its other affiliates;
● whether to exercise its limited call right;
● whether to seek approval of the resolution of a conflict of interest by the conflicts committee of the Board of Directors or by the unitholders;
● how to exercise its voting rights with respect to the units it owns;
● whether to sell or otherwise dispose of any units or other partnership interests it owns; and
● whether or not to consent to any merger or consolidation of the partnership or amendment to the partnership agreement.
By acquiring an interest in us, a limited partner agrees to become bound by the provisions in the partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above.
Holders of our common units have limited voting rights and are not entitled to elect our General Partner or its directors, which could reduce the price at which our common units will trade.
Unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, our unitholders have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business and, therefore, limited ability to influence management’s decisions regarding our business. Our unitholders have no right on an annual or ongoing basis to elect our General Partner or its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors, including the independent directors, is chosen entirely by our Sponsors, as a result of such Sponsors controlling our General Partner, and not by our unitholders. Please read “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence.” Unlike publicly traded corporations, we do not conduct annual meetings of our unitholders to elect directors or conduct other matters routinely conducted at annual meetings of stockholders of corporations. As a result of these limitations, the price at which our common units will trade could be diminished because of the absence or reduction of a takeover premium in the trading price.
Even if our unitholders are dissatisfied, they cannot initially remove our General Partner without its consent.
If our unitholders are dissatisfied with the performance of our General Partner, they will have limited ability to remove our General Partner. Our General Partner may not be removed unless such removal is both (i) for cause and (ii) approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 662/3% of all outstanding units (including common units and Class B units held by the General Partner and its affiliates). As of February 18, 2022, the owners of our Sponsors own or control an aggregate of approximately 11.7% of our outstanding common units and Class B units, and our Sponsors indirectly own and control our General Partner.
Our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of unitholders owning 20% or more of the interests in any class of our securities, subject to certain exceptions.
Our partnership agreement restricts unitholders’ voting rights by providing that any units held by a person that owns 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, other than our General Partner, its affiliates and their transferees, the Contributing Parties and their respective affiliates, persons who acquired such units with the prior approval of the Board of Directors, and holders who own 20% or more of any class of units as a result of any redemption or purchase of any other holder’s units at our option, may not vote on any matter. Our partnership agreement also contains provisions limiting the ability of unitholders to call meetings or to acquire information about our operations, as well as other provisions limiting the ability of our unitholders to influence the manner or direction of management.
Cost reimbursements due to our General Partner and its affiliates for services provided to us or on our behalf will reduce cash available for distribution to our common unitholders. Our partnership agreement and the limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company do not set a limit on the amount of expenses for which our General Partner and its affiliates may be reimbursed. The amount and timing of such reimbursements will be determined by our General Partner.
Prior to paying any distribution on our common units, we will reimburse our General Partner and its affiliates, including Kimbell Operating pursuant to its management services agreement discussed below, for all expenses they incur and payments they make on our behalf. Our partnership agreement and limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company do not set a limit on the amount of expenses for which our General Partner and its affiliates may be reimbursed. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf and expenses allocated to our General Partner by its affiliates. Our partnership agreement and the limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company provide that our General Partner will determine the expenses that are allocable to us. The reimbursement of expenses and payment of fees, if any, to our General Partner and its affiliates will reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our common unitholders. Please read “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Unitholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities- Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.”
We have entered into a management services agreement with Kimbell Operating, which in turn has entered into separate services agreements with entities controlled by affiliates of certain of our Sponsors and certain Contributing Parties, pursuant to which they and Kimbell Operating provide management, administrative and operational services to us. Amounts paid to Kimbell Operating and such other entities under their respective services agreements will reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our common unitholders. Please read “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence -Agreements and Transactions with Affiliates in Connection with our Initial Public Offering-Management Services Agreements.”
Our General Partner interest or the control of our General Partner may be transferred to a third party without unitholder consent.
Our General Partner may transfer its general partner interest to a third party without the consent of our unitholders. Furthermore, our partnership agreement does not restrict the ability of the owner of our General Partner to transfer its membership interests in our General Partner to a third party. After any such transfer, the new member or members of our General Partner would then be in a position to replace the Board of Directors and executive officers of our General Partner with its own designees and thereby exert significant control over the decisions taken by the Board of Directors and executive officers of our General Partner. This effectively permits a “change of control” without the vote or consent of the unitholders.
Our sole cash-generating asset is our membership interest in the Operating Company and we are accordingly dependent upon distributions from the Operating Company to pay taxes and cover our expenses and to make distributions to our unitholders.
We are a holding company, and we have no material assets other than our membership interest in the Operating Company. We have no independent means of generating revenue. To the extent the Operating Company has available cash, we intend to cause the Operating Company to make distributions to its unitholders, including us, in an amount sufficient to cover all applicable taxes at assumed tax rates, to reimburse us for our expenses and to allow us to make distributions to our unitholders. To the extent that we need funds and the Operating Company is restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation or under the terms of any financing arrangements, or is otherwise unable to provide such funds, it could materially adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition.
Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions and in certain circumstances may be personally liable for the obligations of the partnership.
Under certain circumstances, unitholders may have to repay amounts wrongfully returned or distributed to them. Under Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Delaware Act”), we may not pay a distribution to our unitholders if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets. Delaware
law provides that for a period of three years from the date of the impermissible distribution, limited partners who received the distribution and who knew at the time of the distribution that it violated Delaware law will be liable to the limited partnership for the distribution amount. Liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities that are non-recourse to the partnership are not counted for purposes of determining whether a distribution is permitted.
A limited partner that participates in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Act may be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of Delaware, to the same extent as our General Partner. This liability would extend to persons who transact business with us under the reasonable belief that the limited partner is a general partner. Neither our partnership agreement nor the Delaware Act specifically provides for legal recourse against our General Partner if a limited partner were to lose limited liability through any fault of our General Partner.
Increases in interest rates may cause the market price of our common units to decline.
While interest rates have been at record low levels in recent years, this low interest rate environment likely will not continue indefinitely. An increase in interest rates may cause a corresponding decline in demand for equity investments in general, and in particular, for yield-based equity investments such as our common units. Any such increase in interest rates or reduction in demand for our common units resulting from other relatively more attractive investment opportunities may cause the trading price of our common units to decline.
Our General Partner has a call right that may require unitholders to sell their units at an undesirable time or price.
If at any time our General Partner and its affiliates (including our Sponsors and their respective affiliates) own more than 80% of the sum of the number of our common units then outstanding and the number of Class B units then outstanding, our General Partner will have the right, which it may assign to any of its affiliates or to us, but not the obligation, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the common units and Class B units (being treated as a single class of units) held by unaffiliated persons at a price not less than the then-current market price of the common units, as calculated in accordance with our partnership agreement. As a result, unitholders may be required to sell their common units or Class B units at an undesirable time or price and may not receive any return or a negative return on their investment. Unitholders may also incur a tax liability upon a sale of their units. Our General Partner is not obligated to obtain a fairness opinion regarding the value of the common units or Class B units to be repurchased by it upon exercise of the limited call right. There is no restriction in our partnership agreement that prevents our General Partner from causing us to issue additional common units or Class B units and then exercising its call right. If our General Partner exercised its limited call right, the effect would be to take us private and, if the units were subsequently deregistered, we would no longer be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). As of February 18, 2022, the owners of our Sponsors own or control up to an aggregate of approximately 11.7% of our outstanding common units and Class B units, and our Sponsors indirectly own and control our General Partner.
We may issue additional common units and other equity interests without unitholder approval, which would dilute existing common unitholder ownership interests.
Under our partnership agreement, we are authorized, without the vote of unitholders, to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership interests. The terms of our partnership agreement and the limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company also authorize us and it to issue an unlimited number of Class B units and OpCo common units, respectively, which are together exchangeable on a one-for-one basis into common units. The issuance by us of additional common units or other equity interests of equal or senior rank to the common units would have the following effects:
● the proportionate ownership interest of unitholders in us immediately prior to the issuance will decrease;
● the amount of cash distributions on each common unit may decrease;
● the ratio of our taxable income to distributions may increase;
● the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding common unit may be diminished; and
● the market price of the common units may decline.
There are no limitations in our partnership agreement on our ability to issue units ranking senior in right of distributions or liquidation to our common units.
In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may issue additional partnership interests that rank senior in right of distributions, liquidation or voting to our common units. In prior years we have issued preferred units that ranked senior in right of distributions and liquidation to our common units, and we may issue senior partnership interests again in the future. The issuance by us of units of senior rank may (i) reduce or eliminate the amount of cash available for distribution to our common unitholders; (ii) diminish the relative voting strength of the total common units outstanding as a class; or (iii) subordinate the claims of the common unitholders to our assets in the event of our liquidation.
The market price of our common units could be materially adversely affected by sales of substantial amounts of our common units in the public or private markets, including sales by our Sponsors, the Contributing Parties and other selling unitholders pursuant to any registration rights agreements.
As of December 31, 2021, we had 47,162,773 common units outstanding and 17,611,579 Class B units outstanding. Our Class B units are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis, together with an equal number of OpCo common units, for common units.
A large percentage of our equity securities, including securities that are convertible or exchangeable into common units, are held by a relatively limited number of investors. Further, we have entered into registration rights agreements with many of such investors, pursuant to which we have filed registration statements with the SEC to facilitate potential future sales of such common units by them. Sales by holders of a substantial number of our common units in the public markets, or the perception that such sales might occur, could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common units or could impair our ability to obtain capital through an offering of equity securities.
The price of our common units may fluctuate significantly, and unitholders could lose all or part of their investment.
The market price of our common units may be influenced by many factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:
● changes in commodity prices;
● public reaction to our press releases, announcements and filings with the SEC;
● fluctuations in broader securities market prices and volumes, particularly among securities of oil and natural gas companies and securities of publicly traded limited partnerships and limited liability companies;
● changes in market valuations of similar companies;
● departures of key personnel;
● commencement of or involvement in litigation;
● variations in our quarterly results of operations or those of other oil and natural gas companies;
● changes in general economic conditions, financial markets or the oil and natural gas industry;
● announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions or other transactions;
● variations in the amount of our quarterly cash distributions to our unitholders;
● changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
● the failure of securities analysts to cover our common units or changes in their recommendations and estimates of our financial performance;
● future sales of our common units; and
● the other factors described in these “Risk Factors.”
For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with certain disclosure requirements that apply to other public companies.
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Act (“JOBS Act”). For as long as we are an emerging growth company, which may be up to five full fiscal years after our IPO, unlike other public companies, we will not be required to, among other things, (1) provide an auditor’s attestation report on the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (2) comply with any new requirements adopted by the PCAOB requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the issuer, (3) comply with any new audit rules adopted by the PCAOB after April 5, 2012 unless the SEC determines otherwise or (4) provide certain disclosure regarding executive compensation required of larger public companies.
In addition, Section 102 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can use the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for complying with new or revised accounting standards. An “emerging growth company” can therefore delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. However, we choose to “opt out” of such extended transition period, and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable. Beginning in 2023, we will no longer be considered an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the provisions of the JOBS Act.
The NYSE does not require a publicly traded partnership like us to comply with certain of its corporate governance requirements.
Because we are a publicly traded partnership, the NYSE does not require us to have, and we do not have, a majority of independent directors on our Board of Directors or to establish a compensation committee or a nominating and corporate governance committee. Additionally, any future issuance of common units or other securities, including to affiliates, will not be subject to the NYSE’s shareholder approval rules that apply to corporations. Accordingly, unitholders will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of certain corporations that are subject to all of the NYSE’s corporate governance requirements. Please read “Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.”
Our partnership agreement includes exclusive forum, venue and jurisdiction provisions. By acquiring an interest in us, a limited partner is irrevocably consenting to these provisions regarding claims, suits, actions or proceedings and submitting to the exclusive jurisdiction of Delaware courts.
Our partnership agreement is governed by Delaware law. Our partnership agreement includes exclusive forum, venue and jurisdiction provisions designating Delaware courts as the exclusive venue for most claims, suits, actions and proceedings involving us or our officers, directors and employees. By acquiring an interest in us, a limited partner is irrevocably consenting to these provisions regarding claims, suits, actions or proceedings and submitting to the exclusive jurisdiction of Delaware courts. These provisions may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against us and our General Partner’s officers and directors.
If a unitholder is an ineligible holder, the units of such unitholder may be subject to redemption.
We have adopted certain requirements regarding those investors who may own our units. Ineligible holders are limited partners whose nationality, citizenship or other related status would create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which we have an interest, as determined by our General Partner with the advice of counsel. If a unitholder is an ineligible holder, in certain circumstances as set forth in our partnership agreement, the units held by such unitholder may be redeemed by us at the then-current market price. The redemption price will be paid in cash or by delivery of a promissory note, as determined by our General Partner.
Risks Related to Economic Conditions and Our Industry
All of our revenues are derived from royalty payments that are based on the price at which oil, natural gas and NGLs produced from the acreage underlying our interests is sold. The volatility of these prices due to factors beyond our control greatly affects our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
Our revenues, operating results, cash available for distribution on common units and the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties depend significantly upon the prevailing prices for oil, natural gas and NGLs. Historically, oil, natural gas and NGL prices have been volatile and are subject to fluctuations in response to changes in supply and demand, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control, including:
● the domestic and foreign supply of and demand for oil, natural gas and NGLs;
● the level of prices and expectations about future prices of oil, natural gas and NGLs;
● the level of global oil and natural gas exploration and production;
● the cost of exploring for, developing, producing and delivering oil and natural gas;
● the price and quantity of foreign imports;
● the level of United States domestic production;
● political and economic conditions in oil producing regions, including the Middle East, Africa, South America and Russia;
● the ability of members of the OPEC to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls;
● the ability of Iran to increase the export of oil and natural gas upon the relaxation of international sanctions;
● speculative trading in crude oil, natural gas and NGL derivative contracts;
● the level of consumer product demand;
● weather conditions and other natural disasters, the frequency and impact of which could be increased by the effects of climate change;
● risks associated with operating drilling rigs;
● technological advances affecting energy consumption;
● domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes;
● the continued threat of terrorism and the impact of military and other action, including military actions involving Russia and Ukraine;
● the proximity, cost, availability and capacity of oil and natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities;
● the price and availability of alternative fuels; and
● overall domestic and global economic conditions.
These factors and the volatility of the energy markets make it extremely difficult to predict future oil and natural gas price movements with any certainty. For example, during the past five years, the posted price for WTI, has ranged
from a low of $(36.98) per Bbl in April 2020 to a high of $85.64 per Bbl in October 2021, and the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas has ranged from a low of $1.33 per MMBtu in September 2020 to a high of $23.86 per MMBtu in February 2021. On December 31, 2021, the WTI posted price for crude oil was $75.33 per Bbl and the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas was $3.82 per MMBtu. On February 14, 2022, the WTI posted price for crude oil was $95.52 per Bbl and the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas was $4.05 per MMBtu. Reductions in prices can be caused by many factors, including increases in oil and natural gas production and reserves from unconventional (shale) reservoirs, without an offsetting increase in demand, as well as actions by the OPEC to maintain or raise production levels. This environment could cause prices to remain at current levels or to fall to lower levels.
Any substantial decline in the price of oil, natural gas and NGLs or prolonged period of low commodity prices will materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units. We may use various derivative instruments in connection with anticipated oil and natural gas sales to minimize the impact of commodity price fluctuations. However, we cannot always hedge the entire exposure of our operations from commodity price volatility. To the extent we do not hedge against commodity price volatility, or our hedges are not effective, our results of operations and financial position may be diminished.
In addition, lower oil and natural gas prices may reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that can be produced economically by our operators. This may result in our having to make substantial downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves, which could negatively impact our borrowing base and our ability to fund our operations. If this occurs or if production estimates change or exploration or development results deteriorate, full-cost efforts method of accounting principles may require us to write down, as a non-cash charge to earnings, the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties. Our operators could also determine during periods of low commodity prices to shut in or curtail production from wells on our properties. In addition, they could determine during periods of low commodity prices to plug and abandon marginal wells that otherwise may have been allowed to continue to produce for a longer period under conditions of higher prices. Specifically, they may abandon any well if they reasonably believe that the well can no longer produce oil or natural gas in commercially paying quantities.
A deterioration in general economic, business or industry conditions would materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash available for distribution on common units.
Concerns over global economic conditions, energy costs, geopolitical issues, inflation, the availability and cost of credit, and slow economic growth in the United States can contribute to economic uncertainty and diminish expectations for the global economy. In addition, continued hostilities in the Middle East and the occurrence or threat of terrorist attacks in the United States or other countries could adversely affect the economies of the United States and other countries. Concerns about global economic growth have had a significant adverse impact on global financial markets and commodity prices. With current global economic growth slowing, demand for oil, natural gas and NGL production has, in turn, softened. An oversupply of crude oil in 2015 led to a severe decline in worldwide oil prices. If the economic climate in the United States or abroad deteriorates, worldwide demand for petroleum products could further diminish, which could impact the price at which oil, natural gas and NGLs from our properties are sold, affect the ability of vendors, suppliers and customers associated with our properties to continue operations and ultimately materially adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash available for distribution on common units.
Conservation measures and technological advances could reduce demand for oil and natural gas.
Fuel conservation measures, alternative fuel requirements, increasing consumer demand for alternatives to oil and natural gas, technological advances in fuel economy and energy-generation devices could reduce demand for oil and natural gas. The impact of the changing demand for oil and natural gas services and products may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
Competition in the oil and natural gas industry is intense, which may adversely affect our operators’ ability to succeed.
The oil and natural gas industry is intensely competitive, and the operators of our properties compete with other companies that may have greater resources. Many of these companies explore for and produce oil and natural gas, carry on midstream and refining operations, and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. In addition, these companies may have a greater ability to continue exploration activities during periods of low oil and
natural gas market prices. Our operators’ larger competitors may be able to absorb the burden of present and future federal, state, local and other laws and regulations more easily than our operators can, which would adversely affect our operators’ competitive position. Our operators may have fewer financial and human resources than many companies in our operators’ industry and may be at a disadvantage in bidding for exploratory prospects and producing oil and natural gas properties.
The results of exploratory drilling in shale plays will be subject to risks associated with drilling and completion techniques and drilling results may not meet our expectations for reserves or production.
The operators of our properties may use the latest drilling and completion techniques in their operations, and these techniques come with inherent risks. Certain of the new techniques that the operators of our properties may adopt, such as horizontal drilling, infill drilling and multi-well pad drilling, may cause irregularities or interruptions in production due to, in the case of infill drilling, offset wells being shut in and, in the case of multi-well pad drilling, the time required to drill and complete multiple wells before these wells begin producing. The results of drilling in new or emerging formations are more uncertain initially than drilling results in areas that are more developed and have a longer history of established production. Newer or emerging formations and areas often have limited or no production history and consequently the operators of our properties will be less able to predict future drilling results in these areas.
Ultimately, the success of these drilling and completion techniques can only be evaluated over time as more wells are drilled and production profiles are established over a sufficiently long time period. If our operators’ drilling results are weaker than anticipated or they are unable to execute their drilling program on our properties because of capital constraints, lease expirations, access to gathering systems, or declines in oil and natural gas prices, our operating and financial results in these areas may be lower than we anticipate. Further, as a result of any of these developments we could incur material write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties and the value of our undeveloped acreage could decline, and our results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units could be materially adversely affected.
The marketability of oil and natural gas production is dependent upon transportation and other facilities, certain of which neither we nor the operators of our properties control. If these facilities are unavailable, our operators’ operations could be interrupted and our results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units could be materially adversely affected.
The marketability of our operators’ oil and natural gas production will depend in part upon the availability, proximity and capacity of transportation facilities, including gathering systems, trucks and pipelines, owned by third parties. Neither we nor the operators of our properties control these third party transportation facilities and our operators’ access to them may be limited or denied. Insufficient production from the wells on our acreage or a significant disruption in the availability of third party transportation facilities or other production facilities could adversely impact our operators’ ability to deliver to market or produce oil and natural gas and thereby cause a significant interruption in our operators’ operations. If they are unable, for any sustained period, to implement acceptable delivery or transportation arrangements or encounter production related difficulties, they may be required to shut in or curtail production. In addition, the amount of oil and natural gas that can be produced and sold may be subject to curtailment in certain other circumstances outside of our or our operators’ control, such as pipeline interruptions due to maintenance, excessive pressure, inability of downstream processing facilities to accept unprocessed gas, physical damage to the gathering system or transportation system or lack of contracted capacity on such systems. The curtailments arising from these and similar circumstances may last from a few days to several months. In many cases, we and our operators are provided with limited notice, if any, as to when these curtailments will arise and the duration of such curtailments. Any such shut in or curtailment, or an inability to obtain favorable terms for delivery of the oil and natural gas produced from our acreage, could materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas are high-risk activities with many uncertainties that may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
The drilling activities of the operators of our properties will be subject to many risks. For example, we will not be able to assure our unitholders that wells drilled by the operators of our properties will be productive. Drilling for oil and natural gas often involves unprofitable efforts, not only from dry wells but also from wells that are productive but do not produce sufficient oil or natural gas to return a profit at then realized prices after deducting drilling, operating and other
costs. The seismic data and other technologies used do not provide conclusive knowledge prior to drilling a well that oil or natural gas is present or that it can be produced economically. The costs of exploration, exploitation and development activities are subject to numerous uncertainties beyond our control and increases in those costs can adversely affect the economics of a project. Further, our operators’ drilling and producing operations may be curtailed, delayed, canceled or otherwise negatively impacted as a result of other factors, including:
● unusual or unexpected geological formations;
● loss of drilling fluid circulation;
● title problems;
● facility or equipment malfunctions;
● unexpected operational events;
● shortages or delivery delays of equipment and services;
● compliance with environmental and other governmental requirements; and
● adverse weather conditions.
Any of these risks can cause substantial losses, including personal injury or loss of life, damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution, environmental contamination or loss of wells and other regulatory penalties. In the event that planned operations, including the drilling of development wells, are delayed or cancelled, or existing wells or development wells have lower than anticipated production due to one or more of the factors above or for any other reason, our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution to our common unitholders may be materially adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and Derivatives
Our derivative activities could result in financial losses and reduce earnings.
To achieve a more predictable cash flow and to reduce our exposure to adverse fluctuations in the prices of oil and natural gas, we currently have entered, and may in the future enter, into derivative contracts for a portion of our future oil and natural gas production, including fixed price swaps, collars and basis swaps. In addition, on January 27, 2021, we entered into an interest rate swap with Citibank, which fixed the interest rate on $150.0 million of notional, or approximately 69% of our outstanding balance on our secured revolving credit facility, at approximately 3.9% for three years. We have not designated and do not plan to designate any of our derivative contracts as hedges for accounting purposes and, as a result, record all derivative contracts on our balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in current period earnings. Accordingly, our earnings may fluctuate significantly as a result of changes in the fair value of our derivative contracts. Derivative contracts also expose us to the risk of financial loss in some circumstances, including when:
● production is less than expected;
● the counterparty to the derivative contract defaults on its contract obligation; or
● the actual differential between the underlying price in the derivative contract and actual prices received is materially different from that expected.
In addition, these types of derivative contracts can limit the benefit we would receive from increases in the prices for oil and natural gas.
Restrictions in our secured revolving credit facility and future debt agreements could limit our growth and our ability to engage in certain activities, including our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders.
Our secured revolving credit facility has commitments up to $275.0 million and includes an elected commitment amount feature permitting aggregate commitments under the secured revolving credit facility to be increased to up to $500.0 million, subject to the limitations of our borrowing base, which is currently $275.0 million, and to the satisfaction of certain conditions and the election of existing lenders to increase commitments or the procurement of additional commitments from new lenders. Our secured revolving credit facility is secured by substantially all of our assets. Our secured revolving credit facility contains various covenants and restrictive provisions that limit our ability to, among other things:
● incur or guarantee additional debt;
● make distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, common units, including if an event of default or borrowing base deficiency exists;
● make certain investments and acquisitions;
● incur certain liens or permit them to exist;
● enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates;
● merge or consolidate with another company; and
● transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of assets.
Our secured revolving credit facility also contains covenants requiring us to maintain the following financial ratios or to reduce our indebtedness if we are unable to comply with such ratios: (i) a Debt to EBITDAX Ratio (as defined in the secured revolving credit facility) of not more than 3.5 to 1.0; and (ii) a ratio of current assets to current liabilities of not less than 1.0 to 1.0. Our ability to meet those financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control. These restrictions may also limit our ability to obtain future financings to withstand a future downturn in our business or the economy in general, or to otherwise conduct necessary corporate activities. We may also be prevented from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise or paying distributions to our common unitholders or OpCo common unitholders because of the limitations that the restrictive covenants under our secured revolving credit facility impose on us. For example, our secured revolving credit facility restricts us from paying distributions to our common unitholders and OpCo common unitholders if our Debt to EBITDAX Ratio exceeds 3.0 to 1.0 on a trailing twelve-month basis.
A failure to comply with the provisions of our secured revolving credit facility could result in an event of default, which could enable the lenders to declare, subject to the terms and conditions of our secured revolving credit facility, any outstanding principal of that debt, together with accrued and unpaid interest, to be immediately due and payable. If the payment of the debt is accelerated, cash flows from our operations may be insufficient to repay such debt in full, and our unitholders could experience a partial or total loss of their investment. Our secured revolving credit facility contains events of default customary for transactions of this nature, including the occurrence of a change of control. Please read “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Indebtedness.”
Any significant reduction in our borrowing base under our secured revolving credit facility as a result of the periodic borrowing base redeterminations or otherwise may negatively impact our ability to fund our operations.
Our secured revolving credit facility limits the amounts we can borrow up to a borrowing base amount, which the lenders, in their sole discretion, determine on a semi-annual basis based upon projected revenues from the oil and natural gas properties securing our loan. The borrowing base is determined based on our oil and gas properties and the oil and gas properties of our wholly owned subsidiaries. We have non-wholly owned subsidiaries whose assets are not subject to a lien and not included in borrowing base valuations. The lenders can unilaterally adjust the borrowing base and the borrowings permitted to be outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility. Any increase in the borrowing base
requires the consent of the lenders holding 100% of the commitments. If the requisite number of lenders do not agree to an increase, then the borrowing base will be the lowest borrowing base acceptable to such lenders. Decreases in the available borrowing amount could result from declines in oil and natural gas prices, operating difficulties or increased costs, declines in reserves, lending requirements or regulations or certain other circumstances. Outstanding borrowings in excess of the borrowing base must be repaid, or we must pledge other oil and natural gas properties as additional collateral after applicable grace periods. We do not have substantial unpledged properties, and we may not have the financial resources in the future to make mandatory principal prepayments required under our secured revolving credit facility.
Our debt levels may limit our flexibility to obtain additional financing and pursue other business opportunities.
As of December 31, 2021, we had approximately $217.1 million in borrowings outstanding under our senior secured credit facility. Our existing and any future indebtedness could have important consequences to us, including:
● our ability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes may be impaired, or such financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us;
● covenants in our existing and future credit and debt arrangements will require us to meet financial tests that may affect our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business, including possible acquisition opportunities;
● our access to the capital markets may be limited;
● our borrowing costs may increase;
● we will need a substantial portion of our cash flow to make principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, reducing the funds that would otherwise be available for operations, future business opportunities and distributions to unitholders; and
● our debt level will make us more vulnerable than our competitors with less debt to competitive pressures or a downturn in our business or the economy generally.
Our ability to service our indebtedness will depend upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. If our operating results are not sufficient to service our current or future indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing distributions, reducing or delaying business activities, acquisitions, investments and/or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our indebtedness, or seeking additional equity capital or bankruptcy protection. We may not be able to effect any of these remedies on satisfactory terms or at all.
Risks Related to Our Operations
Our business is difficult to evaluate because we have made several significant acquisitions.
We have grown our business primarily through acquisitions, which have significantly expanded our portfolio of mineral and royalty interests. We do not have historical financial statements with respect to our mineral and royalty interests for periods prior to their acquisition by the respective sellers. As a result, with respect to many of our assets, including any assets that we may acquire in the future, there is, or may be, only limited historical financial information available upon which to base an evaluation of our performance.
We depend on unaffiliated operators for all of the exploration, development and production on the properties in which we own mineral and royalty interests. Substantially all of our revenue is derived from royalty payments made by these operators. A reduction in the expected number of wells to be drilled on the acreage underlying our interests by these operators or the failure of these operators to adequately and efficiently develop and operate the underlying acreage could materially adversely affect our results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
Because we depend on our third-party operators for all of the exploration, development and production on our properties, we have no control over the operations related to our properties. As of December 31, 2021, we received revenue
from approximately 1,500 operators and we received approximately 36.8% of revenues from the top ten purchasers of our properties. During the year ended December 31, 2021, payments we received from our top purchaser accounted for approximately 6.0% of our revenues. In the absence of a specific contractual obligation, any development and production activities will be subject to their sole discretion (subject, however, to certain implied obligations to develop imposed by state law). The operators of our properties could determine to drill and complete fewer wells on our acreage than we currently expect. The success and timing of drilling and development activities on our properties, and whether the operators elect to drill any additional wells on our acreage, depends on a number of factors that will be largely outside of our control, including:
● the capital costs required for drilling activities by the operators of our properties, which could be significantly more than anticipated;
● the ability of the operators of our properties to access capital;
● prevailing commodity prices;
● the availability of suitable drilling equipment, production and transportation infrastructure and qualified operating personnel;
● the operators’ expertise, operating efficiency and financial resources;
● approval of other participants in drilling wells;
● the operators’ expected return on investment in wells drilled on our acreage as compared to opportunities in other areas;
● the selection of technology;
● the selection of counterparties for the marketing and sale of production; and
● the rate of production of the reserves.
The operators may elect not to undertake development activities, or may undertake these activities in an unanticipated fashion, which may result in significant fluctuations in our oil, natural gas and NGL revenues and cash available for distribution on common units. Additionally, if an operator were to experience financial difficulty, the operator might not be able to pay its royalty payments or continue its operations, which could have a material adverse impact on us. Sustained reductions in production by the operators of our properties may also materially adversely affect our results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
We may not be able to terminate our leases if any of the operators of the properties in which we own mineral interests declare bankruptcy, and we may experience delays and be unable to replace operators that do not make royalty payments.
A failure on the part of the operators of the properties in which we own mineral interests to make royalty payments typically gives us the right to terminate the lease, repossess the property and enforce payment obligations under the lease. If we repossessed any of the properties in which we own mineral interests, we would seek a replacement operator. However, we might not be able to find a replacement operator and, if we did, we might not be able to enter into a new lease on favorable terms within a reasonable period of time. In addition, the outgoing operator could be subject to bankruptcy proceedings that could prevent the execution of a new lease or the assignment of the existing lease to another operator. In addition, if we enter into a new lease, the replacement operator may not achieve the same levels of production or sell oil, natural gas or NGLs at the same price as the operator it replaced.
Our future success depends on replacing reserves through acquisitions and the exploration and development activities of the operators of our properties.
Our future success depends upon our ability to acquire additional oil and natural gas reserves that are economically recoverable. Our proved reserves will generally decline as reserves are depleted, except to the extent that
successful exploration or development activities are conducted on our properties or we acquire properties containing proved reserves, or both. Because we depend on our third-party operators for all of the exploration, development and production on our properties, we have no control over the operations related to our properties. In addition, we do not currently intend to retain cash from our operations for capital expenditures necessary to replace our existing oil and gas reserves or otherwise maintain an asset base. To increase reserves and production, we would need the operators of our properties to undertake replacement activities or use third parties to accomplish these activities.
Our failure to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions of properties or businesses would slow our growth and could materially adversely affect our results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
We depend in part on acquisitions to grow our reserves, production and cash generated from operations. Our decision to acquire a property will depend in part on the evaluation of data obtained from production reports and engineering studies, geophysical and geological analyses and seismic data, and other information, the results of which are often inconclusive and subject to various interpretations. The successful acquisition of properties requires an assessment of several factors, including:
● recoverable reserves;
● future oil, natural gas and NGL prices and their applicable differentials;
● development plans;
● operating costs; and
● potential environmental and other liabilities.
The accuracy of these assessments is inherently uncertain and we may not be able to identify attractive acquisition opportunities. In connection with these assessments, we perform a review of the subject properties that we believe to be generally consistent with industry practices, given the nature of our interests. Our review will not reveal all existing or potential problems, nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to assess fully their deficiencies and capabilities. Inspections are often not performed on every well, and environmental problems, such as groundwater contamination, are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is undertaken. Even when problems are identified, the seller may be unwilling or unable to provide effective contractual protection against all or part of the problems. Even if we do identify attractive acquisition opportunities, we may not be able to complete the acquisition or do so on commercially acceptable terms. Unless our operators further develop our existing properties, we will depend on acquisitions to grow our reserves, production and cash flow.
There is intense competition for acquisition opportunities in our industry. Competition for acquisitions may increase the cost of, or cause us to refrain from, completing acquisitions. Our ability to complete acquisitions is dependent upon, among other things, our ability to obtain debt and equity financing and, in some cases, regulatory approvals. Further, these acquisitions may be in geographic regions in which we do not currently hold assets, which could result in unforeseen operating difficulties. In addition, if we acquire interests in new states, we may be subject to additional and unfamiliar legal and regulatory requirements. Compliance with regulatory requirements may impose substantial additional obligations on us and our management, cause us to expend additional time and resources in compliance activities and increase our exposure to penalties or fines for non-compliance with such additional legal requirements. Further, the success of any completed acquisition will depend on our ability to integrate effectively the acquired business into our existing business. The process of integrating acquired businesses may involve unforeseen difficulties and may require a disproportionate amount of our managerial and financial resources. In addition, potential future acquisitions may be larger and for purchase prices significantly higher than those paid for earlier acquisitions.
No assurance can be given that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition opportunities, negotiate acceptable terms, obtain financing for acquisitions on acceptable terms or successfully acquire identified targets. Our failure to minimize any unforeseen difficulties could materially adversely affect our financial condition and cash available for
distribution on common units. The inability to effectively manage these acquisitions could reduce our focus on subsequent acquisitions, which, in turn, could negatively impact our growth and cash available for distribution on common units.
Any acquisitions of additional mineral and royalty interests that we complete will be subject to substantial risks.
Even if we do make acquisitions that we believe will increase our cash generated from operations, these acquisitions may nevertheless result in a decrease in our cash distributions per unit. Any acquisition involves potential risks, including, among other things:
● the validity of our assumptions about estimated proved reserves, future production, prices, revenues, capital expenditures and production costs;
● a decrease in our liquidity by using a significant portion of our cash generated from operations or borrowing capacity to finance acquisitions;
● a significant increase in our interest expense or financial leverage if we incur debt to finance acquisitions;
● the assumption of unknown liabilities, losses or costs for which we are not indemnified or for which any indemnity we receive is inadequate;
● mistaken assumptions about the overall cost of equity or debt;
● our inability to obtain satisfactory title to the assets we acquire;
● an inability to hire, train or retain qualified personnel to manage and operate our growing business and assets; and
● the occurrence of other significant changes, such as impairment of oil and natural gas properties, goodwill or other intangible assets, asset devaluation or restructuring charges.
In addition, we entered into a transition services agreement in connection with the Phillips Acquisition and the Springbok Acquisition, and we may enter into transition services agreements with future sellers (or their affiliates) of any mineral and royalty interests that we may acquire. The services to be provided under such transition services agreements may not be performed timely and effectively, and any significant disruption in such transition services or unanticipated costs related to such services could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
If we are unable to make acquisitions on economically acceptable terms from our Sponsors, the Contributing Parties or third parties, our future growth will be limited.
Our ability to grow depends in part on our ability to make acquisitions that increase our cash generated from our mineral and royalty interests. The acquisition component of our strategy is based, in large part, on our expectation of ongoing acquisitions from industry participants, including our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties. Although a portion of the mineral and royalty interests acquired in connection with the Dropdown were subject to the right of first offer provided by the Contributing Parties, that right of first refusal is now expired, and there can be no assurance that, should the Contributing Parties choose to sell any additional mineral and royalty interests, any offer will be made to us, and there can be no assurance we will reach agreement on the terms with respect to the assets or any other acquisition opportunities offered to us by any of our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties or be able to obtain financing for such acquisition opportunities. Furthermore, many factors could impair our access to future acquisitions, including a change in control of any of our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties. A material decrease in the sale of oil and natural gas properties by any of our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties or by third parties would limit our opportunities for future acquisitions and could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay quarterly cash distributions to our unitholders.
Project areas on our properties, which are in various stages of development, may not yield oil or natural gas in commercially viable quantities.
Project areas on our properties are in various stages of development, ranging from project areas with current drilling or production activity to project areas that have limited drilling or production history. If the wells in the process of being completed do not produce sufficient revenues or if dry holes are drilled, our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units may be materially adversely affected.
Our estimated reserves are based on many assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.
It is not possible to measure underground accumulations of oil or natural gas in an exact way. Oil and natural gas reserve engineering requires subjective estimates of underground accumulations of oil and natural gas and assumptions concerning future oil and natural gas prices, production levels, ultimate recoveries and operating and development costs. As a result, estimated quantities of proved reserves, projections of future production rates and the timing of development expenditures may prove to be incorrect.
Our historical estimates of proved reserves and related valuations as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were prepared by Ryder Scott, an independent petroleum engineering firm, which conducted a well-by-well review of all of our properties for the period covered by its reserve report using information provided by us. Over time, we may make material changes to reserve estimates taking into account the results of actual drilling, testing and production and changes in prices. Some of our reserve estimates were made without the benefit of a lengthy production history, which are less reliable than estimates based on a lengthy production history. In estimating our reserves, we and our reserve engineers make certain assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including assumptions regarding future oil and natural gas prices, production levels and operating and development costs. Any significant variance from these assumptions to actual figures could greatly affect our estimates of reserves, the economically recoverable quantities of oil and natural gas attributable to any particular group of properties, the classifications of reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of future net cash flows. Numerous changes over time to the assumptions on which our reserve estimates are based, as described above, often result in the actual quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered being different from our reserve estimates.
The present value of future net cash flows from our proved reserves is not necessarily the same as the current market value of our estimated reserves. In accordance with rules established by the SEC and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), we base the estimated discounted future net cash flows from our proved reserves on the twelve-month average oil and gas index prices, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average for the first-day-of-the-month price for each month, and costs in effect on the date of the estimate, holding the prices and costs constant throughout the life of the properties. Actual future prices and costs may differ materially from those used in the present value estimate, and future net present value estimates using then current prices and costs may be significantly less than the current estimate. In addition, the 10% discount factor we use when calculating discounted future net cash flows may not be the most appropriate discount factor based on interest rates in effect from time to time and risks associated with us or the oil and natural gas industry in general.
We do not intend to retain cash from our operations for replacement capital expenditures. Unless we replenish our oil and natural gas reserves, our cash generated from operations and our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders could be materially adversely affected.
Producing oil and natural gas wells are characterized by declining production rates that vary depending upon reservoir characteristics and other factors. Our oil and natural gas reserves and the operators’ production thereof and our cash generated from operations and ability to pay distributions are highly dependent on the successful development and exploitation of our current reserves. As of December 31, 2021, the average estimated yearly five-year decline rate for our existing proved developed producing reserves is 11.8%. However, the production decline rates of our properties may be significantly higher than currently estimated if the wells on our properties do not produce as expected. We may also not be able to acquire additional reserves to replace the current and future production of our properties at economically acceptable terms, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
We are unlikely to be able to sustain or increase distributions without making accretive acquisitions or capital expenditures that maintain or grow our asset base. We will need to make substantial capital expenditures to maintain and grow our asset base, which will reduce our cash available for distribution on common units. We do not intend to retain cash from our operations for replacement capital expenditures primarily due to our expectation that the continued development of our properties and completion of drilled but uncompleted wells by working interest owners will substantially offset the natural production declines from our existing wells.
Over a longer period of time, if we do not set aside sufficient cash reserves or make sufficient expenditures to maintain or grow our asset base, we would expect to reduce our distributions. With our reserves decreasing, if we do not reduce our distributions, then a portion of the distributions may be considered a return of part of the unitholders’ investment in us as opposed to a return on the unitholders’ investment.
We rely on a few key individuals whose absence or loss could materially adversely affect our business.
Many key responsibilities within our business have been assigned to a small number of individuals. We rely on our founders for their knowledge of the oil and natural gas industry, relationships within the industry and experience in identifying, evaluating and completing acquisitions. We have entered into a management services agreement with Kimbell Operating, which in turn has entered into separate services agreements with certain entities controlled by affiliates of certain of our Sponsors and Benny Duncan, pursuant to which they and Kimbell Operating provide management, administrative and operational services to us. In addition, under each of their respective services agreements, affiliates of certain of our Sponsors will identify, evaluate and recommend to us acquisition opportunities and negotiate the terms of such acquisitions. The loss of their services, or the services of one or more members of our executive team or those providing services to us pursuant to a contract, could materially adversely affect our business. Further, we do not maintain “key person” life insurance policies on any of our executive team or other key personnel. As a result, we are not insured against any losses resulting from the death of these key individuals.
Loss of our or our operators’ information and computer systems could materially adversely affect our business.
We are dependent on our and our operators’ information systems and computer-based programs. If any of such programs or systems were to fail for any reason, including as a result of a cyber-attack, or create erroneous information in our or our operators’ hardware or software network infrastructure, possible consequences include loss of communication links and inability to automatically process commercial transactions or engage in similar automated or computerized business activities. In addition to the service providers who provide substantial services to us under our services agreement with Kimbell Operating, we rely on third party service providers to perform some of our data entry, investor relations and other functions. If the programs or systems used by our third-party service providers are not adequately functioning, we could experience loss of important data. Any of the foregoing consequences could materially adversely affect our business.
Title to the properties in which we have an interest may be impaired by title defects.
We depend in part on acquisitions to grow our reserves, production and cash generated from operations. We have in the past elected not to, and may in the future not elect to, incur the expense of retaining lawyers to examine the title to acquired mineral interests. Rather, we may rely upon the judgment of oil and gas lease brokers or landmen who perform the fieldwork in examining records in the appropriate governmental office before attempting to acquire a lease in a specific mineral interest. The existence of a material title deficiency can render an interest worthless and can materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash available for distribution on common units. No assurance can be given that we will not suffer a monetary loss from title defects or title failure. Additionally, undeveloped acreage has greater risk of title defects than developed acreage. If there are any title defects or defects in assignment of leasehold rights in properties in which we hold an interest, we will suffer a financial loss.
The potential drilling locations identified by the operators of our properties are susceptible to uncertainties that could materially alter the occurrence or timing of their drilling.
The ability of the operators of our properties to drill and develop identified potential drilling locations depends on a number of uncertainties, including the availability of capital, construction of infrastructure, inclement weather, regulatory changes and approvals, oil and natural gas prices, costs, drilling results and the availability of water. Further,
the potential drilling locations identified by the operators of our properties are in various stages of evaluation, ranging from locations that are ready to drill to locations that will require substantial additional interpretation. The use of technologies and the study of producing fields in the same area will not enable the operators of our properties to know conclusively prior to drilling whether oil or natural gas will be present or, if present, whether oil or natural gas will be present in sufficient quantities to be economically viable. Even if sufficient amounts of oil or natural gas exist, the operators of our properties may damage the potentially productive hydrocarbon-bearing formation or experience mechanical difficulties while drilling or completing the well, possibly resulting in a reduction in production from the well or abandonment of the well. If the operators of our properties drill additional wells that they identify as dry holes in current and future drilling locations, their drilling success rate may decline and materially harm their business as well as ours.
We cannot assure our unitholders that the analogies our operators draw from available data from the wells on our acreage, more fully explored locations or producing fields will be applicable to their drilling locations. Further, initial production rates reported by our or other operators in the areas in which our reserves are located may not be indicative of future or long-term production rates. Because of these uncertainties, we do not know if the potential drilling locations our operators have identified will ever be drilled or if our operators will be able to produce oil or natural gas from these or any other potential drilling locations. As such, the actual drilling activities of the operators of our properties may materially differ from those presently identified, which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operation and cash available for distribution on common units.
Acreage must be drilled before lease expiration, generally within three to five years, in order to hold the acreage by production. Our operators’ failure to drill sufficient wells to hold acreage may result in loss of the lease and prospective drilling opportunities.
Leases on oil and natural gas properties typically have a term of three to five years, after which they expire unless, prior to expiration, production is established within the spacing units covering the undeveloped acres. Any reduction in our operators’ drilling programs, either through a reduction in capital expenditures or the unavailability of drilling rigs, could result in the loss of acreage through lease expirations which may terminate our overriding royalty interests derived from such leases. If our royalties are derived from mineral interests and production or drilling ceases on the leased property, the lease is typically terminated, subject to certain exceptions, and all mineral rights revert back to us and we will have to seek new lessees to explore and develop such mineral interests. Any such losses of our operators or lessees could materially and adversely affect the growth of our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
The unavailability, high cost, or shortages of rigs, equipment, raw materials, supplies or personnel may restrict or result in increased costs for operators related to developing and operating our properties.
The oil and natural gas industry is cyclical, which can result in shortages of drilling rigs, equipment, raw materials (particularly sand and other proppants), supplies and personnel. When shortages occur, the costs and delivery times of rigs, equipment, and supplies increase and demand for, and wage rates of, qualified drilling rig crews also rise with increases in demand. We cannot predict whether these conditions will exist in the future and, if so, what their timing and duration will be. In accordance with customary industry practice, the operators of our properties rely on independent third-party service providers to provide many of the services and equipment necessary to drill new wells. If the operators of our properties are unable to secure a sufficient number of drilling rigs at reasonable costs, our financial condition and results of operations could suffer. In addition, they may not have long-term contracts securing the use of their rigs, and the operator of those rigs may choose to cease providing services to them. Shortages of drilling rigs, equipment, raw materials (particularly sand and other proppants), supplies, personnel, trucking services, tubulars, fracking and completion services and production equipment could delay or restrict our operators’ exploration and development operations, which in turn could materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
Operating hazards and uninsured risks may result in substantial losses to the operators of our properties, and any losses could materially adversely affect our results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
The operators of our properties will be subject to all of the hazards and operating risks associated with drilling for and production of oil and natural gas, including the risk of fire, explosions, blowouts, surface cratering, uncontrollable
flows of natural gas, oil and formation water, pipe or pipeline failures, abnormally pressured formations, casing collapses and environmental hazards such as oil spills, natural gas leaks and ruptures or discharges of toxic gases. In addition, their operations will be subject to risks associated with hydraulic fracturing, including any mishandling, surface spillage or potential underground migration of fracturing fluids, including chemical additives. The occurrence of any of these events could result in substantial losses to the operators of our properties due to injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution or other environmental damage, clean-up responsibilities, regulatory investigations and penalties, suspension of operations and repairs required to resume operations.
If the operators of our properties suspend our right to receive royalty payments due to title or other issues, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units may be adversely affected.
We depend in part on acquisitions to grow our reserves, production and cash generated from operations. In connection with these acquisitions, and in subsequent acquisitions, record title to a significant amount of the acquired mineral and royalty interests was conveyed to us or our subsidiaries by asset assignment, and we or our subsidiaries became the record owner of these interests. Upon such a change in ownership, and at regular intervals pursuant to routine audit procedures at each of our operators otherwise at its discretion, the operator of the underlying property has the right to investigate and verify the title and ownership of mineral and royalty interests with respect to the properties it operates. If any title or ownership issues are not resolved to its reasonable satisfaction in accordance with customary industry standards, the operator may suspend payment of the related royalty. If an operator of our properties is not satisfied with the documentation we provide to validate our ownership, it may place our royalty payment in suspense until such issues are resolved, at which time we would receive in full payments that would have been made during the suspense period, without interest. Certain of our operators impose significant documentation requirements for title transfer and may keep royalty payments in suspense for significant periods of time. During the time that an operator puts our assets in pay suspense, we would not receive the applicable mineral or royalty payment owed to us from sales of the underlying oil or natural gas related to such mineral or royalty interest. If a significant amount of our royalty interests are placed in suspense, our quarterly distribution may be reduced significantly. With each acquisition, we expect the risk of payment suspense to be greatest during the immediately succeeding fiscal quarters due to the number of title transfers that will take place.
We will be required to take write-downs of the carrying values of our properties if commodity prices decrease to a level such that our future undiscounted cash flows from our properties are less than their carrying value.
Accounting rules require that we periodically review the carrying value of our properties for possible impairment. Based on specific market factors and circumstances at the time of prospective impairment reviews, and the continuing evaluation of development plans, production data, economics and other factors, we may be required to write down the carrying value of our properties. The net capitalized costs of proved oil and natural gas properties are subject to a full cost ceiling limitation for which the costs are not allowed to exceed their related estimated future net revenues discounted at 10%. To the extent capitalized costs of evaluated oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment, exceed estimated discounted future net revenues of proved oil and natural gas reserves, the excess capitalized costs are charged to expense. The risk that we will be required to recognize impairments of our oil and natural gas properties increases during periods of low commodity prices. In addition, impairments would occur if we were to experience sufficient downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves or the present value of estimated future net revenues. An impairment recognized in one period may not be reversed in a subsequent period even if higher oil and natural gas prices increase the cost center ceiling applicable to the subsequent period.
After evaluating certain external factors in the first quarter of 2020, including the significant decline in oil and natural gas prices related to reduced demand for oil and natural gas as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the announcement of price reductions and production increases in March 2020 by members of OPEC and other foreign, oil-exporting countries and other supply factors, as well as longer-term commodity price outlooks, we determined that significant drilling uncertainty existed regarding our PUD reserves that were included in our total estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2019, as well as our unevaluated oil and natural gas properties. Specifically, with respect to our PUD reserves (which accounted for approximately 6.1% of total estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2019), we determined that we did not have reasonable certainty as to the timing of the development of the PUD reserves and, therefore, recorded an impairment on such properties for the three months ended March 31, 2020. We similarly recorded an impairment on the value of our unevaluated oil and natural gas properties for the three months ended March 31, 2020, which primarily were acquired in various acquisitions since our IPO. There were no additional impairments to unevaluated properties in the remainder of 2020, or for the year ended December 31, 2021.
As a result of our full cost ceiling analysis, we recorded an impairment on our oil and natural gas properties of $251.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. The impairment can primarily be attributed to the decline in the 12-month average price of oil and natural gas as a result of the continued impact of the external factors mentioned above. As of December 31, 2020, the 12-month average prices of oil and natural gas were $39.57 per Bbl of oil and $1.99 per Mcf of natural gas. These prices represent a 28.9% and 22.9% decrease, respectively, from the 12-month average prices of oil and natural gas as of December 31, 2019, which were $55.69 per Bbl of oil and $2.58 per Mcf of natural gas. We recorded an impairment on our oil and natural gas properties of $169.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2019 as a result of our quarterly full cost ceiling analysis and a decline in the 12-month average price of oil and natural gas. As of December 31, 2019, the 12-month average prices of oil and natural gas were $55.69 per Bbl of oil and $2.58 per Mcf of natural gas. These prices represent a 15.1% and 16.8% decrease, respectively, from the 12-month average prices of oil and natural gas as of December 31, 2018, which were $65.56 per Bbl of oil and $3.10 per Mcf of natural gas. We also recorded an impairment expense on our oil and natural gas properties of $67.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. Of this amount, an impairment expense of $54.8 million was recorded as a result of our quarterly full-cost ceiling analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and an impairment expense of $12.6 million was recorded for the three months ended December 31, 2018 as a result of the Dropdown purchase price exceeding the value of the proved developed reserves added to the full-cost ceiling. Because we do not intend to book PUD reserves going forward additional impairment charges could be recorded in connection with future acquisitions. Moreover, if the price of oil, natural gas and NGLs decreases in future periods, we may be required to record additional impairments as a result of the full-cost ceiling limitation. We may incur impairment charges in the future, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations for the periods in which such charges are recorded. The Partnership did not record an impairment on its oil and natural gas properties for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Tax Risks to Common Unitholders
We may incur substantial income tax liabilities on our allocable share of income from the Operating Company.
We are classified as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and for state income tax purposes in most states in which we do business. Current law provides that we are subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at the United States corporate tax rate, which is currently 21.0%, and to state income tax at rates that vary from state to state. The amount of cash available for distribution to you will be reduced by the amount of any such income taxes payable by us.
Taxable gain or loss on the sale of our common units could be more or less than expected.
A holder of common units generally will recognize capital gain or loss on a sale, an exchange, certain redemptions, or other taxable dispositions of our common units equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized upon the disposition of such common units and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in those units. To the extent that the amount of our distributions exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distributions will be treated as a tax-free return of capital and will reduce a holder’s tax basis in the common units. Because our distributions in excess of our earnings and profits decrease a holder’s tax basis in the common units, such excess distributions will result in a corresponding increase in the amount of gain, or a corresponding decrease in the amount of loss, recognized by the holder upon the sale of the common units.
Our tax liability may be greater than expected if we do not generate sufficient depletion deductions to offset our taxable income and reduce our tax liability.
We expect to generate depletion deductions that we can use to offset our taxable income. As a result, we do not expect to pay material United States federal income tax through 2027. This estimate is based upon assumptions we have made regarding, among other things, the Operating Company’s income and depletion expenses, and it ignores the effect of any possible acquisitions of additional assets.
While we expect that our depletion deductions will be available to us as a benefit, in the event that the depletion deductions are not available as expected, are successfully challenged by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) (in a tax audit or otherwise) or are subject to future limitations, our ability to realize these benefits may be limited. Further, the IRS or other tax authorities could challenge one or more tax positions we or the Operating Company take. Further, any change in law may affect our tax positions.
Future tax legislation could have an adverse impact on our cash tax liabilities, results of operations and financial condition, which could affect our cash available for distribution on common units and the value of our common units.
Changes in federal income tax law relating to our tax treatment could result in (i) our being subject to additional taxation at the entity level with the result that we would have less cash available for distribution on common units and (ii) a greater portion of our distributions being treated as taxable dividends. Congress could, in the future, enact tax law changes, such as increasing the corporate tax rate or reducing or eliminating certain tax preferences currently available with respect to production of oil and gas. We are unable to predict whether any such changes will be enacted, but any such changes could have a material impact on our cash tax liabilities, results of operations or financial condition. Moreover, we are subject to tax in numerous jurisdictions. Changes in current law in these jurisdictions could result in our being subject to additional taxation at the entity level with the result that we would have less cash available for distribution on common units.
Certain decreases in the price of our common units could adversely affect our amount of cash available for distribution on common units.
Changes in certain market conditions may cause the price of our common units to decrease. If holders of our OpCo common units and Class B units exercise their right to exchange those units for common units at a point in time when the price of our common units is relatively low, the ratio of our income tax deductions to gross income could decline. Any resulting decline in the ratio of our income tax deductions to gross income could result in our being subject to tax sooner than expected, our tax liability being greater than expected or a greater portion of our distributions being treated as taxable dividends.
The IRS Form 1099-DIV that you receive from your broker may over-report your dividend income with respect to our units for United States federal income tax purposes, and failure to report your dividend income in a manner consistent with the IRS Form 1099-DIV that you receive from your broker may cause the IRS to assert audit adjustments to your United States federal income tax return.
Distributions we pay with respect to our units constitute “dividends” for United States federal income tax purposes to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions we pay in excess of our earnings and profits are not be treated as “dividends” for United States federal income tax purposes; instead, they are treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your tax basis in your units and then as capital gain realized on the sale or exchange of such units.
If you are a holder of our common units, the IRS Form 1099-DIV may not be consistent with our determination of the amount that constitutes a “dividend” to you for United States federal income tax purposes or you may receive a corrected IRS Form 1099-DIV (and you may therefore need to file an amended federal, state or local income tax return). We will attempt to timely notify you of available information to assist you with your income tax reporting (such as posting the correct information on our website). However, the information that we provide to you may be inconsistent with the amounts reported to you by your broker on IRS Form 1099-DIV, and the IRS may disagree with any such information and may make audit adjustments to your tax return.
The portion of our distributions taxable as dividends may be greater than expected.
If we make distributions from current or accumulated earnings and profits as computed for United States federal income tax purposes, such distributions will generally be taxable to our common unitholders as dividend income for United States federal income tax purposes. Under current law, distributions paid to non-corporate United States common unitholders will be subject to United States federal income tax at preferential rates, provided that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied. We estimate that we will not have material current or accumulated earnings and profits as computed for United States federal income tax purposes through 2025. However, it is difficult to predict whether we will generate earnings and profits in any given tax year. Although we expect that a significant portion of our distributions to common unitholders will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits as computed for United States federal income tax purposes, and therefore constitute a non-taxable return of capital to each unitholder to the extent of such unitholder's basis in its common units, this may not occur. In addition, although distributions treated as a return of capital are generally non-taxable to the extent of a unitholder's basis in its common units, such distributions will reduce such unitholder's adjusted tax basis in its common units, which will result in an increase in the amount of gain (or a decrease in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the unitholder on a future disposition of our common units, and to the extent any such distribution exceeds a unitholder's basis in its common units, such distribution will be treated as gain on the sale or exchange of such common units.
If the Operating Company were to become a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, we and the Operating Company might be subject to potentially significant tax inefficiencies.
We intend to operate such that the Operating Company does not become a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes. A “publicly traded partnership” is a partnership the interests of which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof. Under certain circumstances, it is possible that certain exchanges of the OpCo common units could cause the Operating Company to be treated as a publicly traded partnership. Applicable United States Treasury regulations provide for certain safe harbors from treatment as a publicly traded partnership, and we intend to operate such that exchanges of the OpCo common units qualify for one or more such safe harbors. If the Operating Company were to become a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, significant tax inefficiencies might result for us and for the Operating Company including as a result of our inability to file a consolidated United States federal income tax return with the Operating Company. In addition, we would no longer have the benefit of increases in the tax bases of the Operating Company’s assets.
Legal, Environmental and Regulatory Risks
Oil and natural gas operations are subject to various governmental laws and regulations. Compliance with these laws and regulations can be burdensome and expensive, and failure to comply could result in significant liabilities, which could reduce our cash available for distribution on common units.
Operations on the properties in which we hold interests are subject to various federal, state and local governmental regulations that may be changed from time to time in response to economic and political conditions. Matters subject to regulation include drilling operations, discharges or releases of pollutants or wastes and production and conservation matters (discussed in more detail below). From time to time, regulatory agencies have imposed price controls and limitations on production by restricting the rate of flow of oil and natural gas wells below actual production capacity to conserve supplies of oil and natural gas. For example, on January 20, 2021, the Acting Secretary for the Department of the Interior signed an order suspending new fossil fuel leasing and permitting on federal lands for 60 days. In addition, President Biden issued certain Executive Orders focused on addressing climate change, which, among other things, directed the Secretary of the Interior to pause entering into new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or offshore waters “to the extent possible” pending completion of a comprehensive review and reconsideration of federal oil and gas permitting and leasing practices. President Biden also issued an Executive Order directing all federal agencies to review and take action to address any federal regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies and any similar agency actions during the prior administration that may be inconsistent with the current administration’s policies. Further actions of President Biden, and the Biden Administration, may negatively impact oil and gas operations and favor renewable energy projects in the United States, which may negatively impact the demand for oil and natural gas.
In addition, the production, handling, storage, transportation, remediation, emission and disposal of oil and natural gas, by-products thereof and other substances and materials produced or used in connection with oil and natural gas operations are subject to regulation under federal, state and local laws and regulations primarily relating to protection of human health and safety and the environment. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations by the operators of our properties may result in the assessment of sanctions, including administrative, civil or criminal penalties, permit revocations, requirements for additional pollution controls and injunctions limiting or prohibiting some or all of their operations. Moreover, these laws and regulations have continually imposed increasingly strict requirements for water and air pollution control and solid waste management.
Laws and regulations governing exploration and production may also affect production levels. The operators of our properties must comply with federal and state laws and regulations governing conservation matters, including:
● provisions related to the unitization or pooling of the oil and natural gas properties;
● the establishment of maximum rates of production from wells;
● the spacing of wells;
● the plugging and abandonment of wells; and
● the removal of related production equipment.
Additionally, state and federal regulatory authorities may expand or alter applicable pipeline safety laws and regulations, compliance with which may require increased capital costs on the part of operators and third party downstream natural gas transporters.
The operators of our properties must also comply with laws and regulations prohibiting fraud and market manipulations in energy markets. To the extent the operators of our properties are shippers on interstate pipelines, they must comply with the tariffs of those pipelines and with federal policies related to the use of interstate capacity.
The operators of our properties may be required to make significant expenditures to comply with the governmental laws and regulations described above and are subject to potential fines and penalties if they are found to have violated these laws and regulations. These and other potential regulations could increase the operating costs of the operators and delay production from our properties, which could reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our common unitholders.
The operators of our properties are subject to complex and evolving environmental and occupational health and safety laws and regulations. As a result, they may incur significant delays, costs and liabilities that could materially adversely affect our business and financial condition.
The operators of our properties may incur significant delays, costs and liabilities as a result of environmental and occupational health and safety laws and regulations applicable to their exploration, development and production activities on our properties. These delays, costs and liabilities could arise under a wide range of federal, regional, state and local laws and regulations relating to protection of the environment and worker health and safety. These laws, regulations and enforcement policies have become increasingly strict over time, resulting in longer waiting periods to receive permits and other regulatory approvals, and we believe this trend will continue. These laws include, but are not limited to, the federal Clean Air Act (and comparable state laws and regulations that impose obligations related to air emissions), the Clean Water Act and OPA (and comparable state laws and regulations that impose requirements related to discharges of pollutants into regulated bodies of water), the RCRA (and comparable state laws that impose requirements for the handling and disposal of waste), the CERCLA, also known as the “Superfund” law, and the community right to know regulations under Title III of the act (and comparable state laws that regulate the cleanup of hazardous substances that may have been released at properties currently or previously owned or operated by our operators or at locations our operators sent waste for disposal and comparable state laws that require organization and/or disclosure of information about hazardous materials our operators use or produce), the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (which establishes workplace standards for the protection of health and safety of employees and requires a hazardous communications program) and the Endangered
Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (and comparable state laws that seek to ensure activities do not jeopardize endangered or threatened animals, fish, plant species by limiting or prohibiting construction activities in areas that are inhabited by such species and penalizing the taking, killing or possession of migratory birds).
Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, imposition of cleanup and site restoration costs and liens and, in some instances, issuance of orders or injunctions limiting or requiring discontinuation of certain operations. Additionally, actions taken by federal or state agencies under these laws and regulations, such as the designation of previously unprotected species as being endangered or threatened or the designation of previously unprotected areas as a critical habitat for such species, can cause the operators of our properties to incur additional costs or become subject to operating restrictions.
Strict, joint and several liabilities may be imposed under certain environmental laws, which could cause the operators of our properties to become liable for the conduct of others or for consequences of our operators’ actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time those actions were taken. In addition, claims for damages to persons or property, including natural resources, may result from the environmental and worker health and safety impacts of operations by the operators of our properties. Also, new laws, regulations or enforcement policies could be more stringent and impose unforeseen liabilities, significantly increase our operating or compliance costs, reduce our liquidity, delay or halt our operations or otherwise alter the way we conduct our business. If the operators of our properties are not able to recover the resulting costs through insurance or increased revenues, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Please read “Item 1. Business-Regulation” for a description of the laws and regulations that affect the operators of our properties and that may affect us.
Federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays.
The operators of our properties use hydraulic fracturing for the completion of their wells. Hydraulic fracturing is a process that involves pumping fluid and proppant at high pressure into a hydrocarbon bearing formation to create and hold open fractures. Those fractures enable gas or oil to move through the formation’s pores to the wellbore. Typically, the fluid used in this process is primarily water. In plays where hydraulic fracturing is necessary for successful development, the demand for water may exceed the supply. If the operators of our properties are unable to obtain water to use in their operations from local sources or are unable to effectively utilize flowback water, they may be unable to economically drill for or produce oil and natural gas, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on common units.
Certain governmental reviews have been conducted or are underway that focus on the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing. For example, in December 2016, the EPA released its final report on the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources, concluding that hydraulic fracturing activities can impact drinking water resources under certain circumstances, including large volume spills and inadequate mechanical integrity of wells. These and other ongoing or proposed studies could spur initiatives to further regulate hydraulic fracturing and could ultimately make it more difficult or costly for the operators of our properties to perform fracturing and increase the costs of compliance and doing business. Additional legislation or regulation could also make it easier for parties opposing the hydraulic fracturing process to initiate legal proceedings based on allegations that specific chemicals used in the fracturing process could adversely affect groundwater. There has also been increasing public controversy regarding hydraulic fracturing with regard to the use of fracturing fluids, impacts on drinking water supplies, the use of water and the potential for impacts to surface water, groundwater and the environment generally. The imposition of stringent new regulatory and permitting requirements related to the practice of hydraulic fracturing could significantly increase our cost of doing business, could create adverse effects on our operators, including creating delays related to the issuance of permits and, depending on the specifics of any particular proposal that is enacted, could be material.
State and federal regulatory agencies recently have focused on a possible connection between the hydraulic fracturing related activities, particularly the disposal of produced water in underground injection wells, and the increased occurrence of seismic activity. When caused by human activity, such events are called induced seismicity. In some instances, operators of injection wells in the vicinity of seismic events have been ordered to reduce injection volumes or suspend operations. Some state regulatory agencies, including those in Colorado, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas, have modified their regulations or taken other regulatory actions to curtail injection of produced water to account for induced
seismicity. Regulatory agencies at all levels are continuing to study the possible linkage between oil and gas activity and induced seismicity. These developments could result in additional regulation and restrictions on the use of injection wells and hydraulic fracturing. Such regulations and restrictions could cause delays and impose additional costs and restrictions on the operators of our properties and on their waste disposal activities. Please read “Item 1. Business-Regulation” for a description of the laws and regulations that affect the operators of our properties and that may affect us.
The adoption of climate change legislation and regulations could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas that our operators produce.
In response to findings that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other GHGs present an endangerment to public health and the environment, the EPA has adopted regulations under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act that, among other things, require preconstruction and operating permits for certain large stationary sources. In addition, the EPA has adopted rules requiring the monitoring and reporting of GHG emissions from specified onshore oil and natural gas production sources in the United States on an annual basis, which include operations on certain of our properties. Most recently, President Biden has issued Executive Orders seeking to adopt new regulations and policies to address climate change and suspend, revise or rescind prior agency actions that are identified as conflicting with the Biden Administration’s climate policies, including, for example, directing the Secretary of the Interior to pause new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or in offshore waters pending completion of a comprehensive review and reconsideration of federal oil and gas permitting and leasing practices. An expansion of federal climate regulations could increase the costs of development and production, reducing the profits available to us and potentially impairing our operator’s ability to economically develop our properties. Please read “Item 1. Business-Regulation” for a description of the laws and regulations that affect the operators of our properties and that may affect us.
Efforts have been made and continue to be made in the international community toward the adoption of international treaties or protocols that would address global climate change issues. For example, in April 2016, the United States was one of 175 countries to sign the Paris Agreement, which requires member countries to review and “represent a progression” in their intended nationally determined contributions, which set GHG emission reduction goals, every five years beginning in 2020. The Paris Agreement entered into force in November 2016. In line with a June 2017 announcement from President Trump, the United States withdrew from the Paris Agreement in November 2020. However, on January 20, 2021, President Biden signed an instrument that reversed this withdrawal, and the United States formally re-joined the Paris Agreement on February 19, 2021. In April 2021, President Biden announced a new, more rigorous nationally determined emissions reduction level of 50 percent to 52 percent from 2005 levels in economy-wide net GHG emissions by 2030, and in November 2021, the international community gathered again in Glasgow at the 26th Conference of the Parties ("COP26"). During COP26, multiple efforts (not having the effect of law) were announced, including a call for countries to eliminate certain fossil fuel subsidies and pursue further action to reduce non-carbon dioxide GHG emissions. Relatedly, the United States and European Union jointly announced at COP26 the launch of a Global Methane Pledge, an initiative joined by more than 100 countries, committing to a collective goal of reducing global methane emissions by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030, including "all feasible reductions" in the energy sector. Initiatives to implement pledges made at COP26, the Paris Agreement goals or other or similar initiatives or regulatory changes could result in increased costs of development and production, reducing the profits available to us and potentially impairing our operators’ ability to economically develop our properties.
Congress has from time to time considered legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs and may consider adopting legislation to reduce GHG emissions at the federal level in the coming years. In the absence of federal climate legislation, a number of state and regional efforts have emerged that are aimed at tracking or reducing GHG emissions by means of cap and trade programs. These programs typically require major sources of GHG emissions to acquire and surrender emission allowances in return for emitting those GHGs. Although it is not possible at this time to predict how legislation or new regulations that may be adopted to address GHG emissions would impact our business, any future laws and regulations imposing reporting obligations on, or limiting emissions of GHGs from, our operators’ equipment and operations could require them to incur costs to reduce emissions of GHGs associated with their operations. In addition, substantial limitations on GHG emissions could adversely affect demand for the oil and natural gas produced from our properties. Restrictions on emissions of methane or carbon dioxide that may be imposed in various states, as well as state and local climate change initiatives, could adversely affect the oil and natural gas industry, and, at this time, it is not possible to accurately estimate how potential future laws or regulations addressing GHG emissions would impact our business.
Moreover, activists and members of the investment community concerned about the potential effects of climate change have directed their attention at sources of funding for energy companies, which has resulted in certain financial institutions, funds and other sources of capital restricting or eliminating their investment in oil and natural gas activities. Ultimately, this could make it more difficult for operators on our properties to secure funding for exploration and production activities. Additionally, activist shareholders have introduced proposals that may seek to force companies to adopt aggressive emission reduction targets or restrict more carbon-intensive activities. While we cannot predict the outcomes of such proposals, they could ultimately make it more difficult for operators to engage in exploration and production activities.
Finally, increasing concentrations of GHGs in the Earth’s atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, droughts, floods, and other climatic events; if any of these effects were to occur, they could materially adversely affect our properties and operations.
General Risk Factors
Increased costs of capital could materially adversely affect our business.
Our business, ability to make acquisitions and operating results could be harmed by factors such as the availability, terms and cost of capital or increases in interest rates. Changes in any one or more of these factors could cause our cost of doing business to increase, limit our access to capital, limit our ability to pursue acquisition opportunities, and place us at a competitive disadvantage. A significant reduction in the availability of credit could materially and adversely affect our ability to achieve our planned growth and operating results.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential unitholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our units.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports, prevent fraud and operate successfully as a publicly traded company. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results would be harmed. We cannot be certain that our efforts to develop and maintain our internal controls are or will be successful, able to maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future or able to comply with our obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. For example, Section 404 requires us, among other things, to annually review and report on, and our independent registered public accounting firm to attest to, the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. However, for as long as we are an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act or a non-accelerated filer, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Any failure to maintain effective internal controls, or difficulties encountered in implementing or improving our internal controls, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Ineffective internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which would likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our common units.
Risks Related to Our Investment in TGR
TGR may not be able to complete its initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, in which case it would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and it would redeem its public shares and liquidate. In that circumstance, we would lose our entire investment in TGR, including the Private Placement Warrants.
TGR must complete its initial business combination within 15 months from its IPO (or up to 21 months, if TGR Sponsor exercises its extension options). TGR may not be able to find a suitable target business and complete its initial business combination within such time period, in which case it would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and it would redeem its public shares and liquidate. In that circumstance, we would lose our entire investment in TGR, including the Private Placement Warrants, which were purchased for $14,100,000, and this would likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our common units.
Resources could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not completed, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business.
We will be required to devote significant management and employee attention and resources to matters relating to TGR while it pursues a business combination. The investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys and others. If TGR decides not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if TGR reaches an agreement relating to a specific target business, it may fail to complete its initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond its control. Any such event will result in a loss of the related costs incurred which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business.
There has recently been heightened regulatory focus on SPACs, including recently issued accounting guidance, resulting in substantial uncertainty in the SPAC markets. TGR’s pursuit of a business combination in this uncertain SPAC environment may result in delays, reduced investor and acquisition target interest in SPAC transactions, additional costs as instrument terms are reevaluated and our management and employees needing to devote extensive attention and resources to these matters. The accounting guidance applicable to SPACs could subsequently be revisited, potentially necessitating restatements of TGR’s financial statements, which could then impact and necessitate restatements of our financial statements. These matters have the potential to disrupt us from conducting our business operations or pursuing other business strategies and could adversely affect our businesses, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution on our common units.
We and TGR have overlapping directors and management, which may lead to conflicting interests.
Some of our officers and directors also serve as executive officers and directors of TGR. Any such persons who serve in similar capacities at TGR have fiduciary duties to that company’s stockholders. Therefore, such persons may have conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving or affecting us and one or more of the related companies to which they owe fiduciary duties.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
The information required by Item 2 is contained in “Item 1. Business,” and such information is incorporated into this Item 2 by reference herein.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Although we may, from time to time, be involved in various legal claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business, we do not believe that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Items 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Part II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Unitholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common units are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “KRP.” As of February 18, 2022, there were 47,161,782 common units outstanding held by 175 holders of record and 17,611,579 Class B units outstanding held by 11 holders of record. Because many of our common units are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of unitholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of unitholders represented by these holders of record.
Cash Distribution Policy
The limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company requires it to distribute all of its cash on hand at the end of each quarter in an amount equal to its available cash for such quarter. In turn, our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all of our cash on hand at the end of each quarter in an amount equal to our available cash for such quarter. Available cash for each quarter will be determined by the Board of Directors following the end of such quarter. “Available cash,” as used in this context, is defined in our partnership agreement and in the limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company and is generally defined below. We expect that the Operating Company’s available cash for each quarter will generally equal its Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter, less cash needed for debt service and other contractual obligations and fixed charges and reserves for future operating or capital needs that the Board of Directors may determine is appropriate, and we expect that our available cash for each quarter will generally equal our Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter (and will be our proportional share of the available cash distributed by the Operating Company for that quarter), less cash needs for debt service and other contractual obligations, tax obligations, fixed charges and reserves for future operating or capital needs that the Board of Directors may determine is appropriate.
In light of the unprecedented global economic impact resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the related impact to the volatility in the United States oil and natural gas markets, the Board of Directors approved the allocation of approximately 25% of our cash available for distribution on common units for the fourth quarter of 2021 for the repayment of $8.0 million in outstanding borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility during its determination of “available cash” for the fourth quarter of 2021. With respect to future quarters, the Board of Directors intends to continue to allocate a portion of our cash available for distribution on common units to the repayment of outstanding borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility and may allocate such cash in other manners in which the Board of Directors determines to be appropriate at the time. The Board of Directors may further change its policy with respect to cash distributions in the future. Any such allocation, whether for debt repayment or another purpose, would have the effect of reducing the amount of cash distribution to our common unitholders.
We do not currently maintain a material reserve of cash for the purpose of maintaining stability or growth in our quarterly distribution, nor do we intend to incur debt to pay quarterly distributions, although the Board of Directors may change this policy.
It is our intent, subject to market conditions, to finance acquisitions of mineral and royalty interests that increase our asset base largely through external sources, such as borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility and the issuance of equity and debt securities, although the Board of Directors may choose to reserve a portion of cash generated from operations to finance such acquisitions as well.
We expect to pay our distributions within 45 days of the end of each quarter.
Definition of Available Cash
Our partnership agreement generally defines “available cash” for any quarter as:
● the sum of:
● all of our and our subsidiaries’ cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of that quarter;
● as determined by our General Partner, all of our and our subsidiaries’ cash or cash equivalents on hand on the date of determination of available cash for that quarter resulting from working capital borrowings (as described below) made after the end of that quarter; and
● all of our cash and cash equivalents received by us from distributions on OpCo common units by the Operating Company made with respect to that quarter subsequent to the end of that quarter and prior to the date of distribution of available cash;
● less the amount of cash reserves established by our General Partner to:
● provide for the proper conduct of our business (including reserves for our future capital expenditures and for our future credit needs);
● comply with applicable law or any debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which we or our subsidiaries are a party or to which our or our subsidiaries’ assets are subject; or
● provide funds for distributions to our unitholders and to our General Partner for any one or more of the next four quarters;
The limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company generally defines “available cash” as:
● the sum of:
● all cash and cash equivalents of the Operating Company and its subsidiaries on hand at the end of that quarter; and
● as determined by the managing member of the Operating Company, all cash or cash equivalents of the Operating Company and its subsidiaries on hand on the date of determination of available cash for that quarter resulting from working capital borrowings (as described below) made after the end of that quarter;
● less the amount of cash reserves established by the managing member of the Operating Company to:
● provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Operating Company and its subsidiaries (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for future credit needs of the Operating Company and its subsidiaries);
● comply with applicable law or any debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which the managing member of the Operating Company, the Operating Company or any of their subsidiaries is a party or to which its assets are subject; and
● provide funds for distributions to the Operating Company’s unitholders for any one or more of the next four quarters.
Working capital borrowings are generally borrowings incurred under a credit facility, commercial paper facility or similar financing arrangement that are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to unitholders, and with the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within 12 months with funds other than additional working capital borrowings.
In addition, the limited liability company agreement of our General Partner contains provisions that prohibit certain actions without a supermajority vote of at least 662/3% of the members of the Board of Directors, including: (i) the incurrence of borrowings in excess of 2.5 times our Debt to EBITDAX Ratio for the preceding four quarters; (ii) the reservation of a portion of cash generated from operations to finance acquisitions; (iii) modifications to the definition of “available cash” in our partnership agreement; and (iv) the issuance of any partnership interests that rank senior in right of distributions or liquidation to our common units.
Method of Distributions
Class B units
Each holder of Class B units has paid five cents per Class B unit to us as an additional capital contribution for the Class B units (such aggregate amount, the “Class B Contribution”) in exchange for Class B units. Each holder of Class B units is entitled to receive cash distributions equal to 2.0% per quarter on their respective Class B Contribution prior to distributions on our common units.
Common Units
Subject to the distribution preferences of the Class B units, each common unit is entitled to receive cash distributions to the extent we distribute available cash. Common units do not accrue arrearages. Our partnership agreement allows us to issue an unlimited number of additional equity interests of equal or senior rank.
General Partner Interest
Our General Partner owns a non-economic general partner interest in us and therefore is not entitled to receive cash distributions. However, it may acquire common units and other partnership interests in the future and will be entitled to receive pro rata distributions in respect of those partnership interests.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
See “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Unitholder Matters” for information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2021.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
On May 17, 2021, we issued 998,854 common units to Springbok Energy Partners II Holdings, LLC in exchange for 998,854 OpCo common units and an equal number of Class B units pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, dated as of September 23, 2018 (the “Exchange Agreement”), by and among Haymaker Minerals & Royalties, LLC, EIGF Aggregator III LLC, TE Drilling Aggregator LLC, Haymaker Management, LLC, the Kimbell Art Foundation, us, the General Partner, the Operating Company and the other holders of OpCo Common Units and Class B Units from time to time party thereto.
On May 25, 2021, we issued 2,169,348 common units to Buckhorn Resources GP, LLC, Buckhorn Minerals I GP, LP, Buckhorn Minerals I, LP, Buckhorn Minerals II, LP, Buckhorn Minerals III, LP, Buckhorn Minerals Ill-QP, LP, and Buckhorn Minerals IV, LP in exchange for 2,169,348 OpCo common units and an equal number of Class B units pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement.
The issuance of each of the foregoing securities was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
Sales of Reacquired Securities
The following table provides information about purchases of our common units during the three months ended December 31, 2021.
Period
Total Number of Common Units Purchased(1)
Average Price Paid per Common Unit
Total Number of Common Units Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(2)
Maximum Number of Common Units That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(2)
October 1, 2021 - October 31, 2021
-
$
-
-
-
November 1, 2021 - November 30, 2021
-
$
-
-
-
December 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
66,199
$
13.90
-
-
(1) During the three months ended December 31, 2021, 66,199 common units were withheld to satisfy tax-withholding obligations arising in conjunction with the vesting of restricted units. The required withholding is calculated using the closing sales price per common unit reported by the New York Stock Exchange on the date prior to the applicable vesting date.
(2) We did not have at any time during the quarter ended December 31, 2021, and currently do not have, a common unit repurchase program in place.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. [Reserved]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis is intended to help the reader understand our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources and should be read together with “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on the views and beliefs of our management, as well as assumptions and estimates made by our management. Such views, beliefs, assumptions and estimates may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. Actual results could differ materially from such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those that may not be in the control of our management. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law. For further information on items that could impact our future operating performance or financial condition, please read the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Overview
We are a Delaware limited partnership formed in 2015 to own and acquire mineral and royalty interests in oil and natural gas properties throughout the United States. Effective as of September 24, 2018, we have elected to be taxed as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes. As an owner of mineral and royalty interests, we are entitled to a portion of the revenues received from the production of oil, natural gas and associated NGLs from the acreage underlying our interests, net of post-production expenses and taxes. We are not obligated to fund drilling and completion costs, lease operating expenses or plugging and abandonment costs at the end of a well’s productive life. Our primary business objective is to provide increasing cash distributions to unitholders resulting from acquisitions from third parties, our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties and from organic growth through the continued development by working interest owners of the properties in which we own an interest.
As of December 31, 2021, we owned mineral and royalty interests in approximately 11.4 million gross acres and overriding royalty interests in approximately 4.7 million gross acres, with approximately 62% of our aggregate acres located in the Permian Basin, Mid-Continent and Bakken/Williston Basin. As of December 31, 2021, over 99% of the acreage subject to our mineral and royalty interests was leased to working interest owners, including approximately 100%
of our overriding royalty interests, and substantially all of those leases were held by production. Our mineral and royalty interests are located in 28 states and in every major onshore basin across the continental United States and include ownership in over 122,000 gross wells, including over 46,000 wells in the Permian Basin.
Recent Developments
2021 Redemption of Preferred Units
On July 7, 2021, we completed the redemption of 30,000 Series A preferred units, representing 55% of the then-outstanding Series A preferred units, with 25,000 Series A preferred units still outstanding. The Series A preferred units were redeemed at a price of $1,202.51 per Series A preferred unit for an aggregate redemption price of $36.1 million.
On December 7, 2021, we completed the redemption of the remaining 25,000 Series A preferred units. The Series A preferred units were redeemed at a price of $1,240.25 per Series A preferred unit for an aggregate redemption price of $31.0 million, which was funded through borrowings under the Partnership’s secured revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2021, no Series A preferred units remain outstanding.
2021 Equity Offering
In November 2021, we completed an underwritten public offering of 4,312,500 common units for net proceeds of approximately $57.7 million (the “2021 Equity Offering”). The Partnership used the net proceeds from the 2021 Equity Offering to purchase OpCo common units. The Operating Company in turn used the net proceeds to repay approximately $56.0 million of the outstanding borrowings under the Partnership’s secured revolving credit facility.
Acquisitions
On December 7, 2021, we completed the Cornerstone Acquisition for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $54.6 million in cash, which was funded through borrowings under the Partnership’s secured revolving credit facility. The assets acquired in the Cornerstone Acquisition consisted of approximately 26,000 gross producing wells across the Permian, Mid-Continent, Haynesville and other leading U.S. basins.
Interest Rate Swaps
On January 27, 2021, we entered into an interest rate swap with Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”), which fixed the interest rate on $150.0 million of notional, or approximately 69% of our outstanding balance on our secured revolving credit facility, at approximately 3.9% for a period ending on January 29, 2024. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on our outstanding interest rate swaps are recognized in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations.
Special Purpose Acquisition Company
On July 29, 2021, TGR, our newly formed special purpose acquisition company and subsidiary, filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC. TGR’s initial public offering was completed on February 8, 2022, with 23,000,000 units offered, including 3,000,000 units upon the underwriter’s exercise of its over-allotment option in full, at a price of $10.00 per unit. Each unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant may be exercised for one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. Certain members of our management and members of the Board of Directors are members of the sponsor of TGR. In connection with the closing of TGR’s initial public offering on February 8, 2022, the Partnership funded $14.1 million to TGR in exchange for 14,100,000 redeemable warrants. Each such warrant entitles the holder to purchase for $11.50, one share of TGR’s class A common stock, subject to adjustment. As of December 31, 2021, we incurred $0.9 million in deferred offering costs related to the proposed offering, which is included in other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
Fourth Quarter Distributions
On February 7, 2022, we paid a quarterly cash distribution to each Class B unitholder equal to 2.0% of such unitholder’s respective Class B Contribution, resulting in a total quarterly distribution of approximately $17,610 for the quarter ended December 31, 2021.
On January 21, 2022, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.37 per common unit for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. The distribution was paid on February 7, 2022 to common unitholders and OpCo common unitholders of record as of the close of business on January 31, 2022.
Business Environment
COVID-19 Pandemic and Impact on Global Demand for Oil and Natural Gas
The global spread of COVID-19 created significant volatility, uncertainty, and economic disruption during 2020 and continuing into early 2021. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. The pandemic has reached more than 200 countries and resulted in widespread adverse impacts on the global economy, our oil, natural gas, and NGL operators and other parties with whom we have business relations, including a significant reduction in the global demand for oil and natural gas during the 2020 period. This significant decline in demand accelerated following the announcement of price reductions and production increases in March 2020 by members of OPEC and other foreign, oil-exporting countries, raising concerns about global storage capacity. The resulting supply and demand imbalance has led to a significantly weaker outlook for oil and gas producers and had a disruptive impact on the oil and natural gas industry. Globally, these conditions led to significant economic contraction during the 2020 period.
Our first priority in our response to this crisis has been and will continue to be the health and safety of our employees, the employees of our business counterparties and the community in which we operate. To address these concerns, we have modified certain business practices (including those related to employee travel, employee work locations, and physical participation in meetings, events and conferences) to conform to government restrictions and best practices encouraged by the CDC, the WHO and other governmental and regulatory authorities. In mid-March 2020, we restricted access to our offices to only essential employees and directed the remainder of our employees to work from home to the extent possible. Beginning in mid-May 2020, we opened our offices to employees on a voluntary basis, with employees having the option to work from home to the extent possible. We will continue to give employees the option to work from home until the CDC recommends businesses and employers resume to pre-pandemic operations. These restrictions have had minimal impact on our operations to date and have allowed us to maintain the engagement and connectivity of our personnel, as well as minimize the number of employees in the office.
There is considerable uncertainty regarding the extent to which COVID-19 will continue to spread and the extent and duration of governmental and other measures implemented to try to slow the spread of COVID-19, such as large-scale travel bans and restrictions, border closures, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders and business and government shutdowns. While shelter-in-place restrictions subsided in the second half of 2020 and through 2021, the possibility of future restrictions remains. One of the largest impacts of the pandemic has been a significant reduction in global demand for oil and, to a lesser extent, natural gas. This significant decline in demand was met with a sharp decline in oil prices which were exacerbated by the announcement of price reductions and production increases in March 2020 by members of OPEC and other foreign, oil-exporting countries. The resulting supply and demand imbalance had disruptive impacts on the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry and on other related industries in 2020. These industry conditions, coupled with those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, led to significant global economic contraction generally and in our industry in particular.
Oil and natural gas prices have historically been volatile; however, the volatility in the prices for these commodities substantially increased for the 2020 period as a result of COVID-19, the OPEC announcements mentioned above and ongoing storage capacity concerns. While oil prices declined sharply in April 2020, both pricing and activity began to improve, with oil prices rising above pre-COVID-19 levels during 2021. Although strip pricing for natural gas has increased meaningfully, the impact of these developments on our business and the oil and gas industry is unpredictable. We derived approximately 38% of our revenues and 61% of our production on a Boe/d basis (6:1) from natural gas for the
year ended December 31, 2021, which we believe presents some downside protection against depressed oil prices in the event our industry experiences a drop in oil prices similar to those experienced in 2020.
The ultimate impacts of COVID-19 and the volatility in the oil and natural gas markets on our business, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations will depend on future developments, including, among others, the ultimate severity of COVID-19, the consequences of governmental and other measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the development, availability and administration of effective treatments and vaccines, the duration of the pandemic, actions taken by members of OPEC and other foreign, oil-exporting countries, governmental authorities and other third parties, workforce availability, and the timing and extent of any return to normal economic and operating conditions. For additional discussion regarding the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, see Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this report.
Commodity Prices and Demand
Oil and natural gas prices have been historically volatile and may continue to be volatile in the future. As noted above, the supply and demand imbalance resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak and various OPEC announcements, along with the winter storms experienced in parts of the United States in February 2021, have created increased volatility in oil and natural gas prices during 2020 and 2021. The table below demonstrates such volatility for the periods presented as reported by the EIA.
Year Ended
December 31, 2021
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Oil ($/Bbl)
$
85.64
$
47.47
$
63.27
$
(36.98)
$
66.24
$
46.31
Natural gas ($/MMBtu)
$
23.86
$
2.43
$
3.14
$
1.33
$
4.25
$
1.75
On February 14, 2022, the WTI posted price for crude oil was $95.52 per Bbl and the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas was $4.05 per MMBtu.
The following table, as reported by the EIA, sets forth the average prices for oil and natural gas.
Year Ended December 31,
Oil ($/Bbl)
$
68.14
$
39.16
$
56.98
Natural gas ($/MMBtu)
$
3.89
$
2.03
$
2.56
Rig Count
Drilling on our acreage is dependent upon the exploration and production companies that lease our acreage. As such, we monitor rig counts in an effort to identify existing and future leasing and drilling activity on our acreage.
The Baker Hughes United States Rotary Rig count increased significantly to 570 active land rigs at December 31, 2021 compared to 332 active land rigs at December 31, 2020. The increase in rig count is primarily attributable to an uptake in the oil and natural gas market as a result of improved oil and natural gas prices. The 332 active rig count at December 31, 2020 decreased 57% from 781 active land rigs at December 31, 2019. The decrease in rig count in 2020 is primarily related to the COVID-19 outbreak and international supply and demand imbalances. See Business Environment - COVID-19 Pandemic and Impact on Global Demand for Oil and Natural Gas for further discussion.
The following table summarizes the number of active rigs operating on our acreage by United States basins and producing regions for the periods indicated.
December 31,
Basin or Producing Region
Permian Basin
Mid-Continent
Haynesville
Appalachia
Bakken
Eagle Ford
Rockies
Other
-
Total
Sources of Our Revenue
Our revenues are derived from royalty payments we receive from our operators based on the sale of oil, natural gas and NGL production, as well as the sale of NGLs that are extracted from natural gas during processing. Our revenues may vary significantly from period to period as a result of changes in volumes of production sold or changes in commodity prices.
The following table presents the breakdown of our operating income for the following periods:
Year Ended December 31,
Royalty income
Oil sales
%
%
%
Natural gas sales
%
%
%
NGL sales
%
%
%
Lease bonus and other income
%
%
%
%
%
%
We have entered into oil and natural gas commodity derivative agreements, which extend through December 2023, to establish, in advance, a price for the sale of a portion of the oil and natural gas produced from our mineral and royalty interests. For further discussion on our commodity derivative agreements, see “Note 4-Derivatives.”
Reserves and Pricing
The tables below identify our proved reserves at December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, in each case based on the reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott. The prices used to estimate proved reserves for the respective periods were held constant throughout the life of the properties and have been adjusted for quality, transportation fees, geographical differentials, marketing bonuses or deductions and other factors affecting the price received at the wellhead.
December 31,
Estimated Net Proved Reserves
Oil (MBbls)
12,511
12,294
12,318
Natural gas (MMcf)
157,764
144,233
148,743
Natural gas liquids (MBbls)
6,669
6,085
6,455
Total (MBoe)(6:1)
45,474
42,418
43,563
December 31,
Unweighted Arithmetic Average First-Day-of-the-Month Prices
Oil (Bbls)
$
66.56
$
39.57
$
55.69
Natural gas (Mcf)
$
3.60
$
1.99
$
2.58
Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Results
Our historical financial condition and results of operations may not be comparable, either from period to period or going forward, to our future financial condition and results of operations, for the reasons described below:
Ongoing Acquisition Opportunities
Acquisitions are an important part of our growth strategy, and we expect to pursue acquisitions of mineral and royalty interests from third parties, affiliates of our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties. As a part of these efforts, we often engage in discussions with potential sellers or other parties regarding the possible purchase of or investment in mineral and royalty interests, including in connection with a dropdown of assets from affiliates of our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties. Such efforts may involve participation by us in processes that have been made public and involve a number of potential buyers or investors, commonly referred to as “auction” processes, as well as situations in which we believe we are the only party or one of a limited number of parties who are in negotiations with the potential seller or other party. These acquisition and investment efforts often involve assets which, if acquired or constructed, could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Material acquisitions that would impact the comparability of our results for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 include the Cornerstone Acquisition, the Springbok Acquisition, the Phillips Acquisition and the Buckhorn Acquisition.
Further, the affiliates of our Sponsors and Contributing Parties have no obligation to sell any assets to us or to accept any offer that we may make for such assets, and we may decide not to acquire such assets even if such parties offer them to us. We may decide to fund any acquisition, including any potential dropdowns, with cash, common units, other equity securities, proceeds from borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility or the issuance of debt securities, or any combination thereof. In addition to acquisitions, we also consider from time to time divestitures that may benefit us and our unitholders.
We typically do not announce a transaction until after we have executed a definitive agreement. Past experience has demonstrated that discussions and negotiations regarding a potential transaction can advance or terminate in a short period of time. Moreover, the closing of any transaction for which we have entered into a definitive agreement may be subject to customary and other closing conditions, which may not ultimately be satisfied or waived. Accordingly, we can give no assurance that our current or future acquisition or investment efforts will be successful or that our strategic asset divestitures will be completed. Although we expect the acquisitions and investments we make to be accretive in the long term, we can provide no assurance that our expectations will ultimately be realized. We will not know the immediate results of any acquisition until after the acquisition closes, and we will not know the long term results for some time thereafter.
Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties
Accounting rules require that we periodically review the carrying value of our properties for possible impairment. Based on specific market factors and circumstances at the time of prospective impairment reviews, and the continuing evaluation of development plans, production data, economics and other factors, we may be required to write down the carrying value of our properties. The net capitalized costs of proved oil and natural gas properties are subject to a full cost ceiling limitation for which the costs are not allowed to exceed their related estimated future net revenues discounted at 10%. To the extent capitalized costs of evaluated oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment, exceed estimated discounted future net revenues of proved oil and natural gas reserves, the excess capitalized costs are charged to expense. The risk that we will be required to recognize impairments of our oil and natural gas properties increases during periods of low commodity prices. In addition, impairments would occur if we were to experience sufficient downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves or the present value of estimated future net revenues. An impairment recognized in one period may not be reversed in a subsequent period even if higher oil and natural gas prices increase the cost center ceiling applicable to the subsequent period.
We did not record an impairment on our oil and natural gas properties for the year ended December 31, 2021. We recorded an impairment on our oil and natural gas properties of $251.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. The impairment can primarily be attributed to the decline in the 12-month average price of oil and natural gas as a result of the continued impact of the external factors mentioned below. As of December 31, 2020, the 12-month average prices
of oil and natural gas were $39.57 per Bbl of oil and $1.99 per Mcf of natural gas. These prices represent a 28.9% and 22.9% decrease, respectively, from the 12-month average prices of oil and natural gas as of December 31, 2019, which were $55.69 per Bbl of oil and $2.58 per Mcf of natural gas.
We recorded an impairment on our oil and natural gas properties of $169.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2019. The impairment can primarily be attributed to our quarterly full cost ceiling analysis and a decline in the 12-month average price of oil and natural gas. As of December 31, 2019, the 12-month average prices of oil and natural gas were $55.69 per Bbl of oil and $2.58 per Mcf of natural gas. These prices represent a 15.1% and 16.8% decrease, respectively, from the 12-month average prices of oil and natural gas as of December 31, 2018, which were $65.56 per Bbl of oil and $3.10 per Mcf of natural gas.
After evaluating certain external factors in the first quarter of 2020, including the significant decline in oil and natural gas prices related to reduced demand for oil and natural gas as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the announcement of price reductions and production increases in March 2020 by members of OPEC and other foreign, oil-exporting countries and other supply factors, as well as longer-term commodity price outlooks, we determined that significant drilling uncertainty existed regarding our PUD reserves that were included in our total estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2019, as well as our unevaluated oil and natural gas properties. Specifically, with respect to our PUD reserves (which accounted for approximately 6.1% of total estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2019), we determined that we did not have reasonable certainty as to the timing of the development of the PUD reserves and, therefore, recorded an impairment on such properties in the first quarter of 2020. We similarly recorded an impairment on the value of our unevaluated oil and natural gas properties in the first quarter of 2020, which primarily were acquired in various acquisitions since our IPO. There were no additional impairments to unevaluated properties in the remainder of 2020.
Because we do not intend to book PUD reserves going forward, additional impairment charges could be recorded in connection with future acquisitions. Further, if the price of oil, natural gas and NGLs decreases in future periods, we may be required to record additional impairments as a result of the full-cost ceiling limitation.
Principal Components of Our Cost Structure
As an owner of mineral and royalty interests, we are not obligated to fund drilling and completion costs, lease operating expenses or plugging and abandonment costs at the end of a well’s productive life.
Production and Ad Valorem Taxes
Production taxes are paid on produced oil, natural gas and NGLs based on a percentage of revenues from products sold at fixed rates established by federal, state or local taxing authorities. Where available, we benefit from tax credits and exemptions in our various taxing jurisdictions. We are also subject to ad valorem taxes in the counties where our production is located. Ad valorem taxes are jurisdictional taxes levied on the value of oil, natural gas and NGLs minerals and reserves. Rates, methods of calculating property values, and timing of payments vary between taxing authorities.
Depreciation and Depletion
We follow the full cost method of accounting for costs related to our oil, natural gas and NGL mineral and royalty properties. Under this method, all such costs are capitalized and amortized on an aggregate basis over the estimated lives of the properties using the unit-of-production method. The capitalized costs are subject to a ceiling test, which limits such pooled costs to the aggregate of the present value of future net revenues attributable to proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves discounted at 10%, including the effect of income taxes. The full cost ceiling is evaluated at the end of each fiscal quarter and additionally when events indicate possible impairment. Costs associated with unevaluated properties are excluded from the full-cost pool until a determination as to the existence of proved reserves is able to be made. The inclusion of our unevaluated costs into the amortization base is expected to be completed within five years.
Marketing and Other Deductions
Marketing and other deductions include product marketing expense, which is a post-production expense. Generally, the terms of the lease governing the development of our properties permit the operator to pass through these expenses to us by deducting a pro rata portion of such expenses from our production revenues.
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expenses are costs not directly associated with the production of oil, natural gas and NGLs and include the cost of executives and employees and related benefits, office expenses and fees for professional services. We have entered into a management services agreement with Kimbell Operating, which in turn has entered into separate services agreements with entities controlled by affiliates of certain of our Sponsors and certain Contributing Parties, pursuant to which they and Kimbell Operating provide management, administrative and operational services to us. In addition, under each of their respective services agreements, affiliates of our Sponsors will identify, evaluate and recommend to us acquisition opportunities and negotiate the terms of such acquisitions.
Interest Expense
We finance a portion of our capital requirements and acquisitions with borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility. As a result, we incur interest expense, which is included in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Please read “Liquidity and Capital Resources-Indebtedness” for further discussion of our secured revolving credit facility.
Income Tax Expense
On September 24, 2018, we elected to change our federal income tax status from that of a pass-through partnership to that of a taxable entity via a “check the box” election (the “Tax Election”). As a result of the Tax Election, we are subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at the United States corporate tax rate, which is currently 21.0%.
Texas imposes a franchise tax, commonly referred to as the Texas margin tax, which is considered an income tax, at a rate of 0.75% on gross revenues less certain deductions, as specifically set forth in the Texas margin tax statute. A significant portion of our mineral and royalty interests are located in Texas basins and producing regions.
Results of Operations
The table below summarizes our revenue and expenses and production data for the periods indicated.
Year Ended December 31,
Operating Results:
Revenue
Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues
$
175,088,021
$
92,586,685
$
107,480,446
Lease bonus and other income
3,319,104
345,771
2,477,145
Loss on commodity derivative instruments, net
(42,791,909)
(2,450,541)
(1,732,321)
Total revenues
135,615,216
90,481,915
108,225,270
Costs and expenses
Production and ad valorem taxes
10,480,481
6,389,231
7,719,949
Depreciation and depletion expense
36,797,881
47,988,796
52,118,367
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties
-
251,558,557
169,150,255
Marketing and other deductions
12,048,643
9,376,375
8,145,397
General and administrative expenses
26,977,519
25,902,496
22,666,601
Total costs and expenses
86,304,524
341,215,455
259,800,569
Operating income (loss)
49,310,692
(250,733,540)
(151,575,299)
Other income (expense)
Equity income in affiliate
1,119,819
763,988
80,481
Interest expense
(9,182,103)
(6,430,061)
(5,813,702)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
-
(476,350)
-
Other income (expense)
1,263,566
(100,000)
-
Net income (loss) before income taxes
42,511,974
(256,975,963)
(157,308,520)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
74,100
(885,193)
899,425
Net income (loss)
42,437,874
(256,090,770)
(158,207,945)
Distribution and accretion on Series A preferred units
(11,249,969)
(7,810,588)
(13,878,336)
Net (income) loss and distributions and accretion on Series A preferred units attributable to noncontrolling interests
(8,496,104)
96,642,334
89,148,428
Distribution on Class B units
(76,780)
(91,869)
(94,429)
Net income (loss) attributable to common units
$
22,615,021
$
(167,350,893)
$
(83,032,282)
Production Data:
Oil (Bbls)
1,343,771
1,409,163
1,113,150
Natural gas (Mcf)
19,085,400
17,891,384
17,045,519
Natural gas liquids (Bbls)
714,494
681,575
561,797
Combined volumes (Boe) (6:1)
5,239,165
5,072,635
4,515,867
Comparison of the Year Ended December 31, 2021 to the Year Ended December 31, 2020 and the Year Ended December 31, 2020 to the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Revenues
For the year ended December 31, 2021, our oil, natural gas and NGL revenues were $175.1 million, an increase of $82.5 million from $92.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The significant increase in oil, natural gas and NGL revenues was directly related to the increase in the average prices we received for oil, natural gas and NGL production for the year ended December 31, 2021 as discussed below.
Our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $14.9 million, from $107.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The significant decrease in oil, natural gas and NGL revenues was directly related to the decrease in the average prices we received for oil, natural gas and NGL production for the year ended December 31, 2020 as discussed below. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in production associated with various acquisitions throughout the 2019 and 2020 periods.
Our revenues are a function of oil, natural gas, and NGL production volumes sold and average prices received for those volumes. The production volumes were 5,239,165 Boe or 14,354 Boe/d, for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of 166,530 Boe or 494 Boe/d, from 5,072,635 Boe or 13,860 Boe/d, for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The increase in production for the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily attributable to production associated with the Springbok Acquisition, which included a full year of production for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to approximately eight months of production for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Our production volumes for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by 556,768 Boe or 1,529 Boe/d, from 4,515,867 Boe or 12,331 Boe/d, for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in production for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to production associated with the Springbok Acquisition, which accounted for 568,424 Boe.
Our operators received an average of $64.86 per Bbl of oil, $3.51 per Mcf of natural gas and $29.33 per Bbl of NGL for the volumes sold during the year ended December 31, 2021 and $36.98 per Bbl of oil, $1.79 per Mcf of natural gas and $12.39 per Bbl of NGL for the volumes sold during the year ended December 31, 2020. The year ended December 31, 2021 increased 75.4% or $27.88 per Bbl of oil and 96.1% or $1.72 per Mcf of natural gas compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. This change is consistent with prices experienced in the market, specifically when compared to the EIA average price increase of 74.0% or $28.98 per Bbl of oil and 91.6% or $1.86 per Mcf of natural gas for the comparable periods.
Average prices received by our operators during the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased 32.3% or $17.68 per Bbl of oil and 19.0% or $0.42 per Mcf of natural gas compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, which our operators received an average of $54.66 per Bbl of oil, $2.21 per Mcf of natural gas and $15.96 per Bbl of NGL. This change is consistent with prices experienced in the market, specifically when compared to the EIA average price decrease of 31.3% or $17.82 per Bbl of oil and 20.7% or $0.53 per Mcf of natural gas for the comparable periods.
Lease Bonus and Other Income
Lease bonus and other income was $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $3.0 million from $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in lease bonus and other income is primarily related to a $1.5 million lease bonus received during the year ended December 31, 2021, related to properties in the Permian Basin, and also due to the volatility and uncertainty experienced in the oil and gas market for the 2020 period, which discouraged operators from drilling new wells.
Our lease bonus and other income for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $2.2 million, from $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in lease bonus and other income was primarily due to the volatility and uncertainty in the oil and gas market, which discouraged operators from drilling new wells during the 2020 period.
Loss on Commodity Derivative Instruments
Loss on commodity derivative instruments for the year ended December 31, 2021 included $22.1 million of mark-to-market losses and $20.7 million of losses on the settlement of commodity derivative instruments compared to $7.1 million of mark-to-market losses and $4.6 million of gains on the settlement of commodity derivative instruments for the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase in the loss on commodity derivatives is attributable to the increase in oil and natural gas prices during the year ended December 31, 2021, as comparable to the year ended December 31, 2020.
Loss on commodity derivative instruments for the year ended December 31, 2019 included $3.4 million of mark-to-market losses and $1.7 million of gains on the settlement of commodity derivative instruments.
Production and Ad Valorem Taxes
Production and ad valorem taxes for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $10.5 million, an increase of $4.1 million from $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in production and ad valorem taxes was primarily attributable to the increase in the average prices we received for oil, natural gas and NGL production for the year ended December 31, 2021, and to a lesser extent, production and ad valorem taxes associated with the Springbok Acquisition.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, production and ad valorem taxes decreased by $1.3 million from $7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in production and ad valorem taxes was primarily related to the significant decrease in the average prices we received for oil, natural gas and NGL production for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Depreciation and Depletion Expense
Depreciation and depletion expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $36.8 million, a decrease of $11.2 million from $48.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in depreciation and depletion expense was due to the impairment that was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2020, which significantly reduced our net capitalized oil and natural gas properties.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, depreciation and depletion expense decreased by $4.1 million from $52.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in depreciation and depletion expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 was due to the impairment that was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which significantly reduced our net capitalized oil and natural gas properties. The decrease in the depreciation and depletion expense was partially offset by the Springbok Acquisition, which added approximately $115.4 million of depletable costs to the full-cost pool.
Depletion is the amount of cost basis of oil and natural gas properties at the beginning of a period attributable to the volume of hydrocarbons extracted during such period, calculated on a unit-of-production basis. Estimates of proved developed producing reserves are a major component in the calculation of depletion. Our average depletion rate per barrel was $6.78 for the year ended December 31, 2021, a decrease of $2.61 per barrel from the $9.39 average depletion rate per barrel for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in depletion rate was due to the significant impairment that was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2020 which significantly reduced our net capitalized oil and natural gas properties.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, our average depletion rate per barrel decreased by $2.00 per barrel from the $11.39 average depletion rate per barrel for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in depletion rate was due to the impairment that was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which significantly reduced our net capitalized oil and natural gas properties.
Impairment of Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Expense
We did not record an impairment expense on our oil and natural gas properties for the year ended December 31, 2021. We recorded an impairment expense on our oil and natural gas properties of $251.6 million and $169.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The impairment recorded during the year ended December 31, 2020 included an impairment due to the reduction in our PUD reserves, impairment of our unevaluated oil and natural gas properties in the first quarter of 2020 and impairments on our oil and natural gas properties as the result of the continued decline in the 12-month average price of oil and natural gas, in each case as further described under “-Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Results to Our Historical Results-Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties.”
Marketing and Other Deductions
Our marketing and other deductions include product marketing expense, which is a post-production expense. Marketing and other deductions for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $12.0 million, an increase of $2.6 million from $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, which was primarily attributable to the increase in prices for oil, natural gas and NGL production.
Marketing and other deductions for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by $1.3 million from $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in marketing and other deductions was primarily attributable to the Springbok Acquisition.
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expenses remained relatively flat at $27.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $25.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by $3.2 million from $22.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Included within general and administrative expenses are non-cash expenses for unit-based compensation as a result of the amortization of restricted units that have been issued by us over various periods. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to a $2.0 million increase in unit-based compensation expense and cash general and administrative expenses resulting from increases in salaries and wages and our costs associated with company growth.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $9.2 million as compared to interest expense of $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to borrowings on the secured revolving credit facility during 2021 to fund the redemption of the Series A preferred units.
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by $0.6 million as compared to interest expense of $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to debt incurred to fund the partial redemption of the Series A preferred units and the Springbok Acquisition, which was partially offset by the repayment of $91.2 million in debt during the year ended December 31, 2020 and the decline in the weighted average interest rate from 4.58% during the year ended December 31, 2019 to 3.31% during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we recognized an income tax expense of $0.1 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 0.17%, compared to an income tax benefit of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, resulting in an effective tax rate of 0.34%. The overall change in our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 is primarily due estimated current federal income tax that cannot be sheltered by a net operating loss carryforward.
Additionally, we assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent we believe that recovery is more likely than not, do not establish a valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we recorded a full valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. As a result, we did not recognize a benefit from our net operating losses for the respective periods. See Note 13-Income Taxes for further discussion.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows from operations and equity and debt financings and our primary uses of cash are distributions to our unitholders and for growth capital expenditures, including the acquisition of mineral and royalty interests in oil and natural gas properties. See “Indebtedness” below for further discussion of our secured revolving credit facility.
Cash Distribution Policy
The limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company requires it to distribute all of its cash on hand at the end of each quarter in an amount equal to its available cash for such quarter. In turn, our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all of our cash on hand at the end of each quarter in an amount equal to our available cash for such quarter. Available cash for each quarter will be determined by the Board of Directors following the end of such quarter. “Available cash,” as used in this context, is defined in our partnership agreement and in the limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company, and in “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Unitholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities-Definition of Available Cash.” We expect that the Operating Company’s available cash for each quarter will generally equal its Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter, less cash needed for debt service and other contractual obligations and fixed charges and reserves for future operating or capital needs that the
Board of Directors may determine is appropriate, and we expect that our available cash for each quarter will generally equal our Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter (and will be our proportional share of the available cash distributed by the Operating Company for that quarter), less cash needs for debt service and other contractual obligations, tax obligations, fixed charges and reserves for future operating or capital needs that the Board of Directors may determine is appropriate.
In light of the unprecedented global economic impact resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the related impact to the volatility in the United States oil and natural gas markets, the Board of Directors approved the allocation of 25% of our cash available for distribution on common units for the fourth quarter of 2021 for the repayment of $8.0 million in outstanding borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility during its determination of “available cash” for the fourth quarter of 2021. With respect to future quarters, the Board of Directors intends to continue to allocate a portion of our cash available for distribution on common units to the repayment of outstanding borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility and may allocate such cash in other manners in which the Board of Directors determines to be appropriate at the time. The Board of Directors may further change its policy with respect to cash distributions in the future.
We do not currently maintain a material reserve of cash for the purpose of maintaining stability or growth in our quarterly distribution, nor do we intend to incur debt to pay quarterly distributions, although the Board of Directors may change this policy.
It is our intent, subject to market conditions, to finance acquisitions of mineral and royalty interests that increase our asset base largely through external sources, such as borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility and the issuance of equity and debt securities. For example, we issued 2,224,358 common units and 2,497,134 OpCo common units and an equal number of Class B units as partial consideration in connection with the Springbok Acquisition, which was completed during the year ended December 31, 2020. The Board of Directors may choose to reserve a portion of cash generated from operations to finance such acquisitions as well. We do not currently intend to (i) maintain excess distribution coverage for the purpose of maintaining stability or growth in our quarterly distribution, (ii) otherwise reserve cash for distributions or (iii) incur debt to pay quarterly distributions, although the Board of Directors may do so if they believe it is warranted. See “Recent Developments-Fourth Quarter Distributions” above for discussion of our fourth quarter 2021 distributions.
Cash Flows
The following table presents our cash flows for the periods indicated.
Year Ended December 31,
Cash Flow Data:
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
91,442,481
$
62,245,341
$
80,702,448
Net cash used in investing activities
(55,572,551)
(90,827,734)
(15,590,458)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(38,622,493)
24,183,120
(66,681,727)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
$
(2,752,563)
$
(4,399,273)
$
(1,569,737)
Operating Activities
Operating cash flow is impacted by many variables, the most significant of which are the changes in oil, natural gas and NGL production volumes due to acquisitions or other external factors and changes in prices for oil, natural gas and NGLs. Prices for these commodities are determined primarily by prevailing market conditions. Regional and worldwide economic activity, weather and other substantially variable factors influence market conditions for these products. These factors are beyond our control and are difficult to predict. Cash flows provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $91.4 million, an increase of $29.2 million compared to $62.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in cash flows provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to the increase in the average prices we received for oil, natural gas and NGL production for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Cash flows provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $18.5 million compared to $80.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in cash flows provided by operating
activities was primarily attributable to the decrease in the average prices we received for oil, natural gas and NGL production for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Investing Activities
Cash flows used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $55.6 million compared to $90.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we used approximately $54.6 million to fund the Cornerstone acquisition, we used $0.8 million primarily to fund the renovation of office space, $0.5 million primarily to fund the acquisition of assets from Nail Bay Royalties, LLC (“Nail Bay Royalties”) and Oil Nut Bay Royalties, LP (“Oil Nut Bay”), partially offset by a $0.5 million cash distribution received in connection with a joint venture (the “Joint Venture”) with Springbok SKR Capital Company, LLC and Rivercrest Capital Partners, LP during the period. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we used $87.6 million primarily to fund the Springbok Acquisition, $2.2 million to fund the capital commitments of the Joint Venture and $1.0 million to fund the remodel of office space.
Cash flows used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by $75.2 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we used $3.0 million to fund capital commitments paid to the Joint Venture, $1.2 million to fund the Phillips Acquisition, $9.9 million to fund the acquisition of various mineral and royalty interests in Oklahoma, $0.5 million in connection with the Buckhorn Acquisition and $1.0 million to fund the remodel of office space.
Financing Activities
Cash flows used in financing activities were $38.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $24.2 million of cash flows provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020. Cash flows used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 consists of $71.7 million of distributions paid to holders of common units and OpCo common units, Series A preferred units and Class B units, $67.1 million to fund the redemption of Series A preferred units, $91.0 million used to repay borrowings under out secured revolving credit facility, $2.1 million of restricted units repurchased for tax withholding, $0.7 million payment of loan origination costs and $0.2 million paid in connection with the redemption of Class B units, partially offset by $57.5 million in proceeds from the 2021 Equity Offering and $136.6 million of additional borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility.
Cash flows provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 consists of $162.6 million of additional borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility and $73.6 million in proceeds from the 2020 Equity Offering. Cash flows provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 were partially offset by $91.2 million used to repay borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility, $61.1 million to fund the redemption of Series A preferred units, $54.9 million of distributions paid to holders of common units and OpCo common units, Series A preferred units and Class B units, $4.5 million paid in connection with amending our secured revolving credit facility and $0.4 million paid in connection with the redemption of Class B units.
Cash flows used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $66.7 million. Cash flows used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 consist of $78.8 million of distributions paid to holders of common units and OpCo common units, Series A preferred units and Class B units, $0.7 million of issuance costs paid on Series A preferred units and $0.3 million paid in connection with the redemption of Class B units, partially offset by $12.8 million of additional borrowings under our secured revolving credit facility and $0.5 million in contributions from our Class B unitholders.
Capital Expenditures
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we paid approximately $55.3 million, which was primarily attributable to the completion of the Cornerstone acquisition. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we paid approximately $87.6 million primarily in connection with the Springbok Acquisition. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we paid approximately $1.2 million in connection with the Phillips Acquisition, $9.9 million in connection with the acquisition of various mineral and royalty interests in Oklahoma and $0.5 million in connection with the Buckhorn Acquisition.
Indebtedness
On January 11, 2017, we entered into a credit agreement (the “2017 Credit Agreement”) with Frost Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto. On July 12, 2018, we entered into an amendment (the “First Credit Agreement Amendment”) to the 2017 Credit Agreement (the 2017 Credit Agreement as amended by the First Credit Agreement Amendment, the “2018 Amended Credit Agreement”). On December 8, 2020, we entered into the Second Credit Agreement Amendment to the 2018 Amended Credit Agreement (the 2018 Amended Credit Agreement as amended by the Second Credit Agreement Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”). Under the Amended Credit Agreement, availability under our secured revolving credit facility will continue to equal the lesser of the aggregate maximum elected commitments of the lenders, which may be increased up to $500.0 million, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions and the election of existing lenders to increase commitments or the procurement of additional commitments from new lenders, and the borrowing base. The Second Credit Agreement Amendment amended the 2018 Amended Credit Agreement to extend the maturity date thereunder from February 8, 2022 to June 7, 2024.
The Second Credit Agreement Amendment increased aggregate commitments under the 2018 Amended Credit Agreement from $225.0 million to $265.0 million providing for maximum availability of $265.0 million. The Amended Credit Agreement permits aggregate commitments under the secured revolving credit facility to be increased up to $500.0 million, subject to the limitations of our borrowing base and satisfaction of certain conditions, including the election of existing lenders to increase commitments or the procurement of additional commitments from new lenders and the borrowing base. In connection with our entry into the Second Credit Agreement Amendment, the borrowing base was set at $265.0 million. The borrowing base will be redetermined semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning May 1, 2021, based on the value of our oil and natural gas properties and the oil and natural gas properties of our wholly owned subsidiaries. In connection with the November 1, 2021 redetermination under the secured revolving credit facility, the borrowing base was increased to $275.0 million.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains various affirmative, negative and financial maintenance covenants. These covenants limit our ability to, among other things, incur or guarantee additional debt, make distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, common units and OpCo common units, make certain investments and acquisitions, incur certain liens or permit them to exist, enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate with another company and transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of assets. The Amended Credit Agreement also contains covenants requiring us to maintain the following financial ratios or to reduce our indebtedness if we are unable to comply with such ratios: (i) a Debt to EBITDAX Ratio (as more fully defined in the secured revolving credit facility) of not more than 3.5 to 1.0; and (ii) a ratio of current assets to current liabilities of not less than 1.0 to 1.0. The Amended Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default, including non-payment, breach of covenants, materially incorrect representations, cross default, bankruptcy and change of control. As of December 31, 2021, we had outstanding borrowings of $217.1 million under the secured revolving credit facility and $57.9 million of available capacity.
For additional information on our Amended Credit Agreement, please read Note 8-Long-Term Debt to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report.
Tax Matters
Even though we are organized as a limited partnership under state law, we are treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, we are subject to United States federal income tax at regular corporate rates on our net taxable income. We currently expect that (i) we will pay no material federal income taxes through 2027 (no more than approximately 5% of estimated pre-tax distributable cash flow), and (ii) substantially all distributions (more than 95%) paid to our common unitholders will not be taxable dividend income through 2025.
Distributions in excess of the amount taxable as dividend income will reduce a common unitholder's tax basis in its common units or produce capital gain to the extent they exceed a common unitholder's tax basis. Any reduced tax basis will increase a common unitholder's capital gain when it sells its common units. The estimates described above are the result of certain non-cash expenses (principally depletion) substantially offsetting our taxable income and tax "earnings and profits." Our estimates of the tax treatment of earnings and distributions are based upon assumptions regarding the capital structure and earnings of the Operating Company, our capital structure and the amount of the earnings of the Operating Company allocated to us. Many factors may impact these estimates, including changes in drilling and production
activity, commodity prices, future acquisitions or changes in the business, economic, regulatory, legislative, competitive or political environment in which we operate. These estimates are based on current tax law and tax reporting positions that we have adopted and with which the Internal Revenue Service could disagree. These estimates are not fact and should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results, and no assurances can be made regarding these estimates. You are encouraged to consult with your tax advisor on this matter. Please read “Item 1A. Risk Factors-Tax Risks” elsewhere in this Annual Report.
New and Revised Financial Accounting Standards
The effects of new accounting pronouncements are discussed in Note 2-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies within the financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Certain of our accounting policies involve judgments and uncertainties to such an extent that there is a reasonable likelihood that materially different amounts would have been reported under different conditions, or if different assumptions had been used. Below, we have provided expanded discussion of our more significant accounting estimates.
See the Note 2-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our financial statements for a summary of our significant accounting policies.
Method of Accounting for Oil and Natural Gas Properties
We account for oil, natural gas and NGL producing activities using the full cost method of accounting. Accordingly, all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of proved oil, natural gas and NGL properties, including the costs of abandoned properties, dry holes, geophysical costs and annual lease rentals are capitalized. Sales or other dispositions of oil, natural gas and NGL properties are accounted for as adjustments to capitalized costs, with no gain or loss recorded unless the ratio of cost to proved reserves would significantly change.
Depletion of evaluated oil, natural gas and NGL properties is computed on the units of production method, whereby capitalized costs are amortized over total proved reserves. Oil, natural gas and NGL reserve quantities are used as the basis to calculate unit-of-production depreciation. Depreciation is calculated by taking the ratio of asset costs to total proved reserves applied to actual production. The volumes produced and asset costs are known, while proved reserves are based on estimates that are subject to some variability.
Unevaluated Properties
Costs associated with unevaluated properties are excluded from the full cost pool until we have made a determination as to the existence of proved reserves. We assess all items classified as unevaluated property on a periodic basis for possible impairment. We assess properties on an individual basis or as a group if properties are individually insignificant. The assessment includes consideration of the following factors, among others: the operators’ intent to drill; remaining lease term; geological and geophysical evaluations; the operators’ drilling results and activity; the assignment of proved reserves; and the economic viability of operator development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to amortization or potential impairment.
Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Reserve Quantities
Our independent engineers prepare our estimates of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves and associated future net revenues. The SEC has defined proved reserves as the estimated quantities of oil and gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. The process of estimating oil, natural gas and NGL reserves is complex, requiring significant decisions in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data. The data for a
given property may also change substantially over time as a result of numerous factors, including additional development activity, evolving production history and a continual reassessment of the viability of production under changing economic conditions. As a result, material revisions to existing reserve estimates occur from time to time. Although every reasonable effort is made to ensure that reserve estimates reported represent the most accurate assessments possible, the subjective decisions and variances in available data for various properties increase the likelihood of significant changes in these estimates. If such changes are material, they could significantly affect future amortization of capitalized costs and result in impairment of assets that may be material.
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves. Oil, natural gas and NGL reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil, natural gas and NGLs that cannot be precisely measured and the accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Results of drilling, testing and production subsequent to the date of the estimate may justify revision of such estimate. Accordingly, reserve estimates are often different from the quantities of oil, natural gas and NGLs that are ultimately recovered. Additionally, we continue to not intend to book PUD reserves going forward.
Revenue Recognition
Mineral and royalty interests represent the right to receive revenues from the sale of oil, natural gas and NGLs, less production and ad valorem taxes and post-production expenses. The pricing of oil, natural gas and NGLs from the properties in which we own a mineral or royalty interest is primarily determined by supply and demand in the marketplace and can fluctuate considerably. As an owner of mineral and royalty interests, we have no involvement or operational control over the volumes and method of sale of the oil, natural gas and NGLs produced and sold from the property. We have no rights or obligations to explore, develop or operate the property and do not incur any of the costs of exploration, development and operation of the property. Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues from our mineral and royalty interests are recognized at the point control of the product is transferred to the purchaser. The price and volumes of certain sales are based on estimates that are sometimes not available until the next period. In such cases, estimated realizations are accrued when the sale is recognized and are finalized when the price and volume is available. Such adjustments to revenue from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods are not significant.
Full Cost Ceiling Impairment
The net capitalized costs of proved oil, natural gas and NGL properties are subject to a full cost ceiling limitation in which the costs are not allowed to exceed their related estimated future net revenues discounted at 10%. Estimated future net revenues are calculated as estimated future revenues from oil, natural gas and NGL properties less production taxes, ad valorem taxes and gas marketing expenses. To the extent capitalized costs of evaluated oil, natural gas and NGL properties, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization, impairment and deferred income taxes exceed the discounted future net revenues of proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves, less any related income tax effects, the excess capitalized costs are charged to expense. In calculating future net revenues, prices are calculated as the average oil, natural gas and NGL prices during the preceding 12-month period prior to the end of the current reporting period, determined as the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month prices for the prior 12-month period and costs used are those as of the end of the reporting period.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Commodity Price Risk
Our major market risk exposure is in the pricing applicable to the oil, natural gas and NGL production of our operators. Realized pricing is primarily driven by the prevailing worldwide price for crude oil and spot market prices applicable to our natural gas production. Pricing for oil, natural gas and NGL production has been volatile and unpredictable for several years, and we expect commodity prices to be even more volatile in the future as a result of COVID-19, ongoing international supply and demand imbalances and limited international storage capacity. The prices that our operators receive for production depend on many factors outside of our or their control. To reduce the impact of fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices on our revenues, we entered into commodity derivative contracts to reduce our exposure to price volatility of oil and natural gas. The counterparty to the contracts is an unrelated third party.
Our commodity derivative contracts consist of fixed price swaps, under which we receive a fixed price for the contract and pays a floating market price to the counterparty over a specified period for a contracted volume. We hedge our daily production based on the amount of debt and/or preferred equity as a percent of our enterprise value. As of December 31 2021, these economic hedges constituted approximately 32% of our daily oil and natural gas production.
Our oil fixed price swap transactions are settled based upon the average daily prices for the calendar month of the contract period, and our natural gas fixed price swap transactions are settled based upon the last day settlement of the first nearby month futures contract of the contract period. Settlement for oil derivative contracts occurs in the succeeding month and natural gas derivative contracts are settled in the production month.
Because we have not designated any of our derivative contracts as hedges for accounting purposes, changes in fair values of our derivative contracts will be recognized as gains and losses in current period earnings. As a result, our current period earnings may be significantly affected by changes in the fair value of our commodity derivative contracts. Changes in fair value are principally measured based on future prices as of period-end compared to the contract price. See Note 4-Derivatives to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report for additional information regarding our commodity derivatives.
Counterparty and Customer Credit Risk
Our derivative contracts expose us to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties. While we do not require our counterparties to our derivative contracts to post collateral, we do evaluate the credit standing of such counterparties as we deem appropriate. This evaluation includes reviewing a counterparty’s credit rating and latest financial information. As of December 31, 2021, we had four counterparties to our derivative contracts, which are also lenders under our credit facility.
As an owner of mineral and royalty interests, we have no control over the volumes or method of sale of oil, natural gas and NGLs produced and sold from the underlying properties. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, our top purchaser accounted for approximately 6.0%, 7.1% and 6.0%, respectively, of our oil, natural gas and NGL revenues. It is believed that the loss of any single purchaser would not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Interest Rate Risk
We will have exposure to changes in interest rates on our indebtedness. As of December 31, 2021, we had total borrowings outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility of $217.1 million. The impact of a 1% increase in the interest rate on this amount of debt would have resulted in an increase in interest expense of approximately $2.2 million annually, assuming that our indebtedness remained constant throughout the year.
On January 27, 2021, we entered into an interest rate swap with Citibank, which fixed the interest rate on $150.0 million of the notional balance on our secured revolving credit facility (which represented approximately 69% of our outstanding balance as of December 31, 2021), at approximately 3.9% for the period ending on January 29, 2024. We use an interest rate swap for the management of interest rate risk exposure, as the interest rate swap effectively converts a portion of our secured revolving credit facility from a floating to a fixed rate. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we recognized a $1.6 million gain on interest rate swaps, which is included in other income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Inflation
Inflation in the United States did not have a material impact on results of operations for the period from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021. However, inflation in wages and other costs has the potential to adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial position by increasing our overall cost structure. In addition, the existence of inflation in the economy has the potential to result in higher interest rates, which could result in higher borrowing costs, higher commodity prices, which could result in lower revenues, supply shortages, increased costs of labor and other similar effects.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution on Common Units
Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution on common units are used as supplemental non-GAAP financial measures (as defined below) by management and external users of our financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies. We believe Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution on common units are useful because they allow us to more effectively evaluate our operating performance and compare the results of our operations period to period without regard to our financing methods or capital structure. In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate cash flow available to pay distributions to our unitholders.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss), net of depreciation and depletion expense, interest expense, income taxes, impairment of oil and natural gas properties, non-cash unit-based compensation, losses on the extinguishment of debt, change in fair value of open derivative instruments, cash distribution from affiliate and equity income in affiliate. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of net income (loss) as determined by GAAP. We exclude the items listed above from net income (loss) in arriving at Adjusted EBITDA because these amounts can vary substantially from company to company within our industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures and the method by which the assets were acquired. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital and tax structure, as well as historic costs of depreciable assets, none of which are components of Adjusted EBITDA. We define cash available for distribution on common units as Adjusted EBITDA, less cash needed for debt service and other contractual obligations, tax obligations, fixed charges and reserves for future operating or capital needs that the Board of Directors may determine is appropriate.
Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution on common units should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss), oil, natural gas and NGL revenues, net cash flows provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Our computations of Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution on common units may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.
The tables below present a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) and net cash provided by operating activities, our most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, for the periods indicated.
Partnership
Year Ended December 31,
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution:
Net income (loss)
$
42,437,874
$
(256,090,770)
$
(158,207,945)
Depreciation and depletion expense
36,797,881
47,988,796
52,118,367
Interest expense
9,182,103
6,430,061
5,813,702
Cash distribution from affiliate
1,015,559
812,810
-
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
74,100
(885,193)
899,425
EBITDA
89,507,517
(201,744,296)
(99,376,451)
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties
-
251,558,557
169,150,255
Unit-based compensation
10,632,725
9,261,756
7,502,678
Loss on extinguishment debt
-
476,350
-
Loss on derivative instruments, net of settlements
20,343,783
7,085,364
3,423,445
Cash distribution from affiliate
500,389
-
94,150
Equity income in affiliate
(1,119,819)
(763,988)
(80,481)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA
119,864,595
65,873,743
80,713,596
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interest
(35,608,960)
(23,914,812)
(42,228,556)
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP
84,255,635
41,958,931
38,485,040
Adjustments to reconcile Adjusted EBITDA to cash available for distribution
Cash interest expense
5,297,810
3,399,655
2,430,170
Cash distributions on Series A preferred units
1,943,385
3,047,466
3,635,459
Restricted units repurchased for tax withholding
1,433,265
-
-
Cash income tax expense
-
-
801,669
Distributions on Class B units
76,780
91,869
94,429
Cash reserves
-
-
(801,669)
Cash available for distribution on common units
$
75,504,395
$
35,419,941
$
32,324,982
Partnership
Year Ended December 31,
Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution:
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
91,442,481
$
62,245,341
$
80,702,448
Interest expense
9,182,103
6,430,061
5,813,702
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
74,100
(885,193)
899,425
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties
-
(251,558,557)
(169,150,255)
Amortization of right-of-use assets
(298,093)
(276,180)
(154,525)
Amortization of loan origination costs
(1,556,769)
(1,108,685)
(1,050,278)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
-
(476,350)
-
Equity income in affiliate
1,119,819
763,988
80,481
Forfeiture of restricted units
-
127,934
Unit-based compensation
(10,632,725)
(9,261,756)
(7,502,678)
Loss on derivative instruments, net of settlements
(20,343,783)
(7,085,364)
(3,423,445)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Oil, natural gas and NGL receivables
17,594,389
(1,618,006)
(4,410,140)
Accounts receivable and other current assets
2,077,637
897,088
26,317
Accounts payable
77,716
319,001
125,387
Other current liabilities
463,828
(533,582)
(1,762,633)
Operating lease liabilities
306,814
275,964
429,743
EBITDA
89,507,517
(201,744,296)
(99,376,451)
Add:
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties
-
251,558,557
169,150,255
Unit-based compensation
10,632,725
9,261,756
7,502,678
Loss on extinguishment of debt
-
476,350
-
Loss on derivative instruments, net of settlements
20,343,783
7,085,364
3,423,445
Cash distribution from affiliate
500,389
-
94,150
Equity income in affiliate
(1,119,819)
(763,988)
(80,481)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA
119,864,595
65,873,743
80,713,596
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interest
(35,608,960)
(23,914,812)
(42,228,556)
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP
84,255,635
41,958,931
38,485,040
Adjustments to reconcile Adjusted EBITDA to cash available for distribution
Cash interest expense
5,297,810
3,399,655
2,430,170
Cash distributions on Series A preferred units
1,943,385
3,047,466
3,635,459
Restricted units repurchased for tax withholding
1,433,265
-
-
Cash income tax expense
-
-
801,669
Distributions on Class B units
76,780
91,869
94,429
Cash reserves
-
-
(801,669)
Cash available for distribution on common units
$
75,504,395
$
35,419,941
$
32,324,982

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The Partnership’s consolidated financial statements required by this item are included in this Annual Report beginning on page.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, we have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of management of our General Partner, including our General Partner’s principal executive officer and
principal financial officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Disclosure controls and procedures are defined as controls designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our General Partner’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based upon that evaluation, our General Partner’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2021.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of our General Partner’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
● Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
● Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our General Partner’s management and directors; and
● Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting can also be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. 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. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, the risk.
As of December 31, 2021, our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of our internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Based on this assessment, management has concluded our internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2021.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm due to rules of the SEC. Our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting for as long as we are an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the provisions of the JOBS Act.
Beginning with our Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2022, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as we will no longer be considered an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the provisions of the JOBS Act.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
None.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The following table shows information for the executive officers, directors and director nominees of our General Partner as of December 31, 2021. Directors hold office until their successors have been elected or qualified or until the earlier of their death, resignation, removal or disqualification. Executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Messrs. R. Ravnaas and D. Ravnaas are father and son, respectively, and Messrs. Fortson and Wynne are father-in-law and son-in-law, respectively.
Name
Age
Position With Our General Partner
Robert D. Ravnaas
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
R. Davis Ravnaas
President and Chief Financial Officer
Matthew S. Daly
Chief Operating Officer
R. Blayne Rhynsburger
Controller
Brett G. Taylor
Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
Ben J. Fortson
Director
T. Scott Martin
Director
Mitch S. Wynne
Director
William H. Adams III
Independent Director
Craig Stone
Independent Director
Erik B. Daugbjerg
Independent Director
Robert D. Ravnaas. Robert D. Ravnaas was appointed Chief Executive Officer of our General Partner and Chairman of the Board of Directors in November 2015. Mr. R. Ravnaas served as President of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc., a petroleum engineering firm, from 2011 until February 2017. He also served as President and director of Rivercrest Royalties II, LLC from 2014 until December 2017, and as President and director of our Predecessor from 2013 until our IPO, and he is a partial owner of certain of the Contributing Parties. Prior to joining Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. in 1983, he worked as a Production Engineer for Amoco Production Company from 1981 to 1983. Mr. R. Ravnaas received a Bachelor of Science degree with special honors in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Master of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a registered professional engineer in Texas and a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Mr. R. Ravnaas was selected to serve as a director because of his broad knowledge of, and extensive experience in, the oil and gas industry. Mr. R. Ravnaas also serves as Chairman of Kimbell Tiger Acquisition Corporation.
R. Davis Ravnaas. R. Davis Ravnaas was appointed President and Chief Financial Officer of our General Partner in November 2015. Mr. D. Ravnaas co-founded our Predecessor in October 2013, served as Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer from November 2013 to October 2015 and served as President and Chief Financial Officer of our Predecessor from October 2015 until our IPO. He has also served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Rivercrest Royalties Holdings II, LLC and/or its predecessor, Rivercrest Royalties II, LLC, since August 2014, and he is a partial owner of certain of the Contributing Parties. From 2010 to 2012, Mr. D. Ravnaas was responsible for sourcing, evaluating and monitoring investments in energy and industrials companies as an associate investment professional with Crestview Partners, a New York based private equity fund with $6.0 billion under management. Mr. D. Ravnaas left Crestview Partners in 2012 to attend the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he earned his Master in Business Administration in 2014. Mr. D. Ravnaas also has an AB in Economics from Princeton University and a MSc in Finance and Economics from the London School of Economics. Mr. D. Ravnaas also serves as Director and Strategic Advisor of Kimbell Tiger Acquisition Corporation.
Matthew S. Daly. Matthew S. Daly was appointed Chief Operating Officer of our General Partner in May 2017. Mr. Daly has served as Senior Vice President-Corporate Development of our General Partner since September 2016. Mr. Daly served as Senior Vice President-Corporate Development of our Predecessor from August 2016 until our IPO. From 2014 to 2016, Mr. Daly served as Senior Analyst-Energy at Hirzel Capital Management LLC, a Dallas-based hedge fund, where he managed public energy investments. From 2004 to 2013, he served as Senior Analyst-Energy at Kleinheinz Capital Partners, Inc., where he managed public and private energy investments and assisted with macro hedging trades. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Daly was a Vice President-Mergers and Acquisitions at Lazard Frères & Co. in New York City. Mr. Daly has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and is a certified public accountant. Mr. Daly also serves as Director and Strategic Advisor of Kimbell Tiger Acquisition Corporation.
R. Blayne Rhynsburger. R. Blayne Rhynsburger has served as the Controller of the General Partner since February 2017. Mr. Rhynsburger previously served as the Controller of our Predecessor from November 2015 until our IPO. Prior to that time, Mr. Rhynsburger served as audit manager from July 2014 to November 2015, audit senior from July 2011 to June 2014, and audit staff from September 2009 to June 2011 at Whitley Penn LLP, where he specialized in assurance and advisory services for clients in multiple industries, primarily energy clients in the public and private sectors. Mr. Rhynsburger also has served as an adjunct professor of petroleum accounting in the graduate school of Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business since 2015. Mr. Rhynsburger holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and Finance and a Master of Accounting degree from Texas Christian University. He is also a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Rhynsburger also serves as the Controller of Kimbell Tiger Acquisition Corporation.
Brett G. Taylor. Brett G. Taylor was appointed as Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors in November 2015. Mr. Taylor has over 36 years of experience in the oil and gas industry as a petroleum landman. He began his career at Texas Oil and Gas Corporation from 1982 to 1985. He then spent thirteen years at Fortson Oil Company, where he served as Land Manager and Vice President-Land from 1985 to 1998. In 1998, Mr. Taylor co-founded, with Joe B. Neuhoff, Neuhoff-Taylor Royalty Company and began acquiring producing royalties and minerals. He has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of various private companies since 1998, and certain of such companies are Contributing Parties. Mr. Taylor has a Bachelor of Business Administration-Petroleum Land Management degree from the University of Texas at Austin and is a member of the American Association of Professional Landmen. Mr. Taylor was selected to serve as a director because of his broad knowledge of land management, oil and gas title, due diligence and related matters.
Ben J. Fortson. Ben J. Fortson was appointed as a director of our General Partner in November 2015. He has nearly 60 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Fortson has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortson Oil Company since 1986 and has been Chief Investment Officer and an Executive Vice President or Vice President of the Kimbell Art Foundation, a Contributing Party, since 1975. Mr. Fortson has served on the Board of Trustees of the Kimbell Art Foundation since 1964. He is also a member of the Exchange Club of Fort Worth, a Trustee Emeritus of Texas Christian University and an Emeritus Member of the All-American Wildcatters. Mr. Fortson has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Texas Christian University. Mr. Fortson was selected to serve as a director because of his broad knowledge of, and extensive experience in, the oil and gas industry.
T. Scott Martin. T. Scott Martin was appointed as a director of our General Partner in November 2015. Mr. Martin served as Chief Executive Officer of our Predecessor since July 2014 until our IPO. Mr. Martin has served as Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of EE3 LLC since 2013. He has also served as Chairman of the board of directors of Rivercrest Royalties Holdings II, LLC and/or its predecessor, Rivercrest Royalties II, LLC, since July 2015. He has over 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Martin founded Ellora Energy LLC in 1995 and was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ellora Energy Inc. from 2002 to 2010. Before that, he was Chief Operating Officer of Alta Energy Corporation from 1992 to 1994, Chief Executive Officer of TPEX Exploration, Inc. from 1990 to 1992 and a consulting engineer at BWAB, Inc. from 1985 to 1990. Mr. Martin began his career in the oil and gas industry in 1979 at Amoco Production Company. Mr. Martin has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Colorado College and a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Independent Petroleum Association of America. Mr. Martin was selected to serve as a director because of his broad knowledge of, and extensive experience in, the oil and gas industry.
Mitch S. Wynne. Mitch S. Wynne was appointed as a director of our General Partner in November 2015. He has been President and owner of Wynne Petroleum Co. since 1992. Mr. Wynne has been engaged in the oil and gas industry for 37 years. In 2013, he founded MSW Royalties, LLC, a Contributing Party, where he serves as manager. Mr. Wynne served on the board of Inspire Insurance Solutions from 1997 to 2002, Millers Mutual Insurance in 1997 and the All Saints’ Episcopal School from 1994 to 1996. He has also served on the board of the Union Gospel Mission in Fort Worth since 2010. Mr. Wynne has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Washington and Lee University. Mr. Wynne was selected to serve as a director because of his broad knowledge of, and extensive experience in, the oil and gas industry.
William H. Adams III. William H. Adams III was appointed as a director of our General Partner effective as of the date that our common units were first listed on the NYSE. Since 2007, Mr. Adams has served as Chairman and Principal Owner of Texas Appliance Supply, Inc., a wholesale and retail appliance distribution company. From 1981 to 2006, Mr. Adams held a variety of positions in the commercial and energy banking sector, including as Executive Regional President of Texas Bank in Fort Worth and as President of Frost Bank-Arlington. From 2001 to 2010, Mr. Adams served as a member of the board of directors of XTO Energy, Inc. Mr. Adams currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Morningstar Partners, a private oil and gas production company, and as a member of the board of directors of Graham Savings and Loan, SSB, a privately owned savings bank. Mr. Adams has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Texas Tech University. Mr. Adams was selected to serve as a director because of his extensive experience in the energy banking sector and as a former director of a public oil and gas company.
Craig Stone. Craig Stone was appointed as a director of our General Partner effective as of the date that our common units were first listed on the NYSE. Mr. Stone concluded a 30-year career with Ernst & Young LLP when he retired effective September 2015. Prior to his retirement from Ernst & Young LLP, Mr. Stone was an audit partner and the Fort Worth Managing Partner at Ernst & Young LLP. Over the course of his career, he has served many public oil and gas clients and assisted in numerous mergers, acquisitions and public offerings, including initial public offerings, secondary offerings and public debt transactions. In February 2017, Mr. Stone accepted a ministry position with the Hills Church where he oversees and manages campus construction and enhancement plans and other strategic expansion initiatives. He has a Bachelor of Sciences in Accounting from Abilene Christian University and is a certified public accountant. Mr. Stone was selected to serve as a director because of his extensive financial experience with public oil and gas companies.
Erik Daugbjerg. Erik Daugbjerg was appointed as a director of our General Partner in April 2018. Mr. Daugbjerg has more than 21 years of experience in upstream and midstream energy companies, including founding roles at two oil and gas operators based in the Permian Basin. Prior to Concho Resources, Inc.’s acquisition of RSP Permian, Inc. in July 2018, Mr. Daugbjerg served as the Executive Vice President of Land and Business Development of RSP Permian, Inc., a role to which he was appointed in March 2017. Starting in 2010, Mr. Daugbjerg served in various other roles for RSP Permian, Inc. and its affiliates, including Vice President of Business Development and Vice President of Marketing. Mr. Daugbjerg has a Bachelor in Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University and is active with several Texas energy industry organizations. Mr. Daugbjerg was selected to serve as a director because of his broad knowledge of, and extensive experience in, the oil and gas industry.
Board Leadership Structure
Robert D. Ravnaas currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has no policy with respect to the separation of the offices of chairman of the Board of Directors and chief executive officer. Instead, that relationship is defined and governed by the limited liability company agreement of
our General Partner, which permits the same person to hold both offices. Directors of the Board of Directors are appointed by Kimbell Holdings, which is jointly owned by our Sponsors. Accordingly, unlike holders of common stock in a corporation, our unitholders will have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business or governance, subject in all cases to any specific unitholder rights contained in our partnership agreement.
Director Independence
Because we are a limited partnership, we rely on an exemption from the provisions of the NYSE Listed Company Manual that would otherwise require our Board of Directors to be composed of a majority of independent directors. We are not required to have a compensation committee or a nominating and governance committee, although we have elected to confer matters related to the compensation of the executive officers and directors of our General Partner to the conflicts and compensation committee. In addition, we are required to have an audit committee composed of at least three members who meet the independence and experience tests established by the NYSE and the Exchange Act. Our Board of Directors has determined that William H. Adams III, Craig Stone and Erik B. Daugbjerg, each of whom serves on our audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) and our conflicts and compensation committee (the “Conflicts and Compensation Committee”), are independent under the independence standards of the NYSE and the Exchange Act.
Board Role in Risk Oversight
Our corporate governance guidelines (“Governance Guidelines”) provide that the Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing the process for assessing the major risks facing us and the options for their mitigation. This responsibility is largely satisfied by the Audit Committee, which is responsible for reviewing and discussing with management and our registered public accounting firm our major risk exposures and the policies management has implemented to monitor such exposures, including our financial risk exposures and risk management policies. Our Governance Guidelines are available on our website at www.kimbellrp.com under “Investor Relations-Corporate Governance.”
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has an audit committee and a conflicts and compensation committee. The Board of Directors may also have such other committees as it determines from time to time.
Audit Committee
We are required to have an audit committee of at least three members, and all its members are required to meet the independence and experience standards established by the NYSE and Rule 10A-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee is composed of William H. Adams III, Craig Stone and Erik B. Daugbjerg. The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and partnership policies and controls. The Audit Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate our independent registered public accounting firm, approves all auditing services and related fees and the terms thereof performed by our independent registered public accounting firm, and pre-approves any non-audit services and tax services to be rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee is also responsible for confirming the independence and objectivity of our independent registered public accounting firm. Our independent registered public accounting firm is given unrestricted access to the Audit Committee and our management, as necessary.
Each of Messrs. Adams, Stone and Daugbjerg is deemed to be “financially literate” as defined by the listing standards of NYSE, and Mr. Stone is deemed an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in SEC regulations. Each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent under the independence standards of the NYSE. Our Audit Committee charter is available on our website at www.kimbellrp.com under “Investor Relations-Corporate Governance.”
Conflicts and Compensation Committee
In accordance with the terms of our partnership agreement, at least two members of the Board of Directors will serve on our Conflicts and Compensation Committee to review specific matters that may involve conflicts of interest. The Conflicts and Compensation Committee is also responsible for the oversight, and periodic review of, the General Partner’s
compensation philosophy and the effectiveness of the various elements of the General Partner’s compensation program. The Conflicts and Compensation Committee is currently composed of William H. Adams III, Craig Stone and Erik B. Daugbjerg. The members of our Conflicts and Compensation Committee cannot be officers or employees of our General Partner or directors, officers or employees of its affiliates or the Contributing Parties and must meet the independence and experience standards established by the NYSE and the Exchange Act to serve on an audit committee of a board of directors. In addition, the members of our Conflicts and Compensation Committee cannot own any interest in our General Partner, its affiliates or the Contributing Parties or any interest in us or our subsidiaries other than common units and awards, if any, under our long-term incentive plan. Our Conflicts and Compensation Committee charter is available on our website at www.kimbellrp.com under “Investor Relations-Corporate Governance.”
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires directors, executive officer and persons who beneficially own more than 10 percent of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports or changes in ownership of such equity securities. Such persons are also required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, we believe that during fiscal year 2021 all of our directors, executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10 percent of a registered class of our equity securities complied on a timely basis with all applicable filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, except that three Form 4 filings were filed late in 2021 by T. Scott Martin, Robert D. Ravnaas and R. Davis Ravnaas, respectively, related to a single transaction.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all employees, directors and officers. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics covers topics including, but not limited to, conflicts of interest, insider dealing, competition, discrimination and harassment, confidentiality, bribery and corruption, sanctions and compliance procedures. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on the “Corporate Governance” section of our website at www.kimbellrp.com under “Investor Relations-Corporate Governance.”
Corporate Governance Information
Interested parties may communicate directly with the independent members of the Board of Directors by submitting correspondence in an envelope marked “Confidential” addressed to the “Independent Members of the Board” in care of the secretary of the General Partner at the following address:
Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP
777 Taylor Street, Suite 810
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Our Governance Guidelines, which contain our definition of director independence, provide that the non-management directors of the Board of Directors will meet periodically in executive sessions without management participation. Additionally, all of the independent directors of the Board of Directors meet in executive sessions without management participation or participation by non-independent directors at least once a year. Currently, the chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, Craig Stone, presides at the executive sessions of the non-management directors and the executive sessions of the independent directors. This information is also available on our website at www.kimbellrp.com under “Investor Relations-Corporate Governance.”

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation and Other Information
We are providing compensation disclosure that satisfies the requirements applicable to “emerging growth companies” as defined in the JOBS Act. Under the rules applicable to emerging growth companies, we are required to provide a Summary Compensation Table and an Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table, as well as limited narrative disclosures regarding executive compensation for our last completed fiscal year. As an emerging growth company, our Named Executive Officers, or “NEOs,” include the Chief Executive Officer and our other two most highly compensated officers. Our Named Executive Officers for the year ended December 31, 2021 include:
Name
Principal Position
Robert D. Ravnaas
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)
R. Davis Ravnaas
President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”)
Matthew S. Daly
Chief Operating Officer (“COO”)
This discussion is intended to provide context for the tabular disclosure provided in the executive compensation tables below and to provide investors with the material information necessary to understanding our executive compensation program.
Overview of Our Executive Compensation Program
Our General Partner has sole responsibility for conducting our business and managing our operations, and its executive officers and its Board of Directors make decisions on our behalf. As is typical of publicly traded limited partnerships, we do not directly employ any of the persons responsible for managing our business. Our General Partner’s executive officers manage and operate our business as part of the services provided by Kimbell Operating to our General Partner under a management services agreement. All of our General Partner’s executive officers and other employees necessary to operate our business are employed and compensated by Kimbell Operating or an entity with which Kimbell Operating arranges for the provision of services. The compensation for all our executive officers is indirectly paid by us pursuant to the management services agreement with Kimbell Operating as described in “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence-Management Services Agreements.” Neither Kimbell Operating nor any affiliated entity has entered into any employment agreement with any of its executive officers.
Our General Partner’s Conflicts and Compensation Committee has adopted an annual review process for our executive compensation program. This annual review typically occurs in December of each year, and the most recent review was conducted in December 2021. This process allows us to adjust our compensation practices and targets based on prevailing market and industry conditions at the time, which aligns our compensation philosophy with our business objectives and, thereby, the interests of our executive officers with those of our unitholders.
Our Compensation Philosophy
Our compensation program is designed to reward performance and to align the interests of our executive officers with those of our unitholders. As discussed further below, we seek to tie our compensation metrics to the achievement of performance goals and the creation of unitholder value. Our long-term incentives, in the form of restricted unit awards, represent a significant portion of the total compensation paid to our executive officers. In addition, these equity awards incentivize the creation of unitholder value and encourage retention of executives and key employees through the use of multi-year vesting schedules.
Use of an Independent Compensation Advisory Firm; Peer Group and Incentive Targets
Since 2018, our General Partner’s Conflicts and Compensation Committee has engaged Pearl Meyer LLC (“Pearl Meyer”) to review our compensation practices against the norms of its competitive markets and to evaluated and recommend appropriate changes to our compensation practices consistent with our objectives.
The Conflicts and Compensation Committee is responsible for approving the scope of work performed by Pearl Meyer and confirming its independence under the rules promulgated by the Dodd-Frank Act and corresponding regulations issued by the SEC and the NYSE. Pearl Meyer provides the Conflicts and Compensation Committee with an independence
letter confirming its independence. As a result of its review, the Committee determined that Pearl Meyer was independent under the relevant rules.
Peer Group and Incentive Targets Used in Determining 2021 Compensation
In November 2018, at the direction of the Conflicts and Compensation Committee, Pearl Meyer performed a formal survey to identify a peer group of upstream oil and gas companies, as well as mineral and royalty companies, of comparable size to the Partnership. This peer group was used by the Conflicts and Compensation Committee to provide comparative market compensation data and guideposts on the basis of which the Committee would determine NEO compensation for fiscal years 2019, 2020 and 2021.
In addition, in 2019 Pearl Meyer worked with management of the General Partner to assist in the development of formal measures for our long-term incentive plan (restricted unit awards) and our short-term incentive plan (cash bonus). The Conflicts and Compensation Committee approved four factors, which are described in further detail below, to be used in determining the long-term and short-term incentive awards for each of our NEOs. These four factors were used by the Committee in determining the amounts of cash bonus and restricted unit awards for our NEOs in 2020 and 2021. Three of the four factors were quantitative in nature and one was qualitative. The three quantitative factors consisted of achieving target objectives relating to (i) increase in barrels of oil produced (“production growth”), (ii) replacing proved developed producing reserves (“PDP reserve replacement”), and (iii) controlling cash general and administrative expense per barrel of oil equivalent (“Cash G&A expense per Boe”). The qualitative factor consisted of achieving certain core competencies, with such core competencies and the achievement thereof to be determined by the Conflicts and Compensation Committee in its discretion. The chart below displays each compensation factor, its relative weight, the target objectives and the percentage of the target cash bonuses and target restricted units to be awarded based on the level of achievement for such related target objective.
Percentage of NEO's Target Awards to be Awarded Based on Level of Achievement of Target Objective for 2021
Compensation Factor
Weight
Target Objective for 2021
Below Target Objective
At Target Objective
Above Target Objective
Production growth
25%
0% - 4% Growth
50%
100%
150%
PDP reserve replacement
25%
95% - 100% Replacement
50%
100%
150%
Cash G&A expense per BOE
25%
$3.20 - $3.40
50%
100%
150%
Achievement of core competencies
25%
Committee Discretion
50%
100%
150%
In December 2020, the Committee set the target cash bonuses and restricted unit awards for our NEOs for 2021. The target cash bonuses for 2021 were $575,000, $550,000 and $450,000 for each of Messrs. Robert D. Ravnaas, R. Davis Ravnaas and Matthew S. Daly, respectively. The target restricted unit awards for 2021 were 155,000, 120,000 and 85,000 restricted units for each of Messrs. Robert D. Ravnaas, R. Davis Ravnaas and Matthew S. Daly, respectively.
The chart below displays our actual 2021 results for each compensation.
Compensation Factor
Weight
Target Objective for 2021
Actual 2021 Results for the Partnership
Actual 2021 Results Compared to Target Objectives
Production growth
25%
0% - 4% Growth
3% Growth
At Target
PDP reserve replacement
25%
95% - 100% Replacement
158% Replacement
Above Target
Cash G&A expense per BOE
25%
$3.20 - $3.40
$3.12
Above Target
Achievement of core competencies
25%
Committee Discretion
Above Target
Above Target
The 2021 cash bonuses and restricted unit awards were calculated using the respective percentage of level of achievement of each target objective and multiplying it by the target cash bonus and restricted unit award. Our actual results achieved with respect to two of the three quantitative compensation factors were above the target objective for 2021, and our actual results for the third quantitative compensation factor met the target objective. For the qualitative compensation factor, the Conflicts and Compensation Committee determined that the NEOs had exceeded the target objective for the achievement of core competencies. As each compensation factor was equally weighted at 25% and the actual results achieved for three of the four compensation factors were above the target objective, with actual results for
the fourth factor meeting the target objective, the Conflicts and Compensation Committee determined that the cash bonuses and restricted unit awards for Messrs. Robert D. Ravnaas, R. Davis Ravnaas and Matthew S. Daly would be set at amounts equal to 137.5% of their 2021 target amounts. The chart below displays the actual 2021 cash bonuses and restricted unit awards for our NEOs based on the level of achievement of each compensation factor.
Name
2021 Actual Long-Term Restricted Units Awarded
2021 Actual Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
Robert D. Ravnaas
213,125
$
790,625
R. Davis Ravnaas
165,000
$
756,250
Matthew S. Daly
116,875
$
618,750
Peer Group and Incentive Targets to Be Used in 2022
In Fall 2021, at the direction of the Conflicts and Compensation Committee, Pearl Meyer performed a new comprehensive compensation benchmarking study. The peer group was comprised of the following sixteen companies:
Black Stone Minerals, L.P.
HighPeak Energy, Inc.
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc.
Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
Brigham Minerals, Inc.
Matador Resources Company
Callon Petroleum Company
Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
Centennial Resource Development, Inc.
Oasis Petroleum Inc.
Contango Oil & Gas
PDC Energy, Inc.
Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc.
SM Energy Company
Gulfport Energy Corporation
Whiting Petroleum Corporation
Pearl Meyer’s comprehensive compensation benchmarking study provided comparative market compensation data and guideposts on the basis of which the Conflicts and Compensation Committee would determine NEO compensation for the fiscal year 2022.
In addition, during its annual review of the Partnership’s compensation practices in December 2021, the Conflicts and Compensation Committee added a fourth quantitative factor, based on a total shareholder return calculation, to be used in determining the long-term and short-term incentive awards for each of our Named Executive Officers in 2022. This additional quantitative factor was included to incentivize the creation of unitholder value within the public equity markets. As revised for 2022, the four quantitative factors will consist of achieving target objectives relating to (i) increase in barrels of oil produced (“production growth”), (ii) replacing proved developed producing reserves (“PDP reserve replacement”), (iii) controlling cash general and administrative expense per barrel of oil equivalent (“Cash G&A expense per Boe”) and (iv) achieving a ranking of unitholder return for calendar year 2022 relative to certain specified peer companies (“relative unitholder return”), and the qualitative factor will consist of achieving certain core competencies, with such core competencies and the achievement thereof to be determined by the Committee at its discretion.
The chart below, displays each compensation factor for 2022, its relative weight, the target objective and the percentage of the target cash bonuses and target restricted units to be awarded based on the level of achievement for such related target objective.
Percentage of NEO’s Target Award to be Awarded Based on Level of Achievement of Target Objective for 2022
Compensation Factor
Weight
Target Objective for 2022
Below Target Objective
At Target Objective
Above Target Objective
Production growth
20%
0% - 4% Growth
50%
100%
150%
PDP reserve replacement
20%
95% - 100% Replacement
50%
100%
150%
Cash G&A expense per BOE
20%
$3.20 - $3.40
50%
100%
150%
Achievement of core competencies
20%
Committee Discretion
50%
100%
150%
Percentage of Target to be Awarded Based on Peer Ranking of TSR for Calendar Year 2022
Relative unitholder return
20%
Peer Ranking of TSR(1)
5th
4th
3rd
2nd
1st
0%
50%
100%
150%
200%
(1) Ranking of total shareholder return (“TSR”) for calendar year 2022 including the following companies: KRP, MNRL, BSM, VNOM and FLMN. If peer is acquired during year, TSR will be calculated from January 1, 2022 through day of deal closing.
Pearl Meyer’s analysis determined that the proposed 2022 compensation at the target levels was below the median of the peer group for Messrs. Robert D. Ravnaas and R. Davis Ravnaas and at the median for Matthew S. Daly.
Key Components of Our Executive Compensation Program and Compensation Mix
Our executive compensation program has been customized to align with our business objectives and the interests of our executive officers with those of our unitholders. We annually evaluate the various components of our compensation program relative to the competitive market. Our compensation and benefit programs for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following key components, which are described in greater detail below:
● Base salary;
● Long-term incentive restricted units;
● Non-equity incentive plan compensation, consisting of short-term incentive cash bonuses (“STI Bonuses”);
● Other compensation, consisting of distributions received and vesting from restricted unit awards; and
● Broad-based retirement, health and welfare benefits.
In allocating compensation among the various components, we emphasize performance-based, at-risk compensation while also seeking to provide competitive levels of fixed compensation. Long-term incentives constitute the largest portion of total compensation and provide an important alignment to common unitholder interests. We do not target a specific percentage for each element of compensation relative to total compensation. We evaluate each element against the competitive market within the parameters of our compensation strategy. Therefore, the relative weighting of each element of our total pay mix may change over time as the competitive market moves or other market conditions that affect us change. Our resulting compensation mix reflects alignment with our compensation strategy of competitively targeting the market for all elements of compensation. Below expected performance against the goals in our short or long-term plans will generally yield below market total pay but performance above our operational and financial targets can yield pay above market median into the upper third quartile of the market.
Summary Compensation Table
The table below presents the annual compensation of our Named Executive Officers for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
Non-Equity
Long-Term
Incentive Plan
Other
Name
Year
Salary
Restricted Units (1)(2)
Compensation (1)(3)
Compensation (4)
Total
Robert D. Ravnaas
$
575,000
$
2,186,663
$
790,625
$
456,380
$
4,008,668
Chairman and CEO
$
575,000
$
2,372,081
$
790,625
$
245,890
$
3,983,596
$
575,000
$
-
$
790,625
$
371,072
$
1,736,697
R. Davis Ravnaas
$
550,000
$
1,692,900
$
756,250
$
355,134
$
3,354,284
President and CFO
$
550,000
$
1,836,450
$
756,250
$
184,881
$
3,327,581
$
550,000
$
-
$
756,250
$
266,992
$
1,573,242
Matthew S. Daly
$
450,000
$
1,199,138
$
618,750
$
254,625
$
2,522,513
COO
$
450,000
$
1,300,819
$
618,750
$
125,079
$
2,494,648
$
450,000
$
-
$
618,750
$
161,183
$
1,229,933
(1) Beginning in 2019, NEOs received their long-term incentive restricted units and STI Bonus in the first quarter of the following year, subsequent to year-end results. Long-term incentive restricted units are recognized in the year in which they are awarded, whereas STI Bonuses are recognized in the year in which they are accrued for.
(2) Amounts reflect the grant date value as determined pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation”, without regard to potential forfeitures. Amounts for 2021 reflect the grant date fair value of our common units, computed based on the average of the opening and closing price on the February 25, 2021 grant date at $10.26 per common unit. Amounts for 2020 reflect the grant date fair value of our common units, computed based on the average of the opening and closing price on the February 28, 2020 grant date at $11.13 per common unit. No awards were granted in 2019.
(3) Our non-equity incentive plan compensation consists of the STI Bonus for our respective NEOs.
(4) Amounts reflected in other compensation are presented in the table below:
Distributions
on Long-Term
401(k) Matching
Total Other
Name
Year
Restricted Units
Contributions
Compensation
Robert D. Ravnaas
$
441,880
$
14,500
$
456,380
$
231,640
$
14,250
$
245,890
$
357,072
$
14,000
$
371,072
R. Davis Ravnaas
$
340,634
$
14,500
$
355,134
$
170,631
$
14,250
$
184,881
$
252,992
$
14,000
$
266,992
Matthew S. Daly
$
240,125
$
14,500
$
254,625
$
110,829
$
14,250
$
125,079
$
147,183
$
14,000
$
161,183
Elements of the Executive Compensation Program
Base Salary
Each NEO’s base salary is a fixed component of compensation based on the position, the incumbent’s experience and demonstrated level of expertise. Base pay, once set each year, does not vary depending on the level of performance achieved. As a result, our philosophy is to set base salary at a sufficient level necessary to attract and retain individuals with superior talent, expertise and experience. We review the base salaries for each NEO annually as well as at the time of
any promotion or significant change in job responsibilities, and in connection with each review, we consider individual and company performance over the course of that year.
Long-Term Incentive Awards
The Committee makes determinations regarding long-term incentive restricted unit awards in the first quarter of each year, subsequent to year-end results. As described above, long-term incentive awards have quantitative measures directly linked to the desired financial and operational goals. On February 24, 2022, as described above, the Committee approved grants of 213,125, 165,000 and 116,875 restricted units to each of Messrs. Robert D. Ravnaas, R. Davis Ravnaas and Matthew S. Daly, respectively. The Board of Directors granted awards under the LTIP to our NEOs on February 25, 2021 and February 28, 2020 consisting of 495,000 restricted units of the Partnership per year in the aggregate. In connection with the guidelines developed following the benchmark process with Pearl Meyer, as discussed above, management determined no annual long-term incentive awards would be granted to our executive officers in 2019.
Each award is subject to the terms and conditions of the award agreement that we entered into with the applicable NEO. The restricted units vest in one-third installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, subject to the grantee’s continuous service through each applicable vesting date. Upon a grantee’s termination of service for any reason other than death or disability, all unvested restricted units will be immediately forfeited as of the date of termination. In the case of termination resulting from death or disability, all unvested restricted units will become fully vested as of the date of termination.
Outstanding Equity Awards
The following table reflects information regarding outstanding unvested restricted units held by our NEOs as of December 31, 2021.
Unit Awards
Number of
Market Value of
Restricted Units that
Restricted Units that
Name
have not vested (1)
have not vested (2)
Robert D. Ravnaas
355,207
$
4,841,471
R. Davis Ravnaas
274,998
$
3,748,223
Matthew S. Daly
194,791
$
2,655,001
(1) The NEO’s outstanding restricted units will generally vest in accordance with the schedule set forth above under “Long-Term Incentive Awards” so long as the NEO remains employed by the Partnership or one of its affiliates through such dates.
(2) Reflects the market value of our common units computed based on the closing price, $13.63, of our common units on December 31, 2021.
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
The STI Bonuses provide our NEOs with an incentive in the form of an annual cash bonus to achieve our overall qualitative business goals. Bonuses for each of Messrs. Robert D. Ravnaas, R. Davis Ravnaas and Matthew S. Daly are based on their achievement of the targets relating to the four factors described above and KRP’s core competency goals, which include achievement of strategic objectives, goals in compliance and ethics and teamwork within the Partnership. The prioritization of KRP’s various core competencies varies by year based in part on the previous year’s performance, and the various core competencies bear differently on the Conflicts and Compensation Committee’s determination of the NEO’s STI Bonuses depending on facts and circumstances considered, with no single factor being determinative to the overall bonus decision. In making the bonus determinations for Messrs. Robert D. Ravnaas, R. Davis Ravnaas and Matthew S. Daly, other post-performance evaluation criteria taken into account include performance in internal and public financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting processes, compliance and infrastructure and investment and cost-savings initiatives. Non-financial factors considered also included, among other items, providing strategic leadership and direction for the Partnership, including corporate governance matters, managing the strategic direction of the Partnership, increasing operational efficiency, expanding our asset base and communicating to investors and other important constituencies. The actual amounts of Messrs. Robert D. Ravnaas’, R. Davis Ravnaas’ and Matthew S. Daly’s annual bonuses are determined by the Conflicts and Compensation Committee in its sole discretion and may be higher or lower than their target amounts.
For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, after considering the factors described above and management’s recommendations, the Conflicts and Compensation Committee determined that the bonuses for Messrs. Robert D. Ravnaas, R. Davis Ravnaas and Matthew S. Daly would be set at amounts equal to 137.5% of their annual target bonus amounts, which for the year ended December 31, 2021, resulted in STI Bonuses in the amount of $790,625, $756,250 and $618,750 for each of Messrs. Robert D. Ravnaas, R. Davis Ravnaas and Matthew S. Daly, respectively. This is reflected in the Conflicts and Compensation Committee’s and management’s assessment that overall company performance and discretionary factors justified payment of such bonus to each of Messrs. Robert D. Ravnaas, R. Davis Ravnaas and Matthew S. Daly based on their and the Partnership’s performance during the fiscal year. Specifically, the Conflicts and Compensation Committee set the amount of Mr. Robert D. Ravnaas’ bonus after considering the quality of his individual performance in managing the overall operations and resources of the Partnership, the amount of Mr. R. Davis Ravnaas’ bonus after considering the quality of his individual performance in running the partnership-wide finance function and the amount of Mr. Matthew S. Daly’s bonus after considering the quality of his individual performance in running the ongoing business operations as well as the performance of the Partnership.
Additional Narrative Disclosure
Health, Welfare and Additional Benefits
Our NEOs are eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans and programs that the Partnership offers to its employees, subject to the terms and eligibility requirements of those plans.
Retirement Benefits
We currently maintain a 401(k) Plan, which permits all eligible employees, including the NEOs, to make voluntary pre-tax or after-tax (Roth) contributions to the plan. In addition, we are permitted to make discretionary matching contributions under the plan. Company matching contributions vest immediately. All contributions under the plan are subject to certain annual dollar limitations, which are periodically adjusted for changes in the cost of living.
Long-Term Incentive Plan
In order to incentivize our management and directors to continue to grow our business, the Board of Directors adopted a LTIP for employees, officers, consultants and directors of our General Partner, Kimbell Operating and their respective affiliates, who perform services for us. Our General Partner implemented the LTIP prior to the completion of our IPO to provide maximum flexibility with respect to the design of compensatory arrangements for individuals providing services to us. We filed a registration statement on Form S-8 on May 12, 2017 for units issued pursuant to the LTIP.
The description set forth below is a summary of the material features of the LTIP. This summary, however, does not purport to be a complete description of all the provisions of the LTIP. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the LTIP, which has been filed as an exhibit to a Form 8-K we filed on May 11, 2017.
The purpose of the LTIP is to provide a means to attract and retain individuals who are essential to our growth and profitability and to encourage them to devote their best efforts to advancing our business by affording such individuals a means to acquire ownership and, consistent with stock price performance accumulate capital as a retentive force. Also, our objectives for participants is to have them build up and retain ownership of our equity interests.
The LTIP provides for the grant of unit options, unit appreciation rights, restricted units, unit awards, phantom units, distribution equivalent rights and cash awards (collectively, “awards”). These awards are intended to align the interests of employees, officers, consultants and directors with those of our unitholders and to give such individuals the opportunity to share in our long-term performance. Any awards that are made under the LTIP will be approved by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof that may be established for such purpose. We are responsible for the cost of awards granted under the LTIP.
Administration
The Board of Directors appointed the Conflicts and Compensation Committee to administer the LTIP, which we refer to as the “committee” for purposes of this summary. The committee administers the LTIP pursuant to its terms and all applicable state, federal, or other rules or laws. The committee has the power to determine to whom and when awards will be granted, determine the number of awards (measured in cash or our common units), proscribe and interpret the terms and provisions of each award agreement (the terms of which may vary), accelerate the vesting provisions associated with an award, delegate duties under the LTIP and execute all other responsibilities permitted or required under the LTIP. In the event that the committee is not comprised of “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, we expect that the full Board of Directors or a subcommittee of two or more non-employee directors will administer all awards granted to individuals that are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
Securities to be Offered
The maximum aggregate number of common units that may be issued pursuant to any and all awards under the LTIP will not exceed 4,541,600 common units, subject to adjustment due to recapitalization or reorganization, or related to forfeitures or expiration of awards, as provided under the LTIP. Under the LTIP, the maximum aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted to a non-employee director of our General Partner, in such individual’s capacity as a non-employee director, during any calendar year will not exceed $500,000 (or $600,000 in the first year in which an individual becomes a non-employee director).
If any common units subject to any award are not issued or transferred, or cease to be issuable or transferable for any reason, including (but not exclusively) because units are withheld or surrendered in payment of taxes or any exercise or purchase price relating to an award or because an award is forfeited, terminated, expires unexercised, is settled in cash in lieu of common units, or is otherwise terminated without a delivery of units, those common units will again be available for issue, transfer, or exercise pursuant to awards under the LTIP, to the extent allowable by law. Common units to be delivered pursuant to awards under our LTIP may be common units acquired by our General Partner in the open market, from any other person, directly from us, or any combination of the foregoing.
Awards
Unit Options
We may grant unit options to eligible persons. Unit options are rights to acquire common units at a specified price. The exercise price of each unit option granted under the LTIP will be stated in the unit option agreement and may vary; provided, however, that, the exercise price for a unit option must not be less than 100% of the fair market value per common unit as of the date of grant of the unit option. Unit options may be exercised in the manner and at such times as the committee determines for each unit option and the term of the unit option will not exceed ten years. The committee will determine the methods and form of payment for the exercise price of a unit option and the methods and forms in which common units will be delivered to a participant.
Unit Appreciation Rights
A unit appreciation right is the right to receive, in cash or in common units, as determined by the committee, an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of one common unit on the date of exercise over the grant price of the unit appreciation right. The committee will be able to make grants of unit appreciation rights and will determine the time or times at which a unit appreciation right may be exercised in whole or in part. The exercise price of each unit appreciation right granted under the LTIP will be stated in the unit appreciation right agreement and may vary; provided, however, that, the exercise price must not be less than 100% of the fair market value per common unit as of the date of grant of the unit appreciation right. The term of the unit appreciation right will not exceed ten years.
Restricted Units
A restricted unit is a grant of a common unit subject to a risk of forfeiture, performance conditions, restrictions on transferability and any other restrictions imposed by the committee in its discretion. Restrictions may lapse at such times and under such circumstances as determined by the committee. Unless otherwise determined by the committee, a common unit distributed in connection with a unit split or unit dividend, and other property distributed as a dividend, will generally be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the restricted unit with respect to which such common unit or other property has been distributed. Unless otherwise determined by the committee, each restricted unit will be entitled to receive distributions in the same manner as other outstanding common units.
Unit Awards
The committee will be authorized to grant common units that are not subject to restrictions. The committee may grant unit awards to any eligible person in such amounts as the committee, in its sole discretion, may select.
Phantom Units
Phantom units are rights to receive common units, cash or a combination of both at the end of a specified period. The committee may subject phantom units to restrictions (which may include a risk of forfeiture) to be specified in the phantom unit agreement that may lapse at such times determined by the committee. Phantom units may be satisfied by delivery of common units, cash equal to the fair market value of the specified number of common units covered by the phantom unit or any combination thereof determined by the committee. Cash distribution equivalents may be paid during or after the vesting period with respect to a phantom unit, as determined by the committee.
Distribution Equivalent Rights
The committee will be able to grant distribution equivalent rights in tandem with awards under the LTIP (other than unit awards or an award of restricted units), or distribution equivalent rights may be granted alone. Distribution equivalent rights entitle the participant to receive cash equal to the amount of any cash distributions made by us during the period the distribution equivalent right is outstanding. Payment of cash distributions pursuant to a distribution equivalent right issued in connection with another award may be subject to the same vesting terms as the award to which it relates or different vesting terms, in the discretion of the committee.
Miscellaneous
Tax Withholding
At our discretion, and subject to conditions that the committee may impose, the payment of any applicable taxes with respect to an award may be satisfied by withholding from any payment related to an award or by the withholding of common units issuable pursuant to the award based on the fair market value of our common units in each case up to the maximum statutory rate.
Anti-Dilution Adjustments
In the event that any distribution, recapitalization, split, reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of our common units, issuance of warrants or other rights to
purchase our common units or other similar transaction or event affects our common units, then a corresponding and proportionate adjustment will be made in accordance with the terms of the LTIP, as appropriate, with respect to the maximum number of units available under the LTIP, the number of units that may be acquired with respect to an award, and, if applicable, the exercise price of an award, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of awards as a result of such events.
Change of Control
If the participant remains in service as of the date of a change in control, any unvested restricted units will be vested as of the date of such change in control. A change in control is defined as, and will be deemed to have occurred upon, the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (i) any “person” or “group” within the meaning of those terms as used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, other than the General Partner or its affiliates, will become the beneficial owner, by way of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or otherwise, of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the equity interests in the Partnership; (ii) the limited partners of the Partnership approve, in one or a series of transactions, a plan of complete liquidation of the Partnership; (iii) the sale or other disposition by either the Partnership of all or substantially all of its assets in one or more transactions to any person other than the Partnership or an affiliate of the Partnership; or (iv) a transaction resulting in a person other than the Partnership or an affiliate of the Partnership being the general partner of the Partnership.
Termination of Employment or Service
The consequences of the termination of a participant’s employment, consulting arrangement or membership on the Board of Directors will be determined by the committee in the terms of the relevant award agreement.
Director Compensation
Officers or employees of the Partnership who also serve as directors of our General Partner will not receive additional compensation for such service. Each director of our General Partner who is not employed by Kimbell Operating or engaged by Kimbell Operating through a management services agreement (a “non-employee director”) receives the following cash compensation:
● (i) for a non-independent director, an annual base retainer fee of $60,000 per year or (ii) for an independent director, an annual base retainer fee of $80,000 per year, and
● an additional retainer of $15,000 per year for an independent director who serves as a member of the Audit Committee or the Conflicts and Compensation Committee.
In addition to cash compensation, our non-employee directors receive annual equity-based compensation under the LTIP. Our non-employee directors were granted awards under the LTIP on each February 25, 2021 and February 28, 2020 consisting of 117,082 restricted units. No long-term incentive awards were granted to our non-employee directors in 2019. Beginning in 2020, and continuing in subsequent years, long-term incentive awards are, and will be, granted once annually in the first quarter of each year.
All retainers are paid in cash on a quarterly basis in arrears. Our non-employee directors do not receive any meeting fees, but each director is reimbursed for travel and miscellaneous expenses to attend meetings and activities of the Board of Directors or its committees.
The following table provides information concerning the compensation of our directors who are not NEOs for the year ended December 31, 2021.
All Other
Name
Fees Earned
Unit Awards (6)
Compensation
Total
William H. Adams III (1)
$
95,000
$
97,470
$
-
$
192,470
Erik Daugbjerg (1)
$
95,000
$
97,470
$
-
$
192,470
Ben J. Fortson (2)
$
-
$
418,516
$
-
$
418,516
T. Scott Martin (3)
$
60,000
$
71,820
$
-
$
131,820
Craig Stone (1)
$
95,000
$
97,470
$
-
$
192,470
Brett G. Taylor (4)
$
-
$
1,519,721
$
250,000
$
1,769,721
Mitch S. Wynne (5)
$
-
$
418,516
$
120,000
$
538,516
(1) Mr. Adams’, Mr. Daugbjerg’s and Mr. Stone’s Fees Earned include the annual cash retainer fee and committee member fees for each non-employee director, as more fully explained above. Mr. Adams, Mr. Daugbjerg and Mr. Stone each have 15,832 unvested restricted units outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
(2) Mr. Fortson has 67,983 unvested restricted units outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
(3) Mr. Martin’s Fees Earned includes the annual cash retainer fee for each non-employee director, as more fully explained above. Mr. Martin has 11,666 unvested restricted units outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
(4) Mr. Taylor’s All Other Compensation consists of his salary earned as an employee of Kimbell Operating. Mr. Taylor has 246,867 unvested restricted units outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
(5) Mr. Wynne’s All Other Compensation consists of payments made to K3 Royalties, LLC (“K3 Royalties”) as described in “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence-Management Services Agreements.” Mr. Wynne has 67,983 unvested restricted units outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
(6) Amounts reflect the grant date value as determined pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation”, without regard to potential forfeitures. The grant date fair value of our common units is computed based on the average of the opening and closing price on the February 25, 2021 grant date at $10.26 per common unit.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Conflicts and Compensation Committee includes the following members: Mr. William H. Adams III, as Chairman, Mr. Craig Stone and Mr. Erik B. Daugbjerg.
None of our officers or employees has been or will be members of the Conflicts and Compensation Committee. None of our executive officers currently serve, or has served during the last year, on the board of directors or compensation committee of a company that has an executive officer that serves on our Board of Directors or Conflicts and Compensation Committee. No member of our Board of Directors is an executive officer of a company in which one of our executive officers currently serves, or has served during the last year, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of that company.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Unitholder Matters
The following table presents information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common units and Class B units as of February 18, 2022 by:
● each unitholder known by us to beneficially hold 5% or more of our common units;
● each of our General Partner’s directors and executive officers; and
● all of our General Partner’s directors and executive officers as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Unless otherwise noted, the address for each beneficial owner listed below is 777 Taylor Street, Suite 810, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.
Percentage of
Common Units
Common Units
Common
Class B
Beneficially
Beneficially
Name of Beneficial Owner
Units
Units
Owned (1)
Owned (1)
Kimbell Art Foundation (2)
-
5,135,020
5,135,020
7.9
%
PEP II Holdings, LLC (3)(5)
-
3,318,200
3,318,200
5.1
%
PEP III Holdings, LLC (4)(6)
-
5,358,000
5,358,000
8.3
%
Directors and Officers
Robert D. Ravnaas (7)
899,137
263,380
1,162,517
1.8
%
R. Davis Ravnaas (8)
514,617
263,380
777,997
1.2
%
Matthew S. Daly (9)
331,220
-
331,220
*
%
Blayne Rhynsburger (10)
39,460
-
39,460
*
%
Brett G. Taylor (11)
645,388
-
645,388
1.0
%
Ben J. Fortson (12)
218,883
5,135,020
5,353,903
8.3
%
Mitch S. Wynne (13)
215,126
-
215,126
*
%
T. Scott Martin (14)
47,122
263,380
310,502
*
%
William H. Adams III (15)
60,154
-
60,154
*
%
Craig Stone
34,882
-
34,882
*
%
Erik B. Daugbjerg
58,478
-
58,478
*
%
All directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)
3,064,467
5,925,160
8,989,627
13.9
%
*
Less than 1%
(1) Assumes the full exchange of all outstanding OpCo common units and Class B units for common units.
(2) The principal business address of the Kimbell Art Foundation is 301 Commerce Street, Suite 2300, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Ben J. Fortson is Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Kimbell Art Foundation. Mr. Fortson was delegated authority to manage the investment assets of the Kimbell Art Foundation and, therefore, may be deemed to have voting or investment power over the securities owned by the Kimbell Art Foundation. Mr. Fortson disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities.
(3) EnCap Partners GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“EnCap Partners GP”), is the sole general partner of EnCap Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, which is the managing member of EnCap Investments Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is the sole member of EnCap Investments GP, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, which is the general partner of EnCap Investments L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which is the general partner of EnCap Equity Fund VI GP, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“EnCap Fund VI GP”), EnCap Equity Fund VII GP, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, and EnCap Equity Fund VIII GP, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, which are the general partners of EnCap Energy Capital Fund VI, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“EnCap Fund VI”), EnCap Energy Capital Fund VII, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“EnCap Fund VII”), and EnCap Energy Capital Fund VIII, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“EnCap Fund VIII”), respectively. Additionally, EnCap Fund VI GP is the general partner of EnCap Energy Capital Fund VI-B, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, which is the sole member of EnCap VI-B Acquisitions GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is the general partner of EnCap VI-B Acquisitions, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“EnCap VI-B”). The securities reported above as beneficially owned by the Phillips Sellers may be distributed by the Phillips Sellers to each of their members in accordance with the terms of their respective limited liability company agreements. The principal business address of the Phillips Sellers and each of the entities identified in this paragraph is 1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 4900, Houston, Texas 77002.
(4) EnCap Fund VI and EnCap VI B are the managing members of Phillips I. Therefore, EnCap Partners GP, EnCap Fund VI and EnCap VI B may be deemed to beneficially own all of the reported securities that are deemed to be beneficially owned by Phillips I. Each of EnCap Partners GP, EnCap Fund VI and EnCap VI B disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein, and this statement shall not be deemed an admission that it is the beneficial owner of the reported securities for the purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act or any other purpose.
(5) EnCap Fund VII is the managing member of Phillips II. Therefore, EnCap Partners GP and EnCap Fund VII may be deemed to beneficially own all of the reported securities that are deemed to be beneficially owned by Phillips II. Each of EnCap Partners GP and EnCap Fund VII disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein, and this statement shall not be deemed an admission that it is the beneficial owner of the reported securities for the purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act or any other purpose. 42,081 OpCo common units and an equivalent number of Class B units are held in escrow pending the outcome of ongoing litigation involving certain of the Acquired Phillips Subsidiaries.
(6) EnCap Fund VIII is the managing member of Phillips III. Therefore, EnCap Partners GP and EnCap Fund VIII may be deemed to beneficially own all of the reported securities that are deemed to be beneficially owned by Phillips III. Each of EnCap Partners GP and EnCap Fund VIII disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein, and this statement shall not be deemed an admission that it is the beneficial owner of the reported securities for the purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act or any other purpose.
(7) Robert D. Ravnaas is a partner or member in certain entities that directly or indirectly hold, in the aggregate, approximately 325,044 common units and 3,076,559 Class B units. Mr. R. Ravnaas may be deemed to have voting or investment power with respect to 114,264 common units and 263,380 Class B units held by such entities. Mr. R. Ravnaas has a pecuniary interest in an aggregate of approximately 150,666 common units and 15,163 Class B units based on his ownership interest in such entities, and Mr. R. Ravnaas disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities that may be deemed to be owned by such entities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(8) R. Davis Ravnaas is a partner or member in certain entities that hold, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate, approximately 185,129 common units and 3,076,559 Class B units. Mr. D. Ravnaas may be deemed to have voting or investment power with respect to 263,380 Class B units held by such entities. Mr. D. Ravnaas has a pecuniary interest in an aggregate of approximately 34,243 common units and 15,163 Class B units based on his ownership interest in such entities, and Mr. D. Ravnaas disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities that may be deemed to be owned by such entities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(9) Matthew Daly is a member of Rivercrest Capital Investors LP, a member of Rivercrest Capital Partners LP (the “Fund”), which holds 2,813,179 Class B units. Mr. Daly does not have voting or investment power with respect to the Class B units held by the Fund. Mr. Daly has a pecuniary interest in approximately 3,516 Class B units owned by the Fund based on his ownership interest in the Fund, and Mr. Daly disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities that may be deemed to be owned by such entity except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(10) Blayne Rhynsburger is a member of Rivercrest Capital Investors LP, a member of the Fund, which holds 2,813,179 Class B units. Mr. Rhynsburger does not have voting or investment power with respect to the Class B units held by the Fund. Mr. Rhynsburger has a pecuniary interest in approximately 563 Class B units owned by the Fund based on his ownership interest in the Fund, and Mr. Rhynsburger disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities that may be deemed to be owned by such entity except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(11) Brett G. Taylor is a partner in, member of or sole trustee of certain entities that hold, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate, approximately 185,689 common units, and Mr. Taylor may be deemed to have voting or investment power with respect to such common units. Mr. Taylor has a pecuniary interest in an aggregate of approximately 150,505 common units based on his ownership interest in such entities, and Mr. Taylor disclaims beneficial ownership of the common units that may be deemed to be owned by such entities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(12) Ben J. Fortson is Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Kimbell Art Foundation. Mr. Fortson was delegated authority to manage the investment assets of the Kimbell Art Foundation and, therefore, may be deemed to have voting or investment power over 5,135,020 Class B units owned by the Kimbell Art Foundation. Furthermore, Mr. Fortson is a member, sole shareholder or trustee of certain entities that hold, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate, approximately 63,082 common units, and Mr. Fortson may be deemed to have voting or investment power with respect to such common units. Mr. Fortson has a pecuniary interest in an aggregate of approximately 38,082 common units based on his ownership interest in such entities, and Mr. Fortson disclaims beneficial ownership of all of the securities that may be deemed to be owned by such entities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(13) Mitch S. Wynne is a member of or trustee of certain entities that hold, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate, approximately 77,455 common units, and Mr. Wynne may be deemed to have voting or investment power with respect to all of such common units. Mr. Wynne has a pecuniary interest in an aggregate of approximately 40,539 common units based on his ownership interest in such entities, and Mr. Wynne disclaims beneficial ownership of the common units that may be deemed to be owned by such entities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. 27,539 common units owned by a trust for which Mr. Wynne serves as trustee are subject to a negative pledge under a loan agreement with a bank.
(14) T. Scott Martin is a member in certain entities that directly or indirectly hold, in the aggregate, approximately 12,970 common units and 3,076,559 Class B units. Mr. Martin has voting or investment power with respect to 12,970 common units and 263,380 Class B units held by such entities. Mr. Martin has a pecuniary interest in approximately 12,970 common units and 15,163 Class B units based on his ownership interest in such entities, and Mr. Martin disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities that may be deemed to be owned by such entities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(15) Bill Adams has pledged approximately 41,156 common units as collateral for a margin account with a bank.
The below table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the equity interests in our General Partner as of February 18, 2022:
Name of Beneficial Owner (1)
Membership Interest
Kimbell GP Holdings, LLC (2)
%
Robert D. Ravnaas (3)
33.33
%
Brett G. Taylor (3)
33.33
%
Mitch S. Wynne / Ben J. Fortson (3)
33.33
%
(1) The address for each beneficial owner in this table is 777 Taylor Street, Suite 810, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.
(2) Kimbell GP Holdings, LLC is controlled by entities affiliated with Robert D. Ravnaas, Brett G. Taylor, Mitch S. Wynne and Ben J. Fortson.
(3) Messrs. R. Ravnaas, Taylor, Wynne and Fortson, by virtue of their indirect ownership interest in Kimbell GP Holdings, LLC, which owns our General Partner, may be deemed to beneficially own the non-economic general partner interest in us held by our General Partner. Each of Messrs. R. Ravnaas, Taylor, Wynne and Fortson disclaims beneficial ownership of this interest.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
On February 3, 2017, the Board of Directors adopted the LTIP. On September 23, 2018, the General Partner entered into the First Amendment to the LTIP (the “LTIP Amendment”), which increased the number of common units eligible for issuance under the LTIP by 2,500,000 common units for a total of 4,541,600 common units. The following table provides certain information with respect to this plan as of December 31, 2021:
Number of
Securities to be
Weighted
Number of Securities
Issued Upon
-Average
Remaining Available for
Exercise of
Exercise Price
Future Issuance Under
Outstanding
of Outstanding
Equity Compensation
Options,
Options,
Plans (Excluding
Warrants
Warrants and
Securities Reflected in
and Rights(1)
Rights(2)
Column(a))
(a)
(b)
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by unitholders
-
-
1,429,889
Equity compensation plans not approved by unitholders
-
-
-
Total
-
-
1,429,889
(1) The long-term incentive plan currently permits the grant of awards covering an aggregate of 4,541,600 units of which, 3,111,711 restricted and common units have been granted. Because these awards have already resulted in the issuance of common units (whether or not restricted), they are not included in column (a).

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence
As of February 18, 2022, Kimbell Holdings owns 30,000 common units, representing 0.05% of our limited partner interests outstanding. In addition, Kimbell Holdings owns a 100.0% membership interest in the General Partner, which owns a non-economic general partner interest in us. Messrs. R. Ravnaas and Taylor each own a 33.33% interest in Kimbell Holdings, and Messrs. Wynne and Fortson each own a 16.67% interest in Kimbell Holdings. Kimbell Holdings and each of the Sponsors may be deemed to be a “parent” by virtue of their control over the General Partner. Please read “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Unitholder Matters” for more information relating to each Sponsor’s beneficial ownership in us and the General Partner.
Distributions and Payments to our General Partner and its Affiliates
Distributions
We generally make cash distributions to our unitholders pro rata. Our General Partner owns a non-economic general partner interest in us and therefore is not entitled to receive cash distributions. However, it may acquire common units and other partnership interests in the future and will be entitled to receive pro rata distributions in respect of those partnership interests.
Following the Restructuring, Kimbell Holdings is entitled to receive its pro rata portion of the distributions we make on our common units.
The Dropdown Sellers are entitled to receive their pro rata portion of the distributions the Operating Company makes on the OpCo common units, and, as the holder of Class B units, they are also entitled to receive cash distributions equal to 2.0% per quarter on their respective Class B Contribution.
Payments
We will reimburse our General Partner and its affiliates, including Kimbell Operating pursuant to its management services agreement discussed below, for all expenses they incur and payments they make on our behalf. Our partnership agreement and the limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company provide that our General Partner will determine the expenses that are allocable to us, but do not limit the amount of expenses for which our General Partner and its affiliates may be reimbursed. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf and expenses allocated to our General Partner by its affiliates.
Agreements and Transactions with Affiliates in Connection with our Initial Public Offering
In connection with our IPO, we entered into certain agreements and transactions with our Sponsors, the Contributing Parties and their respective affiliates, as described in more detail below. These agreements and transactions were not the result of arm’s-length negotiations and they, or any of the transactions that they provide for, were not effected on terms at least as favorable to the parties to these agreements as could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties. Because some of these agreements related to formation transactions that, by their nature, would not occur in a third-party situation, it is not possible to determine what the differences would be in the terms of these transactions when compared to the terms of transactions with an unaffiliated third party. We believe the terms of these agreements to be comparable to the terms of agreements used in similarly structured transactions.
Contribution Agreement
In connection with our IPO, we entered into a contribution agreement with our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties that effected the transfer of the mineral and royalty interests owned by the Contributing Parties to us and the use of the net proceeds of our IPO, and also addressed the following matters:
● our option to participate in certain acquisitions by the Contributing Parties of mineral and royalty interests;
● our Sponsors’ and the Contributing Parties’ registration rights with respect to the registration and sale of common units held by them or their affiliates; and
● the Contributing Parties’ obligation to indemnify us for certain limited matters associated with the mineral and royalty interests and associated entities, and our obligation to indemnify the Contributing Parties for certain limited matters related to the mineral and royalty interests and associated entities to the extent they are not required to indemnify us.
Participation Right. Pursuant to the contribution agreement, we have a right to participate, at our option and on substantially the same or better terms, in up to 50% of any acquisitions, other than de minimis acquisitions, for which Messrs. R. Ravnaas, Taylor and Wynne provide, directly or indirectly, any oil and gas diligence, reserve engineering or other business services. Unless consented to in writing by our General Partner on our behalf, the participation right shall be on terms and conditions substantially the same as or better than the acquisition by our Sponsors and the Contributing Parties. The participation right will last for so long as any of our Sponsors or their respective affiliates control our General Partner.
Registration Rights. Pursuant to the contribution agreement, the Contributing Parties have specified demand and piggyback participation rights with respect to the registration and sale of common units held by them or their affiliates. At any time following the time when we are eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3, each of our Sponsors has the right to cause us to prepare and file a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC covering the offering and sale of common units held by its affiliates. We are not obligated to effect more than one such demand registration in any 12-month period or two such demand registrations in the aggregate. If we propose to file a registration statement pursuant to a Sponsor’s demand registration discussed above, the Contributing Parties may request to “piggyback” onto such registration statement in order to offer and sell common units held by them or their affiliates. We have agreed to pay all registration expenses in connection with such demand and piggyback registrations. Registration expenses do not include underwriters’ compensation, stock transfer taxes or counsel fees.
Indemnification. The Contributing Parties made representations and warranties to us regarding their respective mineral and royalty interests and the associated entities. In addition, the Contributing Parties are, severally but not jointly, obligated to indemnify us for any federal, state and local income tax liabilities attributable to the ownership and operation of the mineral and royalty interests and the associated entities prior to the closing of our IPO until 30 days after the applicable statute of limitations. This indemnification obligation is capped at ten percent of the net proceeds received by any such Contributing Party with respect to the entity or asset that is subject to such claim for indemnification. The Contributing Parties are not required to indemnify us for breaches of any other representations and warranties under the
contribution agreement, including breaches related to other title matters, consents and permits or compliance with environmental laws, and such other representations and warranties did not survive the closing of our IPO.
In addition, the Contributing Parties will indemnify us indefinitely against losses arising from certain liens created during their ownership of the entities and breaches of special warranty of title relating to the assets contributed to us in connection with our IPO. This indemnification obligation is capped at the net proceeds received by any such Contributing Party with respect to the entity or asset that is subject to such claim for indemnification.
We have agreed to indemnify the Contributing Parties for breaches of specified representation and warranties and for events and conditions associated with the ownership or operation of the mineral and royalty interests and the associated entities (other than any liabilities for which the Contributing Parties are specifically required to indemnify us as described above). Our indemnification obligation for breaches of specified representations and warranties is capped at ten percent of the aggregate net proceeds received by all of the Contributing Parties. Our indemnification obligation for all other liabilities is capped at the aggregate net proceeds received by all of the Contributing Parties.
Management Services Agreements
Management Services Agreement with Kimbell Operating
We have entered into a management services agreement with Kimbell Operating, pursuant to which Kimbell Operating provides management, administrative, operational and acquisition services to us, including via the services agreements with the Sponsor Managers and the Non-Sponsor Managers (each as defined below). The management services agreement with Kimbell Operating is under terms and conditions similar to those described below in “-Services Agreements with Our Sponsors” and “-Other Services Agreements,” except that neither party to the agreement may terminate unless all of the services agreements with the Sponsor Managers and the Non-Sponsor Managers have terminated. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we paid to Kimbell Operating services fees equal to $1.0 million, $0.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively, which amounts represent an estimated allocation of all projected costs to be incurred by Kimbell Operating in providing such services to us for the respective year, including pursuant to the services agreements with the Sponsor Managers and the Non-Sponsor Managers.
Services Agreements with Our Sponsors
Services. Kimbell Operating currently has services agreements with BJF Royalties, LLC (“BJF Royalties”) and K3 Royalties (collectively, the “Sponsor Managers”), which are entities controlled by Messrs. Fortson and Wynne, respectively. Pursuant to these agreements, the Sponsor Managers provide management, administrative and operational services to Kimbell Operating. In addition, the Sponsor Managers or their affiliates provide acquisition services to us, including identifying, evaluating and recommending to us acquisition opportunities and any related negotiating of such opportunities. The services to be provided by each Sponsor Manager are as set forth below:
● BJF Royalties: For all of our assets and the assets of our affiliates, BJF Royalties assists in sourcing, evaluating and recommending acquisitions, and assisting with business development opportunities related to potential acquisitions and other strategic transactions.
● K3 Royalties: For all of our assets and the assets of our affiliates, K3 Royalties assists in sourcing, evaluating and recommending acquisitions, and assists with business development, investor and public relations and relationship management with our sponsors, past and future sellers of mineral assets and the Kimbell Art Foundation.
The Sponsor Managers have the exclusive right to provide the acquisition services listed above in connection with acquisitions by us, as well as the exclusive right to provide any additional management services reasonably required with respect to properties newly acquired by us.
Kimbell Operating previously had services agreements with Steward Royalties and Taylor Companies Mineral Management, LLC (“Taylor Companies”). Effective as of December 31, 2019, Kimbell Operating and each of Steward Royalties and Taylor Companies entered into agreements to terminate the services agreements of such service providers. The individuals who previously provided services pursuant to the Steward Royalties and Taylor Companies services
agreements have been hired as employees of Kimbell Operating and will continue to provide the same services to us through the management services agreement between us and Kimbell Operating, and no monthly services fee will be paid to Steward Royalties or Taylor Companies following the termination of such services agreements. The services that were provided by each Steward Royalties and Taylor Companies are as set forth below:
● Steward Royalties: For all of our assets and the assets of our affiliates, Steward Royalties assists in sourcing, evaluating (including providing pricing guidance, reservoir engineering analysis, and geological work), and negotiating acquisition opportunities for us; and provides ongoing petroleum engineering services.
● Taylor Companies:
● Taylor Companies assists in sourcing, evaluating (including directing all land and legal due diligence) and negotiating acquisition opportunities for us; assists in notifying and providing recorded transfer documents for newly acquired properties; assists in retaining outside legal counsel and landmen in connection with acquisition opportunities; maintains land and legal records with respect to newly acquired properties; and performs certain additional services with respect to newly acquired properties.
● In addition, with respect to certain of our subsidiaries and assets, Taylor Companies provides management services including: negotiating and executing leases, right of way agreements, pooling orders and similar agreements and orders; providing certain recordkeeping services; resolving title issues; receiving and disbursing royalty and other payments; and providing certain additional accounting, title, human resources, regulatory compliance and other services.
Service Fees and Reimbursement. Under the services agreements, Kimbell Operating paid to K3 Royalties a monthly services fee of $10,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Under the services agreements, Kimbell Operating paid to Taylor Companies and K3 Royalties a monthly services fee of approximately $43,900 and $10,000, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019. These amounts represent an estimated allocation of all projected costs to be incurred by such Sponsor Manager in providing services to Kimbell Operating for the respective year. Upon the approval of the Board of Directors, Kimbell Operating will pay a monthly services fee of $10,000 to K3 Royalties, for the period from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. In addition, BJF Royalties will continue to not receive a monthly services fee in connection with providing its services.
Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, the monthly services fee will be adjusted in the future (i) annually, (ii) in the event of any sale of serviced properties or (iii) in the event of the provision of any additional management services (including with respect to acquisitions of new properties). In addition, Kimbell Operating is required to reimburse each Sponsor Manager for all other reasonable costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, third-party expenses and expenditures) that such Sponsor Manager incurs on behalf of Kimbell Operating in providing services. If Kimbell Operating terminates a services agreement for any reason other than the Sponsor Manager’s default (as described below), then Kimbell Operating will also reimburse the applicable Sponsor Manager for its reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with such termination.
Term and Termination. The initial term of the services agreement with the Sponsor Managers is five years, after which date they will continue on a year-to-year basis unless terminated by Kimbell Operating or by the applicable Sponsor Manager upon 90 days’ notice, except as otherwise stated below:
● The applicable Sponsor Manager may terminate its services agreement, or the provision of any service thereunder, upon at least 180 days’ notice to Kimbell Operating.
● The applicable Sponsor Manager may terminate its services agreement upon a default by Kimbell Operating, which includes (i) Kimbell Operating’s failure to perform any of its material obligations under the agreement, where such default continues unremedied for a period of 15 days after notice thereof, and (ii) the occurrence of certain events relating to the bankruptcy or insolvency of Kimbell Operating.
● Kimbell Operating may terminate a services agreement upon a default by the applicable Sponsor Manager, upon 15 days’ notice to such Sponsor Manager. A Sponsor Manager is in default upon the occurrence of any gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Sponsor Manager in performing services under its services agreement, which results in material harm to us and our affiliates, including Kimbell Operating (the “Partnership Service Group”).
● Kimbell Operating or the Sponsor Manager may terminate the applicable services agreement if, at any time, the Sponsors or their affiliates no longer control our General Partner, upon at least 90 days’ notice to the other party.
Kimbell Operating’s only remedy for a Sponsor Manager’s default under its services agreement is the termination of the applicable agreement as described in the third bullet point above.
Indemnification. Under the services agreements with the Sponsor Managers, Kimbell Operating agreed to indemnify each Sponsor Manager, its affiliates and any of their respective employees, officers, directors and agents from and against all liability, demands, claims, actions or causes of action, assessments, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees) resulting from or arising out of (i) any material breach by Kimbell Operating of the applicable services agreement or (ii) the personal injury, death, property damage or liability of any member of the Partnership Service Group, any third party or any of their respective employees, officers, directors and agents arising from, connected with or under the applicable services agreement. The Sponsor Managers do not have corresponding indemnification obligations with respect to Kimbell Operating.
Other Services Agreements
Management Services. Kimbell Operating has services agreements with Nail Bay Royalties and Duncan Management (collectively, the “Non-Sponsor Managers”), which are entities controlled by Benny D. Duncan, who served on the Board of Directors during the year ended December 31, 2017 and a portion of the year ended December 31, 2018. Effective as of February 8, 2022, Kimbell Operating and each of the Non-Sponsor Managers entered into agreements to terminate the services agreements of such service providers. Pursuant to these agreements, the Non-Sponsor Managers provided management, administrative and operational services to Kimbell Operating. These services included, with respect to the serviced properties: negotiating and executing leases, right of way agreements, pooling orders and similar agreements and orders; providing certain recordkeeping services; resolving title issues; collecting and disbursing payments and rendering related accounting and bookkeeping services; monitoring drilling and production activities; assisting in preparing certain federal and state tax forms; and providing certain additional accounting, title, human resources, regulatory compliance and other services.
Service Fees and Reimbursement. Under the services agreements with the Non-Sponsor Managers, Kimbell Operating paid to Nail Bay Royalties a monthly services fee of approximately $25,110, $22,018 and $27,306 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Kimbell Operating paid to Duncan Management a monthly services fee of approximately $45,707, $46,788 and $41,525 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts represented an estimated allocation of all projected costs to be incurred by such Non-Sponsor Manager in providing services to Kimbell Operating for the respective year.
Indemnification. Under the services agreements with the Non-Sponsor Managers, Kimbell Operating agreed to indemnify each Non-Sponsor Manager, its affiliates and any of their respective employees, officers, directors and agents from and against all liability, demands, claims, actions or causes of action, assessments, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees) resulting from or arising out of (i) any material breach by Kimbell Operating of the applicable services agreement or (ii) the personal injury, death, property damage or liability of any member of the Partnership Service Group, any third party or any of their respective employees, officers, directors and agents arising from, connected with or under the applicable services agreement. The Non-Sponsor Managers do not have corresponding indemnification obligations with respect to Kimbell Operating.
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Kimbell Holdings
Our Sponsors have entered into the limited liability company agreement of Kimbell Holdings. Kimbell Holdings is the sole member of our General Partner. Pursuant to Kimbell Holdings’ limited liability company agreement, for so long as Messrs. Fortson, R. Ravnaas, Taylor and Wynne (or their designated successors) serve as directors of Kimbell Holdings, such persons will also serve as directors of our General Partner.
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Kimbell Tiger Acquisition Sponsor, LLC
In connection with the formation of Tiger Sponsor, our executive officers and directors, among others, purchased equity interests in Tiger Sponsor. None of the individuals have voting or investment discretion with respect to the shares of TGR or TGR Opco held by Tiger Sponsor. The amount involved in each individual’s purchase did not exceed $120,000 per person.
Other Transactions and Relationships with Related Persons
Family members of certain of our General Partner’s executive officers and directors serve as officers or employees of our General Partner and Kimbell Operating. Rand P. Ravnaas, the son of Robert D. Ravnaas and the brother of R. Davis Ravnaas, serves as Vice President-Business Development of our General Partner and Kimbell Operating, and he is a partial owner of certain of the Contributing Parties. In addition, Peter Alcorn, the son-in-law of Mitch Wynne, serves as Vice President-Land of our General Partner and Kimbell Operating, and he is a partial owner of certain of the Contributing Parties. Each of these family members will participate in the LTIP and receive compensation comprising a base salary and bonuses commensurate with other similarly-situated employees.
John Wynne, the son of Mitch S. Wynne, acts as the Partnership’s agent at Higginbotham Insurance & Financial Services, which provides director and officer insurance to the Partnership. John Wynne derived a commission of approximately $22,160, $20,160 and $18,900 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, for the placement of the Partnership’s insurance coverage. The Partnership’s annual premium expense was approximately $555,640, $440,160 and $350,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Procedures for Review, Approval and Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
The Board of Directors has adopted policies for the review, approval and ratification of transactions with related persons. The Board of Directors has adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics, under which a director is expected to bring to the attention of our chief executive officer or the Board of Directors any conflict or potential conflict of interest that may arise between the director or any affiliate of the director, on the one hand, and us or our General Partner on the other. The resolution of any conflict or potential conflict should, at the discretion of the Board of Directors in light of the circumstances, be determined by a majority of the disinterested directors.
If a conflict or potential conflict of interest arises between our General Partner or its affiliates, including our Sponsors or their respective affiliates, on the one hand, and us or our unitholders, on the other hand, the resolution of any such conflict or potential conflict should be addressed by the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of our partnership agreement. At the discretion of the Board of Directors in light of the circumstances, the resolution may be determined by the Board of Directors in its entirety or by the conflicts committee.
Under our code of business conduct and ethics, executive officers are required to avoid conflicts of interest unless approved by the Board of Directors.
The code of business conduct and ethics described above was adopted in connection with the closing of our IPO, and as a result, certain of the transactions described above were not reviewed according to such procedures.
Director Independence
Because we are a publicly traded partnership, the NYSE does not require our Board of Directors to have a majority of independent directors. For a discussion of the independence of our Board of Directors, please read “Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.”

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
We have engaged Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee’s charter requires the Audit Committee to approve in advance all audit and non-audit services to be provided by Grant Thornton LLP. All services reported in the audit, audit-related, tax and all other fees categories below with respect to our annual reports for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were approved by the Audit Committee. The following table sets forth audit and non-audit fees we have paid to Grant Thornton LLP for the periods indicated (in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Audit Fees (1)
$
771,214
$
691,569
$
543,439
Audit-Related Fees (2)
-
-
-
Tax Fees (3)
-
-
-
All Other Fees (4)
-
-
-
Total
$
771,214
$
691,569
$
543,439
(1)
Audit fees relate to professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our Annual Report, quarterly review of our Quarterly Reports, and quarterly review of financial statements included in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC.
(2)
Audit-related fees relate to assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the independent auditor, such as employee benefit plan audits or agreed upon procedures required to comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting.
(3)
Tax fees relate to professional services rendered in connection with tax audits and tax consulting and planning services.
(4)
All other fees represent fees for services not classifiable under the other categories listed in the table above.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) Financial Statements
Our consolidated financial statements are included under Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report. For a listing of these statements and accompanying notes, please read “Index to Financial Statements” on page of this Annual Report.
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules have been omitted because they are either not applicable, not required or the information called for therein appears in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(a)(3) List of Exhibits
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
3.1
-
Certificate of Limited Partnership of Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-215458) filed on January 6, 2017)
3.2
-
Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP, dated as of September 23, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2018)
3.3
-
Certificate of Formation of Kimbell Royalty GP, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-215458) filed on January 6, 2017)
3.4
-
First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Kimbell Royalty GP, LLC, dated as of February 8, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 14, 2017)
3.5
-
First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Kimbell Royalty Operating, LLC, dated as of September 23, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2018)
4.1
-
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2019, by and among Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP, EIGF Aggregator III LLC, TE Drilling Aggregator LLC, Haymaker Management, LLC, Haymaker Minerals & Royalties, LLC, AP KRP Holdings, L.P., ATCF SPV, L.P., Zeus Investments, L.P., Apollo Kings Alley Credit SPV, L.P., Apollo Thunder Partners, L.P., AIE III Investments, L.P., Apollo Union Street SPV, L.P., Apollo Lincoln Private Credit Fund, L.P., Apollo SPN Investments I (Credit), LLC, AA Direct, L.P., PEP I Holdings, LLC, PEP II Holdings, LLC, PEP III Holdings, LLC, Cupola Royalty Direct, LLC, Kimbell Art Foundation and Rivercrest Capital Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 26, 2019)
4.2
-
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 17, 2020, by and among Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP, Silver Spur Resources, LLC, SEP I Holdings, LLC, Springbok Energy Partners II Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 20, 2020)
4.3
-
Description of Common Units Representing Limited Partnership Interests (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2020)
10.1†
-
Kimbell Royalty GP, LLC 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 7, 2017)
10.2†
-
First Amendment to the Kimbell Royalty GP, LLC 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2018)
10.3†
-
Form of Kimbell Royalty GP, LLC 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 11, 2017)
10.4†
-
Form of Kimbell Royalty GP, LLC 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan Director Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2017)
10.5†
-
Form of Kimbell Royalty GP, LLC 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan 2018 Restricted Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2018)
10.6
-
Credit Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2017, among Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto and Frost Bank, as administrative agent and sole arranger (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-215458) filed on January 17, 2017)
10.7
-
Commitment Letter, dated as of May 28, 2018, by and between Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP and Frost Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Credit Suisse Loan Funding LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2018)
10.8
-
Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2018, by and among Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP, each of the guarantors party thereto, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto and Frost Bank, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 18, 2018)
10.9
-
Total Commitment Increase Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2019, between Frost Bank, Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP and Frost Bank, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 28, 2019)
10.10
-
Additional Lender Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2019, between Independent Bank, Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP and Frost Bank, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 28, 2019)
10.11††
-
Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2020, by and among Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP, each of the guarantors party thereto, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto and Citibank, N.A, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Form 10-K filed on February 25, 2021)
10.12†
-
Management Services Agreement, dated February 8, 2017, by and among Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP, Kimbell Royalty GP, LLC, Kimbell Royalty Holdings, LLC and Kimbell Operating Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 14, 2017)
10.13†
-
Amendment No. 1 to Management Services Agreement, dated December 10, 2018, by and among Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP, Kimbell Royalty GP, LLC, Kimbell Royalty Holdings, LLC and Kimbell Operating Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2019)
10.14†
-
Amendment No. 2 to Management Services Agreement, dated December 16, 2019, by and among Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP, Kimbell Royalty GP, LLC, Kimbell Royalty Holdings, LLC and Kimbell Operating Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2020)
10.15†
-
Management Services Agreement, dated February 8, 2017, by and between BJF Royalties, LLC and Kimbell Operating Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 14, 2017)
10.16†
-
Management Services Agreement, dated February 8, 2017, by and between K3 Royalties, LLC and Kimbell Operating Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 14, 2017)
10.17†
-
Amendment No. 1 to Management Services Agreement, dated March 7, 2018, by and between K3 Royalties, LLC and Kimbell Operating Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2018)
10.18†
-
Amendment No. 2 to Management Services Agreement, dated December 10, 2018, by and between K3 Royalties, LLC and Kimbell Operating Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2019)
10.19†
-
Amendment No. 3 to Management Services Agreement, dated December 16, 2019, by and between K3 Royalties, LLC and Kimbell Operating Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2020)
10.20
-
Exchange Agreement, dated as of September 23, 2018, by and among Haymaker Minerals & Royalties, LLC, EIGF Aggregator III LLC, TE Drilling Aggregator LLC, Haymaker Management, LLC, Kimbell Art Foundation, Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP, Kimbell Royalty GP, LLC and Kimbell Royalty Operating, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2018)
21.1*
-
List of Subsidiaries of Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP
23.1*
-
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
23.2*
-
Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
31.1*
-
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
31.2*
-
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
32.1**
-
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18. U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2**
-
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18. U.S.C. Section 1350
99.1*
-
Report of Ryder Scott Company, L.P. as of December 31, 2020
101.INS*
-
Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH*
-
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*
-
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*
-
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*
-
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*
-
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104*
-
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
* -Filed herewith.
** -Furnished herewith.
† -Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report pursuant to Item 15(b).
††-Certain schedules and similar attachments to this agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The registrant hereby undertakes to furnish a supplemental copy of each such omitted schedule or similar attachment to SEC upon request.