PERMIAN BASIN ROYALTY TRUST ANNOUNCES FEBRUARY CASH DISTRIBUTION, EXCESS COST POSITION ON WADDELL RANCH PROPERTIES AND UNITHOLDER MAILING BY SOFTVEST
MWN-AI** Summary
The Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE: PBT) has announced a cash distribution of $0.014221 per unit for February 2026, scheduled to be paid on March 13, 2026, to unit holders of record by February 27, 2026. This distribution reflects a decrease from the previous month, mainly due to total production costs surpassing gross proceeds for the Waddell Ranch properties, which will not contribute to this month’s payout. The Trust's revenue for January was affected by lower oil volumes and pricing, despite an increase in natural gas production.
In contrast, the Trust’s Texas Royalty Properties delivered substantial production volumes, contributing a net profit of $766,506 to this month’s distribution after accounting for taxes and expenses. The average prices for oil and gas for this period were reported at $56.78 per barrel and $5.85 per Mcf, respectively.
Additionally, a significant Unitholder Mailing was issued by SoftVest, L.P., highlighting its effort to seek judicial modification of the Trust's Indenture. The alterations propose changing certain approval thresholds for amendments, potentially allowing for more flexible governance. A hearing is set for May 8, 2026, to discuss this petition.
By addressing cash distributions and operational implications stemming from fluctuating market conditions, the Trust’s management emphasizes the dynamic nature of energy markets. Interested parties can access further details, including financial reports and historical distribution data, via the Trust’s website. Forward-looking statements in the release indicate that actual results may diverge based on various market factors, underscoring the uncertainty inherent in energy investments.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent announcement by the Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE: PBT) regarding its February cash distribution highlights several important factors that investors should consider. The Trust has declared a cash distribution of $0.014221 per unit, a decrease from the previous month. This reduction can be attributed primarily to higher production costs at the Waddell Ranch properties, where costs exceeded gross proceeds.
Investors should note that the ongoing excess cost position at Waddell Ranch can impose constraints on future distributions. Until the accumulated costs are recovered through future production proceeds, unitholders may face further instability in their distributions. Additionally, the Trust's reliance on quarterly data from the operator, Blackbeard Operating LLC, complicates the forecasting of income from these properties, as production and pricing information is not reported monthly.
In contrast, the Texas Royalty Properties contributed a more stable revenue stream, producing 13,325 barrels of oil and 8,573 Mcf of gas, generating a net profit of $766,506 for this distribution cycle. With oil prices averaging $56.78 per barrel and gas prices at $5.85 per Mcf, these figures illustrate that while some areas are underperforming, others remain robust, giving some assurance to unitholders.
Moreover, the recent unitholder mailing by SoftVest signals a potential change in governance, seeking judicial modification to the Trust's Indenture. Should SoftVest's proposals gain traction, this could lead to alterations in distribution policies or governance structures that could significantly impact long-term returns.
In conclusion, while the Trust offers potential for income through its distributions, investors should remain cautious. The high level of operational costs at Waddell Ranch and uncertainties related to governance modifications suggest a watchful and informed approach to investing in the Permian Basin Royalty Trust.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
PR Newswire
DALLAS, Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Argent Trust Company, as Trustee of the Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE: PBT) ("Permian" or the "Trust") today declared a cash distribution to the holders of its units of beneficial interest of $0.014221 per unit, payable on March 13, 2026, to unit holders of record on February 27, 2026. The distribution does not include proceeds from the Waddell Ranch properties, as total production costs ("Production Costs") exceeded gross proceeds ("Gross Proceeds") for the month of January, resulting in a continuing excess cost position for the Waddell Ranch properties. More information regarding the Waddell Ranch properties is described below.
This month's distribution decreased compared to the previous month due primarily to the second settlement payment being received from Blackbeard Operating LLC last month, this in conjunction with Texas Royalty Properties having lower oil volumes, along with lower oil and natural gas pricing, partially offset by higher natural gas volumes.
WADDELL RANCH
Information from Blackbeard, the operator of the Waddell Ranch properties, necessary to calculate the net profits interest ("NPI") proceeds for a given month is received after the announcement date for the month's distribution. As a result, in accordance with the Trust indenture, if NPI proceeds are received from the Waddell Ranch properties on or prior to the record date, they will be included in the following month's distribution.
As noted above, no proceeds were received by the Trustee in January 2026 to be included in the February distribution. All excess costs, including any accrued interest, will need to be recovered by future proceeds from the Waddell Ranch properties before any proceeds are distributed to the Trust. Due to the fact that Blackbeard provides production, pricing and cost information quarterly instead of monthly, the Trustee will be disclosing that information in the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K for the foreseeable future (to the extent timely received from Blackbeard).
TEXAS ROYALTY PROPERTIES
Production for the underlying Texas Royalty Properties was 15,292 barrels of oil and 9,841 Mcf of gas. The production for the Trust's allocated portion of the Texas Royalty Properties was 13,325 barrels of oil and 8,573 Mcf of gas. The average price for oil was $56.78 per bbl and for gas was $5.85, which includes significant NGL pricing, per Mcf. This would mainly reflect production and pricing in November for oil and October for gas. These allocated volumes were impacted by the pricing of both oil and gas. This production and pricing for the underlying properties resulted in revenues for the Texas Royalty Properties of $925,795. Deducted from these revenues were taxes and expenses of $118,946 resulting in a Net Profit of $806,849 for January. With the Trust's NPI of 95% of the underlying properties, this would result in a net contribution by the Texas Royalty Properties of $766,506 to this month's distribution.
Underlying Properties |
Net to Trust Sales | |||||
Volumes | Volumes | Average Price | ||||
Oil | Gas | Oil | Gas | Oil | Gas (per Mcf) (2) | |
Current Month | ||||||
Waddell Ranch | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) |
Texas Royalties | 15,292 | 9,841 | 13,325 | 8,573 | $56.78 | $5.85 |
Prior Month | ||||||
Waddell Ranch | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) |
Texas Royalties | 17,309 | 8,378 | 15,285 | 7,401 | $59.18 | $8.49 |
(1) These volumes are net to the Trust, after allocation of expenses to Trust's net profit interest, including any prior period adjustments. | ||||||
(2) This pricing includes sales of gas liquid products. | ||||||
(3) Information is not being made available monthly but may be provided within 30 days next following the close of each calendar quarter. To the |
General and Administrative Expenses deducted for the month, net of interest earned were $103,644 resulting in a distribution of $662,862 to 46,608,796 units outstanding, or $0.014221 per unit.
The worldwide market conditions continue to affect the pricing for domestic production. It is difficult to predict what effect these conditions will have on future distributions.
UNITHOLDER MAILING FILED BY SOFTVEST
On or about February 10, 2026, SoftVest, L.P. ("SoftVest"), a unit holder of the Trust, mailed documents to holders of units of beneficial interest ("Unitholders") which included a cover letter, a Citation in the District Court of Tarrant County, Texas ("Citation"), the Original Petition for Modification of Trust (the "Petition") in the District Court of Tarrant County, Texas (Cause No. 96-373245-25) seeking judicial modification of the Trust's Indenture, and the Petitioner SoftVest, L.P.'s Notice of Bench Trial on Petitioner's Original Petition for Modification of Trust ("Notice of Bench Trial"), also collectively known as the "Unitholder Mailing". The Unitholder Mailing advises Unitholders of a hearing to be scheduled Friday, May 8, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. before the 96th District Court of Tarrant County, Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building, 4th Floor, 100 North Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76196, on the merits of SoftVest's Petition pursuant to which it seeks to (1) amend Section 8.03 of the Indenture to eliminate the requirement that certain amendments require approval by 75% of the outstanding units of the Trust, and (2) delete Section 10.01 of the Indenture that sets forth certain prohibited amendments and replace Article X of the Indenture with a provision permitting amendment of any provision of the Indenture by a vote of unitholders in accordance with Article VIII (which, as amended, would permit amendment by a majority in interest of unitholders constituting a quorum at a meeting of unitholders where a quorum is present).
The 2024 Annual Report with Form 10-K, which includes the December 31, 2024, Reserve Summary, has been filed with the Securities Exchange Commission. Permian's cash distribution history, current and prior year financial reports, tax information booklets, and a link to filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all can be found on Permian's website at http://www.pbt-permian.com/. Additionally, printed reports can be requested and are mailed free of charge.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Any statements in this press release about future events or conditions, and other statements containing the words "estimates," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," "may," "intends," and similar expressions, other than historical facts, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Factors or risks that could cause the Trust's actual results to differ materially from the results the Trustee anticipates include, but are not limited to the factors described in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of the Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Trustee's views as of the date hereof. The Trustee anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its views to change. However, while the Trustee may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Trustee's views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
Contact: Nancy Willis, Director of Royalty Trust Services, Argent Trust Company, Trustee, Toll Free – 1.855.588.7839
SOURCE Permian Basin Royalty Trust
FAQ**
How does the excess cost position on the Waddell Ranch properties affect the financial stability and future cash distributions of the Permian Basin Royalty Trust PBT?
What factors contributed to the decrease in this month's cash distribution for the Permian Basin Royalty Trust PBT compared to the previous month?
Can you explain the significance of SoftVest's petition to modify the Trust's Indenture and its potential impact on the Permian Basin Royalty Trust PBT's governance?
How might fluctuations in market conditions for oil and gas influence the net profits interest proceeds for future distributions from the Permian Basin Royalty Trust PBT?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE: PBT).
NASDAQ: PBT
PBT Trading
-2.08% G/L:
$20.055 Last:
25,153 Volume:
$20.50 Open:
