North European Oil Royalty Trust Announces Net Income and Results for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2011

RED BANK, N.J., Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --North European Oil Royalty Trust (NYSE: NRT) reported the net income and results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 which appear below compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

Net income in the fourth quarter of 2011 was higher than the fourth quarter of 2010 due to higher gas prices, higher gas sales and higher average exchange rates.  The Trust receives nearly all of its royalties under two royalty agreements.  The Mobil Agreement is the higher royalty rate agreement and covers gas sales from the western half of the Oldenburg concession.  The OEG Agreement is the lower royalty rate agreement and covers gas sales from the entire Oldenburg concession.  Relevant details are shown below.  

Compared to the prior year, Trust expenses for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 increased 6.63% to $186,899 from $175,273 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 due to higher Trustee fees as mandated by the terms of the Trust Agreement.  

Net income for fiscal 2011 was higher than fiscal 2010 due primarily to significant increases in average gas prices under the Mobil and OEG Agreements and minor increases in the average exchange rates.  While gas sales under the Mobil Agreement declined by less than 1%, overall gas sales increased by 4.08%.  The comparison of the relevant periods is shown below.

The table below shows the anticipated royalties in Euros payable during the first quarter of fiscal 2012 based on the actual royalties paid to the Trust during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.  The amounts shown in dollars are approximated based on the current exchange rate of 1.3659.  Actual royalty income in dollars will be based on exchange rates applied on the day funds are transferred, which occurs immediately upon receipt.  In addition, there may be a positive adjustment to January's anticipated royalties based on actual sales during the fourth calendar quarter of 2011.  

Efforts to resolve questions with EMPG, the operator in Germany, over royalty calculations for the calendar year 2008 are continuing.  An unresolved dispute concerns the possible right of the Trust to royalties on amounts received on the sale of the pipeline system used to distribute gas produced in the royalty area.  A parallel royalty holder has commenced litigation concerning this matter and the Trust is considering its alternatives.  There is no assurance that a claim will be made by the Trust or, if made, that there will be any recovery.

The 2012 Annual Meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:30 A.M. on February 14, 2012.

The previously declared distribution of 64 cents per unit will be paid on November 30, 2011 to owners of record as of November 15, 2011.  For further information contact John R. Van Kirk, Managing Director, at (732) 741-4008 or via e-mail at [email protected].  The text of the Trust's press releases along with other pertinent information is available at the Trust's website: www.neort.com.

Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements, which address future expectations and events or conditions concerning the Trust, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in any forward looking statements, including the risks and uncertainties set forth in the Trust's most recent Form 10-K. 

SOURCE North European Oil Royalty Trust