San Juan Basin Royalty Trust Declares No Cash Distribution for May 2025
Trust Distribution Update: Argent Trust Company announced that the San Juan Basin Royalty Trust will not declare a monthly cash distribution to Unit Holders due to the application of $1,499,498 in net proceeds towards excess production costs from Hilcorp's drilling activities, resulting in a cumulative deficit of approximately $15.16 million.
Financial Overview: Hilcorp reported total revenue of $6,984,564 for March 2025, with significant production costs and a decrease in average gas prices compared to February 2025; the Trust is utilizing cash reserves to cover administrative expenses while planning to replenish these reserves before future distributions.
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- Capital Expenditure Plan: Hilcorp estimates its 2026 capital expenditures for the San Juan Basin to be approximately $14 million, reflecting a significant increase from the $9 million projected for 2025, indicating a positive investment outlook for future projects.
- Project Allocation: Of the 2026 budget, $11.5 million is earmarked for nine new vertical drilling projects and six new horizontal drilling projects, primarily in the Mesaverde, Mancos, and Dakota formations, aimed at enhancing production and resource development efficiency.
- Recompletions and Maintenance: Approximately $2 million will be allocated to 17 recompletion and workover projects, mainly in the Fruitland Coal and Pictured Cliffs formations, ensuring ongoing production capacity and economic viability of existing assets.
- Risk Advisory: Hilcorp noted that the 2026 plan may be revised based on changes in underlying assumptions, and actual capital costs may vary from estimates, prompting investors to remain vigilant regarding oil and gas price volatility and other uncertainties.
- Capital Expenditure Plan: Hilcorp Energy Company estimates its 2026 capital expenditures for the San Juan Basin to be approximately $14 million, a significant increase from the $9 million budgeted for 2025, indicating strong confidence and investment intent in future projects.
- Project Allocation Details: Of the 2026 budget, $11.5 million will be allocated to nine new vertical drilling projects and six new horizontal drilling projects, primarily in the Mesaverde, Mancos, and Dakota formations, aimed at enhancing production and resource development efficiency.
- Recompletions and Facility Investments: Approximately $2 million will be allocated to 17 recompletion and workover projects, while $0.5 million will be directed towards facilities related to natural gas compression and other projects, indicating a focus on enhancing existing assets while expanding infrastructure.
- Risks and Uncertainties: Hilcorp emphasizes that the 2026 plan may be revised based on underlying assumptions, and actual capital costs may vary from estimates, reflecting the impact of external factors such as oil and gas price volatility and regulatory risks.

Market Performance: Rental, leasing, and royalty shares have shown relative strength, increasing by approximately 1.1% overall, with notable gains from San Juan Basin Royalty Trust (up 6.6%) and Permianville Royalty Trust (up 3.3%) on Thursday.
Sector Leaders: The video highlights Thursday's sector leaders, focusing on the Metals & Mining and Rental, Leasing, & Royalty stocks.
Share Price Decline: The share price of San Juan Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE:SJT) dropped by 14.13% from June 18 to June 25, 2025, following the announcement that no monthly cash distribution would be made for June due to excess production costs.
Financial Impact: The Trust will not receive royalty income until it pays off excess production costs of approximately $14.77 million, which were incurred from drilling new wells, leading to a halt in cash distributions to unitholders until future net proceeds are sufficient.
Trust Distribution Update: Argent Trust Company announced that the San Juan Basin Royalty Trust will not declare a monthly cash distribution to unit holders due to excess production costs from Hilcorp's drilling activities, with cumulative excess costs currently at approximately $14.8 million.
Financial Management and Future Outlook: The Trust has established a line of credit to manage administrative expenses during revenue shortfalls and plans to resume distributions once net proceeds are sufficient to cover liabilities and replenish reserves.
Distribution Decision: San Juan Basin Royalty Trust will not declare a monthly cash distribution to its Unit holders due to the application of net proceeds towards excess production costs from Hilcorp's drilling activities.
Financial Context: The amount of $1,499,498 that would have been payable as royalty income is being used to cover accrued costs related to two new horizontal wells drilled by Hilcorp in 2024.








