Whiting USA Trust II (NYSE: WHZ) announced the third Trust distribution in 2013, which relates to net profits generated during the second quarterly payment period of 2013.

Unitholders of record on August 19, 2013 will receive a distribution of $0.739362 per unit, which is payable on or before August 29, 2013.

Volumes, average sales prices and net profits for the quarterly payment period were:

Sales volumes:   Oil (Bbl) (1) 314,344 Natural gas (Mcf)   594,295   Total (BOE) 413,393 Average sales prices: Oil (per Bbl) (1) $ 85.19 Natural gas (per Mcf)(2) $ 4.89  

Gross proceeds:

Oil sales(1) $ 26,780,380 Natural gas sales   2,906,540   Total gross proceeds $ 29,686,920   Costs: Lease operating expenses $ 10,909,428 Production taxes 1,509,166 Development costs 1,919,337 Realized (gains) losses on hedging settlements(3)   -   Total costs $ 14,337,931    

Net profits

$ 15,348,989 Percentage allocable to Trust’s Net Profits Interest   90 %  

Total cash available for the Trust

$ 13,814,090 Provision for estimated Trust expenses (200,000 ) Montana state income taxes withheld   (9,832 ) Net cash proceeds available for distribution $ 13,604,258  

Trust units outstanding

  18,400,000   Cash distribution per Trust unit $ 0.739362     (1)   Oil includes natural gas liquids.   (2) The average sales price of natural gas for the gas production months within the distribution period exceeded the average NYMEX gas prices for those same months within the period due to the “liquids rich” content of a portion of the natural gas volumes produced by the underlying properties.   (3) There were no realized gains or losses on hedge settlements during the second quarterly payment period of 2013. All costless collar hedge contracts terminate as of December 31, 2014, at which time there will be no further cash settlement gains or losses on commodity hedges, and the Trust will have increased exposure to oil and natural gas price volatility.  

The net profits interest represents the right to receive 90% of the net proceeds from Whiting Petroleum Corporation’s interests in certain existing oil and natural gas properties located primarily in the Rocky Mountains, Permian Basin, Gulf Coast and Mid-Continent regions of the United States. The net profits interest will terminate on the later to occur of (1) December 31, 2021, or (2) the time when 11.79 MMBOE have been produced from the underlying properties and sold (which amount is equivalent to 10.61 MMBOE attributable to the net profits interest), and the Trust will soon thereafter wind up its affairs and terminate, after which it will pay no further distributions.

As of June 30, 2013, on a cumulative accrual basis, 2.40 MMBOE (23%) of the Trust’s total 10.61 MMBOE have been produced and sold. Based on the Trust’s reserve report for the underlying properties as of December 31, 2012, the 11.79 MMBOE of reserves (10.61 MMBOE to the 90% net profits interest) are projected to be produced from the underlying properties prior to December 31, 2021. Additionally, the year-end reserve report reflects an expected year over year decline rate of approximately 9.0% between 2013 and 2021. However, cash distributions to unitholders may decline at a faster rate than the rate of production due to fixed and semi-variable costs attributable to the underlying properties, or if expected future development is delayed, reduced or cancelled.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including all statements made in this press release other than statements of historical fact. No assurances can be given that such statements will prove to be correct. The announced distributable amount is based, in part, on the amount of cash received or expected to be received by the Trust from Whiting Petroleum Corporation pursuant to the net profits interest with respect to the relevant quarterly period. Any differences in actual cash receipts by the Trust could affect this distributable amount. Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include expenses of the Trust, fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices, uncertainty of estimates of oil and natural gas reserves and production, risks inherent in the operation, production and development of oil and gas properties, and future production and development costs. Statements made in this press release are qualified by the cautionary statements made in this press release. The Trustee does not intend, and assumes no obligation, to update any of the statements included in this press release.