sc14d9za
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14D-9
Solicitation/ Recommendation Statement under
Section 14(d)(4)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 2)
Eastern American Natural Gas Trust
(Name of Subject Company)
Eastern American Natural Gas Trust
(Names of Persons Filing Statement)
Units of Beneficial Interest
(Title of Class of Securities)
276217106
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Trustee
Institutional Trust Services
221 West Sixth Street, 1st Floor
Austin, Texas 78701
Attention Mike Ulrich
(800) 852-1422
(Name, address, and telephone numbers of person authorized to
receive
notices and communications on behalf of the persons filing
statement)
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Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary
communications made before the commencement of a tender offer. |
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Item 1. |
Subject Company Information. |
(a) The name of the subject company is Eastern American
Natural Gas Trust (the Trust). The address of the
principal executive offices of the Trust is JPMorgan Chase Bank,
N.A., Trustee (the Trustee), Institutional Trust
Services, 221 West Sixth Street, 1st Floor, Austin,
Texas 78701, and the telephone number is (800) 852-1422.
(b) The title of the subject class of equity securities is
Units of Beneficial Interest (Units), of which
5,900,000 Units were outstanding at August 4, 2006. At
August 4, 2006, holders of 19,900 Units had withdrawn their
interest in the related Treasury Bonds (as defined below).
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Item 2. |
Identity and Background of Filing Person. |
(a) The name, business address and business telephone
number of each filing person are Eastern American Natural Gas
Trust, c/o JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Trustee,
Institutional Trust Services, 221 West Sixth Street,
1st Floor, Austin, Texas 78701, (800) 852-1422. The
filing person is the subject company. The Trustee administers
the Trust.
(d) The offer (the Revised Ensource Offer) is
being made by Ensource Energy Income Fund L.P. (the
Partnership or the Ensource
Partnership), the address of which is 7500
San Felipe, Suite No. 440, Houston, Texas 77063.
The class of securities to which the offer relates is Units of
Beneficial Interest of Eastern American Natural Gas Trust.
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Item 3. |
Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements. |
To the knowledge of the Trust, there are no agreements,
arrangements or understandings and there are no actual or
potential conflicts of interest between the Trust or its
affiliates and (1) the Trust, its executive officers,
directors or affiliates, or (2) the Partnership, its
executive officers, directors or affiliates, except that the
Trust has been advised that Scott W. Smith, a member, senior
executive officer and one of the members of the board of
directors of the general partner of the Partnership, owns a
total of 2,050 Trust depositary units. The Trust has no
executive officers, directors or persons performing similar
functions.
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Item 4. |
The Solicitation or Recommendation. |
(a) Recommendation. The Trust is advising Trust Unitholders
to reject the Revised Ensource Offer.
(b) Reasons. Following are the reasons for the Trusts
recommendation. Page references are to the Prospectus of
Ensource Energy Income Fund LP dated July 31, 2006
(the Ensource Prospectus). Unless the context
requires otherwise, capitalized terms used but not defined
herein have the meanings given them in the Ensource Prospectus.
As described in the Ensource Prospectus, the former general
partner of the Ensource Partnership as been replaced with a
limited liability company named Ensource Energy LLC, which we
refer to as the General Partner or
Ensource. Ensource Reserves Management LLC is
referred to as the Operating Company. The offer
previously made by the Ensource Partnership in 2005 is herein
referred to as the Original Ensource Offer.
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1. |
Opinion of Independent Financial Advisor. In connection
with the Revised Ensource Offer, the Trust engaged Houlihan
Lokey Howard & Zukin Financial Advisors, Inc. (the
Financial Advisor), to assist the Trust with an
independent analysis of the adequacy, from a financial point of
view, of the Revised Ensource Offer to the Trust Unitholders.
The Financial Advisor has rendered its written opinion dated
August 1, 2006 (the Opinion) that, as of the
date of the Opinion and based upon and subject to the
considerations, factors and limitations set forth therein, the
Revised Ensource Offer is inadequate from a financial point of
view to the Trust Unitholders. The full text of the Opinion,
setting forth the scope of the review undertaken by the
Financial Advisor in arriving at the Opinion, is attached hereto
as Annex A and is incorporated herein by reference.
Trust Unitholders are urged to, and should, read the Opinion
carefully and in its entirety. The Opinion was addressed to the
Trustee and was provided to the Trustee for its information and
assistance in connection with its review of the |
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Revised Ensource Offer. The Opinion addresses only the adequacy
from a financial point of view of the consideration offered to
the Trust Unitholders in the Revised Ensource Offer, and does
not constitute a recommendation to any Trust Unitholder as to
whether to tender or not tender Trust Units in the Revised
Ensource Offer. |
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2. |
Opinion of Eastern American Energy Corporation. In
connection with the Revised Ensource Offer, Eastern American
Energy Corporation, which created the Trust in 1993, and which
remains the working interest owner of the properties in which
the Trust holds net profits interests (Eastern
American), reviewed the Revised Ensource Offer. Eastern
American has advised the Trustee that, in its opinion, it would
be in the best interests of the Trust Unitholders to reject the
Revised Ensource Offer. Eastern American has delivered a letter
to the Trustee dated June 21, 2006 describing the reasons
Eastern American believes it would be in the best interests of
the Trust Unitholders to reject the Revised Ensource Offer. A
copy of the letter from Eastern American to the Trustee is
attached as Annex B. Eastern American has advised
the Trustee that it has reviewed the changes to the Revised
Ensource Offer made since the date of its letter, and that
Eastern American has not changed its opinion. |
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The Trustee considers Eastern Americans opinion regarding
the advisability of the Revised Ensource Offer to be relevant
because Eastern American, as the sponsor of the Trust, created
the Trust, has remained intimately familiar with the Trust since
its inception, and continues to operate a substantial majority
of the wells subject to the net profits interest, and is
therefore familiar with the assets and terms of the Trust. In
addition, the Trustee previously received inquiries from Trust
Unitholders asking for Eastern Americans opinion regarding
the Original Ensource Offer, and the Trustee believes that Trust
Unitholders are entitled to the benefit of Eastern
Americans opinion with respect to the Revised Ensource
Offer. |
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3. |
Reserve Report from the Trusts Independent Petroleum
Engineering Firm. In accordance with its normal practice,
the Trust engaged Ryder Scott Company, the independent petroleum
engineering firm that has historically prepared the Trusts
annual reserve report, to prepare a reserve report for the Trust
as of December 31, 2005. A copy of the reserve report was
filed with the Trusts Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005. The discounted estimated
future net revenues to the Trust from proved developed reserves
as estimated in the reserve report (discounted at 10%) increased
from $76.2 million at December 31, 2004 to
$114.2 million at December 31, 2005. The Trust notes
that the estimates provided in the reserve report are subject to
the limitations described in the Trusts Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the SEC. The Trust
believes that Trust Unitholders should consider the information
in the reserve report, as well as information regarding the
current market value of the Treasury Bonds, in considering
whether to tender their Trust Units in the Revised Ensource
Offer. |
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The information in the Ryder Scott report is indicative of the
value of the net profits interests held by the Trust, subject to
the limitations and qualifications set forth in the Ryder Scott
letter and in the Trusts Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the SEC, because it
provides a reasonably current report, in accordance with SEC
pricing and other requirements, relating to the net profits
interests which the Trust holds. The Ensource Merger, if it were
to occur, would not affect Eastern Americans status as the
operator of substantially all of the properties in which the
Trust now holds interests, and would not affect the control of
the underlying properties. However, if the Ensource Merger were
to occur, the ownership of the net profits interests now held by
the Trust would change, so that the net profits interests would
be held, directly or indirectly, by the Ensource Partnership,
rather than by the Trust Unitholders. |
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The net profits interests held by the Trust include royalty net
profits interests (Royalty NPI), which are not
limited in term or amount, and term net profits interests
(Term NPI), which will expire on the earlier of
May 15, 2013 or when 41,683 MMcf of gas has been
produced which is attributable to Eastern Americans net
revenue interests in the properties burdened by the Term NPI.
Under the Trust Agreement, the Trustee is directed to sell all
remaining Royalty NPI after May 15, |
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2012 and prior to May 15, 2013, and, if the Trust remains
in existence, net proceeds from selling the Royalty NPI will be
distributed to Unitholders on the first quarterly payment date
following the receipt of such proceeds by the Trust. The Term
NPI will expire on the earlier of May 15, 2013 or when
41,683 MMcf of gas has been produced as described above. As
of December 31, 2005, 21,814 MMcf of such gas had been
produced. The Ryder Scott report takes into account the Royalty
NPI, including the value of reserves associated with the Royalty
NPI that extend beyond the life of the Trust, because
unitholders are to receive value for this interest if the Trust
continues in existence in accordance with its terms. Unitholders
should consider that if they exchange their Trust Units for
interests in the Ensource Partnership, they will lose their
current right to the proceeds of the sale of the Royalty NPI.
The Ryder Scott report does not include reserves attributable to
the Term NPI extending beyond the liquidation date of the Trust,
because the Term NPI does not extend beyond that date. The
percentage of the discounted estimated future net revenues
attributable to the Term NPI as shown in the Ryder Scott report
is approximately 48%. |
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4. |
Change in Nature of Investment Proposed by Ensource. On
behalf of the Trust, the Trustee has considered the nature of
the Trust, as described in the Trusts governing documents
and in the Trusts filings with the SEC, and has considered
the nature of the business Ensource proposes to have the
Partnership conduct if Ensource acquires control of the Trust
and causes the second step merger to occur as described in the
Ensource Prospectus (the Ensource Merger). The
Trustee believes that the Trust was intended to be a passive
vehicle, and was never intended to engage in any active
business. In particular, the Trust was intended to allow Trust
Unitholders to benefit from: |
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(i) the quarterly distribution of proceeds from the net
profits interests held by the Trust in the approximately 650 gas
wells on properties in which the Trust has an interest (after
payment of administrative expenses of the Trust), |
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(ii) the Unitholders interest in the zero coupon
U.S. Treasury Bonds held by the Depositary, which at
maturity in 2013 will have a face value of $20.00 per Trust
Unit (the Treasury Bonds), and |
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(iii) the sale of the royalty net profits interest held by
the Trust between May 15, 2012 and May 15, 2013 and
the distribution of the proceeds to the Unitholders, all as set
forth in the documents governing the Trust. |
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The Trustee believes that the business the Ensource Partnership
proposes to conduct if Ensource acquires control of the Trust,
liquidates some or all of the Treasury Bonds, and utilizes the
proceeds of the Treasury Bonds in its proposed business,
involves substantially greater risks (as described in the
Ensource Prospectus) than those to which the Trust Unitholders
are presently exposed. Based on telephone calls Mike Ulrich, a
Vice President of the Trustee, has received from Trust
Unitholders during the past two years, the Trustee believes that
Trust Unitholders consider their current investment in Trust
Units attractive largely because of the relatively low risk
nature of the combined investment in the net profits interests
plus the interests in the Treasury Bonds. Based on these
telephone calls and on the fact that the Trust Unitholders hold
Trust Units, the Trustee does not believe that Trust Unitholders
desire to change the nature of their investment. |
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5. |
Trust Unitholders Current Ability to Change Nature of
Investment. On behalf of the Trust, the Trustee has
considered the fact that any Trust Unitholder who prefers to
invest in a different business, including an actively managed
oil and gas business of the nature proposed to be conducted by
Ensource, is already able to sell his or her Trust Units and do
so with the net proceeds, or to withdraw his or her
proportionate share of the Treasury Bonds and do so. The
Ensource Prospectus states that there are currently 36 publicly
traded energy income funds listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange,
and that eight of the Canadian energy income funds trade on
exchanges in the United States. The Trustee believes that any
Trust Unitholder who prefers to invest in such a fund is already
able to do so, and that the Revised Ensource Offer, which could,
by means of the second step merger which Ensource has stated it
intends to use to obtain Trust Units not voluntarily tendered to |
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Ensource, result in forcing Trust Unitholders to invest in the
business proposed to be conducted by Ensource, is not in the
best interests of the Trust Unitholders. |
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6. |
Proceeds of Treasury Bonds and Sale of Net Profits
Interests. On behalf of the Trust, the Trustee has
considered the fact that interests in the Trust were originally
sold to investors based, in large part, on the assurance that
investors would receive $20.00 per Trust Unit at maturity
of the Treasury Bonds. The Trustee believes that this aspect of
the Trust is significant to Trust Unitholders. The Trustee also
has considered the fact that the Trusts assets include a
royalty net profits interest that is not limited in term or
amount, and that, in accordance with the Trust documents, the
Trustee is required to sell this interest between May 15,
2012 and May 15, 2013, and to distribute the net proceeds
of the sale to the Trust Unitholders. The Trustee has considered
the fact that Trust Unitholders who exchange their Trust Units
in the Revised Ensource Offer, whether voluntarily or
involuntarily, will lose their rights to receive these amounts.
The reason Trust Unitholders who exchange their Units in the
Revised Ensource Offer (whether voluntarily or involuntarily in
the second step merger, if it were to occur) would not receive
the proceeds of the sale is that the Ensource Partnership,
rather than the Trust Unitholders, would be entitled to those
proceeds. |
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7. |
Increased Fees and Expenses. On behalf of the Trust, the
Trustee has considered Ensources estimates of the fees and
expenses Ensource intends to charge to the Partnership. These
include the costs of the Original Ensource Offer made by
Ensource in 2005, the costs of the Revised Ensource Offer, and
the costs of the second step merger, which Ensource estimates at
approximately $8.6 million, including the special
distribution, but excluding the put premium of up to
approximately $5 million the Partnership will pay to the
Third Point Parties as described in the Ensource Prospectus. |
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In addition to the costs and expenses of the Original Ensource
Offer, the Revised Ensource Offer and related transactions,
Ensource estimates that if the transactions proposed by Ensource
had been completed on December 31, 2004, the general and
administrative costs incurred by the Ensource Partnership would
have totaled approximately $2.1 million during 2005,
consisting of the following: |
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$600,000 in salaries and expenses payable to employees of the
General Partner; |
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$317,300 in administrative costs payable to Eastern American
Energy Corporation; |
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$175,000 payable to an independent auditor in connection with
the audit of annual financial statements and the review of
interim financial statements; |
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$500,000 in costs incurred as a public entity, for registrar and
transfer agent fees and for preparation of tax return and
Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution to investors and
directors and officers and other insurance; |
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a total of $225,000 payable in director fees to independent
directors, assuming all independent directors join upon
consummation of the Offer; |
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a total of $100,000 in office expenses; |
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$50,000 annual fee payable to the Third Point Parties; and |
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$125,000 in other miscellaneous costs. |
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Based upon the foregoing estimates, Ensource assumed that during
2005 general and administrative expenses of the Ensource
partnership would have exceeded those of the Trust during that
period by a total of approximately $0.30 million. However,
during 2005, the Trusts general and administrative
expenses of $1,474,570 ($1,791,894 including the administrative
costs paid to Eastern American Energy Corporation)included
expenses of $725,798 as a direct result of the Original Ensource
Offer. The Trustee does not consider comparisons of the
Trusts expenses in 2005, inflated by the expenses
resulting from the Original Ensource Offer, with the estimated
expenses of the Ensource partnership, to be meaningful, because
the Trust does not normally incur the types of expenses that it
has incurred as a result of the Ensource Offer. Rather, the
Trustee considers the comparisons of the Trusts normal
expenses with those estimated to be incurred by the Ensource
Partnership, to be meaningful. If Ensource had not made the
Original Ensource Offer, the Trusts general and
administrative expenses in 2005 would have decreased by $725,798
and thus, including the administrative costs paid to Eastern
American Energy Corporation, would have been |
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approximately $1,066,096, or approximately 51% of the general
and administrative expenses Ensource estimates that it would
have incurred during the same time period. |
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8. |
Distributions. On behalf of the Trust, the Trustee
considered the fact that during the subordination period (as
defined by Ensource, and subject to early termination for a
variety of different reasons), distributions on the Ensource
subordinated units would be subordinated to payments of
$0.50 per quarter. The Trustee considered that $0.50 is
less than the average quarterly amount the Trust distributed
during the last two years ($2.32 in the aggregate during 2005
and $2.02 in the aggregate during 2004). The Trustee also
considered the fact that the first and second quarter 2006
distributions were $0.74 and $0.64 per Unit, respectively.
The Trustee considered the approximately 26 reasons listed by
Ensource on
pages 68-69 of the
Ensource Prospectus that it might not be able to distribute the
minimum quarterly distribution of $0.50 per
quarter, and noted Ensources statement that [t]here
is no guarantee that common unitholders will receive quarterly
distributions from us. [page 78] The Trustee believes
that Trust Unitholders considering the Revised Ensource Offer
should recognize that if the Revised Ensource Offer is
completed, distributions to them could either increase or
decrease, but in any case would be subject to a variety of
significant other rights, interests, bonus pool payments and
other costs, expenses and reimbursement obligations. |
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Dilution of Trust Unitholders Interests. On behalf
of the Trust, the Trustee has considered the dilution of the
Trust Unitholders interests that will occur if the
Ensource Merger occurs, including the immediate dilution from
the issuance of the new general partner interest to Ensource,
the issuance of 567,741 subordinated units to Ensource, the
incentive distribution rights to be issued to Ensource (which
entitle Ensource, as the holder of the incentive distribution
rights, to 24.75% of distributions from the Partnership in
excess of specified levels as described in the Ensource
Prospectus), and the potential dilution from the warrant
Ensource intends to acquire to permit it to
purchase 1,000,000 common units from the Partnership, all
as described in the Ensource Prospectus. |
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In addition, the Trustee has considered the potential future
dilution of the Trust Unitholders interests that may
result from future equity issuances by the Partnership as
described in the Ensource Prospectus. The Trustee has also
considered Ensources statement that if Ensource is unable
to complete the Ensource Merger, Ensource may need to seek
equity financing for future acquisitions earlier than Ensource
might otherwise have done if it were able to obtain control of
all of the Treasury Bonds by means of the Ensource Merger. In
addition, the Trustee has considered the General Partners
agreement to assign to the Third Point Parties up to 15% of
amounts it receives pursuant to its incentive distribution
rights. |
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10. |
Ensources Sole Determination of the Terms of the
Revised Ensource Offer and Merger. On behalf of the Trust,
the Trustee has considered the facts that Ensource unilaterally
determined the terms of the Revised Ensource Offer, and that the
Unitholders were not represented in the determination of the
terms of the Revised Ensource Offer. The Trustee also considered
Ensources statement that [a]s a result, the exchange
rate and other terms of the Offer may not be as favorable [to
the Unitholders] as the terms that might have been obtained had
an independent representative been retained or a fairness
opinion requested. [page 65] |
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As described above, the Trust retained the Financial Advisor to
assist the Trust with an independent evaluation of the financial
aspects of the Revised Ensource Offer. As described above, the
Financial Advisor has delivered its written opinion that, based
upon, and subject to the matters set forth therein, the Revised
Ensource Offer is inadequate from a financial point of view to
the Trust Unitholders. The Opinion of the Financial Advisor is
discussed above and attached hereto. |
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11. |
Conflicts of Interest. On behalf of the Trust, the
Trustee has considered the conflicts of interest that will exist
between Ensource and the former Trust Unitholders after the
Ensource Merger if it is completed, including those described on
pages 86-87 of the Ensource Prospectus. Although the
Trustee recognizes that some of these types of conflicts of
interest are inherent in the type of |
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structure Ensource has proposed, the Trustee does not believe
that they are in the best interests of the Trust Unitholders. |
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12. |
Ensources Lack of Operating History. On behalf of
the Trust, the Trustee has considered the facts that
(i) the Partnership has no operating history, and
(ii) Ensource has not yet identified any properties for
acquisition by the Operating Company. The Trustee believes that
the lack of any operating history and the lack of any identified
acquisition targets make the Revised Ensource Offer relatively
speculative. |
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13. |
Modified Fiduciary Duties to Unitholders. As noted in the
Ensource Prospectus, the Trustee owes fiduciary duties to the
Trust Unitholders. Also as noted in the Ensource Prospectus, if
the Ensource Merger occurs, Ensource intends to modify and
restrict the fiduciary duties the General Partner would
otherwise owe after the Ensource Merger. Ensource describes
these modifications on
pages 179-181 of
the Ensource Prospectus, and states that [t]hese
modifications represent a detriment to our unitholders because
they restrict the remedies available to unitholders for actions
that, without those limitations, might constitute breaches of
fiduciary duties of fiduciary duty... [page 179] The
Ensource Prospectus states that the Partnership has adopted
these provisions to allow the General Partner to take into
account the interests of other parties, in addition to the
interests of the Partnership, when resolving conflicts of
interest. [page 179]. The Trustee does not believe that
these modifications and restrictions are in the best interests
of the Trust Unitholders. |
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14. |
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions. In
considering the Revised Ensource Offer and the restriction of
the duties of the General Partner as described above, the
Trustee believes that Trust Unitholders should consider
Ensources description of the relationships and related
party transactions that will occur if the Revised Ensource Offer
is completed. These include Ensources plans to cause the
Partnership to reimburse Ensource and its members for the costs
of the Original Ensource Offer, the Revised Ensource Offer and
the Ensource Merger, and to cause the Partnership to reimburse
the General Partner for its costs and expenses as such,
including general and administrative and other services the
General Partner will provide to the Partnership. |
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15. |
Material Federal Income Tax Considerations. On behalf of
the Trust, the Trustee has considered the matters set forth in
the Ensource Prospectus as Material Federal Income Tax
Considerations on
pages 211-230 of
the Ensource Prospectus, and recommends that any Trust
Unitholder considering the Revised Ensource Offer read that
section carefully. The section describes an opinion that counsel
to Ensource has rendered relating to certain of the federal
income tax matters discussed in the Ensource Prospectus, but
notes that the opinion does not address specified federal tax
matters, and does not address foreign, state or local tax
matters. The discussion of Treatment of Short Sales
urges Trust Unitholders to avoid one of the tax risks of gain
recognition by modifying any applicable brokerage account
agreements to prohibit their brokers from loaning their Trust
Units. [page 219] In addition, the Trustee notes that the
Ensource Prospectus states that [i]t is the responsibility
of each common unitholder to investigate the legal and tax
consequences, under the laws of pertinent foreign jurisdictions,
states and localities, of his investment in us. Accordingly, we
strongly recommend that each prospective common unitholder
consult, and depend on, his own tax counsel or other advisor
with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility
of each common unitholder to file all foreign, state and local,
as well as United States federal tax returns that may be
required of him. [page 230] The Trustee recommends
that any Trust Unitholder considering the Revised Ensource Offer
consult his or her own tax advisor before making any decision. |
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16. |
Trustees Evaluation of the Benefits of the Revised
Ensource Offer and Merger to Trust Unitholders. On
pages 10-11 of the Ensource Prospectus, Ensource has set
forth the reasons Ensource believes the Revised Ensource Offer
and the Ensource Merger to be in the best interests of Trust
Unitholders. On behalf of the Trust, the Trustee has evaluated
each of these purported benefits, which are quoted in the column
on the left below directly from pages 10-11 of the Ensource
Prospectus. The statements below in the column on the right are
the Trustees comments on the asserted benefits. The
Trustee recommends that Trust Unitholders consider whether the
benefits of the Revised Ensource Offer, as described by
Ensource, are worth the risks of the Revised Ensource Offer,
also as described by Ensource in the Ensource Prospectus. |
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Ensources Description of the
Benefits of the Revised Ensource Offer
and Ensource Merger to Trust Unitholders: |
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Trustees Comments on the
Purported Benefits to Trust Unitholders: |
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active management of our assets, employing a business strategy
intended to maximize unitholder value through increases over the
long term in cash distributions to unitholders; [page 10] |
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The Trustee recognizes the possibility that an actively managed
business could increase unitholder value and could increase long
term cash distributions. However, the Trustee also recognizes
that an actively managed business involves greater risks than
the risks to which Trust Unitholders are subject. Further, the
Trustee believes that the Ensource plan to sell the Treasury
Bonds and utilize the proceeds in pursuit of its business plan,
rather than return the principal amount to the Trust Unitholders
at maturity, would increase substantially the risks to the
Unitholders. |
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for the Partnership, the implementation of an overall hedging
policy designed to ensure minimum economic returns on both the
legacy assets and on new acquisitions of net profits interests
from the Operating Company in the future; [page 10] |
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The Trustee recognizes that a hedging program can moderate
certain risks, such as the risk that natural gas prices will
decrease in the future. The Trustee notes, however, that any
hedging program will also have a cost, and may increase other
risks, such as a risk that holders will not benefit from future
gas price increases. |
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as an owner of common units, receiving a distribution of
available cash from operating surplus for each quarter after the
consummation of the Offer; see Our Cash Distribution
Policy and Restrictions on Distributions. [page 10] |
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The Trustee cannot predict whether distributions to common
unitholders from the Ensource Partnership would be greater or
less than distributions would have been to the Trust
Unitholders. The Trustee notes that the Ensource Prospectus
describes numerous reasons the Partnership might be unable to
make distributions at any particular level, and notes further
that distributions from the Ensource Partnership would be
subject to greater risks and greater expenses than distributions
from the Trust. The Trustee also notes that Ensource plans to
sell the Treasury Bonds, and that Depositary Unitholders who
exchange their units (voluntarily or involuntarily) for Ensource
Partnership units will therefore not receive the $20.00 per
Trust Unit in 2013 that they are to receive if they hold their
Trust Units to maturity of the Trust. The Trustee notes that
Unitholders who exchange their Trust Units in the Revised
Ensource Offer also will lose their right to a portion of the
proceeds of the Trustees sale of the royalty net profits
interests as required by the Trust documents in 2012-2013. |
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during the subordination period, which is defined in the
partnership agreement and in the glossary of terms attached as
Annex B [to the Ensource Prospectus], distributions on the
outstanding subordinated units will be subordinate and junior to
the right of holders of [Ensource] common units (including
former NGT unitholders who retain ownership of our common units)
to receive a distribution of not less than $0.50 per
quarter, or $2.00 annually, of available cash from operating
surplus. [page 10] |
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The Trustee does not believe that this constitutes a benefit to
Trust Unitholders when compared with their right to 100% of the
proceeds paid to the Trust after payment of Trust administrative
expenses, and to 100% of the principal amount of the Treasury
Bonds at maturity and to the proceeds of the sale of the royalty
net profits interests. If the Revised Ensource Offer is
completed, Trust Unitholders will no longer be entitled to 100%
of those proceeds after expenses or to 100% of the principal
amount of the Treasury Bonds at maturity or to the proceeds of
the sale of the royalty net profits interests. Further, the
Trustee notes that the subordination period can
terminate in a variety of different ways. See
pages B-2 B-3 attached to the Ensource
Prospectus. |
|
the sale by the Partnership of the $1,000 face amount United
States Treasury book-entry securities representing
stripped-interest coupons maturing May 13, 2013, which we
refer to as the zero coupon bonds, constituting a part of every
50 depositary units that we accept for exchange, which
bonds do not generate current cash income, and the investment by
the Partnership of the net proceeds from such sale in primarily
cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and
other high-quality debt maturing in one year or less from the
date of investment that pay current income pending the
application of those proceeds to purchase additional interests
in oil and natural gas properties; [pages 10-11] |
|
The Trustee believes that this constitutes more of a detriment
than a benefit to the Trust Unitholders. The Trustee recognizes
that the investment effectively made by holders of Trust
Depositary Units of a portion of their funds in the
U.S. Treasury Bonds held by the Depositary is a
conservative, low risk investment that does not generate current
cash income, and that a variety of different investments might
result in a higher rate of return than the Treasury Bonds
generate. However, the Trustee believes that Trust Unitholders
understand that a portion of their investment in the Trust is
effectively invested in the low risk Treasury Bonds, and the
Trustee believes that the Trust Unitholders consider the
Treasury Bonds an attractive feature of their investment in the
Trust Units. The Trustee believes that many Unitholders invested
in the Trust and continue to hold Trust Units specifically
because they like this aspect of their investment. The Trustee
notes that only a small fraction of Trust Unitholders have
exercised their right to separate their interest in the Treasury
Bonds from their Trust Units. |
8
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the Partnerships investment of the up to
$40.0 million contribution (with a minimum contribution of
$20.0 million if no depositary units are accepted for the
cash consideration) from the General Partner (less (i) up
to $20 million to be used to pay a portion of the cash
consideration for depositary units accepted by us for cash
consideration and (ii) the expenses of the offering,
estimated to total $8.6 million)) along with the net
proceeds from sale of the zero coupon bonds (estimated to total
up to approximately $84.1 million as of July 28, 2006,
assuming all of the depositary units are purchased for cash
consideration or tendered to us for exchange and based on recent
quotes for the zero coupon bonds) into the purchase of net
profits interests in producing oil and natural gas properties to
be acquired by the Operating Company; [page 11] |
|
The Trustee notes that the independent financial advisor
retained by the Trustee to evaluate the Revised Ensource Offer
has concluded that the Revised Ensource Offer is inadequate to
the Trust Unitholders from a financial point of view. The
Trustee further notes that the Trustees view of
Ensources proposed sale of the Treasury Bonds is discussed
immediately above. The Trustee believes that investors who
prefer a more aggressive investment strategy can easily identify
more aggressive investment opportunities, and that investors who
hold Trust Units understand their investment. |
|
the competitive advantage that the Partnership believes it will
have in the United States acquisition and divestiture market for
oil and natural gas producing properties by being one of the
few, actively-managed publicly-traded entities that is
flow-through to its owners for tax purposes. Based on our
structure, the Partnership can acquire net profits interests in
additional properties to be acquired by the Operating Company,
whereas the existing passive publicly-traded U.S. royalty
trusts, such as NGT, generally cannot replace reserves and/or
grow by acquiring new properties; [page 11] |
|
The Trustee believes that any Trust Unitholder who desires to
invest in the type of actively-managed entities described by
Ensource is already able to do so. The Trustee believes that
Trust Unitholders understand that the Trust cannot replace
reserves or grow, and that Trust Unitholders originally invested
in the Trust and continue to hold their Trust Units because they
find the Trust investment structure attractive. The Trustee
notes that the Ensource Prospectus cautions Trust Unitholders
that Ensource has not identified any properties meeting its
investment criteria, and that Ensource has no operating history
for Trust Unitholders to evaluate. The Trustee also notes that
the Ensource Prospectus states that a number of similar
investment alternatives are already available. |
|
Partnership revenues from net profits interests that we acquire
in the future on properties that the Operating Company may
acquire in the future, which we expect to be accretive to the
current revenues received per common unit from the existing net
profits interests from NGTs existing assets, or legacy
assets; [page 11] |
|
The Trustee recognizes that if the Revised Ensource Offer is
completed, the Operating Company may identify and may acquire
interests in properties, and that the Ensource Partnership may
then acquire net profits interests burdening those properties.
The Trustee notes, however, that Ensource states in its
Prospectus that no such properties have been identified, and
that any such acquisitions would be subject to all of the risks
described in the Ensource Prospectus. See pages 63-88 of
the Ensource Prospectus. |
9
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the possibility that the distribution rate per common unit will
be increased in the future as new properties are acquired by the
Operating Company and net profits interests are purchased on
those properties by the Partnership; [page 11] |
|
The Trustee recognizes the possibility that the distribution
rate per common unit could be increased if Ensource were
successful in implementing its business plan. However, the
Trustee also recognizes that there is no assurance that Ensource
would be successful and no assurance that the distribution rate
would increase, and that there is also a possibility that the
distribution rate would decrease. The Trustee notes that the
risks involved in the Ensource proposed business model are
substantially different from and greater than those involved
with the Trust, and notes that the Ensource proposal involves
the sale of the Treasury Bonds and use of the proceeds in the
business proposed by Ensource, rather than the distribution of
$20.00 per Trust Unit at maturity of the Treasury Bonds in
2013. |
|
unlike depositary units, the common units do not have to be
transferred in denominations of 50 or an integral multiple
thereof; and [page 11] |
|
The Trustee believes that although this may be a minor
convenience, it is not a material benefit to Trust Unitholders. |
|
the Partnerships expectation that its operations will not
generate unrelated business taxable income, or UBTI, for federal
income tax purposes, since the Partnership will neither acquire
working interests in oil and natural gas properties, nor incur
indebtedness. By avoiding UBTI, we believe that our equity
interests will appeal to tax-exempt investors, potentially
providing us a broader investor base than that of other
publicly-traded partnerships, which should assist us in
attracting funding for future acquisitions as we grow our
business. According to the public SEC filings of NGT, NGTs
trust units do not generate UBTI, so this feature of the
Partnership is similar to taxable income generated by NGT.
[page 11] |
|
As noted in the Ensource Prospectus, this would not constitute a
change, and the Trustee therefore does not believe that it can
be considered a benefit to Trust Unitholders. |
|
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17. |
Risk Factors Identified by Ensource. On behalf of the
Trust, the Trustee considered the 69 risk factors identified by
Ensource beginning on page 63 of the Ensource Prospectus.
The Trustee believes that any Unitholder considering tendering
Trust Units in the Revised Ensource Offer should read the entire
Ensource Prospectus carefully, including the section titled
Risk Factors. Of the risk factors Ensource
identifies as material risks for Unitholders, the Trustee
considered the following risks to be the most significant in its
evaluation of the Revised Ensource Offer. The following risks
are quoted directly from the Ensource Prospectus. The page
references are to the Ensource Prospectus, where Trust
Unitholders will find these statements as well as further
information about each of these risks, in addition to other
risks identified in the Ensource Prospectus. Trust Unitholders
should not interpret the Trustees highlighting of these
risk factors to mean that other risk factors identified in the
Ensource Prospectus are insignificant. Ensource has identified
many other risk factors as material risks to Trust Unitholders,
and Trust Unitholders are urged to consider all of them
carefully before determining whether to tender Trust Units in
the Revised Ensource Offer. |
10
QUOTES FROM ENSOURCE PROSPECTUS AND COMMENTS
REGARDING THE SELECTED RISK FACTORS
The second-step merger may not be approved by the trustee,
which could require us to seek equity financing to fund elements
of our business plan earlier than we would be required to do if
the second-step merger is consummated, and may adversely affect
the liquidity and value of non-tendered depositary units. In
such event, we will be the majority holder of NGTs
outstanding trust units. [page 63]
Ensource has pointed out that the Trust Agreement would
require the consent of the Trustee to the second-step merger
proposed by Ensource, and that if the Trustee declines to
consent to the second-step merger, Ensource may not be able to
effect the second-step merger. Ensource has further pointed out
that if it is unable to effect the second-step merger, it would
not have access to all of the Treasury Bonds, and thus might
need to seek equity financing to fund future acquisitions
earlier than it would be required to do if the second-step
merger were completed. Under the current Trust structure,
Trust Unitholders are not exposed to any such risk.
Depositary unitholders were not independently represented
in establishing the terms of the Offer, and consequently the
terms of the Offer may have been materially different if
depositary unitholders had been independently represented.
[page 64]
Ensource has pointed out that it did not engage any independent
representative of the Trust Unitholders for purposes of
negotiating the terms of the Revised Ensource Offer, and that it
did not obtain any fairness opinion, appraisal or other report
related to the Revised Ensource Offer from any unaffiliated
third party, and that as a result, the exchange rate and other
terms of the Revised Ensource Offer may not be as favorable as
the terms that might have been obtained had an independent
representative been retained or a fairness opinion requested.
The terms of the current Trust structure, on the other hand,
were the result of an arms-length negotiation process
between Eastern American, as the sponsor of the Trust, and
representatives of the underwriters of the offering of the
Trust Units, who structured the offering of the
Trust Units on terms that the representatives correctly
believed would be attractive to potential purchasers of the
Trust Units.
We are a new partnership with no operating history, and we
might not be able to operate our business or implement our
operating policies and strategies successfully, which could
negatively impact our ability to pay distributions and cause you
to lose all or part of your investment. [page 65]
Ensource has pointed out that the Partnership is a new entity,
has not commenced acquisition operations, and is subject to all
of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new
business venture, including the risk that it will not achieve
its investment objectives. The terms of the current Trust
structure, on the other hand, prohibit the Trust from engaging
in business operations. Consequently, under the current Trust
structure, Trust Unitholders are not exposed to any such
risks.
Our future distributions and proved reserves will be
dependent upon the success of the Operating Companys, and
thus Ensources, efforts to acquire, manage and develop oil
and natural gas properties that conform to the acquisition
profile described in this prospectus. [page 66]
Ensource has pointed out that its business plan for the
Partnership is to acquire net profits interests from the
Operating Company in oil and natural gas properties that the
Operating Company acquires in the future. Ensource has further
noted that there are risks that the Operating Company may be
unable to acquire properties on acceptable terms, and that, even
if acquisitions are completed, there are a number of risks
associated with acquisitions. Under the current Trust structure,
Trust Unitholders are not exposed to any such risks.
We have not identified any specific property meeting our
investment objectives in which to invest available cash after
the second-step merger. [page 67]
Ensource has pointed out that it has not identified any specific
property that meets its investment objectives, and that
consequently Trust Unitholders will not be able to evaluate
the manner in which Ensource invests or the economic merits of
any investments it makes prior to the Unitholders exchange
of
11
Trust Units for interests in the Ensource Partnership.
Under the current Trust structure, Trust Unitholders are
not exposed to any such risks.
We will initially invest our funds in interest bearing
accounts and securities which may produce annual interest
payments to us that are less than the expenses we pay indirectly
to Ensource, thus the initial return on your investment may be
lower than when our portfolio is fully invested in properties
that meet our investment objectives. [page 67]
Ensource has pointed out that the expenses the Partnership will
pay indirectly to Ensource may exceed the annual interest
payments it may earn on its initial investments. Under the
current Trust structure, the Trust distributes all of the
Trusts cash receipts after payment of or provision for
Trust administrative expenses.
We may not have sufficient cash to enable us to pay the
minimum quarterly distribution. [page 68]
Ensource has pointed out that the Partnerships ability to
pay quarterly distributions of $0.50 per common and
subordinated unit each quarter will depend on a number of
factors, including those described on pages 68-69 of the
Ensource Prospectus. The vast majority of the factors that could
adversely affect the Partnerships ability to make
distributions at any particular level, including factors
relating to the costs of acquisitions, costs of debt service,
costs of hedging activities, working capital needs, and
restrictions on distributions contained in a credit facility, if
any, are not relevant to the Trust under the current Trust
structure, and are not risks to the Trust Unitholders under
the current Trust structure.
High oil and natural gas prices may increase the
availability of alternative sources of capital and reduce the
availability of suitable properties that constitute the
Operating Companys targeted investments.
[page 69]
Ensource has pointed out that energy companies are generally
experiencing strong financial results and cash flows, and
therefore are not inclined to sell producing properties as a
means of generating cash, and that this and other factors may
reduce the availability of suitable properties for acquisition.
Under the current Trust structure, the Trust does not engage in
any acquisition activities, and therefore these risks are
irrelevant to Trust Unitholders.
The Operating Company may not be able to compete for
acquisition opportunities with competitors who may have greater
resources or have a lower cost of capital, thus allowing them to
pay more for assets. This disparity may cause the operating
company to lose investment opportunities and thus not be able to
implement its business plan. [page 70]
Ensource has pointed out that the Operating Company is a
newly-formed entity with no operating history or established
funding source, and would be operating in a highly competitive
environment for acquiring properties, marketing oil and natural
gas and securing trained personnel, and competing with public
and private companies, investment banks, private equity funds,
institutional investors and high net worth individuals, many of
which competitors would be substantially larger and have
considerably greater financial, technical and marketing
resources than the Operating Company has, and that these and
other factors could cause the Operating Company to lose
investment opportunities and thus be unable to implement its
business plan. Under the current Trust structure, the Trust does
not engage in any acquisition activities, and therefore these
risks are irrelevant to Trust Unitholders.
Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas are high
risk activities with many uncertainties that could adversely
affect the Operating Companys, and thus, our business,
financial condition or results of operations.
[page 71]
Ensource has pointed out that the Operating Companys
proposed oil and natural gas development and production
activities would be subject to numerous risks beyond the
Operating Companys control. Under the current Trust
structure, the Trust holds net profits interests in producing
natural gas properties, and therefore the risks of development
and production, while not irrelevant, are of far less
significance to Trust Unitholders.
12
Substantial acquisitions or other transactions could
require significant external capital and could change the
Operating Companys, and thus our, risk and property
profile. [page 72]
Ensource has pointed out that the characteristics and risk
profiles of properties the Operating Company may acquire or
attempt to acquire could adversely affect the Operating
Companys ability to obtain external funding for
acquisitions and/or to issue equity securities in order to fund
acquisitions. Under the current Trust structure, the Trust does
not engage in any acquisition activities, and therefore these
risks are irrelevant to Trust Unitholders.
Properties that the Operating Company buys may not produce
as projected, and it may be unable to identify liabilities
associated with the properties or obtain protection from sellers
against them. [page 72]
Ensource has pointed out that its business strategy includes a
continuing acquisition program by the Operating Company, and
that the Operating Companys assessment of properties being
evaluated for possible purchase will not reveal all existing or
potential problems or permit the Operating Company to become
familiar enough with the properties to assess fully their
capabilities and deficiencies. Under the current Trust
structure, the Trust does not engage in any acquisition
activities, and therefore these acquisition risks are irrelevant
to Trust Unitholders.
The Operating Company may incur substantial losses and be
subject to substantial liability claims as a result of the
Operating Companys oil and natural gas operations. These
losses and liability claims could materially and adversely
affect the cash we receive. [page 73]
Ensource has pointed out that losses and liabilities arising
from uninsured and underinsured events at the Operating Company
could materially and adversely affect the cash the Partnership
would receive under the net profits interests it intends to
acquire. Under the current Trust structure, the Trust holds net
profits interests in producing natural gas properties, and
therefore the risks of uninsured and underinsured events at the
properties in which the Trust holds net profits interests, while
not irrelevant, are of far less significance to
Trust Unitholders.
Under the terms of the net profits interests, much of the
economic risk of the underlying oil and natural gas properties
is passed along to us. [page 75]
Ensource has pointed out that under the terms of the proposed
net profits interests that the Partnership would purchase from
the Operating Company, virtually all costs that may be incurred
in connection with the oil and natural gas properties, including
overhead costs that are not subject to an annual reimbursement
limit, would be deducted as production costs or excess
production costs in determining amounts payable to the
Partnership. Under the current Trust structure, the costs
deducted in the determination of the net profits proceeds
payable to the Trust are well-defined, and the overhead
reimbursement payable to Eastern American is specified in the
Trust documents, and Unitholders have the benefit of actual
historical cost data relating to all of these costs and
reimbursement amounts.
If the Operating Company acquires properties with
significant development, exploitation, enhanced recovery or
other capital costs, operations by the Operating Company could
require substantial capital expenditures, which will reduce cash
available payable to us on the net profits interest royalties
that we acquire in the future from the Operating Company in
respect of such properties. [page 76]
Ensource has pointed out that the Operating Company expects to
make substantial capital expenditures in its business and
operations for the acquisition, development and production of
oil and natural gas reserves, and that development and
production expenditures would reduce the net profits generated
in respect of the properties on which such expenditures are
incurred, which in turn would reduce the amounts payable to the
Partnership in respect of its net profits interests.
Under the current Trust structure, the Trust holds net profits
interests in producing natural gas properties, and therefore the
risk that substantial capital expenditures might be required at
the properties in which the Trust holds net profits interests,
while not irrelevant, is of far less significance to
Trust Unitholders.
13
The Operating Companys use of oil and natural gas
price hedging contracts involves credit risk and may limit
future revenues from price increases and result in significant
fluctuations in its net income. [page 77]
Ensource has pointed out that the Operating Company intends to
enter into forward sales contracts that will involve credit risk
and risk of financial loss in some circumstances, which may
limit the benefit it would have otherwise received from
increases in the price for oil and natural gas. The Trust does
not engage in any hedging activities, and therefore the risks of
doing so are irrelevant to the Trust Unitholders under the
current Trust structure.
The Partnerships use of oil and natural gas price
hedging contracts involves credit risk and may limit future
revenues from price increases and result in significant
fluctuations in its net income. [page 77]
Ensource has pointed out that the Partnership also anticipates
that it will enter into financial hedging transactions that will
expose the Partnership to risk of financial loss in some
circumstances. The Trust does not engage in any hedging
activities, and therefore the risks of doing so are irrelevant
to the Trust Unitholders under the current Trust structure.
Our future distributions may be reduced as a result of our
governance structure. There is no guarantee that common
unitholders will receive quarterly distributions from us. Our
distribution policy is subject to specified restrictions and may
be changed at any time. . . . [W]e may lack
sufficient cash to pay distributions to our unitholders due to
increases in general and administrative expenses, working
capital requirements and anticipated cash needs.
[page 78]
Ensource has pointed out that future distributions by the
Partnership may be reduced as a result of its governance
structure, and that the amount of distributions paid under its
policy and the decision to make any distribution is at the
discretion of the General Partner. Under the current Trust
structure, the Trust distributes all of the Trusts cash
receipts after payment of or provision for Trust administrative
expenses.
The General Partner and the Operating Company do not
currently have any employees nor have they contracted for any
oil and natural gas professionals. If they are unable to hire
adequately employees or contract for such oil and natural gas
professionals, they may not be able execute the Operating
Companys business plan. [page 78]
Ensource has pointed out that the Partnership and its affiliates
are newly created companies with no operating history and do not
have any employees other than the senior management described in
the Ensource Prospectus. Ensource has further noted that if the
Operating Company is unable to hire employees or contract for
oil and natural gas professionals when it is ready to do so,
that could delay execution of the Operating Companys
business plan. Under the current Trust structure, the Trust does
not have or require any employees. The properties in which the
Trust holds net profits interests are operated by Eastern
American, and the administrative functions of the Trust are
fulfilled by the Trustee.
We may issue additional common units without your
approval, which would dilute your existing ownership interests.
[page 81]
Ensource has pointed out that the General Partner could cause
the Partnership to issue an unlimited number of additional
limited partner interests, including interests senior to the
common units, without the approval of the common unitholders,
which could have a number of adverse effects on the common
unitholders. The Trust cannot issue additional Trust Units
without the consent of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding Trust Units, and therefore this is not a risk
to Trust Unitholders under the current Trust structure.
Cost reimbursements due our General Partner may be
substantial and will reduce the cash available to you.
[page 81]
Ensource has pointed out that the General Partner would have the
sole discretion to determine the amount of reimbursable expenses
to be paid by the Partnership. Under the current Trust
structure, the
14
reimbursable expenses incurred by the Trust are determined by
the Trustee, and Unitholders have the benefit of actual
historical expense data.
If we issue senior securities, such as preferred units, we
will be exposed to additional risks, which could negatively
impact our ability to pay you distributions and cause you to
lose all or part of your investment. [page 84]
Ensource has pointed out that the Partnership may issue
preferred securities, which would be senior to the common units
with respect to rights to distributions and/or in liquidation,
and that doing so would entail certain risks, the occurrence of
any of which could negatively affect the Partnerships
ability to pay distributions and cause holders to lose all or
part of their investment. The Trust cannot issue preferred
securities without the consent of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding Trust Units, and therefore this is not a
risk to Trust Unitholders under the current Trust structure.
If you are a depositary unitholder you may recognize gain
from our sale of zero coupon bonds even if you do not receive
cash distributions from us as a result of the sale.
[page 85]
Ensource has pointed out that Ensource intends to sell the
Treasury Bonds and that a Trust Unitholder might have gain
allocated to him as a result of the sale of the Treasury Bonds
that he would be required to take into account in computing his
federal income tax liability, even though no cash distribution
would be made to him by the Partnership. The Trust cannot sell
the Treasury Bonds, and therefore this is not a risk to
Trust Unitholders under the current Trust structure.
A successful IRS contest of the federal income tax
positions we take may adversely affect the market for our common
units, and the cost of any IRS contest will be borne by our
common unitholders and our General Partner.
[page 85]
Ensource has pointed out that it has not requested any ruling
from the IRS with respect to any matter affecting the
Partnership, and that the IRS may adopt positions that differ
from the conclusions of counsel to Ensource or from the
positions Ensource may take, and that the costs of any contest
with the IRS would be borne indirectly by holders of common
units in the Partnership and the General Partner. The Trust has
been in existence since 1993, and the IRS has not contested the
tax status of the Trust to date.
You may be required to pay taxes on your share of our
income even if you do not receive any cash distributions from
us. [page 85]
Ensource has pointed out that holders of interests in the
Ensource Partnership will be required to pay taxes on their
share of the Partnerships taxable income even if they do
not receive cash distributions from the Partnership. Under the
current Trust structure, Trust Unitholders must similarly
pay taxes on their share of the Trusts taxable income, but
Trust Unitholders have the benefit of historical data to
judge the risk that the Trust will generate taxable income
without cash distributions.
Tax gain or loss on disposition of common units could be
different than expected. [page 85]
Ensource has pointed out that taxable gain or loss on the sale
of Ensource Partnership units could be different than a holder
might expect. Taxable gain or loss on the sale of
Trust Units also could be different than a
Trust Unitholder might expect.
Our General Partner and its management team have no
experience managing a publicly traded partnership, and we cannot
assure you that their past experience will be sufficient to
manage the Partnership. [page 86]
Ensource has pointed out that the General Partners senior
management team lacks experience in managing a publicly traded
partnership with a business plan and a cash distribution policy
as described in the Ensource Prospectus, and that their lack of
experience may hinder their ability to take advantage of
attractive investment opportunities and achieve investment
objectives. The Trust does not engage in any business
activities, and therefore these types of risks are irrelevant to
Trust Unitholders under the current Trust structure.
15
Our General Partner will have conflicts of interest.
[page 86]
Ensource has pointed out that its General Partner will have
conflicts of interest. Because of the passive nature of the
Trust and the limited role of the Trustee in administering the
Trust, Trust Unitholders are not exposed to the same
conflicts of interest under the current Trust structure.
Trust Unitholders are cautioned that in most cases the
foregoing quotes from the Ensource Prospectus are only the
headings of less than half of the risk factors identified
by Ensource in the Ensource Prospectus as material risks to you.
Unitholders are urged to read the actual text of all of the risk
factors in their entirely before making a decision to tender
units in the Revised Ensource Offer.
18. Other Matters Identified by Ensource. On behalf
of the Trust, the Trustee recommends that any
Trust Unitholder who is considering tendering
Trust Units in the Revised Ensource Offer read the entire
Ensource Prospectus and the exhibits to the Ensource Prospectus
carefully. Without limiting this recommendation in any way, the
Trustee recommends that any Trust Unitholder who is
considering tendering Trust Units in the Revised Ensource
Offer pay particular attention to the sections titled:
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Risk Factors [page 63]; |
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Background and Reasons for and Alternatives to the Offer
and Second-Step Merger [page 91]; |
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The Offer [page 95] |
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The Second-Step Merger and Post-Merger Exchange
Process [page 113] |
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Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on
Distributions [page 116] |
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Partnership Agreement Provisions Relating to Cash
Distributions [page 127] |
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Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
[page 177] |
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Description of Partnership Common Units
[page 186] |
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Description of the Subordinated Common Units
[page 188] |
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Description of our Partnership Agreement
[page 190] |
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Material Federal Income Tax Consequences
[page 211]; and |
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the form of the Partnership Agreement, which is Annex A to
the Ensource Prospectus
[page A-1]. |
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Item 5. |
Person/ Assets, Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used. |
The Trust retained Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin
Financial Advisors, Inc. to assist the Trust with an independent
analysis of the adequacy, from a financial point of view, of the
Revised Ensource Offer to the Trust Unitholders. The
material terms of the compensation arrangement with Houlihan
Lokey effectively required the Trust to pay Houlihan Lokey
(i) $100,000 upon execution of the engagement letter,
(ii) an additional $50,000 per month during the term
of the engagement, and (iii) $325,000, less payments made
pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii), but not less than an
additional $100,000, upon Houlihan Lokeys delivery of its
written opinion regarding the adequacy of the Revised Ensource
Offer or notification to the Trustee that it was prepared to
render such an opinion.
In addition, the Trust retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to
assist in advising the Trust Unitholders of any
recommendation the Trust ultimately made. The material terms of
the compensation arrangement with MacKenzie Partners, Inc. are
that the Trust is to pay MacKenzie Partners, Inc. a fee to be
mutually agreed upon at the completion of its assignment with an
initial retainer fee of $7,500. In addition, the Trust is
required to reimburse MacKenzie Partners, Inc.s
reasonable, actual
out-of-pocket expenses,
including: telephone and telecopier charges; copying costs;
messenger services; electronic news distribution; news wire
service charges; data processing; and mailing, postage and
courier costs.
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Item 6. |
Interest in Securities of the Subject Company. |
To the knowledge of the Trust and the Trustee, none of the
Trust, the Trustee nor any affiliate of either of them effected
any transaction in the Units during the past 60 days. The
Trust has no executive officers, directors or persons performing
similar functions, and has no subsidiaries.
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Item 7. |
Purposes of the Transaction and Plans or Proposals. |
(a) Neither the Trust nor the Trustee is undertaking or
engaged in any negotiations in response to the Revised Ensource
Offer that relate to: (i) a tender offer or other
acquisition of the Trusts Units by the Trust or the
Trustee, any of their subsidiaries or any other person,
(ii) any extraordinary transaction, such as a merger,
reorganization or liquidation, involving the Trust or any of its
subsidiaries, (iii) any purchase, sale or transfer of a
material amount of assets of the Trust or any of its
subsidiaries, or (v) any material change in the present
distribution rate or policy, or indebtedness or capitalization
of the Trust.
(b) There are no transactions, board resolutions,
agreements in principle or signed contracts that were entered
into by the Trust or the Trustee in response to the Revised
Ensource Offer that relate to one or more of the matters
described in Item 7(a).
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Item 8. |
Additional Information. |
As set forth in the Ensource Prospectus, if the Revised Ensource
Offer is completed, Ensource intends to attempt to cause a
second step merger in which all Trust Units then held by
all non-tendering Trust Unitholders would be converted by
operation of law into the right to receive Ensource partnership
units. However, as also set forth in the Ensource Prospectus,
Ensource cannot complete the second step merger without the
consent of the Trustee. The Trustee has not yet made a
determination whether it would consent to the second step merger
if the Revised Ensource Offer is completed, because there has
been no need to make that determination; however, at present,
the Trustee does not expect that it would consent to the second
step merger if requested to do so. If the Revised Ensource Offer
is completed, and if the Trustee declines to consent to the
second step merger, Ensource has stated that it intends to take
action to attempt to cause the Trustee to consent. Ensource has
stated in the Ensource Prospectus that its efforts to cause the
Trustee to consent might include replacing JPMorgan Chase Bank,
N.A., as Trustee, with a new trustee in order to obtain a
consent from the new trustee. The Trustee is unable to predict
the outcome of any such effort if it were to occur.
(a) Exhibit 99.1 Notice to Unit Holders
dated August 10, 2006
(b) Exhibit 99.2 Press Release dated
August 10, 2006
Annexes
Annex A Opinion of Independent Financial Advisor
Annex B Letter from Eastern American Energy
Corporation
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SIGNATURE
After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is
true, complete and correct.
Date: August 10, 2006
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EASTERN AMERICAN |
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NATURAL GAS TRUST |
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By: |
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., |
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Mike Ulrich |
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Vice President |
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Annex A
Opinion of Independent
Financial Advisor
August 1, 2006
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
as Trustee for the Eastern American Natural Gas Trust
700 Lavaca, 2nd Floor
Austin, TX 78701-3102
Attn: Mr. Mike Ulrich, Vice President
Dear Mr. Ulrich:
We understand that on June 3, July 2, and July 31, 2006, Ensource Energy Income Fund L.P. (the
Partnership), a recently formed Delaware master limited partnership, filed amendments to its
previously filed Form S-41 (as amended, the Form S-4) with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, which outlined alternate structures to purchase and/or exchange the outstanding
depositary units (Units) of the Eastern American Natural Gas Trust (the Trust or NGT), that
are held through a depositary arrangement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the Trustee), for
common units of the Partnership that represent limited partnership interests in the Partnership.
The Partnership has amended a previous offer to include either (i) $31.00 in cash (without
interest) to purchase up to 2,950,001 outstanding Units of NGT or (ii) the exchange of the Units
for newly issued common units of the Partnership and a pro rata share of a special cash
distribution of up to $5.9 million for each outstanding Unit tendered to the Partnership (holders
of the Units who choose the $31.00 cash purchase do not participate in $5.9 million special cash
distribution, those that tender Units under the exchange will be paid a pro rata share of the
special cash distribution) and the total amount of special cash distribution will be reduced
proportionately based on the percentage of Units accepted for cash purchase. Such previous offer
as so amended and described in the Form S-4 is hereafter referred to as the Exchange Offer.
Ensource Energy LLC (the General Partner) has acquired the general partner interest in the
Partnership from Ensource Energy Partners, which was dissolved upon the completion of the
transaction, on May 11, 2006. The General Partner has received capital commitments of $40.0 million
from Lehman Brothers, Inc. (Lehman) and the Ospraire Parties (Ospraire).
We also understand that the purpose of the Exchange Offer is for the Partnership to acquire
control of, and ultimately the entire interest in, NGT. According to the NGT Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, there were 5,900,000 Units outstanding, which
includes 19,900 withdrawn trust Units1 or 0.03% of the total outstanding Units. The
Partnership intends, promptly
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1 |
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The Partnership filed Amended Forms S-4 on
September 15, October 17, November 4, November 15, and 17, 2005 as well as June 3,
July 2 and July 31, 2006 and was declared effective on July 31, 2006. |
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NGTs depositary agreement permits holders of Units to withdraw from the depositary the Trust
Units and the Treasury Bond that such Units represent. Under the agreement, such Units can be
redeposited with the Trustee and regain the same rights as the other outstanding Units. |
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Mr. Mike Ulrich
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August 1, 2006 |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
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- 2 - |
after completion of the Exchange Offer, to seek to have NGT
consummate a second-step merger (the Second-Step Merger) with and into the Partnership. Upon
consummation of the Second-Step Merger in which the Partnership opts for the Partnership Merger
approach, NGT will be merged into the Partnership, with the Partnership continuing as the surviving
entity (the separate existence of NGT will cease). Alternatively, the Partnership may choose the
Subsidiary Merger approach in the Second-Step Merger, under which NGT will be merged with a
newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership, with NGT as surviving entity (NGT will
continue to exist as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership). The Subsidiary Merger
approach being contemplated by the Partnership due to the fact that Eastern American Corporation
has advised the Partnership of its opinion that if NGT does not survive the Second-Step Merger, the
gas contracts with Eastern American Corporation will terminate. If the General Partner decides to
choose the Subsidiary Merger approach, the Partnership would become the trustee of NGT and would
further amend the Trust Agreement2 to delete the provisions of that agreement that are
obsolete, inapplicable or unnecessary because NGT would not longer have public unitholders. In the
Second-Step Merger, (i) each remaining Unit (other than withdrawn Units) not exchanged in the
Exchange Offer would be converted into the right to receive one whole common unit of the
Partnership, and (ii) each Unit that is not evidenced by an NGT receipt (a withdrawn trust Unit),
would be converted into the right to receive 0.4 common units of the Partnership.
We understand that upon completion of the Exchange Offer the General Partner will contribute
up to $40.0 million (with a minimum of $20.0 million if no Units are accepted for the cash
consideration), and will receive:
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A 1% general partner interest in the Partnership; |
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Up to 645,161 common units in the Partnership (based on contribution made); |
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567,741 subordinated units; |
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Incentive Distribution Rights (the IDR); and |
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The General Partner will purchase for $500,000 a three-year warrant to purchase a total of 1,000,000 common units at an exercise price of $38.00 per unit. |
In addition, Third Point Partners LP and Third Point Partners Qualified, L.P. (collectively
the Third Point Parties) upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, will purchase up to $71.5
million in common units of the Partnership for $31.00 per common unit. At the closing of the
Exchange Offer, the Third Point Parties will receive a put premium of up to $5,005,000, which is
equal to 7% of the aggregate purchase price of Third Point Parties purchased Units, subject to a
minimum of $1,750,000. The Third Point Parties will be paid an annual administrative fee of
$50,000 if the Third Point Parties own at least 500,000 of common units on each anniversary of the
Exchange Offer. In addition, the General Partner has agreed pursuant to a participation agreement
that upon receipt of cash by the General Partner pursuant to the IDR, whether as a result of (i) a
distribution by the Partnership of available cash; (ii) any other distribution of cash made by the
Partnership prior to, during or after the quarter in which a liquidation occurs or (iii) any cash
received upon the sale or other disposition of the IDR, the General Partner will pay to the Third Point Parties up to 15% of the cash received.
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1 |
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The Trust Agreement was signed between Eastern
American Corporation, Bank of Corporation, Bank of Montreal Trust Company and
Wilmington Trust Company. |
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Mr. Mike Ulrich
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August 1, 2006 |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
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- 3 - |
Upon closing of the Second-Step Merger and assuming 50% of the outstanding Units are purchased
for cash pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer, the Partnerships assets will consist of the
$117.6 million face amount of a zero-coupon U.S. Treasury Bond due May 15, 2013 (market value of
$83.9 million as of July 25, 2006), the existing net profit interests (net profit interests or
NPI) of NGT (with a net present value of the estimated proved reserves, discounted at 10%, of
$114.3 million as of December 31, 2005) and up to approximately $9.4 million (after payment of the
expenses of the Exchange Offer, put premium, and the special cash distribution contributed by the
General Partner upon the closing of the Exchange Offer). We understand the Partnerships net cash
of up to $9.4 million plus the proceeds from the sale of the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury Bond (which
the General Partner has indicated will be sold promptly after the completion of the merger) will be
invested in the purchase of net profit interests in producing oil and natural gas properties that
will be identified and acquired by Ensource Reserves, an affiliate of the General Partner.
You have requested our opinion (the Opinion) as to the adequacy of the Exchange Offer from
the financial point of view to the holders of the Units.
The Opinion does not address: (i) the Partnerships and General Partners underlying business
decision to effect the Exchange Offer; (ii) the Trustees underlying business decision to endorse,
reject, or remain neutral with respect to the Exchange Offer; (iii) the structure of the Exchange
Offer, the form of or amount of consideration to be paid by the Partnership in connection with the
Exchange Offer or by the General Partner for the interests it receives, or any aspects of the
Exchange Offer, except as set forth in this Opinion; (iv) the tax or legal consequences of the
Exchange Offer, including but not limited to tax or legal consequences to the holders of the
Units, or any other party; (v) the relative merits of the Exchange Offer as compared to any
alternative business strategies that might exist for the Trust; (vi) the fairness of any aspect of
the Exchange Offer; (vii) the adequacy of any aspect of the Exchange Offer not expressly addressed
in this Opinion; (viii) any aspect of the Second-Step Merger; (ix) any aspect of the consideration
contributed by the General Partners to the Partnership or of the consideration received by the
General Partners from the Partnership; or (x) any of the transactions involving Lehman, Ospraire
or the Third Point Parties. Furthermore, at your request, we have not negotiated the Exchange
Offer or advised you with respect to alternatives to it. We have not been requested to and did not
solicit third party indications of interest in acquiring all or any part of the outstanding Units
or make any recommendation as to the form or amount of consideration to be received by the holders
of the Units in connection with the Exchange Offer.
In connection with this Opinion, we have made such reviews, analyses and inquiries as we have
deemed necessary and appropriate under the circumstances. Among other things, we have:
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reviewed the Trusts annual reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2005, and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2005, and March 31, 2006; |
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reviewed the Form S-4 (and including all amendments thereto) as well as Form of Amended
Limited Liability Company Agreement, Certificate of Formation, Limited Liability Company
Agreement, Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Units, Subscription Agreement, Common Unit
Purchase Agreement, and Participation Agreement; |
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reviewed the Prospectus dated as of July 31, 2006; |
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reviewed certain other publicly available financial data regarding for certain
companies that we deem comparable to the Trust as well as to the proposed Partnership; and |
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conducted such other studies, analysis and inquiries as we have deemed appropriate. |
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Mr. Mike Ulrich
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August 1, 2006 |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
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The Trust is a passively managed business without a management team. The Trustee serves in an
administrative capacity only, with its primary focus to provide depositary/accounting services
related to the receipt and distribution of Trust revenues and expenses. We have not discussed the
business of the Trust with the Trustee or with any of the companies that control the working
interests in the Trusts properties. The Trust has not provided any financial information to
Houlihan Lokey, other than information available in filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
We have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and
completeness of the financial and other information, furnished, or otherwise made available, to
us, discussed with or reviewed by us, or publicly available, and do not assume any
responsibility with respect to such data, material and other information.
We have not independently verified the accuracy and completeness of the information supplied
to us with respect to the Trust, the Partnership or the General Partner and do not assume any
responsibility with respect to it. Furthermore, we have not been requested to make, and have not
made, any physical inspection or independent appraisal of the net proved reserve estimates
attributable to the interests of the Trust or evaluation of any of the assets, properties or
liabilities of the Trust or the Partnership. Our Opinion is necessarily based on business,
economic, market and other conditions as they exist and can be evaluated by us at the date of this
letter. We have not undertaken, and are under no obligation, to update, revise, reaffirm or
withdraw this Opinion, or otherwise comment on or consider events occurring after the date of this
letter. Finally, we are expressing no opinion herein with respect to the prices at which the Units
have traded or may trade subsequent to the disclosure or consummation of the Exchange Offer, or as
to the future price of common units of the Partnership.
We express no opinion as to whether any of holders of Units should participate in (or reject)
the Exchange Offer and this Opinion does not constitute a recommendation as to whether or not to
accept the Exchange Offer.
Based upon, and subject to the foregoing, it is our Opinion that the Exchange Offer is
inadequate from a financial point of view to the holders of the Units.
HOULIHAN LOKEY HOWARD & ZUKIN FINANCIAL ADVISORS, INC.
Annex B
Letter from Eastern
American Energy Corporation
Annex B
[Letterhead of Eastern American Energy Corporation]
June 21, 2006
Mr. Mike Ulrich, Vice President
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
700 Lavaca 2nd Floor
Austin Texas 78701
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Re:
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Eastern American Natural Gas Trust/Ensource Energy Income Fund, L.P. |
Dear Mr. Ulrich:
JPMorgan Chase, N. A. acts as the Trustee of the Eastern American Natural Gas Trust (Trust)
of which Eastern American Energy Corporation (Eastern American) is the Sponsor. As you know,
Eastern American operates the properties for the Trust in accordance with all of the underlying
documents pursuant to which the Trust was formed and owns a working interest in the wells from
which the Net Profit Interest was created. The Trustee is aware of Ensource Energy Income Fund,
L.P.s (Ensource) original filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to a proposed exchange offer pursuant to which Ensource
offered to exchange its common units representing limited partner interests, for the outstanding
Depositary Units of the Trust. More recently on May 15, 2006, Ensource filed an Amendment No. 6 to
Form S-4 to its Registration Statement in order to modify the original exchange offer made to the
Unitholders of the Trust. The Registration Statement specifies that Ensource is offering to (i)
pay $31.00 in cash, without interest, to purchase up to 2,950,001 Depositary Units of the Trust or
(ii) exchange one (1) newly issued common unit of Ensource and pay a pro rata share of a cash
distribution of $5.9 million as such is reduced in the manner described in the Registration
Statement for each outstanding Depositary Unit that is tendered to Ensource (the Offer).
The purpose of the cash tender and the exchange offer is for Ensource to acquire control of
the Trust and ultimately acquire the entire interest in the Trust. The Offer is the first step of
Ensources plan to acquire all of the outstanding Trust Units of the Trust and the associated
fractional interest in the Treasury Units that are held by the Depositary as evidenced by the
Depositary Units. The Registration Statement specifies that Ensource intends, after the
conclusion of the Offer, to seek to have the Trust consummate a second step merger with and into
Ensource or, alternatively, a newly-formed wholly-owned subsidiary of Ensource. In the second step
merger, each remaining Depositary Unit that was not validly tendered and accepted by Ensource for
the cash consideration or the exchange consideration, pursuant to the Offer would be converted into
the right to receive one (1) whole common unit of Ensource or, in the case of Trust Units withdrawn
from the Depositary arrangement and therefor, not evidenced by a Trust Unit, converted into the
right to receive 0.4 of a common unit of Ensource. The immediate effect of such a transaction
would, upon the consummation of the second step merger, cause the existing Unitholders to be
diluted from their existing 100% interest in the Net Profit Interest presently held by the Trust to
a 51% interest when owned by Ensource (see page 45 of Registration Statement).
As a result of the foregoing and the result of numerous other factors that remain to be
recited herein, Eastern American has not changed its opinion that it would not be in the best
interest of the Unitholders to accept Ensources modified offer and as such Eastern American
believes that the modified Offer should be rejected.
The cash consideration offered by Ensource of $91.2 million closely approximates the present
value of the U. S. Treasury bonds associated with the Depositary Units. The value of the U. S.
Treasury bonds had, according to Ensources Registration Statement, a market value of $82.2 million
as of May 1, 2006. Ensource is funding the transaction with the Unitholders value of the U. S.
Treasury bonds. The Unitholders can presently strip the U. S. Treasury bonds from the Depositary
Units and recognize the value from the bonds so Ensource is not offering any true premium since the
Unitholders already are entitled to and own a substantial portion of such cash value.
Ensource also appears to be making an issue with respect to the expenses associated with
operating the Trust. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the Trust expenses were
$1,474,570, however, $725,798 of these expenses were associated with incremental expenses incurred
by the Trust in reviewing and protecting the interests of the Unitholders with respect to
Ensources original Registration Statement. Ensource does estimate Trust expenses for 2006 to be
$774,979, however, by its own admission, Ensources general and administrative expenses may be as
much as $2.42 million for the twelve (12) months ended March 31, 2007. This level of expense would
constitute a three hundred percent (300%) increase over the estimated costs of the Trust for 2006.
The existing Trust documents limit the expenditures of the Trust whereas the Ensource proposal
has no such protections and even provides for the payment of an employee bonus plan.
Eastern American reiterates all of its comments contained in its letter of July 29, 2005,
which identified the principal concerns that Eastern American had with respect to the original
offer. Eastern American has previously stated, and continues to believe, that the proposed
transaction totally eviscerates the original intent and structure of the Trust and adds substantial
adverse business risks and costs to the Unitholders. Accordingly, Eastern American believes
that as such the Offer is not in the best interests of the existing Unitholders.
We believe that the Trustee needs to retain an independent financial advisor to advise the
Unitholders as to the fairness of the Offer currently contained in the Amended Registration
Statement. Eastern American does not believe Ensources modifications to the original offer
provide any incremental benefit to the existing Unitholders and therefore our opinion with respect
to the same remains unchanged.
To the extent you would like to discuss the same with Eastern American, please feel free to
contact the undersigned or George OMalley. We appreciate your continued assistance and
cooperation with this matter.
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Sincerely,
/s/ Donald C. Supcoe
Donald C. Supcoe
President
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Copy to:
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Joe Casabona |
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Mike Fletcher |
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George OMalley |
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Thomas W. Adkins |
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Bracewell & Giuliani LLP |
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111 Congress Avenue, Suite 2300 |
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Austin TX 78701 |
Index to Exhibits
Exhibit 99.1 Notice to Unit Holders dated
August 10, 2006
Exhibit 99.2 Press Release dated August 10,
2006