TEL OFFSHORE TRUST (TELOZ) Doesn't Expect Q4 Cash Distributions Due to Hurricane Damages

October 7, 2008 4:20 PM EDT

TEL OFFSHORE TRUST (NASDAQ: TELOZ) announces that production from the two most significant oil and gas properties associated with the Trust has ceased following damage inflicted by Hurricane Ike in September 2008. The principal asset of the Trust consists of a 99.99% interest in TEL Offshore Trust Partnership. The Partnership owns an overriding royalty interest, equivalent to a 25% net profits interest, in certain oil and gas properties, including the working interest ownership interest of Chevron U.S.A. Inc. in Eugene Island 339 and Ship Shoal 182 and 183.

The platforms and wells on Eugene Island 339 were destroyed by Hurricane Ike. Crude oil revenues from Eugene Island 339 represented approximately 48% of the crude oil and condensate revenues for the royalty properties in 2007 and for the third quarter in 2008. Eugene Island 339 contributed approximately 12% of the revenues from natural gas sales from the royalty properties in 2007 and approximately 45% of the revenues from natural gas sales in the third quarter of 2008. Chevron U.S.A. Inc. is assessing its alternatives and the economic feasibility for restoring production at the property. At this point in time, there can be no assurance as to how or when, or if at all, production may be restored at Eugene Island 339.

While Hurricane Ike caused limited surface damage to the facilities at Ship Shoal 182/183, all of the wells at Ship Shoal 182/183 have been shut-in following hurricane-related damage to a third-party transporter’s natural gas pipeline. The more productive wells on the properties produce both oil and gas, and there is currently no downstream transmission available for any gas produced from the wells. Crude oil revenues from Ship Shoal 182/183 represented approximately 50% of the crude oil and condensate revenues for the royalty properties in 2007 and for the third quarter in 2008. Ship Shoal 182/183 contributed approximately 77% of the revenues from natural gas sales from the royalty properties in 2007 and approximately 39% of the revenues from natural gas sales in the third quarter of 2008.

The Trust will be making its previously announced third quarter distribution on October 10, 2008 to unit holders of record on September 30, 2008. However, based on the damage caused by Hurricane Ike, the Trust’s scheduled distribution for the fourth quarter of 2008 is expected to be severely negatively impacted, and there may not be sufficient net proceeds from the royalty properties to make any distribution. Future distributions are also likely to be severely negatively impacted. At this time, the ultimate outcome of these various matters cannot be determined.[SM]

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