Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ý   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

OR

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                             TO                            

Commission file number: 1-11748

Eastern American Natural Gas Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

Delaware
(State or other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  36-7034603
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., Trustee
Global Corporate Trust
919 Congress Avenue Suite 500
Austin, TX 78701
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)

(800) 852-1422
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class   Name of Each Exchange
On Which Registered
Units of Beneficial Interest   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

         Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 in the Securities Act. Yes o    No ý

         Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o    No ý

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: Yes ý    No o

         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. (See definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer ý   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No ý

         As of March 1, 2009, 5,900,000 Units of Beneficial Interest in Eastern American Natural Gas Trust were issued, outstanding and held by non-affiliates of the registrant (the "Outstanding Units"). Of the Outstanding Units, as of March 1, 2009, 275,450 Units of Beneficial Interest (the "Withdrawn Units") have been withdrawn from trading by voluntary action of Holders and may not be traded unless such Holders comply with certain requirements provided in the related Trust Agreement.

         The aggregate market value of the Outstanding Units minus the Withdrawn Units at the closing sales price on June 30, 2008 of $30.84 was approximately $178 million.

         Documents Incorporated By Reference: None


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

 

Item 1.

 

Business

   
3
 

 

Description of the Trust

    3  

 

The Net Profits Interests

    5  

 

The Underlying Properties

    10  

 

Competition and Markets

    12  

 

Regulation of Natural Gas

    12  

 

Health, Safety and Environmental Regulation

    12  

 

Description of Trust Units and Depositary Units

    13  

 

Federal Income Tax Matters

    16  

 

State Tax Considerations

    16  

 

Available Information

    17  

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

    17  

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

    20  

Item 2.

 

Properties

    20  

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

    20  

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Unitholders

    20  

PART II

   
21
 

Item 5.

 

Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Unitholders Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

   
21
 

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

    21  

Item 7.

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

    21  

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

    25  

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

    25  

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

    26  

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

    26  

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

    27  

PART III

   
28
 

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Goverance

   
28
 

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

    28  

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

    28  

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

    28  

Item 14.

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

    28  

PART IV

   
29
 

Item 15.

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

   
29
 

SIGNATURES

   
31
 

2


Table of Contents


PART I

Item 1.    Business

Cautionary Statement

        The Trustee (as defined below), its officers or its agents on behalf of the Trustee may, from time to time, make forward-looking statements (meaning all statements other than statements of historical fact). In addition, this Report on Form 10-K may contain forward-looking statements. When used herein, the words "anticipates," "expects," "believes," "intends" or "projects" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. To the extent that any forward-looking statements are made, the Trustee is unable to predict future changes in gas prices, gas production levels, economic activity, legislation and regulation, and certain changes in expenses of the Trust (as defined below). In addition, the Trust's future results of operations and other forward-looking statements contained in this Item 1, Item 1A and elsewhere in this report involve a number of risks and uncertainties. As a result of variations in such factors, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by any forward-looking statements. The Trustee disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements and all such forward-looking statements in this document are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph and elsewhere in this Report, including, without limitation, those contained below under the heading "Risk Factors".

Definitions

        As used herein, the following terms have the meanings indicated: "Mcf" means thousand cubic feet of gas, "MMcf" means million cubic feet of gas, "Bbl" means barrel (approximately 42 U.S. gallons), and "MBbl" means thousand barrels, "Btu" means British thermal units and "MMBtu" or "Dth" means million British thermal units.

        The following descriptions of Eastern American Natural Gas Trust (the "Trust"), the Depositary Units, the Net Profits Interests, the Underlying Properties and the calculation of amounts payable to the Trust, are subject to and qualified in their entirety by the more detailed provisions of the Trust Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Conveyances and the Gas Purchase Contract (each as defined below), all of which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to this Form 10-K and available upon request from the Trustee (as defined below) at the address set forth herein. The information contained herein relating to the operations of the Underlying Properties, as well as information upon which the reserve figures and financial information contained herein were derived, was furnished to the Trustee by Eastern American Energy Corporation ("Eastern American").


DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST

        The Trust was formed under the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a Trust Agreement (the "Trust Agreement") among Eastern American, as grantor, Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as trustee, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee (the "Delaware Trustee"). Effective May 8, 2000, The Bank of New York acquired the corporate trust business of the Bank of Montreal Trust Company / Harris Trust, and consequently, The Bank of New York served as trustee of the Trust. On November 20, 2004, the holders of a majority of the Trust Units voting at a special meeting approved the resignation of The Bank of New York as trustee and depository of the Trust and the appointment of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as successor trustee of the Trust, effective as of January 1, 2005. Effective October 2, 2006, The Bank of New York Trust Company, N. A. replaced JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as trustee in connection with the sale by JPMorgan Chase Bank of substantially all of its corporate trust business to The Bank of New York. Consequently, references herein to the "Trustee" mean Bank of Montreal Trust Company until May 8, 2000; The Bank of New York as successor Trustee, from May 8, 2000 through December 31, 2004; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as successor trustee, from January 1, 2005 through October 2, 2006; and The Bank of New York Trust

3


Table of Contents


Company, N.A. (now known as The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.) as successor trustee, effective as of October 2, 2006. The transfer agent for the Trust is Bondholder Communications, an affiliate of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

        The Trust was formed to acquire and hold net profits interests (the "Net Profits Interests") created from the working interests owned by Eastern American in 650 producing gas wells and 65 proved development well locations located in West Virginia and Pennsylvania (the "Underlying Properties"). A portion of the production from the wells burdened by the Net Profits Interests was intended to be eligible for credits ("Section 29 Credits") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for production of gas from Devonian shale or tight formations. The Net Profits Interests to be acquired consisted of a royalty interest in 322 wells and a term interest in the remaining wells and development well locations. Eastern American was obligated to drill and complete, at its expense, 65 development wells (the "Development Wells") on the development well locations conveyed to the Trust. Eastern American has fulfilled its obligation with respect to the drilling of the Development Wells (see Note 1 of Financial Statements attached hereto). After May 15, 2012 and prior to or on May 15, 2013 (the "Liquidation Date"), the Trustee is required to sell the remaining royalty interests and liquidate the Trust.

        On March 15, 1993, 5,900,000 Depositary Units were issued in a public offering at an initial public offering price of $20.50 per Depositary Unit. Each Depositary Unit consists of beneficial ownership of one unit of beneficial interest ("Trust Unit") in the Trust and a $20 face amount beneficial ownership interest in a $1,000 face amount zero coupon United States Treasury obligation ("Treasury Obligation") maturing on May 15, 2013. Holders of Depositary Units ("Unitholders") may withdraw the Treasury Obligations associated with the Trust Units (see "Description of Trust Units and Depositary Units"). Of the net proceeds from such offering, $27,787,820 was used to purchase $118,000,000 in face amount of Treasury Obligations and $93,162,180 was retained by Eastern American in consideration for the conveyance of the Net Profits Interests to the Trust. The Trust acquired the Net Profits Interests effective as of January 1, 1993.

        The Net Profits Interests are passive in nature, and neither the Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee has management control or authority over, nor any responsibility relating to, the operation of the Underlying Properties (defined above) subject to the Net Profits Interests. The Trust Agreement provides, among other things, that: the Trust shall not engage in any business or commercial activity or acquire any asset other than the Net Profits Interests initially conveyed to the Trust; the Trustee may establish a reserve for payment of any liability which is contingent, uncertain in amount or that is not currently due and payable; the Trustee is authorized to borrow funds required to pay liabilities of the Trust, provided that such borrowings are repaid in full prior to further distributions to Unitholders and other holders of Trust Units (together, "Trust Unitholders"); and the Trustee will make quarterly cash distributions to Trust Unitholders from funds of the Trust.

        The Trust is responsible for paying the Trustee's fees and all legal, accounting, engineering and stock exchange fees, printing costs and other administrative expenses incurred by or at the direction of the Trustee. The total fees paid to the Trustee for 2008 were $108,000. The total of all Trustee fees and Trust administrative expenses for 2008 was $755,198. Such costs could fluctuate in the future depending primarily on the expenses the Trust incurs for professional services, particularly legal, accounting and engineering services. In addition to such expenses, in 2008, the Trust paid Eastern American an overhead reimbursement of $351,824. The overhead reimbursement was established at the inception of the Trust, increases by 3.5% per year, and is payable quarterly.

4


Table of Contents


THE NET PROFITS INTERESTS

The Conveyances

        The Net Profits Interests ("NPI") were created from the Underlying Properties and conveyed to the Trust pursuant to two Conveyances—one conveying a royalty interest in specified wells (the "Royalty NPI Conveyance") and the other conveying a term interest in specified wells (the "Term NPI Conveyance", and together with the Royalty NPI Conveyance, the "Conveyances"). Forms of the Conveyances have been incorporated by reference.

        The Underlying Properties are subject to and burdened by the Net Profits Interests. The interests of Eastern American comprising the Underlying Properties represent, on average, a working interest of approximately 90% and a net revenue interest of approximately 76%. The Conveyances provide that the Trust is only entitled to gas produced from the specific wells identified in the Conveyances and is not entitled to any gas produced from adjacent wells (including adjacent wells subject to the same lease or farmout agreement as the wells subject to the Net Profits Interests). Gas produced from the Underlying Properties which is attributable to the Net Profits Interests is purchased from the Trust by Eastern Marketing Corporation ("Eastern Marketing"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eastern American, pursuant to a gas purchase contract (the "Gas Purchase Contract"). The volumes attributable to the Net Profits Interests and the purchase price for such gas is calculated for each calendar quarter, and payment for such gas is made to the Trust not later than the tenth day of the third calendar month following the end of each calendar quarter.

        The Royalty NPI is not limited in term or amount. Under the Trust Agreement, the Trustee is directed to sell all remaining Royalty NPI after May 15, 2012 and prior to May 15, 2013, and net proceeds from selling such 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 such time as 41,683 MMcf has been produced which is attributable to Eastern American's net revenue interests in the properties burdened by the Term NPI. As of December 31, 2008, 24,786 MMcf of such gas had been produced. The Trust is expected to terminate in 2013. See "Description of Trust Units and Depository Units—Liquidation of the Trust".

        Eastern American can sell the Underlying Properties, subject to and burdened by the Net Profits Interests, without the consent of the Trustee or the Unitholders. In limited circumstances, Eastern American also can transfer the Underlying Properties and require the Trust to release the NPI burdening that property, without the consent of the Trustee or Unitholders, subject to payment to the Trust of the fair value of the interest released. Prior to January 1, 2010, the limitations on Eastern American's right to transfer a portion of the Underlying Properties include limitations on the aggregate sales proceeds for any such sales. After January 1, 2010, the limitations on the aggregate sales proceeds will no longer apply. In addition, any abandonment of a well included in the Underlying Properties or the Development Wells will extinguish that portion of the Net Profits Interests that relate to such well. See "Sale and Abandonment of Underlying Properties; Sale of Royalty NPI."

Calculation of Net Proceeds

        The definitions, formulas, accounting procedures and other terms governing the computation of Net Proceeds are detailed and extensive, and reference is made to both the Royalty NPI Conveyance and the Term NPI Conveyance for a more detailed discussion of the computation thereof.

        The Conveyances and the Gas Purchase Contract entitle the Trust to receive an amount of cash for each calendar quarter equal to the Net Proceeds for such quarter. "Net Proceeds" for any calendar quarter generally means an amount of cash equal to (a) 90% of a volume of gas equal to (i) the volume of gas produced during such quarter attributable to the Underlying Properties less (ii) a volume of gas equal to Chargeable Costs, as defined below, for such quarter, multiplied by (b) the applicable

5


Table of Contents


price for such quarter under the Gas Purchase Contract. If, for any reason, the Gas Purchase Contract terminates prior to the Liquidation Date, "Net Proceeds" will mean an amount of cash equal to (a) 90% of a volume of gas equal to (i) the volume of gas produced during such quarter attributable to the Underlying Properties less (ii) a volume of gas equal to Chargeable Costs for such quarter, multiplied by (b) the applicable price for such quarter determined in accordance with the Conveyances. Pursuant to the Conveyances, the Trust is not entitled to receive any natural gas liquids produced from the Underlying Properties or any proceeds relating thereto.

        "Chargeable Costs" is that volume of gas which equates in value, determined by reference to the relevant sales price under the Gas Purchase Contract or the Conveyances, as applicable, to the sum of the "Operating Cost Charge", "Capital Costs" and "Taxes" (as defined in the Conveyances). The Operating Cost Charge for 2008 was $617,564, for 2007 was $588,160 and for 2006 was $561,068. As provided in the Conveyances, the Operating Cost Charge will increase based on the lesser of (A) five percent (5%) or (B) a percentage, not less than zero percent (0%), equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the average weekly earnings of Crude Petroleum and Gas Production Workers for the last calendar year, as shown by the index of average weekly earnings of Crude Petroleum and Gas Production Workers, as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based on December-to-December comparison.

        During 2003, the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics converted all of its industry-based statistics to a different reporting system that was developed in cooperation with the United States' North American Free Trade Agreement Partners, Canada and Mexico, in an effort to standardize and modernize reporting codes. As a result of this conversion, the Crude Petroleum and Gas Production Workers index is no longer available for use in the annual calculation of overhead adjustment called for in the various Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies, or COPAS, model forms after March 2003.

        Research by COPAS covering a ten year period indicated that by blending the Oil and Gas Extraction Index with the Professional and Technical Services Index, the results approximate the data from the old Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Index. Accordingly, COPAS has calculated the percentage change in the simple average of the Oil and Extraction Index and the Professional and Technical Services Index, commencing in April 2004. This "Overhead Adjustment Index" has been provided as a guidance to the industry as a replacement index for use in calculating the overhead adjustment. The adjustment for the effective time period is 5.0%. Since the Conveyance Documents do not specifically provide for a replacement index if the Crude Petroleum and Gas Production Workers Index was no longer published, Eastern American believes, and advised the Trustee, that the "Overhead Adjustment Index" as calculated by COPAS is a reasonable index to utilize since the industry is generally adopting the same as a replacement. Eastern American, with the concurrence of the Trustee, will utilize this "Overhead Adjustment Index" to adjust the "Operating Cost Charge" so long as such index is published by COPAS.

        The Operating Cost Charge will be reduced for each well that is sold (free of the Net Profits Interests) or plugged and abandoned. Capital Costs are defined as Eastern American's working interest share of capital costs for operations on the Underlying Properties having a useful life of at least three years, and excluding any capital costs incurred in drilling the Development Wells. Taxes refer to ad valorem taxes, production and severance taxes, and other taxes imposed on Eastern American's or the Trust's interests in the Underlying Properties, or production therefrom.

        Although the Trust bears the full economic burden of Chargeable Costs, it does so indirectly in the calculation of Net Proceeds and the Trust is not directly liable for any share of the costs, risks, and liabilities associated with the ownership or operation of the Underlying Properties. If the Trust ever receives payments in excess of the Net Proceeds or other amounts it was not entitled to receive, the

6


Table of Contents


Trust will not be required to refund the money, but Eastern American may recover the amount of such overpayments from future distributions in accordance with the Conveyances.

        The Conveyances require Eastern American to maintain books, records, and accounts sufficient to calculate the volumes of gas and the share of Net Proceeds payable to the Trust. Eastern American provides to the Trust quarterly and annual statements of applicable production, revenues, and costs necessary for the Trust to prepare quarterly and annual financial statements with respect to the Net Profits Interests and the Underlying Properties. The financial statements of the Trust are audited annually at the Trust's expense.

Gas Purchase Contract

        Gas production attributable to the Net Profits Interests is purchased from the Trust by Eastern Marketing, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eastern American, pursuant to the Gas Purchase Contract which effectively commenced as of January 1, 1993 and expires upon the termination of the Trust.

        Under the Gas Purchase Contract, Eastern Marketing purchases gas from the Trust at a variable price for each quarter equal to the Henry Hub Average Spot Price (as defined) per MMBtu plus $0.30 per MMBtu, multiplied by 110% to effect a fixed adjustment for Btu content. The Henry Hub Average Spot Price is defined as the price per MMBtu determined for any calendar quarter equal to the price obtained with respect to each of the three months in such quarter, in the manner specified below, and then taking the average of the prices determined for each of such three months. The price determined for any month of such quarter is equal to the average of (i) the final settlement prices per MMBtu for Henry Hub Gas Futures Contracts (as defined), as reported in The Wall Street Journal, for such contracts which expired in each of the five months prior to such month, (ii) the final settlement price per MMBtu for Henry Hub Gas Futures Contracts, as reported in The Wall Street Journal, for such contracts which expire during such month and (iii) the closing settlement prices per MMBtu of Henry Hub Gas Futures Contracts determined as of the contract settlement date for such month, as reported in The Wall Street Journal, for such contracts which expire in each of the six months following such month. A Henry Hub Gas Futures Contract is defined as a gas futures contract for gas to be delivered to the Henry Hub, which is traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

        The purchase price paid to the Trust pursuant to the Gas Purchase Contract is a wellhead price and title to the gas purchased pursuant to the Gas Purchase Contract passes to Eastern Marketing at the point of delivery. Payments to the Trust for gas purchased pursuant to the Gas Purchase Contract are made by Eastern Marketing on or before the tenth day of the third calendar month following the end of each calendar quarter.

        The Trust Agreement provides that the Trustee may not agree to any amendment to the Gas Purchase Contract which would materially and adversely affect the revenues to the Trust without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Trust Units. The Trust Agreement also provides that the Gas Purchase Contract may not be terminated by the Trust without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Trust Units. The Gas Purchase Contract and the Trust Agreement have been filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K. The foregoing summary of the principal provisions of the Gas Purchase Contract, and certain provisions of the Trust Agreement, is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of such agreements as set forth in such exhibits.

        Eastern Marketing's rights and obligations under the Gas Purchase Contract are assignable under circumstances where the assignee unconditionally assumes Eastern Marketing's obligations under the Gas Purchase Contract only if such assignee (or assignee's parent corporation if such parent guarantees the assignee's obligations) has a rating assigned to its unsecured long-term debt by Moody's Investor Service of at least Baa+ and by Standard & Poor's Corporation of at least BBB-. Under such circumstances, Eastern Marketing and Eastern American would be released from their obligations under the Gas Purchase Contract.

7


Table of Contents

Performance Support for Gas Purchase Contract

        Gas production attributable to the Net Profits Interests will be purchased by Eastern Marketing pursuant to the Gas Purchase Contract, which expires upon the Liquidation Date of the Trust. Eastern American has agreed to make payments under a standby performance agreement to the extent such payments are not made by Eastern Marketing under the Gas Purchase Contract.

Distributions and Income Computations

        The Trustee determines for each quarter the amount of cash available for distribution to holders of Depositary Units and the Trust Units evidenced thereby. Such amount (the "Quarterly Distribution Amount") is equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the cash that the Trust receives on or before the tenth day of the third month after the end of each calendar quarter ending before the Trust is dissolved and that is attributable to production from the Net Profits Interest held by the Trust during that calendar quarter, plus, with certain exceptions, any other cash receipts of the Trust during such quarter, over (ii) the liabilities of the Trust paid during such quarter, subject to adjustments for changes made by the Trustee during such quarter in any cash reserves established for the payment of contingent or future obligations of the Trust. Quarterly Distribution Amounts per unit for each of the quarters in 2008 were $0.4700, $0.6706, $0.7291 and $0.5116, respectively. Based on the payment procedures relating to the Net Profits Interests, cash received by the Trustee in a particular quarter from the Net Profits Interests reflects actual gas production for a portion of such quarter and a production estimate for the remainder of such quarter, such estimate to be adjusted to actual production in the following quarter. The Quarterly Distribution Amount for each quarter is payable to Unitholders of record on the last day of the second month following the end of such calendar quarter or such later date as the Trustee determines is required to comply with legal or stock exchange requirements ("Quarterly Record Date"). It is expected that the Trustee will continue to be able to distribute cash on or before the 15th day (or the next succeeding business day following such day if such day is not a business day) of the third month following the end of each calendar quarter to each person who was a Unitholder of record on the Quarterly Record Date, together with interest earned on such Quarterly Distribution Amount from the date of receipt thereof by the Trustee to the payment date.

        The net taxable income of the Trust for each calendar quarter is reported by the Trustee for tax purposes as belonging to the holders of record to whom the Quarterly Distribution Amount was or will be distributed. Assuming that the Trust will be classified for tax purposes as a "grantor trust," the net taxable income will be realized by the holders for tax purposes in the calendar quarter received by the Trustee, rather than in the quarter distributed by the Trustee. Thus, a Unitholder's taxable income for a taxable year may differ from the cash the Unitholder receives during that year. In addition, taxable income of a holder will differ from the Quarterly Distribution Amount because the Treasury Obligations will be treated as generating interest income for tax purposes. There may also be minor variances because of the possibilities that a reserve will be established in one quarter that will not give rise to a tax deduction until a subsequent quarter, an expenditure paid for in one quarter will have to be amortized for tax purposes over several quarters, or for other reasons. See "Federal Income Tax Matters."

        Each holder of Depositary Units (including the underlying Trust Units) of record as of the record date for the final quarter of the Trust's existence in accordance with the Trust Agreement will be entitled to receive a liquidating distribution equal to a pro rata portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the Royalty NPI (to the extent not previously distributed) and a pro rata portion of the proceeds from the matured Treasury Obligations.

8


Table of Contents

Sale and Abandonment of Underlying Properties; Sale of Royalty NPI

        Eastern American and any transferees have the right to abandon any well or working interest included in the Underlying Properties if, in its opinion, such well or property ceases to produce or is not capable of producing in commercially paying quantities. To reduce or eliminate the potential conflict of interest between Eastern American and the Trust in determining whether a well is capable of producing in paying quantities, Eastern American is required under the Conveyances to make any such determination as would a reasonably prudent operator in the Appalachian Basin if it were acting with respect to its own properties, disregarding (i) the existence of the Net Profits Interests as a burden on such property and (ii) the direct or indirect effect, financial or otherwise, on Eastern American or any of its affiliates that may result from the performance by Eastern Marketing of its obligations under the Gas Purchase Contract.

        Eastern American has the right, pursuant to the Conveyances, to sell all or any portion of the Underlying Properties without restrictions; however, the purchaser of any of the Underlying Properties will acquire such Underlying Properties subject to the Net Profits Interests relating thereto (except in certain circumstances described below where the Trust may be required to release the Net Profits Interests, subject to its receipt of the fair value thereof). Any such purchaser will be subject to the same standards of conduct with respect to development, operation and abandonment of such Underlying Properties as set forth in the preceding paragraph.

        Eastern American may sell the Underlying Properties, subject to and burdened by the Net Profits Interests, without the consent of the Trust or the Unitholders. In addition, until January 1, 2010, Eastern American can require the Trust to release the Net Profits Interests associated with the sale of wells, regardless of the number of wells sold, provided that such releases cannot exceed an aggregate value to the Trust of $500,000 during any 12 month period. Sales subsequent to January 1, 2010, may be made without regard to dollar limitations. These releases will be made only in connection with a sale by Eastern American of the Underlying Properties and are conditioned upon the Trust receiving an amount equal to the fair value to the Trust of such Net Profits Interests (taking into account the existence of the Gas Purchase Contract with respect to the gas attributable to the Net Profits Interests to be released). Any proceeds paid to the Trust are distributable to Unitholders for the quarter in which they are received.

        The Trustee is required to sell all of the Royalty NPI after May 15, 2012 and prior to the Liquidation Date. The proceeds of such sale, together with the matured face amount of the Treasury Obligations, will be distributed to Unitholders on or prior to the Liquidation Date. Under the Trust Agreement, Eastern American has a right of first refusal to purchase any of the Royalty NPI at the fair value to the Trust, or, if applicable, the offered third-party price, prior to the Liquidation Date.

9


Table of Contents


THE UNDERLYING PROPERTIES

General

        The Underlying Properties are comprised of Eastern American's working interests in certain properties located in the Appalachian Basin states of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. As of December 31, 2008, such properties consisted of 670 producing gas wells. The working interests of Eastern American comprising the Underlying Properties are held under leases and farmout agreements with third parties. Such working interests are subject to landowner's royalties (typically 121/2%) and may be subject to additional royalties or other obligations burdening the working interests. Such royalties do not bear lease operating expenses, but reduce the revenue interests attributable to the Underlying Properties. Eastern American's interests comprising the Underlying Properties represent, on average, a working interest of approximately 90% and a net revenue interest of approximately 76%. As of December 31, 2008, proved developed reserves attributable to the Net Profits Interests (reflecting quantities of gas free of future costs and expenses based on estimated prices) were approximately 12,909 MMcf. (See "Reserves").

        The Appalachian Basin is a mature producing region with well known geologic characteristics. Substantially all of the wells comprising the Underlying Properties are relatively shallow, ranging from 2,500 to 5,500 feet, and many are completed to multiple producing zones. In general, the wells to which the Underlying Properties relate are proved producing properties with stable production profiles and generally long-lived production, often with total projected economic lives in excess of 25 years. Once drilled and completed, ongoing operating and maintenance requirements are low and only minimal, if any, capital expenditures are typically required.

        The Underlying Properties initially included 65 specified development well locations for the drilling of the Development Wells by Eastern American. Eastern American was obligated to bear the costs of drilling and completing the Development Wells. Eastern American has fulfilled its obligation with respect to the drilling of the Development Wells. See Note 1 of Financial Statements attached hereto.

        Eastern American acquired its interests in the Underlying Properties under or through (i) oil and gas leases granted by the mineral owner directly to Eastern American, (ii) assignments of oil and gas leases by the lessee who originally obtained the leases from the mineral owner, (iii) farmout agreements that grant Eastern American the right to earn interests in the properties covered by such agreements by drilling wells and (iv) the acquisitions of oil and gas interests by Eastern American.

        Production from the wells to which the Underlying Properties relate is typically subject to (i) landowner royalties and other burdens and obligations retained under oil and gas leases, (ii) overriding royalty interests and (iii) interests of other working interest owners in the wells. The royalty and overriding interests entitle the holders thereof to a certain percentage of the oil and gas produced from the wells or the proceeds therefrom and are generally delivered free of all expenses of production but may be subject to post-production costs, such as production or gathering taxes, costs to treat the gas to render it marketable, and certain transportation or gathering costs. Royalty interests are usually reserved by the lessor under an oil and gas lease. Overriding royalty interests are carved out of a lessee's share of production under an oil and gas lease and are generally reserved by a predecessor in title or reserved under farmout agreements.

        A farmout agreement is typically an agreement under which a lessee under an oil and gas lease (the "Farmor") grants to another party the right to drill wells on the tract covered by such lease and to earn certain acreage for drilling such wells. In the Appalachian Basin, the Farmor generally receives a well location fee and reserves an overriding royalty interest in the wells which typically ranges from 3.25% to 6.25%. Farmout agreements typically provide that wells must be drilled and completed as a condition to a transfer by the Farmor of the interest in the underlying lease.

10


Table of Contents

Reserves

        Proved Reserves of Underlying Properties and Net Profits Interests.    The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2008, certain estimated proved reserves, estimated future net revenues and the discounted present value thereof attributable to the Underlying Properties, the Royalty NPI and the Term NPI, in each case derived from a report of oil and gas reserves attributable to the Trust as of December 31, 2008 prepared by Ryder Scott Company (the "Reserve Report"). Proved reserve quantities attributable to the Net Profits Interests are calculated by subtracting an amount of gas sufficient, if sold at the prices used in preparing the reserve estimates, to pay the future estimated costs and expenses deducted in the calculation of Net Proceeds. Accordingly, the reserves attributable to the Net Profits Interests reflect quantities of gas that are free of future costs or expenses if the price and cost assumptions set forth in the Reserve Report occur. A decrease in the price assumption, or an increase in the cost assumption used in the Reserve Report would reduce the estimates of proved reserves, future net revenues and discounted future net revenues, set forth herein and in the Reserve Report. The Term NPI excludes production beyond the earlier of May 15, 2013 or such time as 41,683 MMcf has been produced which is attributable to Eastern American's net revenue interests in the properties burdened by the Term NPI. The discounted present value of estimated future net revenues was determined using a discount rate of 10% in accordance with applicable requirements. A copy of the Reserve Report is included as Exhibit A hereto.

 
  Proved Gas Reserves    
   
 
 
   
  Discounted
Estimated
Future Net
Revenues(2)
 
 
  Developed   (MMcf) Undeveloped   Total   Estimated
Future Net
Revenues(2)
 
 
   
   
   
  (Dollars in thousands)
 

Underlying Properties(1)

    30,205     0     30,205   $ 240,931   $ 94,920  
                       
 

Net Profits Interests:

                               
   

Royalty NPI

    9,835     0     9,835   $ 93,621   $ 37,634  
   

Term NPI

    3,074     0     3,074     29,257     23,957  
                       
     

Total

    12,909     0     12,909   $ 122,878   $ 61,591  
                       

(1)
Reserve volumes and estimated future net revenues for Underlying Properties reflect volumes and revenues distributable to Eastern American's entire net revenue interest with respect to the Underlying Properties.

(2)
The effects of depreciation, depletion and federal income tax have not been taken into account in estimating future net revenues. Estimated future net revenues and discounted estimated future net revenues are not intended, and should not be interpreted, as representing the fair market value for the estimated reserves.

        The value of the Depositary Units and the Trust Units evidenced thereby are substantially dependent upon the proved reserves and production levels attributable to the Net Profits Interests. There are many uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities and values of proved reserves and in projecting future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures, if any. The reserve data set forth herein, although prepared by independent engineers in a manner customary in the industry, are estimates only, and actual quantities and values of gas are likely to differ from the estimated amounts set forth herein. In addition, the discounted present values shown herein were prepared using guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and the Financial Accounting Standards Board for disclosure of reserves and should not be considered representative of the market value of such reserves or the Depositary Units or the Trust Units evidenced thereby. A market value determination would include many additional factors.

11


Table of Contents


COMPETITION AND MARKETS

        All of the production attributable to the Net Profits Interest is sold to Eastern Marketing pursuant to the Gas Purchase Contract. See "The Net Profits Interests—Gas Purchase Contract."


REGULATION OF NATURAL GAS

        The natural gas industry has historically been highly regulated by state and federal authorities. In the past, concerns about perceived pipeline monopolies and other factors caused Congress to impose economic regulation on both pipelines and producers. Federal agencies regulated tariffs and conditions of service offered by interstate pipelines, and set maximum prices on the wellhead price of natural gas sold into interstate commerce. States, and even local governments, also regulated retail sales of natural gas by local utilities. Government agencies also set production rates to avoid waste and imposed environmental and safety regulations. At present, it appears that Federal regulation of wellhead natural gas prices has ended. However, there can be no assurance that price controls or other similar economic regulations may not be reimposed in the future.

        Drilling and production of natural gas are heavily regulated in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, as in most states. A well cannot be drilled without a permit, and operations must be conducted in compliance with environmental, safety and conservation laws and regulations. In contrast to many other states which have substantial oil and gas production activity, the spacing of shallow wells (such as the wells subject to the Net Profits Interests) is not regulated by any state statute or regulatory agency in either West Virginia or Pennsylvania. Without spacing requirements specified by state statute or regulation, drainage of reserves from a property may occur from wells located in close proximity to such property.


HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

        General.    Activities on the Underlying Properties are subject to existing Federal, state and local laws and regulations governing health, safety, environmental quality and pollution control. It is anticipated that, absent the occurrence of an extraordinary event, compliance with existing Federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations regulating health, safety, the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment will not have a material adverse effect upon the Trust. It cannot be predicted what effect additional regulation or legislation, enforcement policies thereunder, and claims for damages to property, employees, other persons and the environment resulting from operations on the Underlying Properties could have on the Trust. However, pursuant to the terms of the Conveyances, any costs or expenses incurred in connection with environmental liabilities of Eastern American arising out of or related to activities occurring on or in, or conditions existing on or under, the Underlying Properties before the effective date of the Conveyances will be borne by Eastern American and will not be deducted in calculating Net Proceeds attributable to the Net Profits Interests. Additionally, because Unitholders will have limited liability in accordance with the Trust Agreement and Delaware law, Unitholders should be shielded from direct liability for any environmental liabilities. See "Description of Trust Units and Depositary Units—Liability of Unitholders." However, costs and expenses incurred by Eastern American for certain Capital Costs associated with environmental liabilities arising after the effective date of the Conveyances would reduce Net Proceeds, and would therefore be borne, in part, by the Unitholders. The following subtopics discuss some of the principal forms of health, safety, and environmental regulation to which the Underlying Properties and operations thereon are subject. The costs of complying with these regulatory requirements may burden the Net Profits Interests to the extent they arise out of or are related to activities occurring on or in, or conditions existing on or under, the Underlying Properties after the effective date of the Conveyances.

12


Table of Contents

        Solid and Hazardous Waste.    The Underlying Properties include numerous properties that have produced gas for a number of years but in which Eastern American has held an interest for a relatively short period of time prior to the effective date of the Conveyances. Eastern American has informed us they have no knowledge of prior operators utilizing operating and disposal practices that were not standard in the industry at the time nor have hydrocarbons or other solid or hazardous wastes may have been disposed of or released on or under the Underlying Properties. Federal, state and local laws applicable to gas-related wastes have become increasingly more stringent. Under current laws, Eastern American or the operator of the Underlying Properties could be required to remove or remediate previously disposed wastes or property contamination (including groundwater contamination) or to perform remedial plugging operations to prevent future contamination.

        The operations of the Underlying Properties may generate wastes that are subject to the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA") and comparable state statutes. The Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") has limited the disposal options for certain hazardous wastes and may adopt more stringent disposal standards for nonhazardous wastes.

        Superfund.    The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), also known as the "superfund" law, imposes liability, regardless of fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons that contributed to the release of a "hazardous substance" into the environment. These persons include the current or previous owner and operator of a site and companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of, the hazardous substance found at a site. CERCLA also authorizes the EPA and, in some cases, private parties to take actions in response to threats to the public health or the environment and to seek recovery from such responsible classes of persons of the costs of such action. In the course of their operations, the operators of the Underlying Properties have generated and will generate wastes that may fall within CERCLA's definition of "hazardous substances". Eastern American or the previous operator of the Underlying Properties may be responsible under CERCLA for all or part of the costs to clean up sites at which such substances have been disposed.

        Air Emissions.    The operations of the Underlying Properties are subject to Federal, state and local regulations concerning the control of emissions from sources of air contaminants. Administrative enforcement actions for failure to comply strictly with air regulations or permits are generally resolved by payment of a monetary penalty and correction of any identified deficiencies. Regulatory agencies could require the operators to forego or modify construction or operation of certain air emission sources.

        OSHA.    The operations of the Underlying Properties are subject to the requirements of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act ("OSHA") and comparable state statutes. The OSHA hazard communication standard, the EPA community right-to-know regulations under Title III of the Federal Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act and similar state statutes require that information be organized and maintained about hazardous materials used or produced in the operations. Certain of this information must be provided to employees, state and local government authorities and citizens.


DESCRIPTION OF TRUST UNITS AND DEPOSITARY UNITS

        The following information is subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement originally entered into by Eastern American, the Trustee, and Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as Depositary (the "Depositary") and all holders from time to time of Depositary Units (the "Deposit Agreement"), a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K.

        The functions of the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement are custodial and ministerial in nature and for the benefit of Unitholders. The Deposit Agreement and the issuance of Depositary

13


Table of Contents


Units thereunder provide Unitholders an administratively convenient form of holding an investment in the Trust and a Treasury Obligation. Each Depositary Unit is evidenced by a certificate, which is issued by the Depositary and transferable only in denominations of 50 Depositary Units or an integral multiple thereof. Accordingly, each holder of 50 Depositary Units owns a beneficial interest in 50 Trust Units and the entire beneficial interest in a discrete Treasury Obligation in a face amount of $1,000, or $20 per Depositary Unit.

        The deposited Trust Units and Treasury Obligations are held solely for the benefit of the Unitholders and do not constitute assets of the Depositary or the Trust. The Depositary has no power to assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any of the Trust Units or Treasury Obligations, except in the limited instances provided in the Deposit Agreement.

        Generally, the holders of Depositary Units are entitled to participate in distributions with respect to the Trust Units, the Treasury Obligations and to the liquidation of the remaining assets of the Trust.

Withdrawal of Trust Units and Restrictions on Transfer

        Upon presentation of Depositary Units in denominations of 50 or integral multiples thereof for withdrawal of the Trust Units and discrete Treasury Obligations evidenced thereby in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, the Unitholder will receive an uncertificated direct interest in Trust Units. These withdrawn Trust Units will be evidenced on the books of the Trustee by a transfer of such Trust Units from the name of the Depositary to the name of the withdrawing Unitholder. Holders of withdrawn Trust Units will be entitled to receive Trust distributions and periodic Trust information (including tax information) directly from the Trustee. Moreover, holders of Trust Units will be entitled to each of the rights accorded Unitholders under the Trust Agreement, including voting and liquidation rights, as elsewhere described herein, except that withdrawn Trust Units are not freely transferable as described below.

        Pursuant to the Trust Agreement and the transfer application for transfer of the Trust Units, withdrawn Trust Units are not transferable except by operation of law. A holder of withdrawn Trust Units may, however, transfer such Trust Units in denominations of 50 (or integral multiples thereof) to the Depositary for redeposit, together with Treasury Obligations in the face amount equal to $1,000 for each 50 Trust Units redeposited, in exchange for Depositary Units. Such redeposit may be effected by delivering written notice of such transfer jointly to the Depositary and the Trustee together with proper documentation necessary to transfer the requisite Treasury Obligations into the name of the Depositary.

Distributions and Income Computations

        The Trustee determines for each quarter the Quarterly Distribution Amount available for distribution to holders of Depositary Units and the Trust Units evidenced thereby. The Quarterly Distribution Amount is equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the cash that the Trust receives on or before the tenth day of the third month after the end of each calendar quarter ending before the Trust is dissolved and that is attributable to production from the Net Profits Interest held by the Trust during that calendar quarter, plus, with certain exceptions, any other cash receipts of the Trust during such quarter, over (ii) the liabilities for the Trust paid during such quarter, subject to adjustments for changes made by the Trustee during such quarter in any cash reserves established for the payment of contingent or future obligations of the Trust. Based on the payment procedures relating to the Net Profits Interests, cash received by the Trustee in a particular quarter from the Net Profits Interests reflects actual gas production for a portion of such quarter and a production estimate for the remainder of such quarter, such estimate to be adjusted to actual production in the following quarter. The Quarterly Distribution Amount for each quarter is payable to Unitholders of record on the Quarterly Record Date, which is the last day of the second month following the end of such calendar quarter or such later date as the Trustee determines is required to comply with legal or stock exchange

14


Table of Contents


requirements. The Trustee generally is able to distribute cash on or before the 15th day (or the next succeeding business day following such day if such day is not a business day) of the third month following the end of each calendar quarter to each person who was a Unitholder of record on the Quarterly Record Date, together with interest earned on such Quarterly Distribution Amount from the date of receipt thereof by the Trustee to the payment date.

        The net taxable income of the Trust for each calendar quarter is reported by the Trustee for tax purposes as belonging to the holders of record to whom the Quarterly Distribution Amount was or will be distributed. Assuming that the Trust will be classified for tax purposes as a "grantor trust," the net taxable income will be realized by the holders for tax purposes in the calendar quarter received by the Trustee, rather than in the quarter distributed by the Trustee. Taxable income of a holder may differ from the Quarterly Distribution Amount because the Treasury Obligations will be treated as generating interest income for tax purposes. There may also be minor variances because of the possibility that, for example, a reserve will be established in one quarter that will not give rise to a tax deduction until a subsequent quarter, an expenditure paid for in one quarter will have to be amortized for tax purposes over several quarters. See "Federal Income TaxMatters".

        Each holder of Depositary Units (including the underlying Trust Units) of record as of the record date for the final quarter of the Trust's existence will be entitled to receive a liquidating distribution equal to a pro rata portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the Royalty NPI (to the extent not previously distributed) and a pro rata portion of the proceeds from the matured Treasury Obligations.

Possible Divestiture of Depositary Units and Trust Units

        The Trust Agreement imposes no restrictions based on nationality or other status of holders of Trust Units. However, the Trust Agreement and the Deposit Agreement provide that in the event of certain judicial or administrative proceedings seeking the cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which the Trust has an interest because of the nationality, citizenship, or any other status, of any one or more holders of Trust Units including holders of Depositary Units, the Trustee will give written notice thereof to each holder whose nationality, citizenship or other status is an issue in the proceeding, which notice will constitute a demand that such holder dispose of his Depositary Units or withdrawn Trust Units within 30 days. If any holder fails to dispose of his Depositary Units or withdrawn Trust Units in accordance with such notice, cash distributions on such units are subject to suspension. In the event a holder fails to dispose of Depositary Units in accordance with such notice, the Depositary may cancel such holder's Depositary Units and reissue them in the name of the Trustee, whereupon the Trustee will use its reasonable efforts to sell the Depositary Units and remit the net sale proceeds to such holder. In the case of Trust Units withdrawn from deposit with the Depositary, the Trustee shall redeem such Trust Units not divested in accordance with such notice, for a cash price equal to the then-current market price of the Depositary Units less the then-current over-the-counter bid price of the related, withdrawn Treasury Obligations. The redemption price will be paid out in quarterly installments limited to the amount that otherwise would have been distributed in respect of such redeemed Trust Units.

Liability of Unitholders

        Consistent with Delaware law, the Trust Agreement provides that the Unitholders will have the same limitation on liability as is accorded under the laws of such state to stockholders of a corporation for profit. No assurance can be given, however, that a court would give effect to such limitation.

15


Table of Contents

Liquidation of the Trust

        The Trust will be liquidated and the Royalty NPI will be sold prior to the Liquidation Date, which is expected to occur in 2013. Unitholders of record as of the record date for the final quarter of the Trust's existence will be entitled to receive a terminating distribution with respect to each Depositary Unit equal to a pro rata portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the Royalty NPI (to the extent not previously distributed) and a pro rata portion of the proceeds from the matured Treasury Obligations. Under the Trust Agreement, Eastern American has a right of first refusal to purchase the Royalty NPI at fair market value, or, if applicable, the offered third-party price, prior to the Liquidation Date.


FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS

        The Trust is a grantor trust and therefore is not subject to federal income taxes. Accordingly, no recognition has been given to federal income taxes in the Trust's financial statements. The Trust Unitholders are treated as the owners of Trust income and assets, and the entire federal taxable income of the Trust will be reported by the Trust Unitholders on their respective tax returns.

        The Trustee assumes that the Depository Units are held by middlemen, as such term is broadly defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations (and includes custodians, nominees, certain joint owners, and brokers holding an interest for a custodian in street name, referred to herein collectively as "middlemen"). Therefore, the Trustee considers the Trust to be a widely held fixed investment trust ("WHFIT") for federal income tax purposes. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., Trustee, Global Corporate Trust, 919 Congress Avenue, Suite 500 Austin, Texas 78701, is the representative of the Trust that will provide tax information in accordance with applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations governing the information reporting requirements of the Trust as a WHFIT.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the middlemen holding the Depository Units on behalf of Unitholders, and not the Trustee of the Trust, are solely responsible for complying with the information reporting requirements under the Treasury Regulations with respect to such Depositary Units, including the issuance of IRS Forms 1099 and certain written tax information statements to the investor.

        Each Unitholder should consult his or her tax advisor regarding Trust tax compliance matters.


STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        The following is intended as a brief summary of certain information regarding state income taxes and other state tax matters affecting individual Unitholders. Unitholders are urged to consult their own legal and tax advisors with respect to these matters.

        The Trust owns the Net Profits Interests burdening the Underlying Properties located in the states of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Both of these states have income taxes applicable to individuals and may require the Trust to withhold taxes from distributions made to nonresident Unitholders. Withholding, if required, is at the rate of 6.5% of taxable income attributable to West Virginia and 3.07% of taxable income attributable to Pennsylvania. A Unitholder may be required to file state income tax returns and/or to pay taxes in these states and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with such requirements. Generally, Unitholders may treat state income taxes that the Trust has withheld as having been paid by them to the state for which they were withheld. Unitholders may be able to treat any taxes that they have paid or that have been withheld and paid to West Virginia or Pennsylvania as a deduction in computing Federal income tax, or as a credit or a deduction in computing another state's income tax.

        Unitholders receive information concerning the Depositary Units and the Trust Units sufficient to identify the income from Depositary Units that is allocable to each state. Holders of Depositary Units

16


Table of Contents


should consult their own tax advisors to determine their income tax filing requirements with respect to their share of income of the Trust allocable to states imposing a tax on such income.

        The Trust Units and therefore also the Depositary Units may constitute real property or an interest in real property under the tax, inheritance, estate and probate laws of either or both of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. If the Depositary Units are held to be real property or an interest in real property under the laws of a state in which the Underlying Properties are located, the holders of Depositary Units may be subject to ad valorem or other property tax, devolution, probate and administration laws, and inheritance or estate and similar taxes, under the laws of such state.


Available Information

        The Trust does not maintain an internet address or a website, and therefore does not make copies of its reports under the Exchange Act available in that manner. The Trust's filings under the Exchange Act are available electronically from the website maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov. The Trust will also provide electronic copies of its recent filings free of charge upon request to the Trustee, and will provide paper copies of its recent filings for its costs of reproduction upon request to the Trustee.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors.

        Following is a summary of the principal risks associated with an investment in Units in the Trust.

         Natural gas prices fluctuate due to a number of factors, and lower prices will reduce net proceeds to the Trust and distributions to Unitholders.

        The Trust's revenues and distributions to Unitholders are highly dependent on the sales prices as reflected in the Henry Hub Average Price, as defined in the Gas Purchase Contract, and on the quantities of natural gas attributable to the Net Profits Interests. Prices for natural gas can fluctuate widely in response to a number of factors that are beyond the control of Eastern American and the Trust. These factors include:

Low gas prices may reduce production.

        Low natural gas prices may reduce the amount of gas that is economic to produce. As a result, the operator could determine during periods of low gas prices to shut in or curtail production. In addition, the operator could determine during periods of low gas prices to plug and abandon marginal wells.

         Estimated reserves and future production levels are uncertain.

        The value of the Units depends on, among other things, the proved reserves and production levels attributable to the Net Profits Interests. There are many uncertainties involved in estimating quantities and values of proved reserves and in projecting future rates of production. The reserve data included in this Annual Report are estimates only, and actual quantities and values of natural gas are likely to differ from the estimated amounts. The discounted present values shown for the Net Profits Interests were prepared using guidelines established by the SEC for disclosure of reserves and should not be considered representative of market value.

17


Table of Contents


         There are risks inherent in the development and production of natural gas.

        Distributions to Unitholders could be adversely affected if any of the risks typically associated with the development, production and transportation of natural gas were to occur, including personal injuries, property damage, well damage and damage to productive formations or equipment.

         None of the Trust, the Trustee nor the Unitholders has any control over the operation of the properties.

        None of the Trust, Trustee nor the Unitholders is able to influence or control the operation of the properties. All of the wells are operated by Eastern American. As operator, Eastern American has the right to abandon or sell any well if, in its opinion, the well or property ceases to produce or is not capable of producing in commercially paying quantities. In general, upon abandonment of any well to which the Net Profits Interests relate, that portion of the Net Profits Interests will be extinguished.

         Gas reserves are depleting assets.

        Gas reserves are depleting assets. The reserves attributable to the Net Profits Interests have declined and are expected to continue to decline over time. The accreting value of the Treasury Obligations may not fully offset the depletion of the reserves attributable to the Net Profits Interests.

         Compliance with governmental regulations may be expensive.

        The production, transportation and sale of natural gas from the wells to which the Net Profits Interest relate are subject to governmental regulation. Compliance with these regulations may be expensive.

         Operating costs, capital expenditures and taxes reduce payments to the Trust.

        The operating costs charged in calculating Net Proceeds include a fixed charge, subject to increase of up to 5% annually. In addition, property and production taxes and certain capital expenditures are deducted from gross proceeds in determining the Net Proceeds. Increases in chargeable costs have the effect of reducing the amount of Net Proceeds.

         Administrative costs reduce distributions to Unitholders.

        Administrative costs, including professional services fees and expenses, are deducted prior to distributions to Unitholders. Consequently, administrative costs adversely affect distributions to Unitholders.

         The legal status of the Net Profits Interests under some circumstances is unclear.

        At the time of the formation of the Trust, Eastern American noted that it was likely that the Net Profits Interests would not be treated as real property interests under the laws of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Nevertheless, Eastern American recorded the Conveyances in the real property records of West Virginia and Pennsylvania in accordance with local recording acts. Eastern American believes that, if, during the term of the Trust, Eastern American becomes involved as a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, the Net Profits Interests relating to the Underlying Properties located in West Virginia would be treated as fully conveyed personal property interests. However, if the Conveyances were held to constitute executory contracts, and, if such contracts were not to be assumed in a bankruptcy proceeding, the Trust probably would be treated as an unsecured creditor of Eastern American. With respect to the properties located in Pennsylvania, which represented approximately 10% of the reserves attributable to the Net Profits Interests at the inception of the Trust, Eastern American believed that there is a greater risk that the Net Profits Interests would not be treated as fully conveyed property interests and instead the Conveyances could be treated as executory contracts, meaning that the Trust could be treated as an unsecured creditor with respect to those interests.

18


Table of Contents


         The Net Profits Interests are subject to any defects in Eastern American's rights to the Underlying Properties.

        The Net Profits Interests are subject to any defects in Eastern American's rights with respect to the Underlying Properties. Eastern American believes that its interests with respect to the Underlying Properties are good and defensible in accordance with standards generally accepted in the Appalachian oil and gas industry, subject to exceptions which do not detract substantially from the value of its interests. However, it is possible that leases or farmout agreements could be treated as executory contracts if the third party lessor or farmor under a farmout agreement were to become a debtor in bankruptcy, meaning that it is possible that a lease or farmout agreement could be rejected in a bankruptcy proceeding.

         The opinion of tax counsel obtained at inception of the Trust is not binding on the IRS or any court.

        At the inception of the Trust, Eastern American received an opinion of counsel that the Trust is a grantor trust and not an association taxable as a corporation for Federal income tax purposes, and that each Unitholder would be taxed directly on his pro rata share of the income attributable to assets of the Trust and, subject to certain limitations, would be entitled to claim depletion deductions and tax credits attributable to the Royalty NPI and would be entitled to claim his pro rata share of other deductions attributable to assets of the Trust. However, the opinion of counsel is not binding on the IRS or any court.

         Taxable income could exceed cash distributions.

        It is possible that taxable income per Depositary Unit may exceed cash distributions per Depositary Unit. In addition, to the extent that distributable cash is used to establish Trust reserves or to repay borrowed funds, Unitholders will recognize taxable income without receiving the cash used to establish reserves or to repay borrowed funds.

         Eastern American and the Trust may have conflicts of interest.

        The interests of Eastern American and the interests of the Trust and the Unitholders may at times be different. For example, Eastern American's interests may conflict with those of the Trust and Unitholders in situations involving the development, operation or abandonment of the Underlying Properties or adjacent properties. In making decisions with respect to such operations, or otherwise with respect to the development, operation or abandonment of the Underlying Properties, Eastern American is required to act as a reasonably prudent operator in the Appalachian Basin would act with respect to its own properties, without regard to the existence of the Net Profits Interests and without regard to any possible adverse effect on Eastern Marketing or Eastern American under the Gas Purchase Contract. In addition, Eastern American has agreed not to drill any well within 1,000 feet of any well subject to the Net Profits Interests which produces oil or gas from the same formations or horizons as any such producing well. These covenants would not prohibit Eastern American from drilling additional wells on the same property as the wells subject to the Net Profits Interests provided that Eastern American complies with both of these covenants. In addition, these covenants would not prohibit Eastern American from drilling development wells on adjacent properties provided that Eastern American complies with the 1,000 foot limitation. If Eastern American is permitted under these covenants to drill additional development wells near the wells subject to the Net Profits Interests, the additional wells could cause drainage of the reserves attributable to the Net Profits Interests. These covenants apply only to Eastern American, and do not apply to third parties.

        In addition, Eastern American's interests may conflict with those of the Trust and the Unitholders in situations involving the sale of Underlying Properties. Eastern American has the right to sell all or any portion of the Underlying Properties without restrictions; however, except in limited circumstances where Eastern American may require the Trust to release the Net Profits Interests, the Conveyances

19


Table of Contents


provide that the purchaser of any of the Underlying Properties will acquire such Underlying Properties subject to the Net Profits Interests. The Conveyances provide that a purchaser will be subject to the same standards of conduct with respect to development, operation and abandonment of such Underlying Properties as are applicable to Eastern American. Eastern American has the right, subject to limitations, to cause the Trust to release a portion of the Net Profits Interests in connection with a sale of a portion of the Underlying Properties.

         Unitholders have only limited voting rights.

        While Unitholders have certain voting rights pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement, these rights are more limited than those of stockholders of most corporations. For example, there is no requirement for annual meetings of Unitholders or for an annual or other periodic re-election of the Trustee.

         Unitholders could be subject to unlimited liability.

        Consistent with Delaware law, the Trust Agreement provides that the Unitholders will have the same limitation on liability as is accorded under the laws of such state to stockholders of a corporation for profit. No assurance can be given, however, that the courts in jurisdictions outside of Delaware will give effect to such limitation.

         There are risks associated with the financial position of Eastern American.

        Eastern American is a privately held, independent energy company engaged primarily in the exploration, development, production, transportation and marketing of natural gas within the Appalachian Basin. The ability of Eastern Marketing and Eastern American to perform their obligations under the Gas Purchase Contract depends on their financial condition, which in turn depends upon the supply and demand for natural gas, economic conditions and upon financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Eastern American.

         None of the Trustee, the Trust nor the Unitholders has any control over the operation of the Underlying Properties.

        None of the Trustee, the Trust nor the Unitholders has any influence or control over the operation of the Underlying Properties, all of which are operated by Eastern American.

Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments.

        None.

Item 2.    Properties.

        Reference is made to Item 1 of this Form 10-K.

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings.

        None.

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Unitholders.

        None.

20


Table of Contents


PART II

Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Unitholders Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

        The Depositary Units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "NGT." The high and low closing prices and distributions paid during the quarters in the two-year period ended December 31, 2008 were as follows:

Quarter
  High   Low   Distributions
Paid
 

2007:

                   

First (to March 31, 2007)

  $ 29.07   $ 24.98   $ 0.5308  

Second (to June 30, 2007)

  $ 27.17   $ 24.97   $ 0.5667  

Third (to September 30, 2007)

  $ 27.14   $ 25.08   $ 0.5228  

Fourth (to December 31, 2007)

  $ 27.46   $ 26.34   $ 0.4995  

2008:

                   

First (to March 31, 2008)

  $ 28.60   $ 26.36   $ 0.4700  

Second (to June 30, 2008)

  $ 30.84   $ 27.65   $ 0.6706  

Third (to September 30, 2008)

  $ 30.61   $ 24.50   $ 0.7291  

Fourth (to December 31, 2008)

  $ 26.76   $ 22.74   $ 0.5116  

        At March 4, 2009, the 5,900,000 Depositary Units outstanding were held by approximately 200 Unitholders of record.

        With respect to the Treasury Obligations, the high and low closing prices per $1,000 face amount for the period from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 were $947.70 and $830.00, respectively. The closing price on December 31, 2008 was $936.00 per $1,000 face amount.

        During the fourth quarter of 2008, there were no purchases of Units made by or on behalf of the Trust or any "affiliated purchaser" as defined in Rule 10b-18 (a) (3) under the Exchange Act.

Item 6.    Selected Financial Data.

 
  Year Ended  
 
  December 31,
2008
  December 31,
2007
  December 31,
2006
  December 31,
2005
  December 31,
2004
 

Royalty Income

  $ 17,028,373   $ 14,660,909   $ 17,663,792   $ 18,179,459   $ 14,449,208  

Distributable Income

  $ 14,049,648   $ 12,006,605   $ 14,158,872   $ 14,597,387   $ 12,019,847  

Distribution Amount

  $ 14,049,648   $ 12,506,605   $ 14,658,872   $ 13,712,387   $ 11,919,847  

Distributable Income per unit

 
$

2.3813
 
$

2.0350
 
$

2.3998
 
$

2.4741
 
$

2.0373
 

Distribution Amount per unit

  $ 2.3813   $ 2.1198   $ 2.4846   $ 2.3241   $ 2.0300  

Total assets at year end

 
$

22,570,038
 
$

24,953,135
 
$

28,165,747
 
$

32,954,834
 
$

35,000,087
 

Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.

General

        The Trust does not conduct any operations or activities. The Trust's purpose is, in general, to hold the Net Profits Interests, to distribute to Unitholders cash which the Trust receives in respect of the Net Profits Interests and to perform certain administrative functions in respect of the Net Profits Interests and the Depositary Units. The Trust derives substantially all of its income and cash flows from the Net Profits Interests.

        Under the Gas Purchase Contract, Eastern Marketing purchases gas from the Trust at a variable price for any quarter equal to the Henry Hub Average Spot Price (as defined) per MMBtu plus $0.30 per MMBtu, multiplied by 110% to effect a fixed adjustment for Btu content. The Henry Hub Average

21


Table of Contents


Spot Price is defined as the price per MMBtu determined for any calendar quarter equal to the price obtained with respect to each of the three months in such quarter, in the manner specified below, and then taking the average of the prices determined for each of such three months. The price determined for any month of such quarter is equal to the average of (i) the final settlement price per MMBtu for Henry Hub Gas Futures Contracts (as defined), as reported in The Wall Street Journal, for such contracts which expired in each of the five months prior to such month, (ii) the final settlement price per MMBtu for Henry Hub Gas Futures Contracts, as reported in The Wall Street Journal, for such contracts which expire during such month and (iii) the closing settlement price per MMBtu of Henry Hub Gas Futures Contracts determined as of the contract settlement date for such month, as reported in The Wall Street Journal, for such contracts which expire in each of the six months following such month. A Henry Hub Gas Futures Contract is defined as a gas futures contract for gas to be delivered to the Henry Hub which is traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

        Accordingly, the price payable to the Trust for production may vary based on fluctuations in natural gas futures prices during the relevant calculation period. The price payable to the Trust will have a direct impact, positively or negatively, on the quarterly distributions payable by the Trust to the Unitholders.

        Over the remaining life of the Trust, wells may be disposed of from time to time in accordance with the documents governing the Trust.

        The Trust is responsible for paying the Trustee's fees and all legal, accounting, engineering and stock exchange fees, printing costs and other administrative expenses incurred by or at the direction of the Trustee. The total of all Trustee fees and Trust administrative expenses for 2008 was $755,198, including the Trustee's fee of $108,000. In addition to such expenses, in 2008, the Trust paid Eastern American an overhead reimbursement of $351,824. The overhead reimbursement increases by 3.5% per year and is payable quarterly.

        On December 8, 2004, the Trust announced approval by the Trust Unitholders of a proposal to elect JPMorgan Chase to serve as successor trustee of the Trust upon the effective date of the resignation of The Bank of New York as trustee of and depositary for the Trust and to amend the Trust Agreement to change the compensation of the Trustee. The resignation of The Bank of New York took effect on January 1, 2005. As successor trustee, JPMorgan Chase received annual compensation of $108,000 plus fees and expenses. Effective October 2, 2006, The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (now known as The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.) acquired the corporate trust business of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Consequently, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., currently serves as Trustee of the Trust. The Trustee's annual compensation did not change as a result of the October 2, 2006 acquisition by The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. of the corporate trust business of JPMorgan Chase.

        During 2006, the Trust incurred substantially increased fees for professional services relating to the exchange offers made by Ensource Energy Income Fund LP during 2005 and 2006. Expenses relating to the Ensource exchange offers incurred by the Trust during 2006 totaled approximately $701,606, including $387,923 for fees and expenses the Trust paid to a financial advisory firm in connection with its analysis of the Ensource exchange offers. The Trust did not incur any expenses relating to the exchange offers during 2007 or 2008.

        The costs the Trust incurs in the future will fluctuate depending primarily on the expenses the Trust incurs for professional services, particularly legal, accounting and engineering services.

Critical Accounting Policies

        The following is a summary of the critical accounting policies followed by the Trust.

22


Table of Contents

Basis of Accounting:

        The financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America due to the following: (i) certain cash reserves may be established for contingencies which were not accrued in the financial statements; (ii) amortization of the Net Profits Interests in gas properties is charged directly to Trust Corpus; and (iii) the sale of the Net Profits Interests is reflected in the Statements of Distributable Income as cash proceeds to the Trust.

Net Profits Interests in Gas Properties:

        The Net Profits Interests in gas properties are assessed to determine whether their net capitalized cost is impaired, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable, pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets ("SFAS 144"). The Trust will determine if a writedown is necessary to its investment in the Net Profits Interests in gas properties to the extent that total capitalized costs, less accumulated amortization, exceed undiscounted future net revenues attributable to proved gas reserves of the Underlying Properties. The Trust will then provide a writedown to the extent that the net capitalized costs exceed the fair value of the investment in net profits interests attributable to proved gas reserves of the Underlying Properties. Any such writedown would not reduce Distributable Income, although it would reduce Trust Corpus.

        Significant dispositions or abandonment of the Underlying Properties are charged to Net Profits Interests and the Trust Corpus.

        Amortization of the Net Profits Interests in gas properties is calculated on a units-of-production basis, whereby the Trust's cost basis in the properties is divided by total Trust proved reserves to derive an amortization rate per reserve unit. Such amortization does not reduce Distributable Income, rather it is charged directly to Trust Corpus. Revisions to estimated future units-of-production are treated on a prospective basis beginning on the date significant revisions are known.

        The Net Profits Interest impairment test and the determination of amortization rates are dependent on estimates of proved gas reserves attributable to the Trust. Numerous uncertainties are inherent in estimating reserve volumes and values, including economic and operating conditions, and such estimates are subject to change as additional information becomes available.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements:

        The preparation of financial statements requires the Trust to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The estimates include an estimate of the revenues attributable to the Trust from natural gas production for the last several months of the year, as the revenues from natural gas sales are typically received several months after delivery. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Income Taxes:

        Tax counsel to the Trust advised the Trust at the time of formation that, under then current tax laws, the Trust would be classified as a grantor trust for federal and state income tax purposes and, therefore, would not be subject to taxation at the Trust level. The Trust continues to be tax exempt. Accordingly, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been made. However, the opinion of tax counsel is not binding on taxing authorities.

23


Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        The Trust has no source of liquidity or capital resources other than the distributions received from the Net Profits Interests.

        In accordance with the provisions of the Conveyances, generally all revenues received by the Trust, net of Trust administrative expenses and the amount of established reserves, are distributed currently to the Unitholders.

        The Trust did not have any contractual obligations as of December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2008, the Trust had General and Administrative Expenses Payable of $286,764 and Distributions Payable of $3,018,398.

Results of Operations

2008 Compared with 2007

        The Trust's Distributable Income was $14,049,648 for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $12,006,605 for the year ended December 31, 2007. This increase was due to an increase in Royalty Income for the year ended December 31, 2008 ($17,028,373) as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007 ($14,660,909). The increase in Royalty Income was due to an increase in the average price payable to the Trust under the Gas Purchase Contract as discussed below ($10.406 per Mcf for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $8.339 per Mcf for the year ended December 31, 2007). The increase was partially offset due to a decrease in production of gas attributable to the Net Profits Interests for the year ended December 31, 2008 (1,637 Mmcf) as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007 (1,758 Mmcf). The decline in production is primarily attributable to natural production declines. Taxes on Production and Property were $1,254,139 for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $1,104,557 for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase in taxes is due directly to the increase in Royalty Income as discussed above. Trust General and Administrative Expenses were $1,107,022 for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $961,587 for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase in General and Administrative Expenses was due primarily to an increase in professional fees incurred.

        During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Trustee did not refund any amount from the Cash Reserve balance compared to the refunding of $500,000 from the cash reserve for the year ended December 31, 2007. This Reserve was established to facilitate the payment of vendor invoices on a timely basis. Amortization of Net Profits Interests in Gas Properties was $2,558,284 for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $2,938,058 for the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease was due to the decrease in production volumes and a decrease in the depletion rate to $1.5627 for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $1.6709 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

        The average price payable to the Trust for gas production attributable to the Net Profits Interests was $10.406 per Mcf for the year ended December 31, 2008 and $8.339 per Mcf for the year ended December 31, 2007. The price per Mcf was higher for the year ended December 31, 2008 than for the year ended December 31, 2007 due to an increase in the average spot market price for gas delivered at the Henry Hub near Henry, Louisiana ($9.160 per Dth for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $7.281 per Dth for the year ended December 31, 2007).

2007 Compared with 2006

        The Trust's Distributable Income was $12,006,605 for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $14,158,872 for the year ended December 31, 2006. This decrease was due to a decrease in Royalty Income for the year ended December 31, 2007 ($14,660,909) as compared to the year ended December 31, 2006 ($17,663,792). The decrease in Royalty Income was mostly due to a decrease in production of gas attributable to the Net Profits Interests for the year ended December 31, 2007 (1,758 Mmcf) as compared to the year ended December 31, 2006 (1,847 Mmcf). This decrease was also due to

24


Table of Contents


a decrease in the average price payable to the Trust under the Gas Purchase Contract as discussed below ($8.339 per Mcf for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $9.538 per Mcf for the year ended December 31, 2006). The decline in production is primarily attributable to natural production declines. Taxes on Production and Property were $1,104,557 for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $1,297,539 for the year ended December 31, 2006. The decrease in taxes is due directly to the decrease in Royalty Income as discussed above. Trust General and Administrative Expenses were $961,587 for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $1,646,313 for the year ended December 31, 2006. The decrease in General and Administrative Expenses was due primarily to a decrease in professional fees incurred as a direct result of the exchange offers made by Ensource Energy Income Fund LP, which were terminated on September 15, 2006.

        During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Trustee refunded $500,000 from the Cash Reserve balance compared to the refunding of $500,000 from the cash reserve for the year ended December 31, 2006. This Reserve was established to facilitate the payment of vendor invoices on a timely basis. Amortization of Net Profits Interests in Gas Properties was $2,938,058 for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $2,942,047 for the year ended December 31, 2006. This decrease was due to the decrease in production volumes, offset by an increase in the depletion rate to $1.6709 for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $1.5932 for the year ended December 31, 2006.

        The average price payable to the Trust for gas production attributable to the Net Profits Interests was $8.339 per Mcf for the year ended December 31, 2007 and $9.538 per Mcf for the year ended December 31, 2006. The price per Mcf was lower for the year ended December 31, 2007 than for the year ended December 31, 2006 due to a decrease in the average spot market price for gas delivered at the Henry Hub near Henry, Louisiana ($7.281 per Dth for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $8.371 per Dth for the year ended December 31, 2006).

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

        The Trust does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Trust's financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

        The Trust does not engage in any operations and does not utilize market risk sensitive instruments, either for trading purposes or for other than trading purposes. As described in detail elsewhere herein, the Depositary Units consist of beneficial ownership of one unit of beneficial interest in the Trust and a $20 face amount beneficial ownership interest in a $1,000 face amount zero coupon Treasury Obligation maturing on May 15, 2013. High and low price information for the Treasury Obligations is included under Item 5. As described in detail elsewhere herein, gas production attributable to the Net Profits Interest is sold to Eastern Marketing, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eastern American pursuant to the Gas Purchase Contract described herein.

Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Financial Statements

   
 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  F-2
 

Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus as of December 31, 2008 and 2007

  F-3
 

Statements of Distributable Income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

  F-4
 

Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

  F-5

Notes to Financial Statements

  F-6

Supplemental Reserve Information (Unaudited)

  F-12

25


Table of Contents

Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

        None.

Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

        The Trustee maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and regulations. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust is accumulated and communicated by several parties, including without limitation, the working interest owner, Eastern American Energy Corporation ("Eastern American"), and the independent reserve engineer to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee of the Trust, and its employees who participate in the preparation of the Trust's periodic reports as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In addition, the Trustee is required by the Trust Agreement to engage and has engaged an independent registered public accounting firm to review the quarterly financial statements of the Trust and audit the annual financial statements of the Trust, which includes financial data provided by Eastern American.

        As of December 31, 2008, the Trustee carried out an evaluation of the Trustee's disclosure controls and procedures. Mike Ulrich, as Trust Officer of the Trustee, has concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

        Due to the contractual arrangements of (i) the Trust Agreement and (ii) the rights of the Trustee under the Conveyances regarding information furnished by Eastern American, there are certain potential weaknesses that may limit the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures established by the Trustee or its employees and their ability to verify the accuracy of certain financial information. The contractual limitations creating potential weaknesses in disclosure controls and procedures may be deemed to include:

        Other than reviewing the financial and other information provided to the Trust by Eastern American and the independent reserve engineer, the Trustee made no independent or direct verification of this financial or other information.

        The Trustee does not intend to expand its responsibilities beyond those permitted or required by the Trust Agreement and those required under applicable law.

        The Trustee does not expect that the Trustee's disclosure controls and procedures or the Trustee's internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. Further, the design of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.

26


Table of Contents

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

        In connection with the evaluation by the Trustee of changes in internal control over financial reporting of the Trust, no change in the Trust's internal control over financial reporting was identified that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust's internal control over financial reporting.

Trustee's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

        The Trustee is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Trustee conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the Trustee's evaluation under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, the Trustee concluded that the Trust's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008. The effectiveness of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

        A registrant's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A registrant's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the registrant; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the registrant are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the registrant; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the registrant's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

        Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Item 9B.    Other Information.

        None.

27


Table of Contents


PART III

Item 10.    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

        The Trust has no directors or executive officers. The Trustee is a corporate trustee which may be removed by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the Trust Units then outstanding at a meeting of the Unitholders of the Trust at which a quorum is present. The Trust is not required to and does not hold annual meetings of the Unitholders.

        The Trust also does not have an audit committee. The Trust has not adopted a code of ethics, as the Trust has no directors, officers, or employees. The Trust has not adopted a process by which Unitholders may communicate with board members, as the Trust has no board members or persons fulfilling a similar function. Unitholders may contact the Trustee at the following address: The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., Trustee of Eastern American Natural Gas Trust, Global Corporate Trust, 919 Congress Avenue Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701.

Item 11.    Executive Compensation.

        The Trust has no officers or directors, and is administered by the Trustee. For the year ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, received $108,000 annually, as Trustee fees and $647,198, $513,663 and $1,209,881, respectively, as reimbursement of legal, accounting, and other professional expenses for such services. Effective January 1, 2005, the annual Trustee fee was fixed at $108,000.

Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

        Based on filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Trust is not aware of any person owning beneficially more than 5% of the Units as of March 1, 2009.

        Not applicable.

        The Trust knows of no arrangements, including the pledge of securities of the Trust, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Trust.

        The Trust has no equity compensation plans.

Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

        The Trust has no directors.

Item 14.    Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

Audit Fees

        The fees PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP billed the Trust for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered in connection with the audits of the Trust's annual financial statements and review of the Trust quarterly interim financial statements were $208,276 in 2008 and $197,700 in 2007.

Audit-Related Fees

        PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not bill the Trust any additional fees in the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Trust's financial statements.

28


Table of Contents

Tax Fees

        The fees, including expenses, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP billed the Trust for each of the last two fiscal years for compliance, tax advice or planning were $102,500 in 2008 and $103,900 in 2007.

All Other Fees

        PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not bill the Trust any additional fees in the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, other than services reported above.

Pre-Approval Policies

        The Trust does not have an audit committee or body performing a similar function. Pre-approval of all services performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and approval of the related fees is granted by the Trustee.


PART IV

Item 15.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

Reports

 

Reserve Report of Ryder Scott Company, Independent Petroleum Engineers

  A-1

Financial Statements

   

The following financial statements are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K on the pages indicated:

   
 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  F-2
 

Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus as of December 31, 2008 and 2007

  F-3
 

Statements of Distributable Income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

  F-4
 

Statements of Changes in Trust Corpus for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

  F-5
 

Notes to Financial Statements

  F-6
 

Supplemental Reserve Information (Unaudited)

  F-12

Schedules

        All schedules have been omitted because they are not required, not applicable or the information required has been included elsewhere herein.

Exhibits

        Except as otherwise indicated below, all exhibits, except Exhibits 23, 31 and 32, are incorporated herein by reference to the indicated exhibits to filings previously made by the registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All references are to the registrant's Registration Statement on

29


Table of Contents


Form S-1, Registration No. 33-56336, except for Exhibit 3.1, which is incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.

Exhibit
Number
   
  3.1   Second Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Eastern American Natural Gas Trust
  4.1   Specimen Depositary Receipt
  4.2   Form of NPI Royalty Deposit Agreement
  10.1   Form of Conveyance
  10.2   Form of Term NPI Conveyance
  10.3   Form of Gas Purchase Contract between Eastern American Energy Corporation, Eastern American Marketing Corporation and Eastern American Natural Gas Trust
  10.4   Form of Conveyance of Production Payment/Assignment of Production from Eastern American Natural Gas Trust to Eastern American Marketing Corporation
  10.5   Form of Assignment and Standby Performance Agreement
  23   Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
  31   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
  32   Section 1350 Certifications

30


Table of Contents


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on this 13th day of March, 2009.

    EASTERN AMERICAN NATURAL GAS TRUST

 

 

By:

 

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., Trustee

 

 

By:

 

/s/ MIKE ULRICH

    Name:   Mike Ulrich
    Title:   Vice President

        The Registrant, Eastern American Natural Gas Trust, has no principal executive officer, principal financial officer, controller or principal accounting officer, board of directors or persons performing similar functions. Accordingly, no additional signatures are available and none have been provided.

31


Table of Contents

[Ryder Scott Company, Independent Petroleum Engineers Letterhead]

January 27, 2009

Eastern American Natural Gas Trust
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
919 Congress Avenue
Suite 500
Austin, Texas 78701

Gentlemen:

        Pursuant to your request, we present below estimates of the net proved reserves attributable to the interests of the Eastern American Natural Gas Trust (Trust) as of December 31, 2008. The Trust is a grantor trust formed to hold interests in certain domestic oil and gas properties owned by Eastern American Energy Corporation (EAEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Corporation of America (ECA). The interests conveyed to the Trust consist of a net profits interest derived from working and royalty interests in numerous properties. The Net Profits Interest consists of (1) a life-of-properties interest ("Royalty NPI") and (2) a term interest ("Term NPI"). The properties included in the Trust are located in the states of Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

        The estimated reserve quantities and future income quantities presented in this report are related to a large extent to hydrocarbon prices. Hydrocarbon prices in effect at December 31, 2008 were used in the preparation of this report as required by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 69 (FASB 69) guidelines; however, actual future prices may vary significantly from December 31, 2008 prices for reasons discussed in more detail in other sections of this report. Therefore, quantities of reserves actually recovered and quantities of income actually received may differ significantly from the estimated quantities presented in this report.

 
  As of December 31, 2008    
 
 
  Gas   Estimated
Future Net
Cash Inflows
  Present
Value
At 10%
 
 
  (MMCF)
  (M$)
  (M$)
 

Proved Net Developed

                   

Royalty NPI

   
9,835
   
93,621
   
37,634
 

Term NPI

    3,074     29,257     23,957  
               
 

Total

    12,909     122,878     61,591  

        Reserve quantities are calculated differently for a Net Profits Interest because such interests do not entitle the Trust to a specific quantity of oil or gas but to 90 percent of the Net Proceeds derived therefrom beginning on January 1, 2009 for natural gas. Accordingly, there is no precise method of allocating estimates of the quantities of proved reserves attributable to the Net Profits Interest between the interest held by the Trust and the interests to be retained by EAEC. For purposes of this presentation, the proved reserves attributable to the Net Profits Interests have been proportionately reduced to reflect the future estimated costs and expenses deducted in the calculation of Net Proceeds with respect to the Net Profits Interests. Accordingly, the reserves presented for the Net Profits Interest reflect quantities of gas that are free of future costs or expenses based on the price and cost assumptions utilized in this report. The allocation of proved reserves of the Net Profits Interest between the Trust and EAEC will vary in the future as relative estimates of future gross revenues and future net incomes vary. Furthermore, EAEC requested that for purposes of our report the "Royalty NPI" be calculated beyond the Liquidation Date of May 15, 2013, even though by the terms of the Trust Agreement the Royalty NPI will be sold by the Trustee on or about this date and a liquidating distribution of the sales proceeds from such sale would be made to holders of Trust Units. The Trust

A-1


Table of Contents


Agreement provides that the "Term NPI" entitles the Trust to receive the net proceeds from the gas produced from the properties burdened by the "Term NPI" until the earlier of May 15, 2013 or until such time as 41,683 MMCF of gas has been produced. For purposes of this report, the "Term NPI" was limited to May 15, 2013.

        All gas volumes are sales gas expressed in MMCF at the pressure and temperature bases of the area where the gas reserves are located. The estimated future net cash inflows are described later in this report.

        The proved reserves presented in this report comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation S-X Part 210.4-10 Sec. (a) as clarified by subsequent Commission Staff Accounting Bulletins, and are based on the following definitions and criteria:

        Proved reserves of crude oil, natural gas, or natural gas liquids are estimated quantities that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in the future from known reservoirs under existing conditions. Reservoirs are considered proved if economic producibility is supported by actual production or formation tests. In certain instances, proved reserves may be assigned on the basis of a combination of core analysis and electrical and other type logs which indicate the reservoirs are analogous to reservoirs in the same field which are producing or have demonstrated the ability to produce on a formation test. The area of a reservoir considered proved includes (1) that portion delineated by drilling and defined by fluid contacts, if any, and (2) the adjoining portions not yet drilled that can be reasonably judged as economically productive on the basis of available geological and engineering data. In the absence of data on fluid contacts, the lowest known structural occurrence of hydrocarbons controls the lower proved limit of the reservoir. Proved reserves are estimates of hydrocarbons to be recovered from a given date forward. They may be revised as hydrocarbons are produced and additional data becomes available. Proved natural gas reserves consist of non-associated, associated and dissolved gas. An appropriate reduction in gas reserves has been made for the expected removal of natural gas liquids, for lease and plant fuel, and for the exclusion of non-hydrocarbon gases if they occur in significant quantities.

        Reserves that can be produced economically through the application of improved recovery techniques are included in the proved classification when these qualifications are met: (1) successful testing by a pilot project or the operation of an installed program in the reservoir provides support for the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based, and (2) it is reasonably certain the project will proceed. Improved recovery includes all methods for supplementing natural reservoir forces and energy, or otherwise increasing ultimate recovery from a reservoir, including (1) pressure maintenance, (2) cycling, and (3) secondary recovery in its original sense. Improved recovery also includes the enhanced recovery methods of thermal, chemical flooding, and the use of miscible and immiscible displacement fluids.

        Estimates of proved reserves do not include crude oil, natural gas, or natural gas liquids being held in underground or surface storage.

A-2


Table of Contents

        In accordance with the requirements of FASB 69, estimates of future cash inflows, future costs and future net cash inflows before income tax, as well as estimated reserve quantities, as of December 31, 2008 from this report are presented in the following table:

 
  As of December 31, 2008  
 
  Royalty
NPI
  Term
NPI
  Totals  

Total Proved

                   
 

Future Cash Inflows (M$)

    93,621     29,257     122,878  
 

Future Costs

                   
   

Production (M$)

    0     0     0  
   

Development (M$)

    0     0     0  
               
     

Total Costs (M$)

    0     0     0  

Future Net Cash Inflows Before Income Tax (M$)

   
93,621
   
29,257
   
122,878
 

Present Value at 10% Before Income Tax (M$)

   
37,634
   
23,957
   
61,591
 

 

 
  As of December 31, 2008  
 
  Royalty
NPI
  Term
NPI
  Totals  

Proved Net Developed Reserves

                   
 

Gas (MMCF)

    9,835     3,074     12,909  

Proved Net Undeveloped Reserves

                   
 

Gas (MMCF)

    0     0     0  

Total Proved Net Reserves

                   
 

Gas (MMCF)

    9,835     3,074     12,909  

        For Net Profits Interest, the future cash inflows are, as described previously, after consideration of future costs or expenses based on the price and cost assumptions utilized in this report. Therefore, the future cash inflows are the same as the future net cash inflows. The effects of depreciation, depletion and federal income taxes have not been taken into account in estimating future net cash inflows.

        EAEC furnished us gas prices in effect at December 31, 2008 and with its forecasts of future gas prices which take into account Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines, current market prices, contract prices and fixed and determinable price escalations where applicable. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines, the future gas prices used in this report make no allowances for future gas price increases or decreases which may occur as a result of inflation nor do they account for seasonal variations in gas prices which are likely to cause future yearly average gas prices to be somewhat higher than December gas prices. In those cases where contract market-out has occurred, the current market price was held constant to depletion of the reserves. In those cases where market-out has not occurred, contract gas prices including fixed and determinable escalations, exclusive

A-3


Table of Contents


of inflation adjustments, were used until the contract expired and then reduced to the current market price for similar gas in the area and held at this reduced price to depletion of the reserves.

        This report utilized the terms of the gas contract between Eastern Marketing Corporation (a wholly owned subsidiary of EAEC) and the Trust. Gas price is to be determined by a weighted price consisting of two components during a primary term defined to begin on January 1, 1993 and end December 31, 1999. The first component is the "Fixed" price which has been defined as $2.66 per Mcf beginning January 1, 1993. This price escalates 5 percent per year on January 1 of each year during the primary term beginning in 1994. The second component is the "Variable" price which for any quarter is equal to the Henry Hub Average Spot Price (as defined) per MMBtu, plus $0.30 per MMBtu, multiplied by 110 percent to effect a Btu adjustment. The Henry Hub Average Spot Price is defined as the price per MMBtu determined for any calendar quarter as the average price of the three months in such quarter where each month's price is equal to the average of (i) the final settlement prices per MMBtu for Henry Hub Gas Futures Contracts (as defined), as reported in the Wall Street Journal, for such contracts which expired in each of the five months prior to each month of such quarter, (ii) the final settlement price per MMBtu for Henry Hub Gas Futures Contracts, as reported in the Wall Street Journal, for such contracts which expire during such month and (iii) the closing settlement prices per MMBtu of Henry Hub Gas Futures Contracts for such month, as reported in the Wall Street Journal, for such contracts which expire in each of the six months following such month. A Henry Hub Gas Futures Contract is defined as a gas futures contract for gas to be delivered to the Henry Hub which is traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The weighted average price is determined by giving the "Fixed" price a 662/3 percent weighting and the variable price a 331/3 percent weighting.

        Since the primary term is complete, the purchase price under the gas contract will be equal to the "Variable" price. EAEC computed the "Variable" price under the gas contract as of December 31, 2008 as $9.519 per Mcf, utilizing $8.354 as the Henry Hub Average Spot Price computed in accordance with the gas contract.

        Operating costs for the leases and wells in this report were supplied by EAEC and include only costs defined as applicable under terms of the Trust. The current operating costs were held constant throughout the life of the properties. This study does not consider the salvage value of the lease equipment or the abandonment cost.

        No deduction was made for indirect costs such as general administration and overhead expenses, loan repayments, interest expenses, and exploration and development prepayments. No attempt has been made to quantify or otherwise account for any accumulated gas production imbalances that may exist.

        Our reserve estimates are based upon a study of the properties in which the Trust has interests; however, we have not made any field examination of the properties. No consideration was given in this report to potential environmental liabilities which may exist nor were any costs included for potential liability to restore and clean up damages, in any, caused by past operating practices. EAEC informed us that it has furnished us all of the accounts, records, geological and engineering data and reports and other data as were required for our investigation. The ownership interests, terms of the Trust, prices, taxes, and other factual data furnished to us in connection with our investigation were accepted as represented. The estimates presented in this report are based on data available through August, 2008.

        At the time of formation of the Trust, EAEC assigned The Trust an interest in 65 undeveloped locations. During the period 1993 through 1998, EAEC has completed it's drilling obligation. A total of 59 wells were drilled over this period. Two wells were not drilled due to title failure and four wells were not drilled due to short spacing. Reserves and projections of future production are included for the four locations which were not drilled due to short spacing.

A-4


Table of Contents

        The reserves included in this report are estimates only and should not be construed as being exact quantities. They may or may not be actually recovered. Moreover, estimates of proved reserves may increase or decrease as a result of future operations of EAEC. Moreover, due to the nature of the Net Profits Interest, a change in the future costs, or prices different from those projected herein may result in a change in the computed reserves and the Net Proceeds to the Trust even if there are no revisions or additions to the gross reserves attributed to the property.

        The future production rates from properties now on production may be more or less than estimated because of changes in market demand or allowables set by regulatory bodies. Properties which are not currently producing may start producing earlier or later than anticipated in our estimates of their future production rates.

        The future prices received by EAEC for the sale of its production may be higher or lower than the prices used in this report as described above, and the operating costs and other costs relating to such production may also increase or decrease from existing levels; however, such possible changes in prices and costs were, in accordance with rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, omitted from consideration in preparing this report.

        At the request of EAEC, we have included the following table which summarizes the total net reserves estimates from combined interest of EAEC and the Trust in the Underlying Properties:

Estimated Net Reserve Data
Certain Combined Leasehold Interests of
Eastern America Energy Corporation
And The Trust
As of December 31, 2008
SEC Parameters

 
  Proved    
 
 
  Developed   Undeveloped   Total Proved  

Net Remaining Reserves

                   

Gas-MMCF

    30,205     0     30,205  

        The estimated future net income associated with the foregoing volumes and the 10 percent discounted estimated future net income was $240,930,726 and $94,920,097, respectively. This evaluation utilizes the same price and cost assumptions that were utilized for evaluating the Trust and discussed earlier in the letter. The properties which are included in the "Term NPI" were allowed to run for their full economic life in this evaluation.

        Neither Ryder Scott Company nor any of its employees has any interest in the subject properties and neither the employment to make this study nor the compensation is contingent on our estimates of reserves and future cash inflows for the subject properties.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

 

 

/s/ Larry T. Nelms P. E.
Managing Senior Vice President

A-5


Table of Contents

EASTERN AMERICAN NATURAL GAS TRUST



FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

as of December 31, 2008 and 2007
and for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006


Table of Contents


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

        To the Unit Holders of Eastern American Natural Gas Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., Trustee

        We have audited the accompanying statements of assets, liabilities and trust corpus of Eastern American Natural Gas Trust (the "Trust") as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related statements of distributable income, and statements of changes in trust corpus for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. We also have audited the Trust's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Trustee is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the Trustee's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Trust's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

        As described in Note 2, these financial statements were prepared on the basis of accounting prescribed by the Trust Agreement, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

        A trust's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A trust's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

        Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

        In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Trust at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the distributable income and changes in trust corpus for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, on the basis of accounting described in Note 2. Also in our opinion, the Trust maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 13, 2009

F-2


Table of Contents


EASTERN AMERICAN NATURAL GAS TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND TRUST CORPUS

as of December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
  2008   2007  

Assets:

             
 

Cash

  $ 121,173   $ 197,972  
 

Net Proceeds Receivable

    3,383,989     3,132,003  
 

Net Profits Interests in Gas Properties

    93,162,180     93,162,180  
 

Accumulated Amortization

    (74,097,304 )   (71,539,020 )
           

    19,064,876     21,623,160  
   

Total Assets

 
$

22,570,038
 
$

24,953,135
 
           

Liabilities and Trust Corpus:

             
 

Trust General and Administrative Expenses Payable

  $ 286,764   $ 183,150  
 

Distributions Payable

    3,018,398     2,946,825  
 

Trust Corpus (5,900,000 units authorized and outstanding)

    19,264,876     21,823,160  
           
   

Total Liabilities and Trust Corpus

  $ 22,570,038   $ 24,953,135  
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-3


Table of Contents


EASTERN AMERICAN NATURAL GAS TRUST

STATEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTABLE INCOME

for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

 
  2008   2007   2006  

Royalty Income

  $ 17,028,373   $ 14,660,909   $ 17,663,792  

Operating Expenses:

                   
 

Taxes on Production and Property

    1,254,139     1,104,557     1,297,539  
 

Operating Cost Charges

    617,564     588,160     561,068  
               
   

Total Operating Expenses

    1,871,703     1,692,717     1,858,607  
               

Net Proceeds to the Trust

    15,156,670     12,968,192     15,805,185  

General and Administrative Expenses

    1,107,022     961,587     1,646,313  
               
   

Distributable Income

    14,049,648     12,006,605     14,158,872  

Cash Reserve Refunded

        500,000     500,000  
               
   

Distribution Amount

  $ 14,049,648   $ 12,506,605   $ 14,658,872  
               

Distributable Income Per Unit (5,900,000 units authorized and outstanding)

  $ 2.3813   $ 2.0350   $ 2.3998  
               

Distribution Amount Per Unit (5,900,000 units authorized and outstanding)

  $ 2.3813   $ 2.1198   $ 2.4846  
               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-4


Table of Contents


EASTERN AMERICAN NATURAL GAS TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CORPUS

for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

 
  2008   2007   2006  

Trust Corpus, Beginning of Period

  $ 21,823,160   $ 25,261,218   $ 28,703,265  

Distributable Income

    14,049,648     12,006,605     14,158,872  

Distributions Paid or Payable to Unitholders

    (14,049,648 )   (12,506,605 )   (14,658,872 )

Amortization of Net Profits Interests in Gas Properties

    (2,558,284 )   (2,938,058 )   (2,942,047 )
               

Trust Corpus, End of Period

  $ 19,264,876   $ 21,823,160   $ 25,261,218  
               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-5


Table of Contents


EASTERN AMERICAN NATURAL GAS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization of the Trust:

        The Eastern American Natural Gas Trust (the "Trust") was formed under the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a Trust Agreement (the "Trust Agreement") among Eastern American Energy Corporation ("Eastern American"), as grantor, Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as Trustee, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee (the "Delaware Trustee"). Effective May 8, 2000, The Bank of New York acquired the corporate trust business of the Bank of Montreal Trust Company / Harris Trust, and consequently, The Bank of New York served as trustee of the Trust. On November 20, 2004, the holders of a majority of the Trust Units voting at a special meeting approved the resignation of The Bank of New York as trustee and depository of the Trust and the appointment of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as successor trustee of the Trust, effective as of January 1, 2005. Effective October 2, 2006, The Bank of New York Trust Company, N. A. replaced JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as trustee in connection with the sale by JPMorgan Chase Bank of substantially all of its corporate trust business to The Bank of New York. Consequently, references herein to the "Trustee" mean Bank of Montreal Trust Company until May 8, 2000; The Bank of New York as successor Trustee from May 8, 2000 through December 31, 2004; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as successor trustee, from January 1, 2005 through October 2, 2006; and The Bank of New York, N.A. as successor trustee (now known as The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.), effective as of October 2, 2006. The transfer agent for the Trust is Bondholder Communications, an affiliate of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

        The purpose of the Trust is to acquire and hold net profits interests owned by Eastern American in 650 producing gas wells and 65 proved development well locations in West Virginia and Pennsylvania (the "Underlying Properties"). The Underlying Properties are operated by Eastern American. The Net Profits Interests (the "Net Profits Interests") consist of a Royalty interest in 322 wells and a Term interest in the remaining wells and locations. Eastern American drilled 59 of the 65 development wells.

        The Royalty NPI is not limited in term or amount. Under the Trust Agreement, the Trustee is directed to sell all remaining Royalty NPI after May 15, 2012 and prior to May 15, 2013, and net proceeds from selling such 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 such time as 41,683 MMcf of gas has been produced which is attributable to Eastern American's net revenue interests in the properties burdened by the Term NPI. As of December 31, 2008, 24,786 MMcf of such gas had been produced.

        Eastern American can sell the Underlying Properties, subject to and burdened by the Net Profits Interests, without the consent of the Trustee or the Unitholders. In limited circumstances, Eastern American also can transfer the Underlying Properties and require the Trust to release the NPI burdening that property, without the consent of the Trustee or Unitholders, subject to payment to the Trust of the fair value of the interest released. In addition, any abandonment of a well included in the Underlying Properties or the Development Wells will extinguish that portion of the Net Profits Interests that relate to such well.

        Four (4) of the remaining six (6) development wells were closely offset by third parties. Since the wells drilled by the third parties were within 1,000 feet of these development wells, Eastern American had a disagreement with the Trust over Eastern American's obligation to drill these closely offset development wells. The Trust agreed that, in lieu of drilling these closely offset development wells Eastern American can provide the Trust, on an annual basis commencing on April 1, 1997, and over

F-6


Table of Contents


EASTERN AMERICAN NATURAL GAS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Organization of the Trust: (Continued)


the remaining life of the Trust, a volume of gas which is equal to the projected volumes of the wells as if they had been drilled. These volumes have been estimated by the Ryder Scott Company.

        The two (2) remaining development wells were not drilled because Eastern American was unable to cure various title defects associated with these wells. Eastern American advised the Trust that it made a diligent effort to cure title but was unsuccessful. In West Virginia, an oil and gas well cannot be drilled unless a full and complete 100% leasehold interest is first obtained. Drilling an oil and gas well without obtaining the entire leasehold estate would expose the oil and gas operator and the Trust to a possible suit for trespass. Pursuant to the Term Net Profits Interest Conveyance, if the state of title to the drill site to any development well renders such property undrillable in the good faith opinion of Eastern American under the Reasonably Prudent Operator Standard then such drill site(s) shall be construed as a development well(s). Consequently, Eastern American has fulfilled its commitment to the Trust to drill the required number of development wells.

        On March 15, 1993, 5,900,000 depositary units were issued in a public offering at an initial public offering price of $20.50 per depositary unit. Each depositary unit consists of beneficial ownership of one unit of beneficial interest ("Trust Unit") in the Trust and a $20 face amount beneficial ownership interest in a $1,000 face amount zero coupon United States Treasury Obligation ("Treasury Obligation") maturing on May 15, 2013. Of the net proceeds from such offering, $27,787,820 was used to purchase $118,000,000 in face amount of Treasury Obligations and $93,162,180 was paid to Eastern American in consideration for the conveyance of the Net Profits Interests to the Trust. The Trust acquired the Net Profits Interests effective as of January 1, 1993. The Treasury Obligations are directly owned by the Unitholders and are not part of the Trust Corpus. The Treasury Obligations are on deposit with the Trustee pursuant to the Deposit Agreement.

        The Net Profits Interests are passive in nature, and neither the Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee has management control or authority over, nor any responsibility relating to, the operation of the properties subject to the Net Profits Interests. The Trust Agreement provides, among other things, that the Trust shall not engage in any business or commercial activity or acquire any asset other than the Net Profits Interests initially conveyed to the Trust; the Trustee may establish a reserve for payment of any liability which is contingent, uncertain in amount or that is not currently due and payable; the Trustee is authorized to borrow funds required to pay liabilities of the Trust, provided that such borrowings are repaid in full prior to further distributions to Unitholders; and the Trustee will make quarterly cash distributions to Unitholders from funds of the Trust.

2. Significant Accounting Policies:

        The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Trust.

Basis of Accounting:

        The financial statements of the Trust differ from financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America due to the following: (i) certain cash reserves may be established for contingencies which were not accrued in the financial statements; (ii) amortization of the Net Profits Interests in gas properties is charged directly to Trust Corpus; and (iii) the sale of the Net Profits Interests is reflected in the Statements of Distributable Income as cash proceeds to the Trust.

F-7


Table of Contents


EASTERN AMERICAN NATURAL GAS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies: (Continued)

        Most accounting pronouncements apply to entities whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Because the trust's financial statements are prepared on a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, as described above, most accounting pronouncements are not applicable to the trust's financial statements.

Cash:

        Cash consists of highly liquid instruments with maturities at the time of acquisition of three months or less.

Net Profits Interests in Gas Properties:

        The Net Profits Interests in gas properties are assessed to determine whether their net capitalized cost is impaired, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable, pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets ("SFAS 144"). The Trust will determine if a writedown is necessary to its investment in the Net Profits Interests in gas properties to the extent that total capitalized costs, less accumulated amortization, exceed undiscounted future net revenues attributable to proved gas reserves of the Underlying Properties. The Trust will then provide a writedown to the extent that the net capitalized costs exceed the fair value of the investment in net profits interests attributable to proved gas reserves of the Underlying Properties. Any such writedown would not reduce Distributable Income, although it would reduce Trust Corpus. Based on our assessment, the carrying value of the underlying properties is not impaired as of December 31, 2008.

        Significant dispositions or abandonment of the Underlying Properties are charged to Net Profits Interests and the Trust Corpus.

        Amortization of the Net Profits Interests in gas properties is calculated on a units-of-production basis, whereby the Trust's cost basis in the properties is divided by total Trust proved reserves to derive an amortization rate per reserve unit. Such amortization does not reduce Distributable Income, rather it is charged directly to Trust Corpus. Revisions to estimated future units-of-production are treated on a prospective basis beginning on the date significant revisions are known.

        The conveyance of the Royalty and Term Interests to the Trust was accounted for as a purchase transaction. The $93,162,180 reflected in the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus as Net Profits Interests in Gas Properties represents 5,900,000 Trust Units valued at $20.50 per depository unit less the $27,787,820 paid for Treasury obligations. The carrying value of the Trust's investment in the Royalty Interests is not necessarily indicative of the fair value of such Royalty Interests.

Revenues and Expenses:

        The Trust serves as a pass-through entity, with items of depletion, interest income and expense, and income tax attributes being based upon the status and election of the Unitholders. Thus, the Statements of Distributable Income purport to show Distributable Income, defined as Trust income available for distribution to Unitholders before application of those Unitholders' additional expenses, if any, for depletion, interest income and expense, and income taxes.

F-8


Table of Contents


EASTERN AMERICAN NATURAL GAS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies: (Continued)

        The Trust uses the accrual basis to recognize revenue, with royalty income recorded as reserves are extracted from the Underlying Properties and sold. Expenses are also recognized on an accrual basis. Operating expenses which include Taxes on Property and Production and Operating Cost Charges are recognized as incurred pursuant to the Conveyances on a per well production basis. The payment provisions of the Gas Purchase Contract between the Trust and Eastern Marketing Corporation ("Eastern Marketing"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Eastern American, require payment with respect to gas production for a calendar quarter to be made to the Trust on or before the tenth day of the third month following such quarter.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements:

        The preparation of financial statements requires the Trust to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The estimates include an estimate of the revenues attributable to the Trust from natural gas production for the last several months of the year, as the revenues from natural gas sales are typically received several months after delivery. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segment Information:

        In 1998, the Trust adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." The Trust's sole activity is earning royalty income from gas properties and, consequently, the Trust has only one operating segment, net profits interests in gas properties. Substantially all of the Trust's net profits interests are located in the Appalachian region.

3. Effects of New Pronouncements:

        In January 2009, the SEC published its final rule, Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting, which modifies the SEC's reporting and disclosure rules for oil and natural gas reserves. The most notable changes of the final rule include the replacement of the single day period-end pricing to value oil and natural gas reserves to a 12-month average of the first day of the month price for each month within the reporting period. The final rule also permits voluntary disclosure of probable and possible reserves, a disclosure previously prohibited by SEC rules. The revised reporting and disclosure requirements are effective for our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. Early adoption is not permitted. We are evaluating the impact that adoption of this final rule will have on our financial statements, related disclosure and management's discussion and analysis.

4. Income Taxes:

        Tax counsel to Eastern American advised Eastern American at the time of formation that, under then current tax laws, the Trust would be classified as a grantor trust for federal and state income tax purposes and, therefore, would not be subject to taxation at the Trust level. Accordingly, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been made. However, the opinion of tax counsel is not binding on taxing authorities.

        The Unitholders are considered, for income tax purposes, to own the Trust's income and principal as though no trust were in existence. Thus, the taxable year for reporting a Unitholder's share of the

F-9


Table of Contents


EASTERN AMERICAN NATURAL GAS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4. Income Taxes: (Continued)


Trust income, expense and credits are controlled by the Unitholder's taxable year and method of accounting, not the taxable year and method of accounting employed by the Trust.

5. Distributions to Unitholders:

        The Trustee determines for each quarter the amount available for distribution to the Unitholders. Such amount will be equal to the excess, if any, of the cash received by the Trust, on or before the tenth day of the third month following the end of each calendar quarter ending prior to the dissolution of the Trust, from the Net Profits Interests then held by the Trust attributable to production during such quarter, plus, with certain exceptions, any other cash receipts of the Trust during such quarter, over the liabilities of the Trust paid during such quarter, subject to adjustments for changes made by the Trustee during such quarter in any cash reserves established at the discretion of the Trustee for the payment of contingent or future obligations of the Trust. Cash received by the Trustee in a particular quarter from the Net Profits Interests will reflect actual gas production for a portion of such quarter and a production estimate for the remainder of such quarter, such estimate to be adjusted to actual production in the following quarter. In accordance with the Trust Agreement and Delaware law, Unitholders should be shielded from direct liability for any environmental liabilities. However, costs and expenses incurred by Eastern American for certain Capital Costs associated with environmental liabilities arising after the effective date of the Conveyances would reduce Net Proceeds, and would therefore be borne, in part, by the Unitholders.

        Net Proceeds Receivable included in the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Trust Corpus as of December 31, 2008 are expected to be received by the Trust and distributed to the Unitholders on March 16, 2009. The December 31, 2007 Net Proceeds Receivable were received and distributed by the Trust on March 14, 2008.

6. Related Party Transactions:

        The Trust is responsible for paying all legal, accounting, engineering and stock exchange fees, printing costs and other administrative expenses incurred at the direction of the Trustee. The total of all Trustee fees and Trust administrative expenses was $755,198 for the year ended December 31, 2008, $621,663 for the year ended December 31, 2007 and $1,317,881 for the year ended December 31, 2006. In accordance with the Trust Agreement, the Trustee pays Eastern American an annual fee which increases by 3.5% per year, payable quarterly, to reimburse Eastern American for overhead expenses. The initial fee at the inception of the Trust was $210,000. The Trustee paid Eastern American $351,824, $339,924 and $328,432 for overhead expenses for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Operating Cost Charges included in the Statements of Distributable Income are paid to Eastern American.

        Gas production attributable to the Net Profits Interests is purchased from the Trust by Eastern Marketing Corporation pursuant to a Gas Purchase Contract, which effectively commenced as of January 1, 1993 and expires upon the termination of the Trust.

        Pursuant to the Gas Purchase Contract, Eastern Marketing is obligated to purchase such gas production at a purchase price per Mcf equal to the greater of the Index Price, as defined below, or a Floor Price, for gas produced in any quarter during the Primary Term, which ended December 31, 1999. Effective January 1, 2000, Eastern Marketing is obligated to purchase such gas production at a purchase price per Mcf equal to the Index Price for gas produced in any quarter after the Primary Term.

F-10


Table of Contents


EASTERN AMERICAN NATURAL GAS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

6. Related Party Transactions: (Continued)

        The Index Price for any quarter subsequent to the Primary Term, which expired December 31, 1999, is determined solely by reference to the Variable Price component. The Variable Price for any quarter is equal to the Henry Hub Average Spot Price (as defined) per MMBtu plus $0.30 per MMBtu, multiplied by 110% to effect a fixed adjustment for Btu content. The Henry Hub Average Spot Price is defined as the price per MMBtu determined for any calendar quarter equal to the price obtained with respect to each of the three months in such quarter, in the manner specified below, and then taking the average of the prices determined for each of such three months. The price determined for any month of such quarter is equal to the average of (i) the final settlement prices per MMBtu for Henry Hub Gas Futures Contracts (as defined), as reported in The Wall Street Journal, for such contracts which expired in each of the five months prior to such month, (ii) the final settlement price per MMBtu for Henry Hub Gas Futures Contracts, as reported in The Wall Street Journal, for such contracts which expire during such month and (iii) the closing settlement prices per MMBtu of Henry Hub Gas Futures Contracts determined as of the contract settlement date for such month, as reported in The Wall Street Journal, for such contracts which expire in each of the six months following such month. A Henry Hub Gas Futures Contract is defined as a gas futures contract for gas to be delivered to the Henry Hub which is traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

        Under a standby performance agreement, Eastern American has agreed to make payments under the Gas Purchase Contract to the extent such payments are not made by Eastern Marketing.

F-11


Table of Contents

Supplemental Reserve Information (Unaudited):

        Information regarding estimates of the proved gas reserves attributable to the Trust are based on reports prepared by independent petroleum engineering consultants. Such estimates were prepared in accordance with guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, the estimates were based on existing economic and operating conditions. Numerous uncertainties are inherent in estimating reserve volumes and values and such estimates are subject to change as additional information becomes available.

        The reserves actually recovered and the timing of production of these reserves may be substantially different from the original estimates.

        The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows was determined based on reserve estimates prepared by the independent petroleum engineering consultants. Fixed gas prices were used during the Primary Term, which ended December 31, 1999. The gas prices used thereafter are based solely on the fourth quarter Variable Price component.

        The reserves and revenue values for the Underlying Properties transferred to the Trust were estimated from projections of reserves and revenue values attributable to the combined Eastern American and Trust interests in these properties. Reserve quantities are calculated differently for the Net Profits Interests because such interests do not entitle the Trust to a specific quantity of gas but to 90% of the Net Proceeds derived therefrom. Accordingly, there is no precise method of allocating estimates of the quantities of proved reserves between those held by the Trust and the interests to be retained by Eastern American. For purposes of this presentation, the proved reserves attributable to the Net Profits Interests have been proportionately reduced to reflect the future estimated costs and expenses deducted in the calculation of Net Proceeds with respect to the Net Profits Interests. The reserves presented for the Net Profits Interests reflect quantities of gas that are free of future costs or expenses. The allocation of proved reserves between the Trust and Eastern American will vary in the future as relative estimates of future gross revenues and future costs and expenses vary.

        The royalty portion of the Net Profits Interests was calculated beyond the liquidation date of the Trust (May 15, 2013), even though the terms of the Trust Agreement require that the Royalty Net Profits Interest be sold by the Trustee on or about this date and a liquidating distribution from the sales proceeds from such sale would be made to the Unitholders. The Term Net Profits Interests was limited to the 20-year period as defined by the Trust Agreement.

        The following table reconciles the change in proved reserves attributable to the Trust's share of the Net Profits Interests ("NPI") from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008:

 
  Royalty
NPI
  Term
NPI
  Total
NPI
 
 
  (MMcf)
  (MMcf)
  (MMcf)
 

Balance, January 1, 2006

    11,266     5,997     17,263  

Production

    (788 )   (1,059 )   (1,847 )

Revisions of previous estimates

    (593 )   (124 )   (717 )
               

Balance, December 31, 2006

    9,885     4,814     14,699  

Production

    (774 )   (984 )   (1,758 )

Revisions of previous estimates

    901     (5 )   896  
               

Balance, December 31, 2007

    10,012     3,825     13,837  

Production

    (707 )   (930 )   (1,637 )

Revisions of previous estimates

    530     179     709  
               

Balance, December 31, 2008

    9,835     3,074     12,909  
               

F-12


Table of Contents

        The Trust's share of proved developed gas reserves are as follows:

 
  Royalty
NPI
  Term
NPI
  Total
NPI
 
 
  (MMcf)
  (MMcf)
  (MMcf)
 

December 31, 2006

    9,885     4,814     14,699  
               

December 31, 2007

    10,012     3,825     13,837  
               

December 31, 2008

    9,835     3,074     12,909  
               

        Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to Proved Reserves:

        The following is the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows as of December 31, 2008 (in thousands):

 
  Royalty
NPI
  Term
NPI
  Total
NPI
 

Future cash inflows

  $ 112,434   $ 33,015   $ 145,449  

Future production taxes

    (5,079 )   (1,341 )   (6,420 )

Future production costs

    (13,734 )   (2,417 )   (16,151 )
               

Future net cash inflows

    93,621     29,257     122,878  

10% discount factor

    (55,987 )   (5,300 )   (61,287 )
               

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

  $ 37,634   $ 23,957   $ 61,591  
               

        The following is the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows as of December 31, 2007 (in thousands):

 
  Royalty
NPI
  Term
NPI
  Total
NPI
 

Future cash inflows

  $ 99,875   $ 35,706   $ 135,581  

Future production taxes

    (4,548 )   (1,475 )   (6,023 )

Future production costs

    (12,829 )   (2,711 )   (15,540 )
               

Future net cash inflows

    82,498     31,520     114,018  

10% discount factor

    (48,771 )   (6,733 )   (55,504 )
               

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

  $ 33,727   $ 24,787   $ 58,514  
               

        The following is the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows as of December 31, 2006 (in thousands):

 
  Royalty
NPI
  Term
NPI
  Total
NPI
 

Future cash inflows

  $ 96,482   $ 43,880   $ 140,362  

Future production taxes

    (4,395 )   (1,762 )   (6,157 )

Future production costs

    (12,060 )   (3,411 )   (15,201 )
               

Future net cash inflows

    80,027     38,977     119,004  

10% discount factor

    (46,248 )   (9,496 )   (55,744 )
               

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

  $ 33,779   $ 29,481   $ 63,260  
               

F-13


Table of Contents

        Changes in Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows:

        The following schedule reconciles the changes during 2006, 2007 and 2008 in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved reserves (in thousands):

 
  Royalty
NPI
  Term
NPI
  Total
NPI
 

Standardized measure, January 1, 2006

  $ 59,278   $ 54,992   $ 114,270  

Net proceeds to the Trust

    (10,629 )   (5,176 )   (15,805 )

Revisions of previous estimates

    (2,553 )   (534 )   (3,087 )

Accretion of discount

    5,928     5,499     11,427  

Net change in price and production costs

    (24,264 )   (11,435 )   (35,699 )

Other

    6,019     (13,865 )   (7,846 )
               

Standardized measure, December 31, 2006

  $ 33,779   $ 29,481   $ 63,260  

Net proceeds to the Trust

    (9,383 )   (3,585 )   (12,968 )

Revisions of previous estimates

    3,810     (21 )   3,789  

Accretion of discount

    3,378     2,948     6,326  

Net change in price and production costs

    (682 )   (287 )   (969 )

Other

    2,825     (3,749 )   (924 )
               

Standardized measure, December 31, 2007

  $ 33,727   $ 24,787   $ 58,514  

Net proceeds to the Trust

    (11,548 )   (3,609 )   (15,157 )

Revisions of previous estimates

    2,529     854     3,383  

Accretion of discount

    3,372     2,479     5,851  

Net change in price and production costs

    5,047     1,570     6,617  

Other

    4,507     (2,124 )   2,383  
               

Standardized measure, December 31, 2008

  $ 37,634   $ 23,957   $ 61,591  
               

F-14


Table of Contents


EASTERN AMERICAN NATURAL GAS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

6. Related Party Transactions: (Continued)

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited):

        The following is a summary of royalty income and distributable income per unit by quarter in 2008, 2007 and 2006 (all amounts in thousands except Distributable income per unit):

2008
  Mar 31   June 30   Sept 30   Dec 31   Total  

Royalty Income

  $ 3,548   $ 4,679   $ 4,980   $ 3,821   $ 17,028  

Distributable Income

  $ 2,773   $ 3,957   $ 4,302   $ 3,018   $ 14,050  

Distributable Income Per Unit

  $ 0.4700   $ 0.6706   $ 0.7291   $ 0.5116   $ 2.3813  

 

2007
  Mar 31   June 30   Sept 30   Dec 31   Total  

Royalty Income

  $ 3,565   $ 3,855   $ 3,694   $ 3,547   $ 14,661  

Distributable Income

  $ 2,832   $ 3,144   $ 3,084   $ 2,947   $ 12,007  

Distributable Income Per Unit

  $ 0.4800   $ 0.5328   $ 0.5228   $ 0.4995   $ 2.0350  

 

2006
  Mar 31   June 30   Sept 30   Dec 31   Total  

Royalty Income

  $ 5,363   $ 4,595   $ 4,300   $ 3,406   $ 17,664  

Distributable Income

  $ 4,385   $ 3,780   $ 3,313   $ 2,681   $ 14,159  

Distributable Income Per Unit

  $ 0.7432   $ 0.6407   $ 0.5616   $ 0.4544   $ 2.3998  

F-15



Exhibit 23

GRAPHIC

March 11, 2009

Eastern American Natural Gas Trust
c/o The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., Trustee
919 Congress Avenue
Suite 500
Austin, Texas 78701

Gentleman:

        We hereby consent to the inclusion of our report dated January 27, 2009, concerning the estimated net proved reserves attributable to the interests of Eastern American Natural Gas Trust as of December 31, 2008 in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, of Eastern American Natural Gas Trust to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We also consent to the references to our firm under Item 1—"Business—The Underlying Properties—Reserves" and Item 2 and under "Supplemental Oil and Gas Information (Unaudited)" in Item 8 of the Form 10-K.

Very truly yours,

/s/ RYDER SCOTT COMPANY  

Ryder Scott Company

1100 LOUISIANA, SUITE 3800
1100, 530-8TH STREET, S.W.
  HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-5218
CALGARY, ALBERTA T2P 2W2
  TEL (713) 651-9191
TEL (403) 262-2799
  FAX (713) 651-0849
FAX (403) 262-2790


EXHIBIT 31

I, Mike Ulrich, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 of Eastern American Natural Gas Trust, for which, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., acts as Trustee;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition, distributable income and changes in trust corpus of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

4.
I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)), or for causing such controls and procedures to be established and maintained, for the registrant and have:

a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

b)
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes; and

c)
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this annual report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report based on such evaluation; and

d)
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's fourth quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors:

a)
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves any persons who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
By:   /s/ MIKE ULRICH

Vice President
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

Date: March 13, 2009



EXHIBIT 32

Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549

        In connection with the Annual Report of Eastern American Natural Gas Trust (the "Trust") on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), the undersigned, not in its individual capacity but solely as the trustee of the Trust, certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to its knowledge:

        (1)   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

        (2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Trust at the dates and for the periods presented.

        The above certification is furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350) and is not being filed as part of the Form 10-K or as a separate disclosure document.

  The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.,
Trustee for Eastern American Natural Gas Trust

 

By:

 

/s/ MIKE ULRICH

Vice President
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

Date: March 13, 2009