EX-99.1 2 i23128_ex99-1.htm

Exhibit 99.1

UNITED STATES COMMODITY FUNDS LLC

General Partner of the United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP

March 24, 2023

Dear United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP Investor,

Enclosed with this letter is your copy of the 2022 financial statements for the United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP (ticker symbol “USL”). We have mailed this statement to all investors in USL who held shares as of December 31, 2022 to satisfy our annual reporting requirement under federal commodities laws. In addition, the current United States Commodity Funds LLC (“USCF”) Privacy Policy applicable to USL is available on USCF’s website at www.uscfinvestments.com. Additional information concerning USL’s 2022 results may be found by referring to USL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K”), which has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may obtain a copy of the Form 10-K by going to the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by going to USCF’s website at www.uscfinvestments.com. You may also call USCF at 1-800-920-0259 to speak to a representative and request additional material, including a current USL Prospectus.

 

USCF is the general partner of USL. USCF is also the general partner or sponsor and operator of several other commodity-based exchange-traded funds. These other funds are referred to in the attached financial statements and include:

 

United States Oil Fund, LP (ticker symbol: USO) United States Commodity Index Fund (ticker symbol: USCI)
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP (ticker symbol: UNG) United States Copper Index Fund (ticker symbol: CPER)
United States Gasoline Fund, LP (ticker symbol: UGA)    
United States 12 Month Natural Gas Fund, LP (ticker symbol: UNL)    
United States Brent Oil Fund, LP (ticker symbol: BNO)    

 

Information about these other funds is contained within the Form 10-K as well as in the current USL Prospectus. Investors in USL who wish to receive additional information about these other funds may do so by going to the USCF website at www.uscfinvestments.com.

You may also call USCF at 1-800-920-0259 to request additional information.

Thank you for your continued interest in USL.

Regards,

 

/s/ John P. Love  
John P. Love  
President and Chief Executive Officer
United States Commodity Funds LLC

 

*This letter is not an offer to buy or sell securities. Investment in USL or any other funds should be made only after reading such fund’s prospectus. Please consult the relevant prospectus for a description of the risks and expenses involved in any such investment.

 
 

UNITED STATES 12 MONTH OIL FUND,

LP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020

 

AFFIRMATION OF THE COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR

 

To the Shareholders of the United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP:

 

Pursuant to Rule 4.22(h) under the Commodity Exchange Act, the undersigned represents that, to the best of his knowledge and belief, the information contained in this Annual Report for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 is accurate and complete.

 

By United States Commodity Funds LLC, as General Partner

By: /s/ John P. Love  
  John P. Love  
  President & Chief Executive Officer of United States Commodity Funds LLC
  On behalf of United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP
 
 
 
Spicer Jeffries LLP
Certified Public Accountants
   
4601 DTC BOULEVARD · SUITE 700
DENVER, COLORADO 80237
TELEPHONE: (303) 753-1959
  FAX: (303) 753-0338
  www.spicerjeffries.com
   

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Partners of

United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP

 

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of financial condition of United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related statements of operations, changes in partners’ capital and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). We also have audited the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Fund maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

The Fund’s management 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 accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and an opinion on the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

 

Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. 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.

 

 

 
 

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

A Fund’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 Fund’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Fund; (2) 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 Fund are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Fund; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Fund’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.

 

Critical Audit Matters

 

Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.

 

We have served as the Fund’s auditor since 2007.

 

Denver, Colorado

February 27, 2023

 
 

United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP

Statements of Financial Condition

At December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021

         
   December 31,
 2022
   December 31,
2021
 
Assets          
Cash and cash equivalents (at cost $21,025,033 and $99,549,427, respectively) (Notes 2 and 5)  $21,025,033   $99,549,427 
Equity in trading accounts:          
Cash and cash equivalents (at cost $69,049,486 and $30,014,301, respectively)   69,049,486    30,014,301 
Unrealized gain (loss) on open commodity futures contracts   (3,133,690)   19,648,030 
Dividends receivable   89,236    1,869 
Interest receivable   180,448    2,804 
Prepaid license fees   3,717     
Prepaid insurance*   8,077    9,309 
ETF transaction fees receivable   350     
           
Total Assets  $87,222,657   $149,225,740 
           
Liabilities and Partners’ Capital          
Payable due to Broker  $   $11,205,326 
Payable for shares redeemed   3,545,150     
General Partner management fees payable (Note 3)   45,709    67,706 
Professional fees payable   308,982    172,680 
Brokerage commissions payable   12,602    12,602 
Directors’ fees payable*   1,882    2,427 
License fees payable       4,329 
Registration fees payable       96,068 
           
Total Liabilities   3,914,325    11,561,138 
           
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 3, 4 & 5)          
           
Partners’ Capital          
General Partners        
Limited Partners   83,308,332    137,664,602 
Total Partners’ Capital   83,308,332    137,664,602 
           
Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital  $87,222,657   $149,225,740 
           
Limited Partners’ shares outstanding   2,350,000    4,950,000 
Net asset value per share  $35.45   $27.81 
Market value per share  $35.50   $27.93 
 
*Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current presentation.

 

 See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 
 

United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP

Schedule of Investments

At December 31, 2022

                 
           Fair     
           Value/Unrealized     
           Gain (Loss) on     
           Open     
   Notional   Number of   Commodity   % of Partners’ 
   Amount   Contracts   Contracts   Capital 
Open Commodity Futures Contracts - Long                    
United States Contracts                    
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures CL February 2023 contracts, expiring January 2023  $6,749,130    88   $313,750    0.38 
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures CL March 2023 contracts, expiring February 2023   7,055,140    88    24,460    0.03 
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures CL April 2023 contracts, expiring March 2023   7,878,710    88    (792,070)   (0.95)
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures CL May 2023 contracts, expiring April 2023   7,656,690    88    (577,090)   (0.69)
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures CL June 2023 contracts, expiring May 2023   7,825,430    88    (767,830)   (0.92)
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures CL July 2023 contracts, expiring June 2023   8,242,970    88    (1,217,930)   (1.46)
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures CL August 2023 contracts, expiring July 2023   6,968,630    88    15,050    0.02 
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures CL September 2023 contracts, expiring August 2023   7,127,530    87    (267,580)   (0.32)
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures CL October 2023 contracts, expiring September 2023   6,863,640    87    (49,800)   (0.06)
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures CL November 2023 contracts, expiring October 2023   6,740,000    87    29,470    0.03 
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures CL December 2023 contracts, expiring November 2023   6,880,130    87    (154,160)   (0.19)
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures CL January 2024 contracts, expiring December 2023   6,447,480    88    310,040    0.37 
Total Open Futures Contracts*  $86,435,480    1,052   $(3,133,690)   (3.76)

 

             
   Shares/Principal       % of Partners’ 
   Amount   Market Value   Capital 
Cash Equivalents            
United States Money Market Funds            
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Government Portfolio - Institutional Shares, 4.12%#   21,025,000   $21,025,000    25.24 
Total United States Money Market Funds       $21,025,000    25.24 
 
#Reflects the 7-day yield at December 31, 2022.
*Collateral amounted to $69,049,486 on open commodity futures contracts.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 
 

United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP

Schedule of Investments

At December 31, 2021

                 
           Fair     
           Value/Unrealized     
           Gain (Loss ) on     
           Open     
   Notional   Number of    Commodity   % of Partners' 
   Amount   Contracts   Contracts   Capital 
Open Commodity Futures Contracts - Long                    
United States Contracts                    
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures February 2022 contracts, expiring January 2022  $7,678,000    158   $4,205,180    3.05 
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures March 2022 contracts, expiring February 2022   8,498,470    159    3,407,450    2.48 
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures April 2022 contracts, expiring March 2022   9,381,350    158    2,381,750    1.73 
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures May 2022 contracts, expiring April 2022   9,024,130    158    2,658,390    1.93 
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures June 2022 contracts, expiring May 2022   9,623,220    158    1,969,240    1.43 
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures July 2022 contracts, expiring June 2022   10,200,540    159    1,371,480    0.99 
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures August 2022 contracts, expiring July 2022   10,233,900    158    1,168,960    0.61 
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures September 2022 contracts, expiring August 2022   10,134,860    159    1,243,180    0.23 
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures October 2022 contracts, expiring September 2022   10,183,660    158    1,029,600    (0.15)
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures November 2022 contracts, expiring October 2022   11,185,910    159    4,510    (0.53)†
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures December 2022 contracts, expiring November 2022   11,438,460    159    (335,490)   (0.24)
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures January 2023 contracts, expiring December 2022   10,471,740    159    543,780    0.39 
Total Open Futures Contracts*  $118,054,240    1,902   $19,648,030    14.27 

 

             
   Shares/Principal   Market   % of Partners’ 
   Amount   Value   Capital 
Cash Equivalents               
United States Money Market Funds               
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund - Institutional Shares, 0.03%#   9,200,000   $9,200,000    6.68 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Government Portfolio - Institutional Shares, 0.03%#   72,400,000    72,400,000    52.59 
RBC U.S. Government Money Market Fund - Institutional Shares, 0.03%#   10,196,000    10,196,000    7.41 
Total United States Money Market Funds       $91,796,000    66.68 
 
Represents less than 0.005%.
#Reflects the 7-day yield at December 31, 2021.
*Collateral amounted to $30,014,301 on open commodity futures contracts.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 
 

United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP

Statements of Operations

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020

             
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended 
   December 31,
2022
   December 31,
2021
   December 31,
2020
 
Income               
Gain (loss) on trading of commodity futures contracts:               
Realized gain (loss) on closed commodity futures contracts  $60,694,670   $112,107,560   $76,578,011 
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on open commodity futures contracts   (22,781,720)   (17,234,420)   33,279,859 
Realized gain (loss) on short-term investments           1,240 
Dividend income   640,075    29,830    158,704 
Interest income*   872,602    32,668    252,605 
ETF transaction fees   11,200    14,350    33,264 
Total Income (Loss)  $39,436,827   $94,949,988   $110,303,683 
                
Expenses               
General Partner management fees (Note 3)  $759,048   $1,074,705   $1,080,769 
Professional fees   140,802    288,152    231,301 
Brokerage commissions   16,355    26,177    102,980 
Directors’ fees and insurance   46,961    46,172    17,435 
License Fee   18,975    26,868    27,019 
Registration fees   92,130    151,475    124,835 
Total Expenses  $1,074,271   $1,613,549   $1,584,339 
Net Income (Loss)  $38,362,556   $93,336,439   $108,719,344 
Net Income (Loss) per limited partner share  $7.64   $10.58   $(5.72)
Net Income (Loss) per weighted average limited partner share  $11.00   $12.18   $8.83 
Weighted average limited partner shares outstanding   3,487,123    7,662,329    12,315,890 
 
*Interest income does not exceed paid in kind of 5%.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 
 

United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP

Statement of Changes in Partners’ Capital

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020

             
   Limited Partners* 
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended 
   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
   2022   2021   2020 
Balances at beginning of year  $137,664,602   $196,454,541   $55,077,039 
Addition of 300,000, 50,000 and 28,750,000 partnership shares, respectively   10,959,517    1,191,280    302,421,810 
Redemption of (2,900,000), (6,500,000) and (19,750,000) partnership shares, respectively   (103,678,343)   (153,317,658)   (269,763,652)
Net income (loss)   38,362,556    93,336,439    108,719,344 
Balances at end of year  $83,308,332   $137,664,602   $196,454,541 
 
*General Partners’ shares outstanding and capital for the periods presented were zero.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 
 

United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP

Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020

             
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended 
   December 31,
 2022
   December 31,
 2021
   December 31,
2020
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:               
Net income (loss)  $38,362,556   $93,336,439   $108,719,344 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:               
Change in unrealized (gain) loss on open commodity futures contracts   22,781,720    17,234,420    (33,279,859)
(Increase) decrease in dividends receivable   (87,367)   (1,691)   12,772 
(Increase) decrease in interest receivable   (177,644)   4,171    (655)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid insurance*   1,232    (7,848)   (20)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid registration fees       55,407    (55,407)
(Increase) decrease in ETF transaction fees receivable   (350)        
Increase (decrease) in payable due to Broker   (11,205,326)   (10,720,261)   21,925,587 
Increase (decrease) in General Partner management fees payable   (21,997)   (34,438)   74,050 
Increase (decrease) in professional fees payable   136,302    40,157    13,106 
Increase (decrease) in brokerage commissions payable           9,180 
Increase (decrease) in directors’ fees payable*   (545)   (380)   854 
(Increase) decrease in prepaid license fees   (3,717)        
Increase (decrease) in license fees payable   (4,329)   (2,517)   6,494 
Increase (decrease) in registration fees payable   (96,068)   96,068     
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   49,684,467    99,999,527    97,425,446 
                
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:               
Addition of partnership shares   10,959,517    1,191,280    302,421,810 
Redemption of partnership shares   (100,133,193)   (154,178,247)   (268,903,063)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (89,173,676)   (152,986,967)   33,518,747 
                
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents   (39,489,209)   (52,987,440)   130,944,193 
                
Total Cash, Cash Equivalents and Equity in Trading Accounts, beginning of year   129,563,728    182,551,168    51,606,975 
Total Cash, Cash Equivalents and Equity in Trading Accounts, end of year  $90,074,519   $129,563,728   $182,551,168 
                
Components of Cash and Cash Equivalents:               
Cash and cash equivalents  $21,025,033   $99,549,427   $181,574,615 
Equity in Trading Accounts:               
Cash and cash equivalents   69,049,486    30,014,301    976,553 
Total Cash, Cash Equivalents and Equity in Trading Accounts  $90,074,519   $129,563,728   $182,551,168 
 
*Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current presentation.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 
 

United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP

Notes to Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 2020

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

The United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP (“USL”) was organized as a limited partnership under the laws of the state of Delaware on June 27, 2007. USL is a commodity pool that issues limited partnership interests (“shares”) traded on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). USL’s shares began trading on December 6, 2007. Prior to November 25, 2008, USL’s shares traded on the American Stock Exchange (the “AMEX”). USL will continue in perpetuity, unless terminated sooner upon the occurrence of one or more events as described in its Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership dated as of December 15, 2017 (as amended from time to time, the “LP Agreement”), which grants full management control to its general partner, United States Commodity Funds LLC (“USCF”).

The investment objective of USL is for the daily changes in percentage terms of its per share net asset value (“NAV”) to reflect the daily changes in percentage terms of the spot price of light, sweet crude oil delivered to Cushing, Oklahoma, as measured by the daily changes in the average of the prices of specified short-term futures contracts on light, sweet crude oil called the “Benchmark Oil Futures Contracts,” plus interest earned on USL’s collateral holdings, less USL’s expenses. The Benchmark Oil Futures Contracts are the futures contracts on light, sweet crude oil as traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (the “NYMEX”) that is the near month contract to expire and the contracts for the following 11 months for a total of 12 consecutive months’ contracts, except when the near month contract is within two weeks of expiration, in which case it will be the futures contract that is the next month contract to expire and the contracts for the following 11 consecutive months. When calculating the daily movement of the average price of the 12 contracts, each contract month is equally weighted.

USL seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing so that the average daily percentage change in USL’s NAV for any period of 30 successive valuation days will be within plus/minus ten percent (10%) of the average daily percentage change in the price of the Benchmark Oil Futures Contracts over the same period. USL seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in futures contracts for light, sweet crude oil, other types of crude oil, diesel-heating oil, gasoline, natural gas, and other petroleum-based fuels that are traded on the NYMEX, ICE Futures Europe and ICE Futures U.S. (together, “ICE Futures”) or other U.S. and foreign exchanges (collectively, “Oil Futures Contracts”) and to a lesser extent, in order to comply with regulatory requirements or in view of market conditions, other oil-related investments such as cash-settled options on Oil Futures Contracts, forward contracts for oil, cleared swap contracts and non-exchange traded (“over-the-counter” or “OTC”) transactions that are based on the price of oil, other petroleum-based fuels, Oil Futures Contracts and indices based on the foregoing (collectively, “Other Oil-Related Investments”). Market conditions that USCF currently anticipates could cause USL to invest in Other Oil-Related Investments include, but are not limited to, those allowing USL to obtain greater liquidity or to execute transactions with more favorable pricing. (For convenience and unless otherwise specified, Oil Futures Contracts and Other Oil-Related Investments collectively are referred to as “Oil Interests” in the notes to the financial statements).

Investors should be aware that USL’s investment objective is not for its NAV or market price of shares to equal, in dollar terms, the spot price of light, sweet crude oil or any particular futures contract based on light, sweet crude oil, nor is USL’s investment objective for the percentage change in its NAV to reflect the percentage change of the price of any particular futures contract as measured over a time period greater than one day.

This is because natural market forces called contango and backwardation have impacted the total return on an investment in USL’s shares during the past year relative to a hypothetical direct investment in crude oil and, in the future, it is likely that the relationship between the market price of USL’s shares and changes in the spot prices of light, sweet crude oil will continue to be so impacted by contango and backwardation. (It is important to note that the disclosure above ignores the potential costs associated with physically owning and storing crude oil, which could be substantial).

In addition, USCF believes that market arbitrage opportunities will cause daily changes in USL’s share price on the NYSE Arca on a percentage basis to closely track daily changes in USL’s per share NAV on a percentage basis. USCF further believes that the daily changes in the average prices of the Benchmark Oil Futures Contracts have historically closely tracked the daily changes in prices of light, sweet crude oil. USCF believes that the net effect of these relationships will be that the daily changes in the price of USL’s shares on the NYSE Arca on a percentage basis will closely track the daily changes in the spot price of a barrel of light, sweet crude oil on a percentage basis, less USL’s expenses.

As of December 31, 2022, USL held 1,052 Oil Futures Contracts for light, sweet crude oil traded on the NYMEX and did not hold any Oil Futures Contracts traded on the ICE Futures.

 
 

USL commenced investment operations on December 6, 2007 and has a fiscal year ending on December 31. USCF is responsible for the management of USL. USCF is a member of the National Futures Association (the “NFA”) and became registered as a commodity pool operator with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) effective December 1, 2005 and a swaps firm on August 8, 2013.

USCF is also the general partner of the United States Oil Fund, LP (“USO”), the United States Natural Gas Fund, LP (“UNG”) and the United States Gasoline Fund, LP (“UGA”), which listed their limited partnership shares on the AMEX under the ticker symbols “USO” on April 10, 2006, “UNG” on April 18, 2007 and “UGA” on February 26, 2008, respectively. As a result of the acquisition of the AMEX by NYSE Euronext, each of USO’s, UNG’s and UGA’s shares commenced trading on the NYSE Arca on November 25, 2008. USCF is also the general partner of the United States 12 Month Natural Gas Fund, LP (“UNL”) and the United States Brent Oil Fund, LP (“BNO”), which listed their limited partnership shares on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbols “UNL” on November 18, 2009 and “BNO” on June 2, 2010, respectively. USCF previously served as the general partner for the United States Short Oil Fund, LP (“DNO”) and the United States Diesel-Heating Oil Fund, LP (“UHN”), both of which were liquidated in 2018.

USCF is also the sponsor of the United States Commodity Index Funds Trust (“USCIFT”), a Delaware statutory trust and each of its series: the United States Commodity Index Fund (“USCI”) and the United States Copper Index Fund (“CPER”). USCI and CPER listed their shares on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbols “USCI” on August 10, 2010 and “CPER” on November 15, 2011, respectively.

USL, USO, UNG, UGA, UNL, BNO, USCI and CPER are referred to collectively herein as the “Related Public Funds.”

USL issues shares to certain authorized purchasers (“Authorized Participants”) by offering baskets consisting of 50,000 shares (“Creation Baskets”) through ALPS Distributors, Inc., as the marketing agent (the “Marketing Agent”). The purchase price for a Creation Basket is based upon the NAV of a share calculated shortly after the close of the core trading session on the NYSE Arca on the day the order to create the basket is properly received.

Authorized Participants pay USL a $350 transaction fee for each order placed to create one or more Creation Baskets or to redeem one or more baskets (“Redemption Baskets”), consisting of 50,000 shares. Shares may be purchased or sold on a nationally recognized securities exchange in smaller increments than a Creation Basket or Redemption Basket. Shares purchased or sold on a nationally recognized securities exchange are not purchased or sold at the per share NAV of USL but rather at market prices quoted on such exchange.

On December 4, 2007, USL initially registered 11,000,000 shares on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). On December 6, 2007, USL listed its shares on the AMEX under the ticker symbol “USL” and switched to trading on the NYSE Arca under the same ticker symbol on November 25, 2008. On that day, USL established its initial per share NAV by setting the price at $50.00 and issued 300,000 shares in exchange for $15,000,000. USL also commenced investment operations on December 6, 2007, by purchasing Oil Futures Contracts traded on the NYMEX based on light, sweet crude oil. As of December 31, 2022, USL had registered a total of 311,000,000 shares.

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP as detailed in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification. USL is an investment company for accounting purposes and follows the accounting and reporting guidance in FASB Topic 946.

Revenue Recognition

Commodity futures contracts, forward contracts, physical commodities and related options are recorded on the trade date. All such transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis and marked to market daily. Unrealized gains or losses on open contracts are reflected in the statements of financial condition and represent the difference between the original contract amount and the market value (as determined by exchange settlement prices for futures contracts and related options and cash dealer prices at a predetermined time for forward contracts, physical commodities, and their related options) as of the last business day of the year or as of the last date of the financial statements. Changes in the unrealized gains or losses between periods are reflected in the statements of operations. USL earns income on funds held at the custodian or futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) at prevailing market rates earned on such investments.

Brokerage Commissions

Brokerage commissions on all open commodity futures contracts are accrued on a full-turn basis.

 
 

Income Taxes

USL is not subject to federal income taxes; each partner reports his/her allocable share of income, gain, loss deductions or credits on his/her own income tax return.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, USL is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any tax related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. USL files an income tax return in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and may file income tax returns in various U.S. states. USL is not subject to income tax return examinations by major taxing authorities for years before 2018. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. De-recognition of a tax benefit previously recognized results in USL recording a tax liability that reduces net assets. However, USL’s conclusions regarding this policy may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analysis of and changes to tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. USL recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax fees payable, if assessed. No interest expense or penalties have been recognized as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Creations and Redemptions

Authorized Participants may purchase Creation Baskets or redeem Redemption Baskets only in blocks of 50,000 shares at a price equal to the NAV of the shares calculated shortly after the close of the core trading session on the NYSE Arca on the day the order is placed.

USL receives or pays the proceeds from shares sold or redeemed within two business days after the trade date of the purchase or redemption. The amounts due from Authorized Participants are reflected in USL’s statements of financial condition as receivable for shares sold and amounts payable to Authorized Participants upon redemption are reflected as payable for shares redeemed.

Authorized Participants pay USL a $350 transaction fee for each order placed to create one or more Creation Baskets or to redeem one or more Redemption Baskets.

Partnership Capital and Allocation of Partnership Income and Losses

Profit or loss shall be allocated among the partners of USL in proportion to the number of shares each partner holds as of the close of each month. USCF may revise, alter or otherwise modify this method of allocation as described in the LP Agreement.

Calculation of Per Share NAV

USL’s per share NAV is calculated on each NYSE Arca trading day by taking the current market value of its total assets, subtracting any liabilities and dividing that amount by the total number of shares outstanding. USL uses the closing price for the contracts on the relevant exchange on that day to determine the value of contracts held on such exchange.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Net income (loss) per share is the difference between the per share NAV at the beginning of each period and at the end of each period. The weighted average number of shares outstanding was computed for purposes of disclosing net income (loss) per weighted average share. The weighted average shares are equal to the number of shares outstanding at the end of the period, adjusted proportionately for shares added and redeemed based on the amount of time the shares were outstanding during such period. There were no shares held by USCF at December 31, 2022.

Offering Costs

Offering costs incurred in connection with the registration of additional shares after the initial registration of shares are borne by USL. These costs include registration fees paid to regulatory agencies and all legal, accounting, printing and other expenses associated with such offerings. These costs are accounted for as a deferred charge and thereafter amortized to expense over twelve months on a straight-line basis or a shorter period if warranted.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include money market funds and overnight deposits or time deposits with original maturity dates of six months or less.

 
 

Reclassification

Certain amounts in the accompanying financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires USCF to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of the revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

NOTE 3 — FEES PAID BY THE FUND AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

USCF Management Fee

Under the LP Agreement, USCF is responsible for investing the assets of USL in accordance with the objectives and policies of USL. In addition, USCF has arranged for one or more third parties to provide administrative, custody, accounting, transfer agency and other necessary services to USL. For these services, USL is contractually obligated to pay USCF a fee, which is paid monthly, equal to 0.60% per annum of average daily total net assets.

Ongoing Registration Fees and Other Offering Expenses

USL pays all costs and expenses associated with the ongoing registration of its shares subsequent to the initial offering. These costs include registration or other fees paid to regulatory agencies in connection with the offer and sale of shares, and all legal, accounting, printing and other expenses associated with such offer and sale. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, USL incurred $92,130, $151,475 and $124,835 respectively, in registration fees and other offering expenses.

Independent Directors’ and Officers’ Expenses

USL is responsible for paying its portion of the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for USL and the other Related Public Funds and the fees and expenses of the independent directors who also serve as audit committee members of USL and the other Related Public Funds. USL shares the fees and expenses on a pro rata basis with each other Related Public Fund, as described above, based on the relative assets of each Related Public Fund computed on a daily basis. These fees and expenses for the year ending December 31, 2022 totaled $46,961 for USL and, in the aggregate for USL and the other Related Public Funds, $1,258,000. For the year ended December 31, 2021, these fees and expenses in the aggregate were $1,081,963 for USL and the Related Public Funds. USL’s portion of such fees and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $46,172. For the year ended December 31, 2020, these fees and expenses in the aggregate were $585,896 for USL and the Related Public Funds. USL’s portion of such fees and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $17,435.

Licensing Fees

As discussed in Note 4 below, USL entered into a licensing agreement with the NYMEX on April 10, 2006, as amended on October 20, 2011. Pursuant to the agreement, USL and the other Related Public Funds, other than BNO, USCI and CPER, pay a licensing fee that is equal to 0.015% on all net assets. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, USL incurred $18,975, $26,868 and $27,019, respectively under this arrangement.

Investor Tax Reporting Cost

The fees and expenses associated with USL’s audit expenses and tax accounting and reporting requirements are paid by USL. These costs are estimated to be $140,802 for the year ending December 31, 2022. For the years ending December 31, 2021, and 2020 USL’s investor reporting costs totaled $269,327 and $172,801 respectively. Tax reporting costs fluctuate between years due to the number of shareholders during any given year.

Other Expenses and Fees

In addition to the fees described above, USL pays all brokerage fees and other expenses in connection with the operation of USL, excluding costs and expenses paid by USCF as outlined in Note 4 – Contracts and Agreements below.

 
 

NOTE 4 — CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

Marketing Agent Agreement

USL is party to a marketing agent agreement, dated as of November 13, 2007, as amended from time to time, with the Marketing Agent and USCF, whereby the Marketing Agent provides certain marketing services for USL as outlined in the agreement. The fee of the Marketing Agent through December 31, 2022, which is borne by USCF, was equal to 0.06% on USL’s assets up to $3 billion and 0.04% on USL’s assets in excess of $3 billion. The agreement with the Marketing Agent had been amended and, commenced on October 1, 2022, the fee of the Marketing Agent, which is calculated daily and payable monthly by USCF, is equal to 0.025% of USL’s total net assets. In no event may the aggregate compensation paid to the Marketing Agent and any affiliate of USCF for distribution-related services exceed 10% of the gross proceeds of USL’s offering.

The above fee does not include website construction and development, which are also borne by USCF.

Custody, Transfer Agency and Fund Administration and Accounting Services Agreements

USCF engaged The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York corporation authorized to do a banking business (“BNY Mellon”), to provide USL and each of the other Related Public Funds with certain custodial, administrative and accounting, and transfer agency services, pursuant to the following agreements with BNY Mellon dated as of March 20, 2020 (together, the “BNY Mellon Agreements”), which were effective as of April 1, 2020: (i) a Custody Agreement; (ii) a Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement; and (iii) a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement. USCF pays the fees of BNY Mellon for its services under the BNY Mellon Agreements and such fees are determined by the parties from time to time.

Brokerage and Futures Commission Merchant Agreements

USL entered into a brokerage agreement with RBC Capital Markets LLC (“RBC”) to serve as USL’s FCM effective October 10, 2013. USL has engaged each of Marex North America, LLC, formerly, RCG Division of Marex Spectron (“MNA”), E D & F Man Capital Markets Inc. (“MCM”) and Macquarie Futures USA LLC (“MFUSA”) to serve as additional FCMs to USL effective on May 28, 2020, June 5, 2020, and December 3, 2020, respectively. The agreements with USL’s FCMs require the FCMs to provide services to USL in connection with the purchase and sale of Oil Futures Contracts and Other Oil-Related Investments that may be purchased and sold by or through the applicable FCM for USL’s account. In accordance with the FCM agreements, USL pays each FCM commissions of approximately $7 to $8 per round-turn trade, including applicable exchange, clearing and NFA fees for Oil Futures Contracts and options on Oil Futures Contracts. Such fees include those incurred when purchasing Oil Futures Contracts and options on Oil Futures Contracts when USL issues shares as a result of a Creation Basket, as well as fees incurred when selling Oil Futures Contracts and options on Oil Futures Contracts when USL redeems shares as a result of a Redemption Basket. Such fees are also incurred when Oil Futures Contracts and options on Oil Futures Contracts are purchased or redeemed for the purpose of rebalancing the portfolio. USL also incurs commissions to brokers for the purchase and sale of Oil Futures Contracts, Other Oil-Related Investments or short-term obligations of the United States of two years or less (“Treasuries”).

 

             
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended 
   December 31, 
2022
   December 31, 
2021
   December 31,
 2020
 
Total commissions accrued to brokers  $16,355   $26,177   $102,980 
Total commissions as annualized percentage of average total net assets   0.01%   0.01%   0.06%
Commissions accrued as a result of rebalancing  $12,113   $18,162   $35,522 
Percentage of commissions accrued as a result of rebalancing   74.06%   69.38%   34.49%
Commissions accrued as a result of creation and redemption activity  $4,242   $8,015   $67,458 
Percentage of commissions accrued as a result of creation and redemption activity   25.94%   30.62%   65.51%

 

The decrease in total commissions accrued to brokers for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, was due primarily to a lower number of crude oil futures contracts being held and traded.

 

NYMEX Licensing Agreement

USL and the NYMEX entered into a licensing agreement on April 10, 2006, as amended on October 20, 2011, whereby USL was granted a non-exclusive license to use certain of the NYMEX’s settlement prices and service marks. Under the licensing agreement, USL and the other Related Public Funds, other than BNO, USCI, and CPER, pay the NYMEX an asset-based fee for the license, the terms of which are described in Note 3. USL expressly disclaims any association with the NYMEX or endorsement of USL by the NYMEX and acknowledges that “NYMEX” and “New York Mercantile Exchange” are registered trademarks of the NYMEX.

 
 

NOTE 5 — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISKS AND CONTINGENCIES

USL may engage in the trading of futures contracts, options on futures contracts, cleared swaps and OTC swaps (collectively, “derivatives”). USL is exposed to both market risk, which is the risk arising from changes in the market value of the contracts, and credit risk, which is the risk of failure by another party to perform according to the terms of a contract.

USL may enter into futures contracts, options on futures contracts, cleared swaps, and OTC-swaps to gain exposure to changes in the value of an underlying commodity. A futures contract obligates the seller to deliver (and the purchaser to accept) the future delivery of a specified quantity and type of a commodity at a specified time and place. Some futures contracts may call for physical delivery of the asset, while others are settled in cash. The contractual obligations of a buyer or seller may generally be satisfied by taking or making physical delivery of the underlying commodity or by making an offsetting sale or purchase of an identical futures contract on the same or linked exchange before the designated date of delivery. Cleared swaps are agreements that are eligible to be cleared by a clearinghouse, e.g., ICE Clear Europe, and provide the efficiencies and benefits that centralized clearing on an exchange offers to traders of futures contracts, including credit risk intermediation and the ability to offset positions initiated with different counterparties. OTC swaps are entered into between two parties in private contracts. In an OTC swap, each party bears credit risk to the other party, i.e., the risk that the other party may not be able to perform its obligations under the OTC swap.

The purchase and sale of futures contracts, options on futures contracts and cleared swaps require margin deposits with an FCM. Additional deposits may be necessary for any loss on contract value. The Commodity Exchange Act requires FCMs to segregate all customer transactions and assets from the FCM’s proprietary transactions and assets. To reduce the credit risk that arises in connection with OTC swaps, USL will generally enter into an agreement with each counterparty based on the Master Agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., which provides for the netting of its overall exposure to its counterparty. The Master Agreement is negotiated as between the parties and would address, among other things, the exchange of margin between the parties.

Futures contracts, options on futures contracts and cleared swaps involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (specifically commodity price risk) and exposure to loss in excess of the amount of variation margin. The face or contract amounts reflect the extent of the total exposure USL has in the particular classes of instruments. Additional risks associated with the use of futures contracts are an imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and the market value of the underlying securities and the possibility of an illiquid market for a futures contract. Buying and selling options on futures contracts exposes investors to the risks of purchasing or selling futures contracts.

As to OTC swaps, valuing OTC derivatives is less certain than valuing actively traded financial instruments such as exchange-traded futures contracts and securities or cleared swaps, because the price and terms on which such OTC derivatives are entered into or can be terminated are individually negotiated, and those prices and terms may not reflect the best price or terms available from other sources. In addition, while market makers and dealers generally quote indicative prices or terms for entering into or terminating OTC contracts, they typically are not contractually obligated to do so, particularly if they are not a party to the transaction. As a result, it may be difficult to obtain an independent value for an outstanding OTC derivatives transaction.

Significant market volatility has recently occurred in the crude oil markets and the crude oil futures markets. Such volatility is attributable in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, related supply chain disruptions, war, including the war between Russia and the Ukraine, and continuing disputes among natural gas-producing countries. These and other events could cause continuing or increased volatility in the future, which may affect the value, pricing and liquidity of some investments or other assets, including those held by or invested in by USL and the impact of which could limit USL’s ability to have a substantial portion of its assets invested in the Benchmark Futures Contracts. In such a circumstance, USL could, if it determined it appropriate to do so in light of market conditions and regulatory requirements, invest in other Oil Futures Contracts and/or Other Oil-Related Investments.

All of the futures contracts held by USL through December 31, 2022 were exchange-traded. The risks associated with exchange-traded contracts are generally perceived to be less than those associated with OTC swaps since, in OTC swaps, a party must rely solely on the credit of its respective individual counterparties. However, in the future, if USL were to enter into non-exchange traded contracts, it would be subject to the credit risk associated with counterparty non-performance. The credit risk from counterparty non-performance associated with such instruments is the net unrealized gain, if any, on the transaction. USL has credit risk under its futures contracts since the sole counterparty to all domestic and foreign futures contracts is the clearinghouse for the exchange on which the relevant contracts are traded. In addition, USL bears the risk of financial failure by the clearing broker.

 
 

USL’s cash and other property, such as Treasuries, deposited with its FCMs are considered commingled with all other customer funds, subject to such FCM’s segregation requirements. In the event of an FCM’s insolvency, recovery may be limited to a pro rata share of segregated funds available. It is possible that the recovered amount could be less than the total of cash and other property deposited. The insolvency of an FCM could result in the complete loss of USL’s assets posted with that FCM; however, the majority of USL’s assets are held in investments in Treasuries, cash and/or cash equivalents with USL’s custodian and would not be impacted by the insolvency of an FCM. The failure or insolvency of USL’s custodian, however, could result in a substantial loss of USL’s assets.

USCF invests a portion of USL’s cash in money market funds that seek to maintain a stable per share NAV. USL is exposed to any risk of loss associated with an investment in such money market funds. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, USL held investments in money market funds in the amounts of $21,025,000 and $91,796,000, respectively. USL also holds cash deposits with its custodian. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, USL held cash deposits and investments in Treasuries in the amounts of $ 69,049,519 and $37,767,728 respectively, with the custodian and FCMs. Some or all of these amounts may be subject to loss should USL’s custodian and/or FCMs cease operations.

For derivatives, risks arise from changes in the market value of the contracts. Theoretically, USL is exposed to market risk equal to the value of futures contracts purchased and unlimited liability on such contracts sold short or that the value of the futures contract could fall below zero. As both a buyer and a seller of options, USL pays or receives a premium at the outset and then bears the risk of unfavorable changes in the price of the contract underlying the option.

USL’s policy is to continuously monitor its exposure to market and counterparty risk through the use of a variety of financial, position and credit exposure reporting controls and procedures. In addition, USL has a policy of requiring review of the credit standing of each broker or counterparty with which it conducts business.

The financial instruments held by USL are reported in its statements of financial condition at market or fair value, or at carrying amounts that approximate fair value, because of their highly liquid nature and short-term maturity.

NOTE 6 — FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following table presents per share performance data and other supplemental financial data for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 for the shareholders. This information has been derived from information presented in the financial statements.

 

             
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended 
   December 31,
 2022
   December 31,
 2021
   December 31,
 2020
 
Per Share Operating Performance:               
Net asset value, beginning of year  $27.81   $17.23   $22.95 
Total income (loss)   7.95    10.79    (5.59)
Total expenses   (0.31)   (0.21)   (0.13)
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value   7.64    10.58    (5.72)
Net asset value, end of year  $35.45   $27.81   $17.23 
                
Total Return   27.47%   61.40%   (24.92)%
                
Ratios to Average Net Assets               
Total income (loss)   31.17%   53.01%   61.24%
Management fees   0.60%   0.60%   0.60%
Total expenses excluding management fees   0.25%   0.30%   0.28%
Net income (loss)   30.32%   52.11%   60.36%

 

Total returns are calculated based on the change in value during the period. An individual shareholder’s total return and ratio may vary from the above total returns and ratios based on the timing of contributions to and withdrawals from USL.

 
 

NOTE 7 — QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

The following summarized (unaudited) quarterly financial information presents the results of operations and other data for the three-month periods ended March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2022 and 2021.

 

                 
   First   Second   Third   Fourth 
   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter 
   2022   2022   2022   2022 
Total Income (Loss)  $42,651,559   $9,439,439   $(21,454,352)  $8,800,181 
Total Expenses   332,996    322,132    239,296    179,847 
Net Income (Loss)  $42,318,563   $9,117,307   $(21,693,648)  $8,620,334 
Net Income (Loss) per Share  $9.18   $2.49   $(7.03)  $3.00 

 

                 
   First   Second   Third   Fourth 
   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter 
   2021   2021   2021   2021 
Total Income (Loss)  $41,886,372   $41,041,839   $7,480,172   $4,541,605 
Total Expenses   445,977    468,943    369,558    329,071 
Net Income (Loss)  $41,440,395   $40,572,896   $7,110,614   $4,212,534 
Net Income (Loss) per Share  $3.66   $4.72   $1.49   $0.71 

 

NOTE 8 — FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

USL values its investments in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 820 – Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurement. The changes to past practice resulting from the application of ASC 820 relate to the definition of fair value, the methods used to measure fair value, and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurement. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between: (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of USL (observable inputs) and (2) USL’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available under the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The three levels defined by the ASC 820 hierarchy are as follows:

Level I – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level II – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level I that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level II assets include the following: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market-corroborated inputs).

Level III – Unobservable pricing input at the measurement date for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs shall be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available.

In some instances, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls shall be determined based on the lowest input level that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

The following table summarizes the valuation of USL’s securities at December 31, 2022 using the fair value hierarchy:

 

                 
At December 31, 2022  Total   Level I   Level II   Level III 
Short-Term Investments  $21,025,000   $21,025,000   $   $ 
Exchange-Traded Futures Contracts                    
United States Contracts   (3,133,690)   (3,133,690)        
 
 

The following table summarizes the valuation of USL’s securities at December 31, 2021 using the fair value hierarchy:

 

                 
At December 31, 2021  Total   Level I   Level II   Level III 
Short-Term Investments  $91,796,000   $91,796,000   $   $ 
Exchange-Traded Futures Contracts                    
United States Contracts   19,648,030    19,648,030         

 

Effective January 1, 2009, USL adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 815 – Derivatives and Hedging, which require presentation of qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts and gains and losses on derivatives.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

                 
    Statements of   Fair Value at   Fair Value at
    Financial   December 31,    December 31, 
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments   Condition Location   2022   2021
Futures - Commodity Contracts   Assets   $  (3,133,690)   $  19,648,030

 

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Operations

                                         
        For the year ended   For the year ended   For the year ended
        December 31, 2022   December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020
            Change in       Change in         Change in
    Location of   Realized   Unrealized   Realized   Unrealized   Realized   Unrealized
    Gain (Loss)   Gain (Loss)   Gain (Loss) on   Gain (Loss)   Gain (Loss) on   Gain (Loss)   Gain (Loss) on
    on Derivatives   on Derivatives   Derivatives   on Derivatives   Derivatives   on Derivatives   Derivatives
    Recognized in   Recognized in   Recognized in   Recognized in   Recognized in   Recognized in   Recognized in
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments   Income   Income   Income   Income   Income   Income   Income
Futures - Commodity Contracts   Realized gain (loss) on closed positions   $  60,694,670         $  112,107,560         $  76,578,011      
                                         
    Change in unrealized gain (loss) on open positions         $  (22,781,720)         $  (17,234,420)         $  33,279,859

 

NOTE 9 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

USL has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. This evaluation did not result in any subsequent events that necessitated disclosures and/or adjustments.