# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000887396
**File Stem:** 0001072613-25-000641
**Filing Date:** 2025-8
**Character Count:** 11088
**Document Hash:** 126bcc1d751c2848db07dd9090a54389
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001072613-25-000641.hdr.sgml**: 20250815

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001072613-25-000641

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 14

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20250815

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Other Events

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20250815

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20250815

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORP
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000887396
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 01 Energy & Transportation
- **EIN:** 731238709
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-16653
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251224610

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 2200 S. UTICA PLACE
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 150
- **CITY:** TULSA
- **STATE:** OK
- **ZIP:** 74114
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** (539) 444-8002

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 2200 S. UTICA PLACE
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 150
- **CITY:** TULSA
- **STATE:** OK
- **ZIP:** 74114

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** AMERICOMM RESOURCES CORP
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19951115

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** AMERICOMM CORP
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19930328

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? emp_081525

#### UNITED STATES

#### SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

#### Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________

### FORM 8-K
_________________

**Current Report** 

**Pursuant To Section 13 or 15 (** **d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934**

**Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):**

**AUGUST 15, 2025**

_______________________________

#### EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_______________________________

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **001-16653** | **73-1238709** |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction | (Commission | (I.R.S. Employer |
| of Incorporation) | File Number) | Identification No.) |

---

**2200 S. Utica Place** **, Suite 150, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74114**

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: **(539)** **444-8002**

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| **Common Stock $0.001 par value** | **EP** | **NYSE American** |

---

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 8.01.** | **Other Events.** |

---

On August 15, 2025, Empire Petroleum Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release announcing that the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission has issued a unanimous and favorable ruling regarding the Company's right to advance CO2 development and protect EMSU assets. A copy of the press release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.

This Current Report on Form 8-K shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 9.01.** | **Financial Statements and Exhibits.** |

---

(d) Exhibits. <br>The following exhibits are filed or furnished herewith.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit**<br> **<u>Number</u>**<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> **<u>Description</u>** |
| [99](exh_99-1.htm) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[Press Release of Empire Petroleum Corporation dated August 15, 2025.](exh_99-1.htm) |
| 104 | &nbsp;&nbsp;Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |

---

**SIGNATURES**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION** | **EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION** |
| Date: August 15, 2025 | By: | /s/ Michael R. Morrisett |
|  |  | Michael R. Morrisett<br>President and Chief Executive Officer |

---

## Exhibit 99.1

**<u>EXHIBIT 99</u>**

![](image_001.jpg)

**Empire Petroleum Secures Unanimous Victory to Advance CO<sub>2</sub> Development and Protect EMSU Assets**

**TULSA, OK – (August 15, 2025) – Empire Petroleum (NYSE American: EP)** ("Empire" or the "Company"), an oil and gas company with producing assets in New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana, Texas, and Louisiana, announced the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission ("NMOCD" or the "Commission") has issued a unanimous and favorable ruling regarding the Company's rights to the Residual Oil Zone ("ROZ") in the Eunice Monument South Unit ("EMSU") Unitized Interval in Lea County, New Mexico.

After four years of expenditures, Empire received the Commission's unanimous decision at a public hearing on August 14, 2025, affirming the existence of a ROZ in the Grayburg and San Andres formations within the EMSU and confirming Empire's exclusive rights to produce the ROZ under the 1984 Commission Order. The Commission is allowing Empire the opportunity to implement a CO<sub>2</sub> enhanced oil recovery ("EOR") pilot project over the next three years.

In addition to the findings noted above, the Commission unanimously ordered the following actions:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Deny
 five new injection well applications from Goodnight Midstream Permian, LLC ("Goodnight");

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Deny
 application for increased injection from Goodnight;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Suspend
 injection operations on four existing Goodnight injection wells; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Deny
 all pending motions attached to these cases.

The Commission further found that, while Empire did not prove immediate correlative rights impairment in the Grayburg from neighboring operators' injection activities, the Company presented compelling evidence of possible future impairment or waste.

Following this outcome, Empire intends to proceed with Motions to Revoke existing permits granted to the remaining third-party saltwater disposal operators disposing wastewater into the EMSU and Unitized Interval of the Arrowhead Grayburg Unit, while concurrently advancing litigation for trespass and damages.

"We are extremely pleased with this unanimous decision, which marks a significant regulatory win for Empire and reinforces our position in New Mexico," said Phil Mulacek, Chairman of the Board. "It paves the way for us to move forward with CO<sub>2</sub> development to unlock the capacity for sustained production in the ROZ and upper zones, while also safeguarding our assets from activities that threaten their value."

Mike Morrisett, President and CEO, added, "This outcome reflects years of dedicated work by our employees, legal team, and consultants, and I want to thank them for their tireless efforts in protecting and advancing our New Mexico position. We also want to thank the NMOCD for its thorough review of the facts and its unanimous decision. We take seriously our fiduciary responsibility to our shareholders and remain committed to realizing the long-term value we see in the EMSU assets. This decision gives us a clear path forward to responsibly develop these resources and position Empire for sustained growth and returns."

The full text of the Commission's decision will be available on the NMOCD website in the coming days.

**About Empire Petroleum**

Empire Petroleum Corporation is a publicly traded, Tulsa-based oil and gas company with current producing assets in New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana, Texas, and Louisiana. Management is focused on organic growth and targeted acquisitions of proved developed assets with synergies with their existing portfolio of wells. More information about Empire can be found at <u>www.empirepetroleumcorp.com</u>.

Mike Morrisett President & CEO<br> 539-444-8002<br> <u>info@empirepetrocorp.com</u> Kali Carter Communications & Investor Relations Manager<br> 918-995-5046<br> <u>IR@empirepetrocorp.com</u>

**Safe Harbor Statement**

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements involve a wide variety of risks and uncertainties, and include, without limitations, statements with respect to the Company's estimates, strategy, and prospects. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which are disclosed in the Company's reports filed with the SEC, including its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and its other filings with the SEC. Readers and investors are cautioned that the Company's actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, future commodity prices, the Company's ability to acquire productive oil and/or gas properties or to successfully drill and complete oil and/or gas wells on such properties, general economic conditions both domestically and abroad, including inflation, tariffs and interest rates, uncertainties associated with legal and regulatory matters, and other risks and uncertainties related to the conduct of business by the Company. Other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or circumstances, changes in expectations, or otherwise.