Days after Empire Petroleum Corporation announced plans in its year-end financial update to take advantage of the higher oil prices, the Tulsa energy company made another big announcement….it has elected to participate in a new oil and natural gas development program in Louisiana.
Empire called the move a “meaningful addition to the Company’s ongoing development activities.” Louisiana is among the states where Empire has current producing assets. The others are New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana and Texas.
Empire stated it completed its due diligence and elected to participate in a three-well development program targeting proven formations in Louisiana. While the program targets hydrocarbon-bearing formations, the actual oil-to-gas mix will be established through ongoing development.
As part of its participation, Empire will hold a 25% working interest in the initial well, with the Company’s portion of drilling and completion costs funded through the issuance of approximately 700,000 shares of Empire common stock. The Company believes the opportunity aligns with its focus on developing projects with solid economic fundamentals and manageable capital requirements.
The operator recently drilled, cored, and logged the initial test location in Louisiana and transmitted to Empire detailed subsurface data supporting a completion decision. Based on the operator’s subsurface evaluation and analysis (logs and core data), the interval includes several productive sand zones, and core samples confirmed liquid and gas hydrocarbons. The well had a solid hydrocarbon flare while holding over 9,100 psi (pounds per square inch) of back pressure with 16.5+ lb/gal drilling mud, demonstrating strong reservoir pressure.
The test location lies within the East Perkins Field in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, in a portion of the reservoir that sits higher in the formation than nearby legacy production. The field is part of a historically significant oil-producing region of Southwest Louisiana.
Completion operations on the initial well are expected to begin in April 2026, with initial production testing to follow. The well represents the first development opportunity within a broader prospect area that includes two more locations, which together offer additional potential development targets within the same structural trend.
“This opportunity aligns with the kind of development work that complements our existing operations,” said Mike Morrisett, President & CEO of Empire. “We appreciate the comprehensive technical work completed to date and look forward to participating in the next phase of this development. This participation also opens the opportunity to evaluate potential future midstream-adjacent opportunities that could, over time, provide stable and recurring cash flow.”
The Louisiana program supports Empire’s ongoing efforts to grow production and reserves through selective development of established resource areas. Additional updates will be provided as the operations progress.