Contact
539.444.8002
info@empirepetrocorp.com

Corporate Headquarters
2200 S. Utica Place, Suite 150
Tulsa, OK 74114

Corporate Office
25025 I-45, Suite 400
The Woodlands, TX 77380

© Copyright 2024 Empire Petroleum Corp.

TULSA, Okla. – 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, today announced operational and financial results for the second quarter of 2023.

KEY SECOND QUARTER AND RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

  • Grew average daily oil sales volumes by 6% sequentially and 4% year-over-year;
    • Produced sales volumes of 2,135 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“Boe/d”) (66% oil, 16% natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) and 18% natural gas) compared to 2,206 Boe/d (61% oil, 20% NGLs, and 19% natural gas) for the first quarter of 2023. Sales volumes for the second quarter of 2022 were 2,158 Boe/d (63% oil, 19% NGLs, and 18% natural gas);
  • Reported revenue of $9.7 million, a net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, and an Adjusted Net Loss1 of $2.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share;
  • Generated Adjusted EBITDA1 of $0.2 million;
  • Ended the second quarter of 2023 with $1.6 million of liquidity;
  • Continued its targeted development program that began in 2022, with capital spending of $3.1 million for the first half of 2023 reflecting recompletion and other well activities across Empire’s portfolio of assets and sidetrack drilling projects in North Dakota; and
  • Recently announced that on August 9, 2023, the Company and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Evolution Master Fund, Ltd. – Empire’s largest shareholder – had collectively acquired additional working interests in the Company’s three properties located in Lea County, New Mexico, including Eunice Monument South Unit A, Eunice Monument South Unit B, and Arrowhead Grayburg Unit.
  1. Adjusted Net Income (Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. See “Non-GAAP Information” section later in this release for more information, including reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measure.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

Mike Morrisett, President and Chief Executive Officer of Empire, commented, “While commodity prices were depressed in the second quarter, we have been pleased to see a material improvement in pricing during the third quarter. Our second quarter oil production began to demonstrate the effects of our development campaign that we began in the latter part of 2022 on our North Dakota assets and these efforts are expanding in the second half of 2023. We are leveraging the lessons learned as we accelerate our development activities across our asset base to drive a meaningful increase in production levels and cash flow for the near and long-term benefit of our shareholders.”

Mr. Morrisett concluded, “Our ongoing success is a direct result of the efforts we have undertaken over the past year to expand our knowledge of the assets we acquired over the past three years. Central to this has been the hiring of key professionals that provide best-in-class technical and management experience. The more we learn about the assets in our portfolio, the more we like them. We look forward to keeping the investment community apprised of our progress as we kick off the most significant development program in the history of the Company.”

FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL RESULTS FOR SECOND QUARTER 2023

    Q2 2023  Q1 2023  % Change Q2 2023 vs. Q1 2023  Q2 2022  % Change Q2 2023 vs. Q2 2022 
                       
Net sales (Boe/d)    2,135   2,206   (3%)  2,158   (1%)
Net sales (Boe)    194,306   198,549   (2%)  196,412   (1%)
Realized price – all products ($/Boe)   $50.22  $50.87   (1%) $79.90   (37%)
Revenue ($M)   $9,710  $10,052   (3%) $15,693   (38%)
Net income (loss) ($M)   $(2,464)  $(2,460)     $5,534   NM 
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) ($M)   $(2,398)  $(1,858)   (29%) $5,920   NM 
Adjusted EBITDA ($M)   $171  $228   (25%) $7,362   (98%)
NM – Not meaningful due to a change in signs.

Net sales were 2,135 Boe/d, including 1,411 barrels of oil per day; 337 barrels of NGLs per day, and 2,322 thousand cubic feet per day (“Mcf/d”), or 387 Boe/d, of natural gas. This is compared to net sales for the first quarter of 2023 of 2,206 Boe/d, including 1,336 barrels of oil per day; 442 barrels of NGLs per day, and 2,569 thousand cubic feet per day (“Mcf/d”), or 428 Boe/d, of natural gas. Contributing to the sequential increase in oil sales volumes was increased production from Empire’s assets in North Dakota associated with the Company’s targeted capital development program that began in the second half of 2022.

Empire reported $9.7 million of revenue versus $10.1 million for the first quarter of 2023. Offsetting the increase in oil sales volumes was lower NGLs and natural gas sales volumes and a slight decrease in overall realized pricing.

Lease operating expenses were $7.1 million ($36.54 per Boe) compared to $6.5 million ($32.84 per Boe) for the first quarter of 2023. The second quarter included $0.6 million of plug and abandonment expense.

Production and ad valorem taxes were $0.7 million, which was a slight decrease from $0.8 million for the first quarter of 2023, and were 7.4% and 7.5% of total product revenue, respectively, for the second and first quarters of 2023.

General and administrative (“G&A”) expense, excluding non-cash share-based compensation expense, was $1.9 million ($9.75 per Boe) versus $3.0 million ($15.23 per Boe) for the first quarter of 2023. The first quarter included $0.4 million, or $1.89 per Boe, of cash severance costs associated with departure of the Company’s previous Chief Executive Officer.

Empire recorded a net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, which was flat with the first quarter of 2023. The Company posted an Adjusted Net Loss for the second quarter of 2023 of $2.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, versus an Adjusted Net Loss of $1.9 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA was $0.2 million, which was flat with the first quarter of 2023.

CAPITAL SPENDING, BALANCE SHEET & LIQUIDITY

For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company invested approximately $0.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively, in capital expenditures primarily related to recompletion and other activities in multiple states as Empire seeks to bring production online from existing wells and new production online from sidetrack drilling in North Dakota.

Total liquidity at the end of the second quarter of 2023 was $1.6 million, including $1.3 million of cash and $0.3 million of availability on the Company’s credit facility. Empire remains squarely focused on continuing to execute on its strategy to remain financially conservative and target opportunities that provide long-term value for the Company’s shareholders.

ABOUT EMPIRE PETROLEUM

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

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, 2022, 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, 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, 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.

EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
          
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30,
 2023 2023 2022 2023 2022
Revenue:         
Oil Sales$9,147,611  $8,938,715  $13,329,366  $18,086,326  $23,745,788 
Gas Sales (1) 248,686   656,035   1,321,896   904,721   2,205,798 
Natural Gas Liquids (“NGLs”) Sales (1) 362,181   504,954   1,041,136   867,135   2,256,630 
Total Product Revenues 9,758,478   10,099,704   15,692,398   19,858,182   28,208,216 
Other 18,361   19,364   24,913   37,725   48,956 
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives (66,657)  (66,823)  (23,893)  (133,480)  (136,214)
Total Revenue 9,710,182   10,052,245   15,693,418   19,762,427   28,120,958 
          
Costs and Expenses:         
Lease Operating Expense 7,099,000   6,520,163   4,656,901   13,619,163   9,229,302 
Production and Ad Valorem Taxes 721,275   758,114   1,137,841   1,479,389   2,039,079 
Depletion, Depreciation & Amortization 711,042   622,489   455,799   1,333,531   890,245 
Accretion of Asset Retirement Obligation 405,361   401,275   336,488   806,636   666,488 
General and Administrative Expense:         
General and Administrative 1,894,204   3,023,279   2,795,548   4,917,483   4,874,650 
Stock-Based Compensation 1,180,806   949,639   486,904   2,130,445   863,182 
Total General and Administrative Expense 3,075,010   3,972,918   3,282,452   7,047,928   5,737,832 
          
Total Cost and Expenses 12,011,688   12,274,959   9,869,481   24,286,647   18,562,946 
          
Operating Income (Loss) (2,301,506)  (2,222,714)  5,823,937   (4,524,220)  9,558,012 
          
Other Income and (Expense):         
Interest Expense (184,887)  (237,299)  (111,785)  (422,186)  (222,433)
Other Income (Expense) 21,484   422   (177,872)  21,906   (177,872)
          
Income (Loss) before Taxes (2,464,909)  (2,459,591)  5,534,280   (4,924,500)  9,157,707 
          
Income Tax (Provision) Benefit              
          
Net Income (Loss)$(2,464,909) $(2,459,591) $5,534,280  $(4,924,500) $9,157,707 
          
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share:         
Basic$(0.11) $(0.11) $0.27  $(0.22) $0.45 
Diluted$(0.11) $(0.11) $0.24  $(0.22) $0.41 
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:         
Basic 22,105,704   22,096,796   20,424,970   22,101,264   20,145,955 
Diluted 22,105,704   22,096,796   23,294,723   22,101,264   22,233,826 
          
(1) Presentation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 reflects reclassification of gathering and processing costs from lease operating expense, which is consistent with the presentation of results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and three months ended March 31, 2023.
EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
Condensed Operating Data
(Unaudited)
            
   Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
   June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30,
   2023 2023 2022 2023 2022
            
Net Production Volumes:          
 Oil (Bbl)  128,413  120,257  123,167  248,670  237,422
 Natural gas (Mcf)  211,293  231,218  208,363  442,511  422,308
 Natural gas liquids (Bbl)  30,678  39,756  38,518  70,434  78,670
 Total (Boe)  194,306  198,549  196,412  392,856  386,477
            
 Average daily equivalent sales (Boe/d)  2,135  2,206  2,158  2,170  2,135
            
Average Price per Unit:          
 Oil ($/Bbl) $71.24 $74.33 $108.22 $72.73 $100.02
 Natural gas ($/Mcf) $1.18 $2.84 $6.34 $2.04 $5.22
 Natural gas liquids ($/Bbl) $11.81 $12.70 $27.03 $12.31 $28.68
 Total ($/Boe) $50.22 $50.87 $79.90 $50.55 $72.99
            
Operating Costs and Expenses per Boe:          
 Lease operating expense $36.54 $32.84 $23.71 $34.67 $23.88
 Production and ad valorem taxes $3.71 $3.82 $5.79 $3.77 $5.28
 Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion $5.75 $5.16 $4.03 $5.45 $4.03
 General & administrative expense:          
 General & administrative expense $9.75 $15.23 $14.23 $12.52 $12.61
 Stock-based compensation $6.08 $4.78 $2.48 $5.42 $2.23
 Total general & administrative expense $15.83 $20.01 $16.71 $17.94 $14.85
EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
    
 June 30, December 31,
 2023 2022
    
ASSETS   
Current Assets:   
Cash$1,294,850  $11,944,442 
Accounts Receivable 7,693,297   7,780,239 
Derivative Instruments 26,511   121,584 
Inventory – Oil in Tanks 1,538,429   1,840,274 
Prepaids 1,464,599   1,048,434 
Total Current Assets 12,017,686   22,734,973 
    
Property and Equipment:   
Oil and Natural Gas Properties, Successful Efforts 69,985,772   63,986,339 
Less: Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Impairment (21,336,969)  (20,116,696)
Total Oil and Gas Properties, Net 48,648,803   43,869,643 
Other Property and Equipment, Net 1,526,558   1,441,529 
Total Property and Equipment, Net 50,175,361   45,311,172 
    
Sinking Fund    2,779,000 
Utility and Other Deposits 746,886   719,930 
    
TOTAL ASSETS$62,939,933  $71,545,075 
    
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Current Liabilities:   
Accounts Payable$4,158,650  $5,843,366 
Accrued Expenses 5,815,927   9,461,010 
Current Portion of Lease Liability 310,422   256,975 
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt 2,315,816   2,059,309 
Total Current Liabilities 12,600,815   17,620,660 
    
Long-Term Debt 2,994,500   4,063,115 
Long-Term Note Payable – PIE 1,060,004   1,076,987 
Long Term Lease Liability 513,853   547,692 
Asset Retirement Obligations 27,455,066   25,000,740 
Total Liabilities 44,624,238   48,309,194 
    
Stockholders’ Equity:   
Series A Preferred Stock – $.001 Par Value, 10,000,000 Shares Authorized, 6 and 6 Shares Issued and Outstanding, Respectively     
Common Stock – $.001 Par Value, 190,000,000 Shares Authorized, 22,124,592 and 22,093,503 Shares Issued and Outstanding, Respectively 81,646   81,615 
Additional Paid-in Capital 75,307,762   75,303,479 
Accumulated Deficit (57,073,713)  (52,149,213)
Total Stockholders’ Equity 18,315,695   23,235,881 
    
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY$62,939,933  $71,545,075 
EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
      
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30, June 30,
 2023 2023 2022 2023 2022
          
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:         
Net Income (Loss)$(2,464,909) $(2,459,591) $5,534,280  $(4,924,500) $9,157,707 
          
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash         
Provided By Operating Activities:         
Stock Compensation 1,180,806   949,639   486,903   2,130,445   863,187 
Amortization of Right of Use Assets 87,560   76,225   50,901   163,785   90,607 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 711,042   622,489   455,799   1,333,531   890,245 
Accretion of Asset Retirement Obligation 405,361   401,275   336,488   806,636   666,488 
(Gain) Loss on Derivatives 66,657   66,823   23,893   133,480   136,214 
Settlement on or Purchases of Derivative Instruments    (41,187)  (77,631)  (41,187)  (160,891)
Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities:         
Accounts Receivable (1,189,280)  (849,909)  (355,618)  (2,039,189)  (1,113,084)
Inventory, Oil in Tanks 155,057   (420,859)  (216,911)  (265,802)  (154,709)
Prepaids, Current 618,737   89,812   2,586   708,549   139,596 
Other Long Term Assets and Liabilities (436,523)  (213,611)  (156,211)  (650,134)  (156,211)
Accounts Payable (1,587,886)  (110,053)  649,861   (1,697,939)  (1,004,576)
Accrued Expenses (464,538)  (3,177,767)  1,249,044   (3,642,305)  1,689,515 
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities (2,917,916)  (5,066,714)  7,983,384   (7,984,630)  11,044,088 
          
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:         
Acquisition of Oil and Natural Gas Properties       (2,205,000)     (2,205,000)
Deposit for Acquisition of Oil ad Natural Gas Properties (670,000)       (670,000)   
Additions to Oil and Natural Gas Properties (917,843)  (2,210,004)  (802,225)  (3,127,847)  (1,226,876)
Purchase of Other Fixed Assets (125,866)  (27,170)  (109,578)  (153,036)  (118,608)
Cash Paid for Right of Use Assets (117,560)  (86,545)  (48,402)  (204,105)  (91,235)
Sinking Fund Deposit    2,779,000   (160,000)  2,779,000   (640,000)
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (1,831,269)  455,281   (3,325,205)  (1,375,988)  (4,281,719)
          
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:         
Principal Payments of Debt (719,838)  (569,136)  (462,436)  (1,288,974)  (922,388)
Proceeds from Option and Warrant Exercise       2,887,183      2,984,683 
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities (719,838)  (569,136)  2,424,747   (1,288,974)  2,062,295 
          
Net Change in Cash (5,469,023)  (5,180,569)  7,082,926   (10,649,592)  8,824,664 
          
Cash – Beginning of Period 6,763,873   11,944,442   5,353,609   11,944,442   3,611,871 
          
Cash – End of Period$1,294,850  $6,763,873  $12,436,535  $1,294,850  $12,436,535 

Empire Petroleum Corporation

Non-GAAP Information

Certain financial information included in Empire’s financial results are not measures of financial performance recognized by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include “Adjusted Net Income (Loss)”, “EBITDA” and “Adjusted EBITDA”. These disclosures may not be viewed as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be reported by other companies. Adjusted Net Income (Loss) is presented because the timing and amount of these items cannot be reasonably estimated and affect the comparability of operating results from period to period, and current periods to prior periods.

ADJUSTED NET INCOME         
           
           
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30,
  2023 2023 2022 2023 2022
           
Net Income (Loss)$(2,464,909) $(2,459,591) $5,534,280  $(4,924,500) $9,157,707 
           
Adjusted for:         
 (Gain) loss on derivatives 66,657   66,823   23,893   133,480   136,214 
 Settlement on or purchases of derivative instruments    (41,187)  (77,631)  (41,187)  (160,891)
 Stock-based compensation expense related to CEO separation    201,453      201,453    
 CEO severance (including employer taxes)    374,820      374,820    
 Settlement and fees related to Texas sales tax audit       439,318      1,089,318 
           
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)$(2,398,252) $(1,857,682) $5,919,860  $(4,255,934) $10,222,348 
           
Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 22,105,704   22,096,796   23,294,723   22,101,264   22,233,826 
           
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Per Share$(0.11) $(0.08) $0.25  $(0.19) $0.46 

The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus net interest expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”), accretion, amortization of right of use assets and other non-cash items. Company management believes this presentation is relevant and useful because it helps investors understand Empire’s operating performance and makes it easier to compare its results with those of other companies that have different financing, capital and tax structures. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for net income, as an indication of operating performance or cash flows from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA does not represent funds available for discretionary use.

EBITDA & ADJUSTED EBITDA         
           
           
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30,
  2023 2023 2022 2023 2022
           
Net Income (Loss)$(2,464,909) $(2,459,591) $5,534,280  $(4,924,500) $9,157,707 
           
Add Back:         
 Interest expense 184,887   237,299   111,785   422,186   222,433 
 DD&A 711,042   622,489   455,799   1,333,531   890,245 
 Accretion 405,361   401,275   336,488   806,636   666,488 
 Amortization of right of use assets 87,560   76,225   50,901   163,785   90,607 
EBITDA$(1,076,059) $(1,122,303) $6,489,253  $(2,198,362)#$11,027,480 
           
Consideration of noncash items:         
 Stock compensation and issuances 1,180,806   949,639   486,903   2,130,445   863,182 
 (Gain) loss on derivatives 66,657   66,823   23,893   133,480   136,214 
 Settlement on or purchases of derivative instruments    (41,187)  (77,631)  (41,187)  (160,891)
 CEO severance (including employer taxes)    374,820      374,820    
 Settlement and fees related to Texas sales tax audit       439,318      1,089,318 
           
Adjusted EBITDA$171,404  $227,792  $7,361,736  $399,196  $12,955,303 

Empire Petroleum Corporation:
Mike Morrisett, President & CEO
539-444-8002
info@empirepetrocorp.com

Investor Relations:
Al Petrie Advisors
Wes Harris, Partner
281-740-1334
wes@alpetrie.com