Current Report Filing (8-k)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

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Current Report

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

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):

MARCH 16, 2023

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EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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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 $.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 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b), (c) and (e)         On March 16, 2023, Thomas W. Pritchard resigned as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Empire Petroleum Corporation (the “Company”) to pursue other opportunities. Although not required under Mr. Pritchard’s Employment Agreement with the Company, in recognition of Mr. Pritchard’s past service to the Company, the Company will pay Mr. Pritchard severance benefits in the amount of $361,053.40, as set forth in Section 4.2 of his Employment Agreement, in one lump sum payment within 30 days after March 23, 2023, rather than in monthly installments, provided he does not revoke his release provided to the Company in connection with his resignation on or before March 23, 2023. The Company is also extending the period under which Mr. Pritchard has the right to exercise his outstanding vested non-qualified stock options from three months after the date of his termination of employment to September 16, 2024, provided he does not revoke his release.

On March 17, 2023, the Board of Directors appointed Michael R. Morrisett to the position of Chief Executive Officer, in addition to his current duties of President and Principal Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Morrisett is not receiving any additional compensation for assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Morrisett’s background, employment agreement and compensation are described in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed on July 27, 2022.

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

Date:       March 21, 2023

By: 

/s/ Michael R. Morrisett

Michael R. Morrisett

President and Chief Executive Officer