Empire Petroleum (NYSE: EP) raises $3M via short-term convertible note

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Empire Petroleum Corporation entered into a new financing arrangement by issuing a $3,000,000 promissory note to Phil E. Mulacek on February 19, 2026. The note carries 5.5% annual interest, matures on May 19, 2026, and then accrues interest at 9% if unpaid.

Mr. Mulacek can convert any or all principal into common stock at $2.99 per share, which would result in 1,003,344 shares if fully converted, with interest paid in cash. The company plans to use the proceeds to repay debt and fund general working capital, and will seek NYSE American approval to list the underlying shares. The transaction was conducted as a private offering under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

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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):

FEBRUARY 19, 2026

_______________________________

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 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On February 19, 2026, Empire Petroleum Corporation (the “Company”) issued that certain Promissory Note in the aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000 (the “Note”) to Phil E. Mulacek. As of February 19, 2026, Mr. Mulacek has advanced the Company $3,000,000 under the Note. The proceeds of the Note will be used by the Company to repay debt and for general working capital purposes.

The Note matures on May 19, 2026 (the “Maturity Date”) and accrues interest at the rate of 5.5% per annum. After the Maturity Date, any principal balance of the Note remaining unpaid accrues interest at the rate of 9% per annum. All accrued but unpaid interest is payable in cash on the Maturity Date, except upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Note), in which case all accrued and unpaid interest shall immediately be due and payable.

All or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Note may be converted into shares of common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $2.99 per share (the “Conversion Price”), at the option of Mr. Mulacek, at any time and from time to time. If the full principal amount of the Note is converted into shares of common stock of the Company, 1,003,344 shares (the “Underlying Shares”) would be issued. Accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount converted is paid in cash on the date of conversion. The Conversion Price is subject to customary adjustments.

The Note may be prepaid at any time or from time to time without the consent of Mr. Mulacek and without penalty or premium, provided that the Company provides Mr. Mulacek with at least five business days prior written notice, each principal payment is made in cash and all accrued interest is paid in cash.

The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the NYSE American to approve a supplemental listing application related to the issuance of the Underlying Shares as soon as reasonably practicable.

For a description of any material relationship between the Company and Mr. Mulacek, see the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 30, 2025 and the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 filed with the SEC on November 14, 2025.

The foregoing summary of the Note is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full terms and conditions of the Note, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information set forth under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The information set forth under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02. The issuance of the Note was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of that Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereof. Mr. Mulacek is a sophisticated accredited investor with the experience and expertise to evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in securities of the Company and the financial means to bear the risks of such an investment.

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Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

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

Exhibit Number	Description
10	Empire Petroleum Corporation Promissory Note Due May 19, 2026 in the aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000 in favor of Phil E. Mulacek.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

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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:    February 23, 2026	By:	/s/ Michael R. Morrisett
		Michael R. Morrisett President and Chief Executive Officer

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FAQ

What financing did Empire Petroleum (EP) announce in this 8-K?

Empire Petroleum issued a $3,000,000 promissory note to investor Phil E. Mulacek. The note provides short-term financing with interest and a conversion feature into common stock, giving the company additional liquidity for debt repayment and working capital.

What are the key terms of Empire Petroleum’s $3,000,000 note?

The note matures on May 19, 2026, bears 5.5% annual interest until maturity, and 9% thereafter if unpaid. Interest is payable in cash at maturity or upon default, giving the lender a defined return while the company gains near-term funding.

How can the Empire Petroleum (EP) note be converted into stock?

Phil E. Mulacek may convert all or part of the note’s principal into Empire Petroleum common stock at $2.99 per share. Full conversion of the $3,000,000 principal would result in 1,003,344 shares, with accrued interest paid in cash on conversion.

How will Empire Petroleum use the $3,000,000 note proceeds?

Empire Petroleum plans to use the $3,000,000 proceeds to repay existing debt and for general working capital purposes. This allocation supports balance sheet obligations while funding day-to-day operations and corporate needs in the near term.

How was the Empire Petroleum (EP) note issuance structured legally?

The note issuance was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and relied on the Section 4(a)(2) exemption. The company describes Phil E. Mulacek as a sophisticated accredited investor with the experience and financial means for this private investment.

Will the Empire Petroleum conversion shares be listed on NYSE American?

Empire Petroleum will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain NYSE American approval for a supplemental listing of the 1,003,344 underlying shares. This is intended to allow any conversion shares to trade on the same exchange as existing common stock.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents

Other Documents

• EX-10 PROMISSORY NOTE DUE MAY 19, 2026 74.2 KB
• EX-101 XBRL SCHEMA FILE 3.0 KB
• EX-101 XBRL LABEL FILE 33.4 KB
• EX-101 XBRL PRESENTATION FILE 21.8 KB