STOCK TITAN

Rights offering lifts Empire Petroleum (EP) insider stake via exercises

Filing Impact
(Very High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
4

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Empire Petroleum director and 10% owner Phil E. Mulacek and related entities exercised subscription rights in the company’s Rights Offering at $2.99 per share on April 15, 2026. These exercises converted subscription rights into common stock across direct holdings and several indirect vehicles.

Following the transactions, Mulacek directly held 9,401,581 shares of common stock. Indirectly, holdings included 44,023 shares held by his spouse, 578,746 shares by Five Sterling LP, 592,318 shares by Big Red Revocable Trust, and 919,812 shares by Petroleum Independent & Exploration LLC. No sales were reported, only acquisitions through derivative exercises.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
Insider Mulacek Phil E
Role null
Type Security Shares Price Value
Exercise Subscription Rights (right to buy) 7,312,481 $0.00 --
Exercise Subscription Rights (right to buy) 852,664 $0.00 --
Exercise Subscription Rights (right to buy) 540,626 $0.00 --
Exercise Subscription Rights (right to buy) 533,368 $0.00 --
Exercise Subscription Rights (right to buy) 43,403 $0.00 --
Exercise Common Stock 2,089,100 $2.99 $6.25M
Exercise Common Stock 67,148 $2.99 $201K
Exercise Common Stock 51,692 $2.99 $155K
Exercise Common Stock 45,378 $2.99 $136K
Exercise Common Stock 620 $2.99 $2K
Holdings After Transaction: Subscription Rights (right to buy) — 0 shares (Direct, null); Subscription Rights (right to buy) — 0 shares (Indirect, By Petroleum Independent & Exploration LLC); Common Stock — 9,401,581 shares (Direct, null); Common Stock — 919,812 shares (Indirect, By Petroleum Independent & Exploration LLC)
Footnotes (1)
  1. Represents shares of the Issuer's common stock purchased by the reporting person following the exercise of subscription rights, including over-subscription rights, pursuant to the Issuer's rights offering to holders of common stock, as described in the Issuer's prospectus supplement dated February 2, 2026, as supplemented by the Issuer's prospectus supplement dated February 25, 2026 (the "Rights Offering"). Represents the exercise price of $2.99 per whole share of common stock in the Rights Offering. Each holder of common stock of record as of February 2, 2026 received one right for each share of common stock, and each right carried with it a basic subscription right, which entitled the holder to purchase 0.095 of a share of common stock, and an over-subscription right, which entitled holders that exercised their basic subscription rights in full to subscribe for additional shares of common stock that were not purchased by other stockholders pursuant to their basic subscription rights, subject to proration. Includes any shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of over-subscription rights in connection with the Rights' Offering.
Exercise price $2.99 per share Rights Offering subscription rights for common stock
Direct holdings after transaction 9,401,581 shares Common stock held directly by Phil E. Mulacek after April 15, 2026
Spouse indirect holdings 44,023 shares Common stock held indirectly by spouse following rights exercises
Five Sterling LP holdings 578,746 shares Indirect Empire Petroleum common stock after exercising rights
Big Red Revocable Trust holdings 592,318 shares Indirect common stock position after rights exercises
Petroleum Independent & Exploration LLC holdings 919,812 shares Indirect common stock position after rights exercises
Total derivative exercises 9,282,542 rights Aggregate subscription rights exercised, per transaction summary
Exercise transactions count 10 transactions All coded M as derivative exercises/conversions on April 15, 2026
Rights Offering financial
"pursuant to the Issuer's rights offering to holders of common stock"
A rights offering is a way for a company to raise additional money by giving existing shareholders the opportunity to buy more shares at a discounted price before they are offered to the public. It’s similar to a special sale where current owners get the first chance to buy extra items at a lower cost, allowing them to increase their investment if they choose. This process matters to investors because it can affect the value of their holdings and their ability to buy new shares at favorable terms.
subscription rights financial
"purchased by the reporting person following the exercise of subscription rights"
Subscription rights are short-term privileges given to existing shareholders to buy additional new shares before the general public, typically at a set price and in proportion to their current holdings. Think of it as getting a coupon for first dibs on extra slices of a pizza so your share of the pie doesn’t shrink; exercising them can be a cheaper way to maintain your ownership and voting power, while ignoring them can reduce your stake and potential future earnings.
over-subscription rights financial
"Includes any shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of over-subscription rights"
Over-subscription rights let current investors ask for extra shares beyond the amount they were initially offered in a company share sale, with the extras only issued if other buyers don’t take them. Think of it like reserving the option to buy extra tickets for a sold-out show if other people return theirs; for investors this can increase ownership at the same price and prevent dilution of their stake, or allow a greater share of a popular issue.
basic subscription right financial
"each right carried with it a basic subscription right"
Form 4 regulatory
"INSIDER FILING DATA (Form 4):"
Form 4 is a official document that company insiders, such as executives or major shareholders, file with regulators whenever they buy or sell company shares. It provides transparency about how those with inside knowledge are trading, helping investors see if insiders are confident in the company's prospects or may be selling for personal reasons. This information can influence investor decisions by revealing insiders' perspectives on the company's value.
SEC Form 4
FORM 4UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number:3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response:0.5
Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).
Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person*
Mulacek Phil E

(Last)(First)(Middle)
25025 I 45 NORTH
SUITE 420

(Street)
THE WOODLANDS TEXAS 77380

(City)(State)(Zip)

UNITED STATES

(Country)
2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORP [ EP ]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
XDirectorX10% Owner
Officer (give title below)Other (specify below)
2a. Foreign Trading Symbol
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
04/15/2026
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
XForm filed by One Reporting Person
Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
CodeVAmount(A) or (D)Price
Common Stock04/15/2026M2,089,100(1)A$2.999,401,581D
Common Stock04/15/2026M67,148(1)A$2.99919,812IBy Petroleum Independent & Exploration LLC
Common Stock04/15/2026M51,692(1)A$2.99592,318IBy Big Red Revocable Trust
Common Stock04/15/2026M45,378(1)A$2.99578,746IBy Five Sterling LP
Common Stock04/15/2026M620(1)A$2.9944,023IBy spouse
Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
CodeV(A)(D)Date ExercisableExpiration DateTitleAmount or Number of Shares
Subscription Rights (right to buy)$2.99(2)04/15/2026M7,312,481(3)02/02/202603/18/2026Common Stock2,089,100(3)$0$0D
Subscription Rights (right to buy)$2.99(2)04/15/2026M852,664(3)02/02/202603/18/2026Common Stock67,148(3)$0$0IBy Petroleum Independent & Exploration LLC
Subscription Rights (right to buy)$2.99(2)04/15/2026M540,626(3)02/02/202603/18/2026Common Stock51,692(3)$0$0IBy Big Red Revocable Trust
Subscription Rights (right to buy)$2.99(2)04/15/2026M533,368(3)02/02/202603/18/2026Common Stock45,378(3)$0$0IBy Five Sterling LP
Subscription Rights (right to buy)$2.99(2)04/15/2026M43,403(3)02/02/202603/18/2026Common Stock620(3)$0$0IBy spouse
Explanation of Responses:
1. Represents shares of the Issuer's common stock purchased by the reporting person following the exercise of subscription rights, including over-subscription rights, pursuant to the Issuer's rights offering to holders of common stock, as described in the Issuer's prospectus supplement dated February 2, 2026, as supplemented by the Issuer's prospectus supplement dated February 25, 2026 (the "Rights Offering").
2. Represents the exercise price of $2.99 per whole share of common stock in the Rights Offering.
3. Each holder of common stock of record as of February 2, 2026 received one right for each share of common stock, and each right carried with it a basic subscription right, which entitled the holder to purchase 0.095 of a share of common stock, and an over-subscription right, which entitled holders that exercised their basic subscription rights in full to subscribe for additional shares of common stock that were not purchased by other stockholders pursuant to their basic subscription rights, subject to proration. Includes any shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of over-subscription rights in connection with the Rights' Offering.
/s/ Phil E. Mulacek04/28/2026
** Signature of Reporting PersonDate
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.
* Form 4: SEC 1474 (03-26)

FAQ

What insider activity did Empire Petroleum (EP) disclose in this Form 4?

Empire Petroleum reported that Phil E. Mulacek and affiliated entities exercised subscription rights in the company’s Rights Offering, acquiring additional common stock at $2.99 per share and increasing both direct and indirect equity holdings without reporting any share sales.

How many Empire Petroleum (EP) shares does Phil E. Mulacek hold directly after the transactions?

After exercising subscription rights, Phil E. Mulacek directly holds 9,401,581 shares of Empire Petroleum common stock. This reflects shares purchased through the Rights Offering on April 15, 2026, at $2.99 per share via exercise of subscription rights.

What was the exercise price for Empire Petroleum (EP) subscription rights?

The Rights Offering subscription rights were exercised at an exercise price of $2.99 per whole share of Empire Petroleum common stock. This price applied to basic subscription rights and any over-subscription rights used to purchase additional available shares.

Which entities associated with Phil E. Mulacek acquired Empire Petroleum (EP) shares?

Indirect acquisitions occurred through several entities: shares were held by Mulacek’s spouse, Five Sterling LP, Big Red Revocable Trust, and Petroleum Independent & Exploration LLC. Each entity exercised subscription rights and received common stock as part of the Rights Offering.

How many indirect Empire Petroleum (EP) shares are held by Five Sterling LP and Petroleum Independent & Exploration LLC?

Following the exercises, Five Sterling LP held 578,746 Empire Petroleum shares, while Petroleum Independent & Exploration LLC held 919,812 shares. Both positions resulted from converting subscription rights into common stock in the company’s Rights Offering.

Were any Empire Petroleum (EP) shares sold in this Form 4 filing?

No sales were reported. All Form 4 entries use transaction code M, indicating exercises or conversions of derivative securities. The activity reflects subscription rights exercised into common stock, increasing holdings rather than disposing of existing shares.