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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 1boSHjqq6xB9KDd8No26WA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001373607-09-000004.txt : 20090715
<SEC-HEADER>0001373607-09-000004.hdr.sgml : 20090715
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090715125449
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001373607-09-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090715
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090715
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090715

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Hackett Montague H Jr
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001373607

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16653
		FILM NUMBER:		09945452

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		550 PARK AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10065

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	Hackett Montague H
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20060822

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000887396
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				731238709
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15 E 5TH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4000
		CITY:			TULSA
		STATE:			OK
		ZIP:			74103
		BUSINESS PHONE:		918-587-8093

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15 E 5TH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4000
		CITY:			TULSA
		STATE:			OK
		ZIP:			74103

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMERICOMM RESOURCES CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19951115

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMERICOMM CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930328
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-07-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000887396</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EMPR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001373607</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Hackett Montague H Jr</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>550 PARK AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-07-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>400000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.05</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2998710</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Montague H. Hackett, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-07-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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