-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001373607-09-000005.txt : 20091005
<SEC-HEADER>0001373607-09-000005.hdr.sgml : 20091005
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091005123603
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001373607-09-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090903
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091005
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091005

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:		091104764

	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>2009-09-03</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>2009-09-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1428572</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.07</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4427282</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-09-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>357143</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.07</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>357143</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Wife</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-09-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>714286</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.07</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1114286</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Trust (2)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-09-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1428572</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.07</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1928572</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Trust (1)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <remarks>1.  The reporting person is the trustee of the Trust F/B/O Melinda Hackett is the reporting person's daughter.  The reporting person disclaims ownership of these shares, and this report should not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of these shares for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.
2.  The reporting person is the trustee of the Trust F/B/O Montague H. Hackett, III is the reporting person's son.  The reporting person disclaims ownership of these shares, and this report should not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of these shares for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.
3.  Mayme M. Hackett the reporting person's wife.  The reporting person disclaims ownership of these shares, and this report should not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of these shares for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Montague H. Hackett, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-10-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
