BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Empire Petroleum Corporation ("Empire" or the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, the results of operations, and the cash flows for the interim period are included. All adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2021. The information contained in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2020 which are contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 31, 2021. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had thirty-three employees. No independent Board members received compensation from the Company in the first nine months of 2020; in 2021 independent Board members were compensated $116,000 through September 30, 2021. Independent directors that remain seated at December 31, 2021 will receive 120,000 shares each of common stock, prorated for the portion of the year served. Beginning in calendar year 2022, Mssrs. Morrisett and Pritchard will each receive annual awards of 100,000 shares of common stock pursuant to their employment agreements.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Empire Petroleum Corporation ("Empire" or the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, the results of operations, and the cash flows for the interim period are included. All adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2021.

The information contained in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2020 which are contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 31, 2021.

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had thirty-three employees. No independent Board members received compensation from the Company in the first nine months of 2020; in 2021 independent Board members were compensated $116,000 through September 30, 2021. Independent directors that remain seated at December 31, 2021 will receive 120,000 shares each of common stock, prorated for the portion of the year served. Beginning in calendar year 2022, Mssrs. Morrisett and Pritchard will each receive annual awards of 100,000 shares of common stock pursuant to their employment agreements.