| Document and Entity Information | 3 Months Ended |
| Mar. 31, 2017shares | |
| Document And Entity Information | |
| Entity Registrant Name | EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION |
| Entity Central Index Key | 887,396 |
| Document Type | 10-Q |
| Document Period End Date | Mar. 31, 2017 |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 |
| Is Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer? | No |
| Is Entity a Voluntary Filer? | No |
| Is Entity's Reporting Status Current? | No |
| Entity Filer Category | Smaller Reporting Company |
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 8,710,609 |
| Document Fiscal Period Focus | Q1 |
| Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2,017 |
| BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash | $ 66,923 | $ 68,743 |
| Prepaids | 42,000 | 14,000 |
| Total current assets | 108,923 | 82,743 |
| Investment in Masterson West II | 300,000 | 300,000 |
| Total assets | 408,923 | 382,743 |
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 71,020 | 22,518 |
| Accrued interest payable | 4,056 | 0 |
| Total current liabilities | 75,076 | 22,518 |
| Convertible Notes, net | 102,886 | 58,844 |
| Stockholders' equity: | ||
| Common stock-$.001 par value authorized 150,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 8,710,609 | 8,710 | 8,710 |
| Common stock subscribed not yet issues (2,000,000 shares) | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Additional paid in capital | 15,605,769 | 15,571,819 |
| Accumulated deficit | (15,385,518) | (15,281,148) |
| Total stockholders' equity | 230,961 | 301,381 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 408,923 | $ 382,743 |
| BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
| Stockholders' equity (deficit): | ||
| Common stock par value | $ 0.001 | $ 0.001 |
| Common stock shares authorized | 150,000,000 | 150,000,000 |
| Common stock shares issued | 8,710,609 | 8,710,609 |
| Common stock shares outstanding | 8,710,609 | 8,710,609 |
| Common stock subscribed but unissued | 2,000,000 | 2,000,000 |
| STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended | |
| Mar. 31, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2016 | |
| Revenue: | ||
| Petroleum Sales | $ 0 | $ 0 |
| Costs and expenses: | ||
| General and administrative | 86,084 | 56,838 |
| Total costs and expenses | 86,084 | 56,838 |
| Operating loss | (86,084) | (56,838) |
| Other expense: | ||
| Interest expense | 18,286 | 0 |
| Total other expense | 18,286 | 0 |
| Net loss | $ (104,370) | $ (56,838) |
| Net loss per common share, basic & diluted | $ (0.01) | $ (0.01) |
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding basic and diluted | 8,710,609 | 8,710,609 |
| STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended | |
| Mar. 31, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2016 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
| Net loss | $ (104,370) | $ (56,838) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||
| Value of services contributed by officers | 0 | 12,500 |
| Amortization of warrant value and conversion feature on convertible notes | 15,492 | 0 |
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: | ||
| Prepaids | (28,000) | 0 |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 48,502 | 35,023 |
| Accrued interest payable | 4,056 | 0 |
| Net cash used in operating activities | (64,320) | (9,315) |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
| Proceeds from convertible notes issued | 62,500 | 0 |
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 62,500 | 0 |
| Net increase in cash | (1,820) | (9,315) |
| Cash - Beginning of year | 68,743 | 18,105 |
| Cash - End of year | $ 66,923 | $ 8,790 |
| BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 3 Months Ended |
| Mar. 31, 2017 | |
| Notes to Financial Statements | |
| 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | The accompanying unaudited financial statements of Empire Petroleum Corporation ("Empire" or the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles 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, 2017. 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, 2016 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, 2017. The Company has incurred significant losses in recent years. The continuation of the Company as a going concern is dependent upon the ability of the Company to attain future profitable operations and/or additional debt or equity financing until profitable operations are achieved. These financial statements have been prepared on the basis of United States generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a company with continuing operations, which assume that the Company will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its obligations in the normal course of operations. Management believes the going concern assumption to be appropriate for these financial statements. If the going concern assumption were not appropriate for these financial statements, then adjustments might be necessary to adjust the carrying value of assets and liabilities and reported expenses. The Company continues to seek partners to help it explore and develop oil and gas interests. The ultimate recoverability of the Company's investment in oil and gas interests is dependent upon the existence and discovery of economically recoverable oil and gas reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary financing to further develop the interests, and the ability of the Company to attain future profitable production. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had $66,923 of cash. In order to sustain the Company's operations on a long-term basis, the Company continues to consider public or private financings, and pursue the acquisition of other operated and non-operated oil and gas properties continue negotiations to complete the Masterson West II transaction (see Note 3 for additional information). Compensation of Officers and Employees As of March 31, 2017, the Company had no employees. Until December 22, 2016, J.C. Whorton served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Michael R. Morrisett was appointed as the Company's President. On December 22, 2016, Mr. Whorton resigned his position as Chief Executive Officer at which time Mr. Morrisett appointed Anthony Kamin to fill the vacancy on the Board of Directors created by Mr. Whorton's resignation. No Board members received compensation from the Company in the first three months of 2016. The fair value of these services is estimated by management and is recognized as a capital contribution. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 the Company recorded $12,500 as a contribution by its executive officers. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 the Company paid Mr. Morrisett $12,500 for services rendered. Fair Value Measurements The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") fair value measurement standards define fair value, establish a consistent framework for measuring fair value and establish a fair value hierarchy based on the observability of inputs used to measure fair value. The carrying value of the convertible debt and investment in Masterson West II approximate fair value as of March 31, 2017. Management's estimates are based on the assessment of qualitative factors that are considered Level 3 measurements in the fair value hierarchy as required by FASB ASC 820. |
| PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT | 3 Months Ended |
| Mar. 31, 2017 | |
| Notes to Financial Statements | |
| 2. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT | As of March 31, 2017, the Company did not own any interest in oil and gas properties or equipment. |
| INVESTMENT IN MASTERSON WEST II | 3 Months Ended |
| Mar. 31, 2017 | |
| Notes to Financial Statements | |
| 3. INVESTMENT IN MASTERSON WEST II | On December 22, 2016, the Company entered into a subscription and contribution agreement with Masterson West, LLC ("Masterson West") (the "Contribution Agreement") relating to the newly formed Masterson West II, LLC, a Texas limited liability company ("Masterson West II"). Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, among other things, (a) at the initial closing, the Company agreed to contribute 2,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), to Masterson West II, along with an additional 38,000,000 shares of Common Stock and (b) at the final closing, Masterson West has an obligation to contribute certain oil and gas properties (the "Contributed Properties") to Masterson West II in exchange for the Company contributing cash of not less than $9,000,000 and up to $18,000,000 to Masterson West II. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to secure the funds necessary for the final closing. Under the terms of the Agreement, the final closing was scheduled to occur no later than April 1, 2017. After April 1, 2017 either party has the right to terminate the Agreement. If the final closing occurs, the Company will own 50% of Masterson West II if it delivers $18,000,000 of cash at the final closing and 25% of Masterson West II if it delivers $9,000,000 of cash at the final closing. Also on December 22, 2016, the Company entered into a limited liability agreement of Masterson West II with Masterson West (the "LLC Agreement"). Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement and the LLC Agreement, Masterson West was immediately entitled to a distribution of the 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock, but is only entitled to a distribution of all or a portion of the 38,000,000 shares of Common Stock if and when the final closing occurs. In connection with the contribution of the Contributed Properties by Masterson West, at the final closing, Masterson West II will assume a credit facility affiliated with the Contributed Properties that has approximately $20,000,000 outstanding as of the date hereof. Masterson West and the Company intends to use the cash consideration paid by the Company at the final closing to pay down such credit facility and/or as working capital to continue to develop the Contributed Properties. If the proceeds are used to pay down part or all of such credit facility, the credit facility will be used to continue to develop the Contributed Properties. All of Contributed Properties are located in Moore and Potter Counties in Texas and the wells to be included in such Contributed Properties primarily target the red cave formation at a depth of 2,100 to 2,300 feet. Masterson West and affiliate of Masterson West, Adams Affiliates Inc., have owned and operated the Contributed Properties for over 20 years. The Company has targeted this transaction for a number of reasons. First, the Contributed Properties are currently producing approximately 1,000 barrels of oil per day equivalent and include approximately 8,000 net acres of leasehold that are held by such production. Second, the Company believes this transaction is a lower risk oil-weighted infill drilling opportunity as Masterson West has identified approximately 380 locations to develop on five to ten acre spacing units, with approximately 200 proved undeveloped drilling locations. The Company estimates the total cost to complete each well will be approximately $250,000. On February 18, 2017 Gary C. Adams, the majority owner of Masterson West unexpectedly passed away. As a result of this development, the final closing did not occur on April 1, 2017, the final close date per the Contribution Agreement. Though the transaction did not close before the stated final closing date, the Agreement remains in effect until one or both parties serve a notice of termination. As of the date of this filing, neither party has elected to terminate the Contribution Agreement. The Company is continuing its discussions with representatives of Masterson West regarding the continuation of the Contribution Agreement. |
| EQUITY | 3 Months Ended |
| Mar. 31, 2017 | |
| Notes to Financial Statements | |
| 4. EQUITY | Diluted Earnings per Share ("EPS") gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of Diluted EPS does not assume conversion, exercise or contingent exercise of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on losses. As a result, if there is a loss from continuing operations, Diluted EPS is computed in the same manner as Basic EPS. At March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had, respectively, 1,154,167 and 1,796,250 options outstanding that were not included in the calculation of earnings per share for the periods then ended. Such financial instruments may become dilutive and would then need to be included in future calculations of Diluted EPS. At March 31, 2017 and 2016, the outstanding options were considered anti-dilutive since the strike prices were above the market price and since the Company has incurred losses year to date. On June 1, 2016 the Company issued options to purchase a total of 1,150,000 shares of the Company's common stock under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan for services rendered to the Company, including capital formation, prospective deal origination, evaluation, due diligence, and administrative support. The options immediately vested and expire after 2 years. 600,000 of the options have a strike price of 15 cents, with the remainder, 550,000, having a strike price of 25 cents. The Company recorded an expense of $65,660 for the options, $27,500 related to the 25 cent options and $38,160 related to the 15 cent options. The value assigned to the stock options was determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions: no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 113%, risk free interest rate of .91% and an expected useful life of two years. In December 2016, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements (each, a "Securities Purchase Agreement" and, collectively, the "Securities Purchase Agreements") with four accredited investors, pursuant to which it issued senior unsecured convertible promissory notes due December 31, 2018 (each, a "Convertible Note" and, collectively, the "Convertible Notes") in the aggregate amount of $132,500 in cash. Each Convertible Note accrues interest at 6%, is due December 31, 2018 and is convertible at the option of the holder at $0.15 per share. Each investor was also issued a warrant certificate (each, a "Warrant Certificate" and, collectively, the "Warrant Certificates"), pursuant to which such investor could acquire one share of Common Stock at $0.25 per share for each $0.25 invested in the applicable Convertible Note until December 31, 2018. The full amount of interest under each Convertible Note is accrued and paid upon the maturity date or earlier conversion. The value allocated to the Warrant Certificates was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions: no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 112%, risk free interest rate of 0.91% and an expected useful life of two years, The fair value of the Warrant Certificates was allocated $38,115 to Paid in Capital. The Notes' conversion features were valued at their intrinsic value in excess of the debt's allocated value of $38,115 and resulted in additional Paid in Capital. The Debt Issue Costs represent a direct deduction of the face amount the Convertible Notes is amortized as interest expense over the life of the Notes. In January 2017, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements (each, a "Securities Purchase Agreement" and, collectively, the "Securities Purchase Agreements") with two accredited investors, pursuant to which it issued senior unsecured convertible promissory notes due December 31, 2018 (each, a "Convertible Note" and, collectively, the "Convertible Notes") in the aggregate amount of $62,500 in cash. Each Convertible Note accrues interest at 6%, is due December 31, 2018 and is convertible at the option of the holder at $0.15 per share. Each investor was also issued a warrant certificate (each, a "Warrant Certificate" and, collectively, the "Warrant Certificates"), pursuant to which such investor could acquire one share of Common Stock at $0.25 per share for each $0.25 invested in the applicable Convertible Note until December 31, 2018. The full amount of interest under each Convertible Note is accrued and paid upon the maturity date or earlier conversion. The value allocated to the Warrant Certificates was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions: no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 110%, risk free interest rate of 1.23% and an expected useful life of two years, The fair value of the Warrant Certificates was allocated $16,975 to Paid in Capital. The Notes' conversion features were valued at their intrinsic value in excess of the debt's allocated value of $16,975 and resulted in additional Paid in Capital. The Debt Issue Costs represent a direct deduction of the face amount the Convertible Notes is amortized as interest expense over the life of the Notes. The following table reflects the changes in long term debt during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively: 2017 2016 Convertible Notes Outstanding $ 195,000 $ 0 Debt Issue Costs Warrants and Conversion Feature (92,114 ) 0 Convertible Notes Outstanding, Net $ 102,886 $ 0 |
| BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies) | 3 Months Ended |
| Mar. 31, 2017 | |
| Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies Policies | |
| Compensation of Officers and Employees | As of March 31, 2017, the Company had no employees. Until December 22, 2016, J.C. Whorton served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Michael R. Morrisett was appointed as the Company's President. On December 22, 2016, Mr. Whorton resigned his position as Chief Executive Officer at which time Mr. Morrisett appointed Anthony Kamin to fill the vacancy on the Board of Directors created by Mr. Whorton's resignation. No Board members received compensation from the Company in the first three months of 2016. The fair value of these services is estimated by management and is recognized as a capital contribution. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 the Company recorded $12,500 as a contribution by its executive officers. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 the Company paid Mr. Morrisett $12,500 for services rendered. |
| Fair Value Measurements | The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") fair value measurement standards define fair value, establish a consistent framework for measuring fair value and establish a fair value hierarchy based on the observability of inputs used to measure fair value. The carrying value of the convertible debt and investment in Masterson West II approximate fair value as of March 31, 2017. Management's estimates are based on the assessment of qualitative factors that are considered Level 3 measurements in the fair value hierarchy as required by FASB ASC 820. |
| EQUITY (Table) | 3 Months Ended |
| Mar. 31, 2017 | |
| Equity Table | |
| Changes in long term debt | 2017 2016 Convertible Notes Outstanding $ 195,000 $ 0 Debt Issue Costs Warrants and Conversion Feature (92,114 ) 0 Convertible Notes Outstanding, Net $ 102,886 $ 0 |
| BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details Narrative) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended | |
| Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | |
| Cash | $ 66,923 | $ 68,743 |
| Morrisett [Member] | ||
| Payments of compensation for services | 6,000 | |
| Executive Officer [Member] | ||
| Proceeds from related party note payable | $ 12,500 |
| INVESTMENT IN MASTERSON WEST II (Details Narrative) - USD ($) | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | |
| Dec. 22, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | |
| Common stock par value | $ 0.001 | $ 0.001 | |
| Total Assets | $ 408,923 | $ 382,743 | |
| Total Liabilities and Equity | 408,923 | 382,743 | |
| Masterson West II [Member] | |||
| Estimated cost | $ 250,000 | ||
| Total Assets | 300,000 | ||
| Total Liabilities and Equity | $ 300,000 | ||
| Masterson West II [Member] | LLC Agreement [Member] | |||
| Common stock distribution shares | 2,000,000 | ||
| Masterson West II [Member] | LLC Agreement [Member] | Facility Closing [Member] | |||
| Common stock distribution shares | 38,000,000 | ||
| Masterson West II [Member] | Contribution Properties [Member] | |||
| Contributed cash description | less than $9,000,000 and up to $18,000,000 | ||
| Contribution agreement term | the final closing was scheduled to occur no later than April 1, 2017. After April 1, 2017 either party has the right to terminate the Agreement. If the final closing occurs, the Company will own 50% of Masterson West II if it delivers $18,000,000 of cash at the final closing and 25% of Masterson West II if it delivers $9,000,000 of cash at the final closing. | ||
| Masterson West II [Member] | Contribution Agreement [Member] | |||
| Common stock par value | $ .001 | ||
| Common stock contributed shares | 2,000,000 | ||
| Additional shares of common stock | 38,000,000 |
| EQUITY (Details) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended | ||
| Mar. 31, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2016 | |
| Equity Details | |||
| Convertible Notes Outstanding | $ 62,500 | $ 0 | |
| Debt Issue Costs - Warrants and Conversion Feature | (92,114) | 0 | |
| Convertible Notes Outstanding, Net | $ 102,886 | $ 0 | $ 58,844 |
| EQUITY (Details Narrative) - USD ($) | Jun. 01, 2016 | Jan. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2017 |
| Options and warrants, outstanding | 1,796,250 | 2,037,500 | ||
| Aggregate amount | $ 62,500 | $ 132,500 | ||
| Convertible promissory notes accrued interest | 6.00% | 6.00% | ||
| Convertible conversion price | $ 0.15 | $ 0.15 | ||
| Share of Common Stock | $ 0.25 | $ 0.25 | ||
| Promissory note due date | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2018 | ||
| Convertible Notes [Member] | ||||
| Share of Common Stock | $ 0.25 | $ 0.25 | ||
| Warrant Certificates [Member] | ||||
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||
| Expected volatility rate | 110.00% | 112.00% | ||
| Risk free interest rate | 1.23% | 0.91% | ||
| Expected useful life | 2 years | 2 years | ||
| Additional paid in capital | $ 16,975 | $ 38,115 | ||
| Stock Option [Member] | 2006 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | ||||
| Common stock reserved under the plan | 1,150,000 | |||
| stock options expiration period | 2 years | |||
| Stock options plan expense | $ 65,660 | |||
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | |||
| Expected volatility rate | 113.00% | |||
| Risk free interest rate | 0.91% | |||
| Expected useful life | 2 years | |||
| Stock Option [Member] | 2006 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Strike price of $0.25 [Member] | ||||
| Stock options granted | 600,000 | |||
| Stock options granted, strike price | $ 0.25 | |||
| Stock options plan expense | $ 27,500 | |||
| Stock Option [Member] | 2006 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Strike price of $0.15 [Member] | ||||
| Stock options granted | 550,000 | |||
| Stock options granted, strike price | $ 0.15 | |||
| Stock options plan expense | $ 38,160 |
