Empire Petroleum has commenced drilling operations on its Empire Paradise Unit 2-12 test well in Nye County, Nevada. The company plans to drill this well to about 6,500ft.

The primary formation of interest is the Triassic. Empire feels that this formation is the likely source for the oil shows it observed over a large volcanic interval in the Empire Cobble Cuesta 1-12, located about three quarters of a mile southwest of the 2-12 well, the company said.

Empire also said it will increase its interest in the 2-12 well and the 40,073 acres of leases contained in the Paradise Unit on which the 2-12 well is being drilled.

The company will increase its working interest from 57% to 77.5% through a farmin whereby it will pay an additional 41% of the well costs. Drilling and testing operations on the 2-12 well will take about 30 days.