Note 8 - Leases

As a lessee, the Company leases its corporate office headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and one field office. The leases expire between 2026 and 2027. The corporate office has an option to renew for an additional five-year term. The option to renew the lease is generally not considered reasonably certain to be exercised. Therefore, the period covered by such optional period is not included in the determination of the term of the lease and the lease payments during these periods are similarly excluded from the calculation of right-of-use lease asset and lease liability balances.

The Company also leases vehicles primarily used in our field operations. These vehicle leases typically have a three-year life.

The Company recognizes right-of-use lease expense on a straight-line basis, except for certain variable expenses that are recognized when the variability is resolved, typically during the period in which they are paid. Variable right-of-use lease payments typically include charges for property taxes, insurance, and variable payments related to non-lease components, including common area maintenance.

Right-of-use lease expense was approximately $0.5 million for both the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Cash paid for right-of-use lease was approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 million for the respective periods.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the right-of-use leases is as follows:

 

As of December 31, 

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

Net operating lease asset (included in Other property and equipment, net)

$

328

$

604

Current portion of lease liability

$

286

$

400

Long-term lease liability

 

12

 

144

Total right-of-use lease liabilities

$

298

$

544

The weighted-average remaining term is 0.9 years, and the weighted-average discount rate is 7.58% for Empire’s right-of-use leases as of December 31, 2025.

Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2025, are as follows:

December 31, 

2025

Year 1

$

296

Year 2

 

12

Year 3

 

Year 4

 

Year 5

 

Total lease payments

 

308

Less: imputed interest

 

(10)

Total lease obligation

$

298

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Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Mar 13, 2026Showing above
2024Mar 27, 2025
2023Mar 28, 2024
2022Mar 31, 2023
2021Mar 31, 2022
2020Mar 31, 2021
2019Mar 30, 2020
2018Apr 1, 2019
2017Apr 2, 2018
2016Mar 31, 2017

About Leases Disclosures

Lease disclosures under ASC 842 provide a comprehensive view of a company's leased asset portfolio, including the split between operating and finance leases, discount rates used to present-value future payments, and the maturity schedule of lease obligations. This section reveals a significant source of off-balance-sheet commitments that were largely hidden before the current standard.

Key signals: the weighted-average discount rate affects the size of recorded lease liabilities — a higher rate reduces the reported obligation, so compare the chosen rate against the company's incremental borrowing rate. The operating versus finance lease mix affects both EBITDA and operating income presentation. Watch the maturity table for concentration risk: large payment cliffs in specific years may create cash flow pressure. Variable lease payments excluded from the liability measurement represent real obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet. Compare total lease costs against prior-year operating lease expense to assess the true economic burden.