Empire Completes PRF Acquisition and Welcomes Chinese Delegation.

LENEXA, Kan. -- Empire Energy Corporation International (Empire) (OTCBB:EEGC) announced that it had completed its acquisition of 51% of Pacific Rim Foods Ltd. (PRF) under its previously announced Letter of Agreement on January 17, 2006. We anticipate that the capital structure of PRF could be completed during the second quarter of this year following conclusion of the private placement offering currently underway. Empire has provided interim funding of USD$300,000 to PRF's shelf stable food platform subsidiary in China. Consolidation of the China-based food processing assets is targeted for completion in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Empire also announced that PRF has entered into a multi-year lease on a processing facility in Liaoning Province, in addition to its existing Letter Agreement with Jilin Jimei Foods Ltd (JJF) to acquire certain brand and processing facilities in Jilin Province. The lease includes a recently built canning facility and all agricultural acreage needed to support the operation of the facility. We expect these properties will operate in the new Wholly Owned Foreign Entity (WOFE) subsidiary. Speaking from Beijing, China, Tad Ballantyne, Empire director and PRF President, said: "This second facility lease is consistent with the PRF business plan to privatize certain food processing assets in China under its planned multi-year industry roll up strategy. PRF anticipates that it may acquire or lease two additional plants under its first year consolidation plan." Ballantyne also announced that Dr. Robert Ni, a current director of JJF, has agreed to join the board of PRF China WOFE. Ballantyne said, "Dr. Ni's 15-year history with the JJF board of directors and his excellent relationships with provincial governments where PRF seeks to expand will provide valuable assistance in meeting PRF development objectives."

Empire continues its ongoing discussion with certain natural resource entities based in China. Professor Zhang Wanxin and other business officials from China will visit Tasmania to conduct further due diligence into the resource assets (oil, gas and base metals) held by Empire and its subsidiaries. These individuals have extensive experience in the natural resource sector and Empire is honored to have achieved this level of interest in further structuring of potential commercial relationships with China interests. This visit is in connection with the 60-day exclusive Empire granted to enable certain Chinese businesses to complete due diligence on Empire's natural resource opportunities in Tasmania.

Professor Zhang Wanxin was formerly head of one of China's largest commercial enterprises in the petro-chemical industry, and he has been involved in consolidation of certain food sectors in China, including the roll-up, technological enhancement and market globalization of the juice concentrate sector in China. The recent visit of China Premier Wen Jiabao to Australia highlighted the expanding investment focus of China in Australian energy, mining and technology. Empire looks forward to the counsel of Professor Zhang Wanxin as we develop our business relationships with China.

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on our current expectations about our company and our industry. You can identify these forward-looking statements when you see us using the words such as "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believes," "plans" and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of our ability to complete required financings and other preconditions to the completion of the transactions described herein and Empire's ability to successfully acquire reserves and produce its resources among other issues. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future. We caution you not to place undue reliance on those statements.