Empire Pays AUD$2 Million to Begin Tasmanian Seismic Survey.

LENEXA, Kan. -- Empire Energy Corporation International ("Empire") (OTCBB:EEGC) is pleased to announce that the AUD$6.4 Million oil and gas seismic survey is underway with pre-payments totaling AUD$2 Million made to Terrex Seismic Pty Ltd. (Terrex), a Western Australian-based seismic company. On-ground exploration activity will begin this month on a 1,400 km (870-mile) program planned by our wholly owned subsidiary, Tasmanian oil and gas explorer Great South Land Minerals Limited (GSLM).

GSLM CEO Dr. Clive Burrett stated, "Field operations will commence after Easter and will be in full swing by the last week in April. GSLM commissioned the seismic program in September 2005, however activity was delayed due to the heavy demand for seismic services coupled with the shortage of skilled oil-field workers as a consequence of sustained high oil prices in excess of $US60 a barrel."

Terrex Seismic's Managing Director, Stephen Tobin, said, "The company will employ a minimum of 20 people locally, out of a total workforce of about 30 people, to assist in traffic management and seismic operations. The seismic crew also spends approximately $5,000 a day on products and services in local towns adjacent to the exploration areas and, depending on the success of the planned future drilling activity, additional training and employment opportunities may be created throughout the exploration program. Terrex Seismic is using large seismic vibrators, which are capable of imaging subsurface structures to a depth of 20 kilometres where oil or gas could accumulate. The economic basement for hydrocarbon production in Tasmania is expected to be at a maximum depth of approximately six kilometres."

This second phase seismic program follows a 660-kilometre program conducted in 2001 and is focused on locating exploration prospects and leads that the company intends to drill. The geologic and existing well data will then be used to rank the prospects in terms of drilling costs and probability of a discovery, enabling the development of a prioritised drilling program. Terrex Seismic and GSLM have been working closely with state and local government authorities, including Mineral Resources Tasmania (MRT), the Environment and Main Roads Divisions and councils in the exploration area.

"Terrex Seismic strives to conduct seismic operations in a safe, environmentally sensitive and operationally efficient manner. Wherever possible, existing roads and tracks are being used to minimize disturbance to the environment and to local landowners' operations. Terrex Seismic is pleased to be involved in an onshore seismic exploration program with GSLM that has the potential to provide significant benefits and dividends for Tasmania. The successful exploration and development of Tasmania's petroleum resources could have a very positive impact on employment and training, as well as provide significant royalty payments to the State Government," Mr. Tobin said.

"Under Empire's leadership, GSLM's exploration program is being accelerated, enhancing the prospect of developing a commercial oil and gas industry for the State. A four-year federally-funded study by the University of Tasmania found that more than three billion barrels of oil equivalent could be potentially recoverable from onshore Tasmania. Our seismic program and planned drilling activity represent the next step in developing a potentially valuable oil and gas resource for Tasmania," stated GSLM's CEO, Dr. Burrett.

Malcolm Bendall, President of Empire, said, "The commencement of the seismic program is good news for Tasmania, the State Government and for Empire Energy's Tasmanian shareholders who have supported the exploration program for many years. With current oil prices at approximately USD$60 per barrel, that translates into a possible total of USD$180 Billion worth of potentially producible reserves if we are successful with our discovery drilling. This is the reason oil companies spend millions of dollars to explore in high-risk frontier basins."

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 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.