Drilling is planned to commence on the Bellevue #1

Drilling is planned to commence on the Bellevue #1, Thunderbolt #1 and Mt Lloyd prospects on or before Monday, 2nd April, 2012, after concluding the Terrex seismic 2D survey (subject to permits issued) and drilling resources mobilized to site. The Bellevue #1 well has already been pre-collared to a total depth of
272m. 234m has already been drilled at width of 17.5 inches, with a 13 metre deep, 20 inch conductor, set in place during 2008. Drilling contractors are being secured and will be on standby, ready to mobilize the rigs, to meet the 2nd April, 2012 start date. The 234 metres of 13 3/8 inch threaded casing and well head have been purchased and are now in Tasmania in anticipation of being cemented in at Bellevue #1 site. Pectil Engineering Pty Ltd (Pectil) has been engaged to undertake the drill rig engineering assessment, mud logging and live feed broadcast of the operations which will be available 24hrs a day on Empire's website which is currently under construction. It is intended that Pectil representatives will be based in Tasmania commencing next week. Work Programmes are also intended to be lodged with Mineral Resources Tasmania for additional drill holes on the Thunderbolt and Mt Lloyd Domes with the intent to execute this Australian Autumn (March-May 2012). The Bronte Park accommodation facility, owned by an Empire shareholder, has been tentatively booked and will act as a local centre for operations. The Mt Lloyd region, interpreted as a geological dome by Empire CEO Malcolm Bendall, has been eroded exposing in places Permian and Triassic coal measures as well as basal Permian sediments, which are within a few hundred metre drilling distance of the pre-Permian rocks that may contain commercial oil and gas.