The following news release is available on the EME...

The following news release is available on the EME (LSE)website:(It is a pity the Aussie partners didn't see fit to publish the same news). Maybe we will see an increase on Monday's trading.

('Empyrean' or the 'Company', (EME))



Sugarloaf Project, Block B, onshore Texas, USA.



Empyrean Energy Plc is pleased to provide the market with the following update:

SUGARLOAF OPERATIONS UPDATE

Empyrean has been advised by Texas Crude Energy Inc ("TCEI"), that Hilcorp Energy ("Hilcorp") have exercised their right under the farmout agreement to assume operatorship of activity within the Sugarloaf AMI effective from the 1st February 2010. Empyrean welcomes this development but would also like to acknowledge and thank TCEI for the significant role they have played to date in maturing the project to its present status. TCEI remain very actively involved and in particular will continue to manage land related issues.

Easley-1H

The well has reached a depth of 8,362ft having run and cemented the intermediate casing string. Forward plan is to drill down to the Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford Shale targets with a vertical pilot hole to a planned depth of 11,800ft. The pilot hole will be logged before sidetracking as a horizontal production well.

Weston-1H

Empyrean has been advised by the Operator, Hilcorp, that fracture stimulation operations commenced at the Weston-1H well on the 4th February. The 3,000 ft of horizontal liner will be stimulated in a number of stages. The fracture design is similar to that recently applied to the Kennedy-1H well with success. Process equipment and flow lines have already been installed and the well will be flowed to sales during the clean up.

Kennedy-1H

The well continues to clean up with production performance in line with expectation after the recently reported IP rates of 4.4 mmscf/d and 1,130 bcpd. Production tubing will be installed in this well in due course.