Empire Petroleum Acquires 83 Wholesale Fuel Contracts

GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- Empire Petroleum Partners LLC today announced its acquisition of 83 wholesale distribution contracts from King Fuels Inc., a distributor and supplier of branded fuel to gas stations primarily in the Houston market.

The purchased accounts significantly enhance Empire's regional footprint in southwest Texas and increase its existing partnerships with Valero, Chevron, Shell, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and CITGO, according to the company.

"The King acquisition is important to Empire, as it provides Empire with a substantial foothold in the Houston market -- a market Empire has targeted for growth," Empire CEO Hank Heithaus stated. "With the King assets, we now have the necessary foundation of business to allow us to continue to grow the market and increase our market presence over the next 12 to 18 months."

The King Fuels acquisition is part of Empire's continued dedication to growth. Other acquisitions from the last year include the assets of Beach Express Oil Co. Inc. and Besche Oil Co. Inc.

"We seek to be a reliable and stable partner for our customers, suppliers, employees and the communities in which we do business," said Sultan Poonawala, Empire's vice president of operations in Dallas.

Gaithersburg, Md.-based Empire Petroleum Partners is a fuels distributor of a wide variety of brands. It distributes motor fuel products to 18 states in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest and Southwest.