** Shares of Australia's Empire Energy EEG.AX rise as much
as 17.9% to A$0.33, their highest level since early May 2022
** Stock posts its biggest intraday pct gain since early Dec
2023, and on track to record its third straight week of gains
** The gas producer signs a 10-year binding gas sales
agreement with Australia's Northern Territory govt
** Agreement to supply 25 TJ of gas per day from Carpentaria
Pilot project
** Around 1.4 mln shares change hands, vs 30-day average
volume of 1.5 mln shares
** Stock up 43.6% YTD, as of last close
(Reporting by Roshan Thomas in Bengaluru)
((Roshan.Thomas@thomsonreuters.com))