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<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2007
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-<U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>

</DIV>
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Form&nbsp;S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>

</DIV>
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 22pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>THE MERIDIAN RESOURCE CORPORATION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Texas</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation <BR>
or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>76-0319553</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>1401 Enclave Parkway, Suite&nbsp;300<BR>
Houston, Texas</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>77077</B><BR>
(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>The Meridian Resource Corporation<BR>
2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.<BR>
The Meridian Resource Corporation<BR>
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
1401 Enclave Parkway, Suite&nbsp;300<BR>
Houston, Texas 77077</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>(281)&nbsp;597-7000</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><I>With a copy to:</I><BR>
<B>Fulbright &#038; Jaworski L.L.P.<BR>
1301 McKinney, Suite&nbsp;5100<BR>
Houston, Texas 77010-3095<BR>
(713)&nbsp;651-5151<BR>
Attention: Roger K. Harris</B>

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>

</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Calculation of Registration Fee</B>
</DIV>




<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="43%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of securities</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>to be registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount to be registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>offering price per share (1)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>aggregate offering price (1)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>registration fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock,
par value $0.01 per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">4,000,000 shares (2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$3.04</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$12,160,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$374</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 3pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule
457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 and based upon the average of the high and low sales
prices of a share of Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock
Exchange on June&nbsp;28, 2007.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Includes an equal number of associated rights pursuant to the Shareholder Rights Agreement
dated May&nbsp;5, 1999 between the Company and American Stock Transfer &#038; Trust Company, as amended.
Also includes an indeterminable number of shares of common stock issuable as a result of the
anti-dilution provisions of the Plan.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#010">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h47906bexv4w11.htm">2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h47906bexv5w1.htm">Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h47906bexv23w1.htm">Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h47906bexv23w2.htm">Consent of T.J. Smith & Company, Inc.</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>





<!-- link1 "PART I" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART I</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As permitted by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, this registration statement omits
the information specified in Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8. The documents containing the information specified
in Part&nbsp;I will be delivered to Plan participants as specified by Rule 428(b) of the Securities Act.
We are not filing those documents with the SEC as part of this registration statement or as
prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424 of the Securities Act. These documents
and the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement, taken together,
constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
</DIV>
<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Meridian Resource Corporation, a Texas corporation (&#147;Meridian&#148;, the &#147;Company&#148; or
&#147;Registrant&#148;), incorporates by reference in this Registration Statement the following:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(i)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31,
2006;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(ii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2007;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(iii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed March&nbsp;9, 2007;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(iv)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Item&nbsp;8.01 of the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March&nbsp;16, 2007;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(v)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May&nbsp;9, 2007;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(vi)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>the description of the Company&#146;s common stock, $0.01 par value per share,
contained in the Company&#146;s Form 8-A registration statement filed March&nbsp;19, 1997, and
the description of the shareholder rights attached to the common stock contained in the
Company&#146;s Form 8-A registration statement filed May&nbsp;13, 1999, each filed pursuant to
Section&nbsp;12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and any subsequent
amendments thereto; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(vii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>all documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the date of the filing
hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement
and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Texas law and our third amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and
restated bylaws, as amended, include provisions designed to limit the liability of our officers and
directors and, in certain circumstances, to indemnify our officers and directors against certain
liabilities. These provisions are designed to encourage qualified individuals to serve as our
officers and directors.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-1<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Texas Business Corporation Act provides that any director or officer of a Texas
corporation may be indemnified against judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes),
fines, settlements, and reasonable expenses actually incurred by him in connection with or in
defending any of the following:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#150;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>a threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding whether
civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or investigative,</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#150;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>an appeal in such an action, suit, or proceeding, or</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#150;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>an inquiry or investigation that could lead to such an action, suit, or
proceeding in which he is a party or to which he is subject by reason of his
position.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With respect to any proceeding arising from actions taken in his official capacity as a
director or officer, he may be indemnified so long as he conducted himself in good faith and
reasonably believed that such conduct was in the best interest of the corporation. In cases not
concerning conduct in his official capacity as a director or officer, a director or officer may be
indemnified so long as he conducted himself in good faith and he reasonably believed that his
conduct was not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. In the case of any criminal
proceeding, a director or officer may be indemnified if he had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful. Indemnification is mandatory if a director or officer is wholly successful on
the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding. Article&nbsp;Nine of Meridian&#146;s third amended and
restated articles of incorporation and Article&nbsp;XII of Meridian&#146;s amended and restated bylaws
require the indemnification of officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Texas
Business Corporation Act.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The amended and restated bylaws also allow Meridian to maintain insurance coverage that
indemnifies any officer or director against liabilities asserted against him in such capacity.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Texas Miscellaneous Corporation Laws Act allows a corporation to include provisions in its
articles of incorporation that relieve its directors of monetary liability for breaches of their
fiduciary duty to the corporation, its shareholders or its members, except under certain
circumstances, including:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#150;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>a breach of the director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the corporation, it
shareholders or its members,</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#150;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>an act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of the law,</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#150;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>a transaction from which the director derived an improper benefit, or</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#150;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>an act or omission for which the director&#146;s liability is expressly provided for by statute.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;Ten of Meridian&#146;s third amended and restated articles of incorporation provides that
our directors are not liable to us or to our shareholders for monetary damages for an act or
omission in their capacity as director, subject to the above restrictions. These limitations on a
director&#146;s liability may not affect claims arising under the federal securities laws.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors and officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have
been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-2<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link2 "ITEM 8. EXHIBITS." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">3.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company
(incorporated by reference to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for
the three months ended September&nbsp;30, 1998).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">3.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to the
Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the three months ended September
30, 1998).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">3.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 of the Company&#146;s Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated May&nbsp;5, 1999)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Designation for Series&nbsp;C Redeemable Convertible Preferred
Stock dated March&nbsp;28, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 of the
Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the three months ended March&nbsp;31,
2002).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1
of the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended (Reg. No.
33-65504)).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Common Stock Purchase Warrant of the Company dated October&nbsp;16, 1990, issued
to Joseph A. Reeves, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.8 of the
Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 1991, as
amended by the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;8 filed March&nbsp;4, 1993).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.4</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Common Stock Purchase Warrant of the Company dated October&nbsp;16, 1990, issued
to Michael J. Mayell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.9 of the
Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 1991, as
amended by the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;8 filed March&nbsp;4, 1993).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.5</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Registration Rights Agreement dated October&nbsp;16, 1990, among the Company,
Joseph A. Reeves, Jr. and Michael J. Mayell (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;10.7 of the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-4, as amended
(Reg. No.&nbsp;33-37488)).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.6</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Warrant Agreement dated June&nbsp;7, 1994, between the Company and Joseph A.
Reeves, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 of the Company&#146;s
Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 1994).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.7</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Warrant Agreement dated June&nbsp;7, 1994, between the Company and Michael J.
Mayell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 of the Company&#146;s Quarterly
Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 1994).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.8</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December&nbsp;23, 2004, among the
Company, Fortis Capital Corp., as Administrative Agent, Sole Lead Arranger
and Bookrunner, Comerica Bank, as Syndication Agent, Union Bank of
California, N.A., as Documentation Agent, and the several lenders from time
to time parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 to the
Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated December&nbsp;23, 2004).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.9</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">The Meridian Resource Corporation Directors&#146; Stock Option Plan (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.5 of the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for
the year ended December&nbsp;31, 1991, as amended by the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;8 filed
March&nbsp;4, 1993).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.10</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Amendment No.&nbsp;1, dated as of January&nbsp;29, 2001, to Rights Agreement, dated as
of May&nbsp;5, 1999, by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer &#038;
Trust Co., as rights agent (incorporated by reference from the Company&#146;s
Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;29, 2001).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.11</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">The
Meridian Resource Corporation 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Fulbright &#038; Jaworski L.L.P., regarding the legality of the
securities to be offered hereby.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of T.J. Smith &#038; Company, Inc.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Fulbright &#038; Jaworski L.L.P. (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">24.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages hereto).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-3<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link2 "ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment hereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar volume of securities offered
would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of
the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective
registration statement; and
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in this Registration Statement;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to
Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4)&nbsp;That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-4<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on
June&nbsp;29, 2007.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><B>The Meridian Resource Corporation</B><BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>

<TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Joseph A. Reeves, Jr., Michael J. Mayell and Lloyd V. DeLano, and each of them, his true
and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same and all
exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting said attorney-in-fact and agent, and any of them, full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any of them, or his or their substitute
or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on
the 29th day of June, 2007.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV align="center">Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Chief Executive Officer, Director and
Chairman of the Board
(principal executive officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Michael J. Mayell
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV align="center">Michael J. Mayell</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">President, Chief Operating Officer and Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Lloyd V. DeLano
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV align="center">Lloyd V. DeLano</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Chief Accounting Officer and
Senior Vice President<BR>
(principal financial and accounting officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ David W. Tauber
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV align="center">David W. Tauber</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John B. Simmons
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV align="center">John B. Simmons</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-5<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV align="center">E. L. Henry</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Joe E. Kares
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV align="center">Joe E. Kares</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Gary A. Messersmith
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV align="center">Gary A. Messersmith</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Fenner R. Weller, Jr.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV align="center">Fenner R. Weller, Jr.</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Dr.&nbsp;C. Mark Pearson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV align="center">Dr.&nbsp;C. Mark Pearson</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-6<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">3.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company
(incorporated by reference to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for
the three months ended September&nbsp;30, 1998).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">3.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to the
Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the three months ended September
30, 1998).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">3.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>&#151;</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 of the Company&#146;s Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated May&nbsp;5, 1999)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Designation for Series&nbsp;C Redeemable Convertible Preferred
Stock dated March&nbsp;28, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 of the
Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the three months ended March&nbsp;31,
2002).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1
of the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1,as amended (Reg. No.
33-65504)).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Common Stock Purchase Warrant of the Company dated October&nbsp;16, 1990, issued
to Joseph A. Reeves, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.8 of the
Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 1991, as
amended by the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;8 filed March&nbsp;4, 1993).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.4</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Common Stock Purchase Warrant of the Company dated October&nbsp;16, 1990, issued
to Michael J. Mayell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.9 of the
Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 1991, as
amended by the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;8 filed March&nbsp;4, 1993).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.5</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Registration Rights Agreement dated October&nbsp;16, 1990, among the Company,
Joseph A. Reeves, Jr. and Michael J. Mayell (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;10.7 of the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-4, as amended
(Reg. No.&nbsp;33-37488)).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.6</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Warrant Agreement dated June&nbsp;7, 1994, between the Company and Joseph A.
Reeves, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 of the Company&#146;s
Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 1994).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.7</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Warrant Agreement dated June&nbsp;7, 1994, between the Company and Michael J.
Mayell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 of the Company&#146;s Quarterly
Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 1994).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.8</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December&nbsp;23, 2004, among the
Company, Fortis Capital Corp., as Administrative Agent, Sole Lead Arranger
and Bookrunner, Comerica Bank, as Syndication Agent, Union Bank of
California, N.A., as Documentation Agent, and the several lenders from time
to time parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 to the
Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated December&nbsp;23, 2004).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.9</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">The Meridian Resource Corporation Directors&#146; Stock Option Plan (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.5 of the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for
the year ended December&nbsp;31, 1991, as amended by the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;8 filed
March&nbsp;4, 1993).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.10</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Amendment No.&nbsp;1, dated as of January&nbsp;29, 2001, to Rights Agreement, dated as
of May&nbsp;5, 1999, by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer &#038;
Trust Co., as rights agent (incorporated by reference from the Company&#146;s
Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;29, 2001).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.11</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">The
Meridian Resource Corporation 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Fulbright &#038; Jaworski L.L.P., regarding the legality of the
securities to be offered hereby.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="76%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

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    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of T.J. Smith &#038; Company, Inc.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Fulbright &#038; Jaworski L.L.P. (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">24.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages hereto).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
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</HTML>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "MERIDIAN RESOURCE CORP", "cik": "0000869369", "assigned-sic": "1311", "irs-number": "760319553", "state-of-incorporation": "TX", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-144236", "film-number": "07951769"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1401 ENCLAVE PARKWAY SUITE 300", "city": "HOUSTON", "state": "TX", "zip": "77077", "phone": "7135588080"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1401 ENCLAVE PARKWAY SUITE 300", "city": "HOUSTON", "state": "TX", "zip": "77077"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "TEXAS MERIDIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION", "date-changed": "19930328"}, {"former-conformed-name": "TEXAS MERIDIAN RESOURCES ACQUISITION CORPORATION", "date-changed": "19600201"}]}
sv8
Table of Contents
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2007
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
THE MERIDIAN RESOURCE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Texas
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)
76-0319553
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1401 Enclave Parkway, Suite 300
Houston, Texas
(Address of Principal Executive Officer)
77077
(Zip Code)
The Meridian Resource Corporation
2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.
The Meridian Resource Corporation
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
1401 Enclave Parkway, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77077
(Name and address of agent for service)
(281) 597-7000
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
With a copy to:
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
1301 McKinney, Suite 5100
Houston, Texas 77010-3095
(713) 651-5151
Attention: Roger K. Harris
Calculation of Registration Fee
Title of securities
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Amount of
to be registered
Amount to be registered
offering price per share (1)
aggregate offering price (1)
registration fee
Common Stock,
par value $0.01 per share
4,000,000 shares (2)
$3.04
$12,160,000
$374
(1)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule
457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 and based upon the average of the high and low sales
prices of a share of Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock
Exchange on June 28, 2007.
(2)
Includes an equal number of associated rights pursuant to the Shareholder Rights Agreement
dated May 5, 1999 between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as amended.
Also includes an indeterminable number of shares of common stock issuable as a result of the
anti-dilution provisions of the Plan.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
PART II
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP
Consent of T.J. Smith & Company, Inc.
Table of Contents
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
As permitted by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, this registration statement omits
the information specified in Part I of Form S-8. The documents containing the information specified
in Part I will be delivered to Plan participants as specified by Rule 428(b) of the Securities Act.
We are not filing those documents with the SEC as part of this registration statement or as
prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 of the Securities Act. These documents
and the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement, taken together,
constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
The Meridian Resource Corporation, a Texas corporation ("Meridian", the "Company" or
"Registrant"), incorporates by reference in this Registration Statement the following:
(i)
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006;
(ii)
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2007;
(iii)
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed March 9, 2007;
(iv)
Item 8.01 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 16, 2007;
(v)
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 9, 2007;
(vi)
the description of the Company's common stock, $0.01 par value per share,
contained in the Company's Form 8-A registration statement filed March 19, 1997, and
the description of the shareholder rights attached to the common stock contained in the
Company's Form 8-A registration statement filed May 13, 1999, each filed pursuant to
Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and any subsequent
amendments thereto; and
(vii)
all documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the date of the filing
hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement
and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Texas law and our third amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and
restated bylaws, as amended, include provisions designed to limit the liability of our officers and
directors and, in certain circumstances, to indemnify our officers and directors against certain
liabilities. These provisions are designed to encourage qualified individuals to serve as our
officers and directors.
II-1
Table of Contents
The Texas Business Corporation Act provides that any director or officer of a Texas
corporation may be indemnified against judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes),
fines, settlements, and reasonable expenses actually incurred by him in connection with or in
defending any of the following:
–
a threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding whether
civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or investigative,
–
an appeal in such an action, suit, or proceeding, or
–
an inquiry or investigation that could lead to such an action, suit, or
proceeding in which he is a party or to which he is subject by reason of his
position.
With respect to any proceeding arising from actions taken in his official capacity as a
director or officer, he may be indemnified so long as he conducted himself in good faith and
reasonably believed that such conduct was in the best interest of the corporation. In cases not
concerning conduct in his official capacity as a director or officer, a director or officer may be
indemnified so long as he conducted himself in good faith and he reasonably believed that his
conduct was not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. In the case of any criminal
proceeding, a director or officer may be indemnified if he had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful. Indemnification is mandatory if a director or officer is wholly successful on
the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding. Article Nine of Meridian's third amended and
restated articles of incorporation and Article XII of Meridian's amended and restated bylaws
require the indemnification of officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Texas
Business Corporation Act.
The amended and restated bylaws also allow Meridian to maintain insurance coverage that
indemnifies any officer or director against liabilities asserted against him in such capacity.
The Texas Miscellaneous Corporation Laws Act allows a corporation to include provisions in its
articles of incorporation that relieve its directors of monetary liability for breaches of their
fiduciary duty to the corporation, its shareholders or its members, except under certain
circumstances, including:
–
a breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation, it
shareholders or its members,
–
an act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of the law,
–
a transaction from which the director derived an improper benefit, or
–
an act or omission for which the director's liability is expressly provided for by statute.
Article Ten of Meridian's third amended and restated articles of incorporation provides that
our directors are not liable to us or to our shareholders for monetary damages for an act or
omission in their capacity as director, subject to the above restrictions. These limitations on a
director's liability may not affect claims arising under the federal securities laws.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors and officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have
been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
Not applicable.
II-2
Table of Contents
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.
Exhibit
No.
Description
3.1
—
Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company
(incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the three months ended September 30, 1998).
3.2
—
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September
30, 1998).
3.3
—
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated May 5, 1999)
4.1
—
Certificate of Designation for Series C Redeemable Convertible Preferred
Stock dated March 28, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31,
2002).
4.2
—
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Reg. No.
33-65504)).
4.3
—
Common Stock Purchase Warrant of the Company dated October 16, 1990, issued
to Joseph A. Reeves, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991, as
amended by the Company's Form 8 filed March 4, 1993).
4.4
Common Stock Purchase Warrant of the Company dated October 16, 1990, issued
to Michael J. Mayell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991, as
amended by the Company's Form 8 filed March 4, 1993).
4.5
Registration Rights Agreement dated October 16, 1990, among the Company,
Joseph A. Reeves, Jr. and Michael J. Mayell (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.7 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended
(Reg. No. 33-37488)).
4.6
Warrant Agreement dated June 7, 1994, between the Company and Joseph A.
Reeves, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994).
4.7
Warrant Agreement dated June 7, 1994, between the Company and Michael J.
Mayell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994).
4.8
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 23, 2004, among the
Company, Fortis Capital Corp., as Administrative Agent, Sole Lead Arranger
and Bookrunner, Comerica Bank, as Syndication Agent, Union Bank of
California, N.A., as Documentation Agent, and the several lenders from time
to time parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 23, 2004).
4.9
The Meridian Resource Corporation Directors' Stock Option Plan (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1991, as amended by the Company's Form 8 filed
March 4, 1993).
4.10
Amendment No. 1, dated as of January 29, 2001, to Rights Agreement, dated as
of May 5, 1999, by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer &
Trust Co., as rights agent (incorporated by reference from the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 29, 2001).
4.11
The
Meridian Resource Corporation 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
5.1
—
Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., regarding the legality of the
securities to be offered hereby.
23.1
—
Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP.
23.2
—
Consent of T.J. Smith & Company, Inc.
23.3
—
Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1
—
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages hereto).
II-3
Table of Contents
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment hereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar volume of securities offered
would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of
the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in this Registration Statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
II-4
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on
June 29, 2007.
The Meridian Resource Corporation
By:
/s/ Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.
Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Joseph A. Reeves, Jr., Michael J. Mayell and Lloyd V. DeLano, and each of them, his true
and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same and all
exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting said attorney-in-fact and agent, and any of them, full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any of them, or his or their substitute
or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on
the 29th day of June, 2007.
Signature
Title
/s/ Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.
Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer, Director and
Chairman of the Board
(principal executive officer)
/s/ Michael J. Mayell
Michael J. Mayell
President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
/s/ Lloyd V. DeLano
Lloyd V. DeLano
Chief Accounting Officer and
Senior Vice President
(principal financial and accounting officer)
/s/ David W. Tauber
David W. Tauber
Director
/s/ John B. Simmons
John B. Simmons
Director
II-5
Table of Contents
Signature
Title
E. L. Henry
Director
/s/ Joe E. Kares
Joe E. Kares
Director
/s/ Gary A. Messersmith
Gary A. Messersmith
Director
/s/ Fenner R. Weller, Jr.
Fenner R. Weller, Jr.
Director
/s/ Dr. C. Mark Pearson
Dr. C. Mark Pearson
Director
II-6
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No.
Description
3.1
—
Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company
(incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the three months ended September 30, 1998).
3.2
—
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September
30, 1998).
3.3
—
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated May 5, 1999)
4.1
—
Certificate of Designation for Series C Redeemable Convertible Preferred
Stock dated March 28, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31,
2002).
4.2
—
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1,as amended (Reg. No.
33-65504)).
4.3
—
Common Stock Purchase Warrant of the Company dated October 16, 1990, issued
to Joseph A. Reeves, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991, as
amended by the Company's Form 8 filed March 4, 1993).
4.4
—
Common Stock Purchase Warrant of the Company dated October 16, 1990, issued
to Michael J. Mayell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991, as
amended by the Company's Form 8 filed March 4, 1993).
4.5
—
Registration Rights Agreement dated October 16, 1990, among the Company,
Joseph A. Reeves, Jr. and Michael J. Mayell (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.7 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended
(Reg. No. 33-37488)).
4.6
—
Warrant Agreement dated June 7, 1994, between the Company and Joseph A.
Reeves, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994).
4.7
—
Warrant Agreement dated June 7, 1994, between the Company and Michael J.
Mayell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994).
4.8
—
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 23, 2004, among the
Company, Fortis Capital Corp., as Administrative Agent, Sole Lead Arranger
and Bookrunner, Comerica Bank, as Syndication Agent, Union Bank of
California, N.A., as Documentation Agent, and the several lenders from time
to time parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 23, 2004).
4.9
—
The Meridian Resource Corporation Directors' Stock Option Plan (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1991, as amended by the Company's Form 8 filed
March 4, 1993).
4.10
Amendment No. 1, dated as of January 29, 2001, to Rights Agreement, dated as
of May 5, 1999, by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer &
Trust Co., as rights agent (incorporated by reference from the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 29, 2001).
4.11
The
Meridian Resource Corporation 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
5.1
Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., regarding the legality of the
securities to be offered hereby.
23.1
Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP.
II-7
Table of Contents
Exhibit
No.
Description
23.2
Consent of T.J. Smith & Company, Inc.
23.3
Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages hereto).