TMR Meridian Resource (The)

The Meridian Resource Corporation (NYSE:TMR) announced today that it has adjourned its special meeting of shareholders regarding its proposed merger with Alta Mesa Holdings, LP. The meeting will be reconvened on or before May 7, 2010 at a time and place to be announced. The record date for shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting remains February 8, 2010. Meridian's Board of Directors continues its recommendation that shareholders vote "for" the proposed merger with Alta Mesa. Shareholders are encouraged to read Meridian's definitive proxy materials in their entirety as they provide, among other things, a detailed discussion of the process that led to the proposed merger and the reasons behind the Board of Directors' recommendation that shareholders vote "for" the proposal to adopt the merger agreement.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements identified by the words "expects," "plans," and certain of the other foregoing statements may be deemed "forward-looking statements." Although Meridian believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve risks and uncertainties regarding the transactions described that may cause actual future activities and results to be materially different from those suggested or described in this press release. Risks and uncertainties regarding the proposed merger with Alta Mesa Holdings, LP and the other transactions described include, but are not limited to, the possibility that the closing of the merger does not occur, either due to the failure of closing conditions, including the approval of the shareholders of Meridian, rights of the parties to terminate the merger agreement, or other reasons; risks that the merger disrupts current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the merger; the outcome of legal proceedings that have been, or may be, initiated against Meridian related to the merger and the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the merger. Other risks relating to Meridian are described in Meridian's documents and reports, available from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the report filed on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2008 and any updates to those factors set forth in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including risks associated with our default under our credit facility and other lending arrangements.

About Meridian

The Meridian Resource Corporation is an independent oil and natural gas company that explores for, acquires and develops oil and natural gas properties. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Meridian holds interests primarily in the onshore oil and natural gas regions of south Louisiana and Texas and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

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CONTACT:  The Meridian Resource Corporation

          Lance L. Weaver

          (281) 597-7125

          lweaver@tmrx.com

          www.tmrc.com