TMR Meridian Resource (The)

As previously announced, on April 28, 2010, The Meridian Resource Corporation (NYSE:TMR) adjourned its special meeting of shareholders regarding the adoption of the definitive merger agreement with Alta Mesa Holdings, LP.

The special meeting of shareholders will be reconvened on Monday, May 10, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time at Fulbright Tower, 1301 McKinney, Houston, Texas. The record date for shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting remains February 8, 2010. Only holders of record of our common stock on that date are entitled to vote at the reconvened special meeting.

Meridian's board of directors unanimously recommends that our shareholders vote "FOR" adoption of the merger agreement, as amended.

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' unanimous recommendation that shareholders vote "FOR" the proposal to adopt the merger agreement.

The adoption of the merger agreement, as amended, requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote. A failure to vote will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" the adoption of the merger agreement, as amended.

Additional Information Regarding the Merger and Where to Find It

The proposed merger is being submitted to Meridian's shareholders for their consideration, and Meridian has filed a proxy statement to solicit shareholder approval of the proposal to adopt the merger agreement, as amended, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed merger, with the SEC. Meridian's shareholders are urged to read the proxy statement regarding the proposed merger and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they contain important information. You can obtain a free copy of the proxy statement, as well as other filings with the SEC containing information about Meridian, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the proxy statement can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to The Meridian Resource Corporation, Investor Relations, 1401 Enclave Parkway, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77077 or at Meridian's Investor Relations page on its corporate website at www.tmrx.com.

If you have additional questions about the merger, need assistance in submitting your proxy or voting your shares of common stock, or need additional copies of the proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card, you can also contact The Altman Group, Inc., our proxy solicitor, toll-free at (877) 864-5052 or call (201) 806-7300 or e-mail questions to TMRinfo@altmangroup.com.

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 transactions include 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, as amended, 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, 2009 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