Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Elections of Directors;
Appointment of
Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(e) On June 3, 2009, the Board of Directors of The Meridian Resource Corporation (the "Company") approved an extension of the term of Mr. Paul D. Ching's Employment Agreement with the Company. Mr. Ching has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since December 30, 2008 under an Employment Agreement that originally provided for a term expiring June 30, 2009. The Board approved an extension of the term of the Employment Agreement to December 31, 2009, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement. A copy of the Amendment to Employment Agreement is attached to this report as Exhibit 10.1 and is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
10.1 Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated June 4, 2009, between The Meridian Resource Corporation and Paul D. Ching.

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