The Meridian Resource Corporation is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the exploration and development of oil and natural gas in Louisiana, Texas, and the Gulf of Mexico. Meridian has an extensive asset base of producing fields, acreage, seismic data and prospect inventory. Meridian recently expanded its project inventory with the purchase of options and leases on more than 200,000 acres in its niche area of south Louisiana. This represents one of, if not the largest, contiguous exploration acreage positions for any independent in this region. It has and will continue to serve as a cornerstone asset for Meridian that we believe will provide the Company with a series of low-risk, shallow, natural gas exploration and development opportunities.
