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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported): JULY 17, 2000
THE MERIDIAN RESOURCE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
TEXAS 1-10671 76-0319553
(State of Incorporation) (Commission File No.) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1401 ENCLAVE PARKWAY, SUITE 300
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77077
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (281) 597-7000
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
On July 17, 2000, The Meridian Resource Corporation, a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), entered into an Option and Standstill Agreement
with Shell Louisiana Onshore Properties, Inc. ("Shell"), granting the Company
an option to repurchase all of the outstanding shares of the Company's
preferred stock (convertible into 12.8 million shares of common stock), plus
six million shares of the Company's common stock, held by Shell for an
aggregate cash price of $114 million. A copy of the press release announcing
the agreement is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto, and is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 - Press release of the Company dated July 18, 2000,
announcing the Option and Standstill Agreement with
Shell, granting the Company an option to repurchase
all of the outstanding shares of the Company's
preferred stock (convertible into 12.8 million shares
of common stock), plus six million shares of the
Company's common stock, held by Shell for an
aggregate cash price of $114 million.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
THE MERIDIAN RESOURCE CORPORATION
Dated: July 20, 2000 /s/ P. Richard Gessinger
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P. Richard Gessinger
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Number Exhibit
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99.1 Press release of the Company dated July 18, 2000, announcing
the Option and Standstill Agreement with Shell, granting the
Company an option to repurchase all of the outstanding
shares of the Company's preferred stock (convertible into
12.8 million shares of common stock), plus six million shares
of the Company's common stock, held by Shell for an
aggregate cash price of $114 million.
