EXHIBIT 99.1

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The Meridian Resource
Corporation (the "Company") for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Form
10-Q"), I, Joseph A. Reeves, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
certify pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.       The Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
         15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.       The information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all
         material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
         the Company.

         Date:    November 14, 2002

                                                /s/ Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.
                                                -------------------------
                                                Joseph A. Reeves, Jr.
                                                Chief Executive Officer