EXHIBIT 32.2

                           CERTIFICATION OF PRESIDENT
     PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(b) OR RULE 15D-14(b) AND 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The Meridian Resource
Corporation (the "Company") for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Form 10-Q"), I,
Michael J. Mayell, President 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: May 10, 2005

                                   /s/ Michael J. Mayell
                                   ----------------------
                                   Michael J. Mayell
                                   President

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