FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE BETWEEN EDWARD RAMIREZ AND TOREADOR RESOURCES CORPORATTION

EXHIBIT 10.9

FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE BETWEEN
EDWARD RAMIREZ AND TOREADOR RESOURCES CORPORATTION
DATED JUNE 27, 2008

     This First Amendment to the Separation Agreement and Release Between Edward Ramirez, and Toreador Resources Corporation Dated June 27, 2008 (“First Amendment”) is made this 3 ^rd day of July, 2008 (“Effective Date”) between Toreador Resources Corporation (“Company”) and Edward Ramirez (“Employee”). Company and Employee are collectively referred to herein as “Parties”. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings provided in that certain Separation Agreement and Release dated June 27, 2008 between Company and Employee (“Separation Agreement”).

RECITALS

      WHEREAS, the Parties entered into a Separation Agreement dated June 27, 2008, whereby Company and Employee mutually desired to terminate their employment relationship with each other;

      WHEREAS, the Parties agreed to finally, fully and completely resolve all disputes that no